One For All

"You excited?" I looked over to my dad, he was about five or six inches shorter than me. He looked as if he was in his early forties with few gray hairs on his face, he was bald but I figured it was a habit he picked up during his deployment to the Middle East. Unlike me, he had more muscle and fat while I had much less muscle than him and didn't have as much fat either. I wasn't calling him fat by any means, it's was just you could tell he had gained weight.

"Ya, I haven't seen her in a few years," I responded with excitement. I was talking about my great Abuela. She was eighty-nine and seemed to be losing it. I asked if I could see her before she couldn't remember me or my brother. She's getting up there in years and after my great Abuelo passed... I haven't seen her in years after that. The only reason I don't call them grandpa or grandma is because they won't respond to me if I don't say it in Spanish. Odd how I know no Spanish, but I memorized this to a T.

"It's been a good ten years." He looked down and back to me with a grateful expression. "I know what you're doing and I'm glad you are." I sigh after he said that. I, more than likely, inadvertently told him while in conversation... then promptly forgot. It's not uncommon for me to forget things.

"Ya, I know, but we also haven't seen her in years so I see this as a win-win." I smiled at him as we walked off the plane. It's been ten years since I've been to Puerto Rico. The last time we came here, we stopped by my great Abuela's house before getting on the plane. That was also the last time I say my great Abuelo.

"You know she gonna comment on how tall you are, right?" I chuckled as we stepped on to the airport runway and walked to the terminal. It was small, but I didn't expect much from a small island. It has seemed some advancements in the past ten years.

"For sure, the last time she saw me, I was around four feet; now I'm six foot two." We walked through the airport and collected our bags, we were only going to be staying for a couple of days.

"Good point, but I should've guessed. You are taller than me." It was only me and my dad. My brother wanted to stay along with my stepmom since we only just got back from Georgia.

We entered a taxi and rode to the place my great Abuela was at. We would visit her for both days and do a little sightseeing after we do so. Oddly enough, I remember that the Wizards of Waverly Place Movie was filmed here. That was a good TV show, much like Hole in the Wall on Cartoon Network, and I'm probably gonna watch it again somewhere online.

We got out of the taxi after it came to a smooth stop. I almost memorize the way back to the airport if I didn't zone out for that last few minutes. The stop was the same retirement home I was shown a few days ago and where my great Abuela was at.

We passed a few people on our way out and we even passed some woman who, for the absolute and medically correct technical term, was senile. I could see that on the caretaker's papers as I passed by so it wasn't a self-made assumption. Wait, why am I thinking about this? These are my thoughts so no one will hear them so who fucking cares if I did or didn't assume that.

"I sware to god... Hey, if I ever get like that, just shoot me." Yup, that was my dad. No restraint to any kind of jokes. They were funny and how he would talk to himself when we were in the car was always entertaining.

"Really... Now?" He nodded before we got to the door where my grandfather said my great Abuela was at. "Not gonna lie, I'm a bit nervous." I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. It always helped too, even if it was just a little, calm me down.

"Ready?" He asked as I did it a few more times. I nodded and he opened the door slowly as my great Abuela was in a chair near the windows of the room. She looked over to us and she smiled widely as her eyes settled on us. "Hola Abuela Monin."

"Hola mi Nieta Jaime. (Hello my grandson Jaime.)" She said, her voice sounding as if it rose an octave as she looked at me and her eyes widened in surprise. "¿Que mi pequeña bebé Alejandro? (Is that my little baby Alejandro?)"

"No." He chuckled as he gestured over to me. "Este es el Hijo del Medio. (This is the middle child.)" Her eyes light up as she immediately knew despite the decade without me visiting. My dad knew I hated being called the middle child.

I stepped forwards despite the introduction annoying me a little. "Hola Abuela Monin. Sorry, I don't know much Spanish." She smiled and opened her arms towards me with a clear sign of wanting a hug.

"It's good to see you mi Hijo. (My child)" she let me go and realized I had to be on my knees to comfortably hug her. "Oh your so tall. Your not the same baby you were are you?" I shook my head with a smile.

"No, I'm seventeen now and six foot two." She stood up and looked at me while she stood to see how tall I was compared to her.

"Wow, you are tall." She sat me on a. Hair near her's as my dad took another before she too a few bottles of waters out of a cabinet at a desk near the corner of the room. "How about some water? I always keep a dozen for my medicine." I stepped back, my expression turned into an awkward smile.

"Are you sure? I don't want to take anything if you need it." She pushed the water closer to me, a small smile on her face.

"I'm sure mi Hijo." I took it hesitantly and opened it and took a small sip. I underestimated how thirsty I was as I gulped it down with vigor. "Oh my, I don't know you were that thirsty." I nodded as I regained control and pulled it away from me. I didn't realize I had drunk the whole thing.

"Hehe, sorry." I shuffled in my seat awkwardly before I felt like I was shrinking. "What?"

"Oh shit!" My dad yelled as he ran to where I was to catch me... but he missed. I looked up as everything went pitch black.

I didn't feel as if I was falling nor did I feel as if I was standing. If I had to guess, I was floating. Ya, it's weird. Odd how I understand the feeling of weightlessness when I've only been in free fall for a few seconds of my life. I landed in a frozen land as the goddess from all those days ago appeared.

"Head straight and you'll be there in thirty minutes," Cuncta said just before disappearing.

Seriously regretting this decision, I got to walking... at least she was kind enough to give me my jacket.

I should be coming up somewhere near the town where I can GET SOME FUCKING FIRE!!! I'M SO COLD!!! Cuncta forgot to mention that she was gonna drop me into a FUCKING BLIZZARD!!! I sware if I die before I get there, I'm gonna kill... son of a bitch. Haha... get it. Shut up, it was funny.

Oh great, I'm about to pass out. Everything is getting dark... and this is so cliche. A figure appeared out of the raging snowstorm and they seemed to be walking to me. Again, cliche. Doesn't help that I passed out immediately after.

"So fucking cliche."

Yup, a good day.

"Hello? Can you hear me?" I groaned at the voice and rolled over, I was tired and I wanted to take a nap... wait a minute.

"I can, but can I sleep a little more please?" I asked, refusing to open my eyes for, well, anything. Don't underestimate the laziness of a human! We are the masters of procrastination.

"No, you can't." Then I was pulled out of bed. Yes, I am aware that I didn't know the voice and I was aware that the bed was a little softer than the one I normally sleep it. I like myself a firm mattress but damn that was hard.

"Please put me down." Whoever was carrying me did so slowly and there was one of my favorite animals in anthro form; an Arctic Fox. I won't lie and say I didn't fanboy a bit when I saw her, yes her. "You're an arctic fox." I bet she can tell I was happy.

"Yes, I am Little Kit." I pouted after she said that and glared half-heartedly at her.

"That's a little presumptuous Ms. Fox." She recoiled in surprise before looking around.

"That's a big word... for your species, how close are you to adulthood?" She already understands that she can't assume that I'm a child due to the possibility of entirely different biology.

"I'm one more year to adulthood, I'm seventeen." She looked shocked once more as I began to look around to assess the situation. I was in a building made of wood and possibly some stone; primitive, but it works.

"You are young compared to us, I was expecting you to be older due to your size." I chuckled at the irony of that. I couldn't blame her, I was a foot shorter than her, so she wouldn't know that I'm taller than average compared to most my age. Wait... is that irony?

"Trust me, If you knew how tall I am compared to my species, I'm taller than most people." She began to think before practically dragging me with her into the town. I was not loving being dragged around the town especially when I'm being stared at like I was a freak.

I was getting a little mad as she pulled me farther and farther onto the town to, what I assume, was the leader. They'll probably have to interview to see what my intentions are and whether or not to keep me here or let me die in the frigid unknown. I'll have to pick my answers carefully when they ask me something, but I'll have to say the truth so my actions make sense to what I say.

She was taking me to the biggest building in the town. I'm not gonna lie, it was a beautiful church-like structure in the middle of the town square.

I whistled in astonishment as I gazed upon the small, three-story religious building. "This may be small, but it's extremely beautiful," I said as I was fixated on the ornate structure before me.

"I see you have an eye for architecture." The vixen said as we entered the church from the large wooden doors that I couldn't help but admire. It depicted Cuncta, made of gold, seemingly sealing away eight beings; seven dragons that were made if different colored wood and one made of black steel.

"Architecture is art for buildings. Before I got her, I was planning to expand on my art and make a career out of it. However, I'm guessing by how many were working compared to those who aren't working, you don't accept those who can't contribute." She nodded as we entered the main area where eleven more vixens were waiting for use along with ten guards along with them.

Each guard was standing near a vixen at the alter except for the youngest one who was standing in front of all of them. This vixen didn't have a guard from what I could see and I guess it's because she didn't have one assigned to her. Judging by her attire, she must be the High Priestess and those behind her are a council, probably to make sure she doesn't pass any unjust laws.

"Hello, young kit. I am High Priestess Aurora and these ten are..." I cut her off, I'd like to show that I'm not some dumb child. I'd rather not have them condescendingly speaking to me.

"The council of the town." She, along with the council and guards, was visibly shocked after I said that. "I may look young to you and, by my country's laws, I am still technically a child even if I'm one year away from being an adult. I'm astute and knowledgeable about most things just through observation." The vixen who guided me here (more like dragged) spoke up.

"Do you have no respect for our leader?! Does your species not care for religion?!" The vixen angrily asked in a loud tone. I could understand why she would be angry especially through cultural differences.

"Most do, but I'm apart of the minority that doesn't believe in something I can't see. However, the reason I interpreted her was to show that I'm not an idiot and so they don't have to struggle to use small words to explain the situation. The other reason is that I live on the belief that "You should treat others the way you want to be treated". I want them to treat me like a friend rather than a child or a lesser being." I stopped immediately after, normally I would be a shy, incoherent mess. What did that goddess do to me to make me more confident in this type of situation; the situation that I'm horrible at in terms of skills?

"Why would any fox treat you like a lesser creature?" One of the council members asked as she recovered from her shock... actually, the entire council, other than the guards, are vixens.

"The foxes outside were looking at me like... something they stepped in." They looked at me weirdly after I said that. "Trust me, that's the cleaner version of what I was going to say." Seriously, I'm happy I could hold back my OCD. I'd rather not be impulsive in something like this.

"I'll take your word for it. Unfortunately, we are well aware of this. Our isolation must've caused some sort of superiority complex." I nodded at the statement of one of the council members, I couldn't blame them. The United States had the same problem within the 1800s when we adopted imperialism.

"True, no doubt most have a sense of nativism within the society." This caused them to be impressed by my vast vocabulary from both English and American History.

"You are quite a bright young kit... Sorry, young Reynard." Hey, I learned what a male fox is called, I've always wondered what they're called.

"My species call adult males, men. Man if it's a singular noun." They were mostly smiling before they became serious once more.

"Well, we know now that you're not an immediate threat, but that begs the question of what your job is going to be." That would be a problem is I didn't have one. No doubt that there will be some political backlash if I don't do any work and get a rather decent sized house.

"My only skills are more creative than constructive. I doubt you have any need for a musician, a writer, or an artist... I'm an amateur in all three considering that I'm mostly self-taught." This caused the council to look at the table, probably a piece of paper there with a list of jobs for this occasion.

"How about a brothel? Your creativity could be..." Nope, nope, nope, no-no-no-no. Nooooooooo. No way in hell.

"Nope, never, don't even suggest that." This was surprising for them as I rubbed my temples in annoyance. "First, I refuse to lose my virginity to some random person. Second, god, I'd rather not be on the bad end of some random foxes harmful kink. Lastly, I don't want to think of that would happen if I was assigned to a male." The pure dread on the guards' faces was a clear indication that they finally understood what I was talking about. Seriously, that would suck. I hate myself for that.

"The last thing is the Guardian position for High Priestess Aurora." I nodded excitedly, not just because that was what I was supposed to do, but that just sounds awesome.

"A guard position that practically requires me to do nothing, sign me up." That caused the guards to whence after I said that.

"I don't want to agree, but that's it." Hahahaha. Nice side guard number one.

"However, you will have some opposition with seven other reynards. The Guardian has to be the best warrior in terms of heart, mind, and strength." The High Priestess said, possibly to make sure that I really wanted to do this. This was my task, but this would also better me physically which I've been wanting to do for years.

"Sure, all I need is a little teaching and I should be fine." One began to write on their paper and I continued to stand where I was. It wasn't too bad, probably would have been blown way out of proportion if I was nervous.

"We will see that you make it to the Junior Guardian Dorms with the other seven reynards. We will allow you to find the weapon that chooses you." Uh, what was that? It sounded like they have sentient swords here and I don't know how to feel about that.

"Okay, thank you for your kindness." I bowed a little before the High Priestess grabbed my sleeve and began to drag me somewhere.

"I will take care of him, Alice. Thank you for doing so this far." Aurora said before the vixen that brought me here, that I now know as Alice, bowed to the High Priestess as I kinda expected her to.

"It was an honor High Priestess Aurora." With that, the three of us left and Aurora pulled me in one direction while Alice walked to another. I hope I see her again, I forgot to say thank you for her help. I feel bad now.

I was dragged through the town once more, but this time no one was looking at me like I was a turd they stepped in while cutting the grass. They didn't seem to care about me now that I was with the Priestess, probably to not seem like racist assholes. They kneeled for their High Priestess so I couldn't see their faces, and by extension, their expression. Yeah, I was getting pretty annoyed that I was being dragged everywhere, but I'll grin and bear it. I don't know where everything is yet, so it's better that I say nothing.

We left the town and went to a wide-open field that had a single house that seemed to be lively on the inside. Maybe there was a party inside with a few of the reynards and some vixens... I wouldn't put it past some military people to do this. Oh yeah, I knew this guy would be apart of the local guard. Their training would make them a no brainer if they had to be picked by the council. Now they have to deal with me... a novice swordsman with no experience or training. This is gonna be a long few months, isn't it?

"We will allow you to choose your preferred weapon, but I cannot tell you if the weapon will choose you," Aurora said as we came closer to the wooden building where the party was raging on. It was very loud and I could hear it from five-hundred meters away.

"What causes the weapon to choose me? Are they sentient?" I asked as the wind began to pick up. It was getting much colder than I expected, but this could be a way to test their endurance in extreme weather or resistance to the cold.

"No, each weapon is fine-tuned to fit the specific magic frequency unique to each creature. I do sense it, your magic even if it's hard to sense." She turned to me with a sad smile. "No doubt that you never knew of it or you would have used it to make yourself warmer." She turned back to the wooden building and gained a neutral expression. "It's a shame that you haven't allowed it to grow." Well... she's not wrong, I would've done that if I did have magic... wait, did she just say that I have some magic?! Yes, this is gonna be so cool!

"Nice, now I'm kinda excited about what weapon I'm gonna be paired with. Maybe a bow? Ooo, ooo, what if it's a long sword!" I have never in my life, ever been this excited about anything. "It's like the sword in the stone, where the soon to be King Arthur pulls the legendary sword, Excalibur, from it's resting place." There was a new bounce in my step as we came closer to the building. Damn the party was loud.

Aurora chuckled softly and it was the cutest thing I've ever heard. It was so adorable! "You're like a kid getting a gift oh his birth-day." I blushed a little. I always wanted to learn how to use a sword, but I never had the chance to since swords and the like became obsolete except for competitions.

"Um... Please don't tell anyone you saw that... please." I was embarrassed and I was a little too proud to let anyone know I was. I hardly ever let that side out unless I'm with friends... but I don't have any so I guess it hasn't been out in a while.

I wasn't paying as much attention as I should've, so I walked straight into the closed-door immediately after I faced forward. The door wasn't even made out of glass, it was made out of bright birch wood that could easily be seen. Only I could do something like that... and I'm a little ashamed that it already happened.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything, but you wanking into the door is a different story." I'm so fucked. "Let's go in, we have a little chat with the other competitors." I opened the door for her, like a gentleman, before I went in myself.

The inside was as I expected. Empty bottles of liquor on the floor, some scattered clothing - not looking into that, and loud party music booming through the god damned walls. Was this a military building or a frat house because I can't tell the difference right now and I don't know how to feel about that. This is definitely not what a military-funded building is supposed to look like. Jesus, a drill sergeant would have a fucking aneurysm from this.

I... could only facepalm. "Watch this..." Aurora walked forwards into what seemed to be the main room of the building. Seriously, this place is deceptively big. "If you would get behind me, please." I did so, mostly because I'm a little scared of what she'll do to me if I don't. "ALL GUARDIAN PARTICIPANTS, FALL IN!!!" Son of a bitch, my ears! I think they're bleeding! That was so fucking loud!

Like moths to a flame, seven foxes ran into the room and they looked like they had a little help from a friend called steroids. Jesus, these guys look like they've been working out every day since they were born. Is it too late to regret my decision?

"You have a new competitor, his name is... what is your name?" Oh, right... I never gave my name. Should I give my actual name? No, if I get into trouble, I'll want to use my name instead of a fake. Also, new life, new name.

"Nova."

"That's such a nice name." I don't think they know what a supernova is... it's for the best. "As you know, he will choose his weapon and will officially be in the running for being a Guardian." She turned to me with a kind smile. "The weapon rack containing the weapon you will use will appear after I cast a spell." Yup, I totally forgot that there was magic here.

"Magic exists!" I yelled in surprise before I facepalmed.

"Are you proud of yourself." The disappointment in her voice was extremely thick.

"No. I think I had a moment of stupid." Yup, that got her to laugh because I'm a big dumb stupid.

I helped her recover after that and she began to cast the spell. I just checked my phone and I had no notifications... go figure. Man, I was hoping that my phone was still connected to the Earth's internet. Then I could text my mom and dad and maybe a few other relatives. I put my phone away before a weapon rack began to appear and... they were all great swords. I'm gonna die.

"Crap." I walked towards the enormous swords that were propped up against the wooden rack. "I guess the most logical choice is to pick the one that matches my size." I attempted to pick up the smallest sword using both hands, but I felt like I was electrocuted through my hands. I dropped it out of pain and the blade got stuck in the fucking ground as if it was a heavy as a forklift.

"That was the most violent reaction I've ever seen," Aurora said before I began to think about what she said.

"If that was the most violent reaction, then the inverse must be correct." I walked to the biggest sword on the stand and started to attempt to pick it up. It was heavy, really heavy. I didn't have enough strength to lift it like a normal sword, but I did find a good focal point to use that would allow me to lift it easier.

The sword was eleven feet long in total with the blade being eight feet and the hilt was three feet long. The guard was two feet long in total and the ends ran up the blade with a visible space between the blade and the pointed protrusions. This thing was snow-white, the same as the fox's coat, with a little baby-blue for decoration.

A violent shock spread throughout my body as a black mist rose from my skin.

"What the fuck?!" I yelled in surprise; I won't lie, I was a little scared.

"A dark magic user?!" Aurora yelled, equally surprised as I was when I began to emit black smoke. "How the hell did someone with no concept of magic have such evil magic." Okay, that was mean.

"No clue... but... what does this mean?" I asked before the black mist disappeared from my body.

"Most foxes would turn evil with just a taste of its power." My hands fell to my side before I looked at Aurora, my mind was finally coping so it was much more manageable to listen without freaking out.

"Maybe because my species is already corrupt or maybe because my species can't be corrupted. There are only two options at this point. Possibly the latter since my species doesn't have any magic or a concept of how it works." I looked at my hands once more, trying to understand why I had dark magic but drew a blank.

"We seem to be at odds in terms of magic, but we seem to get along well." I looked at her confused before she began to explain. "I use light magic, by nature it's selfless while dark magic is selfish. Dark magic gives increased strength, speed, and stamina; light magic gives increased perception and magical ability." She looked at my hands for a moment before looking at me. "Lifting something heavy maybe a way to help your magic power grow."

I get it, if I used the sword, it would physically increase the magic. I will be forcing it to grow out of a need for necessity instead of learning how to use magic. This could work out for me considering that I would probably have to unlearn most of what I did learn... which is nothing. Probably most misconceptions about it would be revealed if I did learn it, but with dark magic being portrayed as evil; I doubt there are any spells for it then.

"The battle for the title of Guardian begins in two months. I recommend that you figure out how to use that sword for the first month, then spend the second month should be spent learning sword techniques." My dark magic will grow one way or I lose the Guardian title if it doesn't work... I really hope that I don't break them. "I'll take you to your room." She began to walk down a hall as the other foxes began to go back to their rooms and the music began once more. I'm not even gonna think about what they have in there, because some of the clothes were women.

I tried to pick up the rest with the same result with a much less violent reaction than the larger sword. I gave up and looked towards the rooms where the reynards went to.

"Nice to meet you, I guess," I said in the general direction of the reynards. I turned to Aurora and followed her down a hall that leads to a rather small room adjacent from what seemed to be the dining hall. "Thank you, High Priestess." She froze before to me with a smile.

"Finally using my title." I rose my hand as high as I could a pet her on the head.

"Even if I don't win, I gotta use it unless I want everyone else to beat the shit out of me." She laughed before opening the door... it wasn't too big but it was bigger than my normal room. A bed, a desk, and a closet which; all of which was bigger than I had in my normal room. It was much bigger than I expected and I swear I can fit a couch and a TV in here if I tried.

"I'll leave you to your room, I hope you adjust well." She left as I walked in and closed the room. I checked my phone, it was around ten pm. It's late enough, I'm going to bed.

I set an alarm for six a.m. and I went to sleep. I'm just done for today, that march through that blizzard was enough. Fuck today.

I woke up the next day and began to walk to the training area, I needed to work out to improve my dark magic. I cracked my fingers, neck, wrist, and finally my back; it was so satisfying. I left the room and made myself some breakfast, toast is a nostalgic food. I hadn't eaten it in years.

I left the Guardian Dorms, it was still dark out and if I wanted to get some training in, then I'd have to do it now. Imagine my surprise when I found Aurora waiting for me outside in the training area.

"Hey, Aurora... What are you doing here?" I asked with a suspicious tone, I didn't expect her to actually come here before sunrise. She was sitting on a post with her legs crossed and leaning back a little bit.

"The Council wishes to examine your dark magic and see if we can find a cause for your resistance to the magic." She jumped from where she was with a little flourish to add a bit of style... man I wish I had that kind of agility and quordination.

She put a hand onto my chest as a magic circle appeared where her hand meets my shirt and I could feel her magic search mine. Yeah, I don't have a jacket. So I spent thirty minutes yesterday walking through a blizzard without a jacket. I'm still cold.

"I-I can't tell with my current magic... there is something else that I can identify, but I don't know what it's called." I was a little concerned when she said that. Can that magic detect cancer... wow, that's depressing.

"W-what's it called?" I could never prepare myself for what she said, it seemed so off the wall that it shouldn't happen, then again; there is magic.

"One For All."

"Princess Celestia, we have a spike in dark magic over the frozen north!" A messenger exclaimed as she burst through the Canterlot Palace dining hall doors. His golden armor gave less protection than the normal guards but allowed for more flexibility and speed.

"Dark magic you say... hmm, any sign of massive changes in the environment or the terrain?" Celestia asked as she turned her attention to the stallion with a look of interest. The stallion shook his head before Celestia adjusted in her seat, her almost unnoticeable relaxed sitting position to one that made her seem taller. "Send scouting regiment to survey the situation before reporting back. When they find who's emitting the dark magic, I want an airship prepared for take-off." The stallion nodded before stopping as he was leaving.

"Who should I send?" Celestia thought for a second, she knew that if they wanted to know who was emitting that magic, they'd need at least two or more ponies to scout it out; however, this creature could be the leader of their civilization they aren't familiar with. She could send her student and her friends or her niece and a few guards. Her student has an unnatural ability to defeat all odds whether it be Equestria's greatest enemies... or solving the mystery of the Competition Cake Murder. Tis was a sad day indeed for Celestia. The other option would be her niece and her husband who were much closer than the six.

"Send the Elements of Harmony. They should be able to repel the corrupting nature of dark magic." The courier saluted and left the dining hall before Celestia went back to eating. "Maybe we can prevent this creature from being corrupted if we can convince him from using that foul magic."