Eve, Karma, and Alexis take their seats in the stands.
Eve:
I can’t believe we let that happen.
Karma:
And I thought we were doing so well…
Alexis:
We got careless, unfortunately.
Adrian:
I wouldn’t say that.
Alexis:
Huh?
Adrian:
You were impressive with your teamwork and combat capabilities. You put Killian in a big bind. Had this been a regular fight, I believe you would have won. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a regular fight. This was a hero exercise. Take solace in the fact that this was only an exercise and learn from it. Be ready for the exam.
Karma:
Right.
Eve:
Thank you, Mr. Adrian.
Alexis:
(He says that, but we missed the entire point of the exercise. We came in with a plan, and while it was well-thought-out… it was for the wrong objective. We were trying to not lose while they were trying to win. That’s always a recipe for disaster.)
Hunt stands up.
Hunt:
The Orange team will now have the chance to make substitutions before the start of the second round.
The Orange team’s gate reopens.
Sydney:
Ryan, go switch out with Fabio. We’ll stack this round with our three strongest for our best chance of victory.
Ryan:
Okay, but what about R-
Sydney:
Don’t let him leave the cell, please.
Ryan:
Right, probably didn’t need to ask.
Ryan walks back to his team’s cell.
Ryan:
Fabio, you’re up.
Fabio:
Right.
Fabio tags in for Ryan.
Romeo:
Hey! What about me!
Ryan:
You’re not needed this round.
Romeo:
B- but I need to compete! What if we lose this round!
Ryan:
Then you fail. Nothing big.
Romeo:
Come on! Please!
Ryan:
Sorry, but it’s Sydney’s orders. I ain’t going against that girl.
Romeo sobs.
Romeo:
Why did I have to end up on her team again…
Ryan:
Show some dignity, man…
Fabio joins Killian and Sydney at the throne.
Fabio:
Killian, are you going to be alright with your wounds?
Killian:
I’ll be fine. My legs aren’t hurt, so I’m just as fast. You two just stay close to the throne, and I’ll try and keep the stronger ones back.
Sydney:
You’re pretty bold for someone who got tossed around by three girls a few minutes ago.
Killian:
*grunts* Hey, that was on purpose!
Sydney:
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Hunt clears his throat.
Hunt:
For the seven remaining teams, you have the next minute to decide whether you will compete in this round.
Alexis, Eve and Karma are confused.
Alexis:
Seven? But we’re- Oh right.
Karma and Eve:
Gus…
Gus is shaking.
Gus:
This is why men are better than women… guys wouldn’t leave me alone like this!
Tyson:
You’re a weird dude, you know that?
Gus:
I’M JUST STATING FACTS!
Tyson:
Whatever, I’m gonna take a nap.
Gus:
Wh- but I’ll need you if I enter the round!
Tyson:
Pfft, if you’re stupid enough to enter before the fifth round, then be my guest.
Gus:
*groans*
Cut to Team Aster.
Silver:
I don’t think we should enter until the third. Winning three consecutive rounds is doable, but I’m not sure about four.
Justus:
I agree, plus there’s a chance a team or two will be eliminated this round. That will mean less competition in future contests.
Kevin:
Yeah, I’m okay with sitting this one out.
Ash:
Hey guys?
The three guys turn to Ash.
Ash:
I might have an idea.
Silver, Kevin, and Justus:
Hm?
Cut to Team Yul. Aaron is standing in front of the button, blocking it.
Aaron:
Nope, nobody is going in.
Wes:
*sighs* You can be a real prick sometimes, you know?
Aaron:
I’m just doing what’s best for the team.
Zach:
Don’t try to act like you’re a team player! You’re completely ignoring everyone else’s opinions!
Jace:
I’m fine with sitting out the entire exercise.
Everyone turns to Jace.
Jace:
Just have Aaron enter Round 4 with two of you, and if things go aerie, he can retreat and join Round 5 with the remaining two.
Wes:
I guess that makes sense.
Demetri:
As long as I get a chance, I don’t care!
Isaiah:
Me too!
Zach:
Jace… are you sure? This is an important exercise.
Jace:
There’s no need for me to be a part of this squabble.
Zach:
Uh… alright… I guess?
Yul stares at Jace.
Yul:
(His behavior is so… peculiar.)
Cut to Team Daniele.
Daniele:
I know what I would do here, but it’s your decision.
Angel:
We’re probably better off waiting for another round.
Lilith:
I agree. I think it’s too early for us to enter.
Blair:
Yeah, I’m okay with waiting for one more round.
Saige:
That’s fine with me.
Hayze approaches their button.
Hayze:
Don’t you guys see that’s what everyone else is thinking too?
Lilith:
Huh?
Hayze:
I guarantee nobody else is planning to enter this round. We’re about to hand them a free pass.
Blair:
Y- you think so?
Hayze:
Round three is the most optimal time to enter if you want a good amount of opportunity without sacrificing your ability to win. The problem is that everybody else knows that. So if we enter now, when the current team is weak, we’ll be able to win easily.
Angel:
That makes sense, and the goal for us should be to win at least one round so that all of us can compete at least once.
Saige:
Yeah… I guess that’s true.
Daniele stares at Hayze.
Daniele:
(Something’s off…)
Hayze:
I’m going in. Which two of you are joining me?
Everyone looks around.
Lilith:
D- do you have a plan, Hayze? Because I trust you to win us the round.
Angel:
I agree; I’m okay with letting you choose who competes. That probably will give us the best chance of victory.
Blair:
I want to go in.
Everyone turns to Blair.
Blair:
I- if that’s alright… of course.
Hayze:
Yeah, I could always use your help, Blair.
Blair’s eyes light up.
Blair:
R- really?
Saige looks unenthused.
Hayze:
Okay, Lilith, you’re coming with us.
Lilith:
Right!
Hunt’s timer goes off.
Hunt:
Let the second round begin!
Only two gates open. Out of one comes Hayze, Blair, and Lilith with Daniele, and out of the other comes Alden and Ash with Aster.
Zach:
Wh- only two? What’s going on?
Alden rejoices.
Alden:
My darling and I will now take this competition by stor-
Ash grabs Aster and runs back inside the cell.
Alden:
Wh- wh-
Hunt:
The Blue Team’s flag has retreated to their respective cell. Their remaining team member Alden Taillon has been eliminated.
Alden:
*squeals*
Silver, Justus, Kevin, and Ash all start high-fiving.
Kevin:
Great plan, Ash!
Silver:
Worked like a charm!
Ash:
Thanks, guys!
Adrian, Hunt, and Houston give a round of applause.
Hunt:
Anyway, let the real second round commence!
Killian, Sydney, and Fabio face off against Hayze, Blair, and Lilith.
Killian:
If I recall correctly, you’ve fought two of these guys before, right, Sydney?
Sydney:
Yes, I drowned the flat-chested one like a sewer rat. The other one I’d like to forget about.
Killian:
Ha, I had a run-in with him during the Final Exams. He shouldn’t be too much of an issue for me.
Angel turns to Saige.
Angel:
Looks like Hayze was right. It’s just a one-on-one between our team and theirs.
Saige:
Yeah… he was…
Angel:
Is- is something wrong, Saige?
Saige:
It’s nothing… just uh… keep an eye on, Hayze.
Angel:
Huh? Why?
Daniele overhears Angel and Saige.
Daniele:
(She noticed it too…)
Blair:
Hayze, what’s our plan?
Hayze:
I assume you want Sydney?
Blair:
Uh… I mean… I-
Hayze:
That’s why you volunteered to come in this round, right? Well, you can have her. I’ll take Killian.
Blair:
Are uh… are you sure about that?
Hayze:
You’ve grown a lot over this last year, Blair. You’re much more powerful than she is now. So I have zero doubt in my mind that you can take her down.
Blair:
R- really?
Hayze:
Lilith, keep Daniele safe at all costs.
Lilith:
Alright, but do you think I can do that alone?
Hayze:
You won’t be alone for long. This should only take about a minute.
Daniele’s eyes narrow.
Daniele:
(I’ve watched every single exercise and battle Hayze has had since his first day at U.A., and I’ve never once seen him like this…)
Killian approaches Hayze, Blair, and Lilith.
Killian:
Ready for our rematch? I guess we never got to see which of us would have ended up-
Hayze closes the gap between himself and Killian instantly. He punches Killian square in the stomach, leaving a trail of electricity marking his path. His eyes have changed to yellow.
Killian:
*grunts* W- what?
Silver and Justus are surprised.
Silver:
(What kind of speed was that? It was like he teleported!)
Justus:
(When Killian sped between Karma, Eve, and Alexis, he was too fast for a reaction, but you could still see him. That was an instantaneous attack.)
Killian falls to his knees and pukes while holding his stomach in pain.
Killian:
What was that?
Hayze:
When we fought back then, I hadn’t mastered my lightning speed technique.
Hayze grabs Killian by the collar.
Hayze:
But now…
Hayze chucks Killian straight into the air and then jumps after him.
Hayze:
I’m way faster than you ever could hope to reach!
Hayze starts kicking Killian in the stomach over and over, sending him higher and higher into the air. But, to everyone else, it looks like Killian is being shot into the air by nothing.
Adrian:
(Vargas never told me he could do this…)
Hayze stops kicking Killian and uses his speed to descend to the ground first. He then runs against the arena's walls, building more momentum before launching himself at Killian’s still airborne body. In that time, only a few seconds had passed. Finally, Hayze kicks Killian in the stomach and sends him careening at an excessive speed straight into the ground. He loudly crashes to the ground.
Killian:
*groans* Damn you…
Everyone is watching intently.
Hunt:
This is quite the beatdown.
Houston:
Yes, Killian was wounded in the previous round, but I didn’t think he was severely hurt enough for this to happen.
Adrian:
(What’s going on here? He’s wearing the Sigma Ring fragment, so it couldn’t be any of them… could it?)
Justus looks intrigued.
Justus:
This is… strange.
Kevin:
Huh? What do you mean? We all knew Hayze got stronger over the summer. So this isn’t THAT surprising.
Silver:
He’s not referring to that. Do you notice something about this fight, Kevin?
Kevin:
Uh… I’m not sure what you’re getting at.
Justus:
This is the first time we’ve ever seen Hayze dominate an opponent with just his physical talents.
Kevin gets a look of realization.
Kevin:
Y- you’re right…
Ash:
Now that you mention it, we have never seen this before.
Silver:
Yeah… he isn’t even strategizing. He looked at Killian, knew he was stronger, and started pummeling him. That’s it. It’s just… strange to see.
Hayze’s heart pumps even faster.
Hayze:
(I’m having a goddamn blast!)
Impulse:
(Finish him, you know it will be fun!)
Killian slowly gets to his feet.
Killian:
So, you think you’re fast, huh? Well, I’m-
Hayze gets right in Killian’s face.
Hayze:
Slower?
Killian:
Wh-
Hayze starts rapidly attacking Killian with a barrage of punches to the chest.
Hayze:
DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!
Killian gets sent flying through the air before smashing into the arena's wall and knocking him unconscious. Everyone is silent for a few seconds.
Hunt:
Killian Calhoun from the Orange Team has been knocked unconscious and eliminated.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Everyone is in shock.
Silver:
(So… this is what Hayze is truly capable of now.)
Justus:
(That didn’t feel like a battle fought by Hayze.)
Saige looks concerned.
“
Hayze starts rapidly attacking Fearmonger with a barrage of punches to the chest.
Hayze:
DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!
“
— Chapter 115
Saige:
(He shouldn’t make that a habit.)
Sydney stares at Killian’s unconscious body with indifference while Fabio looks terrified.
Sydney:
That’s what he gets for being cocky.
Fabio:
Sh- sh- should we be worried about that?
Sydney starts walking off the throne.
Sydney:
I can handle this. Just stay here and don’t let them have the crown.
Fabio:
R- right.
Sydney approaches Hayze.
Sydney:
Oh, you beat up the injured dog, so what? Do you think you can take me?
Hayze:
I already did once.
Sydney:
*frustrated grunt* You just got lucky that your quirk perfectly countered mine! But that’s not the case here. You can’t change which element you’re using! So now I-
Fabio:
Sydney! Watch out!
Sydney ducks as a stream of lava rushes over her head.
Sydney:
Hey! I’m in the middle of a conversation here!
Blair steps towards Sydney.
Blair:
Your fight is with me!
Sydney:
*scoffs* You’re kidding, right?
Jace gets up and moves to the front of the cell to watch the battle closely.
Jace:
(It’s time for The Fool to do its work.)
Sydney crosses her arms.
Sydney:
Might I remind you what happened last time we fought?
Blair flashes back to her near-death experience.
Blair:
Yeah… I do, and that’s why I need to fight you!
Sydney:
*sighs* Fine, I guess I could use a warm-up.
Blair:
Warm-up, huh? I’ll teach you a-
Blair takes one step forward, slips on nothing, and falls flat on her face.
Sydney:
…
Sydney bursts out laughing.
Sydney:
So much for your moment of triumph!
Blair picks herself up and wipes the dirt off her face.
Blair:
*frustrated grunt* Okay, take two!
Blair stands up.
Blair:
I-
Blair feels something land on her shoulder. She slowly turns her head… It's bird shit.
Blair:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
Sydney bursts out laughing even harder.
Sydney:
YOU REALLY ARE PATHETIC, YOU KNOW THAT!
Jace smiles.
Jace:
(The curse has fully sunk its claws into her. My new quirk: The Fool allows me to create a small slime of negative energy. That slime is under my control, and once it secretes into a person’s skin, its incredible power is unleashed. That person’s luck becomes incredibly terrible. Anything bad that can happen will happen! It’s not an unbeatable ability, though. It creates a symbol where it enters the person’s body. That symbol is the gray three-leaved clover to represent their decaying luck. The only way to free yourself of the curse is by finding where the mark is on your body and damaging that spot on my body. In Blair’s case, the symbol is located on her inner thigh, not that that matters. She has no idea the curse is afflicting her and no idea of how to get rid of it. She’ll be stuck with her terrible luck until she’s driven straight into the embracing arms of the light!)
Blair uses lava to melt the bird shit on her shoulder.
Blair:
This is so gross…
Sydney:
Are you sure you still want to fight me? We haven’t even started, and you’ve embarrassed yourself twice.
Blair:
Shut up, bitch!
Hayze is breathing heavily as his heart continues to beat fast.
Impulse:
(Come on, buddy. You know you want to take Sydney on again.)
Hayze:
(I do… but this is important to Blair.)
Impulse:
(You mean the girl that’s melting shit off her shoulder? You know it would be way more fun to take Sydney down yourself! Don’t even think about Blair’s feelings, we can worry about that later!)
Hayze:
(N- no… I- I can’t.)
Hayze falls to one knee.
Impulse:
(Dude! Are you serious! That’s not exciting! That’s not acting on impulse! Don’t worry about Blair! Hell, you don’t even want her to like you, remember?)
Hayze:
(I…)
Impulse:
(Wouldn’t this be a great way to piss her off?)
Blair puts up her fists.
Blair:
Okay, I’m ready, bitch.
Sydney:
Suit yourself.
Sydney fires a burst of water at Blair. Blair jumps to dodge the attack.
Blair:
Nice try!
Sydney laughs.
Sydney:
Oh, I’m sorry, did you have an accident?
Blair looks down. The water ONLY hit the crotch of her body suit, making it look as though she wet herself.
Blair:
*frustrated grunt* WHAT THE FUCK!
Saige:
*yelling* Blair! Don’t let your temper get the better of you.
Blair:
SCREW YOU SAI- wait, was that genuine advice?
Saige sighs.
Angel:
Man, this is some unfortunate turn of events for Blair.
Saige:
Yeah, she seemed pretty collected before her streak of bad luck.
Blair coats her fists in volcanic rock, creating two gauntlets, and charges at Sydney.
Blair:
Take this, you whore!
Sydney:
You are pretty pathetic.
Just as Blair is about to reach Sydney, water emerges from behind her and engulfs Blair. Trapping her inside of a levitating sphere.
Sydney:
Welcome to my Water Prison!
Blair’s eyes dart around in fear. She frantically tries to swim free but is trapped in place.
Sydney:
Well, would you look at that? It seems like another one of our fights will end in you needing CPR.
Blair starts panicking inside the water prison.
Sydney:
Oh, I wouldn’t do that. You’ll run out of oxygen much quicker.
Eve stands up in the seats and tries to jump over the railing.
Eve:
This bitch!
Alexis and Karma restrain Eve.
Alexis:
Eve! You can’t interfere!
Eve:
She’s afraid of water, and that piece of shit knows that!
Karma:
Nothing terrible is going to happen, Eve! The teachers will intervene if needed!
Jace gets a sinister glint in his eye.
Jace:
(This is perfect. The humiliation from this defeat is a lovely setup for when I convince her to join me later!)
Hayze can barely think straight.
Impulse:
(Look at what’s happening, just go in there and save her! You’ll be such a hero! She might even confess her love to you on the spot!)
Hayze:
(No… Blair doesn’t need my help.)
Impulse:
(Uh, are we watching the same fight here? She looks like she’s about to seize out in that water bubble. She NEEDS your help!)
Hayze thinks for a moment.
Hayze:
(No, she doesn’t! She needs something else!)
Hayze’s eyes revert to normal. He quickly gets to his feet.
Hayze:
Blair!
Sydney and Blair turn their attention to Hayze.
Hayze:
Blair, calm down. You’re fine.
Blair:
(That’s easy for him to say! He can breathe underwater! I…)
Blair flashes back to the moment she passed out underwater.
Blair:
(I CAN’T!)
Sydney laughs.
Sydney:
I don’t think that worked.
Hayze:
Blair, ask yourself this: Why are you afraid?
Blair’s eyes widen.
Hayze:
You have hydrophobia, and you know what the definition of a phobia is? An irrational fear. Irrational! Why are you afraid of something you can easily break free of?
Sydney:
My water prisons are invincible! She can’t break free of it!
Blair:
(She’s right… Hayze is just lying to make me feel better.)
Hayze:
We aren’t talking about fire versus water, you know! This LAVA versus water. Stop being afraid of what will happen if you can’t escape and start thinking of how you can!
Blair gets a look of realization.
Blair:
(He- he’s right!)
Sydney scoffs.
Sydney:
What does that have to do with-
Suddenly, the water prison starts to steam… A LOT.
Sydney:
Wh- what?
Blair begins coating her entire body in lava, evaporating the water around her and creating a thick steam around Sydney and herself.
Sydney:
What the hell!
The heat of the steam starts to overheat Sydney’s body making her woozy.
Sydney:
Wh- what’s going on? How can she-
Blair’s lava-coated hand emerges from the steam cloud and grabs Sydney’s neck, instantly applying second-degree burns.
Sydney:
*choking*
Blair:
Full Magma Jacket!
Blair socks Sydney in the face, burning and knocking her out instantly.
Blair:
REQUIEM!
The steam clears. Everyone sees Sydney’s unconscious body lying on the ground.
Hunt:
Sydney Bowers from the Orange Team has been knocked unconscious and therefore eliminated.
Blair’s lava coating seeps off her body. As a result, she looks visibly exhausted and woozy.
Blair:
Fuck you, bitch.
Blair starts to fall over, and Hayze runs over and catches her fall.
Hayze:
Looks like the steam overheated you too.
Blair:
Th- thanks, Hayze. Sorry for relying on you again.
Hayze:
Don’t thank me, you did that on your own. I just reminded you that you could.
Daniele smiles.
Daniele:
(Whatever was going on with him seemed to have stopped. It still was strange, though…)
Hayze looks at Fabio, who is shaking in his boots.
Hayze:
You have 10 seconds to-
Fabio takes the crown off his third-year’s head and tosses it to Hayze.
Hunt:
The Orange team has lost possession of the crown which means remaining team members Fabio Flores, Ryan Gay, and Romeo Julian have been eliminated.
Romeo starts crying.
Romeo:
I DIDN’T EVEN GET TO COMPETE!
Ryan:
You know, after seeing what those two did to Killian and Sydney… I kind of can’t blame Fabio on that one.
Daniele takes a seat on the throne.
Daniele:
Hayze, if you may?
Hayze:
*sighs*
Hayze helps Blair to her feet, then walks over and places the crown on Daniele’s head.
Hunt:
The Yellow team wins round two!
Daniele smiles.
Daniele:
I’m very impressed with you, Hayze and Blair. That was truly impressive. I take full credit.
Hayze:
Of course you do.
Daniele leans in and whispers in Hayze’s ear.
Daniele:
I’m glad you did your homework like I asked. Now, how about you two go have some alone time?
Hayze blushes.
Hayze:
I uh… I’m sorry you didn’t get to do anything, Lilith. You can stay in for the next round. Blair and I will swap out.
Lilith:
It’s okay, Hayze, and thank you. I’m just glad you and Blair did so well.
Hayze:
Yeah… right…
Hayze looks under his shirt and confirms he is still wearing the Sigma Ring fragment.
Hunt:
The Yellow team will now have the chance to make substitutions before the start of the second round.
Fabio, Ryan, and Romeo take their seats in the stands while Killian, Sydney, and Alden are carted to Recovery Girl’s office.
Eve:
H- how did Alden end up unconscious?
Karma:
He fainted from the shock of being betrayed by “his darling” Ash.
Eve:
Of course he did…
Hayze helps Blair walk back to their cell, and Jace watches with frustration.
Jace:
(Dammit! Even with her bad luck, that bastard Hayze helped quell her mind enough for one ultimate attack. Unfortunately, luck doesn’t beat science. That steam cloud lava attack couldn’t be altered in any way.)
Saige and Angel tag in for Hayze and Blair.
Hayze:
Good luck out there.
Saige:
Thanks, but we won’t need it!
Hayze:
I like when you’re confident.
Saige:
Me too. How’s Blair doing?
Blair:
I’m perfectly… fine.
Hayze:
Well, she just went through the equivalent of a super sauna from that intense steam cloud. So, she’s pretty relaxed right now.
Saige smiles.
Saige:
Well, take care of her. Oh, and be ready to join back in the next round.
Hayze:
Gotcha.
Saige and Angel reach the throne.
Hunt:
For the six remaining teams, you have the next minute to decide whether you will compete in this round.
Saige smiles.
Saige:
You guys better be ready. The storm’s coming.
Lilith gulps.
Angel:
Do you have a plan?
Saige:
Of course, just stay close to me.
Lilith:
Right.
Angel:
Gotcha.
Cut to Team Aster’s cell.
Silver:
So, who isn’t going in?
Silver, Kevin, and Justus look back and forth at each other.
Ash:
*sighs* (Boys and their egos…) I’ll sit out, guys, go have fun.
Justus:
Thank you, A-
Ash:
On one condition.
Kevin:
A- and that is?
Ash:
If you guys lose, you’re making the other girls and me a full three-course meal for dinner this weekend, and it has to be good.
Silver, Justus, and Kevin sweat.
Justus:
Do either of you know how to cook?
Silver:
Let’s just win and not think about it.
Aster laughs.
Aster:
(I like this girl’s style, she’s sweet, but she’s got a devious bone in her.)
Hunt’s timer goes off.
Hunt:
Let the third round begin!
Three gates open. Out of one comes Silver, Justus, and Kevin, out of another comes Alec, Gavin, and Ester, and out of the last comes Tobias, Grace, and Filip.
Saige:
This worked out perfectly.
Angel:
How so?
Saige:
You’ll see!
Silver laughs.
Silver:
Only two other teams? What are the others thinking?
Justus:
I’m not sure, but what should be our game plan?
Kevin:
I’ve got an idea. Let me handle this.
Kevin steps forward.
Kevin:
Hey! Listen, other teams. Why don’t we combine our forces to eliminate the Yellow team? Then, once we take the crown, they’re out, and we can fight!
Filip nods in agreement.
Filip:
He makes a good point. Maybe we should consider-
Filip turns to his team. Only Tobias is standing there.
Filip:
Wh- where’s Grace?
Grace is charging at Kevin, Justus and Silver, drooling.
Grace:
THREE FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! JACKPOT!
Kevin looks surprised.
Kevin:
Is she really gonna fight us? We have a common enemy! How stupid can she be!
Justus:
Welcome to Grace’s world, Kevin.
Silver:
Whatever.
Silver opens up two canisters of silver dust.
Silver:
Quicksilver Prison!
The silver dust surges toward Grace and engulfs her in a spherical ball.
Silver:
That’ll hold her.
Grace’s arm emerges from the sphere.
Silver:
What!
Justus:
Welcome to Grace’s world, Silver.
Grace digs her way free of Silver’s prison.
Silver:
H- how?
Grace:
Nothing can contain me from this foursome! Let’s go, boys!
They all stare at Grace with blank expressions.
Silver:
*sighs* Kevin, do you want this one?
Kevin:
Eh, I guess I-
Grace:
No! 3 On 1! Right here, right now!
Silver:
I don’t share fights.
Grace:
Pussy.
Silver:
WHAT DID YOU SAY!
Grace:
I said-
Grace senses something and ducks. Alec swings two scythes right over her head.
Alec:
Hey now! What’s going on here!
Grace leaps back.
Grace:
Margaret! What are you doing! I CALLED DIBS ON THE STRONG ONES!
Alec:
Yeah, well, guess what! The world doesn’t revolve around you!
Grace:
Does it not?
Gavin comes bumbling over.
Gavin:
Who wants some ass gas?
Alec, Ester, Grace, Silver, Justus, and Kevin:
Shut up, Gavin!
Angel stares at the crowd in disbelief.
Angel:
They- they aren’t even concerned with us…
Saige:
Nope, it’s pretty adorable.
Lilith:
They’re going to destroy each other before they even try to come after us.
Saige:
Well…
Angel and Lilith:
Huh?
Saige:
There’s one exception.
Tobias, out of nowhere, comes lunging towards the Crown with his cane.
Saige:
And there it is.
Saige creates a pink translucent bubble shield around herself, Angel, Lilith, and Daniele. Tobias’ cane smacks into it and causes no damage. He leaps backward and reassesses.
Tobias:
I see. You’ve created a shield using the floozy’s quirk.
Saige:
My nickname got around!
Filip runs up to Tobias.
Filip:
Tobias! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to attack! I could have helped!
Tobias:
Filip, coat their shield in ice.
Filip:
Huh? Why?
Tobias:
I assume objects created by her quirk have similar properties to the things they are mimicking. If we freeze this shield to a cold enough temperature, I’m sure we'll be able to break through it easily.
Filip:
Oh, that makes sense.
Tobias:
And even if it doesn’t work, we’ll cut off their line of sight.
Filip:
Gotcha, I’m on it!
Filip places his hands on the ground, and black ice begins to coat the floor leading up to the bubble shield.
Lilith:
Saige, was what Tobias said true about your quirk?
Saige:
It doesn’t matter.
Saige creates a sniper rifle and takes aim at Filip. Tobias gets a strange feeling.
Tobias:
Filip! Dodge!
Saige fires a shot. As the bullet reaches the bubble shield, a perfectly sized hole opens, the shell slips through, and the gap immediately closes. The bullet then drills into Filip’s arm.
Filip:
AHHH!
Filip starts to get dizzy.
Filip:
Woah… I… uh…
Filip passes out.
Tobias:
Clever.
Saige giggles.
Saige:
That bullet was coated in a fast-acting tranquilizer. He’ll be down for the next 10 minutes.
Tobias:
Clever.
Saige:
I’d use it on you, but…
Saige fires at Tobias, another hole is created for the bullet and then closed, but Tobias deflects it with his cane.
Saige:
That’ll never work.
Alexis, Eve and Karma watch with intrigue.
Alexis:
Saige’s quirk is genuinely remarkable.
Karma:
Yeah, it's truly incredible when she does stuff like this.
Hunt:
It’s pretty uniquely powerful. That quirk serum truly is incredible.
The three girls all look at Hunt.
Alexis:
What do you mean by that, Mr. Hunt?
Hunt:
Hayze, Femme Fatal, and Saige’s quirks are among some of the most powerful I’ve ever seen. I'd be jealous if it weren’t for the psychological defects and the strenuous work they had to put into mastering their abilities.
Eve goes into deep thought.
Eve:
(Strenuous amount of work, huh?)
Adrian:
Saige’s ability is unique but has an apparent weakness.
Hunt:
Oh, of course, I’m very aware of that.
The three girls are all confused.
Karma:
Mind filling us in?
Hunt and Adrian:
No.
They all stare at them with blank expressions.
Karma, Alexis, and Eve:
Of course…
Saige sits down on the throne and yawns.
Saige:
You can chill out and think of a plan if you’d like. I don’t think the others will be joining us anytime soon.
Grace and Alec are still yelling at each other.
Alec:
I GET TO FIGHT!
Grace:
NO, THEY’RE MINE!
Gavin:
Ass gas!
Alec and Grace:
SHUT UP, GAVIN!
Silver, Kevin, and Justus all look dumbfounded.
Kevin:
Sh- should we just sneak off?
Silver:
No, they look like they’re focused on each other, but if you look closely, they’re both keeping an eye on us.
Justus:
It seems as though they’re our first priority, whether we like it or not.
Kevin smiles.
Kevin:
Alright.
Justus and Silver:
Huh?
Kevin starts stretching.
Kevin:
Then let me take care of both of them.
Kevin starts powering up.
Kevin:
*yells*
Silver:
(This feels different than usual!)
Justus:
(The intensity of his power, I can feel it!)
Alec and Grace stop arguing and turn their attention to Kevin.
Kevin:
You guys want someone to fight! Try me!
Grace starts salivating.
Grace:
So much power…
Alec smirks.
Alec:
I’ve been looking for a chance to get back at you for the beating you gave me during the Showcase!
Kevin:
That’s good…
Kevin bursts toward Alec and Grace.
Kevin:
Then let’s go!
