FIGHT!

After Bill had completed his job, the rest of the workers were also able to set the other parts of their plan into motion.

Bill tried everything to heal the burn mark, but it had no effect. If he wanted medical attention, he would have to go to the guards, and that wasn't a possibility since they would instantly recognize the burn mark as that of the key.

With no other method or healing pills available, the burn mark would become permanent, as this was something that Bill would have to live with for the rest of his life.

In the middle of the night, all of the members of the freedom fighters had a meeting at Albert's bed once again.

Albert stood up as he addressed the group one final time.

"My brothers, tonight is the night that all of you will achieve that freedom that you so rightfully deserve. Through the efforts of all of you people, we finally have all the pieces set for us as we just have to roll the dice and see what fate has in store for us, because I am not going to reassure or give anyone false hope."

This speech was very moving for many people, but for Albert, it was painful as these were the exact words he had spoken several times before when he had planned an escape, and every time it resulted in failure.

"I will go over the plan one more time so that all of you are on the same page. Through the efforts of Toby and Peter, we have acquired a uniform of the guards, and from the painful effort of Bill, we have the key leading to the weapon's room. Now, Philip will put on the guard costume and will try to make his way to the weapons vault."

Everyone agreed with one another as Albert continued to narrate the plan.

"All ability users will go with Philip and provide backup, as the strongest guards that are on patrol are Level 3. We have the element of surprise, and if we can make our move before they can activate any defensive measures, escaping this place is definitely possible. Once you lot reach the weapons room, grab as many weapons as possible and throw them down the laundry chute that is the next room."

"I'll be on duty there along with the others, and taking out the two guards watching us should be easy. Once that's done, we'll regroup near the main exit gate on Level 2B. From there, it's up to Ramsay to overload the locking mechanism and get the gate open. By the time we reach that point, the guards will probably be on high alert, so be ready for a tough fight. We'll need to give it everything we've got to buy Ramsay enough time."

The atmosphere turned gloomy as all the workers knew about the risk, and the chances of them escaping were minimal, yet they were determined to make it work.

Nearing the end of the following shift, Albert's plan was put into effect as Philip, along with Bill and a few other ability users, slowly and cautiously made their way toward the weapon room without having any major hiccups. They arrived at the weapons room and smoothly opened the door using their key to find that no one was inside the room, which was a bonus.

They gathered as many batons, whips, and other usable weapons as they could find, wrapping them in old sheets and sending them down the laundry chute to the room next door. While collecting the gear, each of them also picked out weapons that best suited their abilities. Bill spotted two power weapons among the stash: a medium-tier gauntlet and a staff. He claimed the gauntlet for himself, while a lightning ability user took the staff.

As soon as the weapons reached Albert and the rest of the gang, he quietly signalled two of the members to attack.

The two guards were caught off guard and didn't react in time before two boys struck them with batons set to maximum voltage, electrocuting them instantly. The guards collapsed and became unconscious, but the boys didn't stop. Fueled by adrenaline and rage, they kept attacking the motionless bodies.

"Let's see how you like getting shocked over and over again!" the boy shouted, raising the baton for another swing.

But just before he could strike the guard's body, something halted his arm mid-air.

"No, stop!" Albert said firmly, gripping the boy's arm. "Don't do this. If you go down this path, you become no different from these gutless monsters. Breathe. Stay focused. Remember the plan."

His gentle words eased the boy and slowly brought him back to his senses.

The rest of the group armed themselves and moved quickly toward the exit door.

Within minutes, the two teams reunited, immediately falling into formation, alert and ready.

"Ramsay, it's all on you now. Get that door open before the guards even have a chance to catch on!" Albert urged the young man.

But just as Ramsay stepped toward the gate, the sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the hall, freezing everyone in place.

*CLAP! * *CLAP! * *CLAP!*

"Bravo! Gentlemen, Bravo!" A voice resounded from the dark hallway as the lights slowly started to flicker on one by one, to reveal 30 armed guards and the main supervisor, who called himself "The Warden," clapping.

"I must say, watching your little act unfold has been the highlight of my week. The coordination, the passion, the hope... It's all so... tragically entertaining."

He took a step forward, the smirk never leaving his face.

"Did you really think you were going to get away with it? That your clever tricks and schemes would actually help you get you out of here? Please. This place isn't just your prison... It's your grave, whether you realize it yet or not."

All of a sudden, the clapping ended, and out came from the crowd someone who nobody expected to see.

"ANDY!?" Bill shouted in utter shock and confusion.

"This little escape of yours might've actually worked… if not for one thing," the Warden sneered, pacing slowly before the stunned group. "You see, one of your own came to us. Gave us everything. Without them, you might've actually made it."

He paused, savoring the looks of shock and betrayal spreading across their faces.

"Funny, isn't it? So close to freedom… and all it took was one traitor to bring it crashing down."

His eyes scanned the group before locking onto Albert.

"And you, Albert... Still playing the noble leader, I see. Always the voice of reason, always trying to 'save' everyone. Tell me... when this falls apart, will you still preach about hope, or will you finally admit you were always the weakest link?"

He spread his arms, as if welcoming them to a show.

"Go on, then. Make your final move. Let's see how far you get before reality catches up with your little fantasy."

Meanwhile, Bill wasn't having any of it.

Andy wasn't just anyone... he was Bill's first real friend in this place, the one who'd convinced him to join the escape plan in the first place. Bill had risked too much to let it all collapse now. There was no turning back.

He leaned in and whispered to Ramsay, who stood behind him.

"Listen, Ramsay, I'm not giving up. You're small. Stay low, stay hidden. While the guards are focused on us, you work on that door. No matter what happens, we've got your back. Just get that damn thing open."

Ramsay gave a subtle nod. He understood. It was better to die fighting than to live enslaved. Quietly, he slipped through the crowd and began unscrewing the control panel at the gate.

Meanwhile, Bill stepped forward to cause a distraction.

"Why, Andy?! We trusted you. You heard the plan, you knew what was at stake! We could've escaped this hell together if you'd just kept your mouth shut. So why?!"

Andy finally responded with laughter. Cold, mocking, uncontrollable laughter. The guards joined in, and even the Warden chuckled, as if they were all watching the climax of some dark comedy.

"Heh... heh heh heh! You really are a fool, Bill," Andy sneered, wiping a tear from his eye. "You couldn't figure it out even after all of this? And to think El-Diablo actually liked you! Pathetic."

Bill's fists clenched. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Allow me to clarify," the Warden interjected smoothly, stepping forward like a showman taking the stage.

"You see, Andy here isn't a worker. He's one of us, an embedded agent. His job is to root out troublemakers like you before they become a threat. He feeds us your plans, your hopes, your little dreams of freedom... and in return, we make examples out of you. It's quite effective."

"Unfortunately, there are always a few stubborn ones who don't get the message. People like you, Mr. Johnson. And now… You must be dealt with accordingly."

The words hit Bill like a blow to the gut, but even more broken was Albert, whose face had gone pale. The betrayal... He never saw it coming, and now he had led all of these people who believed in him straight into death's embrace.

"So it was you all along! You're the reason all my plans I've ever made failed!" Albert's voice trembled with rage, his fists clenched tightly. "Because of you, I've got the blood of countless young men and boys on my hands! I always tried to give you the chance to leave with us, the opportunity to escape with us, but you never took it! I was a fool for not seeing through your damn disguise!"

Andy only grinned wider, nodding slowly as he continued to laugh.

"Oh, how sweet it is to see you finally catch on," Andy taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "You're pathetic, Albert. All those plans, all that hope... all for nothing."

Albert's face twisted in fury, but before he could lash out again, the Warden raised his hand, silencing the room.

"Well, I think this little charade has gone on long enough," the Warden said, his tone cold and final. "Guards, show them no mercy."

Before anyone could react, Bill sprang into action, his right hand glowing with a swirling brownish aura as he charged his earth ability into his gauntlet. Without hesitation, he slammed his fist into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the earth. The ground cracked open as a massive earth wall shot up, the largest he had ever conjured, pushing back the guards and creating a solid barrier between them.

"Listen up, everyone!" Bill shouted, his voice booming over the chaos. "Ramsay's already working on the gate! This barrier won't hold them for long! This is our last shot at freedom! Fight! Fight for your lives! Fight so you can see your families again! Protect Ramsay with everything you have! There's no surrender here, surrender means death!"

The earth wall cracked and began to crumble under the weight of the oncoming assault. But the group stood firm, twenty-five freedom fighters, gripping their weapons tightly, they were ready to die for their freedom if it came to that.

The Warden, watching them with cruel amusement, threw his head back and laughed once again.

"Charge!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the air. "Don't leave a single one alive!"

"FIGHT!!!"

**************************

Author's Note: Hey guys! Universal Power System is one of my favorite projects, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. This is my very first work, so expect some amateur writing and a few slips. However, I always try to learn and correct myself so I can create a more coherent narrative. I hope you guys enjoy it. Don't forget to check out my other works!

Come say hi to me on Discord: https://discord.gg/TvjkrdnbE2