Chapter 6 Rivals

"Alright Will, just play it cool. No point in showing how good you are" Chris said leaning on a fake rock.

Will nodded, "True that. You guys can handle just the schools competing correct?"

Chris nodded, "As long the girl or the boys team that makes it through the rounds, we can have the final match. Shodun will explain the difference then after."

Will sighed glancing down at his bow. Decided to leave the priceless bow at home and use this environment resistant-like bow instead.

"Fancy bow huh?" Fred came over nodding at Will's.

"Yeah."

Chris asked, "Fred where are the rest?"

Fred looked at the captain, "Shodun is in the shack as usual the last defence line. Jerry is up in the tree and Buck…well you know the usual."

Will raised an eyebrow, "The usual?"

Fred grins at Will, "He's up and about. Even though I'm the bigger man here, he's acting as bait."

Will nodded slowly, "Oh I see."

An alarm blared, "Alright it's started. The field is two times bigger than the one at school. So just be wary of that."

Will shook his head, "They are the ones who should be wary."

Ooo

"Rabbit two! Left side!" the other team called once the match began.

Suddenly Buck emerged from the bushes and ran wildly across the field. Immediately had 4 arrows in him. One more hit crucial hit or two in the limbs and he's out of the game.

Jerry shot some arrows at a supposed position. Which immediately returned fire directly hitting him.

Will looked at them dumbfounded, What is going on here? They have a great strategist…a heavy muscle and a great leader. How are we losing already?

Then it hit him, Will never thought of why they were going to get cut if they lose this competition. They were terrible. They might be great individuals but in this is just too messed. They aren't well coordinated at all.

Then again…this is a rich people's school…Refraincrat high is an all-round rich kid school. Nothing special aside a traditional rivalry between each other. Alyss said.

"Orlog's toenails, we will have no chance at this literally." Will muttered.

True to his word, their first match was over. 1 to 6 man standing.

Shodun dropped his helmet with a lopsided grin, "Man that was fun!"

Chris nodded, "I agree. Now, we get serious."

Will looked at them in surprise, "What? But we literally lost."

Buck laughs, "That's because Refraincrat's were keeping an eagle on us."

Will stared at him, come to think of it, I remember I felt I was being watched.

Jerry wiped his bow with a cloth, "We weren't really playing because the fact with Refraincrat's member watching, they could plan a strategic land at the end."

Will stutters, "But…well…you did make it really convincing we sucked…but what stops them from watching us at the next match?"

Shodun grins at him, "That's the problem, they can't"

Jennifer and her group chose to show up at that point, "Yep, they can't. Their schedules are crammed up with every match when we have ours. Same goes with the girls. Happens every year."

Fred laughs, "The organizers probably think they want to see us two. One of the best schools against each other."

Alisha spoke looking from her paper she was holding, "No, they are still using the same stupid match program, going through by school names."

"In any case. Our next game won't be next until tomorrow. So let's chill for the rest of the day." Shodun said letting out a breath.

Will looked at them uncertainly, "Oh okay..then."

They all suddenly looked at Will threateningly, then realizing it was who was behind him heading towards them.

One boy with 5 others flanking him, having the Refraincrat's symbol displayed at the front. Walked with some air of confidence up to Will.

"So this is the puny new member these rich idiots have recruited." the captain, Will presumed spoke.

Chris stood up with an equal tone, "That's right. And we're not that stupid. Unlike the Refrainrats."

They heard a low oooh from Redmount Archery members.

Will hanged his head, Why are they even provoking them.

"Lowering your head huh? I'll give you the honor of introducing myself. I am Ergol Lancaster, captain of the archery team." Extending his hand out, which Will grasped on. For 5 seconds, Ergol forehead began to sweat.

Will smiles at him but the Refraincrat High members saw that the humor didn't reach to his eyes.

"I suppose this is the test? Thinking you could crush my hands in a handshake?" Will said.

Jerry whispered to Fred, "Will's a strong person…making Ergol sweat already with a handshake."

Fred nodded fearfully, "I think I'll accept for him taking down me on the first day now."

Upon release, Ergol quickly stuffed his hand into his pocket.

"I-will see you in the end, and new kid. Quit while you can." Ergol growls.

Will laughs loudly, "You have no idea how many people told me that. Ever since the accident anyway."

Ergol curled his lips in a smile, "Oh…that's right... wasn't there one of you garbage that died in that fire?"

All the boys behind Will rose in anger, Will held up a hand.

"Yes indeed, you seem pretty well informed…" Will said.

The rest of them laughed, "Well…we keep tabs on our..special list."

The one of the boys beside Ergol added, "…to stay away from."

Which kindled another round of laughter with his peers, giving some high-fives to each other. However Will silenced them all with the next phrase.

"Oh really now? Good idea kid. Maybe you should do a research a bit on that garbage that died in the fire." Will said with threatening edges around the corner making them uncomfortable.

"You little…" Ergol stopped smiling.

"I was the one In that fire and believe me, I feel pretty well. Now, before you throw a punch right now. I tell you to rethink your next course of actions." Will said pointing at the 8 guards who's looking at the Refraincrat team.

Forcing his fists to relax, "You better know where you stand brat, I will see you in the end and you will feel pain more greater than anything else." They all turned and walked away.

The only thing would hurt the most would be losing someone. Will thought.

Will was rewarded with slaps on the back and cheering, "I almost thought they were really going to throw a fight here." Shodun said putting back his glasses.

"How did you know the 8 guards were looking this way? They were in your field of vision!" Fred asks with slightly an impressed tone.

Will shrugged, "I saw them on the way out. I just pointed at them to bluff." In essence, it was the truth. But Will knew they were also agents of the SINAS. Ever since the fire, Sarah personally deployed guards around public areas.

"Let's go. Our next match much later."

Ooo

"Uh…What are you guys even doing?" Will asked as he walked into the door of Alyss and his room.

Louise, Jennifer, Alyss and Steve were hanging from the ceiling upside down with some kind of contraption, also with a basketball in their hands, dark shades on and with the TV screen blaring.

They all looked at Will who just came into the room. Before anyone could give him any reasons, Will held up his hand.

"Wait- Hold on." Will quickly said covering his face with his other hand.

"I DON'T even want to know." And walked into the room.

Will lied down on the floor and sighs, "What on earth are they even trying to do? Better not be some new thing in this future world…"

Soon he quickly dozed off, several hours has passed. He was shook woken by Alyss looking down at him, "Hey sleeping Horace. Get up, you've practically been sleeping for 3 hours now."

"Erghn….Oh hey Alyss…Go'd M'rnfgn" Will muttered covering himself more into his cloak.

Alyss silently laughs, "It's only eight at night, come on I have prepared some food…dinner."

Will laid still not wanting to move an inch. Alyss sighed, in previous occasions, rarely this happens when Will become really lazy. She has tried many tricks and ideas from the "internet" and advice from Louise and Jennifer, but never really worked.

That is,

Until she remembered about- "Woah! HOLD IT Alyss!" Will suddenly emerged from his slumber with excessive speed, making her jump and yelp in surprise and fright.

"Alright I am getting up don't throw my coffee out the window." Will quickly looked at Alyss who was upside down leaning over the bed.

Will scratched his head, "Okay… so I came in through the door and I see you upside down. Now I wake up to see you upside down. What is it with you? Some kind of new thing you like doing? Maybe I should try it out…want me to join-" WOOMPH! As an assailing pillow smacks right in Will's face.

Will broke into a grin, "I suppose not."

Alyss looked menacing at him, "I suppose so."

Ooo

"Mmm! This looks really good!" Will lavished at the sight at the table with food.

Alyss slightly blushed at the compliment, "Really? I only used what Louise taught me."

Will shook his head reassuringly. "Sure it MAY NOT be the kingdom's or Jenny's best cooking."

Which earned him a glare from Alyss.

"But it is something made by you which is great, partly because you didn't throw the coffee out like last time." Will laughed sitting down in his chair, then paused in mid-air as Alyss held the coffee container near the doors of the balcony.

"Oh come on Alyss." Will looked at her, soon returned to her seat and laughed at him.

Ooo

"Come on people! Put your backs into it!" Will shouted at them with irresistible tone of command.

Since 5 am in the morning, Will has been drilling the archery team for an hour now. The reason was the fact, Will found they were lacking in several different aspects, and training was one of them.

"Really Will, getting us to do this?" Natalie complained.

Jerry nodded in agreement, "Same here, I don't see how running through the forest does anything to us. I mean, also why not AFTER we get some good rest first?"

Will glared at them, "Alright, do you want to do it at mid-day?"

Chris corrected, "You mean lunch time?"

"Oh..right lunch time, sorry."

Fred sighed, "That may not be a bad idea."

Will gave them all a hard look then nodded, "If you all say so, tomorrow, come here at mid-I mean lunch time instead."

Will pulled his cowl over and hid is smug smile, Tomorrow. They are going to beg to do this course in the morning.

Ooo

"Man, why are we doing that?" Buck groaned as rubbed his head tenderly. He was practically more dead than alive. He literally ran into a tree.

Chris laughed, "That isn't Will's fault."

Fred scowled, "I don't care who's fault it was, I am more interested in which sunshine head gave him the idea of commanding us to do these stupid training."

Jennifer suddenly appeared before them, "More like you just can't handle the course. Nor defy what he says."

Amanda puts on her backpack, "He is really good. It's really a shame he's already got Alyss. Or else I'd be all over him."

Everyone stared at her in shock, "What?" she said.

"It's true, I mean the mysteriousness. His hair and how he talks. The way he is knowledgable and yet clueless at the same time. Not to forget the muscular-"Alisha cuts her off, "Alright Ama, I think we get the point. I'm sure you're not the only one."

It was her turn to receive another roll of shock looks, stammering and slightly blushing, "N-no! That's not what I meant! Haven't you heard the gossips?"

Daniela said with a cold voice, "I'm more interested on how he knows these types of things. Even Alisha might agree, the list he gave off earlier today about what we will be doing is practically everything that will help us improve…everything."

They all looked at Alisha which nodded back.

"Maybe the internet?" Nicole suggested.

Chris shook his head, "Only Alyss is able to use that. Will…well I highly doubt he would do it. It'll take him a long while to get what he wants."

Shodun closed his locker, "That's true, I don't think the idea of finding training lessons like these… would be lying around that is easy to find."

Will's voice called from the hallway, "Hey you guys, are you going to stand there all day or are you going to get some more sleep?"

"Sleep?" Natalie asked, obviously confused.

Fred waved his big fist over his head, "If it wasn't the fact you're in our team. I would have wacked this at your noggin way long ago Will!"

Will gave a throaty laugh, "I'd like to see you try, anyway. I think there's someone that want to meet you…Refraincrat High idiot named Ergol I met the other day."

Everyone snapped to attention at the name.

"What do those brats want?" Fred growled.

Will shrugged, "I don't know, they said to meet them at the park. Then pushed me roughly to get you guys."

Before they could say anything, Will turned on his heels and disappeared into another hallway.

"Can't blame him." Shodun said.

Buck turned to the team strategist, "What do you mean?"

Alisha answered, "Well, he did just enroll to this school and we sort of forced him to join the archery team. I suppose he doesn't want anything to do with the rivalry here…not the mention he also prevented harm in the fire…"

Suddenly cloaked head appeared at the corner, "Oh right, I forgot. Be sure to bring LOTS OF ICE in a freezer somewhere. Some cold water too…ice cold if you like tomorrow mid-day."

"What…does he mean by that?" Fred said with confusion displayed all over his face.

Jennifer walked on ahead, "I dunno, but let's see what those people want from us."

Ooo

The 11 members walked 2 blocks down the road and saw one person in the middle of the park.

"Why hello fellow mates, how is it been? I heard you've been bunny hopping these mornings." Ergol sneers.

Putting a hand on the hips, Jennifer looked at him, "What do you want?"

"My my girlie, slow those steams. Is that a way to greet a friendly foe?" he laughs.

Shodun suddenly realized something, "Oh wait…wasn't Shane Verdict originally from Refraicrat High?"

Suddenly the smile disappeared from Ergol's face, "Right, thanks to that garbage from your school. He's in some deep fried oil."

A smile played at Fred's lips, "Really? More like I'll be getting some Verdict Fries soon."

Buck laughed along, "Oh yeah, fresh from MacWantold."

"Stop your joking. Today, you will all die." Ergol snapped.

"Die?" Natalie said nervously.

Ergol looked at her, "Oh such a beautiful face, too bad you are with these jerks, or else maybe…ah I'll be fair. I will injure you all instead." Snapped his fingers, from all directions, the other 11 members of their archery team emerged from the bushes. Along with dozens of other people holding assortments of weapons, from metal tubes to short knives.

Chris muttered, "Stances. Defensive circle like we planned, weaker ones in the middle, heavy hitters at the outer ring."

Daniela called, "Isn't this ganging up on us?"

Ergol threw his head back and laughed, "That is a terrible way to say that." Giving her a chilling smile, "This, is more like a team building exercise."

Jerry laughed, "Really? I see more than 12 members here. Oh…right sorry, I meant 11 members. Ergol doesn't count as one."

That gave a chuckle between them.

"Shut up, we will see who will have their last laugh here. These boys here are some nasty piece of work. Refraincrat High's toughest gang in the school. We also got some of the people from the Black Dragon gang. Resist fighting and this will all go down much better." Ergol scorns.

They all looked around, there must have been 10 of those members from Refraincrat High excluding the archery members. Also adding a dozen of the Black Dragon gang.

Suddenly, Ergol pulled out a shining black weapon.

Some of the girls gasped in terror.

"But, I will be personally starting this fight with a shot. Right at President Chris." Ergol laughed, pulling back the safety.

Just then, he realized someone was missing from the group, "Hold on, where is that other person?"

They all looked at each other. Seeing this, Ergol spat, "Spare us the explanations, with all of you down…having one perfectly healthy makes no difference." Raising his gun directly at Chris, "Say your prayers, Chris. This is payback for everything you did, since the entrance examination day."

Chris looked at him with an unwavering glare, "Not my fault you didn't study."

Ergol pulled the trigger suddenly felt the gun pulled out of his hands. Everyone gasped in horror and surprise. "Wh-what?!"

They all saw the grey shafted arrow transfixed directly through the gun. Looking from all directions, they didn't see anyone nearby.

A flurry movement jumped down, "Hey, nice to meet you again Ergol Lancaster."

Ergol took a pace back in surprise, "W-who are you? Stand back now. Or you will be beaten up with them." He said threateningly, but lost the conviction as he saw the oversized longbow in his hand. He recognized this….at …

To everyone's surprise, Will pulled back his cowl. "I wonder who is going to have his last laugh."

Will rapidly drew, shot 4 consecutive arrows right in front of the 4 guys slowly approaching Chris and the others…at a blinding speed.

"W-who the hell are you?" Ergol rasped.

"You already met me, you also threatened me. " Will said evenly, then looked at the dozen members from the Black Dragon, "Hey you lot, do you recognize the name Brash? Then I'm sure you remember what happened that night? With your leader?"

The men muttered uneasily, Will sighed. "Do you honestly want me to prove to you I am the "Black Devil" or whatever you guys named me?"

Suddenly, they all dropped their weapons. Ergol looked at them with surprise, "What are you doing? We're going to pay you, I'll pay double!"

Giving nervous glances at each other, "This is nothing worth our lives. We were told we're up against some school kids. Not him. Our orders precedes yours, even if you are our temporary employer. We are to steer clear from the Black Devil."

Will snapped, words cutting like a sword, "Will YOU all get a move on and get out of here?" With the encouragement, they scrambled between their legs and high-hoed out of there.

Will turned to Ergol, "I see, a weapon. That is strictly against the law I am told more than once."

The 10 members raised their weapons plus the archery team, who also raised their bows.

Will laughed at them, "Really? Come on, who's the strategist in there? Do you honestly think, just from looking how fast I fired 4 arrows, having 20 more will do any difference?"

One of them grins sinisterly, shaking his head.

Ergol shouted, "There is no proof you could pull that bow at full draw. Even I can tell that is a fluke, there is no possible way a longbow can be drawn by someone like you. A power like that can pierce a-"

Will drew and shot and full draw at the nearest tree which punctured it like butter.

"Tree? Yeah I think that's what happened. Also if you doubt my accuracy, look over there. You see that apple or fruit in the tree?" Will pointed.

Everyone turned to look at what he was talking about.

"No way on earth can someone hit that. That is a lie." One of them laughed.

Will drew again, everyone heard the dreadful sound of the bow. They slowly realized he was not drawing one, but three arrows at once. Then he fired.

That's when they saw it, three fruits were hit and fell off the tree. Dead accuracy over 300 meters.

Will laughed, "It seems like I had the last laugh everyone. So can I see you leave my team mates alone."

Wiping his smile as fast it appeared, "Or do I have to get serious?"

Looking at one another, they all scrambled out of the park.

Ergol shouts, "I will not forget this."

Will muttered, "What a bothersome future."

Ooo

"Will! Thanks for helping us out back there." As everyone thanked him back on school grounds.

Will shrugged, "I figured something was up. "

Shodun frowned, "But now they know you have some high level of accuracy with your bow."

Will smiles, "That won't be a problem. Either way, how on earth will they beat us now. They probably are scared to the point half of them probably already peed in their pants."

Daniela gave Will a cold shoulder and walked out of the room.

Amanda shouted after her, "Hey, Daniela! Aren't you going to say at least something?"

Everyone watched as she stepped through the door.

Will puts a hand on Amanda's shoulder, "It's alright."

"What's her problem? Will basically saved our skins back there." Jerry said sipping some soda.

Will looked thoughtfully at the door.

Ooo

Twelve shadows ran across the field of Redmount High school, all wearing dark clothing. Daniela stiffly walked out the door muttering, "Who does he think we are? Who is he? It's all obvious he is not around here. Why does he always-" She suddenly stopped talked and felt something was a bit off.

Daniela turned around and gave a round house kick right into the person sneaking up, which fell down groaning in pain. She recognized a small logo on the uniform. Refraincrat High! I got to war-

"Seems like….oh well I'll be, it's Daniela. Nice to see you again." Tracy smiles.

"Tracy, I suppose this is your boyfriend's scheme." Daniela spat.

Ergol tore off his mask, "Indeed it is, now since we thought. Why not just have one crimpled? Just like one leaf of paper, even with the smallest crease, it will never be able to look good again." Slightly waving, Tracy rushed up and punched in right in the stomach, then right on the shoulder.

Daniela groaned on the ground, and she looked at them all, she was outnumbered. Someone…please…if only… Suddenly, a voice called out.

"Do you always have to use underhand ways to win at something? In my world, that means you just can't win without cheating. Making you the biggest failure you can ever be. Also at no honor too. At least, that is what my good friend Horace would have said."

"Oh…" Ergol smiles, "I see, I'd thought we never meet again. But I have a surprise for you!" At the last word, he pulled out a gun and fired.

Will dodged it with superior speed, "Seriously, where do you even pull those black weapons out. Don't they cost.." he trails off.

"Oh."

Ergol grins, "That's right, I have more. Rich people have it all!"

Will furrowed his eyebrows, "No, Rich people are spoiled." Receiving a laugh, which immediately turned into weak coughs when Will raised an eyebrow at Daniela.

Angrily, Ergol pulled out another weapon. "This is semi-automatic. Designed by me, you can't do anything now!"

Daniela watched in horror as Ergol pulled the trigger.

After all these times after school and during breaks, being at the training field has payed off. Ever since I deflected the bullet, I've been training using my knives to deflect these bullets. Will thought. Suddenly deflected the 12 rounds of silenced bullets.

Everyone watched in shock, not even one bullet reached him. Not past his knives.

"Look Ergol, run off and let's deal with it at the game alright? Don't stand down now and you will seriously get in trouble." Will warned.

Ergol laughed, "What can you do? My dad is the city's defence minister. There is practically no one out there outranks that. Even the mayor would have a hard time hammering a hard fact."

Will sighed, "Daniela? You alright?"

She didn't reply but instead turned her head slightly away, slightly wincing in pain.

Will sighed again, "So you won't stand down?"

Ergol smiles ear to ear, "Never, not now when it's 12 against one."

Will launched a lightning speed attack, taking down 7 of them standing. Leaving 5 of them clueless and barely registered what just happened.

The cloaked figure rose, "I told you, you will all get in trouble. First one is personally dealt with me, for hitting her. Secondly, yes. Expect some earful of something soon."

Before anyone could react, Will punched Ergol right in the stomach. All the air rushed out of him, going on his knees gasping for air.

"I really wonder what is going on in your head. Really. I don't know much about this world, but you really need to see some kind of healer or what you call a doctor." Will remarked, then turned at the remaining 5 girls who once had a tough facial expression, replaced now with fear. "

Help your friends out back home. If you do that, I might just not include you from my complaint."

Seeing that done, Will walked over to Daniela to check if she was alright, just as he reaches her, she falls right on to him.

"Gosh, that punch of that girl, Tracy, was a large one." Will said. "Better get her back to Alyss. She'll be able to help her."

Ooo

Alyss watched in horror as she opens the door to see Daniela in Will's arms.

"What are you doing?" She said uncertainly and slightly angry.

"She's hurt. The rival school? Gave her some hits. Not nice ones, I figured you can help her tend her wounds. Since…I am a guy and all…" He trailed off.

Alyss sighed shifting away from the door giving him room to bring her in.

"Lay her down on the sofa. I'll get the medical kit." Alyss commanded.

Slowly putting her down, Alyss returned with the box. "Alright, Will…go take a shower. You really stink right now, and is the what you call gun powder?"

Will nodded, "Someone was using ...some guns. I already told Sarah so they should be fine now." Then glancing at Daniela, "Also Sarah will clear out with her parents so she can stay here tonight now" which unseen, Alyss's facial expression fell.

Will then gave somewhat a moan and howl, "I'll need to regrind those knives now to get to it's previous sharpened state."

Alyss pushed him along, "Get on with it! Don't worry, they are only replicas. Same goes with that bow of yours. Obviously they won't be that durable and strong."

Will smiles, "I suppose." Thinking the fact that the bow and his saxe knives were perfectly concealed along with his mechanical bow. He's been using replicas so he doesn't lose anything really special or valuable in a useless fight.

Alyss flashed a quick smile, "Alright now GO! You actually stink you know!"

Will quickly headed to shower, Alyss pulled to check the bruises. There was a large one on her stomach, along with a small but nasty cut on her shoulder. Suddenly Will opened the bathroom door, "Hey Alyss-"

Will masterfully dodged a dictionary flung at his direction, "What are you trying to do? We already have a person unconscious you know!"

"CLOSE THAT DOOR!" Alyss shouted.

Will quickly closed the door, a bit muffled from the door, "Okay! I was only going to ask where the new pack of soap was."

The only reply was, "STOP PEEKING OR I'LL CLAW YOUR EYES OUT FOR DANIELA" Alyss yelled.

What she got back was some muffled laughter behind the door. Geez, bring a girl into our room. RIGHT when I was reading a good book. He really has great timing.

HEYYYYYYYY everyone!

Well….. that's the rival piece between the schools. I'm sure Ergol will be facing some sort of justice now… maybe execution? Mwahahaha! Alright I'm joking, I'll come up with something.

Beginning to work on chapter 7 now, if you got some ideas for plots or something feel free to pitch in. Appreciated.

See you all in next chapter! Thanks for reading.

~Pulse

23/09/2015