3rd POV: October 19th

"Brains bitches!" Exclaimed Mason after he closed the dorm's door.

"Shhhh!" Maddie turned around quickly as most of the room was huddled by Sarah's laptop.

"What? Aren't you all excited for the meeting with principal Gon today? Halloween is approaching."

"We are but..." Sarah turned to look at him, "Today is the beginning of the Fencing Combat Tournament."

Mason shrugged and sat down to watch. The boys have snuck into the girls dorm room to watch the FCT finals.

People have their choices in sports. Baseball, cricket, rugby, basketball, hockey, football or to others soccer. But for the Archeania people, one of the sports that's most watched is fencing. Every year during Autumn, Archeania's Fencing finals begin in the country. The FCT also known as the Fencing Combat Tournament runs from the beginning of Summer to late November. It differs from classic fencing due to it being more flexible for those competing. Instead of one arm use, you can use two hands. The epee are still used but in training while during the events it's swapped out with a cylinder shape blade made out of a plastic slightly rubbery material. For the protection part besides a helmet that has a metal or plastic cover for the face, there's more armor for people to put on all over the body. One of the things added is a sensory chest garment that's used to detect whenever an opponent makes contact.

Many players come all over the country to compete from the 35 regions of Archeania.

The rules are simple, basically you are to compete in a fencing combat with your opponent. Certain moves or blocks can be counted to your points. A slice or stab to the chest area will end the round and count as points. Which also goes for hits on the arm or leg, but it must be three times to end the round. There's 5 rounds in the sport. There's a ref that's in the combat area that will watch for any rule breaking or to end the round. There's five judges who will be watching the combat to score and to fallout at something they see. At an event, there's about four combat areas that are running which 20 judges will be working. Some rules are no blows to the head, no aggressive hits, no physical hand combat, no kicking, no verbal aggression, and to show honor. Honor is the biggest one to follow, showing respect or mercy to your opponent is the most valued sign in the sport.

With this sport, it is special for the royal family to attend the medal ceremony. And in some cases award the medals. And many of the royal guards once competed in FCT.

Mary was sitting on her bed reading a book and Susan was in the bathroom.

"Who do you think will win?" Asked Lucy.

Hector shrugged, "I don't know."

Mason looked over at Jacob who had a small notebook out writing down some notes.

"Didn't your dad win one of the championships?"

"Yes, he did in 3895. And he is the holder of the longest duel in FCT history."

"How long was it?"

"42 minutes."

"Damn." Mason muttered.

They watched the screen as the announcers began to introduce the line up of competitors. All from different regions.

***

"Hello, and welcome to the FCT. I am your host, Jackson Elder. And with my companion, Eleanor Pinder."

"Thank you." Eleanor smiled at Jackson before looking back at the camera, "We are here live at the national headquarters of FCT in Pangea. We have here some of the upcoming line up of players that will be competing in the finals. Their names are Nagai Masanori, age 22, from the region Holocene. Alec Handson, age 29, from the region Selandian. Nuria Yanez, age 19, from the region Cambria. Subira Ohakim, age 30, from the region Paibian. Lilavati Anand, age 24, from the region Tonia. And Mohomet Jalil, age 31, from the region Drumian."

"Those are a few examples of the runner ups that could take home 1st place." Jackson nodded his head.

***

Just then the laptop closed shut.

"Ohh!" The group groaned as Susan stood in front of them.

"You know what time it is? It's time for our meeting with principal Gon." She puts her hands on her hips.

Jacob stood up, "She's right. We can watch it later."

They all stood up and stretched. Mary closed her book and stood up from her bed. Sarah picked up her laptop and placed it on her bed.

Susan placed her hand on the doorknob, "Are we ready?"

They all gathered close to the door. With one nod from Jacob, Susan quietly opened the door and poked her head out. Seeing that nobody was around, she motioned her hand and led everyone out. They descended the stairs quickly but quietly. Not to alert the dorm mother. They reached the bottom of the stairs, and again Susan stuck her head out of the stairwell. With nobody around at the bottom, they quickly scurried out of the building.

"Why can't we watch it outside?" Asked Mason.

"I had to charge it." Replied Sarah.

"Couldn't you just let it charge last night?"

"Hey. I was up last night writing an essay for literature."

Maddie looked over at Hector, "Do you have any plans for Día De Los Muertos?"

"I do." Hector nodded, "I am gonna make Pan De Muertos, if we're allowed to use the small kitchen."

"I think so. I've smelled food being cooked above the dorm."

They entered the main school building and towards the main office. The female gazelle sat behind the desk, typing on the computer, "Hello.".

Mary stepped forward, "Hi, we are here for a meeting with principal Gon."

"Yes, he's in his office." She motioned to the door before standing up to open it. The gazelle poked her head in, "Principal Gon, the humans are here."

Nodded as the door was opened fully and the ten humans entered.

"Welcome." Gon smiled as he motioned to the two chairs, "How's your day been?"

"It has been pretty good for us." Mary smiled.

Susan and Mary both chose to sit in the two chairs as the rest stood behind them.

"So let's begin. So tell me about this holiday coming up." Gon leaned in his chair.

Mary begins to explain, "Ummm... so the holiday is called Halloween. It happens on October 31st. Where kids and adults dress up in costumes in anything, spooky or themed. There's treats, there's trick or treating, bobbing for apples, decorations, there's a lot of fun."

"Interesting." Gon nodded, "What's trick or treating?"

"Oh it's when kids knock on people's homes, say "trick or treat" and people give them candy."

Gon looked surprised, "Amazing." He leans back in his chair, "Sounds like this holiday is good."

"But we wanted to tell you this so that everyone doesn't get creeped out." Mary quickly added.

"What do you mean?" Asked Gon.

"Halloween is a spooky holiday. Or in better terms somewhat of a scary thing for some." Susan spoke up, "Which is also another reason for this meeting to see what boundaries we should stay in."

"Oh. Well... Do keep the scary part out. Have it calm and neutral. The costumes I hope will be simple and not too frightening to students."

"We won't go extreme. Also, can we bake some things?" Asked Mary.

Principal Gon nodded, "Yes. There's a small kitchen on the top floor in a room. Students are encouraged to cook or bake. But do make reservations for it, there's a clipboard hanging outside of the room to sign up on. And I think that's all we have to discuss, I have given you my approval for the holiday."

Hector quickly raises his hand, "Principal Gon, we forgot to write down another holiday that happens after Halloween."

"Oh, what's it called?"

"It's called Dia De Los Muertos, also known as Day Of The Dead."

"Interesting. Tell me about it?" Principal Gon leans in his chair.

Hector explains, "Day Of The Dead is a celebration where people gather and honor and remember family, friends, and loved ones who have passed."

Gon nodded, "Well I can say from hearing that, you are welcome to celebrate it here." He smiled as he leaned back.

Hector smiled.

"So I think that's all for us to discuss. I will send out either a notification to all the students or have posters up around the school to give notice. Anyways, I hope you all have a good day." Principal Gon stood up.

"Thank you Principal Gon." All the humans said.

Jacob opened the office door for all of them to leave. As they exited, Mary noticed that the female gazelle was waiting outside of the door with a letter.

"Come on, let's quickly get back to the dorm. We're missing the FCT." Sarah motions everyone to follow.

They all ran off, but Mary stayed behind. She was about to follow when she overheard the conversation between Principal Gon and the receptionist.

"You received a letter." She handed him the letter.

Principal Gon took it and opened it to read, "From the school board of education." He muttered somewhat annoyed.

"I'm surprised they didn't send you an email."

Gon read the letter and he let out a disappointing sigh.

"What's wrong?" Asked the gazelle.

Gon glanced up, "They are gonna be making a decision in the coming weeks for some major changes to this school."

"Good or bad?"

Gon sets down the letter and removes his glasses. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face. "Every year, this school gets a lot of complaints from herbivore parents. They don't like having their child near carnivore students. And it has gotten worse with the student devouring that happened in April."

"Are you nervous?" She asked.

"Yes." Principal Gon nodded, "Cherryton is the only school in the city that isn't just for one group of animals. With the school board now deciding that change is in order, the outcome will be a dividing outcome. Later I will have to have a meeting with all teachers and staff when the decision is made. And with it, where lines will be drawn and more rooms to be filled. Like with lecture hall 2, the board is also gonna make a decision to reopen that room with a memorial plaque."

"That doesn't sound bad." Said the receptionist.

Mary moved closure to the door, out of sight of the two adults.

"Yeah..." Gon places his glasses back on, "It will be good. Plus that room hasn't been cleaned or been entered in since April."

"Does the police need anything else for it? Like gathering more evidence?"

"Don't know that yet. The board is gonna ask them. If not, the room will hopefully be reopened next year."

Mary's mouth just dropped open and she quickly left the office.

She just learned some crucial information. The investigation that she and her friends were doing, there hasn't been a whole lot of progress. You can say they're at a dead end. But now there's a chance.

'Could there be evidence in the lecture hall that the police missed?'

Mary's mind was thinking. She can confirm that Rokume is the one that Jack saw that night, plus Durham and Miguno. So having easy access to the room wouldn't be an issue.

As Mary rounded a corner, still in her thoughts. She was brought back into reality by a couple of janitors. They had just finished cleaning a classroom and were exiting with garbage, recycling, brooms and a bag of what looked like hair.

"Ugh... why did the canines have to scratch during class?" Groaned the chimpanzee.

"A lot of the fury mammals do." Replied the older parrot, "But it's our job to clean the classrooms and lecture halls everyday when school ends. And keep it clean during the weekend."

The older female beaver placed her broom back into the holder, "I think reptile skin is easier to clean up."

"Agreed." The two older men replied before they all walked down the hall with the cleaning cart.

Mary quickly ran down the hall and out the school. Her heart is raising.

'Now it's been confirmed that the janitors do clean the rooms every day after school ends. So it's a good chance that there's evidence!'

She ran all the way back to the dorm and up the stairs.

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Mary POV:

I ran all the way up the stairs and to the dorm room. Knowing that I left the key, I had to knock on the door.

Susan answered, "There you are. I was just about to text you where you went."

"I was gathering crucial information. This could help our investigation."

Susan closed the door as I noticed that everyone was back watching the FCT.

I walked until I was somewhat standing next to the laptop, "Let's pause for a moment to discuss the investigation."

But they all were hypnotized by the screen, unable to look away.

"Just give us a couple minutes." Mason muttered.

I raised an eyebrow, "No... Now." And closed the laptop.

"Ohhh...!" They all groaned.

"This is serious." My hands on my waist.

"Alright... Let's discuss it." Said Jacob, "what part of the investigation do you wanna discuss?"

"I have received crucial information that could help us." I began to pace back and forth in front of them, "After you all left, I kinda stayed behind and eased dropped on Principal Gon. He received a letter from the board of education, and he discussed with the receptionist that lecture hall 2 could be reopened next year. But that room hasn't been cleaned by the janitors since April 22nd."

"How do you know that the janitors haven't cleaned it?" Asked Lucy.

"Principal Gon mentioned it. I passed a couple of janitors that finished cleaning a classroom. They said they clean every room after school. So lecture hall 2 was cleaned before Tem's death and hasn't been after. So potentially we could be getting some evidence that will help us. Most likely hair since all mammals shed hair, including us. Which brings up an important point, that all reptile students and staff are not the killer."

"Why is that?" Asked Mason.

"Because after looking closely at our theory 1, and the dent in the lecture hall door. There's no big reptiles at school that could've done that. The only reptiles here are alligators, iguanas, crocodiles, skinks, and tortoises. None of which could have had the strength needed to make that indent on the door. The killer is a large mammal carnivore. Which are..."

"So like lions, tigers and bears?" Said Maddie.

"Correct. Any large carnivore mammal."

Bianca waits to speak, "Even if there's evidence, how are we gonna get it?"

"That's actually a good question. The lecture hall doesn't have a lock on the door. So we could just walk through the entrance. But... we cannot do that. We cannot compromise the evidence even if the police and investigators have already done that. So we have to use the other way in, which is going through the ventilation system."

"Cool..." Muttered Mason.

"Are the vents big enough to crawl through?" Asked Hannah.

"Yes. Rokume was the ghost that Jack, Durham, and Miguno saw. By Durham's story and knowing that Rokume travels through the vents, there's a passage into the lecture hall."

I then went over to Sarah's air mattress and grabbed the bed sheet we used as an investigation layout. I put some more notes on it.

"Hey Mary, wouldn't the police have already collected evidence, or would have been spoiled by them entering the hall?" Hannah raises her hand.

"That's another good question. The police would have already collected evidence and with them entering and exiting the room damaged it. But knowing how our investigation teams work, I think they would definitely have some protocols for something like this. Because one, all animals shed so having your own hair fall into the evidence. So I would hope they would like some sort of suit. But for us, it doesn't hurt to look again for something that they could've missed."

Bianca stood up and got closer to the investigation sheet before turning to me, "So when are we gonna do this?"

Had to think for a bit, "The only times that students or staff that aren't walking in the halls are in the evenings, or during environmental day. Then I would say environmental day would be our safer route. Since it'll be better to see in the lecture hall."

"Alright. With all of this, we pull it off, and there's evidence or not. What's next?" Bianca points out.

"If there's nothing, then we're back where we are. But if theirs is evidence like the killer's fur, we... hmm... I don't know what to do with it."

It was a big question for us, what to do with the evidence once gathered. Mason got up and approached us.

"Could we give it to the police?"

Bianca fixes her hair before responding, "No. We can't give it to them."

"What? Why?" Mason is surprised.

"She has a point." I answered, "They will not believe us and would suspect it as just a random hair."

Lucy was continuing to listen to us discuss ideas on what to do. Until she then realized something and quickly stood up, "I know what to do!"

Everyone looked at her.

"What is it, Lucy?" Asked Mason.

"I had an idea. Could we see if we can get the hair tested? Like genetically?"

Bianca raised an eyebrow, "Genetically?"

Susan and I understood what Lucy was saying.

"That's not a bad idea." I paced to my bed and back, "We get the hair tested and it'll tell us what species it came from."

Jacob stood up, "And where are we gonna send this to? We aren't scientists?"

"True. But I remember a group that has its own area at the science museum. They specialize in DNA testing from cheek swabs and hair. But I forgot what they're called."

"Wait! I think I have a picture, hold." Maddie pulled out her phone and scoured through her photos. "I remember taking pictures during the field trip. And... here!" She jumps up, "They're called the DTC, DNA Testing Center."

"Now I remember." I smiled, "Thank you Maddie."

"But wait," Hector gets up off the ground, "Didn't they say if I recall, that they need more than five hairs to do a test on?"

"I think so." Replied Susan

"I hope there's more than one hair." I looked at all of them.

With the plan now finalized, all that's left is doing it.

"Heist time!" Mason announced excitedly.

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And Done! There was a lot to create, research and name. But I'm glad that's done. There's so much to discuss, but there's one thing to say. I am so excited for Season 3, I saw the teaser trailer and I cannot wait. We got to see two anime characters we haven't seen yet, but only the hand and most of the body. Plus the poster for it looks amazing. Way better than the one from last year in July.

 Plus it confirms that there's two parts and will most likely be 24 episodes. So there's a lot to cover. Anyways hope you all are in good health. Remember to smash the like button and comment below. And I'll see you all in Chapter 17!!!😁💙💛

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