Red: Okay, what are you thinking?

  Raioten pointed to himself and began running in place.

  Red: Yeah, you definitely should do that one. I can search for the key and we can both hold the weights. We might need to do the lifting first, how does that sound?

  Raioten gave her a somber thumbs up and they turned in their paper. Still having time left, she decided to go visit Marina. A part of her just wanted time away from Raioten to think.

  Red: We made it to the finals!

  Marina: Oh my goodness, I'm so proud. As long as you do your best, I can't be anything but happy.

  Red: Not just that! I'm going to win it all! Just you wait and see.

  Marina: Oh I bet. You go on now, I don't want you to be late.

  Red: Bye Marina! Hurry up with that baby already!

  Marina: That's not how it works sweetheart, he's just a little late is all. You go on now and stay safe!

  Red left the infirmary with her head held high and met up with Raioten and the other 4 teams. They all handed in their papers one by one.

  Warden: Now, if all the teams are ready, line up at the start.

  The Warden turned to his high class audience to take bets.

  Warden: Does anyone want to place a bet on anyone other than Jugo? This entire competition isn't exactly tailored for one man teams.

  ?: What's stopping him from simply killing everyone at the start?

  Warden: Why nothing of course! But by that same logic, they could all try to kill him immediately as well.

  The guest Wardens made their predictions.

  Warden: Alright, its time for the Finale to commence! All teams on your mark, get set, GO!

  All of the prisoners scattered to their assigned events. The children rushed over to the massive weights on the floor. They were the only group that started there. Jugo went to look for his key and was attacked immediately by a team of two.

  The duo didn't last a full minute against his power. The only team of three began with the 15 mile run, splitting it between all of them. Their strategy was for all of them to compete all of the events together.

  Red and Raioten were struggling with the massive weight when Jugo came over to lift his own. He had found his key and went over to start on the next event. He also completed his second event before they could finish it, intimidating everyone. Not too long after Jugo started his 15 mile run, the children finished the hold. Having dropped the weight a few times, they were short on time.

  Red: I'll find that key fast, catch him!

  Raioten nodded and took off full speed. The only other team of two finished their 7.5 mile run together and immediately targeted Red to slow her down. She actually had her hands full for a moment because the two were so in sync with one another. On the track, Raioten caught up to Jugo.

  He blazed past him with a focused look in his eye. Jugo's heart felt like it stopped when he turned to see the young child running towards him. After the feeling of dread subsided, he cheered on Raioten and ran faster, trying to catch up.

  Jugo: Holy hell you're fast kid! I won't lose that easi- nevermind, he's gone.

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  The trio ran out from their run and went to search for their key. They all split up as Red finished defeating the duo that attacked her. She refused to kill them like Jugo had his aggressors, and finally was able to search for her key. She couldn't find her key anywhere and was losing hope. Shortly after, Raioten came bursting out from the track, having set an inhuman record.

  He was jumping around on the sidelines in an attempt to motivate Red. The trio found their key and ran towards the heavy weight as Jugo emerged from the track. Red's heart sank seeing him, and she hoped that the robot would hold him back long enough for her to keep up. The Sentry was able to put Jugo on the defensive with its powerful attacks.

  As the trio finished their lift, they sprang into action, launching a coordinated attack against the Sentry and Jugo. Splitting their resources however, only got them all taken out. Jugo found an opening and destroyed the Sentry, allowing him to make the final run for the stairs. Red began to doubt herself more and more.

  Red: I'm so sorry so sorry so sorry! Marina, Blue, I'm so useless!

  She fell to her knees, giving up. As she began to cry, a shoe hit her in the head. Raioten was angrily mouthing words to her as he chased Jugo down and tackled him.

  Jugo: Look little guy, I do like you and all, but I can't let you stop me from getting one step closer to freedom.

  Raioten took up a defensive stance.

  Jugo: No hard feelings kid.

  Jugo made sure his punch didn't miss this time, crunching Raioten's ribcage under his power.

  Jugo: Sorry, I figured you wouldn't stand aside if I held back, so that was the easiest way to stop you.

  Jugo turned around and began running. He fell flat on his face because his leg was caught. He turned with a huge smile, seeing that Raioten was holding his leg. The boy hopped back up, pointing to Jugo's long hair with a determined look in his eye.

  Jugo: Have I been figured out? Alright kid, let's see who wins it all!

  Jugo began a relentless assault, pummeling Raioten. The boy wouldn't stay down for longer than a second, keeping Jugo from reaching the exit. After a few minutes, Raioten was unable to stand.

  Red: No!

  Jugo: Don't worry, I won't kill him. He's a cool kid. See ya.

  As Jugo turned to run, Red realized it was all over. Jugo reached the top of the staircase, winning the competition. The Wardens all applauded the unique spectacle and the Warden of Tower 13 sent Raioten to the infirmary. When he was carried past Marina, she winced at the sight of his injuries. Red followed close behind, sulking. Everything was over so quickly that Red barely had time to process it all.

  Marina: I guess that means you didn't win. Cheer up though, I'll help you guys out next year and we'll win for sure!

  Red: Who cares?

  Marina: What?

  Red: I couldn't help him at all! I kept looking for the key the whole time while he was fighting. He fought so hard to get us up there and I let him down.

  Red was hit on the side of the head by a pen Raioten took from the doctor. He shook his head at Red, then stuck a thermometer in his hair.

  Doctor: Quit taking my stuff you little shit!

  Red: What are you trying to say?

  Jugo: He's saying that I had to cheat. He was trying to slow me down at first, but then he realized I had this.

  Jugo reached into his hair, removing the key for the children's team.

  Red: Our Key!

  Jugo: I couldn't very well take every key, so I had to pick the team that was most likely to beat me. Safe to say, I made the right call.

  Red: But.... crap, we were outplayed.

  Jugo: I will admit, when he threw that shoe at you I was a little worried you would figure it out and rush over.

  Red: Dammit! I felt like he was calling for me but I was in such a rush to find our key I wasn't thinking straight. You were worried because you knew I'd tip the scales.

  Jugo: In a fight? Not really, but I don't think I could've kept this key safe against the both of you though. If you guys had gotten the key, even for a second, there was no way I was beating this little speed demon up those steps.

  Jugo gave Raioten a fist bump before heading out.

  Jugo: I know I'll see you shrimps next year and I can't wait! Later.

  Up at the exit door, the Warden was walking out his guests. After he said his goodbyes, he called out to one of them.

  Warden: Hey, you're the newest Tower Warden right? You oversee Tower 14

  ?: Yes, but they're calling it Tower 0.

  Warden: That sounds interesting, why exactly is that?

  ?: Because I use more... scientific methods in my tower. I have a special prisoner that helps me to create an army, instead of filtering through people like you all do.

  Warden: But how is that possible?

  ?: I can't reveal my secrets that easily. If you ever lose a talented fighter, like that Jugo man, bring them to me immediately.

  Warden: Lose? You mean after they die?

  ?: Yes, but you won't have long, around two weeks tops. Here, take this. This locator will bring a team of my men directly to it. They can reach anywhere in the world in less than 48 hours.

  Warden: I see, I'll definitely keep that in mind, thanks.

  The two leaders shook hands and went their separate ways. When the Warden walked back in, he tossed the locator into a random 'junk' box.

  Warden: What a looney, is that what the Futurists are paying for these days?