War of the schools (Revisited) IV

A little known fact- At the time when this was written, Kyle was bent on becoming a professional wrestler. Just keep it in mind.



War of the schools

Episode 4: The white alliance



They sped away from the fallen citadel of St Patrick’s school. They cycled for miles. Not knowing what to do. All they knew was to follow the lead rider. It was the early afternoon. Around 1 to 2 p.m.

Kyle: Damn this heat is killing me. And my legs are tired. How much further to Whitley road?

Shane: Just a while. Maybe a couple more times over the horizon.

Samuel: Actually we are pretty close already. Don’t worry guys.

Ryan: That’s easy for you to say (Pants)

Kyle: Haha like I said man, its good exercise.

Joshua: Kyle, stop joking. We just got defeated at our own school

Shane: But what can we do? Crying over it wont make anything better either.

Samuel: By the way, did any of you see Wei Jie?

They looked around far into the back of the ranks of white.

Ryan: Somehow if he was still here he would be right here blabbing about.

Samuel took out his phone and noticed it was out of battery. He removed the battery pack and slipped it into his pocket.

Samuel: Kyle, could I borrow your battery for a while. I need to check my phone.

Kyle: Sure. (Takes out his N-Gage and passes the battery to Samuel)

He inserted the battery into the phone and the minute it lighted up, the message alert screen came up. He had 15 new messages. All of which were sent by Wei Jie.

Samuel: Oh crap

Shane: What?

Samuel: (Shows Shane the messages)
Message screen

Wei Jie

Yo Sam. I had to go back to the hall to get my sword. Some idiot just locked the door I cant get out.

Oi you there or not

Faster leh reply. (this appeared 9 times)

Uh oh the VJC ppl are here. Where are you all? I’ve been waiting here for-

Ryan: Hmmm. I think he was captured

Samuel: -_- duh

Joshua: Crap. What if they torture him and interrogate him?

Shane: Don’t worry. The good thing about Wei Jie is that he doesn’t let out secrets. That is if he knows any.

Samuel: Don’t worry. We’ll be back for him. And those people will pay for taking him hostage.

Kyle: I’m too tired to worry about fighting for the time being. Lets just keep pedaling.

So onward they pedaled in the blistering heat. Sweat dropped to the ground as the patricians cycled to SJI. They traveled in scattered formation. They were in small groups far away from each other. Finally after about 2 hours they reached the green fences of SJI. Within them lay the second white citadel. It reminded them of St. Patrick’s but that didn’t really make anything better.

Ryan: Its not as big as our school but its pretty okay.

They waited at the gate as the security guard went to get his orders. He came back with a smile on his face and opened the gates. They filtered into the compound and continued all the way into the field. There they assembled as they awaited their hosts.

Kyle: Ah. Good old SJI. I remember when I came here for LLTC.

Ryan: LLTC?

Kyle: Lasallian leadership training camp. Was a memorable experience in sec 3.

Shane: Yeah I remember. I was supposed to go but I had a cricket match.
Samuel: Heh. I wouldn’t have gone even if I had the chance.

Joshua: Why are you always so negative about everything

Samuel: Because a camp like that is a waste of time.

Ryan: Why?

Samuel: I don’t need someone to gauge whether I can be a leader. All I have to do is believe that I am.

Kyle: You have a point there. I guess.

The courtyard came to a silence as a man clothed in a white robe came up to the podium. He was none other than brother Michael Broughton. Principal of SJI. Lak the wise followed close behind him and stood at his side.

Brother Michael: Fellow Lasallians. We have heard of the attack from your messenger who was sent. We all know it was a terrible thing. But for now, there is nothing much we can do. All I can offer you is our hospitality for the time being. Please make yourselves at home. Our students will aid you in any way they can. Now I must attend to some matters with your principal. For now, you can move freely. But by nightfall we need to gather back at the court. Carry on.

Kyle: Well that was quick. At least Mr. Lak is fine.

Samuel: Yes. I didn’t see him though. He must have taken his car.

Randall: Eh hi.

Shane: Hi Randall how was the run all the way here.

Randall: Bloody tiring.

Kyle: Well it’s a good thing you got here to tell them about the attacks. Victoria joined the invasion and took the school.

Randall: No wonder you all had to retreat.

Ryan: Ya we kind of got overrun.

Randall: Phew. The bloody sun is so hot. We better go inside and rest a bit. We can’t do anything now anyway.

Kyle: Yeah you’re right. Lets go.

They went into the canteen. There, the SJI students had gathered in small groups to help with the medical care needed. Kyle went to the drink machine to get drinks for the party. He saw a familiar face within the small crowd as he collected the drinks from the machine. It was Reuben D’cruz. A former student of St. Michael’s primary and classmate of Kyle. They used to play cricket together in the primary school league but he had switched to hockey since cricket in SJI closed down.

Kyle: Hey Reuben! What’s up man.

Reuben: Oh hi Kyle, long time no see. How are you?

Kyle: Okay I guess but the school kinda got overtaken.

Reuben: Don’t worry. I heard that theres a plan going out to retake it. But it won’t come into play just yet so all you have to do is sit tight.

Kyle: Yeah. So where are we going to be staying during this short visit?

Reuben: Well our classes are kind of full so you’ll have to sleep in the corridors or the canteen.

Kyle: I think the field would be a better place. Unless it rains of course.

Reuben: The field huh? I think I can get the scouts to set up some shelters there if you want.

Kyle: Really? Hey that’d be cool. Good to see you again man but I have to pass these drinks to my friends now. Catch up with you later man.

Reuben: Yeah will seeya soon. Go relax.

He waved to Reuben as he walked back into the open and met his friends under the shade of a tree. He sat down on the grass in between Joshua and Shane.

Kyle: (Passing around the drinks) My friend Reuben said we’d have to sleep in open areas like the canteen or the corridors while we are here. But I guess its better than nothing.

Shane: Damn this is like a school camp all over again.

Ryan: Hope they don’t serve that catered food in those Styrofoam boxes. Yuck.

Joshua: Ya I wanna eat nachos.

Kyle: (Yawns) You know what we can talk about this later I’m going to take a nap.

Shane: Sounds like a good idea.

Samuel: Nice shade and everything. Wake me up when the brother calls us.

Ryan: Me too. Good night- uhh I mean afternoon-whatever.

Kyle: Aren’t you gonna finish your drinks,

Shane: Oh.

Joshua: Yeah

Samuel: Forgot bout them

Ryan: zzzzzzzz

The sun turned from bright orange to a light pink as it descended into the evening sky. Kyle woke up from his long nap and so did the others. By now, the courtyard was filled with chattering patricians and josephians. They were side by side. The brotherhood between the two schools had never been as close as this. Well, to say the least, SJI and SPS weren’t always on good terms after all but the Lasallian spirit brings them together when needed. In the center of the courtyard, a bonfire burned strong. As the sky darkened, it warmed the Lasallians and lit up the yard as well. Brother Michael Broughton walked into the center of the courtyard, next to the fire. Lak the wise joined him as well. As a sign of respect, everyone kept quiet. Samuel and the rest joined the group, which was around the fire. They formed a ring around the blaze and the two leaders stood in the center. Lak the wise then began to speak.

Lak the wise: From what I saw this morning, we lost because of 3 reasons. One, we were outnumbered. Two, we were taken by surprise. And three. How many of you. How many of you, were afraid to hit the enemy? Well? How many?

Slowly, hands came up among the patricians. Then more and more. Lak the wise rubbed his forehead. Samuel and Shane were surprised to see that Kyle had his hand up as well.

Lak the wise: Why? Why were you afraid?

Kyle: We’ve never really been in a battle before—

Lak the wise: So? That doesn’t mean all of you are going to cower in fear just because you haven’t experienced warfare before. If someone wants to punch you. Are you going to just let him smack you in the face.

Kyle: well

Lak the wise: NO! You wouldn’t. You’d smack him for even thinking about it. Why didn’t you think of that when they were trying to take our school from us? If you can fight like barbarians among yourselves, why can’t you fight against those who mean us harm? All of you! To live is to fight. To fight for what you hold dear to you. To fight is to defend all that you treasure and not let a hurting hand lay a finger on it! Andre! The next time someone attacks you what will you do?

Andre: Fight back sir?

Lak the wise: Yes! Brian! If someone wanted to take you out of your place at school. What would you do?

Brian: Fight!

Lak the wise: Exactly. Kyle, if someone took something you hold dear away from you and threatened to destroy it. What would you do.

At that moment, Kyle beheld the vision of his lifelong dream, a contract with the WWE being snatched from his hand and burnt. He swayed for a moment on the spot as he thought.

Kyle: Fight.

Lak the wise: Yes! We will fight!

Patricians: Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight!

Lak the wise: That is right students. We will fight. Can I count on you to fight for the white citadel when we return to free it from the enemies clutches?

Patricians: Yes!

Lak the wise: then it is settled. We shall fight for our honor, for our pride, and for everything we stand for. And we will prevail.

Patricians: OOOHHHHH!!!!!

The patricians all gave a huge cheer as they found their new zeal. Brother Michael then started to speak as the noise died down.

Brother Michael: Patricians and Josephians. Today, an attack was launched on St. Patrick’s school and caused you all to seek shelter here. We are most honored to have you all here. However something must be done about the threat. As brother schools, we have to help each other. So we have come up with a plan.

A huge chatter broke out as he said those words.
Brother Michael: Please keep silent. Our plan is, to reclaim St. Patrick’s school. And we are going to do it by whatever means necessary. And to do that we have now formed what we would like to call, the white alliance. St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s riding side by side. Brothers in arms. Just like the old days. What do you think of that Lak?

Lak the wise: It sounds like a brilliant idea.

Brother Michael: And that it is. The Lasallian spirit will guide you all. I am sure of that. We can work together to drive out that threat and put an end to the war. Can I get a yes to that?

Patricians and Josephians: (faintly) yes

Brother Michael: I can’t hear you!

Patricians and Josephians: YES!

Brother Michael: Then we shall ride together and we shall be victorious!

Patricians and Josephians: YES!

Brother Michael: It is good to see that you are all willing. It is getting late. Shall we call it a night? Patricians. You may sleep anywhere you wish. Josephians proceed to your classes. We all need rest. Keep the fire burning for our guests. Good night my friends.

As Brother Michael and Lak the wise left the courtyard, so did the Josephians. The patricians scattered once again.

Reuben: Hey Kyle. We set up some scaffold shelters there if you want to sleep out in the open tonight. Have a nice night dude.

Kyle: Thanks a lot Reuben. See you soon.

Soon only a handful of people were left in the yard. Kyle and the rest of them settled down on the grass in the sleeping bags that the josephians had provided them. The night was unusually starry.

Kyle: Nice sky up tonight eh?

Ryan: Yeah.

Joshua: There must be a majillion billion stars and we get like 30 to look at? Oh wait sorry 32.

Samuel: That’s what you get for light pollution.

Shane: I’m going to sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be an eventful day. Not like this one.

Kyle: Yeah I think we should all call it a night.

Samuel: Agreed. Well good night dudes.

All: Good night.

As his eyes, which were fixed on the night sky slowly, closed, there was one thought that echoed through Kyle’s mind. Fight. Fight for the thing that is dear to you. Fight.