Team-TX6 had been grinding for months in the Hub, but they were done hiding behind screens. They wanted real stages, real crowds, real trophies.

  Riley was the first to say it. "We're too good for online lobbies. Let's go pro-for real."

  Cody laughed. "You mean leave the Hub?"

  James agreed. "Yeah, let's maybe try game competitions, like, big ones."

  Cody said, "Then let's do it. A video game tournament.

  Mia added. "The Call of Duty Championship is being hosted at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

  Brody grinned. "Let's ask Grandma and Grandpa to drive us."

  The next weekend, the squad begged their parents. "Please, it's only a few hours away!" "We'll behave!" "We promise no rage-quitting in public!"

  Grandma Anne sighed. "If you lose, no sulking in the car."

  Grandpa Richard chuckled. "If you win, ice cream on me."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  They registered for the Call of Duty Championship qualifier at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. Hearts pounding, they signed in as contestants, got wristbands, stepped onto the stage under bright lights and screaming fans.

  The bracket was brutal. Round one: 2v2. Riley and Mia clutched a 1v3 comeback. Round two: 6v6. James called perfect rotations. Sam held the bomb site like a fortress. Cody and Brody synced headshots like they shared a brain.

  They won the qualifier.

  Then the regional finals.

  Then nationals.

  Crowds chanted "TX6! TX6!" Phones recorded every clutch. Reporters shoved mics in their faces: "How do middle-schoolers beat pros?"

  Riley flexed. "We eat pizza and win."

  Mia whispered, "Don't tell them about the pancake pan."

  They didn't stop. Next month: Evolution Championship Series open. Street Fighter brackets. James mained Luke like a demon. Sam's Chun-Li combos were poetry. The twins tag-teamed doubles-perfect parries, zero panic.

  Top 32. Top 16. Top 8.

  They lost in grand finals-but the stream chat exploded: "WHO ARE THESE KIDS??" "TX6 IS THE FUTURE!"

  Then The International Dota qualifiers. They grinded heroes, strats, timings. Mia carried mid. Riley screamed "Roshan now!" so loud security looked over. They made top 64-enough for esports TikTok to crown them "The Baby Pros."

  Every tournament ended the same: high-fives, screams, group hugs on stage. Parents cheered from the stands. Grandma Anne filmed everything. Grandpa Richard bought everyone ice cream.

  Back in the car one night, Cody stared out the window at D.C. lights.

  "We're actually doing it."

  Brody fist-bumped him. "We're unstoppable."

  Riley yelled from the back seat: "Next stop: world champions!"

  Mia laughed. "Or at least world-class pizza eaters."

  The car erupted in laughter.

  But as they pulled into the driveway, Cody whispered to Brody, "What if... we could make games this fun for everyone?"

  Brody's eyes widened. "Like... our own?"

  The idea hung in the air like a loading screen.

  Something massive was about to begin.