Ah, well, I kind of forget the original post somewhat, but standing up to 6 boys still takes a lot of balls at 13 years old. 6 boys could give you the hiding of your life, and at 13 years old, I just don't see many kids having the guts to risk it for the sake of someone they're not even friends with.
I had to take a beating last Xmas (including being bottled) from like 10 guys who were trying to mug my mate who had also threatened to stab us, and I tell you, I was absolutely cacking it, and I was 21. I don't imagine many 13 year olds having the bottle to face similar situations.