"Are you ready?", Maddox asked really not wanting an answer. "It begins...now!"

Maddox put his hand over a large red lever, pushing it down with ease.

The active and energized boys were sent to the ground like magnets to a refrigerator.

Andrew was the first to mumble something, but his jaw felt wired shut.

Maddox smirked triumphantly. "Yes I know you cant move."

David mumbled something loudly with his mouth closed that couldn't be understood by the others.

"Its because you are no in a chamber with gravity 14 times great than the Earth."

Matt grumbled something as well.

"Because I have worked in similar chambers for quite sometime and have mastered such a low amount of gravity. This will build your strength up real quick."

Cheerfully, Maddox grabbed 5 apples and placed one exactly 1 foot away from each boy.

"There was a reason I didn't feed you weaklings.", he said playfully. "Because if you are truly hungry, you will make your way to that apple. You have all day."

A tear almost formed in Matt's eye as his stomach growled loudly at the sight of the shiny fruit. Mustering all of his strength, Matt managed to push himself an centimeter closer to the fruit. His eyes shined with greed yet one more ounce of happiness.

Four hours passed and the other young men remained in the same place while Matt seemed to have gained an inch or two in the time. Maddox looked in disgust.

"You other four are so boring!", Maddox yelled. "How about we add yet another element of your human blood...". Maddox made his way to the apples, removing each one except for Matt's. "Competition!"

A few more hours passed and all except for David had seemed to progress at least a few centimeters.

I am so hungry now...,thought Drake who's stomach growled unhappily. I need that apple more than Matt anyway, as he progressed a few centimeters more.

David stubbornly watched Drake and Matt slowly form frowns at one another while Maddox seemed more amused than anything.

"Although it sounds slightly...what is that word you humans use...corny! Anyway," Maddox began. "If you frown with such a strong amount of gravity present for you two...it will probably stay that way."

Tiredly they put their expressions to a more natural state.

Cole glanced at the apple for a moment. "I guess now that I think about it...I am sorta hungry...I bet it tastes good...so juicy...and round...and shiny...I got the least rest, so I deserve it more..."

He dragged himself a few more centimeters forward.

Why is it always those three that get all the benefits?, David thought bitterly. They are all such morons anyway, I need it more than all of them combined!, he insisted. I always do the thinking.

David slowly dragged his body up towards the apple.

That is so typical, Andrew said as he stared at the four boys who had each progressed towards the apple. I always have to be the one to sacrifice, the one who has to lag behind...I get hungry just as everyone else! And you know what Andrew, you are hungry right now. I will get that apple first!

Cole attempted to flew his arms slightly. If only I can gain control over this environment, I will be able to move the fastest, even if I do take a little break to adapt...

Maddox arose from his seat on cue. With a specific task in mind he walked into a small room, out the sight from the others.

He came back several hours later with an expensive silver tray with a large turkey, an entire double layered strawberry cake with white frosting and a single cherry on the stop, and a glass filled with juice and placed it behind the apple.

The boys couldn't help but to drool over the platter. The pressure was on.

With his raw and pinkish arms, Cole attempting to move in a swimming motion towards the plate, he had about 5 more inches to gain. Matt was still in the lead barely, with the other four at the sides of his calves.

It's war! They all thought in unison.

Cole's arms felt very sore now that he seemed to have gained a strength over the room. He just had to get the food though, his stomach went wild inside of him.

Sorry Cole, but you aren't gonna lead today...Matt thought competitively. Slowly he slanted his body, blocking Cole from the upcoming feast.

Using his brute strength that he already possessed, Drake used every muscle in his body to move half an inch forward while Matt used his energy to block Cole.

David, who was in the middle of Matt and Drake pushed harder than he had been trying before and managed to come side to side with Drake. David positioned his right elbow carefully into a ninety degree angle and shoved the edge into Drake's side.

Andrew took their distraction as an opportunity to move into a somewhat of a lead. He gritted his strong legs into the ground and propelled very slowly forward to Drake's right side. He didn't care about the resulting pain any longer, just the benefit. With this in mind he curved his shoulder over Drake's head and headed left for the food.

Matt found it hard to turn back now that he was blocking Cole. It took a lot of energy to slant and he watched Andrew go for the food in horror. Cole watched Andrew go in a playful betrayal as well.

David glared and moved ahead of the pained Drake, who he earlier elbowed to the side and tried to block Andrew in his tracks, but to no avail. Andrew stopped David's trick by making David's head perpendicular to his left arm.

Andrew scrapped his knees a little more, the apple was in arm reach. He attempted to lift his right arm, but to no avail. With no other way he slid the arm in a snow angel position to the front of his head, another 30 minutes must have passed.

He stretched his fingers ever so slightly. For a moment he touched its shiny surface as the boys stared in disgust. He tipped the apple to the side with his middle finger and triumphantly held it in his hand.

Maddox grinned and headed towards the lever. "We have a winner! One the count of three the gravity levels will return to normal."

David glared at the shiny fruit that Andrew was too weak to bring to his mouth.

"One."

Wow, Andrew really did it. Maybe he'll share. Cole thought cheerfully.

That delicious meal could have been mine...if it wasn't for that cheater, David...,Drake groaned

"Two."

If only I was more worried about Andrew and less about Cole, I could be eating in one second..., thought Matt remorsefully.

"Three!"

Almost magically Andrew could lift the apple over his head as if he was symbolizing his victory. He stared out at the others cheerfully with accomplishment, drawing out the moment, when David jumped viciously on top of him and snatched the apple from his grasp!

Andrew dropped his mouth in horror while David savagely ripped the apple in two and shoved one half into his mouth whole.

Everything happened so fast that the others didn't know what to think and watched stupefied.

David reached for the other half of the apple when Andrew lifted his fist and threw it across David's face. Andrew sat on his chest and hit him across the head multiple times, ending with a punch to his gut.

He snatched the apple from the ground and stormed off with his platter out of sight.

The situation was too much for words. Even Maddox didn't quite know what to say at first. He took a moment to pause and then looked over at David who lay on the ground with a bloody nose and his hands over his stomach.

Maddox asked without sympathy. "Are you okay?"

"DID YOU SEE WHAT HE DID!", David roared from his back. "HE SHOULD BE BOOTED OFF OF THE TEAM, ITS NOT LIKE HE BELONGS HERE ANYWAY! HE WILL NEVER REPLACE TONY, EVER! HOW COULD HE DO THAT TO ME!?

"How could he do that to you, how could you do that to him?!" , Maddox roared unhappily. "You are a sore loser, how can I waste my time making you boys into men when you act so foolishly so often.", Maddox glared coldly at David's pain. "That reward was his, not yours, and because of your ignorance you will stay behind and do this again." Maddox began to walk off but turned back for a moment. "And you can expect it to be twice as difficult! With the exception of David, the rest of you come with me to the next chamber, I am afraid you wont be eating today."

The others quickly followed him without question.

"As for you.", Maddox glared at David "I will deal with you in a moment."

Andrew threw the empty platter to the ground. "I HATE THIS!". hatefully he threw his empty glass of juice as well, shattering it into dozens of pieces. "I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PROVE MYSELF TO THEM! EVER!"

Andrew dropped to his knees in anger and pounded his fists. "I will never be accepted!", roared. "I hate everything and everyone...I just cant take this team anymore!"

He grabbed a meatless piece of bone from the turkey and bit into it nevertheless, breaking the bone in two. "But...but, he will get his...I swear."