Video Game High School: The Professional Game

Chapter 1: The Last Chance

Out of nowhere, a sniper shot just grazes the top of Brian's scope, indenting into the wall to his left just millimeters from his face. Retreating back behind the pillar for cover, Brian peaked around to catch a glance of the enemy only to be met by another sniper shot, this time grazing the pillar which sent chunks of concrete brushing across his cheek. With no other option, he bolted down from the third level of the warehouse he was in to regroup with his teammates.

Once reaching the ground floor, Brian spotted two of his teammates shuttling through the entrance with the enemy's case. Gunfire followed them not far behind. As the two sophomores vaulted over wooden crates, taking cover behind them, Brian took down the two enemies that were coming through the doorway with several bursts of his M16.

"Thanks captain," Susan said. "I thought we'd be fragged."

"Save it for after the match!" Brian ordered. "They got a sniper positioned somewhere which means we're limited to ground and CQC combat."

"Jumpin' Jax and Moriarity are drawing most of the enemy's attention at the town square," Oscar said. "I can circle around and take out the sniper."

"No, we need you to guard Susan and capture the flag. I'll make my way to the square and support the defense. Which reminds me, where's Magnussen?"

A deafening explosion rippled across the battlefield. Gazing at its point of origin, Brian saw a red smoke rising from the south where the enemy's HQ was located. He heaved a heavy sigh before a small grin stretched across his face. If he had to guess as to who was responsible, he only had one answer.

"Captain," a voice said through the team's radio coms, "The enemy base has been crippled. They should be retreating from the town square. I suggest we rush them now and set up a chokepoint while Susan and Oscar capture the flag."

"Good work, Magnussen." Brian said. "Now I need you to watch the flanks for us. Keep them surrounded and we should be able to wrap this up."

With that, the two sophomores rushed back to the team's HQ while Brian sprinted to support the only other two seniors on the team. Leaping through explosions whilst climbing over fallen rubble, Brian kept his eyes peeled for anything. More than once has victory been within his grasp only for it to be taken right before his eyes. The team's defeat to Napalm academy remains fresh in his mind, but so does the semi-final defeat to Delta National Academy the year after that, and the close quarter-final defeat to East Tech High last year still hurts.

This was Brian's last shot at winning the Highschool Varsity Championship. If they won today, VGHS would progress to the final for the first time since the Law last led them to victory five years ago. If only Jenny had not left to join the Panthers, they might have remained a power house school in the highschool FPS scene. If the team still had high caliber players from before, maybe they would have won at least one championship by now.

"Flag captured!" The game announcer said.

Gazing to the top of his hud, the capture scores were tied one all. Lancer Tactical FPS School took the first round with ease. VGHS barely scraped through the second round to claim victory and tie the match scores. The next capture would determine who would face Apex Academy, who were high school national champions two years running, in the final. While others might be intimidated to face such an opponent, Brian welcomed the challenge.

Rendezvousing with Jumpin' Jax and Moriarity, the three seniors prepared to make one final push for the win. Being the team's heavy gunner, Jumpin' Jax layed down cover fire with his light machine gun, keeping the enemies pinned in their HQ. Moriarity was running low on ammo and had to ask for another mag from Brian. Susan and Oscar were holding down the fort while Ren guarded the flanks for any strays.