(Welcome to the world of Battle Royale! In this game, students are forced to face their classmates in combat until only one is alive. Due to this mature content, this story has obviously been rated M since there will be cursing, gore, and adult situations. Enjoy the macabre, unpredictable, and exciting setting that is Battle Royale!)

"Greetings, class. My name is Mr. Smith. You may call me sir. Now I'm sure most of you are wondering just what you are doing in this classroom at the moment. Well, congratulations class, you have all been chosen to prove your patriotism and self-worth by participating in The Program."

Gasps. Tears slowly begin to form. Whimpers are heard. Eyes dart around the room.

"Now, now, class there's no reason to despair. You are all doing your country a great service by ridding it of those unworthy of life here. Take it upon yourselves to end the lives of those who would put shame to this wondrous country we live in. How you deem those unworthy, heh, well, that is up to you."

Mr. Smiths pauses for a moment, allowing the news to sink in. A wide smile slowly grows on his face as he watches fear gradually rising inside the young adults before him.

"That's right class, in this game it is kill or be killed. If you want to survive, you must kill the others around you. Only one survives. Will it be you?"

He leans down into the face of a petite girl in the front row. She avoids his gaze and slowly cries with a hand covering her face.

"I'm sorry, little miss. But with that kind of attitude you may not last very long out there."

He stands up and addresses the class again.

"You all have three days. After three days, if there is no determined winner…well, that has never happened." He smiles. "But in the event that it does, all remaining contestants are instantly killed, no winner. How do they die, you wonder? You all may have noticed that along with your normal clothing is a new necklace of sorts. This necklace allows us to monitor your progress from here, and given the correct signal, will explode, leaving you very much dead. If, after 24 hours, there has not been an elimination, all collars will detonate. So, if you had any thoughts of joining forces and refusing to fight, disregard them. You will fight. You will kill, if you wish to survive."

Mr. Smith walks over to a board positioned in front of the contestants and removes a white covering revealing a drawing of sorts. It appears to be completely square with several small drawings in various areas. The square is divided into several smaller squares and numbered starting with "1" in the topmost left corner and continuing along until it had numbered 64 total squares.

"We are here, in the center of the playing field. Square 28. Up north is a small urban district, which would extend further into the city and to the south is a beach that extends into the ocean. In between is a nice stretch of woods. I suggest you remain in the playing field at all times. Should you attempt to leave, your collar will instantly detonate. Forget about trying to run and hide further in the city or swimming to some other place or moving too far east or west in the woods. You will die. During the progress of the game certain areas will become danger zones. If you are in a danger zone when it becomes active, the necklace explodes, so make sure you pay attention to the announcements being made. Once the last of you leave this building, it and the block it is located in becomes a constant danger zone. So abandon all thoughts of 'taking down the system.' You will fight each other, not the government."

Mr. Smith looks out at all the faces and smiles with delight.

"Such a wonderful class." He smiles evilly, "By now I've usually had to take out one or two contestants before the game even starts. I can see you all understand the seriousness of the game. Well, then. Perhaps we should begin?"

Large duffel bags are wheeled into the room.

"Your personal items have been confiscated; all you will have are these bags. Inside each is a labeled map like the one drawn on the board, a compass, food, water, and a randomly selected weapon. Weapons range from guns, to knives, to blunt objects, and even some surprises tossed into the mix. Use them to the best of your ability as you do your country proud. And don't forget. Only ONE survives. Good luck my little warriors."

Battle Royale

American Version

Season 23

Contestants (last names withheld)

Boys ... Girls

Boy #1 – Joshua ... Girl #1 – Beth

Boy #2 – Derek ... Girl #2 – Sophie

Boy #3 – Carlos ... Girl #3 – Taryn

Boy #4 – Connor ... Girl #4 – Cassie

Boy #5 – Eric ... Girl #5 – Luna

Boy #6 – Minh ... Girl #6 – Terri

Boy #7 – Alex ... Girl #7 – Donna

Boy #8 – Ron ... Girl #8 – Samantha

Boy #9 – Larry ... Girl #9 – Molly

Boy #10 – Peter ... Girl #10 – Janelle

Boy #11 – Nick ... Girl #11 – Naomi

Boy #12 – TJ ... Girl #12 – Shaina

Boy #13 – Vince ... Girl #13 – Amy

Boy #14 – Sid ... Girl #14 – Jenna

Boy #15 – Corey ... Girl #15 – April

Boy #16 – Isaac ... Girl #16 – Lauren

Boy #17 – Salvador ... Girl #17 – Kim

Boy #18 – Justin ... Girl #18 – Ariana

Boy #19 – Nathan ... Girl #19 – Daisy

Boy #20 – Matt ... Girl #20 – Bonnie

Boy #21 – Paul ... Girl #21 – Genevive

Boy #22 – Jeff ... Girl #22 – Gloria

Boy #23 – Bruce ... Girl #23 – Debra

Boy #24 – Mitchell ... Girl #24 – Kara

Boy #25 – Marty ... Girl #25 – Leslie

Current danger zones: none

Pending danger zones: 28

(50) contestants remaining

Let the battle begin…