Disclaimer: I do not own the franchise, but I do own this team.

*Italic indicates thought

' ' indicates Zach using sign language

Episode XII: Make It Stop

Chapter One: Don't Tell Them

A/N: Welcome back! I have another episode! please review as always! Enjoy!

"Make it stop; let this end; all these years pushed to the ledge." -"Make It Stop" by Rise Against

Zach held his breath and poked his head out the doorway. He looked left and right. No one was around. He let his breath out and snuck down the hall. He just had to make it to the dojo. He made it out the door and snuck behind the school. He smiled. I'm gonna make- a hand snagged his bag and slammed him against the wall. So close.

Victor sneered at him. "You're late, bat boy." Zach glared at him, unable to respond because of the two kids holding his arms down. "Aww. What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Zach spit in his face. He laughed, then doubled over in pain when one of the kids holding him punched him in the stomach.

Victor stepped forward and grabbed Zach by the throat, he squeezed, cutting off the other boy's air supply. "Wrong choice, bat boy. You know how pathetic you are? I can beat you with one hand." He brought his fist up. Zach felt the other two kids pull his hands behind his back. He kicked at Victor weakly, but it didn't matter. His tormentors punched him in the face, and released his throat.

Zach gasped for air. He tried to free his hands. The two kids ripped his bag off his back roughly and threw it aside. Victor punched Zach in the face again, shooting pain crashed through his jaw. He felt the kids let go and Vcitor knocked his feet out from underneath him. Zach hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of himself. Before he could move Victor pounced on him, sitting on his stomach.

Victor punched him again and again, giving Zach a headache. He then pinned Zach's hands down by his face and pressed his knee into his chest. Zach's futile attempts to free himself made him laugh. "See how weak you are?" He asked. "Not so brave when Comic Geek and Film Freak aren't here to save you, are you?"

Zach suddenly felt the pressure on top of him disappear. He looked over and saw Pablo and tackled Victor to the ground. He punched the bully in the face. "How do you like it?!" he shouted.

Victor snarled and pushed Pablo off of him. He kicked him in the chest, sending him spiraling backwards into Zach. "Bunch of freaks and losers. This ain't over Bat Boy."

He and his cronies turned and walked away. Pablo got up and looked at Zach. The younger boy was sniffling. Pablo gently grabbed his hands and pulled him to his feet. "Are you ok?" Zach nodded. "You sure?" Another nod. "Ok. Don't worry. When I tell Kyle what happened he'll-" He stopped as Zach put his hand over his mouth. He shook his head, then removed his hand. "You don't want me to tell Kyle?" Zach nodded.

"What about Miley?" Zach shook his head. "Why not? They can help you." Zach shook his head, earnestly. He gave Pablo a pleading look. "Ok. Fine. I don't like it, but it's your choice I suppose."

'Thank you,' Zach signed, mouthing along with the gesture.

"No problem. I guess."

Pablo walked away, and Zach went to grab his bag. He sighed in exasperation as he picked up his bag. One of the straps had been completely torn away at the top. He tore the rest of it off angrily. He swung his bag up onto his back and walked off to the dojo.

-Olympic Force-

"Have you seen Zach?" Miley asked Kyle as she blocked a punch.

"No. Not since school." He ducked as she tried to kick him in the head.

"You think he's ok?" Miley asked, forcing his hands downwards.

"He's fine. If something was wrong he'd tell us." Kyle snapped bis hands up whit all his strength and shoved her backwards.

"Are you sure?" Miley snapped a kick at his chest, causing him to jump back.

"Yeah. Besides, what we should really be talking about is you and Zach." Kyle feigned a punch to her stomach and followed up with a real one to her face.

"What about me and Zach?" Miley asked dropping to the ground. She spun on her back and knocked Kyle to the ground.

"Have you two even really talked since he kissed you?" Kyle asked as Miley jumped on top of him, pinning his hands by his face.

"We've talked," Miley said as Kyle flipped over so he was pinning her down.

"About being a couple?"

"Well...No," Miley admitted bringing g het knees to her chest and kicking him with all her strength.

"Oof! See," Kyle said jumping to his feet. "So are you guys a couple now, or what?"

"I don't know," Miley said getting to her feet. She took a defensive stance.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Kyle asked, swinging at her.

"I mean I don't know," Miley responded ducking. They began to circle each other. "Zach's a great guy. He's sweet, kind, caring, brave, strong-"

"Then what's the problem?!" Kyle asked advancing at her swiftly, causing her to back-up.

"It's just- he's Zach." She spun on her heel and landed a kick to his chest.

"And this is a problem why?" Kyle asked, grabbing her foot as she went in for another kick. He lifted her leg up, throwing her off balance.

"Because...What about the...What if doesn't work?" She landed on her hands and swung her feet over her head, coming to her feet again.

"Like if you guys break up or something?" Kyle asked trying to punch her in the chest.

"Exactly. Things would get really awkward. Plus we need to be able to concentrate on saving the world. Not each other," Miley said ducking and blocking.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Sensei said coming down the stairs. "Good to see you two are putting your time to good use and concentrating on your skills."

"At least we're able to multitask," Kyle said.

"Hmm," Snesei said. "So, Miley, about you and Zach-"

"Sensei," Miley said. "I don't know of we should be together."

"Thast riddiclus!" Kyle exclaimed. "I've been with alt of girls. I mean a lot."

"I've noticed," Miley said rolling her eyes.

"But I've never had the connection with any of them that you have with Zach. I mean, as far as guys go, they font get much better."

"He has a point," Sensei said.

"You're going along with this?!" Miley asked. "Isn't there a rule or something acai at this?"

"Nope."

Miley sighed. Zach came down the stairs and threw his bag in the corner.

"Hey man," Kyle said.

'Hi,' ,Zach signed.

"You ok?" Kyle asked.

'Yeah why?'

"Well your bag is ripped and I can a see a nice black eye starting to form."

'I fell.'

"You feel? On what a fist?"

'No.'

"Zach what a going on? For the last week you've been having more bruises than usual, and you never want to hang out anymore. Is someone giving you a hard time?"

'No.'

"You sure?" Miley asked.

"Because I'd be happy to-"

"Happy to what Kyle?" Sensei asked, looking amused.

"Oh just have a nice talk with them about being nice to Zach."

Snesei nodded approvingly. Met rolled her eyes. "Right. I can totally see you just talking to someone. No fists involved."

"Shut up," Kyle said.

'Everything is fine,' Zach said. 'Can we just strain please?'

Kyle was about to answer when the alarms went off. "No time for that!" Kyle said.

"Tibbson Street."

"Guys there's a rec center there!" Miley said.

"Let's go, before someone gets hurt," Kyle said leading them out.