The Elementals - 1. The Beginning

2 years later.

“In other news, 2^nd Elemental Games will be held in the Capital Arena. Elementals around the world are hyped and cannot wait for the games to begin. Right now, we have the current junior champion, Blake White, here with us. Mr White, how does it feel to be the current number one?”

“Well, to be honest, it’s a little annoying. Everybody in the junior division gives me nasty looks because they can never be as great as me. It’s just ridiculous for them to try partake this year, because once again I’ll win and there is nothing they can do.”

“So, you believe that you’re going to win again this year?”

“I don’t believe I am going to win. I know that I am. I have further refined my fighting style since last year and I know that no one is as great as me in that aspect so prepare to LOSE!”

“Well, there you have it. The current junior division’s number…”

“Wake up Tom, or you’ll be late for school,” his mother shouted when she walked past his room.

“Great, another day in hell,” Tom muttered to himself as he got out of bed and padded across his room naked. He walked into his bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. What he saw staring back was a 16-year-old boy with rather oddly coloured eyes, white hair and a beautiful, caramel coloured tan. His eyes changed colour frequently, so today he was looking at his azure blue eyes in the mirror. He was quite the teen heart throb at his high school. He stepped into the shower after examining himself and washed down quickly and got out the shower, with no time to please himself. After that, he dressed in his 'preppy' clothes and headed out of his room after making sure his hair was perfect.

“I wonder why I have white hair,” he muttered to himself as he walked into the kitchen. He had been a little self-conscious about his looks lately ever since a new boy enrolled at their school yesterday. He was yet to speak to the beautiful, blonde haired, brown-eyed kid. He had seen a him a few times but had not mustered up the courage to speak to him. Besides, the kid kept casting Tom evil glares every time Tim tried to approach him.

“Something the matter honey?” his mother asked as he sat there, lost in thought.

“Nothing really,” he replied snapping out of his thoughts. “Just thinking about the upcoming competition.”

“Ah yes, the state elemental tournament is coming up. You excited?” his mom asked, curious about his son’s response.

There was a time where he had been missing for a year, then a phone call came through to her with regards to her son. The police had found him and said he was okay. They had found him naked, confused and wandering around the edge of town, with no recollection that he had been missing for a year. He still believed that it was the day after his birthday when he had run away from home with someone he could not remember anymore. A few days after that, ‘elementals’ appeared on the scene. People who could manipulate elements. A few people thought it was a hoax, until a man lit up a whole building with fire that came from his hand 2 towns over from where Tom lived. Since then, more and more elementals appeared and it seems to have become quite a norm among society. Mostly, kids had this ability as many adults had rejected the medication to transition to these ‘elemental’ beings. Kids, however, were forced to take the one-time dosage. The element selection was random and you had no idea what element you’d get until ‘the transformation’ was complete.

About 9 months ago, something was started by the government known as ‘The Elemental Games’. These games were made to test the elementals in combat against other elementals. Through this, a ranking system was developed where the 10 best elementals are displayed for all to see. The rankings should theoretically change annually (at the end of the games) but they can also change monthly, as members of the top ten can be challenged once every six months for their position by either another member of the top ten or someone who believes they can be in the top ten.

“Mom, are you okay? Seems like you zoned out on me,” Tom asked, a little concerned about his mother’s behaviour.

“I’m okay baby, just thinking that so much time has passed since your return. You look so much healthier than when I found you and I just can’t believe so much time has passed is all,” his mom answered, looking like she was close to crying.

“Aww mom, I won’t partake in the games if that’s really what’s bothering you.”

“No son, I’ve see how hard you’ve been training for this year’s games. Besides, I think this will be a great opportunity to showcase your powers since you’ve always been hiding them.”

“I guess so. But I am scared. What if the government tries to take me away? What if this is too unnatural? I mean...”

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. “That’s probably Jay,” Tom said as he ambled towards the door.

“Tom! Ready to go school? Is your mom still here? Can you move out of the doorway so I can come in?” Jake said all at once the second Tom opened the door.

“Well, good morning to you too, Jay. I’m great thanks, and I assume you are doing well as well,” Tom sarcastically stated as his friend proceeded to the kitchen.

“Oh, stop being so dramatic. Good morning Ms Oakley. I hope Tom has been treating you well, because he cannot treat his guests well at all,” Jay teased.

“Good morning Jay. Well, he has been rather grouchy, but nothing a mother cannot handle,” Ms Oakley teased as well.

“Great. The forces have allied and decided to gang up on me. What a good morning it is,” Tom muttered sarcastically. “Well mom, me and Jay should get going. Don’t want to be late for school.”

“See you later honey! Oh, and Jay, say ‘Hi’ to your mom for me!”

“Will do, Ms Oakley! See you later at dinner!”

“So, what’s your plans for after school?” Jay asked as they neared the school.

“Probably going to go train a bit more and then sign up for the tournament. I’m a little nervous about partaking. Mom just says that I worry too much when it comes to partaking in events.” Tom answered.

He started looking around for boy wonder as they entered the school. “You know, you’re making your obsession with him somewhat obvious,” Jay teased his best friend. Tom glared at Jay who had already left his side and had decided to go greet his girlfriend, Leena.

The two of them are the HOTTEST couple in school currently with Blake and his girlfriend/whore Janie. Janie is his cousin and Leena’s former best friend. Jay and Leena started dating a month after Tom's return. The two had a fallout when Janie tried to sleep with Jay, who was drunk at a party but luckily Tom was around to prevent that from happening. Leena and Jay’s relationship was a little strained but the two of them really loved one another and after a month of not talking to one another, Jay finally took the initiative and apologized to Leena, in front of the whole school, for what an idiot he had been and told her that he couldn’t live without her. Leena cried and jumped into his arms, telling him to never do what he did that night. They have been happy since and that was 6 months ago. Tom smiled sadly at his best friend’s happiness, hoping that one day someone would also love him like that.

“Uhm, can you please get your ass off my locker?!” someone rudely asked Tom, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Huh? Oh shit, sorry about that…” he started, until he saw who addressed him.

In front of him, standing at 1.79m, with blonde hair, brown eyes and a nasty scowl upon his handsome face, was none other than the boy of his dreams. Tom didn’t realize he was staring until he noticed that his crush getting noticeably angrier by the second. “Do you FUCKING mind moving out the FUCKING way?!” he asked, his mouth spitting his words out as he spoke.

“Oh, sorry. I zoned out for a bit. Uh, my name’s Thomas, but I prefer to go by Tom. What’s your name?” Tom asked as he quickly shuffled out of this guy’s way.

“Why the fuck would you like to know my name?” he replied angrily.

“Because I want to make a new friend and also apologize for standing in front of your locker,” Tom replied, ignoring the tone his crush had been using.

“Humph, my name’s James. Happy now?” James asked, walking away from Tom before he could reply.

“What a prick!” Jay exclaimed as he walked up to his friend. Having been one of the many people to witness the exchange between the two, he disliked James a lot.

“Wonder why he hates me so much?” Tom asked no one in particular.

Having heard his Tom, Jay quickly replied, “I’m sure it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. He has such a rotten attitude towards everyone. No wonder he is so alone.”

Watching him walk away, Tom resolved to make James his friend, even if it meant continuously being insulted and shamed in the corridors.

During the exchange, Blake watched the exchange with no interest but then he noticed someone watching Tom intently. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?” he thought to himself as a smug, evil grin enveloped his face. “Looks like Tommy boy has a love interest he isn’t interested in while the one he is interested in doesn’t want him. Oh boy… What could go wrong?”.