Harsh Reality

The Principal takes the students downstairs back to the main floor. They meet up with the other students who have completed the test. Bonnie sees Jinsoku and runs up to him.

Bonnie: "Jiiiiin!"

Jinsoku sees Bonnie and they both give each other a high five.

Bonnie: "Nice work in there. I didn't know you were so fast."

Jinsoku: "Tha-"

Jinsoku's head starts aching and he put his hand on it.

Bonnie: "You okay?"

Jinsoku: "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Don't worry."

Kassius starts looking around for Arnold.

Kassius (in head): "Where are you? Did you make it out? Cmon m-"

In the distance, Kassius sees Arnold sitting near the exit.

Kassius: "There you are!"

Kassius walks up to Arnold and sits down with him.

Kassius: "How are you feeling?"

Arnold: "I'm fine I guess."

Kassius: "I can't believe they just allowed a girl to die like that."

Arnold: "Its a cruel world. Unfortunately that girl had to suffer the consequences of living in it."

Kassius: "Yea..."

The Principal stamps on the ground. Everyone looks towards her.

Principal: "The first test is over. Any of the communicators that don't have a partner over here are disqualified so you can leave. The rest should pay attention. Now that the first test is done, we shall have the second test soon. However before that we'd like to give you all a break before that. So you have an hour to rest up before the next test. I'm also sure you guys are still wondering how we allowed such things to happen during this test. Assault on an old man, death of a young girl and more. Firstly, we had permission from them. They signed in knowing consequences that could occur. Second, it was to set a more realistic tone. At the end of the day you have to wake up to the harsh reality. The system is not fair. Some people actually die as a cause of all of this. You can't just change that. Now before I let you go, now that you know there is a chance of death, are you still willing to participate? If you want to stop taking part, the door is right there."

The room goes quiet. Nobody approached the exit.

Principal: "That's what I like to see. Now you are dismissed for the break."

Everyone starts leaving through the main entrance.

Bonnie: "So what are you do- Jin? Where'd you go?"

Kassius: "So what are you gonna do?"

Arnold: "I have something I need to take care of. So I'll see you after this break."

Kassius: "Sure. I need to go do something as well."

In the bathroom, Jinsoku is looking towards the mirror. He takes some pills and starts gripping his face tightly.

Jinsoku: "These should keep me good for the rest of it. Just two more tests left. I c- I'll kill them!!! No, I won't! That's not me! Ha! You're worthless! SHUT UP!!!"

He shatters the mirror in front of him. Jinsoku starts laughing hysterically yet he is also crying heavily.

Outside the building, Arnold is walking around with a suited woman.

Suited woman: "So how did it go?"

Arnold: "It was alright. Nothing special."

Suited woman: "Far from it. I hear you fought a group of people and won."

Arnold: "I'd rather not talk about it."

Suited woman: "You know, if this is too long for you, you can always-"

Arnold stops walking.

Arnold: "Not another word. If you came here to convince me again, you're wasting your time."

Suited woman: "You'll agree at some point. We'll be waiting for you when you are ready."

The Suited woman walks away. Arnold looks up to the sky.

Arnold: "Time for the second test. Watch over me sis."

Kassius is on the top of the building.

Kassius (in head) "Who was that talking to Arnold? Anyways, I gotta stay focused."

Kassius jumps in the air and spins but just as he is about to do something he hesitates and falls.

Kassius: "Damn, that hurt. Is this even possible? Looks like I can't use it after all. One more try."

Kassius stands up.

Kassius: "Three, two, on- huh?"

A group of sixteen people walk through the roof entrance.

Kassius: "Hey fellas, something wrong?"

They all circle Kassius.

Kassius: "So you aren't here to congratulate me? Hehe"

Man 1: "Where's your friend?"

Kassius: "Huh? Arnold? Um.... I don't have a clue."

Man 1: "Well that's too bad. Guess you'll have to take it for him."

Kassius: "Whoa whoa whoa! Hold on, there should be another way to solve this."

Man 1: "Like?"

Kassius: "Like one that doesn't require me to kick all of your asses."

Man 1: "Smart mouth eh? Get him!"

Kassius (in head): "Gotta ditch these guys fast. I only got a few minutes to get back."

A guy behind Kassius near the ledge rushes towards him. As he throws a punch, Kassius squats to the floor dodging him, then proceeds to hit him with a roundhouse kick, sending him to the floor in a flash. The group gasps in shock. Kassius runs through the gap in the circle and jumps over the ledge onto a flag pole and slides down.

Kassius: "Later guys. Got an exam to attend to. We can do this later."

Man 1 picks something off the ground.

Man 1: "After him!"

The group run back down from the roof entrance. Kassius reaches the bottom of the pole and runs through the front entrance.

In the principals office, the principal is talking with two other people. One of them is the guard from the first test and the other is another supervisor in the back of the room.

Principal: "A decent bunch this year. Thought we would've had way less prospects but we are down to sixty only. That's good numbers. What do you think Hermes? You took part in it after all. Anyone of notice to you?"

Hermes: "..."

Principal: "Thanks for the feedback. What about you?"

Supervisor: "Two of them caught my eye. The kid who ruthlessly took from that old man and that kid that beat that whole group on his own. However I'm not sold on them just yet. I'll judge them properly during the next test for sure. Would you mind if I took over?"

Principal: "Be my guest. I need a nap, I'm tired already. Just wake me when it's time for the final test."

The Principal goes to a sofa in the room and lies down.

Supervisor: "Alright."

The supervisor smirks as he leaves the room.

Hermes: "..."

Principal: "I know what you're thinking. Keep an eye on him. He might be a supervisor now, but men like him do not change. Make sure it doesn't get out of hand."

Hermes nods and he vanishes out of the room.

Kassius is running through the hall on the ground floor.

Kassius (in head): "So the exam room is on the first floor and I'm currently at the ground floor, one floor down. The roof is at the fifth floor meaning I have more time to get to the room before they catch up to m- Wait a minute. Where's my wallet?"

Kassius taps all over to look for it.

Kassius: "Those damn assholes. Now I'm definitely getting them back. No way I'm leaving it behind."

Kassius runs down the hall and sees the weapons room on this floor.

Kassius: "Damn, the door is locked. I'll climb through the vents."

Kassius goes through the vents and enters the weapons room. He walks up to the storage units.

Kassius: "This? No. This? No. This? Maybe. Yes, this one!"

Kassius exits the weapons room with a bag in hand. He then runs up the stairs to the first floor. He starts running down the first floor hallway and notices Bonnie staring out the window.

Kassius: "Bonnieeeee!"

Bonnie looks towards Kassius as he runs towards her.

Bonnie: "Kas! You ready for the next test? What's all that?"

Kassius: "Would you mind entering before me? I got something to take care of."

Bonnie: "Uhhh, sure. Just don't take too long and end up getting disqualified."

Kassius: "Yeah dont worry. I'll be there before you know it"

Bonnie starts heading towards the room. Kassius goes near the staircase that links the first and second floor and hides above it.

Kassius (in head): "Now we wait."

A stampede of footsteps start coming from the stairs. A group of people start rushing into the first floor.

Kassius: "Showtime!"

Kassius throws a stun grenade on the ground.

Group: "Ahhhhh!"

Kassius jumps down. He looks around for the person with his wallet and sees it in the leader's pocket. Kassius reaches for the wallet and snatches it.

Kassius: "That belongs to me."

Kassius starts running down the hall towards the room as the doors start to close. A few men stand up and chase Kassius. As they are running, a guy leaps at Kassius but Kassius avoids him. Another guy does the same and Kassius avoids him too. Kassius pours a liquid on the floor, making it slippery. A few of the men slip and fall. A guy still chasing Kassius jumps over it and leaps at Kassius, almost catching him near the closing door.

Man 2: "You won't get away!"

Kassius: "I will today I'm afraid. It was nice knowing you."

Man 2: "Huh?"

Kassius jumps up and uses the man's head as a boost as he pushes off him. Kassius does a sideway jump through the door, waving goodbye with a cheeky smile. The doors close and Kassius lands on the floor.

Kassius (in head): "Wow that jump seems so familiar."

Kassius holds up his wallet.

Kassius: "Almost lost you there bud. Might need to find a better way to keep you safe hehe"

Bonnie notices Kassius on the floor. She approaches him.

Bonnie: "Kas, you alright? What happened back there?"

Kassius: "Ehhh, nothing much really"

Bonnie: "You big liar. Anyways, get up we are starting soon. Waiting on the Principal. Speaking of which, it's been a while. Where is she?"

Kassius: "Yeah, she's been hell bent on the rules but she isn't here right now. That's pret-"

Footsteps echo throughtout the room. A person starts approaching the participants.. Step after step, the steps gets even louder and more frightening. A student shrieks in fear, and Bonnie gets a bit nervous. Kassius gets shocked a little as well.

Bonnie: "Is it just me or does he feel weird? Something's off about him."

Kassius: "Yeah, you're right."

The supervisor clears his throat.

Supervisor: "My name is Romulus. I'll be overseeing this second test."