Alexis's POV

Once everyone stopped cheering, they all gave us some unsettled looks. I could tell that Val didn't like this either.

"Come on, Moxy. Let's go home," Lucky Bat told her as he was picked up by Babo.

"Do you want me to carry you home, too?" Babo then asked her. She didn't respond to his question. "Okay, just let me know," He then said as he started walking away while he carried everyone else except for Val, Moxy, and I.

We then followed after them as we looked down. I was sad. We can't even prove that we are worthy enough to go to the Big World.

"Bless there ugly little hearts. Such a shame," I heard Lou say. I looked to the side and saw Val give Lou a quick glare and then looked back down with a sad look.

I then stop in my tracks and look up at the huge screen. It was showing pretty dolls being with their kid. I could just imagine me being there with a kid right now.

I don't know how long I have been standing there, but I broke out of my thoughts.

"Alexis?" I heard Val call out to me.

"No. We're not going anywhere," I said with confidence.

This then caused every doll in the institute to gasp.

"What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? We don't belong here," Wage mumbled to me.

"But, we've come this far," I told Wage as if it was obvious.

"Um ... come again?" Lou asked.

We are going to stay here and train. We are worthy enough to go to the Big World. And we are gonna prove you wrong, "I told him. And his reaction was what I expected.

He started laughing, which caused everyone else to laugh.

"Before we decide to do this, shouldn't we tell Ox?" Lucky Bat asked me.

Lou then stopped laughing, which caused everyone to stop as well, and for him to look at us curiously.

"Ox? Who is Ox?" He asked.

"Well, he's the founder and mayor of our town. Where do we live," Lucky Bat answered.

"So ... there's a whole town of Uglies?" Lou asked.

"It's called Uglyville," Moxy then said as she stood beside me.

"I guess they're into literal naming," The girl doll with purple hair said.

"Um. None of this matters. Okay? Only Pretty Dolls can run the Gauntlet. Rules are rules, "Lou told us.

"What rules?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

"Uh ..." Lou started to say. He was struggling to say something. That means he's hiding something.

"Did someone say 'rules'?" Asked a robot as he came in our direction with a rule book. "It says right here in section 43 ..." The robot said as he opened the book. I was about to look inside, but I didn't get a chance to since Lou quickly closed it.

"You know what? Stay here," Lou said.

"Wait, what?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes. What kind of amazing benevolent leader would I be if I denied fellow dolls a chance to fulfill their dreams?" Lou asked. To answer that question, he may be a bad one.

"Mandy, show our special guests their quarters. May I suggest the... supply suite," Lou told her. "But, for this pretty doll and her... sister, show them their quarters. Away from these Uglies," Lou said as he winked at Val.

She tensed up. I could tell.

"Sweet," Babo said.

And just as I was about to follow them, Lou gestured for me to come to him, so I did.

He then gave me an evil grin. This gave me the chills.

"I have a reputation to maintain, so I let you skate by this time. Enjoy this moment. Because it doesn't get better than this," Lou told me.

"Ha! That's the name of our song," I heard Babo say in the background. How could he hear him say that?

I quickly spread my wings and flew beside my sister. As long as I was away from that doll, I was fine.

I don't know about you, but I think Lou is hiding something. But what?