It's Saturday morning, the long corridor with doors along the sides was empty, no one was roaming around, no one was falsely sleeping--everyone was asleep.
The bell rang, loudly, making all the participants of the 'Critical Alarm'--a yearly event that is a life-risking event with forty players that only one team or one participant could win, it's all about survival--hesitantly got up from their bunk beds, as the others on the top peacefully climbed down and formed a straight line along with the other participants.

The room doors from the corridor opened, as the participants' faces were blank, no smiles, no grins, just pure blankness; an emotionless expression.

One of the participants escaped the line, as the eyes of the other participants landed on him; making the participant who ran away form a grin on his face and run away like a flaming cheetah.

"Alert, we have an crook on its way," A guard spoke, making his comrades follow him along from way behind, grabbing their swords and chasing after the crook--or, the participant, shall I say.

The lone participant who, I believe is running from corridor-to-corridor, was panting repeatedly, as turned to his left--entering a restricted area--which was only for the Watcher and the Timer.    Luckily, the Watcher and Timer weren't inside of their headquarter, making the lone participant explore and examine their headquarter.

"Huh, I never knew that the Watcher and Timer's headquarter was closed on only a tight place," he quietly said--his name was Drake--he gasped as he heard loud footsteps that seemed to belong to the guard and his comrades.

"We know you're there, open up, young child," One of the guards spoke, as his deep voice made Drake tremble..

"What am I going to do? They're gonna kill me if I open that door.." Drake's mind spoke, as he clenched his fists and took a deep breath, and letted it all out, he took a step forward and reached out for the doorknob, but..

Drake heard a gun click, making him throw his arms up slowly in the air, "It seems like we have a participant lying around our headquarters," the Watcher said--The Watcher is a female unbeatable player of the Critical Alarm, she's the one who keeps things clean, safe and under control, she and the Timer keeps things under their feet, they will rule the games until someone will finally take the risk to kill them, and the only way is to defeat them in deathmatch of the Critical Alarm, and that will happen if the winner of the Critical Alarm summons them to fight, the Watcher has been staying on her role like that for over ten years, while the Timer, remained his role for five years, the old one has been defeated and has been buried by the current Watcher and Timer--making Drake's legs tremble, falling into his knees and fainted, the Timer chuckled, "What a shame, I believe he's not brave enough to take this risk," the Timer said, as he took the gun away from the Watcher's hands, "Don't you think that we should bring him to the Infirmary?" the Watcher said, looking at Drake's fainted body, examining it to see if he has stolen an item that belonged to them. "Fine, tell the guards, I don't really care," the Timer--his name is Leo, he was a brutal fighter, he was the one who defeated the old Timer, he summoned him into a fight, and he won fair and square, a lot of people have heard that he did beat the old Timer and more and more people have been afraid to fight him, he's called as "Sir" publicly in the Critical Alarm games--coldly said, as he walked away, placing the gun on top of the shelves, making the Watcher frown.

The Watcher opened their headquarter door, seeing the guard and his comrades. The Watcher was astonished by this, the Watcher--her name is Lilybeth, she prefers to be called Lily, but of course, she's not called by that publicly in the Critical Alarm, she's called "Madame," "The Watcher" or "Miss Watcher"--immediately wiped her shocked expression away and returned to her cold aura as her bright blue eyes poisoned everyone on her way, "What are you doing here, you filthy trashbags?" the Watcher asked, as her middle-pitched voice stung the guards, "N-Nothing, Madame, we were just trying to summon the crook out of your headquarters," the head of their group spoke as the Watcher blinked twice, "Well, you can take care of him, he fainted, can you bring him to the Infirmary, please? Bring him back to me once he's awake," the Watcher said, as she gave way to the head-guard, "Understood, ma'am," he said, as he carried Drake's fainted body and asked his comrades to bring him to the Infirmary. The Watcher watched their disappearing figures as they went down the stairs before she closed the door towards their headquarters.

"Is he okay?" A participant's voice said, as she stared at her teammate's sleeping body, "I hope he is okay, he's an important part of our team," Another voice of a participant said.      Drake slowly opened his eyes, blinking twice to clear his vision, seeing two blurry figures, "Finally, Drake! You're awake!" The girl participant said, as she smiled widely, "Wait.. I was asleep?" Drake asked, as he sit up straight and looked at his two teammates, "No, you fainted in front of the Watcher and Timer, as I've heard from one of the head guards," she replied with a fading voice, "O-Oh.." Drake said, as he stared out of the window as the sun shined bright before him.

After five minutes or so, a guard barged in, seems like the head-guard from before, "Mister Drake Arches, the Watcher and Timer needs you in the office of meetings," he directedly said, "Alright," Drake said, as he stood up and followed the guard's steps.

"Ugh, this is what I get for escaping the line.. KARMA! Ugh, I get it, no one can get pass through the strict guards and the ruler of this game, I don't even know why I applied for this," Drake's mind said, as he stopped walking as the guard stopped, "Here you are, good luck on talking with them, Mister Drake Arches," the head-guard said, as he walked away.

Drake gathered all his bravery in, and twisted the doorknob and opened the door, as his eyes landed on the Watcher and Timer, arguing about him, the Watcher coughed, "Welcome, Drake Arches, please take a seat," the Timer warmly greeted him and offered him a seat, Drake nodded and took a seat in front of them, and so it begins.

"Mister Drake, I'd be more than glad to remind you about what you did an hour ago," the Watcher began, as she place her arms on the table, those curled ends of her blonde hair, bloody red lips, and bright blue eyes caught Drake deep in a trance, causing him to be distracted, "Mister Drake!" The Watcher called for his attention, as the Timer amusedly watch his partner, "Ah, yes, madame, I am terribly sorry for what I've comitted against you--" he paused, "--and the Timer," he finished, as he cleared his throat, "I have to say, Mister Drake, you are very brave and you managed to escape the line and hid in our headquarters," the Timer spoke with his deep British accent, "Thank you, sir," Drake said, as he just smiled, "I'd like to praise you for that, Mister Drake, and I'd want you to be the leader of the Venice team, and I want you to lead the training everyday--for a month before the Critical Alarm starts, would you like to take the task?" the Watcher said, as her lips formed a bright smile--It's the first time this month that the Watcher formed that bright smile of hers--Drake froze, as if Hell froze, "E-Excuse me?" Drake pardoned, as the Watcher and Timer laughed, "Repeating what I'm saying, I want you to be the leader of the Venice team, and I want you to lead the training everyday, for a month," she said, as she thickened her voice on the last phrase.        Drake knew that the Venice team was the team that would always argue about who they will target, as he have heard their conversations numerous of times, and they want him to lead that team, "But.. Madame! It will take me a lot of time to make them know what teamwork and cooperation is! They're a bunch of cowards!" Drake honestly said, "Mister Drake, that's why we're putting you in charge of that team, we want you to make them know what teamwork and cooperation is," the Timer said, as Drake sighed, although this was the toughest task he recieved, and he couldn't decline this task since the Watcher and Timer doesn't take a no for an answer, he sighed, "Alright, madame, sir, I'll prove to you that I'm worthy for this task," Drake finally said, as the Watcher and Timer looked at each other in amusement, as they nodded at Drake's agreement.          Drake knew that he could prove that he's worthy to be the leader of this team.

It's been a day or two since Drake was announced the new leader of the Venice team, but he hasn't been properly introduced to the team, he's been locked up inside of his old room with his old teammates, he belonged to the Musa team before, but now he's been separated from his best friends and his other friends.

"Everybody--All the teams, please gather around the courtyard immediately," the Watcher announced, as the corridor and its doors opened, making each team form one straight line, each line has their team leader in front of it.

Musa's team leader, Aragona Lou--she has applied for the Critical Alarm games because she needed the prize for her dying mother, her mother's life lies on her arms, and she trained a lot harder than anyone think she did, and she was elected the leader of Musa because of her strength and bravery--Sphere's team leader, Aerick Everett--he applied for the Critical Alarm because his parents thought he was pathetic, a coward and a loser, and he went against them. To prove them wrong, he signed up for the Critical Alarm and he trained at least four hours a day, he was elected the leader of Sphere because of his rebellion, strength and cooperativeness--Lane's team leader, Samantha Gilmore--she applied for the Critical Alarm because she was protected by the walls of her mother and father, and she wanted to change that, by getting out and applying for Critical Alarm, she trained a lot, her parents knew about this and would beg her to come back, but she didn't--Finally, Venice' team leader, Drake Arches--he applied for the Critical Alarm because he found it interesting, he would train everyday, skip his lunch or dinner just to train. He wasn't elected, but he was chosen by the Watcher and Timer.

They have all finally arrived on the Critical Alarm's courtyard, there was a mini-stage in this large courtyard, perfect for making announcements and important gatherings. Everyone looked at each other. The leaders of each team looked coldly at each other, like it seems that they're gesturing each other using their eyes.

The Watcher, Lilybeth Stoneheart and the Timer, Leo Barren has approached the stage and bowed in front of the four teams that have gathered at the courtyard. The Timer gave way to the Watcher as Lily were going to give a speech, "Greetings, my dear Critical Alarm participants, we are here--gathered, to announce and introduce the new leader of team Venice, please come forward, Mister Drake Arches," the Watcher said, as her lips formed a smile.

Drake looked up, as he walked towards the mini-stage, as the Watcher gave him the microphone, "Greetings, fellow teams, and Venice team, I am here--in this stage, to gladly introduce myself, as the new leader of the Venice team," Drake said, as the participants gave him a round of applause, "I am Drake Arches, twenty-one years old, I thank you all for being very supportive for me, including my old team, Musa team, and most of all, I'd like to thank the Watcher and the Timer for making this happen," Drake said, as she bowed, ending his speech, everyone gave him a round of applause.

"Thank you very much, Mister Drake Arches," the Timer began, "I would also like to announce that Drake will lead the everyday-training for one month, right before the Critical Alarm games begin," he ended, as he thickened his British accent on the last phrase. Everyone's eyes widened and started talking about him quietly. "Silence!" the Timer warned, as his British accent stung everyone frozen, the Timer was really amused by this, "You may now go back to your quarters and think about what you will do in the training for tomorrow," the Timer said, as the Watcher smiled as they both made their exit.

Everyone went back to each of their quarters, Drake was left with the Venice team, as they all started yelling at each other.

"Can't you just all be quiet for at least five minutes?!" Drake yelled, as the Venice team stopped arguing about what they will plan for tomorrow, making Drake gather up a deathly aura; shaking his head, he said, "Look, all nine of you are being handled by one leader," Drake began, as he paused to take a deep breath, "And what are you all gonna do if I wasn't here, leading you? Be a crappy team and get your lives away from you because you argue about everything? If someone attacked you during the games, it's not my fault, it's your fault for not listening to my instructions and not knowing what teamwork and cooperation is," Drake ended, as he sat down; the whole Venice team became silent. One of the participants of the Venice team approached Drake, "..Mister Drake, we're very sorry for being like this," she began, as she lowered the tone of her voice, "It's just.. we can't survive properly, we're just a gathered team of seventeen to eighteen year olds, I'm one of them, I look like a seven year old because of my height and my voice, and I act immaturely; the Venice team are glad that you are here to discipline us, we gladly thank you for that, Mister Drake Arches," she ended, as she wrapped her arms around Drake, leading him to a tight embrace.     Drake smiled while this moment was happening.

Today was the day where Drake and his new team plan for the training tomorrow, "So, any ideas for the training tomorrow? Who's gonna be the lead archer, defense manager, melee attackers?" Drake asks, as the whole Venice team started looking at each other and someone raises their hand, "Yes, Mayleene?" Drake asks, pointing to Mayleene, "Ken is pretty good at archery, so he could be the lead archer.." She suggests, as Ken just looked at her with a deadly glare, "Well, I guess he can be the lead archer, practice on your aims, Ken--Alright, for the defense manager?" Drake asks, as someone raises their hand directly, "Umm, I'm pretty good at defense," he said, Drake nodded, "Great, you're on, Eugene--For the melee attackers? Needs to be at least three," Drake asks, three people instantly rose their hands, Drake nodded, "Medics?" Drake asks, as two participants raised their hands, "Survival experts?" Drake lastly asked, as the last three participants rose their hand, Drake nodded. "Alright, I suppose we're ready for tomorrow's training, I'll be assigning each of you in different tasks so that you can train yourselves more to be a medic, archer, melee expert and survival expert, good luck, Venice," Drake said, as he tilted his head slightly to the right--from the corner of his eye, he spots two pairs of eyes were laid on him, as those two pairs of eyes suddenly disappeared with one blink. Could it be the Watcher and the Timer? Who knows.

"I told you spying on that kid was a bad idea," the Timer said, as the Watcher followed ahead, "Don't you realize that I'm only doing this to see if he's actually doing his job? You don't have to come if you don't want to, you can just say no, Leo," the Watcher coldly said, as the Timer opened the door that lead to their headquarters, and slamming the door shut; locked before the Watcher could even get in, "Leo! Open up! Don't leave me here, please!" The Watcher pleaded, but the door was kept shut, "Serves you right.." The Timer from the other side of the room said, making the Watcher walk away.

The Watcher knocked agressively on the Guard Lounge's door, as the head-guard that rested here opened the door with an astonished face, "Ah! Madame, what brings you here?" Head-guard asked, clearing his throat, "I want you to give me a knife this instant," the Watcher ordered, as the head-guard brought out a knife and hand it to her; The Watcher ran away as she almost tripped with her high heels. A minute of running back to the headquarters, the door was still locked. The Watcher forcedly stabbed holes on the wall, making her grunt. The Timer was alarmed by this, he opened the door and saw the Watcher, he was almost stabbed in the face as The Watcher was mindlessly repeatedly stabbing the wall. By this, the Timer grabbed her wrist before she could even take the chance to stab him, "What are you doing?!" The Timer asked, as his chocolate brown eyes flamed and the Watcher's bright blue eyes froze upon him, traumatized that she had almost stabbed her own partner in business, "..I..I'm sorry, Leo.." The Watcher said, as she let the knife go, "I'm sorry that I locked you out, too, Lily," the Timer said, as they both locked each other into an embrace.

A day later, it was finally the training, everyone was up all night practicing for the training, and some of them fell asleep, they were all called to the Critical Alarm's gymnasium.      It was now time.