BRAWL: Unveiling the Secrets of the Academy

Episode 3: The Encounter

Max was walking to school with an egg sandwich in his hand and a smile on his face, he didn't forget what happened yesterday he decided it would be best to just forget about it as soon as possible. Max looks up to the beautiful sunny sky, taking notice of a plane flying through the clouds, birds in a flock traveling with one another, and the wind blowing onto his face. He takes another bite out of his sandwich before continuing to look at the sky, not seeing where he was walking, he bumps into someone familiar from his school.

Petunia: ow! Turns ! Max!

Max: Petunia! I wasn't expecting to see you so early! chuckles

Petunia: same here! it seems like the universe is sending a message for us to be best friends or something huh?

Max: I wouldn't go against it!

They both share a quick laugh before walking together side by side. Max enjoyed Petunia's sudden company, the walk to school was getting boring to him so he's glad he ran into her along the way.

Petunia: oh! Do you want to see something cool?

Max: sure! What is it?

Petunia: takes out her phone yesterday there was this huge crazy blast of light! It spread out everywhere in the sky, luckily I was able to take a picture of it but because I was so shocked I could only take one.

Petunia opened her photo app and showed Max the picture she described to him, Max perked up a bit and looked closer into it noticing that it was the same beam of light from yesterday. Petunia closed the app and put her phone back into her pocket, she had an excited smile on her face as she did this.

Petunia: so, what do you think? Pretty weird huh?

Max: yeah that is weird, what do you think it could be?

Petunia: hmm, if I had to make a guess it's probably some firework show.

Max: I don't know, fireworks don't usually do that kinda stuff right? Besides it was 10x brighter than any kind of fireworks!

Petunia: right right, well then what about you? What do you think it could have been?

Max looks straight ahead and thinks to himself for a moment, he thought to himself if he should tell Petunia the truth about it or somehow make up a lie she would believe. He takes a deep breath before looking back at Petunia.

Max: Petunia, i'm gonna tell you something but PROMISE to never tell anyone else!

Petunia: ! huh? What's wrong?

Max: sighs look, I know the actual reason why there was a light in the sky yesterday, you see me and-

Before Max could say anything else he runs into someone again and falls, Petunia stops walking and runs to Max to help him up.

Petunia: are you okay?

Max: yeah I'm fine Don't worry looks at the person sorry for...uhh.

The person he had bumped into was a man who looked to be in his 30's, he was wearing a white shirt with a light blue denim jacket over it, and his pants were some casual jeans as they were paired with some tanned boots. His hair was quite messy but still had its recognizable mohawk fade.

???: gives Max a stern look you should watch where you are going, kid.

Petunia: hey! You know maybe if you weren't-

Max: covers her mouth ahehe, sorry about my friend sir! Gotta go!

Max pulls Petunia and continues walking to school with her, as he does this man looks at them walking away with a concerned look. Petunia takes Max's hand off her mouth and looks at him a bit mad.

Petunia: you should have let me kick that guy's head off Max! I would have given him the 2 piece combo!

Max: laughing that's why I wanted to pull you away, as much as I think that would be cool I don't want us to get into trouble right now.

As they keep walking away the man's face now has a little grin to it, he takes out his sickle blade with a chain connected at the end and puts it directly to his face, he then chuckles as he use's as a scope.

???: so that's who you are huh? puts his weapon away no biggie.

The man continues his walk and puts the encounter to the side. Some time passes and Max is inside the school with Petunia, they both walk to Petunia's locker and she starts to open it.

Max: sighs what a start to the day huh?

Petunia: right? anyways I'm pretty sure that was the only thing that could happen today puts her stuff inside oh! By the way, what were you going to tell me about the light thing earlier?

Max: oh right! I forgot, how about at lunch you sit at my table with me and my friend Kevin? We can tell you all about it.

Petunia: shuts the locker door sounds like a plan! i'll see you then Max!

Max: chuckles right!

They both fist bump one another before heading to their respective classrooms, it does not take long for Max to make it to his class since the lockers are pretty close to the music room. Mister Demi was greeting everyone until Max finally came in, he had a smile on his face as his left hand was holding a flute.

Mr.Demi: Max! You made it on time today.

Max: Yup! I guess for someone like me that would be pretty rare huh?

Mr.Demi: to an extent, but im glad you're here today. Oh! And Kevin is over there waiting for you, he asked me if you had come earlier but I told him you hadn't.

Max: yeah, but at least i'm here now right?

They both share a laugh before Max walks to the back of the class, there he sees Kevin writing something into his book before looking up to see him. Max sits down and lets out a tired sigh before looking towards him.

Max: Hey Kev, what's up?

Kevin: nothing much, however, I am in a good mood.

Max: oh really? Why's that?

Kevin: because my theory was correct, and with that being confirmed i can start establishing what I can do going forward with what I call...project 0.

Max: oooo! Sounds mysterious!

Kevin: well, I'm glad you like it because it ain't getting changed for a while.

Max chuckles to himself as he turns to Mister Demi teaching the class, Kevin does the same for a while until he turns back to his book. The day continues as regular, after music class Max and Kevin both head to history class until the next bell rings. While Max was listening to the teacher talk about their history lesson he saw something peeking through the window, squinting his eyes he came to find out that it was the man he had seen earlier that morning. He panics, causing him to fall out of his chair and make a loud noise for everyone to hear. The teacher quickly rushes to him to make sure he is okay.

Mrs.Emily: Max! Are you alright?

Max: y-yeah im fine Mrs.Emily.

Kevin: looks down at him what made you fall like that?

Max: gets up and fixes his chair i'll tell you later about that looks at Mrs.Sasha sorry for falling, it won't happen again, promise!

Mrs.Emily: sighs you have to be more careful sweetheart, you'll break something acting like that chuckles

Mrs.Emily pats Max's hand before walking back to the smart board of the classroom, Max gets back into his chair before whispering to Kevin

Max: how much time is left until the bell rings?

Kevin: five, what's the rush?

Max: I saw someone right at the door, that's why I fell!

Kevin: huh?

Before Max could say anything more the bell rang, causing everyone to grab their things and walk out of the room. Max and Kevin walk out behind everyone else and start walking to their next class together before lunch. On the way to class Max tells Kevin about the man he and Patunia encountered on their way to school, Kevin thinks for a moment before speaking up.

Kevin: so you're telling me you saw that same guy, appear in the window?

Max: yeah! It was him, there is no doubt about it!

Kevin: hmm...

Petunia: Hey! Max!

Max looks behind him to see Petunia running after him, soon she catches u to him and stops the chase.

Petunia: What's up?

Max: nothing much! Just walking with my main man Kevin!

Kevin: ah, so this is the Petunia you were talking about.

Petunia: ! Hey! You are that boy in my third period who would always get the answers right on every test!

Kevin: hm? Oh wait I remember you, you keep failing every single test you get!

Petunia: dude it's freaking Math! Everybody hates math in that class, but somehow everyone can pass a test?

Kevin: that's because most people cheat behind the teacher's back.

Petunia: huh!? Since when was this happening!?

Kevin: well...

Max turns his head to see the hallway empty from both sides, confused he turns back to Kevin and Petunia but their conversation about cheating in class is still going. When Max turns the side to look at the hallway again he sees a man walking slowly towards him and the others, a little shocked he grabs Petunia and Kevin's shoulders to face them forward.

Petunia: ! Huh? Isn't that the man from earlier?

Max: yeah, I have no idea what's he doing here out of all places.

Kevin: hmm, I don't like this at all.

The man then stops when he is close enough to talk with them all, he stretches and lets out a tired yawn before pulling out his sickle.

???: alright, let's cut the shit and get this over with already.

Max: !?

Kevin: how did you sneak a weapon into the school? The metal detectors are the front entrance should have caught you.

???: I went through the back, of course, there was the janitor there so I did him a favor and sent him home early.

Petunia: but you don't work here, how did you...! y-you...

???: yeah, I killed him.

Max, Kevin, and Petunia all stand there frozen in fear, they were terrified of how calmly the man is talking about killing another person. The air soon started to feel a lot more tense than usual, everything seemed like it had stopped in the next couple of seconds. Kevin noticed that the clock on the wall had fully stopped working and was now stuck at the same time their second class ended. Max shakes his head and snaps out of his scared state, he steps in front of his friends with a scared but mad look on his face.

Max: w-who are you? Why are you here?

???: hmm sighs right well, I guess I can tell you since you won't be alive to tell...but first.

The man snaps his finger twice fast, causing the lights in the hallways to turn red. Kevin's eyes widen when he sees the red light, he chuckles a little bit to himself for knowing about it before he sees it for himself. Max and Petunia look at each other very confused.

???: Now then, my name. It's Ubel

Max: well then Ubel...give us 1 minute before you kill us!

Kevin: Max what are you-

Max: covers his mouth that's all I ask...please.

Ubel looks at Max with a stare before sighing, he then leans onto a nearby wall and waves his hand at him, signaling that their time has started. Max grins and turns around rubbing his hands together.

Max: right!...are we going to die!?

Petunia: i-i don't know!

Kevin: okay okay calm down you two fixes his glasses look, we need to find a way out of here.

Max: And if we can't do it in time?

Kevin: ...we fight back...

Max and Petunia look at each other with straight faces, but two seconds pass and they both now bear a determined look. They both look at Kevin and nod with passion, they both then turn to face Ubel as the time starts to go out.

Kevin: wait! Can you guys even fight?!

Max: I practice Taido while watching my favorite show! It's basically just movement and stuff with punches!

Petunia: i practiced taekwondo! But instead, I put my own twist on it!

Kevin: ...sighs you two are idiots, I'll stay back and figure out a way to get us out.

Max and Petunia nod as they get into a not so great stance, they both look at Ubel as he gets off the wall and takes out his sickle. Uble scratches his head and looks at them confused, he wraps the chain connected to the sickle around his hand before holding the handle tightly, he then gets into his own stance before giving them a serious stare. Kevin looks at the both of them and backs up a bit, he knows that if he doesn't find a way out of this his friends could die. With the battle soon to come there are only two ways of victory, defeat Ubel or look for a way out. Everyone knew it was not going to be easy either way.

Episode 3: End