I go back to training as usual now that I'm free. Occasionally Stealth Elf will join me or offer to let me join her. It's cool to see her techniques, not to mention helpful. I'm sure it would be even better if she didn't just teleport everywhere.

We've been running laps through the obstacle course, mostly. She's convinced now that I'm able to take on the Academy's basic training systems, though I'm not allowed to run them alone. I obey this rule, seeing no reason to push it. I always obey rules if I either see why they'd be placed or if there's no real reason to break them. This is both.

They consider me as strong and as capable as a cadet now, which is still an all-time high altogether. I can live with it, seeing as cadets prove themselves not to be weak at all.

One day Stealth Elf and I are running through the obstacle course together when Spyro suddenly flies in our way. I see it coming with my powers and stop despite not having my eyes open, but Stealth Elf isn't able to stop in time and she gets hit. I catch her before she hits the ground.

"Spyro, what the heck?!" I demand the other dragon, annoyed. "Sorry, Elf!" Spyro apologises, flying down to us. "I just needed help with something and frankly you guys are the first ones I can find that aren't idiots."

"What do you need, Spyro?" Stealth Elf sighs, standing up and folding her arms over her chest. "Jet Vac's actually making me take that target test Vexelle said he should make me do!" Spyro panics. "I need help! I can't do these things!"

"You mean you don't know what a target is?" I tease. "Wow. And you thought I was dumb." "He had an idea to make it on more than just targets, he's testing me on everything! I need help! Blast him or slice him or something!"

I laugh. "Sweet." "Oh, and he wants you to take it too, Vexelle," Spyro smirks. "Figured I'd save the best for last."

"Wait, what?" I ask, confused. "Why would he want me to take it? And even more importantly, why does he think I'll actually agree to take it?"

"He said that since the test was your idea, he wants you to take it first so that he can make sure you think it's a good test," Spyro says. "And you've got to take it because otherwise he's just gonna keep bugging you about it and if you take it then you can tell me all the answers."

"Again, why would I do that?"

"Because if you don't, you'll have me on your back, too," Spyro says simply.

I huff. "Well that's just stupid. I'm not a cadet or a Skylander so you guys can't force me to do anything. I'm nothing you either of you."

"You're our friend," Spyro insists. "And friends throw each other under the bus in ways that feel like the end of the world but are really just simple little things. Enjoy."

"You're both jerks," I sigh. "Not arguing with that," Spyro shrugs. "Now come on, JV wanted me to take you to his classroom so you could take the test."

"Whatever," I roll my eyes, then I turn to Stealth Elf. "See you in the afterlife because I'm about to die of boredom." "Good luck," she laughs before teleporting back to the start of the obstacle course.

Spyro leads me to Jet Vac's classroom and we drop in. The only problem is that Jet Vac's currently teaching a class of cadets, most of which I recognise. They all look at me in shock.

"I've got your temporary student!" Spyro tells Jet Vac, who turns and smiles. "Glad you could join us, Vexelle! Great job, Spyro. You can get on with your day now, I'll let you know when I need you for the test."

Spyro speeds off quickly.

"Is this a bad time?" I ask Jet Vac, eyeing his class. "Sorry, I didn't know you were in the middle of something. Spyro just said you wanted me here."

"Oh no, it's fine," Jet Vac insists, then turns to the cadets. "Alright, cadets! Some of you already know Vexelle here. She's going to be taking a test here in this classroom today, so I expect everyone to be quiet and let her work. We'll be reading the SuperChargers instruction manuals today, so there's no excuses for talking."

Everyone groans. "Come on, Vexelle!" Cynder complains. "At least all you guys have to do is read," I shrug. "I'm as annoyed as you guys are. I'm only taking this test because Jet Vac and Spyro are insisting. We'll prank Spyro after this, how about that?"

The cadets all fall in line and cheer, clearly excited about the idea of a prank.

"Thank you for that, Vexelle," Jet Vac sighs, clearly not pleased with my little announcement. "Go ahead and take that seat at the back. I'll need your paper back in by the end of class."

I obey, but I whisper to the nearest cadets that we'll prank Jet Vac as well. They all whisper and giggle, spreading the word.

At the back of the room is an empty desk with a pencil and a test paper labelled 'General Paper' on it, most likely there just to remind Jet Vac which paper's which. I fill out the front part (name, age, that boring stuff) and then open the paper.

~•~

"Master Eon?" Hugo found the courage to speak up. He'd always been a little in awe of the Portal Master he was the faithful assistant of. "Yes, Hugo?" Eon turned to face the Mabu, who pushed his glasses further up his little nose.

"I... I'm sorry, but I might have misplaced a few things. I can't find what you wanted."

"That's alright, Hugo," Eon sighed slightly. "We can make do for now. We'll just arrange for some more if we really can't find them. Have another look later. Then we'll see about replacements."

"Yes, sir," Hugo nodded, scurrying away to continue his work.