Chapter 13 School...Prison?

"Woah what? Hold on to Arion's reins, the school is now what?" Chris, the student president of the school pulling out a Greek mythical horse out in surprise.

Principal Terrance nodded, "That's right. We're temporarily cut, this school is going to go again under heavy investigations and everything. Both for the security of the students, mind you is really important, staff and other schools."

Chris looks at her beyond comprehension, "Right before our school is going to take on the tournament?"

She sighs, "Not that I want this to happen, because to the earlier fire incident. They decided to move the scheduled scan to this year...now and you know what problems causes if we don't comply."

Chris leaned his back to the chair slowly, "But that means we'll have to..."

Cynthia Terrance nodded again with an apologetic smile, "Right, that's why you are one of the few to be first notified of this. And we need your council to help out with the records and distribution."

The leader of the boy's archery team nodded slowly, knowing this was a fact overruled a school's sport, it was the fact that he wanted to crush Refraincrat High this year with Will but seems like that won't be happening. Then a thought struck him.

"Hold on principal, I know we have done this in the past. But this year, it's just that this year there is way more students than we anticipated." Chris points out.

The principal looks at him and then quickly opened her laptop to see what he was talking about.

"That is going to be a problem..."

"What is?" A grim voice sounded in the room from the corner.

Both of the them practically shivered at the voice, "Wha-"

"Oh hey Will." Chris casually said, obviously used to the sudden appearance of Will's...unmoving silences.

"Wait how did he..." The principal said look at Will, "More importantly, why are eavesdropping?"

Will shrugs, "Doesn't matter now does it? This isn't that confidential, but I am now interested in what the problem is."

Before Principal Terrance could stop him, Chris started explaining to Will.

"Oh. Why not just send some students to normal schools?" Will suggested at the easy conclusion.

The principal sighs, "You know Will, if it was THAT easy. We could finish this in one day, there is public schools all over North America. But due to safety concerns and regardless amount of caution for many of the students here, we can't split them off to schools in groups where there aren't any decent securities. These companies or whatever will sue us to the ground or probably more below and might as well plan a journey to the center of the earth!" which the corners of her mouth curled up a bit.

Will thought for a bit, "Okay, hey Chris. How many people extra are we pulling here?"

Chris took out his small tablet and scrolled through some things, "According the normal procedures, we would find the schools who can accept temporary group of kids from our school. Because this is a regular procedure that happens every few so years to every school, most of them will be willing to accept 35-100 of them and split them in their schools until this is done."

"Right... and I guess we have about 1,400 students?" Will said, avoiding the precise answer to it.

"Yes. There are several of these schools we can get them to. As we would if others asked us." Chris said.

Will nodded, "Alright then, how many are we going to have to send out of these ranked schools."

Chris and the principal huddled at laptop screen as they pulled some calculations.

The principal then looks up, "I don't even know why I am even telling you this but I suppose you have some kind of plan. BY our best guess, we should be able to squeeze a few in some of the bigger schools. If we explained our situation, I'm sure my fellow colleague principals will understand."

Will looked expectantly at them for the answer to his question which wasn't answered.

"Um...with that down, we will have 5 extras." Chris said, with some surprise at the trivial number.

Will stared and repeated, "Five."

"Yes, I know. It sounds like it's a very small number. But we are asking nearly all our trusted friendly schools to help us out. Having the numbers of 85-120 spots for them, and we can't risk putting those 5 into the other schools we have been warned or nicked down that isn't...optimal for our students." The principal said, slightly distressed herself. Pulling out a package of Excel Double Spearmint, popping one into her mouth, she extends her arm in invitation which both of them declined.

"How long is this...overview going to take anyway?" Will asked.

"Oh...that's easy. Usually another full year." Chris said.

Will looked at him if he was making some kind of unfunny joke. "You're serious."

"I am."

Will glances to the principal who nods, "Yep, he's serious."

Normal school huh? I suppose me, Alyss and three others can go. But we will need to convince the director and Sarah about this...

Will then made the decision himself, "Okay, make that three people."

Both of their heads looked at Will with interest, "What do you mean?"

Will smiles, "Well...helping others is what I do. And I am sure me and Alyss can take those spots."

Ooo

"Absolutely not!" the director said.

Alyss protests, "Why can't we? Possibly, we are the best of choices at least to go."

Earlier, Will asked Alyss about the problem at hand...or at least tried to on the ride to the Headquarters, the moment Will started the lines of, "Hey Alyss, so there was this problem..." She agreed to it before he could explain the rest.

"Will, Alyss. You may be not wealthy or famous people in this world. But you are preceded with our company's name. At least, the fact you have SOME connection to the high class world. This alone rises many hazards of your safety." Sarah said gently.

Will sat down roughly, already tired at this conversation. It was like the kid wanted to do something but the parents deny and restrict everything from the kid. "For his own good."

Alyss sighs too, "I understand the reason why you don't want us to do this. But take this into account, we are far more capable than both of you. Admit that, I may not be as experienced in the field as Will. I was held hostage at knife point, kayaked across a misty frozen lake, dealt in amidst of war and gone through many trainings. Will is even more so, who's directed more war and strategizing than any of you have. And also please think of this, the three others who will be potentially joining us, they will need some kind of protection, inside the school."

Will looks at Alyss, his heart swelled with respect and pride.

The director turns away for a moment. He then spoke, "I suppose this is some of the training you had huh?"

Alyss looks at the director confused, then grins, "Yeah, persuading is one of the things you have to be good at in diplomatic service."

Will smiles along, "Well, definitely. But the partnership of an Araluen Diplomat and a Araluen King's Ranger is even more versatile. Considering chucking barons into the moat was also a great persuading move."

Alyss glares at Will, "Halt really needs to learn some manners, I surely hope you don't catch his attitude."

The director slumped his shoulders, "Alright, Sarah? You're signing the papers here. You fine with this?"

Sarah looked at all of them, "I don't seem to have much of a choice now do I? I have a feeling even I didn't sign, you two would have thought something up." Which Will denied vehemently, even though several ideas has crossed his mind.

"Telstion Tech. allows you two to go to a normal school via on a part-mission. Stay safe."

Ooo

The school was bustling with excitement as everyone heard the news after a few days. They all began taking down posters, cleaning out lockers and desks. Moving personal things out as they would at the end of the year.

Louise was walking with a handful useless documents, she saw Will and Alyss talking at the back of the schoo, interested if Will was going to ask Alyss to somewhere or something. She hid at the corner of the wall, listening to what they were saying.

Realizing how different and important of the conversation they were having, she had one of those "great" ideas shuffled along in her mind. Running off into the school to do just that.

Will and Alyss began walking down the front foyer as they both heard Louise calling out to them...with Toby and Shayna trailing behind her.

"Oh hey you three, what is it?" Will asked.

Toby, who was red with embarrassment leaned over to Will, "Woah dude, come ON don't just ask one of these girls to get us over here!" looking at Louise who was oddly smiling.

Will looks at him confused, "What do you mean?"

Louise smiles at them, "Okay, sorry first of all. Because I heard you two talking about you needing three more people to go to a regular school."

Which that made Alyss and Will really uneasy. It was a pretty bland, but important detail.

"Well." Taking the hesitation, "I explained it to these guys, figuring they were also classmates of yours...friends nonetheless, they also agree to be the two of the three left in the spots." She said happily.

Will let the information settle in his mind, then rapidly waving it off, "No no, it's fine! You don't need to!"

Shayna stamped her foot in front of Will, surprisingly to Alyss, Will took a few steps back. "Well, I WANT to! I can't stand being with the group of girls in our class going to some other school. I mean, I'm not even friends with them!"

Toby shuffles on his two feet, "Well...I really can't stand my group either. You know, Will might be able, but I wouldn't for sure...Brash is one of the people in my party."

Louise turns her head to Will and Alyss, "See? Perfect! Win-win situation here. Now just hustle along and tell President Chris or the principal that you found three willing students who want to join with you."

Alyss held up her hand, "Wait, who's the third person?" Looking around, failing to see anyone she knows.

Louise had a sour look, "Oh wow. Thanks for not noticing me here."

Alyss stared at her, "Wait..what?"

Louise looked up at the ceiling, "Oh right I forgot to mention? I also want to come with you guys, I was going to ask Jennifer, but I think she wants to stay with Steve."

"Really, come on." Will said shaking his head at the same time, "No way."

Louise nodded, "Aren't you pressed on time? This is the BEST choice, you know us too. Also, there is ALWAYS a way."

Will thought, Spoken like a true Ranger.

ooo

Sighing, Jerry shook his head, "I was just looking forward to the resort we were going to. Now they are going to cancel that."

Nicole smiles at him pityingly, "Haha, really, I feel bad for you guys. Our division went and it was GREAT....especially the beaches and all!"

Jerry puts his face into his hands, "No more..."

Chris locked the door to the storage room, "Well, seems like we won't be back in training after this for a long while."

Will walked in with his usual green camouflage cloak fluttering behind him, "I don't think we'll be able to part take in that match?"

Buck punched his other hand's palm, "I couldn't wait to crush them."

Will laughs, "I was rather looking forward to it."

"Who knew...who knew..." Jennifer said out loud absentmindedly.

"Yo captain, who's going to be doing the scans this time?" Amanda asked.

Chris checked his information who winced, "Seems like the East Ridge teams, companies involved is the Loviez, Shelton, Hamoda and a couple others..."

Respectively, Daniela, Jennifer, Alisha and Shodun nodded at their last names.

"...and the Lancasters." Which caught their attention.

"I can't believe they are doing this one." Natalie muttered.

Everyone stood, if animated emotions were visible, dark clouds would be forming over them.

"Anyway, it's not like Ergol will be leading the scans. That old guy, Stephen Lancaster would deal with it." Chris said assuring them all.

Alyss waved at the door, "Will! You coming?"

Will turned to look at her and then quickly apologized, "Sorry guys, I have to now. I'll see you all later!"

They all said their goodbyes, right before Will went out the door, Buck Tompson hollers, "There's going to be a party tomorrow, since the day after that is the official split of the school!"

Will waves in acknowledgement. The two walked down the hallway, still had some students mingling around.

"You know..."

Will turned his head looking at Alyss.

"Who would have thought, in the future, we would have so many problems?" Alyss silently breathed.

The Ranger laughs, "Who knew huh? I think we haven't seen half of the things in this world. But I suppose this is vastly different than any of the countries we've been to."

Alyss bobbed her head up and down, "Really, right now I probably would have been collecting more tasks from Lady Pauline."

Will chuckles, "Rather, I think I would be still getting more Ranger work."

Alyss hops out the door, landing softly outside. "You think?"

Correcting himself, "I mean, I can bet more than Erak's storage room on this."

"I wonder if he has anything else special in there." Alyss said thoughtfully.

Will puts his hands behind his head, "Who knows, maybe some exotic animal is kept in that country. For all we know, they are sea raiders after all."

Alyss accepted that chance with high regard, "Oh definitely. Anyway Will, you got any plans at all?"

Will questioningly looks at Alyss, "What do you mean?"

"Anything, Rangers are trained to make some plans." Alyss said slowly.

Not catching on, he thought hard on what Alyss was implying.

"Um...don't let Toby, Shayna and Louise know our secret?" Will suggested.

Alyss looks at him, "True, I was talking to Daniela, we both agreed it might be best to keep our background a minimal secret. Along with our ties with the Loviez Corp, which could bring other sets of new problems."

Will rubbed his chin, "That is a reasonable plan."

Alyss stops mid-track, "Hold on just a minute!"

Will looks at her surprised, "What? Whaat?"

"You are telling ME, you didn't think of that yet?" Alyss said with a low voice but threateningly.

Gulping, "Um...I had some thoughts."

She stormed past Will, catching a few words of "Useless Ranger" and a "Good for nothing"

Will helplessly walks behind her, "In this world, quite frankly I don't know what to plan for."

Just that, Alyss didn't have anything to say about it either.

Ooo

"Ooooh I can't wait!" Louise said, leaning on the window as she breathed on it. Which was then taken over by Shayna who started drawing on the vapor left on it.

Toby sat right beside Will watching Louise, "You know, you'll probably shuffle outta that seatbelt if you don't chill out."

Louise was practically jumping out of her seat in excitement. Shayna said with some satisfaction, "I never been to a normal school before, this is going to be an amazing experience."

Alyss sweetly reminded them, "Well, you should be careful. Try to avoid saying your last names, go with nicknames or something."

Will nodded, "That's true, only the principal knows our real identity and reason for transferring to this school." Under his breath, "I still can't believe their parent's allowed them to go on this."

Louise pouts at Will, "Come on, stop being so serious. A life as a normal student!"

The limousine driver, who was an undercover agent of SINAS rolled down the mid-window, "Alright kids, we're here."

It was approximately 8:25am, the 5 of them stepped out.

"My gosh." Shayna felt instantly as she came out, looked at the white vapor puffing out at every breath or word spoken.

"Indeed, it is chilly." Louise said, hugging herself slightly.

Will patted his side, feeling the familiar concealed saxe knives and hidden bow show as a metal box.

Alyss quickly puts on a thicker coat, "I didn't know it was going to be this cold."

Toby smartly explains, "That's because our school is designed in a way that the heat would be most impacted in our position."

The four looked at him with surprise, which he shrugs, "Also, if it's going to be a real problem or some outdoor event. They have some sort of heater around outside warming the area."

"Wow, that's really going to lighten up the purse." Alyss said with a quick inference.

Louise and Shayna simultaneously nodded at once.

"Seems like we're attracting some attention, they are looking towards our direction." Will observed as he shuffled his backpack onto his back. He knocks on the window, which it rolled down just about half way.

"Thanks, you know where to put our luggages." Will said giving a brief Araluen salute.

"Come on you four, we all have the same classes, our lockers are right beside each other. So we can stick together." Will said as he walked towards the school. As a group, they heard some whispers from the kids on the sidelines.

"Look at them, never seen them, must be new students."

"Did you see that? They all came on a limousine!"

"Aw what? No way, must be some start show."

"Them? That guy, seems like some nerd."

"But look at those three babes! Stunning! Hey, go talk to them!"

"What? No! You go!"

"Woah hold on, look at that guy. Wearing that cloak..."

"Wonder why."

"What is to question? It is getting colder."

"Cosplay?"

"Doesn't look like anything I can recognize from."

"Huh."

Shayna looked nervously at everyone, unconsciously edging closer to Toby. "We are awfully getting a lot of attention."

Alyss glanced at Will, who knew what Will thinking. Taking the words out of his mouth, "Let them, we are just normal people who may or may not have arrived in a long car."

Louise took Alyss's posture and followed right behind her.

Will points, "Right here. Um.." taking out a sheet of paper, "These are our lockers."

Louise looks at the lockers distastefully, "They really got to put some designer work...but I suppose this is it!" She pulls out something from her backpack, "A couple of decorations will give this sight for some sore eyes."

Toby looks at the paper, "Wait...we didn't assign lockers?"

Will shook his head, "We actually were, but we aren't following it up by that. Only the five of us will know each other's locker combination. We know each other, trust each other at all times. Everyone else here...well let's say there are a rare few who would be nice. But if they find out you are more than something, you may be turned into another point of perspective."

Louise listened to what Will just said, "Understood, I see the worry here."

Toby and Shayna caught on not a few minutes later.

"Hey you! Take off your hoodie!" A teacher bellows down the hall.

Will turns to the teacher, "....what?" he looks behind him and then looks ahead.

"Don't play dumb with me by looking as if there is someone behind you!" he started towards them.

But there was someone behind Will...two of them.

"Oh me?"

"Are you deaf? I said, take off your hoodie!" the teacher commanded.

Will slowly drew his cloaked hood back, revealing his face. Again, people began muttering around them.

"Man this place, so much whispering." Toby mutters, which Shayna elbowed him, "And you aren't?"

Toby groans, "Point...taken."

The teacher stares into Will's eyes, quickly realizing the hard, experienced and hardened Ranger's eyes were dark and cold.

"Good."

The tension in the air was released and followed up by with some surprise.

Will turns to them, "I don't think that teacher is very popular, nor the fact what just happened was supposed to happen..."

Alyss glares at him, "You think?"

Toby chucks his bag inside the locker, "Come on, let's get to our classes."

Ooo

"This. Is a normal classroom?" Louise said slightly shocked, seeing a bunch of people either in a group chatting, listening to music or doing something alone.

Toby takes a look, "I expected some paper planes flying or some spitball flying around."

Shayna elbows him in the guts again, "This isn't the movies."

"Stero-typical...." He wheezed.

Alyss peers around the corner, which she strode towards gracefully to a guy. "Please, we aren't in kindergarten, don't you think bullying is way below your status?"

Will comments putting his hands on his hips, "Well, at least bullies will stay the same."

Toby's shoulders slumped, "Brash...now this. Hey Will, can you do something about this guy?"

Will gave him a hard look, "Without burning the school down? I can't say anything for sure."

Everyone silenced and paused what they were doing.

"Who do you think you ar-" The big guy turned around to shout, then froze as he was staring to him one of the most beautiful person he's ever seen.

"Um...."

The class began muttering, "Woah is this for real? Bone-crusher lost for words?"

Alyss looked defiantly at him, which Will's heart slightly fluttered with pride.

He tsked at the poor kid he was insulting, "Next time" and turns away stuffing his hands into his pockets. Which Alyss turned to see if he was alright.

"You okay? He didn't take anything of yours now did he?"

The guy shook his head, slightly embarrassed and then replies, "T-thanks, but you just got yourself on his radar now..."

Alyss gives him one of those smiles, "Oh it's fine. We're new here."

"Even worse." He muttered, but smiles back.

Alyss jerked her thumb towards the other four at the door, "Plus, you see that guy wearing that cloak? I have him so I'm fine."

"Oh..." Turning to see a smaller younger man, couldn't really tell what his figure was.

"Um... see you later then. I was dragged into this class. Mines not in this one." He stutters, which Shayna said, "Okay. Run along."

Toby lightly pressed his palm, "You have an approximate 2 minute, 23.857 seconds before the class starts...rather when the teacher of yours enters."

Surprised, he turns and quickly shuffles out the door.

Will puts a hand on Alyss's shoulder, "Couldn't have handled better myself. I think I might be able to train you as a Ranger after all...even though girl's weren't considered as a possibility."

Alyss smiles at the compliment, "Like we said, Diplomats and Rangers are great partners...if I become at a standard where I can be an apprentice Ranger..."

"Alright hop to it class! Homeroom beginning!"

Everyone shuffled to their seats, which the teacher sat down on the chair. Within half a second, the chair collapsed beneath the teacher who stumbled, nearly falling.

Where they were sitting, Shayna muttered at the lowest volume. "You know, Toby I take that back. This may be close what a movie would get."

Toby looks at her, "Really...well now I think we're going to have a fun time here..." which they made a side glance where the bully Alyss just encountered, sat with his large group of friends.

"I see, must be some screw loose." He shuffles his glasses, "Well...let's take the attendance....oh my we have 5 new students! Where are you...please stand and introduce yourselves!"

Alyss was the first to stand, which her hair waved mesmerizing the boys in the class, "Greetings, My name is Alyss. These are my friends. Will? Stand too."

Will stood up, which every eye fell upon him. "Nice to meet you, name's Will this here is Louise."

Which she stood up and introduced herself, "Good morning, um...I am Louise" then quickly sat down. She heard some muttering, "Doesn't she look familiar?" "Who knows? So do those two next."

"Hi guys, Toby. This is Shayna." Which then she glares at him, "Hey! Ahem, yeah like this idiot here, my name is Shayna"

Unnoticed, the bully who Alyss stand down was forming some plans.

Seemingly satisfied, the teacher began teaching. Which completely had forgotten the new members in his class by the third sentence in the book of his lecture.

Ooo

"You know, I was nearly scared half to death back there!" Toby exclaims.

Will paused and looked at him asking, "What happens if you got scared half to death twice?" which caused a small yelp of laughter from Louise and Shayna. As ever, Alyss listened interestedly at Toby's reply.

Slightly taken back at the bland response, "If there was a real answer to the question, I would rather not think about it."

Shayna agrees after she managed to get her giggling in check, "He has a point here, that explosion. I legit thought Will blew up something again in class."

Will defensively answers, "Hey, maybe the first two times was on purprose...."

"Right...." Louise rolled her eyes.

The five walked into the large room where a lot of people were eating. They found a table at the corner and sat down.

Series of eyes looked their way.

"Another thing... I don't like the idea why we keep getting looked at." Louise said, shuffling closer to Will who didn't seem to notice anything.

"Oh really?"

Alyss nodded, placing her napkin down. "Louise has a point, it's either because we're new here or something is being spread about us."

Shayna shrugs, "I heard something about this school full of trouble makers, we have to be careful in the future...hey Will mind doing me a favor? I forgot my fork in my locker....and I don't think I can go through the halls without...since you..."

Will held up his hand with a smile, "I know, I am the best choice in terms of hiding huh?"

Shayna shyly nodded. Glad Will accepts, "I won't be long...and this is one of the reasons we know the five lockers."

Weaving through the crowd, he disappeared in the mob. The rough group saw the leave of the shifty person, the bully stood up and walked over to Alyss where she was sitting. Everyone turned to see the confrontation.

"Hello may I please ask you to come with me for a few minutes? I have something to ask....privately."

Alyss looks up, recognizing him from the homeroom class.

Due to his short temper, his quota of being nice limits and forcibly grabbed Alyss's hand and pulled her out the cafeteria. Just as when Will came back with the fork in his hand and passing it to the frozen Shayna.

"Hey! What is happening? Why did that guy just pull Alyss out? Who's he?"

One of the girls shuddered, "It seems like Bone-crusher found someone he's interested in."

"I feel so sorry for that girl."

"You know what happened to the last one? I wonder what she did to him now."

"Did she turn him down? That happens too for that."

"No...never seen her before...must be something else."

"He's also one of the several delinquents who were released from some previous criminal past...rather one of the worse." The girl beside her shook her head.

Someone far away answered to Will's frantic question, "His nickname, is said because he must've broke more bones than we could count."

One of the boys looked at him, "You must be new, she's going to really get some doozy now."

"What?" Will turned angrily at the guy, "What do you mean?"

The boy adverted his gaze, everyone silenced unwilling to respond. But the unspoken meaning hit Will.

"This isn't good. Where?"

Someone spoke out from another corner room, "Probably up on the roof or one of the many secluded places of this school. You can't find it."

Toby placed his bag into Shayna's arms. "Come on Will, we might be able to catch him!"

"Delinquents?..." Will breathed.

Toby broke into an unexpected speed of sprint surprising most of the people which his amount of speed but stopped mid-way, turning back when he saw Will not moving an inch.

Louise was tightly grasping Shayna's unoccupied arm.

Will calmly sat down at the table they were eating. "Come on guys, let's eat." Consecutively pulling his cloak over his head. That comment sent a wave of astonishment and more distress.

"Wait what!?" Toby brought his fist down on the table with a smash. Shayna whispered, "How could you say that?"

Will coolly replied, "Remember? The only ones we can trust are between us five. Trust me."

"But.."

Shayna suddenly realized Louise wasn't grasping her arm anymore, "Will's right, trust him. I trust him."

Reluctantly, Toby and Shayna sat down. Eating their lunches slowly.

Will calls out, over the low muttering. "The name...Bonecrusher? I've heard many nicknames in the past, but that is the most terrible one I've heard..." Which gasps went around with the daring insult made.

Will turns to his two friends sitting across from him, "Hey you guys, let me predict something. That guy, Bonecrusher, will have his name changed to Bonecrushed."

"Huh?" Shayna looked up confused. Louise resumed eating heartily into her food, with her mouth full, "I take your bet."

Toby turned furiously at Louise, "Why are you agreeing so readily with Will! Alyss is IN danger!"

Louise glances coldly at Toby who raised his disrespecting voice at her. "Trust."

"That doesn't mean anything if we don't come to her help!"

Louise drops her spoon and sighs, scaring Toby a bit. "Have you heard about the mall attack on the one of the Loviez's branch?"

Will snapped to attention at that detail, Daniela must've told her a bit of that.

"Um.." Toby trails off, not sure what that had to do with anything.

"And hey, those places that he could drag Alyss to, I suspect they can't be seen by teachers or any administrative?" Will called over his shoulders.

A brief quietness, then someone answers, "Yes."

Will bit into the delicious sandwich Alyss made. With the cloak over his head, Will's lips formed into a delighted smile.

"Is that so? Is that so....?" Greatly confusing everyone but Louise in the whole room.