A Single Teardrop
By AnimeH64

Quick A/N
This might be a little long because it's a whole story, but I hope you stick with it to the end!

~ ~ ~ ~

I sigh and roll onto my bed, curling up into a small ball. I look over and glance at my school assignment on my bed again.

​"Write how you would describe and explain talenters to a person who has never been to our land before."

I'm a talenter. How do I explain? I sit there for a few minutes before letting out another big sigh. I haven't really thought about that before.

"I guess I'll start by pretending to talk to someone, then make it into a paper," I resolve and sit up before arranging my stuffed pandas in front of me.

Although I am 15 years old, I am still very fond of stuffed animals – especially pandas. I stand up and look at myself in the mirror.

"So, Emily," I start to talk to myself (an old habit). A tan skinned face with long brown hair and brown eyes stares back at me.

"How would you explain this stuff to a foreigner?" I continue, still looking at myself as if expecting an answer.

I sigh for the third time. This won't be easy. I clear my throat and take a deep breath, turning back to my stuffed audience. Just think, and let the words roll off your tongue. I start to ramble like I'm telling an old tale or story.

"Our land is quite normal to me, but it might seem different to you. We are part of something called the 18 Games. 18 different territories. Our main big land is like a big island in the middle of the great waters. The formal name is 'The Erased Land of Games', but we call it the ELG. Some territories have much smaller islands off of them. I live on an island off the seventh game (the islands are part of the games). The ELG has the main ruler or the 'GameKeeper' living directly in the middle. Now to explain a talenter. A Talenter - Someone born with certain powers or talent. There are four different types of talenters. The weapon, protector, element, and exception types. Someone born as a talenter is one of these four types. But, to use them in battles and such, we 'transform' or change our appearance as we get our powers. For example, I am a weapon type. Under the weapon type, there are hundreds of different weapons. I'm a long sword, so when I transform I hold a long sword. For the protector type, they have a method of protection such as making themselves invisible, healing, camouflaging, shapeshifting, and other ways of adapting. The next type is an element. Fire, ice, wind, nature, even things like darkness or light. Lastly, exceptions are exceptions. Mind reading, levitating, telekinesis, super speed, super strength, they are the odd ones out. On this land, there are many different schools where the talenters go."

I start to walk around my room, making it sound more like a speech now.

"Did I forget to mention that most of the population of the 18 Games is human? Oops, the ratio of talenters to human is around eight to one. Only about two to three schools for talenters are across each game. The rest are normal humans, living normal human lives. As a talenter, I go to the only school for talenters on the island I live on. Instead of learning normal human things and getting human jobs, talenters learn in school all about their types and the others' as well; How they work, the history, and how to fight. Talenters get jobs to catch criminals or create peace, kind of like the police of the land. They get to work with the police often and can take jobs offered by them. Most just do a job that suits them."

I suddenly hear a few knocks and look up toward the door where I see my older sister leaning on the door frame.

"That's an interesting way to put it. I see you're still talking to your stuffed animals," she says as she stifles a chuckle.

"It's for a school assignment. And how long have you been standing here?" I ask irritably.

"From a few minutes ago I think," she replies before yawning and raising her hands, stretching. "Anyways Emily, you should get to bed soon. It's gettin' pretty late and I'm guessing you have a little while before that project is due," she states with a wave before exiting the room.

~ ~ ~ ~

The following day is a normal Year 10 school day. Going to class, taking tests, and looking for new job opportunities.

I put my books in my locker when suddenly I hear the school intercom go on.

"Attention all students and teachers," the principal begins. "The annual Talenters Open will take place in two weeks. If you don't know what that is, it's a yearly three part/challenge tournament. Each school for talenters will participate and have students to represent their school. Any further details will be told to the participants. The student with the highest grades or scores from each block will be representing our school. That is four students in total representing our school, and they will be announced next week. Thank you for listening, and have a great week!"

I continue putting away my books. Suddenly, I hear a loud squeal and see a figure running down the hall.
"Emilia! Emily!" one of my friends Aracel exclaims excitedly while running.

"What?" I ask when she reaches me.
She sighs and catches her breath.

"Emily, don't you have one of the highest grades in the weapon block? You have a good chance of competing in this years' competition! This is your one and only chance to show how strong you are and go to Teardrop Island - your dream."

She is right, in some ways. Only Year 10 students have the chance every year to have a shot at the competition. Our school hasn't won a single yearly competition for the last 55 years, so if we win this year it'll be a big breakthrough for our school. Going to Teardrop Island has always been a big dream of mine, for certain reasons.

"As much as I'd love to represent the weapon block, I'm sure there are many strong fighters out there," I answer.

"What happened to the usually positive and cheerful Em I know? When you fight in battles and for jobs, you suddenly change into another person. Not literally, but it's like you have another personality- Oh my gosh! Do you have split personalities? I mean, the normal you is so cheerful and fun but the you in battles and jobs is so serious and strong. I've never really seen you get seriously hurt before."

I laugh. "No Ce, I don't have split personalities. I just don't like getting hurt or losing." I start to unconsciously fiddle with my bracelet.

I trained so I could be strong enough to go to Teardrop Island and fulfill a promise.

I continue to pull at my small bracelet, losing myself in thought. I never take it off, even during battles. It's very precious to me. It is a beautiful silver chain bracelet with a small teardrop jewel in the middle.

"You ok Em? You kinda spaced out there," Aracel asks, waving her hand in front of my face.

I quickly shake my thoughts away and look at her again, smiling "Oh, I'm fine. Thanks for the encouragement though. Anyways, shouldn't we be heading to class soon? It's starting soon."
"Ok! Let's go then."

~ ~ ~ ~
The following week flies by fast. It's finally the day that the competitors are being announced. The principal turns on the loud speakers and tells everyone that they will be announced sometime today after all the calculations are done.

Towards the middle of the day, I'm by my locker again when I hear from the principal again. "Attention all students. The results are in, and we have the four people participating in this years' tournament. Listen up.

Nolan West, Lillianna McColm, Hunter Mullins, and Emilia Preston – Please report to my office. Congratulations. You four had the highest scores in your block. Good bye, and have a nice day."

The message ends and my eyes are wide open, my jaw drops. I immediately start to smile and finish putting my books away. I start skipping to the principal's office. My hard work paid off! Look at me now Kaitie! I have a chance.

On my way, Cel and my other friends congratulate me with squeals and congratulations!!

~ ~ ~ ~
After a long and happy skip to another building, I finally make it to the principal's office. I quickly rap on the door and patiently wait for an answer. I tap my fingers on my side and take a deep breath, calming myself down. When I hear a 'come in', I cautiously enter and look around.

"He-hello. I'm here for the competition?" I nervously ask quietly.

I spot the principal at a desk and observe another person sitting in one of the waiting chairs.

I notice he is reading a book. When he looks up, I see he has short blond hair, messy bangs, and blue eyes.

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Nolan West – protector type. Have a seat. What's yours?" he formally asks me when he stands up to introduce himself.

He's around 5'6, having a few inches on my short 5'3 figure.

"Emilia Preston. Call me Emily though. Weapon type. Nice to meet you, too Nolan!"

I sit down next to him and ask, "So Nolan, what book are you reading?"

"Oh. I'm reading a book on the history and change of protectors over time."

"Interesting! Do you take any jobs?" I remember protector types don't have a weapon but are good in hand to hand combat.

"I don't usually take any jobs, but I hope to become a bodyguard for the GameKeeper when I get older."

"Cool! Do you know any of our other teammates? Sorry, I ask a lot of questions."

"It's ok, but yeah, I've heard of Hunter. Haven't met the other girl before though."

Right then, a boy burst into the principal's office as if right on cue.

"Hi! I'm Hunter Mullins, an exception type! Nice to meet you! Sorry I was late, I was caught up talking to all my friends. So, is this everyone?" he rushed loudly.

"No, Mr. Mullins, we are waiting on one more girl. But next time please knock before coming in, and mind your manners please. It's a good thing you get good grades," the principal says looking up from his desk.

He answers with an 'ok', and sits down next to Nolan and me. I observe his short brown hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin. Maybe an inch or so taller than Nolan.

"So, you guys are my teammates? Cool!"

"Yup," I answer and we all sit in awkward silence.

A few minutes of silence later, a girl knocks then opens the door. I look up.

"My name is Lillianna McColm, element type, and I refuse to compete in this tournament," she states in a monotone voice. She has short pitch black hair with bangs at different lengths, blue eyes, and pale skin.

​"Your name is McColm?? As in the Tatum McColm? Wow! We are lucky to have you on our team!" Hunter says excitedly.

​"Tatum McColm is my grandmother, and didn't I just say I refused to participate?" she fires at him, seeming a little annoyed. For someone small she had a fierce attitude.

​"Who's Tatum McColm? And why is she so famous?" I ask, confused.
​"She's the reason I don't want to participate, and that's that. Good-bye, don't ever bother me again," she states coldly and immediately leaves the room, not saying a word to the principal.

​"Wait! Lillianna!" I yell after her, getting up to follow her. "Watch out!" I yell again as she slips on some water on the floor.

​"Are you ok?" I asked worriedly, rushing over to her. When she doesn't respond, I take her to the nurse's office (with the help of Nolan and Hunter).

~ ~ ~ ~
When she finally wakes up, she sits up and looks around.

​"Where am I, and why am I here?" she asks suspiciously, eyeing me.

​I'm the only one left, so we are alone. "You slipped and fell in the hallway. You hit your head then passed out. Hunter, Nolan, and I brought you here to the nurse's office. Are you ok now?"

​"Oh. Thanks. I feel ok now, just a little pain on my head," she says rubbing her head.

​"Ok, that's good Lilly," I say, relieved.
"Can I call you Lilly? Lillianna seems long."

​"It's actually the first time someone has called me Lilly before, but it's fine."

​"Ok! Nice to meet you Lilly. My name's Emilia, call me Emily. Friends?" I ask reaching my hand out.

​"Nice to meet you, too Emily. You don't seem as bad as I thought," she responds, softly smiling.

​I smile. "I've been a little curious about this... why do you not want to participate? What does your grandmother have to do with it?" I'm pretty straightforward.

​"Um I'll explain it as simply as I can, but it's a little private so don't tell anyone," she answers, warming up to me a bit.

​"I won't."

​"Ok.... Umm, my grandmother, I don't know if you've heard of her before, was part of the team that won the only competition that we have won in the last 55 years. It doesn't seem like a lot, but she was quite famous in her time. Suddenly, many people knew of us and our school. When my mom was born, everyone was expecting her to be like my grandmother, but instead she was born a normal human. Now, since I was born a talenter, all the pressure is on me. My whole family is expecting me to be part of the competition and win, to revive an old memory and prove I'm strong. I've been doing my best in school because I wanted to prove I could be strong without entering a competition, but now that I'm part of the same competition, I'm sure my family expects me to win. Because my grandmother was a 'legend', they expect me to carry it on. Even other people expect me to be strong when they hear my name." She glances up from her hands.

​"Why don't you give it a try? Entering the competition, I mean. If you don't win, it just tells your parents that it doesn't always work that way. But if you do enter with us, I'll do my best to help us win and help you with your situation, I promise," I say trying my best to help her out. I suck with advice and making people feel better though.

​"Really? You'd do that for me? I don't have a lot of friends, so this is a first. I have to think about it a little more."

​"Of course! Anytime," I smile. Sadly, this might only be for my own selfish reasons.

​"Thank you! I'll think about that." But she doesn't seem as cold as I thought she was before.

~ ~ ~ ~
​"Is this everyone?" the principal asks, looking to each of us when Lilly and I get back.

​"Yes, I believe this is all of us. Let's all introduce ourselves. Hi teammates!" I start with a small wave. "Name's Emilia Preston, call me Emily. I am 15 years old, a long sword weapon type, and since we will fight together and become friends I don't need to explain my appearance," I state cheerfully.

​"I'll go next. My name is Nolan West. I am 16 years old, protector type with invisibility, and the only thing about me that changes is my blue eyes turn green. Pleasure to be acquainted with you."

​"Hi! I'm Hunter Mullins, adored by all the people in the school and I am 16 years old as well. Exception type that copies powers once I see them but doesn't steal them so don't worry. My changes are my hair turn silver and I get ice blue eyes. Cool, right?" Hunter voices confidently, grinning. "Lastly is Lilly McColm!"

​"Don't call me Lilly," she snaps coldly at him. "And don't mention anything about my family."

​"Ok...Lilly you can continue..." I say cautiously.

​"Ok Emily! My name is Lillianna McColm, don't call me Lilly unless I say its ok 'cause it's a pain when I get confused with other Lillys around me. I'm 16. Element type and wind, don't mess with me. My appearance is too much of a pain to explain. Nice to meet you," she says boldly. Everyone looks at her confused and shocked.

​"Um, so let's continue since we all introduced ourselves," the principal starts. "The competition takes place next week. The winners of the tournament altogether get to study and practice with some of the strongest talenters on Teardrop Island for a whole year, and get to be special guests on the panel in next years' tournament. The tournament has three separate parts. They all take place on the GameKeeper's land so you all will have to travel there. I have permission from all of your parents to leave in a few days, so start packing enough for a week. The three separate parts I will explain briefly. The first part eliminates most of the teams. You have to travel from Point A to Point B the fastest, but it isn't that easy. Only the top eight fastest teams move onto the next round. The next part is a normal battle round. One team against another until it is down to the two finalists. The final round is probably the most difficult. The rules are simple, but the game is hard. There are many flags hidden around the whole battle area – the forest. Whichever team is holding the most flags by the end of the game wins. You can fight, steal, trick, anything to get the flags except physically hurting more than allowed. That pretty much sums the tournament up. Any questions?"

​"We get to train on Teardrop Island if we win!" I breathe. But only if we win, I tell myself. I used to tell my sister that one day I'd be strong enough to go and train on Teardrop Island.

​"We sure do! Let's do this!" my teammates all cheer.

​And thus, we all begin our adventure.

~ ~ ~ ~
First, we take an airplane to the main land. We then take a train the rest of the way. The airplane would mean getting on and off too many times. The train takes two days straight only stopping at the borders to get more fuel and supplies. Lilly and I share a room and the boys do, too. We mostly talk to get to know each other more and play games.

​The train is pretty comfortable. It has separate beds facing the long windows of the train and is structured like a hotel. It is built so the room is facing towards the outside of the train and you can see what is passing by from your room.

(Emily and Lilly's room)

​"So, what's your family like?" I randomly ask while we are all sitting in the food car.

​"I live with my mom, dad, and I have no siblings. Neither are talenters," Lilly declares.

​"I also live with my mom and dad. I have an older brother and sister. Same as Lilly, none are talenters," Hunter says after Lilly.

​"I live with my mother. My father passed away a few years ago, and I have eight siblings. I help my mother take care of them," Nolan says glancing up, again from a book.

​"Oh. Do you miss them?" I ask curiously.

​"Yes, very much. How about your family Emily?"

​"I live with my parents, too. I have an older sister and a younger brother. I used to have another sister, but she disappeared when I was younger," I mention gravely. I still remember what she looked like. We used to be inseparable.

​"Kaitie! Over here! Try to catch me!" The young me cries, running through the grass.

​"Ok!" my older sister laughs. "I'm coming Emily. Look! All these different plants and animals, I'm sure there are many more on Teardrop Island." She lets out a deep breath, lies down, and looks up towards the blue sky.

"Teardrop Island. Do you think you'll ever be strong enough to train or get there?"

​I giggle. "With all the strong people? I will! I promise. I'll train as hard as I can to get there."

​She laughs again. "You sure you want to promise? It's very hard to, Emmy."

"Hmm, what about you Kaitie?"

"I think I'm going to finish school first before I try," she answers and looks down at me, smiling.

"Really? Pinkie promise?" I ask, extending my finger.

"Pinkie promise. I won't leave you."

​A few months later my sister disappeared without a word or trace.

​"Oh. I'm sorry about that," my new friends say comforting me.

​"Thanks. It's ok now we're going to the tournament!" I mention getting up. "Anyways, we should start packing up since we will arrive soon."

​"Finally!" Hunter cheers and we all agree.

​I can tell we all will be good friends in the future. Except for my selfishness.

~ ~ ~ ~
​I stop in front of the massive fighting area for rounds one and three and look around. A breathtaking forest surrounds me. I can spot huge branches extending long enough to reach ruin- like buildings that are spread around. The branches are large enough to stand and jump back and forth on. The atmosphere is almost magical. Sun peeps through the large canopy of the trees. A pond is glittering under some parts of the light and others were dark and mysterious. Not all of the places receive light from the sun and are left in the shadows.

(The area she is looking at)

​Inside one of the buildings is the gym-like fighting arena for round two of the tournament. Most battle areas are indoors and in some rare occasions outside. This arena is a massive indoor one.

~ ~ ~ ~
​"Welcome to the annual Talenters Open! Good luck to all the teams participating!" the announcer shouts through the loud speaker.

​We are all standing around in the waiting area of the main competition building. The inside looks gorgeous. Grand stairs lead to a place off limits. It looks like the inside of a palace to me. The yellow illumination reaches everywhere and everything is mostly gold, yellow and black. I look down at the yellow marbled floor, polished almost perfectly. There are black and gold pillars near the entrance and two gold spiky figures on either side of the stairs.

​"Aren't you all nervous? 'Cause I am. We'll be going against the strongest Year 10 students across the ELG," I say nervously, looking around the grand room at all the other teams spread across. My friends all agree with me.

​"Hi! What game are you guys from?" A sudden voice interrupts. "Oopsies! Forgot to introduce myself! I'm Jezebel, call me Jez or Belle, and me and my team are from the tenth game," a girl communicates, a little bit too cheerfully extending her hand.

​"O-oh! Nice to meet you too Jezebel! My name is Emily, and my teammates and I are from the seventh game!" I add, shaking her hand. I'm both startled and glad to have met a friend already.

​"Let's both do our best in this year's competition! Best of luck to you my friends! Toodles!" she giggles and starts to walk away confidently.

​"She seemed like a nice person," I comment, looking after her.

​"I guess so," Lilly says. "A little too cheerful for me though."

​"Everything is too cheerful for you, Lillianna," Nolan says chuckling.

​"Yeah, even though you can sometimes be very cheerful yourself, too," Hunter remarks.

​Lilly smacks him on the arm. "Are you implying that I'm not? I'm always a cheerful and nice person to be around!" she says, pouting. We all laugh, she has just started warming up to the boys.

​"Ok, ok, if you say so Lillianna," Hunter laughs.

​"You can call me Lilly...." she says quietly, shyly looking to the side. I can see her slightly embarrassed blush.

​"Everyone participating please check in and get ready for the first round. The first round will begin later today at 1:00 pm. That is in four hours, so please be checked in and prepared," the announcer says loudly, once again interrupting our conversation.

​"I guess that's our cue to check in," Nolan declares, starting toward the check in area. We all follow him.

~ ~ ~ ~
​"Hello again, all participants. The Talenters Open is now beginning! Please gather up with your teams for round one! This round you do not have to go head to head with any other teams, but you will be having a race. Only the eight fastest teams move onto the second round. Watch out, there are many obstacles. You can't interfere with any other teams or you'll be disqualified. This is the race of your team, the obstacles, and time. Good luck!" Now that we are officially starting, it is even more nerve wracking for me.

​I know we are all strong enough to fight so that is not a problem, but we literally just met each other a week ago. Over the past week, we have gotten to know each other better, but I can tell we don't fully trust each other yet.

​As we're all waiting for the starting point for all the teams to be announced, we run into Jez and her team again. We say our greetings and line up in our lines.

​"Psst," I hear someone whisper next to me. "Excuse me."

​"Hm? What is it?" I question, whispering back.

​"Um, is by any chance the other girl on your team related to Tatum McColm?" the girl asks me.

​"Uh yeah, she's her granddaughter," I answer, a little bit confused.

​"Ohhh, really? Ok. Sorry, it's just that I heard about her team once when I visited the seventh game, and I heard you guys were from there too. I asked someone and they said she had the same surname so I was a little curious. Anyways, thanks. My name's Angel, by the way. I wish you good luck for your race!" she smiles nicely and I smile back.

​"Nice to meet you Angel, I'm Emily."

​"I've got to go now, but hope to see you close to the finals!" she says and walks back to her line.

​"Who was that?" Lilly asks me when I turn back.

​"A girl named Angel. She just came to ask me a question," I answer simply.

~ ~ ~ ~
​"Ready, set, transform!" Everyone transforms. My long brown hair transforms into a neat ponytail and my normally light brown eyes turn to a piercing red. I am dressed in a sleek black jacket, ready for battle as always.
​Lilly's normally short jet black hair extends into long waves, changing her appearance dramatically. She is also dressed ready for battle.

​Nolan's right. He looks exactly the same from behind after his transformation, but if you look at him closely, his normally pale and vivid blue eyes turn into a curious sea green.

​Hunters' short chocolate brown hair turns into a rare silver color and his warm brown eyes into a striking clear blue.

​"On your marks, get set, begin!" The gunshot fire can be heard throughout the forest and everyone rushes off. The ending point is on the opposite side of the forest, and to signify you made it you have to hit a buzzer. As soon as you hit the buzzer, you are taken into a room where only eight teams will be allowed.

​The four of us begin to run, staying cautious. Almost immediately we are hit with an obstacle.

​"Watch out!" Hunter yells as fast arrows fly past us. I can see how it will be hard to go as fast as you can with all this danger surrounding us.

​"Lilly? Can you change the direction of the arrows?" I yell to her, hunching over.
​"I can try!" she yells back to me extending her arms. "It'll only last a few seconds though, so you have to be quick!"

​She pushes her arms forward, palms facing in front of her, and suddenly a gush of wind comes through. The direction of the arrows change for a few seconds, giving us enough time to go through.

​"What about you?" I yell to her in concern.

​"Keep going! I'll catch up in no time," she yells back standing on the other side of the arrows.

​"Ok!" I wave and start heading forward with the boys.

​The next obstacle is an area filled with fog. I can barely see a foot in front of me.

​"Where is everyone? Can you hear me?" I shout.

​"Yes, we can. We're right behind you," Nolan says appearing directly next to me with Hunter.

​"So, how are we supposed to get outta here? The only thing I can think of is pushing the fog away with wind but Lilly isn't here," I say.

​"Oh Emily, did you forget who we have on our team? Me! Give me a second," Hunter says and extends his hands in the same motion as Lilly just did.

​The fog clears and I look around. Why do I feel like only Lilly's power is being used? Well, Hunter's too but it feels weird.

​We run as fast as we can and eventually Lilly catches up to us. The next obstacle hits us quickly .We finally make it to the checkpoint and we hit the buzzer. We make it to the second round being the sixth fastest team. Not too bad.

~ ~ ~ ~
​The second round is quite a surprise. We make it past the first battle. Our second battle is a little more difficult.
I charge towards my opponent, the weapon type from the opposing team. He is a grenade type and is constantly dodging my attacks, aiming around me. The explosions are blocking my view and constantly running is making me a little tired (even though I trained for this). Lilly, Nolan, and Hunter are equally matched with the others.

​Lilly surrounds two of the opposing team members in a tornado with the help of Hunter using a speed up spell from the previous battle. Nolan is constantly jumping back and forth turning invisible and reappearing again, dodging and confusing his opponent.

​"Keep it spinning Hunter!' Lilly yells and runs to assist me. "When you dodge, jump as high as you can and be ready to attack!" she tells me and I follow her command.

​I immediately catch on when I'm attacked again. I jump, and stable myself. Lilly pushes a canopy of air under me and it appears like I'm levitating. I get my sword in position and dive into an attack.
~ ~ ~ ~
​"Welcome to the last round! We have our two final teams. This final round you have to find as many flags as you can and hold onto them. The team with the most flags at the end of half an hour wins. You can do whatever you need to do to get them. The only thing you cannot do is hurt an opponent beyond what they can bear."

​I look across to our opponents. I learned after the first round, when they were fastest, that Jezebel and Angel were in fact on the same team. I think they might be step-sisters. I wasn't really surprised that they made it to the finals. Their team was strong.

​"Good luck!" I give a genuine smile and so do my teammates.

​"Good luck to you, too!" Angel says and Jezebel agrees.

​We all line up and get ready to start the match.

​"Ready, set, transform!"

​Then a few seconds later, "Ready, set, begin!"

​"How should we split up?" I ask.

​"Let's each search for flags separately and meet again later," Nolan suggests and we all head off.

​I'm guessing each one will have their own way of getting the flags. Nolan's invisibility will be very useful in this round. I can imagine him sneaking around the best.

One of the flags I find is stuck to the very top of a tree, so I have to climb up to get it. Another is underwater so I have to hold my breath and swim to get it.

After I gather a few of the flags, I run into a jungle like area of the forest. I have a feeling one of the flags is hidden here somewhere. I catch my breath and continue walking around. My heart races at the chance to find another flag. I start looking up, to the side, under, in, and above everything.

Towering trees surround the clearing and block a few spots from the sun. Large vines hang across from each tree. The dirt is almost covered with fallen leaves.

I continue to make my way through the area when I suddenly slip. I start to fall, fall, fall, deep into the endless looking pit.

"Here Emmy, this is a gift for you."
Kaitlin presents me with a beautiful bracelet, one that I know I will treasure. It has a teardrop jewel in the middle.

"Why a teardrop?" I curiously ask, examining the bracelet.

"Because it has a special meaning to me. It's like Teardrop Island. Look, I have a matching one!"

"Oooh! Yay! We match!" I giggle and put the bracelet on.

"Here, let me help you."

"Come and get me!" I shriek and run through the grass we were previously sitting on.

"I'm coming!" Kaitlin gets up and follows me.

I let out a cheerful laugh and run faster, playing a game of chase.

"Kaitie! Over here! Try to catch me!"

I quickly snap back into reality and frantically reach for a few of the vines. I grab onto them and hold onto them for dear life. I dangle over the humongous hole and start to panic. The only thing I can think of is starting to climb, but it's hard with a sword in your hand. I throw my sword above me onto the ground and look around, calming myself down.

"You'll be ok Emily. All you have to do is get out of this, this, this thing. You have the vines on your side." The old habit comes out again as I begin swinging back and forth. "Almost ther--what?" By swinging back and forth, a flag comes into view. It's wedged between a couple of the branches and I wouldn't have been able to see it if I hadn't been there.

"Oh! Yay!" I chirp and wish I could just get up there and grab it. A few moments later, I am swinging at full speed. Using the momentum, I push up into a flip and land on the soft earth.

On my way, I grab the flag. Relieved, I pick up my sword and gather my flags that are scattered across the ground. I stand triumphantly and begin to walk.

I feel relieved, but that doesn't last long when I hear a shrill cry. Lilly!

~ ~ ~ ~
​I immediately run towards the cry. The scene before me is terrible. Lilly has been attacked with many arrows on her arms and legs. I see her grasping several flags while sprawled on the ground.

"Lilly!" I run over to her to assist her. She gives me the flags and I try to help her up.

​"Don't you dare touch her while I get my revenge," an all too familiar voice says, pointing an arrow at me.

​"Why did you do this? She doesn't deserve this!" I cry and raise my hands to surrender. Why haven't Nolan and Hunter gotten here yet?

​I hear the rustling of bushes and look behind me. I sigh in relief as they walk towards us but that doesn't last long as I notice two of the other teammates holding them captive so that they are unable to move. I notice that Nolan isn't invisible. It must be due to the fact that we are surrounded by dirt, making it easy to spot him again.

​"Angel?" Jezebel says as she looks at her step-sister pointing an arrow at the girl. "What are you doing?" she asks more panicked, seeming just as confused as I am. She probably didn't know what her step-sister was scheming.

​"This stupid girl's grandmother ruined my grandmother's dream of winning the competition. Ever since then she has been miserable and now I want to fulfill her dream of winning and getting revenge," Angel cackles evilly and shoots another arrow at Lilly.

​"Aaaahhh!" Lilly cries in pain and passes out, the second time I've seen her lose consciousness.

​"Why?" I whisper quietly. "Why!? We've done nothing to harm you or deserve this! Let her go! I'll do whatever you say!" I cry, louder than before, looking at my unconscious friend on the ground.

​Is this how it's going to end? Is this the moment it all ends?

​"Oh, Emily. Just give me the winning flags, and all will be fine. Look, time's almost up!" she wickedly laughs, pointing another arrow at her. I then realize that I have the most flags out of everyone.

​"Never! I have to keep my promise! I will keep my promise!" I clutch the flags and look around me. I hear the rustling of my teammates, my new friends, standing behind me with grim faces. All of our focus is on saving our fourth member. Still on the ground.
​The next part goes so fast.

​Jezebel leaps out in front of her sister, grabbing her bow and arrow as Angel shoots one more. I see the arrow come towards me and I hear Hunter and Nolan shout. I clasp onto the flags as tightly as I can and close my eyes as everything turns black. The last thing I remember is Angel lunging towards me with her arms extended, trying to take the flags.

The time runs out and the buzzer sounds.

"It appears the winners of the annual Talenters Open are......"

~ ~ ~ ~
​Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. I slowly open my eyes, confused, and observe my surroundings. I am lying on a white bed in a white room. I have a cord attached to me.

​"The doctor said you passed out from fatigue, and you were shot in the arm. Let the IV finish dripping and then you can get up. It's a good thing it wasn't too deep," Nolan says to me explaining my situation. "Lilly on the other hand..."

​"What about Lilly? How is she?" I ask worriedly abruptly sitting up, wincing when I feel a sudden sharp pain on my arm. The last time I saw her she was unconscious.

​"She didn't suffer major injuries and that's good, but she did lose a lot of blood and is still recovering in a different room. Hunter is with her," he says and I sigh with relief, lying back down.

​That's good. I pause. Wait. "Nolan, did we win or lose? What happened to the flags?"

He gets up and walks over to the door. "Let it finish dripping then come to Lilly's room next door."

​I sigh and fiddle with my bracelet.

~ ~ ~ ~
​"Lilly! Are you ok?" I run over to hug her.

​"I'm fine. Just a few bandages and I have to stay here for recovery," she says like it's no big deal.

​"Yeah, she's perfectly fine," Hunter says sarcastically and gets smacked in the arm again.

​"A few? Fine? You were hurt bad Lilly. The wounds were pretty deep. I mean, an arrow is sharp," I say questioning her. "Angel was a crazy maniac hungry for revenge. Even when the person she was mad at wasn't you."

​"That I can agree with," Lilly says crossing her arms. I wonder if it's painful. Hmm.

​"Who would've thought," Nolan states and Hunter nods in agreement.

​"If anything, I would've thought it was her overly cheerful step sister Jezebel," I say.

​"Yep, totally," everyone agrees.

​"Anyway, I came in to ask you guys how we did at the tournament. I remember her diving for the flags, but what happened afterwards?"

​They all look at each other and seem to be having a silent conversation, then look at me.

​Lilly looks at me and smiles. "She didn't get the flags in time. Thank you for keeping your promise."

~ ~ ~ ~
​
​I step off the airplane and stretch my arms. Teardrop Island! Where every young talenter wants to train. It's been about a month. Both Lilly and I are completely healed and the four of us spend almost every day with each other. Everything is definitely more cheerful and fun with more friends. Even Lilly has made many friends.

​"Someone will come to escort you to the main training building. Please wait a moment," the flight attendant says, getting back into the plane.

​I hear someone approaching us. "Welcome to Teardrop Island! Follow me into the main building," a young boy says motioning us to follow him.
​We all follow him through the grand hallways and I look at the pictures on the wall.

​I pass by each one and notice a few familiar faces. I suddenly stop at one.

​"W-why is her picture here?" I stutter.

​"That is one of the main trainers here," the boy replies.

​I stare at the picture of my sister, Kaitlin, shocked.

​"E-emily?" a familiar voice cracks. I hear the jingle of a bracelet.

​I gasp. "K-kaitlin? I-is that you?" I ask.

"No way," I cry, running over to her and embracing her in a hug. "W-where? H-how?"

​"It took you long enough," my sister says, a single teardrop running down her face.

The End

Hi readers! Did you make it to the end? Sorry it was so long. I originally typed it on a computer and it was around 14 pages. I wanted it to be all one piece so that's why it's all together. How was it?

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I really hope you enjoyed it!
~AnimeH64