Level 3

"Two thousand bucks, why that much?!" North exclaimed for nearly a hundredth time that evening as he and Migos made their way to the arcade.

"Its said the the cash is used for the special ticket for entry, a form and a silver tag. The bronze tags are cheap and can only be used to enter once, the silvers can be used thrice and the gold is usually for VIPs and Sponsors but anyonerich enough can buy one." Migos said as he read from his phone.

"Let me guess, unlimited entry?"

Migos nodded.

North sighed. He understood why it wasn't cheap. Gaming tournaments weren't just little things these days, they were quality entertainment that even got their own channel on worldwide TV. The organizers had to go all out if they wanted to draw a crowd and that would definitely require a lot of money.

Whatever. He was still going to enter. "How do Noobies get in."

"I mentioned a ticket didn't I? You pay, they deliver a ticket, on the first day you take your ticket and maybe they'll show you where to get your tag from." Migos peered closely at his phone, "At least if you lose you'll be able to go back to watch some other matches and reserve your last chance for the finals."

"I'll ignore your lack of faith in me. I am going to win that Test Phase and compete in the Game Trails, mark my words."

"Marking." Migos said typing the words into his phone, "Also, you're too broke to afford...anything, how are you going to raise money?"

"Hush Thomas, I'm trying to think." North waved off his words as they arrived at the arcade.

"That's new." Migos jeered.

North looked up and took in the bright neon lights that shone above the door way into the place that would always hold his nest memories. Quarters Run arcade. He briskly walked in, welcoming the familiar smell of old metal and junk food accompanied by the sound of laughter.

He took a big whiff, "The smell of life."

"You're a messed up kid." Migos said following North to the main counter so they could purchase tokens. North surveyed they prizes just for the hell of it, he stopped buying they long time ago, having his nickname on all leaderboards was prize enough. He made small talk with the workers there before buying a couple of tokens then he turned to Migos.

"Gimme some cash."

"Dude, no. This is all we have to get home."

"Quit lying, I know you got more than that, besides nothing'll happen to it I swear. I just need it to make my plan work."

Migos grumbled and begrudgingly handed the money over, as stupid as it may have sounded, he trusted North. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Sure." He pulled up the hood of his hoodie and approached a target he had spotted not too long after they had entered. A beefy round faced guy who was going single mode on a two player game, surrounded by people watching in awe. Perfect. "You seem pretty good." He commented when the guy finished.

"I'm second on the leader board, of course I'm good."

"I said you're good, but I'm pretty sure I'm better." He placed the cash on the surface of the game. The crowd broke out into whispers.

The other boy cringed, "You challenging me, Red?" He snickered.

North stopped his hand from going into his hair, understanding that a tiny fringe must have escaped the hood, no one made fun of his hair and got off easy. "You scared the new guy will whip you?"

The boy scowled and placed his own bet on the top too. It didn't look much but North was sure it was slightly more than Migos'. "Bring it on, cherry top."

North was damn well ready to do so but Migos tapped his shoulder and whispered, "Take it easy, don't scare away the competition."

North nodded before taking his position and soon they both began, he won the match in three minutes but made sure not to display too much skill. H picked up the two wads of cash and put them his pocket before putting in a new variation of his nickname into the system.

He walked over to Migos and gave the guy back his money.

"Well done."

"Next game, we've got no time to waste."

They were about to walk off to look for their next target when some other guy from the watching crowd called out and gestured to another game. North smirked, "We'll be here a while."

"Better up your speed, the deadline is next Tuesday."

~Check point Reached!

When North arrived home later that day his thumbs and feet were aching so much, his only relief was was finding out his dad was off on a business trip and wouldn't be home for five days. He and his mum didn't exactly get along but she was always too busy to nag at him.

"Your father will deal with you when he gets back." She always said, but as always he wasn't going to pay her any attention. They'd both be shocked silent when he was holding that first place trophy.

Unfortunately for North's plan, word had gone round the arcade by the third day. No one around Quarters Run was going to bet against him. He tried at other arcades around the area but they were too far, he and Migos had only so much fare money.

"Damn it!" He kicked the foot of the bench before sitting down.

"There, there amigo, you tried." Migos said, supportive to his defeated looking friend. From the first day he kind of had a feeling this plan was hopeless, but he said nothing because North would always be North. Stupidly ambitious...and that was why Migos liked being his friend. "Hey how about we gather that cash, along with some of what I've saved up and buy a ton of new games?"

"I know you mean good Migs." North flashed a small smile, then he shook his head, "But I'm not ready to give up just yet. We still have one last resort."

Migos couldn't say he wasn't expecting it but he still gave North the questioning You've-got-to-be-kidding-me raised eyebrow.

"Get off your ass, were heading to rich kid avenue."

The brunet could already see where this was headed, and he was sure he wouldn't like it.

~Check point Reached!

~Achievement Unlocked: Last Resort Address!