Principal: "The last part is 'Test of Time'. Each of you will be provided a map of the city and enough cash. You will pair up into teams of two again for this last part. You and your partner must collect one of the five cards pinpointed on the map. When you collect that card, you must head to the building marked at the middle. Right in the center of the city, The Cleft. That's the building you will take your card, and it will be the end of your test. We are currently at the East Side of the city so it will be a long distance to traverse on foot."
Random person: "What happens when we enter the building?"
Principal: "I'm afraid I can't say. You will find out once you pass. So try your hardest. I have assigned the final teams up on the board next to me. Get familiar with your partner and prepare. Resources will be passed around shortly."
Everyone in the group walks up to their partner. Kassius walks to Bonnie and they both high five each other. Arnold walks up to Jinsoku, noticing his discomfort.
Arnold: "Are you injured?"
Jinsoku: "Well, kind of. The last part was rough on me."
Arnold: "I understand."
Marcus stares at Jinsoku, unamused.
Marcus (in head): "What a waste. I've lost interest."
Sarah: "Marcus! Marcus! Get over here."
Marcus: "Yeah, yeah. I heard ya."
The room fills with conversation as they all prepare. Kassius opens the map in front of Bonnie.
Kassius: "So what's our plan?"
Bonnie: "Well, there's five cards. We'll just go for the one least likely to be gone for. There's a card somewhere in the East nearby, and in the West, South and North too. There's also one right in the Center, where The Cleft is."
Kassius: "What are these circles?"
Bonnie: "Hmm... Maybe-"
Kassius: "Oh. I get it."
Jinsoku: "The landmarks. It has to be that. This city has five major landmarks including The Cleft, on each side of the city. It has to be at each one. And we'll go for this one."
Jinsoku whispers something into Arnold's ear.
Arnold: "That's an odd plan, but I'm fine with it. Are you sure?"
Jinsoku: "Very."
Bonnie looks at Kassius in surprise.
Bonnie: "That actually makes a lot of sense. Since when were you this smart?"
Kassius: "I have some moments. I say we go to the South. We're familiar with that area."
Bonnie: "Alright. No problem."
Principal: "It's time! Everyone follow me to the gate!"
They all walk out of Furantur. As they approach the gates, Kassius looks at the sky, bright and blue.
Kassius (in head): "Just one part left."
Principal: "A few words before you go. First, these are additional rules to this game. One, you are allowed to use physical force to take the cards from others. However, you are forbidden to kill anybody. We do not want to manage this sort of issue with the public. Two, both teammates must be present in order for you to enter. You cannot abandon your partner and enter alone or you will be disqualified. And finally, there is a time limit. Considering the lengthy journeys around the city, you have four hours. Any time beyond that and you fail even if you have the card. Earlier, I had said ten people will pass but I worded it incorrectly. In reality, it is only possible for ten to pass. So less passing is also possible. Always be aware of the time. It is 8 AM. At 12 PM, the test will conclude."
The gates open up.
Principal: "Good luck."
They all sprint out of the gates and runs off into the city. They spread off into different routes. Over at The Cleft, inside, a man with greyish hair, near black eyes and brown skin is standing in a fairly wide yet empty room with no windows but a vent at a point in the ceiling. He is fairly short and wears a full black suit with a red tie. Looking down at his watch, he taps his feet rapidly on the ground.
Man: "It's started. I can't wait to see the new group. This is gonna be interesting. Romulus better not have lied about them."
Kassius and Bonnie run through the streets.
Kassius: "Let's head to the train station. We can get to the South in no time with it."
Bonnie: "Alright-"
Bonnie (in head): "...So that's how it is?"
Bonnie: "Yo. Change of plans. We're being followed. Head for the train. I'll meet you there."
Kassius, confused, nods and they both split into two directions.
Kassius (in head): "What happened?"
Bonnie runs and runs down the long road. She turns into a thin alley and reaches a dead end. Two people enter it, seeing her at the end.
Bonnie: "Why didn't you follow him?"
Person 1: "You're our guarantee. We'll use you as blackmail for your friend to give us the card."
Bonnie: "And you thought I'd be the easier one to get?"
Person 1: "Don't get confident. Like we'd let you leave here."
Bonnie: "Try me."
He runs forward at her and throws a punch. She slips past it and shoves him to the side, hitting him into the wall. Without a thought, she runs toward the exit of the alley.
Person 2: "You aren't going anywhere!"
Bonnie kicks off the walls and jumps over him. She lands on the floor and starts running.
Bonnie: "Bye!"
Bonnie starts running down the street. She reaches the end where traffic is blocking up the road and runs between cars, getting across the street. Kassius finally reaches the train station and looks at the board.
Kassius (in head): "Five minutes. I hope she makes it..."
Kassius looks to his side and sees a man sat on the bench.
Kassius: "Wait, you're that guy from the train yesterday. Oh, you won't believe what happened. My wallet wa-"
The adult man plugs in earphones.
Kassius: "Wow... heh. Ok."
On a different side, Arnold heads down a street quickly.
Arnold (in head): "So The Cleft is one of them. I have to be there first."
Arnold notices a few otherd running on the other side of the road.
Arnold (in head): "Jinsoku was right. Many people would come to this one."
Arnold continues running. Jinsoku arrives at a station and gets on the train.
Jinsoku (in head): "North is the second option. I hope I can get there."
Jinsoku sits down. As he looks around, he notices harsh looks towards him, and adults moving their children away.
Jinsoku (in head): "It's always the same..."
Jinsoku lies down and starts sleeping. Marcus heads on a bus.
Marcus (in head): "The East is the smartest move. It isn't that far from here. I'll get this quickly and I'll be out of here. Hopefully Sarah does her job right."
Sarah runs down the road at a hurried pace.
Sarah (in head): "'Go for the middle'. Marcus, you asshole! I should hit him so hard his skull explodes."
Sarah looks across the street and sees Arnold.
Sarah (in head): "He might be the only competition here..."
Bonnie continues to run as the two guys tail right behind her. She cuts a turn and gets kicked back onto the ground before she could react. Getting back on her feet, the one chasing catches up and tries to kick her but she blocks him.
Person 1: "Wha-"
She quickly turns and punches him directly in the gut, making him cough. He falls to the ground in pain. The other tries to jump in but Bonnie grabs his arm and slams him into the pavement.
Bonnie: "Maybe next year guys."
Bonnie leaves them and continues running until the end of the street.
Bonnie (in head): "There's the train."
She runs and runs. Quickly sprinting up the stairs, she reaches the platform area. She quickly jumps in the train before it closes.
"Bonnie!"
Bonnie looks around and sees Kassius up ahead. She walks up to him, holding her forearm.
Kassius: "Are you okay?"
Bonnie: "Yeah. Nothing really."
Speaker: "THIS TRAIN IS FOR SOUTHERN VAGIS. NEXT STOP IS VAGIZ PLAZA."