The three walked together to their room, with Marina taking Red's hand. When they arrived, they took turns getting washed up. Since he slept in the bathroom, Raioten chose to take his showers last. Their unorthodox team was able to fall into a rhythm of sorts with their new lifestyles.

  Raioten still kept his distance from them and was very much a deadly threat to anyone who got too close even inadvertently. Red couldn't stand all the educational courses, but she was able to get through them rather easily. Raioten didn't enjoy the workouts, but had a newfound drive to push himself after meeting Jugo.

  They helped each other in areas of difficulty, all in preparation for the end of the year competition. Jugo was the man with the biggest target on his back because of the competition. Even though the other teams had three people, everyone was in agreement that he was the biggest threat. As the days went on, Red and Raioten also started to gain some notoriety.

  Word of Raioten's speed and Red's physical skills spread like wildfire. As the date got closer and closer, more prisoners began to keep close eyes on the young pair. Marina took all the time she could to cheer on the children with their exercises. She even acted as a referee for their bouts. Raioten begun attacking Red at random times all throughout the days.

  He tried his best to keep it a surprise. Some days, the two would fight over 10 times in between their other activities. Red got more and more upset with Raioten, scolding him for his weakness. She questioned whether or not he was even training at all. Beneath all of the teasing, she was secretly proud of him. She understood that his growth drawfed her own.

  She could tell that at least against her, he was trying to hold back and not fight with intent to kill after doing only that for so long. On the weekend before the big day, the Warden and Toshiro came down to explain the details of the competition. The competition would showcase multiple events that put each team against the others. The events would be divided out between the members of each team.

  Red: That's great! That means Jugo will be at a huge disadvantage!

  Toshiro: Correct, but the two of you will still be worse off than the other teams with all three members.

  Red: I don't care about them! I'm gonna crush Jugo!

  Toshiro: Right, anyways back to the event. It's going to push you two to your absolute limits, so do your best! And please don't feel bad if you don't happen to win, you guys did just get here.

  Red was more fired up than ever after hearing a bit about the competition. The air on the second floor was thick with tension on the last day. All of the teams were pumped up. Marina had to remain in the infirmary as her original due date had arrived. The doctors needed to keep her on watch around the clock to monitor her condition. The two children made one more trip to see Marina before the big day.

  Marina: I'm so sorry that I couldn't compete with you guys. I promise that we'll win next year for sure!

  Red: Oh hush, we're going to win it all tomorrow just you watch.

  Marina: I really do hope so.

  Red: We can also take you with us even if you don't compete so don't worry!

  Marina: Wait, really?!

  Red: Yeah! Blue brought it up with his horrible excuse for sign language. Mr. Toshi said that you're a part of our team, whether you compete or not.

  Marina: Blue? I see. You guys go gets some rest now. I'll be cheering from here the whole time.

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  Red: You got it! You'll be on the third floor in no time.

  The children returned to their room and washed up.

  Red: I noticed that today's the first day in awhile that you didn't try to fight me. Trying to save your strength?

  Raioten nodded.

  Red: Let's win it all!

  The two shared a high five before dinner. Raioten retreated back into the bathroom after they ate to avoid any potential complications before they competed. When they stepped outside their room in the morning, all of the other prisoners were standing at attention.

  Warden: It is time for the annual promotion competition, are you all ready?

  The children stood amidst the crowd of tough looking adults, all eager for a change to move up to the third floor. All of the prisoners were surrounded by the armed guards. The prisoners were herded like cattle, down to the lowest floor. Down there, they were in front of the acting Wardens from multiple other towers.

  ?: This is quite the event you put on each year, I can't wait to see the prospects.

  Warden: Oh trust me, this year will be special. Now! Time to begin!

  The teams were all separated out by the guards. The teams were grouped out by the Warden himself. The 5 groups were made up of four teams a piece. Red was staring daggers at Jugo, who was placed in a separate group. She couldn't bother herself to even focus on those right in front of her out of sheer competitive spirit. She only turned around when she noticed that Raioten was trembling.

  Red: Hey shrimp, are you alright?

  He could barely move and couldn't explain with his sign language why. She knew the lower floor had a deep, traumatic hold on his mind, but his emotions were under attack another way as well. His head felt like it would explode being surrounded by so many people and he couldn't tell why. Marina prayed for their success, and that Red lead them to victory.

  Warden: All of you get ready. Our first even will be a simple one. Kill everyone within your group. The last 5 teams move on! Go!

  Red: Wait what!?

  Red and Raioten were stunned at the insane first event. The Warden had already turned to his audience, bragging about his prisoners' progress. In just a few short moments, Jugo stood alone in his group.

  Warden: That man there, Jugo, is the most dangerous man in the competition. He's the one you're going to want to watch. There's also a fresh face. Take a look

  Red was struggling with the brutality of the event. While Red had no problems fighting the others, she couldn't bring herself to kill. Raioten was trying to eliminate his enemies, but Red stopped him each time.

  Red: Stop! There's got to be another way.

  Raioten tried to convince her but she was too headstrong.

  ?: What 'fresh face' were you taking about? He's not doing anything!

  Warden: Its her! She's stopping him!

  Red: Don't worry little guy, we're going to figure out something h-

  All of a sudden, Red was stabbed in the back by one of their enemies. Raioten kicked the man away and carried Red to safety. Her wound wasn't fatal, but the awkward and jagged knife used crippled her. He snapped and went on a brutal rampage.

  Red: No please! Blue don't do it!

  His violent display shocked and pleased the other Wardens watching. His wrath lasted so long that the guards had to be called in to stop him. When they finally were able to subdue him, the first part of the competition was over.

  Warden: Alright! Congratulations to our remaining 5 teams. You all will be competing in our final event on the second floor.

  The guards led the finalists back to the second floor. The prisoners were shocked to see the floor had an entire obstacle course for the final event put into place. As they walked Red remained a good distance away from Raioten and was uncharacteristically quiet.

  The final event was a team race to the finish. Each time had to compete a series of events and could nominate any of of their members to do each event. The first three events could also be completed simultaneously or all members could all focus on one even, giving the one team that still had all three members a big advantage.

  There were three events that had to be completed before the team could move on to the fourth and final event. They were:

  1: Finding their 'team key' that was hidden somewhere on that level of the building.

  2: 18 mile run around the perimeter of the inside, using the guards training track.(full teams could split the running and each member run 6 or 9 miles)

  3: Lifting and holding up a twenty ton weight overhead for a full minute. (Multiple people can hold the weight)

  Finale: Defeating a Futurist Sentry Bot and running up the stairs and onto the third floor.

  There were no rules given by the Warden, except that whatever members were put down for each event had to compete them. There was no switching once the names were locked in. He also explicitly stated that violence was not only allowed, but encouraged.

  After the rules were explained, the prisoners were given a break to relax and decide how to plan their approach. Raioten approached Red with the paper given to him by the guards. She still didn't want to speak to him, but understood it was necessary.