July 13, 2032 - 5:45am

  “So? Who’s going first?” Bear yawned.

  Crane nudged Monkey mischievously, “I recommend Monkey.”

  “HUH? ME?” Monkey’s jaw dropped, “Why?”

  “You are the bravest among us.” Mantis hid the tiny smirk forming on his face. Crane fist-bumped Mantis as Monkey looked up at the sky arrogantly with his hands on his hips, “I see! I guess I have no choice then! Hehehe.”

  When Monkey entered the hall, Viper, who was observing them, sighed, pinching her nose, “Since when did you team up to collectively bully Monkey?”

  Mantis replied with stifled laughter, “I’ve been feeling stressed as of late and Crane suggested to tease Monkey one time. So I did and it was more fun than I thought when he reacted so gullibly.”

  “Right?” Crane chuckled.

  Tigress glanced at the slouching Bear as she patted his back, “Straighten your back. That’s terrible posture.”

  “Eh?” Bear sulked, “It’s too early in the morning.” But even if he was complaining, he still did as he was told.

  Tigress crossed her arms, “You’re turning 17 this August, you should start acting properly as our leader.”

  “I’m still the leader? I thought that was just in the LAB?” Bear scratched his grumbling belly.

  Viper who overheard them talk, “Of course you are, Bear. Your plans are the best among all of us.”

  “… Then I’ll just be a tactician or something. Viper, you be the leader.”

  Viper’s lips twitched, “You, seriously…”

  But before she could finish….

  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

  “...”

  After hearing Monkey’s wail of despair, Mantis clasped his hands together, “Sorry, Monkey.”

  Junkie’s voice boomed out from within the hall, “OK NEXT!”

  “Dibs not going!” Crane paled since she, no, all of them were not expecting Monkey to scream that loud.

  Viper suggested, “Rock-paper-scissors? Whoever wins gets to be last.”

  Tigress pondered, “Count me out, I’ll go next. You would just be delaying your turn. It’s better to get it done and over with.” Tigress stepped forward and entered the hall bravely.

  The rest played rock-paper-scissors regardless. The order went: Bear, Crane, Mantis and Viper going last.

  KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! GET OFF! GET OFF!

  Tigress was no different from Monkey.

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  “E-even Tigress?” Mantis’ teeth were chattering.

  Bear exhaled as he stepped in front of the door, “Wish me luck.” It was as if it were his last words.

  After a few minutes…

  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

  Crane went deathly colourless despite her already fair skin. Her legs trembled, “… I’ll… see you on the other side.”

  “No… you have to live!” Mantis held her shoulders as the both of them began to sob together.

  Viper rolled her eyes, “Just go. I’m sure Junkie wouldn’t actually harm us.”

  “Where’s your sympathy?!” Mantis’s eyes were red as he glared at her.

  Crane nodded, “That’s right! Just because you aren’t going first!”

  Junkie then yelled once more, “HURRY UP! We don’t have all day!”

  Crane wiped her tears as she clenched her fists, “I’m… going now.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll follow you after.” Mantis waved her goodbye.

  As Crane entered, Mantis fell on his knees and Viper thought…

  Do they really need to put on such a performance?

  Not even a few seconds in, Crane wailed, “I GIVE UP!”

  “Tsk.”

  Mantis clicked his tongue, “She should’ve held out longer.”

  ???

  “I thought you were sympathising with her?” Viper raised her brows at him.

  “That’s that, but now I have to go in.” Mantis huffed.

  Viper pondered.

  I don’t get it. All of us are going regardless?

  Mantis breathed in deeply, “Anyway, since I’m next, I’ll give Junkie a piece of my mind!" He trudged in the hall as Viper held her chin.

  Was Mantis always this type of character?

  I was sure he was more docile?

  Perhaps, was it his studies? Or the farming?

  As she thought of possible reasons for Mantis to grow into a more outgoing and foul-tempered person, she jolted at his feminine wail:

  NYOOOOOOOOOOO—ACK!

  Viper was last. She wondered what awaited her on the other side as she stepped forward bravely.

  She opened the hall doors and entered a pitch-black space. A letter magically popped up in front of her.

  It read:

  Rule: Get the blue flag on the other side.

  “It’s simple enough… I don’t get wh—!” As she threw the letter, she noticed the pitch-black space had turned into a familiar grey space. Men and women in white lab coats walked around as her hands trembled.

  It’s the LAB!

  ***

  Same time - Observing Stadium

  Monkey stifled his laughter as he pointed at Crane and Mantis who were panting and gripping their chests, “You should’ve seen your faces!”

  Crane hugged her knees, “I… don’t want to experience that again.”

  “You mean, the mirrors of you being chubby and with acne?” Monkey clutched his stomach.

  Crane growled at him, “Of course I am! Do you have any idea how much effort I make to keep my appearance flawless?”

  “What the… that was it? And you gave up within seconds?” Mantis huffed.

  Crane rolled her eyes, “Oh please! Says the one who screamed so girly at dolls that stayed still.”

  “THEY WERE IN A HAUNTED MANSION!” Mantis defended.

  Bear sniffled as Tigress comforted him with small pats on his back.

  Mantis noticed that Bear was still affected, “What did he get?”

  Tigress replied for Bear who clung to her even more, “He got a world where there were no snacks, no food, and no chefs. The food in the illusion room was only hard and stale bread.”

  Mantis and Crane were baffled before they accepted it considering Bear’s affinity for snacks and food. Mantis nodded, accepting the reason, “Sounds like a nightmare to Bear. I get it.”

  “You have to stay by my side, ok? I’ll protect you so cook for me a lot…” Bear blew his nose.

  Tigress helplessly chuckled, “Alright. I’ll make your favourite coconut curry tonight then.”

  Crane then asked Tigress, “So? What did you get?”

  Tigress averted her gaze as she wilted at what she went through, “Insects and bugs crawling over me.”

  Crane shuddered, “That’s actually… fair enough.”

  Mantis then asked, “So, did anyone actually get to the flag? Monkey?”

  Monkey’s lips curved up arrogantly, “What do you think?”

  Mantis frowned, feeling displeased. But Junkie replied, “He barely passed though. By the end of it, he was wheezing.”

  “You didn’t have to tell them!” Monkey whined.

  “What did you get anyway?” Tigress asked Monkey curiously.

  Monkey averted his gaze as his ears went red, “Not telling.”

  “No fair!” Crane sulked.

  “You should’ve been first then.” Monkey stuck his tongue out.

  Mantis then glanced at Viper away from the bickering duo, “But, to think Viper’s greatest fear was the LAB itself.”

  Monkey and Crane stopped fighting at his words.

  “… Of course it is.” Monkey worriedly looked at Viper, “She lost too many people there.”

  Junkie leaned forward in his chair, “Seeing it in person is much more horrifying than I thought. Ya got my respect for escaping. It’s a fortress.”

  Mantis asked, “Will she be ok?”

  “To Viper…” Monkey replied softly, “This might be hard.”