Karma, Alexis, Lilith, and Ash are all laughing, splashing, and playing in the Class 2-A swimming pool. Blair is lying on a sun chair next to the pool, watching, fully clothed.
Alexis:
It sure is nice to have this pool to relax in.
Ash:
I know; U.A. went all out on these dorms!
Karma:
I agree. This year has been much more difficult than last year; this is a nice break.
Lilith:
Yeah, and we’re only three weeks in!
Alexis:
It makes me wonder how much harder it will get.
Ash:
Let’s not think about that. We’re enjoying our weekend!
Lilith:
Yeah!
Alexis swims to Blair.
Alexis:
You’ll have trouble getting a good tan dressed like that. Even if you don’t want to swim, you could at least put a swimsuit on.
Blair:
Don’t worry, I’m fine.
Alexis:
Come on, Blair. We all went shopping together; I know you have a hot one in your room.
Blair:
Maybe another day…
Alexis shrugs.
Alexis:
Suit yourself.
Blair stares at the pool.
Blair:
*sighs*
Eve comes walking over to Blair.
Eve:
I secured the premises. We’re good to swim without interruption.
Blair:
What do you mean by that?
Eve:
You know what I mean.
Alden, Demetri, and Isaiah are unconscious with black eyes, bruises, and cuts tied to chairs inside a broom closet in the dorm.
Eve:
You’re not going in?
Blair:
Uh… no, I’m fine. I’ll just watch.
Eve:
Don’t tell me you’re back on that body insecurity crap.
Blair:
No! That’s not it…
Eve:
Then what is it?
Blair is silent for a moment.
Blair:
Do you remember what happened during the Sports Festival?
Eve flashes back to Blair’s fight against Sydney.
Eve:
Oh…
Blair:
Yeah… water isn’t exactly my thing anymore…
Eve:
Sorry, I guess we all forgot about that.
Blair:
It’s alright. It’s not like I’ve talked about it since then.
Eve:
It must have been pretty traumatic.
Blair:
It uh… it was, but I’m okay now. Well, besides the mild hydrophobia.
Eve sits down on the sun chair next to Blair.
Eve:
It’s hard to believe that was almost a year ago.
Blair:
I know. I still wish I could have gone further in that tournament.
Eve:
I still wish I was in it in the first place.
Blair laughs.
Blair:
Oh, right, sorry about that.
Eve:
Hey, I’ll get another chance, and when I do, I’ll be 1-0.
Blair smiles.
Blair:
Who would you even want to fight?
Eve:
Anybody, really, there isn’t a single person in particular I would want to face off against.
Blair:
But if you had to pick one?
Eve:
Okay… I’d like a chance to knock Hayze down a peg. Are you happy? I know you were trying to fish that out of me.
Blair:
I wasn’t…
Eve:
What about you?
“
Blair:
Go and win your match so that we can face each other in the second round! “
— Chapter 16
Blair:
No, no one in particular…
Alexis splashes Ash.
Ash:
Hey!
Alexis:
Oh, I’m sorry, did I get your hair wet?
Ash splashes her back.
Alexis:
Oh, it’s on!
Blair and Eve smile.
Blair:
I’m glad everyone isn’t still down about… you know.
Eve:
Well, it would be pretty sad if we still were.
Blair:
Of course, but nobody even talks about it.
Eve:
I think that’s kind of the point of the exercise. It gives you something to ponder about for yourself. Alexis went into shock after Aaron “died,” and as far as I’m aware, nobody has even mentioned it since then.
Blair:
Yeah… I see what you mean.
Eve:
I know what I got from that exercise, and I don’t want to talk about it.
Blair flashes back to watching Hayze “die.”
Blair:
Eve, I think it’s time I-
Eve:
Eeek!
Saige snuck up on Eve and started groping her boobs.
Saige:
FINALLY! An opportunity!
Eve:
Saige! I swear to god!
Eve wrestles herself from Saige’s grasp.
Eve:
What the hell is wrong with you!
Saige:
I was about to say the same to you!
Eve:
Huh?
Saige:
Why the hell are you wearing a one-piece bathing suit! You’ve gotta let those sweater puppies breathe!
Eve:
YOU! YOU’RE WHY!
Jace watches the girls from the window of his blacked-out room.
Jace:
Look at them horsing around without a care in the world. *scoffs* Once they see the light, they’ll realize that behavior has no place in our utopia.
Jace is wearing a full black cloak with black clothing underneath.
Jace:
It’s only a matter of time.
Jace reaches into his pocket and pulls out a deck of Tarot cards.
Jace:
Master has instructed me to show the light to my classmates, but I can do that in any order I choose.
Jace stares at Blair.
Jace:
Blair is a very insecure girl… I’m sure if I present her with the same offer Master gave me, she’ll join the Vanguard.
Jace draws The Strength reversed.
Jace:
Just as I thought, The Strength when upside down represents self-doubt, weakness, and insecurity. If I exacerbate those feelings, she’ll be led straight to the light!
Jace puts away the cards and holds up his right hand. A dark-gray pulsating goo grows seemingly out of nowhere in his palm.
Jace:
It’s time for me to make you the fool, Blair.
Jace opens his window; the goo leaps out of Jace’s hand and starts scaling down the dorm wall. The goo reaches the ground and slithers towards the pool area. It squeezes through a gap in the fencing and continues towards Blair’s chair.
Eve:
Saige, why can’t you just leave me and my boobs alone.
Saige:
How can I! They’re so massive!
Eve:
How would you feel if I fondl- I’m not finishing that sentence.
Saige:
No, go on.
The goo slithers up the sun chair’s leg, then Blair’s pant leg. It then secretes into Blair’s skin, leaving a dark gray three-leaved clover symbol.
Jace:
Good luck, Blair.
There is a knock on Jace’s door.
Jace:
*grunts* (Who the hell?)
Jace opens the door. It’s Zach, Angel, and Gus.
Jace:
What do you want?
Zach:
Hey man, we were thinking of heading to the cafeteria to get lunch. Wanna join us?
Jace hesitates.
Jace:
(These “are” my friends, but just look at them. They’re at the bottom of the barrel in this class. Hanging out with them would reflect negatively on me, but then again… perhaps I will be able to convince one of them to join the Vanguard…) Fine, I will accompany you.
Jace steps out of his room. Angel, Gus, and Zach stare at him.
Jace:
What?
Zach:
You’re still wearing that getup?
Jace:
Of course, it symbolizes my membership to the Vanguard. Not wearing it would be a sign of disloyalty.
They all stare at Jace with weirded-out looks.
Jace:
Now come along. There’s no point in wasting time.
Jace starts walking toward the stairs.
Angel:
Alright, it’s been two weeks of him like this… we should be worried, right?
Gus:
He’s worn that same outfit every day since the prison exercise.
Zach:
I talked to Mr. Adrian about it. He said it’s probably a weird coping mechanism and some people from his class did some odd stuff after that. He said not to worry about it.
Angel:
If you say so. It’s just… it’s like he’s a different person altogether.
Gus:
Yeah… this is one strange coping mechanism.
Zach:
That’s why we’ve gotta treat him like he’s the same old Jace! Even if he treats us like crap, we have to be there for him!
Angel:
Right!
Gus:
I guess that makes sense.
Zach:
So, come on! Let’s go!
In the common area, Justus, Kevin, and Wes are seated on the couches, relaxing.
Kevin:
So, Wes, where-
Wes:
I don’t know where he is, and I’m not his keeper.
Kevin:
I was going to ask where the remote to the TV is…
Wes:
Oh… it fell under that couch.
Kevin reaches underneath and pulls out the remote.
Justus:
You seem touchy, Wes.
Wes:
Everyone asks me about Aaron all the time. If people want to know about him, they can ask him themselves.
Kevin:
I’ll remind you he put Zach and Jace on bed rest for two days. He doesn’t seem that approachable anymore.
Justus:
I think everyone is asking because they want to know what caused this sudden change.
Kevin:
Yeah, I actually kind of liked Aaron, but now he’s like Justus before the Sports Festival.
Justus:
Thanks, Kevin.
Kevin:
No problem, buddy!
Wes sighs.
Wes:
He doesn’t talk about what happened, not with me or anybody else.
Kevin:
Do you think he’ll be like this for good?
Wes:
Who knows at this point…
Kevin:
Jeez, you sure care about your friend.
Wes:
Shut up…
Silver:
Who cares about how that asshole is acting.
Silver comes walking over with a sweat-soaked towel around his neck.
Silver:
The guy pummeled two of his “friends” into the dirt for fun. Nobody should give a fuck about him anymore.
Kevin:
Blunt, but fair.
Justus:
That’s not exactly the reaction I expected from you, Silver.
Silver:
And why is that?
Wes:
This is exactly how you acted before Hayze kicked your ass last year.
Silver:
I never went out of my way to beat on my classmates for kicks.
Kevin:
Yeah… but it’s more the principle of the idea that’s the same.
Silver:
*scoffs* If that’s true, it furthers my point. Aaron acting the way he is now shows that he hasn’t grown or learned from last year. Instead, he’s making mistakes that have already been made by his peers.
Wes’ eyes widen.
Silver:
He’ll inevitably fail, and when he does, he’ll either learn the error of his ways or quit the hero course. Why should we care about him until he selects the former?
Justus:
Because we’re his friends?
Silver:
Whatever…
Silver walks off.
Kevin:
What’s his problem?
Silver flashes back to Ash’s “death.”
Silver:
(My… friends…)
Wes ponders.
Wes:
(“Aaron acting the way he is now shows that he hasn’t grown or learned from last year.” You know… he hasn’t been the same since that day in the fields…)
“
Wes:
Sure, you were able to handle one of your Howitzer Burst attacks, something that you’ve never been able to do before, which means your durability has gotten better, but that also means that the attack isn’t increasing in strength if you were getting stronger on both sides then that would mean that every time you get hit by the move you take the same amount of damage, no less, no more. “
— Chapter 58
Wes:
(Don’t tell me…)
Hayze is walking down the halls of U.A.
Hayze:
(It’s been two weeks, but that prison exercise…)
Hayze flashes back to his “death.”
Hayze:
(I’m still pissed off about it… next time, I’ll punch first and ask questions later.)
Hayze reaches a door.
Hayze:
(But for now… this.)
Hayze opens the door: It’s Tara’s workshop.
Tara:
Welcome!
Hayze:
You’re fully clothed, thank god.
Tara:
I can change that if you’d like!
Hayze:
NO!
Tara:
Anyway, I’m sure you’re here for the E.M.I.L.Y. 3.0!
Hayze:
Yeah… sorry about the 2.0… 3 months of non-stop training caused it to fall apart.
Tara:
Oh, no worries! You got me a lot of clout by slicing a terrorist’s hands-off on international television with my personally crafted sword.
Hayze:
Right…
Tara:
And now that you’re all famous, it’s basically like you’re modeling my gadgets for free! This is a great deal for me!
Hayze:
Uh-huh…
Tara opens a drawer and pulls out a cylindrical metallic band with a screen embedded in the side.
Hayze:
Huh? That’s different.
Tara:
Yup! Try it on!
Hayze puts the band on his left arm.
Hayze:
No buttons anymore.
Tara:
Nope, the 3.0 is now entirely digital. The touchscreen monitor embedded in the band acts as a PDA that will holographically project your elemental weapons using the same technology the hero course training exercises use.
Hayze:
Wow, really?
Hayze taps on the screen a few times, and it suddenly starts to shine as Hayze’s bow limb is holographically projected above the screen.
Hayze:
Damn, that’s cool.
Tara:
Yup, and this time the E.M.I.L.Y. comes with a voice assistant!
Hayze:
W- why?
Tara:
Because why not?
Hayze:
(That’s exactly what I need… another voice.)
Tara:
E.M.I.L.Y. What are Hayze’s chances of dying after leaving this room?
E.M.I.L.Y.:
0.0000001%, most likely cause of death: aneurysm.
Hayze:
D- does it just do that?
Tara:
Kind of, yeah.
Hayze stares at Tara.
Hayze:
Well, thank you, Tara.
Tara:
Oh, by the way, the Orgasmorator is finally out of its beta testing phases-
Hayze leaves.
Tara:
Rude.
Hayze walks down the hall.
Hayze:
(She’s crazy, but she means well…)
Hayze notices Adrian walking down the hall.
Hayze:
Hey-
Hayze also notices Adrian is walking with someone.
Hayze:
(Is that?)
Hunt:
Why, hello there, Hayze.
Hayze:
Mr. Hunt?
Adrian and Hunt stop walking to speak with Hayze.
Adrian:
Oh, so you two have met?
Hunt:
It’s been a long time. I haven’t seen him since the Entrance Examinations for his class, but I know he has gotten into a lot of trouble since then.
Adrian:
Yeah, you can say that again…
Hayze stares at Hunt.
Stolen novel; please report.
Hayze:
(I’ll never forget the first time I met Mr. Hunt…)
“
Hunt:
Get mad all you want; it’s not gonna change anything, you have the personality and wherewithal to be a hero, but your quirk will never get you into the hero course. Your grades are solid; you’d have a serious chance of being accepted as a general studies student. Just because it’s not as flashy as the hero course doesn’t mean it won’t set you up for a well-paying job someday. It’s time to let reality sink in, give up on being a hero, and make the right choices for your future. You don’t have a family to support you. If you don’t set yourself up for a promising career, make foolish mistakes, and pursue dreams that will never come true, you’re wasting your time. “
— Chapter 1
Hayze:
(That speech was the closest anyone has ever gotten to making me give up… I didn’t like him for that, but I respect him for it.)
Hunt:
My condolences for Ms. Moore.
Hayze:
Huh?
Hunt:
Oh, I’m sorry, were you two not close? I assumed you would be after… you know.
Hayze:
Yeah… we were. I uh… thank you. I just have never heard her called that.
Adrian:
Hunt makes it a point to never refer to her by her title when she’s not around. It’s either Moore or Ms. Moore with him.
Hayze:
Why is that?
Hunt:
She’s my ex-wife.
Hayze:
Wh- what? You two were married?
Adrian:
Uh… yeah? Why do you think he knew about the serum? You didn’t think it was weird an exam proctor loosely associated with U.A. was in the loop?
Hayze:
I’ll be honest, I never really thought about it.
Hunt:
We divorced because of a difference of opinion on the serum. I could have reported it, but it was her dream, and I wasn’t going to step on that. However, we maintained a close friendship, and she allowed me to share her office when I needed to work at U.A. for the HAE.
Hayze:
Shouldn’t I be the one offering condolences then?
Hunt:
We were only married for a short time. I grieved, and that was it. I hope she rests in peace.
Hayze:
Right… Anyway, why are you here? The HAE isn’t going on this time of year.
Adrian smiles.
Adrian:
You’ll find out tomorrow.
Hayze:
Uh… okay?
Hunt:
You can actually save us a trip to your dorm by informing your classmates to head straight to Facility V instead of homeroom tomorrow. Oh, and tell them to wear their hero costumes and any gear they think they’ll need.
Hayze:
Need for wh-
Adrian:
Well, we’ve got a meeting to get to. See you tomorrow, Hayze.
Adrian and Hunt walk off.
Hayze:
(What could that be about?)
The next day, all of class 2-A is gathered at the front of Facility V.
Zach:
I wonder what we’re doing today?
Angel:
I know, usually hero training isn’t until the end of the day. It must be something pretty important.
Alexis:
Maybe, or it’s all a joke, and we’ll get lectured in our costumes.
Gus:
Please, no… I’m already sweating up a storm just standing here.
Lilith:
Speaking of costumes, I love what you did to yours, Alexis!
Alexis:
Huh? Oh, thanks, Lilith.
Alexis’ body suit is now made of synthetic paper with a more dense paper cloak.
Ash:
Now the whole thing is paper!
Alexis:
Yeah, I’ve realized in past battles that I need as many resources as possible.
Lilith:
That’s cool, but what happens if you use the whole costume?
Alexis looks down at herself.
Alexis:
Shit.
Karma:
It’s interesting to think about how different everyone’s costumes were a year ago when we started.
Eve:
Some more than others…
Jace is still wearing his cloak.
Alexis:
Hey Jace, are you alright?
Jace:
I’m wonderful.
Ash:
You aren’t wearing your costume.
Jace:
I’m wearing all I need.
Everyone stares at Jace.
Eve:
Weirdo…
Killian:
Well, well, well.
Everyone is surprised.
Hayze:
(I know that voice…)
Class 2-B has arrived in their hero costumes.
Killian:
If it isn’t the second-best hero class at U.A.
Kevin:
Yeah, you guys just got here.
Killian:
YOU KNOW I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU GUYS!
Kevin:
But… you said second-best…
Killian:
ITS AN INSULT, YOU FUCKING MORON!
Kevin:
Jeez… who is this guy? He’s a dick.
Killian:
YOU STILL DON’T REMEMBER ME!
Killian rolls up his sleeve.
Killian:
That’s it! I’m not letting you-
Grace places her hand on Killian’s shoulder and tosses him aside.
Grace:
Listen here, Meow Mix. I get first dibs on the strong ones. After that, you can take the rest.
Killian:
Wh- I’M A WEREWOLF, NOT A CAT!
Silver stares at Killian.
Silver:
(He may be from 2-B, but Killian isn’t a weakling. She tossed him aside like it was nothing… she might actually be interesting after all.)
Aaron spots Tobias in the back of 2-B’s crowd.
Aaron:
Hey! Loser! Over here!
Tobias avoids eye contact.
Aaron:
Yeah, that’s what I thought, bitch.
Wes gets a tingling feeling down his spine.
Wes:
Something is off…
Verity:
Hello.
Verity is suddenly in the middle of 2-A’s crowd.
Wes:
GODDAMMIT!
Hayze:
Nope! I had a feeling this could happen!
Hayze reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bell with a ribbon. He ties it around Verity’s neck.
Hayze:
There, we’re good now.
Wes:
Thank you… that’s all I want…
Bruno:
Hello.
Bruno is suddenly in the middle of 2-A’s crowd.
Wes:
GODDAMMIT!
Bruno offers Wes his hand.
Wes:
Wh- huh?
Bruno:
I didn’t get a chance after the Final Exams, but I wanted to pay my respects to you. I underestimated you in our battle, and I lost because of it. So, please accept my handshake as an acknowledgment of your skill.
Everyone is shocked.
Alexis:
Wes won a battle!
Zach:
We all thought you tied again!
Wes:
Oh fuck you guys!
Wes shakes Bruno’s hand.
Wes:
You didn’t have to do this, so I appreciate it. Does this mean your vendetta against me is over?
Bruno:
No, every minute your asshole is the same circumference is a moment of dread for me.
Wes looks horrified.
Bruno:
Good day.
Bruno leaves.
Verity:
You currently are split 80% terrified and 20% aroused.
Wes:
I DID NOT FUCKING MISS THIS!
Alexis looks into the 2-B crowd.
Alexis:
Hey you! Scythe boy, get over here.
Alec:
Huh? What do you want?
Alec walks over to Alexis and Karma.
Karma:
Thank you for patching up my wounds after our fight during the Final Exams.
Alec:
Wh-
Alexis:
Yeah! Without that, we might have been able to pass.
Alec’s face turns red, and he hears his classmates whispering.
Alec:
I didn’t do shit! If your wounds were taken care of, somebody else did it, but not me. I’d never help out the enemy!
Alexis:
Then how come your blood was in our bag?
Alec doesn’t have a response.
Alec:
Shut up! I didn’t do shit!
Alec storms back over to his classmates.
Karma:
How did you know it was his blood on the bag?
Alexis:
I didn’t, but he doesn’t know that.
Karma:
Ha-ha!
Blair stares at Sydney.
Blair:
(Her again…)
Grace approaches Kevin.
Grace:
So how about it, big guy? Wanna fight me?
Hunt:
You’ll have plenty of time for that later.
Hunt, Adrian, Houston, Aster, Daniele, Yul, Tyson, and four other U.A. students arrive.
Hunt:
Everyone, stand front.
Hunt and company stand in front of the doors to the facility.
Hunt:
Welcome to an important day in your hero education. I’m sure you’re all aware that you’ll be taking the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam in just a few short weeks.
Everyone is staring at Hunt.
Kevin:
(This is the guy that ran the Entrance Exam…)
Alexis:
(What’s he doing here?)
Hunt:
I’m sure those who took the Entrance Exam remember me faintly. I’m a proctor and test administrator for many national exams, even non-hero-related tests like SAT and ACT. In addition, I’ve worked for years on the Provisional Exam and was the direct examiner for the exams last year. My point behind explaining all of this is that I’m very familiar with the material you’ll be tested on and the criteria a testee needs to pass.
Everyone is listening intently.
Hunt:
(I’m glad to see they’ve caught on.) I’m not running the exam this year. Instead, I will be a proctor. So, I don’t know what the test will be or how it will be administered. I’ll find that out the same day you do. But, in my many years working on the exam, I’ve picked up on some key aspects. So, today, you’ll be completing an exercise created by the third-years under my guidance. I will be spectating and give a firm list of the students that would and would not pass under the circumstances of the exam. So, I’d recommend you take this very seriously.
Aster steps forward.
Aster:
Thank you, Mr. Hunt, again for being here today. I’m sure the second-years appreciate it just as much as we do.
Hunt nods.
Aster:
Anyway, I’m glad that all of you are here. We’ve been working with you for the last three weeks, and I hope you’ve gathered a strong sense of what we were trying to teach. Mainly, you must understand that the people you’re protecting are your first priority. Being a hero is built on selflessness. If you put your own agenda before the safety of others, you’re not pro-hero material.
Daniele steps forward.
Daniele:
You need to be acutely aware of the villain’s priorities. These can vary from villain to villain but remember they might not be looking to pick a fight with you. If they’re, for example, robbing a bank, the money will be more important to them than you are.
Yul steps forward.
Yul:
Logic also prevails above all. That doesn’t mean you should disregard your emotions, but you cannot allow them to cloud your judgment. Even if things go wrong, if you were making intelligent choices the entire time, you can say you did everything you could.
Tyson steps forward.
Tyson:
And keep in mind that this is the entertainment business too. If you’re gonna fight, make it flashy.
Tyson winks.
Aster:
*sighs* Alright, everyone, head inside. The scenario has already been set up in the facility. Once we’ve entered, follow your designated hero.
Everyone walks through the doors into the facility. There’s a throne at the center. Around the edges of the arena are eight cells embedded in the walls.
Silver:
(This looks interesting.)
Adrian, Houston, and Hunt take their seats in the stands.
Adrian:
Ah… the crown game.
Houston:
This is quite an interesting one for them to use.
Hunt:
I told them that. This one doesn’t perfectly reflect the exam because they will compete in predetermined teams. But, I think they also wanted to incorporate lessons from hero work into the exercise.
Adrian:
That makes sense.
Hunt:
We’ll see how they do.
Aster stands in front of all of the students.
Aster:
Today, you’ll participate in “The Crown Game.”
Justus:
(Crown game?)
Saige:
(I like the sounds of that.)
Aster:
You’ll be working in your Mock Hero Agency teams:
Aster:
The game has 5 rounds to it. Only up to 3 members of each team can participate in each round, but not every team has to compete in every round. Your participation is a choice. I’m sure you’ve noticed the 8 cells on the sides of the arena. There’s one for each team. Inside the cell, there is a button. Mr. Hunt will ask at the start of each round if your group would like to participate, and if you do, you’ll press that button and send up to three members out. Now, you’re probably wondering how the game actually works? Yul, you can handle that.
Yul:
The game is, in a way, like a game of 8-way capture the flag. If your flag is captured, you lose the game, but your flag will only be in jeopardy if you choose to participate in the round.
Silver raises his hand.
Yul:
Yes, Silver?
Silver:
What flag are you talking about?
Yul:
Why, us, of course.
Everyone is surprised.
Yul:
When you enter the round, you’ll have to defend your third-year. If your third-year is captured by any other team, you’re eliminated. However, that doesn’t mean if you participate in a round, or your team is eliminated. If your third-year returns to your cell, you withdraw from the round. However, if any of your team members are still in the arena when that happens, they are eliminated.
Karma raises her hand.
Karma:
How do we “win” a round?
Yul:
By capturing this.
Yul holds up a crown.
Yul:
The winner of the round is the team that successfully places the crown on their third-year’s head and has them sit on the throne. Of course, every other team will either have to have been eliminated or withdrawn by then. That team will carry over to the next round and will be able to make substitutions. Still, a critical detail to consider for all of you: If the crown is ever stolen from your third-year once you possess it, you and your entire team are instantly eliminated. The team that wins the whole competition is the team that owns the crown at the end of the fifth round, regardless of whether any groups still have members remaining. Any other questions?
Everyone is silent.
Aster:
Good, then everyone get to your cells.
The teams gather in their cells and are locked behind bars with their third-year students.
Daniele:
Well, isn’t this fun?
Blair:
It seems needlessly complicated.
Daniele:
How so?
Blair:
The only round that matters is the fifth one. If you compete in any other, you either lose or win with an extreme disadvantage in the next round.
Daniele:
Are you sure about that?
Blair:
Of course, unless I misunderstood the rules.
Saige:
It’s not the rules you misunderstood.
Blair:
Huh?
Saige:
At what point did they say that winning was the goal?
Blair:
I thought that was implied.
Hayze:
They called it a game, but that isn’t what this is… it’s an exam. Say we wait until the fifth round to participate, and we win because our opposition was tired from the previous rounds. Why the hell would we pass?
Saige:
Participating in the early rounds gives you more chances to show off why you deserve to pass, but you risk being eliminated early. In this exercise, it’s not about whether you win. It’s about how you win.
Hayze:
And the tricky part is that only three of us may participate in any round.
Blair:
But that means that two of us might not even get a chance to compete!
Hayze:
Exactly, keep in mind what they told us back during the draft… we’re not a team. We’re a group of individuals. So if you want to pass, you must prioritize your success over others.
Angel:
Man, this is actually way more complex than I realized.
Lilith:
I don’t know how much I like this…
Daniele:
I’m glad you guys understand the situation appropriately. Now, how are you going to go about this?
Everyone is silent for a few moments.
Hayze:
I think we can agree that participating in the first round is a bad idea. Either we get eliminated, or we have to win five straight contests.
Angel:
Yeah, that doesn’t strike me as a good idea.
Lilith:
So, we’ll sit this one out.
Cut to Team Aster’s cell. There’s tension in the air.
Justus:
(I want to compete.)
Silver:
(If our team is in there, I’m one of ‘em.)
Kevin:
(Like I’m letting these two show me up.)
Aster laughs.
Aster:
Drafting all these egos was the best idea I’ve had in a while!
Alden:
Guys, I think I should-
Everyone:
Shut up, Alden.
Cut to Team Yul’s cell.
Aaron:
Alright, we’re not competing until the fifth round.
Zach:
What! We just went over why that’s a bad idea!
Aaron:
So?
Wes:
Aaron, if we don’t compete before the fifth, some of us will fail automatically.
Aaron:
No, you won’t. You’ll be on the winning team!
Wes:
What if we don’t win?
Aaron:
We will!
Demetri:
Look, I’m all for going in there earlier. Some of us need to prove ourselves.
Isaiah:
I agree.
Aaron:
Man, you guys are stupid.
Jace sits in the corner by himself.
Jace:
(None of these morons would be useful to me now. Maybe Aaron, but he needs to be closer to the light before he can be brought in.)
Cut to Team Tyson’s cell.
Tyson:
You know, you girls should show more skin in your costumes. You’ll see a pretty hefty hike in your popularity.
Eve:
Shut up! What do you girls think we should do?
Gus:
And guy!
Eve:
Did I stutter?
Gus:
Oh…
Alexis:
We might be well served to enter in the first round.
Karma:
But there’s no way we can win like that. We don’t have enough power to win five consecutive rounds.
Alexis:
I know… but we might be able to fight some less powerful opponents this way. Building ourselves up over time.
Karma:
I see… that could-
Hunt stands.
Hunt:
Selection for the first round will now begin. If your team wants to enter, press your button in the next 15 seconds.
15 seconds pass. Two gates open. With their third-year, Killian, Sydney, and Ryan enter from one entrance. From the other gate, Alexis, Eve, and Karma are with Tyson.
Hunt:
Let the first round commence!
Killian steps forward.
Killian:
Looks like it’s just the girls from 2-A.
Sydney:
Ryan, you know what to do.
Ryan:
Right.
Killian and Sydney start walking toward Alexis, Eve, and Karma.
Karma:
What should we do?
Alexis:
Let them come to us. They’re leaving their third member by their “flag” to protect them. So that means that we’ll have a man advantage over them.
Eve:
We can take them easily.
Sydney looks at Killian.
Sydney:
Looks like they’re going to play defense.
Killian:
Yeah, let me scare them a little.
Killian speeds towards the girls and gets between all three of them in the blink of an eye.
Alexis:
(He’s even faster than he was before!)
Killian:
You 2-A jerks always underestimate us. We work just as hard as all of you do, you know!
Eve tries to punch Killian, but he dodges so fast she barely even sees him move. Killian then jabs Eve three times in her stomach, sending her flying.
Eve:
*pained grunts*
Killian laughs.
Killian:
Did you forget that speed is kind of my thing?
Eve smiles.
Eve:
Nope.
Killian hears a sizzling noise.
Killian:
Huh?
Alexis’ paper bomb is attached to Killian’s arm.
Killian:
Wh- what the!
The bomb blows up and sends Killian flying through the air. He smacks into the ground next to Sydney.
Sydney:
Wow… that was impressive.
Killian:
*grunts* Shut up! How the hell did they do that! I’m too fast for that!
Alexis laughs.
Alexis:
It doesn’t matter how fast you are. You’re not faster than time!
Killian:
What does that me-
Karma is holding a handful of Alexis’ paper bombs.
Killian:
(I see… the other girl was a distraction, so I wouldn’t notice she was using her time acceleration quirk to put that bomb on my arm.)
Sydney:
So, are you going to do anything impressive?
Killian:
Do you ever stop talking!
Team Daniele watches closely.
Hayze:
That was a good plan by Alexis, Eve, and Karma. Killian’s speed is countered by Karma’s quirk.
Saige:
Yeah, but that was the only shot they’re going to get. He knows now to keep an eye on her.
Hayze:
True, and besides, Killian’s not the one they should be worried about.
Blair:
Yeah…
Eve gets up.
Killian:
(Those jabs probably didn’t do much damage. If she’s standing, that means she’s fully recovered. I can’t let the time girl get me again, so maybe…)
Killian bursts toward Eve.
Killian:
I’ll get the one that’s disconnected!
Eve smiles.
Killian:
Huh?
Eve:
You’re predictable.
Eve places her right hand against the ground, and Karma comes flying toward her.
Killian:
(What? They had a plan for this too!)
Killian digs his heels into the ground to come to an abrupt stop as Karma touches down next to Eve.
Killian:
(These 2-A guys always think they’re so smart, but they left their “flag” exposed.)
Sydney locks eyes with Alexis.
Alexis:
(The only problem with that plan is that I’m a complete mismatch against her if she chooses to pursue the flag.)
Sydney ignores Alexis.
Alexis:
Huh?
Kevin looks confused.
Kevin:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t that girl want to fight Alexis right now? Water beats paper, last I checked.
Silver:
That’s not what her job is.
Kevin:
Huh? Job?
Justus:
This isn’t just an ordinary fight, Kevin. This is hero training. The winner isn’t determined by who is stronger or more intelligent. It’s determined by who completes the goal first.
Kevin:
Yeah, but… wouldn’t it make sense to pursue the goal now? Alexis is by herself and at a disadvantage.
Silver:
Again, that’s not her job.
Alexis creates three paper shuriken between her fingers.
Alexis:
(Should I attack? No, she must be anticipating that. Her guard is up. She’s standing there for a reason…)
Killian, Eve and Karma are in a standoff.
Killian:
(I have to watch the magnet girl’s right hand, that’s what she can use to propel the time girl to her side.)
Karma lunges toward Killian.
Killian:
(Okay, she’s going for a frontal attack. I just have to-)
Eve starts charging toward Ryan and their “flag.”
Killian:
(Shit, that’s not good!)
Sydney:
Killian! On your right!
Alexis throws her shuriken at Killian. Killian’s eyes widen.
Hayze:
(Killian’s whole gimmick is his speed, but it doesn’t matter how fast you are if you have nowhere to run.)
Hayze’s heart starts to pump faster.
Killian:
(If I go after magnets, I’ll get nailed by time girl! If I dodge the time girl, I get nailed by paper bitch. If I avoid paper girl, magnets gets to Ryan, and if I do nothing, I get bodied from all sides! Shit!)
Sydney doesn’t move.
Sydney:
(Just do your job, Killian.)
Killian speeds after Eve. Surprising, all three girls.
Alexis:
(But that’s the worst choice he could have made!)
Eve stops and places her hand against the ground, sending Karma flying towards herself and, by extension, Killian. Karma punches Killian. He falls on his ass and is bombarded by Alexis’ paper shuriken.
Killian:
*groans*
Killian is slow to get back up as Karma lands next to Eve.
Eve:
That was strange.
Karma:
The most viable option was to at least dodge one of the attacks and let his teammate protect himself.
Eve:
Yeah… the other guy is protecting their “flag” for that exact reason, in case one of us gets past them.
Karma:
For what other reason could-
Karma realizes.
Karma:
Alexis! They’re going for Tyson!
Alexis turns around sharply to look at Tyson. A strand of goo on the wall behind him shoots out and morphs into Ryan’s hand.
Alexis:
Wh-
The hand grabs Tyson and throws him back into his team’s cell.
Hunt:
The Red Team’s flag has retreated to their respective cell. The remaining team members, Alexis Meadows, Eve Avery, and Karma Montgomery, have been eliminated.
Karma, Eve and Alexis are shocked.
Alexis:
(What? How did they-)
Killian starts laughing.
Killian:
You guys were so full of yourselves… you were so focused on the fight you didn’t even pay attention to the fact that we were going for your flag the whole time!
Sydney walks up to the throne and grabs the crown.
Sydney:
It was cute seeing you all think you were in complete control. Ryan wasn’t defending our flag. Killian was.
Killian:
My job was to ensure that you three never got near Ryan. That’s why I chose to go after the magnet girl.
Sydney:
My job was to dampen all of the walls. This required my total concentration, which is why I never joined the fight between you and Killian.
Ryan walks to the throne with their team’s third year.
Ryan:
And my job was to use the damp walls to quickly move my goo strain around the arena without any of you noticing until it was too late.
Sydney places the crown on their third-year’s head and sits them upon the throne.
Hunt:
The Orange team wins round one!
Kevin turns to Silver.
Kevin:
So, that’s what you meant.
Silver:
They had a plan to win from the very start. They protected their flag and didn’t deviate from their plan even slightly. Killian was injured for future rounds, but he was willing to make that sacrifice to win.
Justus:
And Sydney and Ryan didn’t do anything combat-wise, but they played a crucial part in their victory.
Silver laughs.
Silver:
These 2-B guys showed us the perfect formula for passing this exam. They could get wiped out in the next round, and I guarantee you they’ll still pass.
Hayze stares at the throne intently as Sydney, Killian, and Ryan celebrate, specifically at Killian.
Hayze:
(I have to fight him again…)
Hayze’s heart starts pumping even faster.
Hayze:
(Get excited!)
