- Chapter Twelve -

You were standing in the back with Mr. Davenport, as you watched Chase's team try and take down the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton shot blue laser beams, as it walked forward towards Chase's team, which where they were hiding.

"The exoskeleton's gone rouge. We have to take it down before it destroys the whole academy," Chase explained to his team, as he pressed himself against the wall.

Chase's team then began to walk forward as Chase began speaking, "You're doing it wrong. Wait for my command before you attack."

Then the team ducked behind cover, as the exoskeleton continued to shoot.

"Why aren't you attacking?" Chase asked, as the team moved forward, "Well don't do it now. Retreat, retreat," then the whole team got shot, "Great. My team is down. My team is down!" Chase threw his arms up in frustration.

"Well, I think we can all agree that's not how you take down an exoskeleton," Mr. Davenport smiled shrugging, as you stood beside Adam.

"C'mon, give us one more shot," Chase stated.

"I'm sorry Chase. This combat simulation was to test your students' progress, and as much as it pains me, I'm going to have to give your team a big F," Mr. Davenport informed, "Oh who am I kidding? This doesn't hurt at all."

"It's called failure, Chase. Let me spell it out for you. F..." Adam stopped to think as Chase waited, as you rolled your eyes, "You know, on a second thought, you spell it out for me."

Adam then walked back to his team as you chuckled slightly, "Well, that must have been embarrassing."

~~~~~

"I can't believe you guys messed up the combat simulation. What was the first thing I taught you? Do as I say, and do as I say," Chase explained, motioning with his hands.

"Good pep talk," Mr. Davenport stated, walking away as you leaned against the wall, "Adam, your team's up."

"Okay guys, what's the first thing I taught you?" Adam asked.

"Don't be like Chase!" his team shouted, as you rose a brow in amusement.

Then, the exoskeleton started to shoot, casing Adam's team to duck for cover.

"Okay, let's do what we do," Adam nodded, "Now!"

Then his team pushed a piece of equipment, causing it to fly and hit the exoskeleton.

"And that's what we do," Adam held his arms out, as you, Mr. Davenport, and Chase walked forward.

"That was amazing. That was faster than Bree's team last week," Mr. Davenport complimented.

"All I'm hearing is that Chase lost and I'm a better teacher," Adam smirked.

"No way. You are not a better teacher then I am," Chase said, as he stepped up to Adam.

"I smell rivalry," you mumbled, as Mr. Davenport nodded.

"Calm down, dude. You've got plenty of other things to be proud of. Once we find out what those things are, you're gonna feel a lot better," Adam said, as he held onto Chase's shoulders.

"Look, there's still two more tests to evaluate your students' progress. I'm sure your team will do better on the next one," Mr. Davenport informed motioning to Chase, "It's more cerebral."

"Yes! Me and my brainiacs are gonna take you down," Chase pointed out to Adam.

"You're taunting me and making fun of yourself at the same time. I didn't think that was possible," Adam stated, causing everyone to laugh.

"Look, both teams will be judged on how well they handle analytical thinking," Mr. Davenport explained.

"Alright, guys. Huddle up!" Adam called, huddling his team, "Does anyone know what analytical thinking is?"

"I'd say you got the second round locked up," Mr. Davenport spoke to Chase.

"I agree," you nodded your head.

~~~~~

As you walked out of the training area and into the Hydra-loop area, you saw Leo holding up a bunch of cleaning supplies.

"Listen up, roomies. You've got another person living with you now. You need to respect that. I have been scrubbing our room for the past six hours. I've got pruney fingers," Leo explained.

"Why didn't you just wear gloves?" Chase asked.

"I did!" Leo growled, holding his hand up to show the tore glove, "I don't care which one of you is making the mess. Just stop!"

Leo then threw the cleaning supplies on the floor.

"Yeah, you tell them Leo!" you shouted, fist bumping the air.

Leo struggled taking the glove off, but once he did, he threw it at Adam's feet as he walked away.

"Now who's making a mess?" Adam mocked.

"Okay, everybody gather round and listen up," Mr. Davenport announced, entering the Hydra-loop area, "It is time for the second challenge. Everyone to your work stations."

You stood beside Mr. Davenport as Adam's team went to the right, and Chase's team went to the left.

"Each team will have sixty seconds to diffuse their 3-D virtual explosive device," Mr. Davenport informed.

"This is gonna be easy. Like taking dynamite from a baby," Chase nodded.

You cocked a brow in confusion, as Mr. Davenport spoke, "Even though the explosives are fake, the potential for humiliation is very real," he smiled, "Don't forget to work as a team."

Mr. Davenport then activated shields to the desks, preventing the other team from looking, "Your sixty seconds start...now," Mr. Davenport stated, as you both stepped back.

"How do you think this is gonna go?" you asked quietly.

"I have no idea," Mr. Davenport answered, as you gave a nod, watching both teams.

"Who's favorite color is red?" Adam asked, catching your attention.

You then saw two guys raise their hands, as Adam spoke again, "Who's favorite color is blue?" then another two guys raised their hands, "Don't look at me. I like them both."

You then switched your gaze from Adam to Chase, who was speaking, "Okay guys, we've been through this a million times. Once you assessed the detonators' internal architecture, remove the Dorris plate, expose the motherboard, clip the primary command mode, and the firing mechanism will deactivate got that?" Chase asked, as his team started at him blankly, causing him grunt in frustration.

You then switched your gaze from Chase to Adam.

"Great thinking. We'll cut the wire that combines red and blue. Gold," Adam stated, as one of his members cut the gold wire, causing it to defuse.

Your eyebrows then shoot up in surprise. Who knew that they could defuse a bomb, especially Adam. You were very impressed.

Adam's team then cheered as Mr. Davenport stepped up, "Congratulations on defusing the device. And more impressively, not knowing that red and blue make purple."

"Hey, at least he did it. Very impressive Adam," you smiled, as you and Mr. Davenport walked over to Chase's side.

"Don't worry. We have plenty of time," Chase assured his team.

"Five seconds," you stated.

"Out of my way, you're all useless!" Chase pushed them away.

"Three...two.." Mr. Davenport counted down.

"Wait! I just need more-"

Then the device exploded, cutting Chase off, as Adam walked over with a smirk plastered on his face. He then bent down to Chase's level as he spoke, "Time?" he asked, as he walked away.

"Don't worry Chase. I'm not gonna say that I'm disappointed," Mr. Davenport stated, as he began to whisper, "Just know that I'm thinking it."

"Wow, what a great thing to tell your child," you said, as you shook your head.

~~~~~

You were walking down the hall, as you spotted Leo down the hall.

"Hey, Bucky!" you called.

Leo turned around and rose his brow in confusion, "Bucky?"

"Yeah," you nodded jogging up to him, "He's got that metal arm, and you got a bionic arm. So your name is now Bucky."

Leo chuckled as he shook his head, "You got a point there. You can't call be Bucky unless I call you Steve."

Your smile faltered a bit, "What? I'm no Steve."

"Oh course you are. You brave, smart, honest, trustworthy, and not to mention very loyal," Leo smiled, as you both walked down the hall, "You strive to do the best, even if you are the best. You are very similar like Steve, even if you don't see it."

"Thank you," you smiled, looking down slightly.

"So, can I call you Steve?" Leo asked.

"Of course you can," you chuckled.

As you both walked into the mentor's room, you looked around disgusted. You saw trash littered all over, clothes laying all over the floor, food laid out everywhere, it was truly disgusting.

"Men are pigs," you mumbled, as Leo screamed.

"What have you done?!" Leo asked.

"What are you talking about?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, we haven't done anything," Chase replied.

"I had a feeling you might say that. Which is why I have this!" Leo held up his tablet," That's right savages! Security footage, let's have a look."

"Put anything on a screen, I'll watch it," as Adam and Chase sat beside Leo, as you stood behind the couch, watching.

"Where is it? Where is it?" Leo mumbled, as he clicked the footage.

You all then saw Bree, chugging down on barbeque sauce.

"Bree?!" Leo asked in disbelief.

Then, you saw Bree wipe her hand on Leo's blanket. Leo looked horrified, Adam looked disgusted, Chase kept smiling, as you watched in amusement. You then leaned in more trying to get a better view. You leaned over Adam's shoulder, flashing him a quick smile, as it fast forward.

Then the video stopped, as you saw Bree eating popcorn as she clipped her toe nails.

"Ugh, now that's a lady," Chase nodded, receiving a hit at the back of his head by you.

Bree then laughed as she examined her toe nail, "Oh, that's a big one. She's a keeper," she then stuffed it inside the couch.

"She's an animal!" Leo exclaimed.

"No, that's an animal," Adam pointed to a thing moving under a blanket, "Oh, look. He grew!"

"And now that's disgusting," you stated.

~~~~~

You were leaning against the wall, as you watched Chase's team train.

"Wrong, wrong. Terrible, bad. Ew, no. Do it again," Chase said, disgusted.

"Chase," Mr. Davenport waved him over, "Do you ever think, you might be losing these challenges, because you're going about it all wrong?"

"No," Chase answered flatly.

"You're reprimanding them. You're not teaching them. Maybe try a little teamwork like Adam did," Mr. Davenport motion to Adam, as Adam put on fake glasses.

"That's Professor Adam," Adam motion to his glasses.

"Adam, you're not a professor, and for he last time, you are not a better teacher than I am," Chase stated.

"Do you not see the glasses?" Adam asked, as Chase crossed his arms.

"All I'm saying is, you might get a better response from your team if you let them be more involved in the decision making," Mr. Davenport explained.

Chase just laughed, hitting Mr. Davenport shoulder, as Mr. Davenport looked at Chase seriously.

"Wait are you serious?" Chase asked.

"Mr. Davenport is right, Chase. You have to let your team so some of the decision making," you stated.

"There's one last test, which means your team has one last chance to prove themselves, and for you to prove yourself," Mr. Davenport informed, as he walked away.

"You wanna borrow my glasses?" Adam offered Chase, as you hit his arm playfully.

Adam shot you a smile as he walked away. Chase just sighed as he walked back to his team.

"Okay, that's it. I am not about to lose to Adam and his meat heads three times in a row. We have to show them that we're better than them," Chase informed, as his team nodded, "The best way to do that is to manipulate your bionic chips so I can control your every move."

You sighed as you rubbed your forehead, knowing that something was gonna go wrong.

"Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. Isn't that cheating? Well, let me just nip this in a bud. Yes, yes it is!" Chase jumped, making his team lean back.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" you asked, already knowing that he wasn't going to change his mind.

"Yes, it's a good idea."

"Okay~" you replied.

~~~~~

You thought that what Chase was doing was ridiculous. Can't he just be happy for Adam? You were happy and not to mention, impressed by Adam. Adam was doing a great job, but of course Chase had to get his panties in a bunch, and get jealous.

"Alright, I've figured out a way to use my override app to control all of you at once, which means no mistakes, because when I think of something, you'll do it," Chase pointed to his temple, "Too bad I can't do that to everyone."

"You wish you did," you commented, as he nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let's link up," Chase stated, as his team stood in a line, while you stepped back.

Once he linked them all, he began to speak, "There. Let's test this out."

Chase looked at his team for a moment, but nothing happened.

"Why aren't you doing what I'm thinking?" Chase leaned forward as his team did the same, "I don't get it. Why isn't this working?"

Chase threw his hands up as his team did the same, "Great. Now you're mocking me. Very funny," Chase then put his hands on his hips as his team did the same.

"Uh, Chase. I don't think they are," you spoke, as you saw realization cross over his facial features.

"Wait a minute," Chase stated.

Chase then rose his right hand, as he slowly lifted his left, his team mirroring Chase's actions. Chase then spun around, and twirled his hips in a circle, with his team doin the same.

"Gah!" they all yelled, making you face palm.

"My override app must not be able to control you this many people. Instead of doing what I'm thinking, you're just mirroring what I do. We can't make it through the test like this," Chase said worryingly, as Mr. Davenport walked into the Hydra-loop area.

"Let's go, Chase. Test's about to start," Mr. Davenport informed walking out.

"He's going to know we're cheating. What do we do?" Chase asked, biting his nails as the team did the same, "Quit it!" he slapped one person's hand, making them all slap the other beside them.

Chase then began to pace as the others did also. You shook your head, as you stopped Chase by grabbing ahold oh his shoulders.

"Hey, listen to me. I know you're worried about getting caught, I would be too, but you have to keep it together. Now, who's a genius~" you asked in a sing along voice.

"I am," Chase answered.

"Then there you go. You got this," you smiled.

~~~~~

You stood in between Adam's team and Chase's team as Mr. Davenport entered the training area.

"Welcome to the third and final challenge!" Mr. Davenport announced in a game host voice, as a cheesy game show music began to play, as spotlights began to flash everywhere.

"Adam Davenport, you have an opportunity to lead your team to a third victory," Mr. Davenport announced in a game host voice as he walked over to Chase, "Chase Davenport, you and your team have one last chance to save yourself from a lifetime of ridicule from your brother...and me"

Chase stood still as a statue, looking slightly nervous as Adam spoke, "And Bree, she's not here, but I'm pretty sure she'd want in on some of this."

You hit Adam's arm as he flashed you a cheekily smile, as Mr. Davenport began speaking, "This last test will challenge both your mental and physical prowess. So there will he a brief warm-up period of basic exercise."

"No movement!" Chase yelled, as Mr. Davenport snapped his gaze towards him, "I mean, stretching's overrated. What's the worst that can happen? Torn a hamstring, pssh!"

You closed your eyes tightly, groaning in slight annoyance, as Mr. Davenport spoke, "Okay, suit yourself," he patted Chase's shoulder, making Chase flinch. Mr. Davenport looked at him weirdly, as he walked away.

"Guys, ooh!" Chase quickly turned to the front, as he leaned back slightly to whisper to his team, "Guys, Mr. Davenport can't find out I'm controlling you. Just keep quiet and follow my lead. Got it? Why aren't you nodding? Oh right," Chase nodded as his team did the same.

You rubbed your eyes sighing, knowing that he was going to be the death of you. Then, Mr. Davenport walked in, "Deep in the bowels of the academy...is a high-tech maze, complete with obstacles that I can control with this tablet. Electric walls, ninja stars, and my own personal favorite, flaming balls of fury!"

He tapped the tablet showing fire balls on the screen, "The first team to complete the maze wins, but before we start, I need to see both mentors. Adam, Chase, over here," Chase stepped forward, with his team right behind, "Guys can you give us a second? Guys!"

"I got this," Adam said, walking forward to Chase's team, "Back it up nerd herd!" Adam pushed his team back, causing you to slightly chuckle.

"For this challenge, it's just the students," Mr. Davenport informed.

"What? No!" Chase yelled, as your eyes slightly widen knowing that Chase was in trouble.

"Teams, I hope you studied the maze carefully. If not, too bad," Mr. Davenport pressed a button, causing both teams to fall.

"Ahh!" Chase jumped back slightly.

"Don't worry Chase. We can track their progress from over here," Mr. Davenport explained, walking over to the screen, "Adam, your team is off to a great start. Chase, your team hasn't moved at all?" Mr. Davenport stated confusingly, as he watched the screen.

"Ha! Looks like you guys are gonna lose again," Adam mocked.

"Gorilla boy, now is not the time," you commented.

Chase then leaped across the room, before bending backwards slightly and walking forward. Chase jumped as he wiggled to the side with his arms out. Mr. Davenport and Adam looked at Chase weirdly, as you rose your brow in amusement, with a small grin. If you had to be honest, it was really funny watching him.

"What? They keep losing. I have to do my good luck dance," Chase explained, moving his arms and hips. Mr. Davenport gazed at him weirdly once more, as he faced the screen.

"Nice save," you whispered lowly, only for Chase to hear.

~~~~~

You were watching the screen as Mr. Davenport spoke, "Chase, I can't believe it. You're team is actually winning."

Chase was panting as he ran in place, with sweat coaxing his face. Adam the began to mimic Chase.

"Adam, what are you doing?" Mr. Davenport asked.

"I don't know, but it's working for Chase!" Adam answered, as Chase turned to the side, unzipping his jacket and tossing it to the ground, as Adam did the same. You chuckled softly watching both boys, it honestly was quite a sight.

"Let's see. How can I make this more interesting? I know, Flash bombs!" Mr. Davenport exclaimed, as Chase covered his eyes as he ran in place, "Oh, not good enough. Better try my flaming balls of fury," he laughed, as Chase groaned, "Burn, baby, burn!"

Chase then leaped forward as he stood up and twisted his body side to side.

"Chase your team is almost out," Mr. Davenport looked at Chase.

"Oh. Great. Go, team," Chase smiled, before continuing to jump.

"You got this," you whispered as you watched the screen.

"Almost, there. Almost, there," Mr. Davenport repeated a few times as a bell went off, "They made it!"

Chase fell to the floor as you fist pumped the air, "Yeah!" you then bent down checking on Chase, "Hey, you alright Einstein? I told you, you could do it."

"Let's bring them up!" Mr. Davenport announced, tapping his tablet. When both teams came up, Chase's team was on the ground as Adam's team stood.

"Wait, why aren't they celebrating?" Mr. Davenport questioned.

"They finished the maze, they must be exhausted," you lied, covering up for Chase as you briefly glanced at him.

Chase then got up and began to cheer, "Yeah! Whoo! Oh, yeah! We won, we won, we won-"

"Wait a minute!" Adam cut Chase off, "Something's going on here."

"Yeah, it's called failure," Chase replied.

"No, it's not that. I know that really well," Adam walked forward to Chase.

"What are you doing?" Chase asked, as Adam put on his glasses.

"Professor Adam, is about to conduct, a science experiment," Adam replied.

"Adam, don't!" you yelled, as Adam yelled also and stomped on Chase's foot, making Chase yell as he grabbed his foot, with the team mirroring his actions.

"Just as I thought. This proves that they messed with something that caused something to happen, I think," Adam scrunched his face, which you thought was cute.

Mr. Davenport then walked forward, "Chase, care to explain?"

Chase chuckled nervously, as he shrugged, before running out with the team following behind.

"His team wants to be just like him?" you said, as Mr. Davenport shot you a glare.

~~~~~

"Cheating? What were you thinking?" Mr. Davenport asked, as you and Adam followed behind.

"I don't know. I guess I just got carried away," Chase replied.

"Chase, these tests were designed to measure your students' progress, and instead, you turned it into a competition between you and your brother," Mr. Davenport explained, as you watched silently.

"Which I won," Adam mumbled, "And handily," Mr. Davenport, mumbled back, "That's not the point. If you'd been less focused on beating Adam, and more focused on being a good teacher, your team would've had the tools to win themselves."

"Okay. You're right, but just in case can I get a new team?" Chase asked.

"No!"

Chase groaned as he put is head down in frustration, "Fine. I'll work on being a better teacher."

"That's the spirit!" you added.

"Good. Now there's just one last thing for you to do," Mr. Davenport stated.

"Don't worry I'll make it up to my team," Chase spoke,

"Oh, I know you will, but your punishment for cheating is gonna be what it feels like to have someone control you with the override app," Mr. Davenport pointed out.

"What? Who?" Chase asked.

"Me," Adam answered.

"Well, you're dead," you said to Chase, as Mr. Davenport pressed a few buttons.

"Go ahead Adam," Mr. Davenport said, waking away, "Don't mind if I do," Adam answered.

Adam then began to punch his chest, as Chase did the same, yelling 'ow' over and over again.

"This is fun," Adam smiled.

"You do realize you're hurting yourself too?" Chase informed.

"Oh, yeah. Well, let's see who's hurting who," Adam said, as he punched Chase as Chase punched him, "Cut it out! Quit it! I'm not gonna stop until you do!" Adam exclaimed, as you shook your head at both boys.

"I'm done," you stated, walking out.