Battle Royale

The school bus trundled off as Class 3-B talked and joked loudly, excited to go on their first class trip since... well, forever. Mr. Crane smiled benignly at the back of the bus, watching his students, when something caught his eye. The bus was passing an outpost full of soldiers, all looking wary and narrowing their eyes at the bus. None of the students seemed to notice. Mr. Crane felt a tinge of worry as they passed a second outpost. He looked up at the driver, and to his alarm, saw that the driver was putting on a gas mask. "No!" he yelled, standing up, and causing the students to stare at him. But even as they did, they started to close their eyes, their heads bobbing. The sleeping gas filled the bus, and all students were drawn into its power.

Slowly, they awoke in the empty classroom, each of them carefully positioned at a desk. A murmur built up, turning into full fledged talking soon enough, fueled with confusion, doubt, and fear. Suddenly, a man walked into the classroom, followed by a platoon of soldiers. "Hello, students," he said, grinning. "Congratulations! You've just become new stars..." Everyone went quiet, terrified of the next words. "...of the BR Program."