This hurt a little trying to get out. But it's here!
Disclaimer: Obviously not ours

Intermission

"Well, didn't see that one coming."

The group plus Nathan, a blonde, blue eyed music enthusiast, sat on the grass around the courtyard. It was interval, and chaos surrounded them; the news must have reached Social Networking as there were reporters surrounding the area.
Microphones were being forced onto parents who had arrived to collect their children, teachers and the FBI trying control the situation to resemble some form of calm.
Those who yet made a decision or had chosen to stay were in their little huddles among their friends. Hushed whispers added to the general noise that was beginning to grate in Alex's mind.
The Gridiron team didn't seem overly bothered, they just threw the ball around the field like any other day. Or maybe that was their way of coping.
Sabina had yet to make an appearance.

"Like, this is absolutely insane".

Nathan was scanning the area as he mindlessly plucked the cords of his guitar, his fingers going through riffs the boy had learnt, not bothering to finish one before starting another.
Time felt absent, the only constant being the underlied feeling of fear and confusion. In reality, they had only been outside for about ten minutes, having vetoed a warm classroom to sit outside in the chilled January air to watch events unfold. Alex scanned the faces of his friends, despite his own rising panic of the situation, none of them seemed too bothered. Ellie was sat next to him, one leg crossed, engrossed in her cell phone. Oscar was across from Nathan, shredding blades of grass, his legs propped up for Andi, who was using them for a backrest.

He doubted that the severity of events had quite settled on them yet.

"Yeah, no kidding", Alex deadpanned as he regarded Nathan's paled face, "This Friday has become way more eventful than I thought it would".

A smirk flickered across Oscar's face from behind the grass he was attempting to braid. Alex wasn't even sure it the girls were aware of the conversation, Andi had traded expecting her nails for watching the crowds around her, Ellie remained in her phone, face scowled and fingers moving at a ridiculous speed across her touch screen. It was so unlike her, Alex couldn't help but to wonder who she was texting.

Nathan's hands stilled against the guitar cords as he shifted his weight on his crossed legs. His eyes flicked up to meet Alex's.

"Don't you think this is all kind of ridiculous," Nathan shifted his weight again, "I mean what could possibly justify targeting this place, it's a public school for sanity's sake! Someone purposefully flooded the toilets only a week ago."

The raising pitch of Nathan voice grasped the attention of the entire group, the normally easygoing boy looked like he was on the verge of a panic attack.

"And now", he continued, "an organisation has apparently targeted this place, for unknown reasons, with no obvious means to an end. They just decided to. It's like an underdeveloped plot to a James Bond film...or a bad fanfiction".

Nathan released a shaky breath and ran a nervous hand through his overgrown hair. Alex felt guilty, he was capable of a lot of things but providing emotional support for a friend was not one of them. Seeing the frightened look on Nathan's face and the shock on the others made him feel like a terrible mate. Out of everyone, he should be more than able to provide understanding, but no words came. What could he say? He had the same questions and no answer other than he was probably the target. Not much of a reassuring sentiment.

Ellie leant over and gave Nathan's shoulder a squeeze. Andi had sat up from her brother's legs, concern written across her face. Oscar looked as if he was still pondering what Nathan had said.

"He's right," Oscar broke the silence that had settled over them, "Why would they target here? No one attending is particularly wealthy or have important parents. You couldn't find a more middle-class school in the area than this place."

"Carly Adams looks like she is going to hurl," Andi cut in with the seemingly random comment. She wasn't wrong though, the red-headed senior that Alex had seen occasionally with Sabina was actually turning green. She was headed toward the exit with a woman that could only have been her mother. They were pretty identical other than the woman's dark hair. Alex couldn't help but wonder how the school was actually going to be able to provide tutors for everyone leaving. Did they think the number would be smaller than it was becoming?

Oscar pinched his sister under the ribs and she slapped his hand away.
"I'm just saying. All the foliage in the area should be fearing her impending barf".

Oscar just rolled his eyes while Nathan shook his head at her in disbelief.

"Are you really surprised, Andi? Who are you to judge her? Can't you take anything seriously? People want us dead". The sudden change of tone of the conversation caused Alex to jump slightly. Andi looked like she was about to retort but Alex didn't let her.

"Guys, lets not get hostile. Okay? We don't know that. No one actually knows what's going on".

"Yeah, it's not like we are the actual targets, so let's not worry ourselves sick or turn on each other".

Everyone turned to look at Ellie, who had been silent up to that point. She was texting again, her eyes not leaving the screen.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked. Ellie huffed and gave eye contact to everyone.

"Think about it," She flicked her fringe out of her eyes, "We're too random to actually be the target. We are probably just a distraction, get all of the government's resources here and then attack elsewhere."

Despite the fact that Alex himself was a variable she wasn't able to consider, her analysis seemed very accurate. Why would they target the entire school? Assuming that Phoenix was connected to Scorpia, a large scale assault on the school seemed a bit much, a waste of resources even. If Alex was the target, why not just kill him and him alone. A staged mugging, caught in the crossfire of a gang fight. It wouldn't be a difficult task to complete. Especially now his association with MI6 had ended.

And that was just an assumption. If Phoenix wasn't connected to Scorpia, there was no obvious motive or gain from attacking the school.
This all crossed Alex's mind while the rest of the group stared at Ellie like they had never seen her before.

"You know," Oscar started, eyes wide, "You scare me sometimes. The things you come up with, like I would never want to be on your bad side out of fear of what you might do to me."

Alex let out a laugh, causing Andi to startle, "Yeah, Ellie the criminal mastermind; make sure she has a never ending stock of red hair dye and colour protect shampoo or she'll come after you and your family."

Everyone cracked up laughing at that, Nathan continued with his own ribbing,

"Yeah and don't you dare touch her donuts or severe bodily harm may befall you,"

"I'm more creative than that, don't forget who has to talk you through playing Hitman," Ellie quipped dryly.

Everyone laughed a little harder at that, the seriousness of the situation surrounding them faded away, making everything feel like a normal day. It didn't last long though, their laughter died down and the sound of the chaos around them returned.

"In all seriousness though, you're probably right," Alex shifted his weight and adjusted the collar of his jacket as a cool breeze cut through the air.

"Strategically speaking, it's a little random. I mean, who announces a crime before they go through with it? What's to gain from it?"

Ellie nodded at him, while the others looked mildly interested in what he was suggesting.

"That was my thinking, it's not 'Oh we have targeted schools, give us money'."Ellie's hands gestured randomly as she spoke, the one clasping her phone becoming a bit of a weapon, "It's 'We've targeted this school, for no obvious reason'."

"That we know of," Andi stated, her expression as flat as her tone.

Ellie shrugged and twirled her phone in her hand twice before unlocking the screen to answer another text.

"So…" Oscar began, "What is everyone's plan exactly? Any of you actually dropping out?'

Silence fell on them again, it was probably the first time any of them had bothered to give any thought on it. Honestly, Alex hadn't really thought about it, but that was probably an answer in itself.

"I won't," four pairs of eyes looked at him, "I mean, how will the school actually get tutors for everyone? I'd rather stay here, in some kind of normalcy than be at home fearing something that might not happen."

"Yeah, with ya there," Oscar said, Andi nodding next to him, "Ellie?"

The small girl had a pensive look on her face, she was one of the few people Alex couldn't really get a read on. The only way he would know what she was thinking, was if she told him; he could never work it out for himself.

"I think I'll stay, just for the sake of routine," she paused, "and because I am rather curious as to how this pans out."

Alex had a feeling that would be the case, one of the few things he understood about Ellie, there was nothing she hated more than being out of the loop. She would stay just to be in the know.

"Well I don't think I'll be able to stay," Nathan picked up his guitar and started playing again, a slow, disjointed rendition of Master of Puppets surrounded the five friends. "I don't mind either way, to be honest, but my Mom won't let me stay. And I don't think Dad has ever disagreed with her."

"That's a point." Oscar muttered, sparing a small glance at his sister. "Dad would probably let Andi and I stay but I can't say for sure. That's a shame though, we could've teamed up, go all Famous Five and solve the case ourselves."

It was probably meant as a joke, but Alex didn't find the prospect funny. Andi's head whipped round to look at her brother, causing Nathan to get a mouthful of her ponytail.

"Famous Five?" She started with Nathan sputtering beside her as he pick her hair off his tongue, "What are you? Fifty?"

A deep blush grew up from Oscar's neck to his cheeks, Alex came to his rescue,
"Well, there are five of us."

"Yeah," Oscar defended, "Plus it was a really long summer at Grandma's last year and there wasn't a lot of reading material. You don't have to be so judgy, they aren't that bad of a series once you get past the old fashioned-ness part of it"

Andi smirked, "So once you get past all of it, it's a good series."

Oscar huffed and pulled a face that only be described as a pout, which looked ridiculous on the sixteen year old's face, "I think you are missing the point."

"I didn't, if I didn't have to drop out, we could've all gone 'round playing detectives. I really hope you're joking by the way".
Oscar smirked at Nathan, "Of course I was," he paused "although, it could be fun". His suggestive tone was unnerving.

"Doubt it." Nathan scoffed, however the corner of his mouth twitched into a crooked smile. Andi watched the two in disbelief.
"Oh, no. It's a stupid idea, El, back me up."
Ellie tilted her head in amusement, "Forget stupid. It's a ridiculous idea, actually,"
"Probably a federal offense, honestly," Alex added into the chorus of disagreement.

But Oscar was never one to be bothered by negativity and now was no exception. Alex watched him roll his eyes at them, completely oblivious to reality of his suggestion.

"It doesn't matter anyway, 'cause Nathan won't be here," Oscar continued, "And what would we be then. 'Fantastic Four', they suck so that's out; the only other option that comes to mind is the 'Fearsome Foursome' but sounds too much like a horrible kink to ever be cool".

The group of friends collectively grimaced. A small gust of wind crossed the field causing Alex to shiver. He checked the time on his phone, it was still a good 15 minutes until interval ended, the way time was dragging seemed almost unbelievable. And Sabina still hadn't sought him out, Alex was surprised by that. He hoped she hadn't gone and arranged things without asking him first.
Ellie straightened and pulled out her phone again,

"You know what," she began whilst typing out another small text and sending it off, " Lets humor you, Oscar."

"Wait, what?" Surprise was clear in Oscar's voice and everyone's attention was now on Ellie.
She continued, "Just to kill some time, what do we know so far?"

"Fuck all," Nathan stated flatly. "Yeah, not even that," Andi added, "just a criminal organisation has targeted us and now the Feds are everywhere".

Ellie shook her head, disappointed, "Weren't any of you guys listening to the Faust guy?" Alex had, and honestly, the man hadn't said much but he knew what she was getting at.

"We know they are called Phoenix."

Ellie smiled at him, "Exactly! Thank you, Alex. And what do we know about phoenixes?"

Nathan shrugged, "I don't know, Dumbledore had one."

Andi's face lit up as she grinned, "Yeah, Fawkes! I love him, wonder what happened to him?", Oscar gave her a side look.

"He flew off after Dumbledore was killed, remember?"

Andi sat up straight and tightened her ponytail, "Yeah, but where did he go? Did he just return to where all of the other phoenixes hang out? Did he go find another wizard to be a familiar too?"

Alex flicked his eyes between Andi as she held the guys attention and Ellie, who looked a little exasperated.

"Andi," Alex cut in, "I don't see what this has to do with the conversation,"

Ellie nodded while a faint blush grew over Andi's face. Oscar and Nathan looked mildly amused.

"So," Ellie continued her line of questioning, "outside the realm of Harry Potter," she paused, "and sports, I guess"; both Nathan and Oscar huffed out a small laugh.

"Like any of us follow sports," Oscar's gaze focused on Alex, "except you, probably."

Alex smiled and shook his head, "I only support and follow Chelsea," Alex thump his chest and exaggerated his accent, "I dinnat care 'bout no Phoenix."

Oscar let out a rather undignified snort causing the rest of them to them to laugh more than what Alex's statement called for, a statement that, as they laughed, Alex tried to weigh up the honesty in its double meaning.

Nathan's face and voice filled with joking admiration, "Such loyalty, what would the team do without it?"

"Cry, obviously."

Alex deadpanned, with a smirk crossing his lips. Another round of light laughter circled the group, Ellie's phone buzzed twice as it lay in the grass.

She picked it up, quickly scanned the screen and put it in her pocket.

"Anyway," Ellie said, smiling, "still humoring Oscar, do we actually know anything about phoenixes in general?"

"Well, it's a mythical bird that spontaneously combusts when its gets old buts how that fits into the context of a crime ring, I don't know." Oscar shrugged, Nathan slung his guitar off his shoulder and began to pack it away in its case, it wasn't long till the next class.
And still no sign of Sabina…

"That's a good point, it's not really a name I'd give an organisation right off, bit too… I don't know, pretentious, maybe." A thoughtful look crossed Nathan's face as he tried to find the right words, "Do you guys know what I mean? Like a bunch of baddies, sitting around a table, trying to name their new club and they choose Phoenix? Why?"

Alex was only half listening to the conversation now, thinking about the probabilities made him really uncomfortable. He was too familiar with the realities of this situation to have fun with it. Besides he had other things to find out.
Alex opened his phone and flicked Sabina a text,

Hey, havent seen you yet
Whats the plan
Are we staying

Andi clapped her hands and quickly sat up straighter, "Hold on," she brought up the palms of her hands in front of her in a sign of 'stop, I have an idea!'.
"The phoenix is a symbol of, like immortality and rebirth right? So what it the name isn't just a new group but a old one?"
Alex felt ill, he had already considered what Andi was suggesting and he really didn't want to go into that territory.
His phone buzzed,

Ive sorted it,
Not Staying

Alex frowned at his screen, Nathan's voice fading to the background,
"Like a rebrand, someone cocked up massively and everything has been restructured because of it, it's not uncommon…"
He released a deep breath and started typing.

Why didnt you come find me
I want to stay

It didn't take long for her to reply,

I dont think thats a good ides
*idea
Probably best if we just got tutors

"Are you alright, Alex?" Alex looked up at Ellie's concerned face, "You're scowling".

Andi chuckled, "Scowling, more like trying to set his phone on fire with his mind".

Alex shook his head a little. "Yeah fine, I need to go find Sab though, she's gone and organised things without me."

Alex stood, and brushed grass off of his jeans. Oscar smiled, "You tell her mate, that we need you; Furious Five man, Furious Five".

Nathan smirked, "Pretty sure that's copyrighted bro, besides have you met Sabina? She's uptight as hell". Nathan's face dropped, "Uh, no offense man".

Andi smiled, and whispered, "Offense intended". Oscar punched her in the arm,"Just cause you don't like her". Andi poked her tongue at him, "And we all know you do".

Alex scoffed, "C'mon mate, she's just not that fond of people she doesn't know very well". He thought back to some of the long conversations he and Sabina had had about that day at the hospital...the doctor...her naivety, he shook his head. "You just need to give her time, y'know?"

Andi scoffed, "Yeah, like a century maybe".

Alex frowned, he failed to understand why Sabina and Andi clashed so often.

He unlocked his phone and quickly typed,

WRU? Must talk

His phone popped backed at him.

Science block, if you must but I sorted it

"You're scowling again". Everyone was looking up at him, Nathan frowned.
"If you need to leave mate, just go; we've got this".
Alex smiled and nodded, "And we were so close to a breakthrough," he held out his fist and Nathan bumped it, followed by Oscar, "I'll see you guys later".

"Yeah, see ya mate".

Alex turned and began to walk away when Ellie's voice rang out after him,

"Don't forget, it's History next!"

Alex turned to walk backwards while giving her a mocking salute; smiling, he turned forward again and began to cross the field and into the trees that shortcutted the way back to school.

Still smiling to himself, Alex calmly strolled through the brush, when a twig snapped behind him. As Alex swung round, a large hand covered his mouth, and a foot kick him in the back of the knee. He was dragged back further into the trees as his leg gave out from underneath him. Forcing himself to stand and pushing back, Alex threw all his weight into the body pressed behind him, crashing them into a tree trunk; the grip loosened and Alex dropped to the ground and rolled away. Moving to stand in defence, Alex faced his attacker and froze. A familiar face smiled back at him.

"A little sloppy, Alex".

Yassen Gregorovich took a step towards him and Alex stepped back, hands slightly lowered from the defensive position. Gregorovich stepped forward again, Alex raised his hands and moved to balance his stance.

"Don't move!" Alex would later deny the quaver in his voice. Gregorovich stilled, lifted his hands in a surrendering gesture, watching him like he was a feral animal.

"Alex…"

Alex took another step backwards, "Don't move!" Alex stared back at him, taking in the features of the face that used to haunt him and Sabina. It surprised Alex, how much he had forgotten despite it all; and how much was familiar.

Slowly standing straighter, Alex took a small step forward as Yassen regarded him with curiosity. Alex frowned.

"How…?"

Yassen smiled briefly. "That would take far too much time to explain, there is something else I need to discuss with you".

"What?," Alex looked back to the school, his hand reached into his hair and tugged at it, "I've got class in, like, less than ten minutes". He looked back at Yassen and shook his head in disbelief, "You can't be here," Alex's voice went high with panic, "I saw you die!".

Yassen's face flickered with concern, he reached out a grabbed Alex's shoulder,
"Come with me and I'll explain why I am here".

The school bell rang in the distance, hoards of high-schoolers started their way back to class. Alex let out a deep breath and shrugged himself out of Yassen's grip, "I have History; you once told me to go back to school, so now I'm going back". As Alex turned to walk away, his pocket buzzed. Yassen frowned and stepped away as Alex retrieved his phone to check it.

Thought you were coming to find me
If you want to stay you can sort it yourself Alex

Alex frowned, he looked at Yassen's retreating figure then back at the text. "Wait!" He locked his screen and placed it back into his pocket, "Okay, I'll go with you, but I can't miss the entire afternoon".

Yassen smiled, "You won't, follow me". He didn't give Alex the chance to change his mind, forcing him to keep up with Yassen's swift stride as he walked away.

Glad we finally got this chapter out of the way, caused us trouble last time as well. Hope you're not terribly disappointed for waiting for a filler chapter. We considered making it longer but it changed the feel of the chapter. Best keep you focused for round three. We are also considering changing the story's name, any suggestions?