The Games Villains Play (The Academy Trilogy)

by Joshua DeBenedetto

  DONNY HAD ARRIVED at the arena half an hour before practice was to start. He wanted to make sure he was the first person there, in order that nobody would arrive to find the place empty, or for people to start accumulating and get the wrong idea as to the nature of the team. Despite his attempt, he was not the first one there. He arrived at the arena to find Lenny sitting next to the door. As soon as Lenny saw Donny approaching he jumped to his feet with a big smile on his face. The look on Lenny’s face said that he had something he wanted to say, but as usual no words came out, so Donny initiated the conversation instead.

  “Hey Lenny, you certainly arrived early.” Donny tried to remain serious, but Lenny’s excitement forced a smile to his face despite his best efforts.

  “We didn’t want to be late,” Lenny replied hurriedly.

  “We?” Donny asked. He did not know what surprised him more, the sudden realization that Lenny actually could talk if he wanted to, or that multiple people had arrived to practice with Lenny, and were apparently hiding somewhere nearby, as when Donny looked around there was nobody else anywhere in sight. “Where is the rest of this ‘we’?”

  “They went inside to see the arena. I wasn’t sure if we could go in yet, so I… well, they… decided I could wait out here for you. Can we go in?”

  Donny thought of who could potentially have come with Lenny for the meeting. He realized it had to have been the first years inside the arena, because most of the upper class students would have seen the arena before. Another clue was the fact that Lenny, for some reason Donny had yet to figure out, only seemed comfortable around first year students. “Sure Lenny, go ahead in, I’m going to wait out here for the rest of the team though.”

  Lenny hesitated for a moment, then decided to take Donny’s permission and go into the arena. Donny took a look inside while the door was open, and sure enough there was a group of first years, running about, playing some sort of game amongst themselves. Donny was glad they accepted his offer; they had the energy and excitement he was looking for.

  Donny waited around outside the arena for the rest of the team to arrive. The next person to arrive was Duke. Donny found it almost hard to believe that Duke was really a sixth year student. Despite his physical appearance, Duke still had the excitement and enthusiasm of a first year, but with the added benefit of experience and a clear, untapped leadership potential.

  Duke greeted Donny with his hand outstretched. “Good evening captain,” Duke greeted him, evidently enjoying the use of the word captain in reference to Donny, “I expected to see an overexcited group of first years here waiting with you.”

  “They’re inside exploring the arena,” Donny replied.

  “Smart move, concealing the additional forces to make sure the main players are willing to stick around. First practice and you are already thinking on your feet.”

  Donny thought about correcting Duke, and letting him know that it was actually not a plan, but rather a convenient coincidence, but he decided to keep these thoughts in his head. Whether Duke saw these thoughts or not, he made no sign of it.

  Jay, Michael, and Zahrah were the 29th, 30th, and 31st students to arrive to practice. Donny could see confusion and almost panic in his brother’s eyes at the number of students there to practice. “Donny,” Jay began quietly, “the team is only supposed to be 21 people total, including yourself; there are too many people here already, and more are still arriving.”

  “Don’t worry bro, I’ve got this under control,” Donny assured him. Unsure how to respond, Jay remained silent.

  By the time practice was ready to begin, there were 36 students there. Donny took a quick look into the arena to make sure all the first years had made their way back out, then he turned to the crowd to begin. “Hello teammates,” Donny began.

  “Hello Napoleon!” Lenny declared. Whether meant as a joke or not, laughter erupted, and Lenny hung his head in embarrassment.

  “Yes,” Donny continued with a laugh, “I guess I am becoming known as Napoleon. Whether that is a complement or an insult seems to be up to those who state it, but I will accept the name either way. Now on to business. I can see from some of your faces that you are surprised to see so many here. I understand that the rules state only 21 may compete on a team, and this rule will be followed here. There is no rule, however, that states that only 21 students may be on a team. With that in mind, I have accepted two groups. I accepted 20 students to join me on the team which will compete, and I accepted an additional 24 students to form a second practice team. The paper I gave you states which of these teams you have been accepted to, so there should not be any confusion as to which team you are on. For this first practice I will be splitting you up into two groups, and we will hold a simulation game of our own. This will be more of a chance for me to see who works well together, as well as getting you all familiar with the arena.”

  A hand went up from the crowd. Donny felt a little odd being the one of whom questions are being asked, but he knew he had to get used to the role, as he was their leader. He pointed to the person with their hand up.

  “Are we allowed to use the arena?” They asked. It was a fifth year student who had previously played for the green team who asked the question. “I thought we were supposed to use the practice rooms for our practices.”

  Donny did not know the answer to this question, but he kept his uncertainty hidden behind a screen of false confidence. “I have not been told that it is off limits for practices, and they keep the doors unlocked, so we will use it until I am instructed otherwise,” Donny responded with finality. Another hand went up, and Donny allowed them to speak.

  “What is our team color?” They asked.

  This was a question Donny was hoping not to encounter. The instructor for Advanced Strategic Leadership had asked them two weeks earlier to inform him of the color they wished for their team. The rest of the students already had colors in mind, many of whom had wanted to keep the color under which they had played previously. Donny, having never played for a team before, had to give this considerable thought. When he finally chose a color, he wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it to the professor, who merely snorted and put it aside. He had hoped for some confirmation that the color would be acceptable, but the teacher did not supply this for him. Donny decided the lack of response must be confirmation enough, so he responded with the name he had chosen. “Our team color is Jade.”

  Donny had chosen this color based on his desire to further his statement that this would not be just another team. He also wanted to allude to the previous year’s green team, which had gone from the bottom ranked team to almost winning the simulation games the year before. Donny would soon discover that the other captains were claiming he chose the name to mock them and show off that he had Decathlon on his team, stating that the first two letters were taken from the first two letters of Jay’s real name, and the last two were taken from the first two letters of his hero name, Decathlon. Donny was surprised when he heard this, as he had not realized that connection, but it did not worry him.

  For the time being, Donny was ready to begin his practice. He split the teams up as best he could, with one team led by Duke with 18 total students, and the other led by a former member of the red team named Flash, a sixth year Hermes, with 17 total students, including Jay. Donny himself sat out of the event, and walked around the arena watching it unfold. They played a game of capture the flag, having to play multiple games as the first few ended quicker than Donny had hoped. Flash’s team won the first three quickly, but Duke soon began setting up defenses specifically against Jay, and once he did that the games took longer, until Jay could get past the defenses. Donny found it interesting that despite there being many other strong players on Flash’s team, they were not being used. Donny made a note of this.

  After an hour and a half of this, Donny called everyone in. With encouragement, he then dismissed the Hermes and the Titans, but asked the Prometheus group to stay for one more activity. Donny had hea
rd about the event that usually started each simulation game, where each team would send out a group of Hermes to spy on the other team. This was the first part of the games that he wanted to change, and he had an idea that he wanted to try.

  Once the Hermes and Titans had left, Donny found himself in the arena with 11 Prometheus and Jay. He decided it would be best if he just started talking, and let them figure out what was going on for themselves. This would have the added benefit of letting Donny see how quickly they were each able to catch on. “Jay…I mean, Decathlon, how are your abilities doing right now?”

  “Well, my reading ability is doing great, but my other two are diminishing quickly.”

  “When would you say your ability to mind read is at its peak?”

  “Probably when I’m in class with other mind readers.”

  “Right, so it happens when you are surrounded by a group of readers. Your ability increases by the amount of ability around you. Like right now, you are surrounded by readers, so your ability to read should be pretty good. Ok, everyone, take two steps closer to Decathlon.”

  At Donny’s word, they each moved a little closer to Jay. Donny could see that many of the older students had picked up on what was going on, at least partly. He could not tell if Jay picked up on it before or after noticing the effects, but either way he could tell there was a change. “Any difference in your ability now?”

  “Yes, more pictures just showed up. I guess I’m seeing a few deeper thoughts now. Some of the dimmer ones are also clearer now,” Jay responded, looking off into space with his eyes, as he was clearly paying attention to the images in his mind.

  “Ok, so it isn’t just who’s around, but proximity makes a difference too. That’s good to know. Alright, on to the point. I want to see how far we can boost Decathlon’s mind reading, and more specifically, if he could read the mind of someone on the opposite end of the arena from here with the help of the powers around him. We are going to start with all the help available to us, just to see if it is possible, then if it is we will work down from there. Snake, you and Decathlon have a strong mental bond already, so it would be easier for him to pick up on your signal. I’m going to ask you to go over to the entrance on the far side of the arena and wait there, with your mind as open as you can. The light boxes are open on both sides, so just flicker the lights to signal to us when you arrive on the other side, and we will flicker the lights when we are ready for you to return.”

  Michael gave a nod, and began to jog off towards the far side. While they waited, one of the Prometheus spoke up. “Hey, just a thought. What about us? I mean, if he is able to read the mind of someone on the far side of the arena, what would that do to us?”

  Donny found the smallest amount of humor in the boy’s question. He honestly had no idea what this would do, but he was sure it would not be harmful, as having one’s mind read has been shown to be completely safe for both parties. “It won’t do anything to you,” Donny responded, deciding it better to fake intelligence than to allow fear, “I just hope you don’t have any secrets you want hidden from Decathlon, because I’m sure he’ll be able to see them.” Donny hoped his joke would keep them supportive; and more than that, he hoped his mental distortions were strong enough to trick the group of mind readers he was trying to fool.

  Finally the lights flickered. “Ok, everyone move in close to Decathlon.” Donny felt his stomach turning, but he could not tell if it was excitement or fear that this would all be a bust. He watched his brother’s face intently. The crowd got closer and closer, until Jay’s face was blocked. He would have to ask Jay now.

  “Ok Decathlon, focus on Snake. Take your time, and let me know if you can see anything.”

  Jay remained silent for much longer than Donny liked. When Jay finally spoke, Donny realized he had liked the silence better. “Sorry Donny, I can’t see Snake at all.”

  The group started to dissipate, but Donny was not finished quite yet. “Hold on everyone, I have one last thing I’d like to try. Everyone get into a position where you could touch Decathlon in some way. I don’t know if touch makes a difference, but if proximity matters, there’s nothing closer than direct touch.”

  Everyone started moving about, getting close to Jay once more. When the movement stopped, Donny was glad to see that Jay’s face was visible through a small window in the wall of bodies. Donny saw his brother in deep focus, trying desperately to pick up on some hint of Michael’s thoughts. Donny realized how silly the whole plan was and almost gave up then and there, but with everyone in position, it only made sense to try. “Ok, now reach out and lay a hand on him.”

  They did, and Donny could see the change immediately. Jay had his eyes closed, but even with the eyelids covering them, Donny could see them almost widen. There was a peaceful amazement on Jay’s face for a moment, but the look quickly changed to a look of trapped fear, which quickly grew into full-fledged terror. Donny heard someone yelling stop, and he began pulling people away from Jay with all his might. He thought the voice yelling stop was Jay at first, but he soon realized it was his own. The group began looking at Jay’s face to see what the commotion was about, and they could all see that something had gone wrong. They moved away from him quickly, tripping over one another along the way. Soon they were far enough for Jay to break out of his trance, and he fell to his knees shaking. Donny rushed over and knelt beside him, making sure he was alright.

  “It worked,” Jay whispered, with his head hanging low, facing down towards the ground. The only reason Donny could tell his brother was crying was due to the small puddle that began to form on the ground below his face.

  “You saw Michael?” Donny asked in a whisper. He could not think of why this could cause Jay such horror. Maybe Michael got hurt somehow? Donny wondered.

  “No,” Jay whispered to him, letting him know his thoughts were wrong, “I saw… everything.”

  With that statement Jay could say no more. Donny dismissed the group, assuring them that his brother would be alright. He flickered the lights for Michael to come back, and when he arrived the three of them sat on the ground, waiting for Jay to recover. None of them spoke a word.

  CHAPTER 5

  “I HAVE NOT seen you two in a while.”

  Silence.

  “I take it you have something to report? A reason for coming to see me?”

  Silence.

  “I see. Then it has happened. What a pity, bringing the brother to the school had been working so well.”

  “It was the brother’s fault.”

  “Is that a fact. Well, no matter who is to blame, it appears the time has come for drastic measures.”

  “Sir, we had heard about your plan.”

  “Yes, well it was not a plan until just now. What you had heard was my fear, and it appears that the fear is coming true.”

  “But sir, are you sure it is a good idea to bring them back? Couldn’t we just use him the way we have used the rest?”

  “He knows too much to trust us that way. No, this is the way it has to be. I’m calling them in immediately.”

  “But sir…”

  “I have made my decision. You have been away from him too long already; he has had more than enough time to talk to someone with you gone. I want this contained. When we collect the boy for this, you are free to attempt the usual ways, but when he spits it in your face, I will be ready with my own solution.”

  DONNY AWOKE TO find a hand over his mouth, and a strong arm scooping him out of bed effortlessly. He quickly began to think over all the things he had learned in class for countering a Titan, but they had only covered prevention from capture thus far, and he was already caught. His mind was set at ease, however, when the Titan dashed off through the open dorm door with Donny still in his arms. There was only one who could move that fast while lifting this much. Jay carried Donny out of the main building, and across the school grounds to the buildings where the faculty lived. With a jump that seemed effortless, Jay vaulted into a large second flo
or window that had been left open. Jay caught the rim of the window frame to slow himself, and landed with surprising softness on a carpeted floor.

  “Don’t say a word,” Jay whispered, before removing his hand from Donny’s mouth. Donny had many questions, but he remained silent. After a moment where Jay looked like he was listening for something, he began to explain.

  “Ok, Donny, we need to talk fast, I don’t know how long they will be gone…”

  “Who? Where are we?”

  “We’re in the Thomson’s house; they’re a couple of professor’s, one a Titan and one a Hermes. I chose this spot because there aren’t Prometheus around to pick us up, and I can use their abilities for our escape. They should still be asleep downstairs, but if you hear any movement, let me know, my reading is going fast.”

  Donny was about to speak, but Jay put his hand up to stop him. “There’s no time to discuss this, I need to tell you what I saw.”

  Donny kept his mouth shut and listened. Despite the speed Jay claimed necessary, he still needed a brief moment to collect his thoughts.

  “Donny, it’s about the school. It cannot be trusted. When we did that exercise at practice this evening, I could feel my mind reaching out for Michael, and with all those Prometheus around with their hands on me, I got a burst of power that got me to him quickly. But it was too much to stop there, so I let it fan out, and it picked up two more minds. They’re minds that I’ve seen before, but never realized who they were. Donny, the school has been watching me. There are tunnels under the school, and two experienced Prometheus have been using them to stay under me and keep track of my thoughts and actions. When I began looking at their pictures, more and more began to surface. They must have been fairly close, and with so much ability available to me, I was able to get past their blocks easily, and I could see what this school is really about.”