Preparation

It was Tuesday after school as many people either left the school or stayed for their extracurricular.

However, it was an emergency for Scott as his life was at stake with his death day going from the beginning of Spring Break to a few days. Feeling a bit worried, Scott decided to head back home to borrow his mother's car. In the car, he drove to him as quickly as possible even if the roads were slippery and the snow was difficult to drive on.

Reaching the container, Scott banged on the container as loud as he could. "F5! Are you in there?! It's an emergency! I need you to know this!"

"Kid? You seem to be here early. How did you get here? Sunshine Valley is far from here." Agent F5 opened the container door.

"Drove here." Scott pointed to his mother's car.

"I didn't know you could drive."

"Well my mom wouldn't allow me to drive after my incident from my old neighborhood."

"Wait. How did you manage to get your mom's keys and bring the car out?" 

"My mom was with her friend next door."

"Okay. So why did you meet me this early? We were supposed to meet at six."

"Because the basketball team is planning on killing me!"

Trying to take the situation seriously, Agent F5 instead laughed. "Pff what!"

"This isn't funny! The basketball team is planning to kill me and my friends!"

"O-Okay, I think I can breathe now." Agent F5 stopped laughing.

"So tell me. Why is it that the basketball team wants to kill you? And what does it have to do with the case we're working on?"

"Because it was from Laura's order. Laura wanted me dead after what happened to Troy. I don't know why they can't see that I didn't do it but he did it himself."

"Scott, can you tell me who's Laura again? I'm not asking again because I forgot, but more of needing to understand her better."

"She's John's girlfriend. She would do anything to make him happy, so he sent Drake after me to do her job."

"Okay Scott, you're telling me things that I don't have context of. First off who's Drake and you still didn't tell me why the basketball team wants to kill you."

"Drake is the bully of Sunshine High and vice captain of the team. He was a former leader of his gang and the rest of his team were part of it. Although Laura commanded him and his gang to kill me, he offered me a deal."

"And what would that deal be?"

"To join his crew and to take over the school. However, I declined his offer because he thought that I was like him because of my anger. Ruthless and violent. I just didn't know if I made the right choice."

"I think you made the right choice of not joining his crew because he seems to be a violent person. But what makes you think you made a wrong choice?"

"Because he might have some answers that we need like the contracts and the titles that were implanted on some of the students. He even labeled me as the 'outcast.' I still don't get why people get labeled in this school like Jim being the 'nerd' or John being the 'King of High School.'"

"Yeah that seems to be weird. When I was in high school no one ever used those terms to describe others except for those cheesy high school movies."

"So F5, can you help me this Friday? Drake and his gang are going to kill me."

"I can't."

"Why not!"

"Because I am on a lookout for John and his actions at this moment. Before meeting you, I asked the FBI to connect one of their satellites to monitor all parts of your town. If I leave my eyes for at least a minute, I might miss something important for this investigation."

"Can I at least have your gun?"

"Hell no. I can't give my weapon to a kid like you. Also, if you try to take my gun, then I would have no choice but to put you under arrest."

Scott was in a lot of stress as he was about to die very soon.

"Look kid, it's your own battle and me interfering will just make things worse. We already have a swat team killed and me also getting killed will bring a whole division here which is a last resort if we don't have a choice."

Scott sighed. "Fine, I'll just leave then."

"Wait! Although I can't be in your battle, I can still help you as much as I can."

Scott then turned around. "How?"

"I know some martial arts that the academy has taught me and it's been a while since I've used them."

"How come you never told me that before."

"Because." Agent F5 was hesitant to finish his sentence.

"Because I'm a newcomer to the FBI and I'm just scared to tell you that. Although I act tough, I'm still new to them and this is my first investigation. I didn't want to let the chief down as I want to successfully get this case solved."

"Why were you hesitant to tell me this?" Scott questions the agent.

"Because compared to the other agents, I'm just the lowest of the low and all I'm good for is getting coffee and donuts for the other workers. The only reason I'm here is because I was the only person available while everyone was dealing with bigger problems like pedophiles and crypto scams."

"Agent F5, I don't mind. I'm just happy that you are at least investigating this town as this place has always been very suspicious. I mean if we're both investigating this town, then it's better if we do it together right?" Scott pulled out his fist for a fist bump.

"Yeah." Agent F5 fist bumps Scott.

"Starting tomorrow, we meet after school and your training will be brutal." 

"Great. After I finish school, I'll meet you then." Scott then left the container.

"By the way, F5, what's your name? If you don't mind me asking."

"It's Daniel. But you can me Dan."

"Alright Dan, I'll see you tomorrow." Scott then left in his mother's car to head back home. 

The next day, Scott, Jim, Dwayne, and Bryan all met in the hallway to discuss the plan Scott proposed.

"Wait, are you actually serious that the basketball team is about to kill you?" Bryan questions Scott.

"Not just me, but all of us. If we don't do something now, then we will be dead by the end of the week." 

"I wanted to meet you guys because there's twelve members in the basketball team and I'm just one guy. I don't think I can handle all of them."

"So what are you saying Scott?" Jim questions.

"I'm asking if you guys can help me? Because although I still have anger issues, I'm scared to do this all alone. I'm not asking much, but I hope you guys can help me." Scott asking as he shivered a bit.

"Of course Scott. What kind of silly question is that?" Jim smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You've helped all of us. Like me becoming the captain of the football team." Dwayne also smiled.

"And don't forget you helped me through my hard times of being a 'nerd.'"

Scott then smiled as his shivering stopped. "Thanks guys. This means a lot. Although we've been friends for a couple of months, while you Bryan it's just a couple of weeks, you guys were always with me no matter what. You guys helped me rediscover myself and I can feel my anger issues slowly fading away."

"I mean Scott, we're not perfect, but we are unique. I'm a gay poet, Jim is a gifted student, and Dwayne is a strong athlete. And you are the leader of the group connecting us together. We wouldn't be a friend group without you know." Bryan cheers Scott up.

"You're right Bryan. So if you guys are going to help me, I already have a plan set up." Scott reached in his locker to bring out a sheet of paper.

Scott then opened the paper. "So here's the plan. Our fight will be held on the children's playground meaning that we will be fighting in the snow. For me, I will be learning martial arts from the FBI agent I've been working with since January. Jim and Dwayne, you got any ways in the battle?"

"Sure. I'll see what my library has that can help me build a weapon. Not lethal, but at least enough to knock them down. I also think it's time for payback for what they did to my physics project." Jim being devious.

"I got wrestling skills and still got my football equipment. Maybe I can use that to my advantage in case they bring weapons." Dwayne looking at his muscles.

"And what should I do?" Bryan questions.

"Stay put. You might be an easy target so I want you to hide and to also bring Natalie with you. I don't want you two getting in the crossfire."

"But Scott, I want to help."

"Sorry Bryan, but I can't risk your life for my situation. Just get Natalie and hide."

"Okay." Bryan was disappointed.

Suddenly, the bell rang.

"Looks like I'm starting my martial arts training. I'll see you guys at the playground." Scott leaving the group.

"Yeah. See you then." Jim, Dwayne, and Bryan said.

As they were all leaving, Dwayne left to get his gear back in the gym equipment room. Reaching the gym, he saw what seemed to be a girl struggling to shoot her bow and arrow at the target. She was shaking as she could focus on the target.

"Wow, that girl must be struggling. Maybe I should help her out." Dwayne walked towards the girl.

"Do you need help?" Dwayne surprised the girl from behind.

Gotten frightened, the girl accidentally shoots her arrow to the ceiling causing it to ricochet back to the ground.

"Oh crap I'm so sorry. I saw you were struggling and maybe I can help."

The girl didn't respond, but seemed upset.

"Are you shaking because you're nervous since you're a beginner?" Dwayne questions the girl.

The girl nodded yes.

"Hey, I get it. Being nervous on your first time doing something new can be difficult, but it's normal. When I first played football, I couldn't catch the ball and as a result kept getting my face hit by the ball."

The girl then smiled a bit. 

"Okay, try again and remember that it's okay to struggle on your first time." Dwayne picks up an arrow and gives it to the girl.

As the girl took the arrow from Dwayne, she then got ready to aim for the target. After a deep breath, she then fired at the target hitting the near center of it.

"That's awesome! I can't believe you did it!" Dwayne shakes the girl hard.

However, the girl didn't respond as she was blushing after feeling Dwayne's huggable body.

"Oops. I must've been too rough on ya. Listen, maybe next week I can help you with your archery practice because I need to get my football gear. Anyways, see you later." Dwayne heading to the equipment room.

Suddenly, Dwayne walked back to the girl. "By the way, what's your name? Since I want to help you, maybe we can introduce each other first."

The girl reached into her pocket bringing out her school I.D. Dwayne would look closer to her I.D. to see her name.

"Isabelle. I really like that name. I'm Dwayne, captain of the football team and member of the wrestling club. Anyways, got to head out." Dwayne left to the equipment room.

Isabelle watched Dwayne walk away as she kept blushing while curling her hair.

Meanwhile as Bryan tries to find Natalie, he was then stopped by someone from behind.

"Hey Bryan." Liam behind Bryan.

"What the?" Bryan looked behind.

When he noticed the basketball jersey was wearing, Bryan didn't hesitate but ran away.

"Get away from me!" Bryan ran from Liam.

"No Bryan please! I'm not like those guys." Liam collapsed on his knees.

"I'm not like them." Liam repeated to himself.

Outside the town of Sunshine Valley, Scott and Dan are outside of the container as Dan was strictly training Scott in a harsh way, beating him down to the ground while Scott was wearing nothing but his shirt in the snow.

"Come on Scott, you only have today and tomorrow to prepare for your battle. Is this what you want to be, dead on the ground?" Agent Dan watches Scott struggling to get up from the ground.

"L-Like hell! I'm going to survive this battle no matter what!" Scott ran towards Dan with anger.

However, Dan countered Scott's attack as he instead threw him to the ground once again.

"Scott, I've noticed for the past few hours that you rely on anger to fight your battles. But anger can also be a disadvantage."

"What about my fight with Troy? If it wasn't for anger, then I couldn't get that butterfly knife in time."

"That was because Troy was so angry that he wasn't focusing on his surroundings and also pure luck. However, your next fight won't be that lucky since you're up against multiple people. So get your ass up and don't rely on your anger."

Scott then got up fisting his hands as he wasn't ready to give up.

"Yeah, I won't give up that easily. If I can work on managing my anger, then this battle will be a breeze."

"Then prove it to me Scott Smith!" Dan shouted as Scott ran at him.

Since then, everyone has been working hard to get ready for Friday as Scott trained for hours until midnight when Dan offered him microwaved macaroni and cheese before heading home. However, even at home, Scott would still train persistently practicing the moves that Dan taught him including using a weapon as his martial arts and weapon become one. 

Jim would spend an all nighter researching self defense weapons. He would use the cage part of his house as a place to build the weapon he needed for the upcoming fight. With his giftedness and items he has in his basement, he would quickly build a weapon that he can take advantage of by Friday.

Dwayne spent until late at night on the school's football field practicing his tackling skills tackling a bunch of snowmen he built. He also practices his wrestling skills by wrestling a giant snowball getting it to move. Even if Dwayne practices, he felt as if somebody was watching him, but seems to ignore it as it was late. However, the person watching him was Isabelle who was behind the bleachers looking at him tackling a bunch of snow.

With Bryan, he warned Natalie of the fight happening on Friday and asked her to come to her house at that time and not to go to school. For her safety, Natalie decided to head to his house Thursday night and called her step dad about staying over her friend's house for a "study date."

On Friday, it was the day. Scott and his friends weren't in school while Drake and his team were.

When the bell rang, Drake and his team brought their weapons from their locker, including one of their members carrying a pistol quickly putting it in their pocket. Drake and his teammates were walking out of the school ready for some bloodshed.

"Hey Drake my bestie! Can you come here for a sec!" Laura waving her hand at Drake.

"What is it?" Drake walked towards Laura.

"Before you boys go out there, you have to remember our deal! If you don't kill Scott, then I think I got no choice but to kick you out of here so the feds. Don't worry about my boyfriend because this is about us okay!" Laura smiling at Drake.

"Don't worry. Scott's dead before you know it." Drake walking with his teammates.

"Okay! I'll see you on Monday!" Laura waving bye at Drake and his teammates.

After they left, Laura felt weird as her stomach started hurting severely as she started to cough up more blood from before as now her nose was starting to leak out blood.

"Please tummy! Stop hurting!" Laura tries to control herself as nobody has seen her bloody nose and cough on the floor. 

At the park, Drake and his teammates got off their motorcycle awaiting Scott's arrival while walking into the playground area.

However, Drake and his team were shocked as Scott was already there before them as he was on the swings while carrying what seems to be a bat.

"Hey Drake." Scott looked menacingly on the swings.