When Flameheart woke up the next morning, she was utterly confused.

She woke all at once, not blinking slowly like most people do, and surveyed her surroundings, not recognising where she was.

She was in a wide, circular room, with the bed headfirst against one side, and a walk in wardrobe to her left.There was a small side door to the right, which Flameheart guessed led to a bathroom, but that was the only door.

Suddenly, the events of yesterday came rushing back to her.

Being Chosen, the Spiritstone, Kennaspark, the fight, discovering her Talent.

She now realised that she was in her room in Regulus Hall.

After Kennaspark had warned her aboout the Dark Leader, she had led Flameheart to the Fire Barracks, and then to Regulus Hall.

None of the rooms had doors, she rememebered. It was just plain walls with numbers every metre or so.

You had to press your hand against the wall under your number, and make your hand glow with the power of your element.

Only a few certain people other than the resident of that room were able to enter it.

To exit, you just walk through the blank wall.

Flameheart slipped out of the satin sheets of her new bed, and walked into her closet. It was full of Guarder clothes.

The wardrobe was divided into sections. In each section there were different styles of Guarder clothes, and each section was labeled.

Remembering what Lightningstar had said about training with Reddust in the morning, Flameheart went over to the section that said Average Training, instead of the one that said Battle Training, which was full of armour.

She stripped off her old clothes, and put on the new jodhs and blouse. The outfit was slightly different to the one she had been wearing the day before - this one was in the same colors, but allowed more movement and was designed for all types of weather.

Flameheart grabbed her boots and checked the sun dial beside her bed. Even though there was no sun in her room, the sun dial still worked! Another piece of Guarder magic, probably. The dial said 9:30, and Lightningstar said to meet Reddust outside Regulus Hall at the tenth hour, so Flameheart assumed that meant 10:00.

She still had time to grab something to eat, before she realised that Kennaspark hadn't told her where Guarders get their food. Great. What kind of numnah forgets to tell people where to get their food? I mean, come on, who DOES that? I'm about to die of starvation here?!? Flameheart grumbled to herself.

Kennaspark had mentioned that her room number was 180, so she must be close by, since Flameheart's was 176.

Flameheart hurried out of her room, passing through the wall like it wasn't there, which technically it wasn't.

Once she found Kennaspark's door, wait let's rephrase that. Once she reached Kennaspark's part of the wall, Flameheart stood outside of it like an idiot, not knowing what to do.

She didn't know how to work the glowing hand thing, or if she was even able to get into Kennaspark's room, but the problem was soon solved for the young Guarder when a shape barralled through the wall and slammed right into Flameheart.

Flameheart recognised Kennaspark instantly, but that didn't mean Kennaspark recognised her.

Kennaspark immediately began to attack Flameheart, until she managed to dart back and Kennaspark could see her properly.

"Stars, calm down girl, it's only me!" Flameheart cried out, dodging Kennasparks attacks.

Kennaspark froze instantly.

"Oh my stars, Flameheart! I am so sorry! I didn't realise it was you and my instinct just took over and-"

"Kenna! It is fine! Seriously, I know it was a mistake." Flameheart smiled, interrupting Kennaspark's babbling.

"That's good then. Wait, did you just call me Kenna?" she asked.

"Uh, yeah? Is that okay? I mean I don't have to if you don't like it, but I just thought it was a cool nickname." Flameheart said nervously.

"Yeah! That's totally fine! I like it!" Kenna exclaimed and hugged Flameheart.

"Uh, Kenna, can't breath." Flameheart gasped out.

Kenna released her instantly. "Oops. I don't know my own strength, I've got the Strength Talent so I'm really strong." Kenna giggled.

Flameheart just remembered why she was looking for Kennaspark in the first place.

"Oh yeah! Where do we eat? 'Cos I have about 15 minutes now until I have to meet Reddust for training, and I am starving."

"Right this way!" With that said, Kennaspark grabbed Flameheart's wrist and dragged her to the mess hall.

15 minutes later Flameheart was waiting nervously outside the entrance to Regulus Hall.

:|What if I mess up?|: She Mindsent to Fireflame.

Kennaspark had told her during breakfast that she could Mindspeak her Companion - she didn't have to speak out loud for Flame to hear her.

:|Stars, calm down Sparky. If you don't mess up, you will be the first Guarder Apprentice that doesn't make a fool of themself on their first day of training.|:

Flame Mindsent back irritatedly. Flame had taken to calling his Chosen Sparky, though Flameheart couldn't fathom why.

:|I know but-|:

:|STOP FRETTING!|:

Flameheart flinched from the volume of the Mindshout. Who knew that it still hurts even if the shouting is in your head.

"You must be Flameheart?" a voice startled Flameheart out of her daydream.

"Um, yep. Last time I checked, that was my new name." Flameheart said, before glancing up at the person.

Her breath caught in her throat. This must be Reddust.

He had dirty blond hair with pale highlights, and his eyes were a soft hazel.

By Regulus. The girls were right - he is CUTE! Flameheart thought.

"Flameheart? You alright?" Redduust said, waving his hand in front of her face.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking." She replied quickly.

"Cool! So, Lightningstar told me that you have the Battle Talent?"

"Uh, if that's the one where I can pick up anything and automatically know how to fight with it, then yes, it seems so." Flameheart replied.

"We will be working on that, but first we need to see if you have any other Talents. Follow me." With that said, Reddust darted away, moving so fast that he was just a blur.

"Wait! I don't know where I'm going!" Flameheart called out after him desperately.

"Just follow me!" Reddust yelled over his shoulder, but didn't stop.

Flameheart sighed.

:|You coming?|:

She asked her Companion.

:|Hop on.|:

Flameheart leaped onto Fireflame's back and they took off after Reddust. She urged Flame to go even faster, and the young Companion responded.

:|I've never been able to run this fast before!|:

Flame exclaimed.

:|I think your other Talent must be the Speed Talent.|:

In seconds, Flameheart and Fireflame had caught up to Reddust, and Flameheart grinned to herself when she saw a flicker of shock pass over Reddust's face.

Soon enough, Reddust signalled that they were to stop, and Flame immediately braced his legs and skidded to a halt.

"Royal Stars, you're fast!" Reddust panted as he plopped onto the ground beside Flame and his Guarder.

"Um, thanks?" Flameheart replied uncertainly, sliding off Flame's back.

"I'm serious. You are the only person I know who can beat me in running, and I have the strongest Speed Talent in the Unicorn Herd." Reddust glanced at her in awe.

"Okay, so I'm fast. Really fast. What about the Companions? Do they have their own Talents as well?" Flameheart changed the subject.

Reddust shook his head. "No. The Companions channel their Chosen's Talents, so if you have the Strength Talent, your Companion will be super strong, even if he wasn't before he Chose."

"Okay... so do I have any other Talents?" Flameheart asked eagerly.

Reddust smiled grimly. "That's what we need to find out."

For the rest of the day, Flameheart trained with Reddust.

She met his Companion, Ashtail, and learned more about his personality.

From what she could tell, Reddust was a caring person, and utterly dedicated to the Herd and Guarders. But he was also quite wary of letting people inside his walls.

"So how long have you been a Guarder?" Flameheart grunted as she battled with her sword against Reddust.

"About a year now, but I was born as a Guarder, not a mortal - so I already had some training before I was Chosen." Reddust replied, gritting his teeth, sending his sword whistling toward Flameheart's shoulder.

Flameheart just nodded in reply, focusing on knocking that blasted sword out of Reddust's hand.

Sweat trickled into her eyes, and she was close to giving up, when she rememebered her daydream from that day in maths class which felt like it happened a millenium ago.

She lunged with her sword, putting all her weight and strength into the thrust, and hit the base of Reddust's hilt.

Flameheart twisted her sword and Reddust released his weapon.

Flameheart let the point of her sword drop to the ground, and rested on it, completely exhausted.

Reddust stared at her in shock, then glanced at the sword on the ground.

"That was a good move. No one has ever beaten me in swordfighting before."

"Right, so that's another thing I'm good at. Are we done, 'cause I really can't do any more." Flameheart panted and dropped onto the ground, lying eagle spread.

"Yep, that's all for today. Meet me here tomorrow, same time." Reddust replied and sped off.

Flameheart groaned at stared up at the sky. "I don't think I'll be able to do this again tomorrow."

Hey guys. I'm kinda disappointed. 4 of the votes I got were from my friends, and so was the one comment. Do you not like this story? I know I update slow, it's just that I have to wait for Mum to edit the chapters with me. Don't ask me why. So, 5 votes for the next chapter.

Anyways! you know how I went down to New Plymouth for a sailing competition? Well I made it into the New Zealand Asians Optimist Team, which means that this year I will be travelling to Asia to compete in sailing and represent New Zealand! #Sohappy!