text: [Themes: sci-fi]
  
  This is pointless. The serum's probably not even here. You're probably too late to meet up with your friends, but you could still go train by yourself, or even try to switch around the names in Mr DeVont's office.
  
  > head to Mr DeVont's office
  You turn and begin walking along the academy halls. You pass a guard who raises an eyebrow suspiciously at you, but you just keep walking, and he doesn't follow. You have cheating to do. You continue walking, until you reach the door to the Mr DeVont's office. You quickly knock on the door, before opening it.
  
  "Hello? Mr DeVont?" you ask.
  
  You swing the door open, revealing an empty office. There's a desk with a few pictures and a computer on it, a trophy rack containing a tattered, burnt cape, a long sword, a metal spine and a greenish rock. You sit down at the computer, turning on the monitor. It turns on, and you find yourself being asked for a password.
  
  Shit.
  
  You didn't plan this through, did you?
  
  > look around the office for hints to a password
  You quickly scan the room. You can search through the desk, check the trophy rack for hints or check the pictures.
  
  > check the pictures
  You look at the pictures. One of them shows a Mr DeVont with a group of similarly dressed businessmen at a meeting. Small, handwritten numbers at the bottom read "4th of December, 2004". The second shows Mr DeVont standing next to a painting of the Mona Lisa. Finally, there's a picture of a silk worm hanging in the foreground of the picture, and a wolf howls in the background.
  
  > try "041204"
  You type in the short few numbers, and... you're in! Fantastic! You arrive at the desktop, and find it empty except for an empty Recycling Bin, the Google Chrome Logo and a single file called "The Exam". You click on it, and find a short text, followed by dozens of pairings.
  
  Exam guidelines: Two students are placed in the ring. Close by are a table of blunt melee weapons. Slightly farther are firearms, loaded with salt-round. Guards with rubber bullets will stand overhead, ready to pacify either or both students if death is likely.
  
  You scroll down the file, finding your name. You're paired with Savian Monroe. You don't know him well on a personal scale, but he has a reputation. Whilst he has super-human strength, his nickname comes from his other super power, the ability to spit a powerful acid, which quickly gave rise to his nickname, Sulfuric. Facing him would quickly make you little more than a puddle after you're drenched in his spit. You scroll down further, finding a more suitable name: Daniel Lyons.
  
  Daniel Lyons is perfect for two reasons. Firstly, he's skinny, slow and not particularly intelligent, and was only given a position in the academy because he was an expert shot, which shouldn't be an issue as long as you strike quickly. and prevent him from reaching the guns. Secondly, he's a massive prick. He's mean, snarky and if the rumors are to be believed, he's attempted to get "handsy" with the girls more than a few times in only a week, but this pattern was quickly broken when he tried sticking his hands down the pants of a girl with ice powers, and ended up nearly losing his nose from frostbite. He'll make the perfect opponent.
  
  You switch the names, and quickly save the file, before clicking the great big, red X in the top right corner. The document closes, and you quickly turn off the computer, as well as the monitor. You quickly stand and make your way out of the office, closing the door and breaking into a jog. In your hurry to exit the scene of the crime, you knock into a figure, and almost fall flat on your ass. You look up to see the face of the Doctor, his cold eyes peering down at you.
  
  "H-hello..." you say nervously.
  
  "What were you doing here?" he asks.
  
  "Nothing, Mr Griffith."
  
  "Doctor."
  
  "Nothing, Doctor Griffith. I was looking for the bathrooms," you say.
  
  "You were looking for the bathroom? You made the decision to search through the offices for a bathroom rather then head to the bathrooms you already know of, right next to the assembly hall?" the Doctor asks.
  
  "Um... yes?" you say.
  
  "Do you think I enjoy being lied to?"
  
  "I'm not..." you begin, before the Doctor extends a hand and grabs your throat.
  
  He doesn't squeeze, but rather gently strokes it while keeping his grasp strong. It's quite possibly infinitely creepier than just strangling the life out of you.
  
  "Do you want to hear something wondrous? I'm in charge of detention today. Being caught sneaking around offices is an offense worth detention. I'm going to ask you again, and trust me, no matter what you were doing, telling me the truth is the best option."
  
  > tell him the truth
  "I... was cheating on the exam."
  
  "Cheating on the exam? How?" Doctor Griffith asks.
  
  "I swapped the names of one of the weaker kids with my opponent," you admit.
  
  "Clever. You were quite successful, for the most part. Unfortunately, you've found yourself in a dire position. I suppose you're no doubt wondering what will happen you? Looking desperately for a way out. Well, I'm glad to say there is one," the Doctor says.
  
  "What... what do you need me to do?"
  
  Doctor Griffith stares at you, his eyes dark and piercing. Even though he's at your throat, his face doesn't show any signs of amusement. You still don't think you've ever seen him smile.
  
  "I need you to... do me a favor."
  
  Well, realistically that can only lead one very awful, creepy way. You stare at the man, trying to keep the terror from your face, wondering what to do.
  
  > let him continue talking
  "Yuraf Hussein. He's a seventeen year old student here. He'll be expelled any day now. for his crass and rude behavior, but his body is... I need you to coat his retainer in this."
  
  Doctor Griffith takes out a small bottle of an unknown liquid, handing it to you.
  
  "Why?" you ask.
  
  "His room is in Dorm 13. His bed is first on the right, top bunk. Get it done and your debt to me is finished. We won't have to talk again. Now, are you going to get it done?"
  
  > Agree
  "Fine. I'll do it."
  
  "Good. An intelligent decision. When it's done, dump the bottle in the right bin in the cafeteria, and I'll get rid of it. We never discuss this again... unless you fail to get it done."
  
  You nod, as the Doctor quickly turns and walks off. You turn and begin walking towards Dorm 13. Most students are busy training for tomorrow, so the hallways are empty. You walk quickly, reaching the wooden door emblazoned with a small, steel "13". Your knuckles rap lightly against the door, before you open it. The room's empty, so you quickly walk inside. You quickly head to your target's bunk, and find a small, blue, half-circle-shaped box sitting half-hidden under the pillow. You pick it up, opening it. You wince at the sight of saliva-encrusted retainer. You take out the bottle, quickly unscrew it and poor a small amount of a colorless liquid onto the retainer, where it mingles with the saliva. It's hard enough to see, and you highly doubt Yuraf will notice. You pour on another few drips for good measure, and pop them back in the container. You quickly slide out of the room, and begin walking down the hallway.
  
  "This will keep the terrifying bastard off your back," you mutter to yourself, walking along the hallway.
  
  It's been a long week. You're set for tomorrow, so you hardly need to train. You deserve an early night. Time to head to bed.
  
  > The Next Morning...
  "Wake up! Ladies and gentlemen, we have an exam today!" Void shouts from outside.
  
  You rub the sleep from your eyes and slowly roll out of bed. The others are all there, having gone to bed much earlier than you. You've had a great night's rest, and you're feeling confident. Hell, you could take out a prick like Daniel Lyons in your sleep. You roll out of bed, standing up and heading down to the showers. You strip down, shower and get a clean pair of clothes from the lockers. Finally, you head down to the cafeteria, and grab a tray. Scrambled eggs and streaky bacon is slapped onto your tray, and you smile.
  
  "You're all getting good food today," Void yells from the edge of the room. "Make the competition fair and all. When you're finished, head to the area and we'll get started."
  
  You sit down at the edge of your group's table, and quickly devour your meal. You suck the scrambled egg down before cramming the bacon down your throat. Finally, you head to the arena down at the training zone. You head quickly along, until you reach it. Students are sitting up in the bleachers, while the arena has been prepared below. There's a large circle about thirty feet wide, with two large dots on either end for the people to stand with. A tray of "swords" with handles and long, cylindrical stun bits, stand slightly away. The combatants could easily run to it, but that'd leave them at a disadvantage while your opponent is hot at your heels. Further down is a rack of weapons, no doubt loaded with some non-lethal bullet substitute like rubber bullets or stun pellets... well, HOPEFULLY loaded with some non-lethal substitute. The teachers are all standing there in the center, watching as the people file in. You take a seat among Luc, Seamus and Shada, who are watching the arena intently.
  
  "Hey, Mia, you OK?" Luc asks.
  
  "Perfect," you reply.
  
  You sit down, watching the arena as the last few people file in. Finally, Mr DeVont steps forward, grabbing a microphone.
  
  "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are here today to test which of you deserve to get through. Some of you will succeed, and others fail. Such is the nature of Prometheus Academy. The exam is simple. You start in this circle on the dot with your opponent on the other. We ring a bell, and you fight. You can try grab a weapon, or fight hand-to-hand. The rules are simple: No attacking anyone in the crowd or any of the teachers, no leaving the arena, and no attempting to kill your opponent. Once they're knocked out, leave them be. If they surrender, leave them be. If not... use whatever force is necessary. All, right, let's start... we have Luc Petit and Ford Winchester."
  
  Luc winces, and stands up.
  
  "Good luck," you say, as Seamus and Shada echo similar comments.
  
  You watch as Luc walks down, alongside a tall Super you vaguely recognize. They take their positions at opposite ends of the circle, their fists raised. The teachers slowly exit the arena, except for the Doctor, who stands to the side, presumably to give medical attention to them after the match. He slowly takes out a bell, and rings it.
  
  Ford barrels forward, removing with super-speed. Luc swings his fist, but Ford ducks easily, and jabs him in the jaw. Luc stumbles backwards before launching a kick, which Ford skips over and punches him in the end a few times again. Luc quickly backpedals, but once again Ford is faster, kicking his legs away so Luc collapses on his back. Ford swipes by for another few hits, but Luc kicks him in the gut by pure luck, sending Ford sprawling. Ford quickly hops up, his fists raised, but Luc manages to stand again. Ford speeds by and swings what he assumes is a killing blow to Luc's stomach. Luc doubles over but reaches a massive, muscled hand forward and grabs Ford's throat. He lifts Ford into the air, who turns desperate and scared. Ford quickly begins striking Luc in the back of the head in an attempt to get him to let go, but Luc holds tough, beginning to choke Ford. He lifts him up and flings him against the ground. Ford slams into the hardwood floor, and Luc stomps on his gut before kicking him in the head. Ford sprawls out, unconscious as teeth roll across the floor. The Doctor strolls forward, drawing a syringe, which he jabs into Ford's neck and pushes down on the plunger. He says something you can't hear to Luc, and carries Ford off.
  
  Luc stumbles towards the seats, where he finds his place with you and your friends. He slumps into his seat with a groan.
  
  "Shit... everything's fuzzy," he mutters.
  
  "Good job," you say, patting him on the back.
  
  More people go through the same thing, with the Supers winning for the most part. Most move instantly to hand-to-hand combat, with a few being tackled and taken out while running for weapons. The few who manage to grab weapons tend to win for the most part. Finally, you hear a name you recognize.
  
  " Eka Rahmadia vs Shada Melik," the Doctor announces.
  
  Shada nods eagerly as she hops from her seat. She quickly makes her way tot he middle as a well-built student with a bionic leg makes his way to the middle. The bell rings, and the pair immediately launch into an attack. Shada's quicker, immediately sending a flying kick straight into Eka's... obvious week spot. He doubles over and jabs at her throat, but she dodges. It's clear he's under prepared for the fight, as Shada jabs him in the throat. He splutters, and Shada slams her fist into the side of his head. He collapses backwards as Shada launches a kick at his head, leaving him clutching his face and groaning.
  
  "Ah... fuck," he moans.
  
  The doctor strides forward with a new syringe, jabbing it into Eka's arm. Eka slumps over, and the Doctor drags him off. There's another period of fights, one that was quite spectacular as a fire-based Super and an ice-based Super fight, which ends with a lot of frost-burn, literal burn and a growing puddle of water on the floor. Finally, they get to another name.
  
  "Seamus O'Riley vs Joanna Grayson," the Doctor announces.
  
  "Oh sweet merciful fuck," Seamus mutters.
  
  You watch as a large Super rises with a blood-thirsty look on her face. Seamus nervously walks into the center of the arena, taking his position, as does Grayson. The bell rings, and you watch as bone plates form from Joanna's skin. Seamus loudly swears as the the bone-armored student charges towards him. He jumps out of the way of a punch, before having his leg grabbed and being swung against the floor. He yells as he kicks her in the chest repeatedly, but she just stares at him, smiling. She swings a bone fist at him, slamming into his head and sending him flying into the melee weapons table. He collapses on the ground, panting, as Grayson slowly strides towards him. He grabs a wooden club and stands, swinging it at her head with such force that it breaks over her bone forehead.
  
  "Ah, for fuck's..." he starts, before being punched in the stomach and flying across the room, sending melee weapons everywhere.
  
  He slowly crawls over to an electro-sword, grabbing it's handle and flicking the electricity on as it courses through the dull metal pole that acts as the blade. Grayson charges, her fists raised, as Seamus desperately jabs his weapon forward. Grayson doesn't even bother to bat it away as it bounces off her chest. The pole is deflected, and sent quickly into Grayson's mouth and down her throat. Seamus presses down on the electricity switch as Grayson twitches, choking as electricity courses through her. She collapses on her back as Seamus eagerly scurries away. The Doctor strides forward, watching as Grayson twitches. He stands there, watching as she chokes out.
  
  "Doctor Griffith!" Mr DeVont says.
  
  "Yes?" the Doctor asks, staring as Grayson as she slowly dies.
  
  "Save the fucking girl, Griffith!" Mr DeVont shouts, exasperated for the first time.
  
  The Doctor sighs, grabbing the handle of the blade and turning off the electricity and yanking the blade out. Grayson doesn't move, but you can't tell whether she's dead or unconscious. The Doctor grabs her by the arm and slowly drags her out of the arena. He arrives minutes later, and gives a nod to Mr DeVont for the exams to continue.
  
  > continue watching
  There's several more matches, before it finally gets to you.
  
  "Mia Min-Taylor vs Daniel Lyons," the Doctor says.
  
  "Terrific," you smile.
  
  Seamus stares at you jealously, while Luc cheerfully claps you on the back.
  
  "Keep him away from guns, and I'm sure you'll be fine!"
  
  "Lucky bitch..." Shada mutters under her breath as you smile.
  
  You stroll down towards the arena, taking your place on the circle. You watch as the nervous, possibly terrified, Daniel Lyons takes his place on the circle. You watch as the Doctor readies the bell. Daniel Lyons' gaze shifts quickly to the guns over at the end.
  
  The bell rings.
  
  > take this to hand-to-hand combat
  You charge at Daniel, who begins sprinting for the weapons. You swipe at his legs, knocking him to the floor, and quickly stomp on his chest. He groans, and you grab his head, slamming it into the ground.
  
  "Well, that was easy," you mutter aloud.
  
  The Doctor strolls forward, jabbing a syringe into Daniel's arm. He pushes down on the plunger, and lifts Daniel over his shoulder, carrying him off. You slowly make your way back to your seat.
  
  > Continue
  You take a seat in the crowd, and watch the few remaining few matches take place. Eventually, the Doctor drags the last combatant off, and the exam finishes. Mr DeVont stands in the center of the circle, clenching a microphone in his hand.
  
  "Students, we have finished. Your numbers have been cut in half, but you've proved yourself. Your training will get harder, but you will grow stronger. You're dismissed. Have a good night."
  
  You stand, walking down the bleachers towards the exit.
  
  "Ms Min-Taylor, wait up a moment, would you?" Mr DeVont asks.
  
  "Uh... sure," you say, wincing as you turn and walk towards Mr DeVont.
  
  He watches as the rest of the children file out of the arena. The last child leaves, ushered out by the teachers, leaving only you, the Doctor and Mr DeVont. The Doctor strolled towards Mr DeVont.
  
  "Sir, I'm about to deal with the losers of the exam. I'm wondering if you've reconsidered," the Doctor asks.
  
  "No, Doctor Griffith," Mr DeVont replied.
  
  "Our serum could be made 120% more effective and 2000% cheaper for the foreseeable future if..."
  
  "No, Doctor Griffith. I have my limits."
  
  "So be it," the Doctor says, turning and walking off.
  
  Mr DeVont turns to you, smiling.
  
  "Well done. You passed the exam with flying colors. I'm very impressed," he says.
  
  "I didn't do much. I mean, I was up against Daniel Lyons. It was easy. Luck of the draw, I suppose," you say.
  
  "Really?" Mr DeVont asks, smirking.
  
  "Yeah. I was just lucky."
  
  "Do you take me for a fool, Mia? I am the representative of some of the most powerful people in the world. The heads of billionaire corporations, criminal kingpins, revolutionaries all put trust in me. Did you think my office door was left unlocked, no cameras, no guards, no security system, a simple password that you could guess from one of my pictures? Please. My office is rigged with security cameras, defensive turrets, armed guards, tripwires, the works. My password is a thirty digit code that changes every thirty minutes and is told to me through a virtually unhackable signal that goes directly to a chip in my head. The room was part of the test. Obviously, it would be ridiculous for the test to be one of only brawn. Any mission can just as easily be completed by brains, if not more so. I left the option of hacking "my" computer to succeed."
  
  "I was expecting dozens of children to attempt to get into my computer. Only you did. I respect the fact that you tried. Keep up the good work, Mia. Now, go grab a bite to eat and get to bed."
  
  > Three Days Later...
  "Come on, for fuck's sake! How the fuck do you expect to take out a flyboy if you can't do this?" Sergeant Doyle barks.
  
  You raise your weapon, an odd invention that both vaguely resembles and is based on a harpoon. You take a deep breath, and aim at the humanoid dummy hanging from the commercial drone overhead, set in classic Superman pose. Doyle's even put a red cape on it. You take aim as it flies past, before firing. The harpoon flies through the air, penetrating the dummy. You drop to a knee, jamming the weapon's tripod into the ground to stabilize it and putting your full weight on top of it, using your bionic arm to tightly grip the battle to keep it from flying away. The dummy snags as the slack on the harpoon line runs out. You press a button on the side of the weapon, as the line begins to recede inside the device. The dummy is quickly dragged towards the ground, slamming into the soil next to you. You grab it by the neck, crushing the drone carrying it to prevent it from flying off again.
  
  "Well done, Mia. Feel free to tear off its head for good measure."
  
  You grab the head, yanking it off, as Doyle smiles.
  
  "Now that's a confirmed kill. You're finished for the class. Do whatever you want for the remaining five minutes."
  
  You nod, and stroll out of the class. You pause, noticing Mr DeVont Waiting for you.
  
  "Hello, Mr DeVont."
  
  "You're failing, Ms Min-Taylor."
  
  "What?" you ask.
  
  "I've looked into your files. You're failing hand-to-hand combat, melee weapons and boxing."
  
  "What does that mean?" you ask.
  
  "It means unless your grades improve, you'll be given an amnesiac and sent home."
  
  "I suck at hand-to-hand, though," you say, fear flooding your body.
  
  "Irrelevant," Mr DeVont says. "You won the hand-to-hand exam."
  
  "Are you advising me to cheat?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.
  
  "Of course not. If you get caught cheating, I'll have you expelled."
  
  Mr DeVont turns, walking off down the hall.
  
  "The files are in the database in the main computer room," he shouts over his shoulder.
  
  Well, you have your plans for the night laid out for you.
  
  > Later that night...
  You lie in bed, listening to the snoring. Luc's loud snore shakes the room, signifying his sleep, while the drool covering Seamus' pillow tells you he's asleep. You wait until you hear Shada's soft, gentle breathing, before you slowly creep out of bed. You hurry into the hallways, quickly arriving at the Academy''s database. You spot a guard leaning against the door frame, clearly only barely holding off sleep. Time to act.
  
  > attack him
  You dart forward, wrapping your hands around his neck before his sleep-deprived mind can react. You squeeze, clamping down tightly, as you force his head downward so he doesn't get a look at you.
  
  "If you admit you got jumped by a student, you'll be fired," you say, while attempting a different voice.
  
  Hopefully, that convinces him. He slumps into unconsciousness. You know that he won't regain consciousness for a while, and it'll take another ten minutes of strangling to kill him. Time to work.
  
  You hurry inside. You see a locked computer screen, and walk over to it, sitting down. Thankfully, you know enough about hacking from your many classes for this to be easy. You quickly get to work. The password protection system is very easily surpassed, and you access student records, scrolling down to yours. You find your various "F" subjects, and quickly upgrade them to "C"'s and "B"'s.
  
  "Perfect," you mutter.
  
  "You'd never get a "B" in Hand-to-Hand," a voice says.
  
  Shit.
  
  You turn around, to see Void standing there.
  
  "Well, somebody's up to no good, isn't she?" Void smiles.
  
  > Attack
  You swing your fists at her, but she disappears. You feel hands grip your neck tightly from behind.
  
  "Did you have to attack? Now I have to expel you," she complains.
  
  You feel your head go fuzzy, and then black. Then, everything goes dark.
  
  > Lose consciousness...
  "Mia! Mia! Wake up, sweetie!"
  
  You open your eyes and are immediately blinded by bright white lights. You raise your hand over your eyes to block it out, and see Gertrude standing above you.
  
  "What... what happened?"
  
  "Men broke into our house... they injected us all with drugs to knock us out, and... and they killed Datu. The bastards killed my husband. They could've killed any of us, and they killed him for no reason."
  
  "What?"
  
  "They just killed him."
  
  You stare at Gertrude, feeling utterly helpless.
  
  "How long have I been out?"
  
  "You were gone for almost a year, Mia! Do you not remember what happened?"
  
  You shake your head, scared and confused.
  
  > Continue
  Sheep
  
  Life is hard. As you adapt to your new life in the foster home, you realize you don't like it. You don't want a normal, bland job. You find school hard and boring. You can't play sports because of your injuries, and being called "Eypatch" doesn't help your reputation with guys. You just continue life.