Chapter 9 - Brawl
Frederick's stoic face cracked into a warm smile.
Frederick: "Humph, I see that... well, you successfully got the drive from me, you pass."
In the monitor room, Elizabeth leapt into the air, her voice echoing off the walls.
Elizabeth: "Yeahhhhhhhhhh!"
Erica nodded, a hint of approval.
Erica: "Not bad."
Tracey beamed, her eyes shining.
Tracey: "I'm so glad."
Zeus chuckled, his deep voice rumbling.
Zeus: "Well done, you three."
On the field, the trio's faces reflected their disbelief, then they burst into laughter, relief washing over them. The warm sun cast a glow over their joyful reunion.
Leonard, Sam, and Kevin: "We did it!!"
A student approached Zeus.
Student: "Principal Smith."
Zeus: "Yes?"
Student: "Higher-up officials want you to meet someone."
Zeus's expression turned curious.
Zeus: "I'll be there in a moment."
Frederick addressed the trio.
Frederick: "In a brief moment, you'll receive your key cards. Your first day begins tomorrow; don't be late!"
Sam saluted.
Sam: "Yessir."
Kevin nodded.
Kevin: "Okay."
Leonard grinned.
Leonard: "Yes."
Leonard and Frederick shared a brief moment, Frederick cracking a smile and shaking Leonard's hand.
Frederick: "The three of you did exceptionally well. Don't forget that."
Leonard smiled.
Leonard: "Thank you, sir!"
The next day, in the middle of the school quad, Kevin looked frustrated, scratching his head.
Kevin: "Okay, dudes, this is embarrassing. We're totally lost!"
Leonard stood nervously.
Sam rubbed his face.
Sam: "Calm down, it's simple. We can just ask someone for directions."
Kevin shook his head.
Kevin: "Forget it."
Leonard whispered.
Leonard: "I don't think there's a lot of friendly people here."
Just then, Elizabeth slid in front of them, her bright smile radiant.
Elizabeth: "Hey, three musketeers!!"
The trio stared, stunned.
Sam groaned.
Sam: "What a lame name, and please stop doing that!"
Erica introduced herself.
Erica: "How are you three lost? The number to our classroom is on your key cards."
The trio's eyes widened.
Trio: "Huh?!"
The key card showed "Registration room: 47."
Sam looked depressed.
Sam: "How on earth did I not see that? And I wear glasses."
Leonard comforted Sam.
Leonard: "Hey, man, it's alright."
Kevin cleared his throat.
Kevin: "Did you say "our" classroom?"
Elizabeth beamed.
Elizabeth: "Leonard, Sam, Kevin, meet Erica."
Erica: "Hey."
Elizabeth continued.
Elizabeth: "Tracey."
Tracey made a heart sign.
Tracey: "Nice to meet you."
Elizabeth introduced Nick.
Elizabeth: "Nick."
Nick struck a peace sign.
Nick: "Sup."
Elizabeth introduced Ash.
Elizabeth: "And Ash."
Ash remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Ash: ....
Awkward silence filled the air.
Elizabeth broke the silence.
Elizabeth: "Anyway, we're so happy to have you guys in our class."
Ash spoke up.
Ash: "'We'?! Please, ever since the monitor room, I've been thinking about the pain my eardrums have to endure. If you don't get it, you freaking loud!"
Sam thought.
Sam: "{Now he decides to talk.}"
Kevin thought.
Kevin: "{I liked him better when he had his mouth shut.}"
Elizabeth apologized.
Elizabeth: "I-I'm sorry."
Leonard stepped forward.
Leonard: "Hey, man, what's your problem?"
Ash sneered.
Ash: "My problem is that you haven't put tape over your girl's mouth, but I mean why would you? You're the cause of the problem."
Leonard's anger flared.
Leonard: "Oh, yeah?"
Sam intervened.
Sam: "Let it go, Leonard. It's not worth it."
Leonard stood ready to fight.
Leonard: "Let go of me, Sam. He just pissed me off."
Ash accepted the challenge.
Ash: "You wanna fight me?"
Leonard stared intensely.
Ash sighed.
Ash: "Fine."
Ash dashed forward, throwing a jab.
Leonard dodged.
Leonard thought.
Leonard: "{Crap! I didn't know he'd be so fast.}"
Ash thought.
Ash: {How naive, he thinks beating the examiner makes him hot shit now; he'll learn.}
Elizabeth wanted to intervene, but Kevin stopped her.
Ash attacked again.
Leonard blocked the punch, but the force sent him backward.
As Leonard stood up, Ash prepared to strike.
Leonard shoulder-tackled Ash, but Ash swiftly countered with his elbow, striking Leonard's back.
Leonard: "Aghhh!"
Elizabeth's voice echoed through the quad.
Elizabeth: "Leonard!!"
Sam stepped forward, concern etched on his face.
Sam: "Stay back."
Ash turned to leave, but Leonard stood up again, determination burning within.
Leonard: "What the heck?! You think you can knock me down with such a lame attack?"
Ash's irritation grew, veins bulging beneath his skin.
Ash: "I'm getting tired of you."
Leonard's eyes flashed.
Leonard: "That day was the best time for me to listen to my head. Cause if I didn't..."
Ash unleashed a blast of fire.
Leonard leapt away, narrowly avoiding the flames.
Leonard: "I would've been barbecued."
Leonard seethed.
Leonard: "{Seriously?! He's using his nuclei?!}"
Leonard's anger flared.
Leonard: "{Fine then... two can play at that game.}"
Sam worried.
Sam: "I hope he doesn't plan on-"
Ash propelled himself forward with fire.
Ash grabbed the back of Leonard's collar and pinned him down.
Leonard threw dust in Ash's eyes.
Leonard charged, electricity coursing through his body.
Ash threw fireballs.
Leonard dodged.
However, he tripped and fell forward.
Ash sneered.
Ash: "Idiot."
Ash closed in to finish the fight.
Leonard smirked.
Leonard focused electricity in his index finger and shot it.
Ash leapt backward.
Leonard stood up, charging his body.
Ash thought.
Ash: "{How weak, doesn't even know how to control his own power.}"
Ash covered his fists in fire.
Ash threw a right hook.
Leonard ducked.
Leonard prepared to strike with his left hand.
However, Ash's left side was free.
Ash prepared to blast fire.
Just as the fight intensified, octopus tentacles grabbed both Leonard and Ash's hands.
Chris intervened.
Chris: "Enough!"
The sudden interruption left the combatants stunned, their heavy breathing the only sound.
To be continued...