The sun is blazing down relentlessly on two groups of adolescents standing on the beach facing a podium. Only Connor knows why they are there and he is not telling anybody because he wants to see their reactions to the news. As the sun burns hotter a middle aged man suddenly appears on the stage behind the podium to a shocked silence. He clears his throat and smiles at the people in front of him and says, "I am sure you are all wondering why you are here and not stuck in school. I am happy to inform you that each of you has been recommended to take part in the newest chapter in the rivalry between Hollywood Arts and Los Angeles Star Tech. The challenges you all will face will push to the brink emotionally, physically, and psychologically. First off I will introduce the team from Los Angeles Star Tech: Connor Linwood, Megara Thompson, Zeak Levinson, Teresa Hartman, Kendall Acke, Shaylee Hinder, Lilliana Cordero, and Slayter Reese." Each member of LAST makes their way onto the stage and stands there waiting for the next team to be announced. "And from Hollywood Arts we have the team of: Tori Vega, Beck Oliver, Trina Vega, Robbie Shapiro, Cat Valentine, Jade West, Andre Harris, and Sinjin Van Cleef." Each of the members of the HA team makes their way onto the other side of the stage. Both teams now stare at the still unnamed man for further instructions on the game. "I will be your host Logan Pelosi and now you have fifteen minutes to convene with your team members and choose a team captain for your respective teams." He blows an air horn and both teams huddle up to try and choose a team captain.
The LAST team comes together and they all put their arms on each others shoulders and start talking excitedly amongst themselves. Megara notices Connor's mischievous smile and gets everybody's attention and then asks Connor why he has that smirk on his face. "I came up with the idea for this whole competition. You guys should have seen your faces when he announced what was going on." The whole group just stands there with their mouths open because Connor didn't let any of them in on the secret. All of a sudden Zeak pops up with a suggestion "Why don't you be the captain then since it might give us a leg up in the competition?" Everybody in the group is happy with that suggestion except for Shaylee who is hurt that nobody thought she should be the captain of the team. Her and Slayter go off to discuss the possibility of making one of them the new leader instead of Connor.
Meanwhile the HA team is huddling together and having a heated discussion amongst themselves. Robbie is trying to claim he should be captain but everybody is laughing at that suggestion because he is the meekest person they have ever known. Trina is trying to boss everybody around and she thinks this means she will automatically be the captain. The rest of the group pushes her out of the circle and closes ranks so she can't get back in which causes her to throw a tantrum that nobody takes notice of. Beck and Andre voice the opinion that Tori should be the captain because she has the right balance of competitiveness and calmness to keep everybody ready and loose. Everybody quickly agrees except for Trina because she isn't available to agree and Jade who stares daggers at Beck because he mentioned the dreaded name of Tori. Tori misses the death stare and says "If you guys think so then of course I will take the role of team captain."
Logan blows the air horn again and says "Now that you all have had time to talk amongst yourselves what is your decision? Will the two team captains please step forward." With that Connor steps confidently forward and Tori steps forward looking a little unsure of herself. "Ah Connor Linwood will be the captain for the LAST team and Tori Vega will be the captain for the HA team. Now whichever team wins the challenge for that day will win a prize for each member of the team. Plus whichever team wins the overall competition will win $100,000 for each member. The first challenge is tonight and now the two captains have to stay here so I can go over some things with them while the rest of you are getting ready." While the rest of the teenagers trudge off talking in small groups about the chance to win $100,000, Tori and Connor turn towards Logan and wait for their official instructions.
Logan looks at the two teens with a smile on his face and says alright first off each of you have to designate a vice captain to take your place if you should become incapacitated. Connor and Tori look at each other but don't say anything. "Be thinking on it and you can tell me before the first challenge, anyways onto the rules:
Rule #1: No physical violence outside of challenges
Rule #2: If you break Rule 1 then you are kicked off the challenge
Rule #3: Anybody unfit to compete will be replaced
Rule #4: No Shortcuts
Rule #5: Have fun
"You will get specific instructions before each challenge. No two challenges are the same and you can never be sure what kind of challenge you will have that day. There will be doctors on hand at all times so if you feel like you need to be checked out just say so. You two need to talk and decide if you need any more instructions." With that Logan hops down off his stage and walks over to his truck to get a drink of water.
Connor and Tori look at each other and neither one of them says anything. Connor keeps getting distracted by Tori's cheekbones and Tori keeps getting distracted by Connor's smile. They reluctantly decide that they don't need any more explanations and go off to join their teams and inform them of the rules. They briefly hug and then step down off the platform as Connor tells Tori good luck and she says the same to him.
A/N Let me know what you thought about the beginning. Next chapter will be the first challenge along with the beginnings of possible relationships. Please Review!
