Chapter 27

At the parking lot area we see Garry just got slapped by his stepfather. Garry didn't get angry as he just stared at his stepfather, while his sister and mother watched from the side.

"The hell did you say, boy? Talk back to me one more time!" His stepfather yelled.

"Deacon, please calm down." Said Garry's mother.

"Stay back, Mable! You too, Gina." Said Deacon.

"I said to stop talking to her like that! Like she's your damn maid." Said Garry.

Deacon then punched Garry in the face as he fell to the ground. His nose started to bleed as Deacon grabbed him from his collar and pulled him close to his face.

"Listen, boy. I will speak to my wife; however I want! Keep talking. I'm going easy on your ass, because you ain't nothing. Just like your damn daddy." Said Deacon.

But suddenly, Gina, Garry's little sister, ran over and shielded Garry as she looked at Deacon with scared, but angry and tearful eyes.

"Leave him alone!" Gina shouted.

"Gina, get out of the way." Said Deacon.

"No! Y-You're going to have to hit me!" Gina yelled.

"Gina, mo—" Said Deacon as he forcefully grabbed her arm.

But Garry grabbed his arm before he could pull her away as he glared straight into his eyes. He had elliptical eyes like a reptile as his grip was incredibly strong.

"Don't you dare grab her like that or I will rip your arm off." Said Garry

"Garry…!" Said Mable as she grabbed her his arm.

He looked to his side as his mother had her hands on his arm. But she didn't look at Garry as he could tell she had a begging look on her face for him to let go. Garry then loosened his grip as Deacon back off, while Mable checked on him.

"Are you alright?" Mable asked Deacon.

"Yeah." Deacon replied.

"Garry…look after your sister. I'll take Deacon, okay." Said Mable as she didn't look at him.

"Yeah." Garry replied.

"You better look after her." Said Deacon.

They both left as Gina was hugged Garry, crying as he petted her head, while she looked up at him. He smiled at her as it was a couple of minutes later and they both were drinking sweet tea. Gina was still looking sad as Garry gentle nudged her.

"Hey, what's with the long face, Gina?" Garry asked.

"You were only protecting mom. And dad hit you on the face. I hate him for being so mean to you, Garry. He even made you bleed. Why don't you ever fight back?" Said Gina.

"Ugh, wouldn't that be the day, huh?" Said Garry.

"What?" Gina replied.

"Never mind. But fighting isn't always the answer. And I don't do anything is because I'm better than him. Plus, if you ask me. He hits like a girl." Garry whispered to Gina as she giggled.

"I missed you a lot, Gare bear." Said Gina.

"Aw, I missed you too, G." Said Garry as he side hugged her.

"I just wish dad would be nicer to you." Said Gina.

"I wouldn't hold your breathe. And just let him be. Like he can really hurt me. But thanks for protecting me. And for being such an awesome little sister, I got this gift for you. I had a friend make it for me. I hope you like it." Said Garry as he handed her a Gillman plushie.

Gina's eyes sparkled and lit up as she immediately grabbed it.

"You looks so cool! I love him!" Said Gina with joy.

"I'm glad you like it, Gina." Said Garry.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Garry!" Said Gina, happily hugging Garry

"Anything for you." Said Garry as he petted her head.

Meanwhile, we see Marcus with his family as his younger cousin was looking around in awe, circling the others. He was a cute 9-year-old boy with black shaggy hair and tan skin. His other cousin was there as she was a 13-year-old girl that was a tomboy. She kept a distance from the others as Marcus's aunt and uncle were walking with him. His aunt was tough looking woman with long hair. And his uncle looked very laid back and calm looking as he had semi-long black hair.

"I can't believe you go to this school, Marcus! It's so cool, here! Can I come here, too?" The boy asked as he looked up at his parents.

"Depends if you ever get in, Connor." Said Marcus's aunt.

"Yeah, Marcus was asked to attend the school." Said Marcus's uncle.

"I'm still wondering why?" Said the girl.

"Yeah, I'm trying to figure that out myself." Said Marcus.

"But are you doing well here, Marcus?" Their mother asked.

"Yeah, Aunt Martha." Said Marcus.

"And are you strongest of your team?" His uncle asked.

"Nah, but I'm second in command." Said Marcus.

"So silver medal." Said the girl.

"I've noticed you're distant. Literally." Said Marcus as she was kept a distance.

"So what?" Haley responded with an attitude.

"Is it her time of the month or something?" Marcus asked Martha.

"Screw you!" Haley yelled as she walked.

"Haley, wait!" Connor shouted as he ran after her.

"What's her deal?" Marcus responded.

"Seriously? I know you're not bright, but c'mon, Marcus." Said his uncle.

"You left all of the sudden, Marcus. You didn't even give us a proper goodbye." Said Martha.

"Yeah, what was up with that?" Said his uncle as he got Marcus in a headlock.

"Kirk! Sorry, damn! I didn't want to be a burden on you guys anymore. I thought leaving was best for everyone. I guess I was wrong." Said Marcus.

"You fool. You may be nephew. But your family. You're our son." Said Kirk with his hand on Marcus's head.

"And nothing will change that." Said Martha.

"Thanks. And I'm guessing I have to make it up to all of you, huh?" Marcus asked.

"Hey, buy me a big meal. And we're even." Said Kirk.

"And there are some nice clothes around. A few pairs should do." Said Martha.

"Just empty my wallet already." Said Marcus.

We see Felicity with her friends as they all got on a Farris wheel together, while Brooke took pictures of them. Felicity and Sabrina were having a fun time, while Julia hated heights as she was planted on the seat and was uncomfortable. We then see them get off as Brooke was laughing at Julia as she was blushing from embarrassment.

"Look at you! It looks like you're holding in a fart!" Brooke laughed.

"Shut up! I can't believe I let you all convince me to get on that damn wheel! I'm never getting on any other ride, you hear me!" Julia yelled.

"C'mon, don't be that way, Julia." Said Brooke.

"Easy, now. We'll avoid the rides. How's that?" Sabrina asked.

"Good. As long as you keep to your word." Said Julia.

"Do you girls want to get something to eat or drink?" Felicity asked.

"Sure." Said Brooke.

"That's sounds good." Said Sabrina.

They were heading to a stand, until Felicity bumped into some as she accidently dropped her phone. It was about to hit the ground, until the person she bumped into caught it before it could hit the ground. Felicity looked up as it a boy the same age as she was as he had green eyes and was wearing North Winchester Academy clothes as he looked princely and handsome. She immediately blushed as he gently placed her phone in her hands.

"Sorry. I didn't notice you." Said the young man.

Felicity could only respond with a gibberish and a giddy laugh as the young man just looked at her, not knowing what she said.

"Pardon, I didn't catch that?" Said the young man.

"Uh, I'm fine. So is my phone. Are you alright?" Felicity asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for asking." Said the young man.

As they spoke, the others noticed Felicity speaking to the young man.

"Hey, check him out." Said Brooke.

"I'm guessing she's made a new friend." Said Sabrina.

"A strong friend." Said Julia.

"Strong? What makes you say that?" Brooke asked.

"I can tell if someone is strong or not. And that guy…he's no average knight." Said Julia.

"Oh, didn't noticed his uniform." Said Brooke.

"How? But I don't sense any mana in him. And he's not carrying a weapon. That's odd." Said Sabrina.

"And from what I can tell, he's handsome." Said Brooke.

"Thanks, Brooke. We really need that piece of information." Said Julia sarcastically.

"You're welcome. What would you all do without me?" Brooke replied.

"It's nice meeting another first year of a different school. Um, I don't think I caught your name, miss…?" Said the young man.

"I'm Felicity Murphy." Said Felicity.

"You're name fits you. I'm Everette Black." Said Everette.

"It's nice meeting you, Everette." Said Felicity.

"Everette! Let's get going!" Someone called out to him.

"Coming! Apologize, but my friends are calling. It was a pleasure. I hope to see you again, Felicity." Said Everette as he left.

"Likewise!" Said Felicity as she waved goodbye.

"Look at you! Talking to cute guys, while leaving your friends behind. That's so mean, Felicity." Said Brooke teasingly.

"I didn't mean to!" Felicity replied.

"She's teasing you. Ignore her. Who was that guy?" Julia asked.

"Oh, that was Everette. Last name Black. We bumped into each other and he saved my phone from falling and hitting the ground." Said Felicity.

"Yeah, I hate it when that happens." Said Brooke.

"Everette Black…where have I heard that name before?" Sabrina asked.

"Forget about it! Let's get going! They're going to announce the students representing the schools! Let's go!" Said Brooke.

They all made their way as there was a floating coliseum above the school campus. It was invisible to everyone outside of the campus, but everyone and their families were there cheering loudly for their schools. Merlin was there with the other headmasters as they were center stage. They even were recording everything as the school's goblin staff were the one's doing so as they pointed the cameras at Merlin as he had microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming! Though tomorrow will be the start of the games! Today, we will present the students representing their schools. From my school, Salem Academy!" Merlin shouted as he pointed.

We see Ana and her team walking out, side by side as they were wearing their school uniforms, while students of Salam cheered and screamed for the team.

"Anastasia Van Helsing. Daniel Hale. Virika Bansal. Yuan Tian Shan. Emilio Caldwin. Zoey and Lucy Stone." Said Merlin.

"Van Helsing? You're not holding anything back, are you?" Alistair asked.

"Well, this is my best team." Said Merlin.

Ana and her team stood in front of Merlin and then faced the crowd as they continued to cheer. Isaac, Iris and Abe were together as they were watching from the crowd.

"I forgot how well known my sister and her team are." Said Abe.

"Yeah, and there's a good reason to. Ana is one of the few people in this world I would refuse to fight with." Said Isaac.

Abe was surprised at Isaac's words, while Iris looked at him with shock. Merlin then passed the microphone to Clair as her school cheered for her.

"Now, from Thunder Bird Academy!" Clair shouted.

Her seven students came out and walked over as they too were wearing their uniforms. Their leader was a boy with a scars on his face and was muscularly lean and tall. He was tan skinned, white hair, sharp eyes and intimidating looking. Behind him were the others as another boy who had long brown wild hair and short facial hair. Next to him was big muscular lumberjack looking young man with a beanie. Next to him was a fourteen-year-old native girl with short hair, crow feathered accessories and dark makeup. Next to her was a Chinese girl with a braided ponytail, milky brown eyes, cane and had seriously look on her face. Next to her was another girl who had dark skin, pretty and girly as she had a smile on her face, while having young eagle like bird on her shoulder. And next to her was another Native boy who looked shy, blue eyes like the sea and wavy hair.

"Hunter Martin. Levi Gagnon. Logan Smith. Nora Leblanc. Emma Wong. Ava Quellet. And Colton White." Said Clair.

Thunderbird Academy students shouted for their fellow students as they stood in front of Clair and faced the crowd. Clair passed the microphone to Jorge as he nervously cleared his throat.

"And from San Teresa!" Jorge shouted as he pointed with his hand.

The students from San Teresa walked out together as the one ahead of them all were all Hispanics as their leader was a young man who looked similar to the headmaster but had shorter hair and was younger. He looked nervous as he had a similar golden bracelet around his wrist. And behind him were twin brother and sister as they both looked athletic as they looked battle ready. They both had the same black hair and brown eyes, but the girl had longer hair than the boy. Next to them was tall and strong looking stoic boy who looked intimidating with black hair and red eyes. Next to him was a girl with long black hair, green eyes and had a rose on the left side of her head. Next to him was tired looking boy with pointy ears, dark irises and sharp teeth as he had a Mayan necklace around his neck. And the last was another young lady who had shaggy hair that covered her eyes as she slouched, while walking. But she had a scars on her face, while having metal bracelet that had a green, red and black feather on it.

"Enrique Luna. Xoc and Cadmael Canul. Javier Perez. Alicia Martinez. Esteban Morales. And Francisca De Leon!" Said Jorge.

Their school cheered them on as Jorge passed the microphone to Alastair. His students started chanting the school name in unison as he smirked.

"And from North Winchester!" Alistair shouted.

His students walked out together as we see them all walking straight up and proud in their noble looking uniforms. The leader was brown hair, blue eyes young man, who looked cocky and proud. Next to him was petite girl with scarlet red hair, green eyes, round glasses and sharp looking teeth. She even had a dragon scaled hair pin. Next to her was a strong muscular young man with brown eyes and wild red hair. Next to him was a dark skin girl with a hoodie over her head and uniform as she had straight, but short black hair. She had blue eyes as she had her hands in her hoodie's pocket. Next to her was gorgeous girl with burgundy hair and red colored eyes as she had wand on her left ear. Next was a handsome young man with blonde hair and blue eyes as the girl went wild for him. Even Violet as Adele looked at her, ashamed. And next to him was Everette as Felicity looked surprised and Sabrina faced palmed herself.

"That's where I head of him!" Said Sabrina.

"He's one of the seven students of North Winchester?" Brooke asked in shock.

"No wonder he seemed strong." Said Julia.

"But why?" Felicity asked.

"Because he's on their best students. He's nicknamed, The Black Knight." Said Sabrina.

"Chase Davies! Patricia Irons! Aidan Kelly! Robin Hughes! Faye Morgan! Oliver Galahad! And Everette Black!" Alastair shouted as their school continued to chant.

"Behold 28 students! Best of their school! And if you think that's it for today. Us headmasters are going to have a little sparring match just for the audience to have a little taste of what's to come!" Said Merlin.