Chapter 4: Torn loyalties

POV: Jack Brewer 'Stain'

(the next day)

I raised my hand. "Yes, Stain, what is it?" Our class was being taught today by Anguish, a level five sword; the highest rank under Blood-sword. "On the topic of robbery in the case where one of your Mask-mates is injured, and the other is unconscious, what would be the highest priority, take out the security guard, and waste time that the injured Mask-mate doesn't have, or help the injured Mask-mate and leave the unconscious one to the mercy of the guard?" I asked.

She tipped back her helmet. "Well, that is a good question, Stain. I don't believe that question has ever been asked before. And never before has that scenario presented itself, in reality or in class." She took a piece of chalk and went to work on the board. "Now class, I think this is a good assignment for you. I want you all to come up with an answer and present it to us." She instructed.

I already had an answer; I just wanted to see if it was correct. I looked around at all the Dull-knives, Knives and Blades of lower levels. The higher level Blades, the Cleavers and the Swords never joined these little classes. For some reason, I actually enjoyed them.

It wasn't the reality of the given scenarios that I enjoyed, it was the concept. The simple notion of the whole thing. The way we related to each other. The way that each and every one of us perceived thoughts and idea's differently and were allowed to express our opinions. Not at all like in normal school. There, you were told to shut up and listen. Here, you could ask questions, give answers, and state your opinions, all without motives or assessments being questioned. In fact, you were encouraged to voice your opinion. It was a good feeling.

After a few moments of no sounds but pencils scribbling on paper, Anguish called one of us forward. "Pain, what do you think the answer is?" She asked. Pain stepped up front and tipped his helmet back. He cleared his throat, shifting nervously because everyone was staring at him.

He stared at his notebook. He cleared his throat again. "I-I think that," He cleared his throat yet again. "I think that you should take out the guard first, and potentially save them both. After all, rule thirteen is 'Your Mask-mates are your family, no member is to be left behind.'" He told us. Anguish nodded. "Thank you, take a seat. Torment, would you like to come up here and answer it?" She asked.

I glanced over at a particularly big Blade. He stood and walked to the front. He didn't take off his helmet. "I think you should leave the" He swore. "guard, and carry both of them back." He stated. "Then go back and kill him." I raised my eyebrows and took notes, shaking my head. "Okay, very good. Stain, would you like to share your opinion?" She asked. I stood, stepping over people to get to the front. I cleared my throat. "I think that you should help the injured one to safety, and come back for the other one." I told them.

They were silent. "Okay. Thank you Stain." Anguish told me to take a seat, and she continued lecturing about the topic. Sorrow poked me. "What?" I hissed. "Don't you know we never leave a Mask behind?" She hissed. "You mean like the army?" I asked. "No, not at all. We don't leave men behind because if the police get them and can identify them, they can find out where the person's been, and who they've been hanging out with. It would destroy The Mask Force from the inside out." She hissed.

I blinked, an idea forming in my mind. I would go to jail, for like, forever, but it would mess up The Mask Force majorly. It might knock out some of the beams that held up the entire structure that was The Mask Force. I looked around at them. But they were my friends! I startled myself. What do you mean friends? They're murderers! I was no longer able to focus on Anguish.

By the end of the lesson, we were all given test papers to fill out in our rooms. I looked over the questions as I sat on my bed. "Ugh." I threw them aside and fell back, unable to concentrate. I felt like I was failing science all over again. There was a tap on my door. "Come in." I called. I turned my head only so that I could make sure it wasn't a higher rank, before letting my head go back.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Sorrow climbed up beside me and put a hand on my chest. I sighed. "I'm flunking this test." I told her. She looked at the scattered papers. "But you were paying attention today." She cocked her head. I sat up. "I was at first." I told her. "But I lost focus."

She smiled. "You want me to help? I already finished mine." She offered. I sighed. "Okay." For the next half hour, she went over all the things Anguish had talked about, and helped me with the test. "Thanks." I smiled. She flashed me a grin. "Remember this next time I need to be bailed out." She giggled.

I laughed. "Okay." I grinned. "Pinkie promise?" She held out her pinkie. I smiled and locked mine with hers. "Pinkie promise." I agreed. The door burst open, reminding me, once again, that higher levels felt no need to knock. Sorrow and I jumped up and saluted him. "It's time for today's Test."

POV: Rudy Gillespie

(same time as Jack)

I sighed and went over some paperwork in my office. I had been let out of the hospital early this morning, but I still had a bandage on my nose and took a special medicine for the concussion.

I sighed, rubbing my head. I was flat broke now. I had been saving for a while, and I was planning on putting that money in the bank yesterday, but never got around to it. Now I regretted it to the fullest. I looked up when I heard my name being called.

"Rudy! Come quick! Rudy!" I jumped up and ran out. "What is it?" I asked. All the kids were at the door staring out. "Look! Falafel Phil is being robbed!" Kim cried. I ran over and looked out. Sure enough, there was a Mask in Falafel Phil's. "Call the police!" I told them. Milton ran to my office to do it. "Yo, Rudy, we got this, come on." Jerry told me. I looked at him.

"Dude, there's only one of them!" He cried. "Come on, we got to save Phil!" I looked back out. The Mask had a gun to Phil's head. "Come on!" I told him, pushing open the door and running across the way. We burst into Phil's and the Mask turned on us. It was the same Mask that attacked the dojo the other day. He fired a badly-aimed shot at us, that I was able to jump out of the way of.

I came after him, trying to kick the gun out of his hand. He pulled back, laying back on the counter and kicking me with both feet. I fell back. Jerry ran after him, and was flipped for his troubles. Whoever this guy was, he was well-trained. I tripped him, and he caught himself, kicking back and knocking me over again. I grabbed for the gun. We struggled with it for a moment before one of us accidentally set it off.

"WHOA!" Jerry had been trying to stand back up, and only just managed to drop down before it hit him. The gun fired again, grazing passed my shoulder, ripping my gi but fortunately not touching my skin. He kicked his knee into my chest, causing me to drop my hold on the gun. He jumped up and had it pointed it at my head in an instant.

I panted, putting my hands out, waiting for him to shoot me. He hesitated. Jerry managed to get up and tackle him. The gun went off right as Jerry's body collided with his shoulder, but his aim was off now because of Jerry and the bullet only hit my shoulder. I cried out and fell, clutching my shoulder. I felt blood pouring out of my arm. I blinked, and the world went black.

POV: Jerry Martinez (same time)

I started punching Stain's mask –I only knew he was called Stain because of my encounter with him at the jewelry store- and my knuckles smarted, but I had him down where I wanted him. I had his arms pinned beneath my knees in a move that only Jack and I knew, we had come up with it ourselves. Stain, however, seemed to know exactly how to get out of the hold. He pulled his legs up and wrapped them around my body and threw me off.

I moaned and clutched my head. He kicked me to keep me down and grabbed the gun, along with Phil's money bag and ran out. The blasted police arrived just then, running in –ph how useless they've been the past couple days- I blinked up at them before passing out.

(A/N: DUN DUN DUN! Leave a RIEVIEW below, letting me know if you think Jack would have shot Rudy had Jerry not interfered!