Walker watches closely from the shadows of the arena.
Walker:
(18 students have reached the final phase, 15 from 2-A and 3 from 2-B. I’m proud to see so many from my former class achieve this accomplishment. Let’s see what they can do.)
A man in a suit runs to Hunt and hands him a box with a circular hole on top.
Hunt:
Alright, before we begin, each of you will draw a card from this box. The card is sealed, so you won’t know what’s on it. We’ll go in order of your identification number, come up, grab a card, and return to the line.
Starting with Jace, each examinee grabs a card from the box.
Hunt:
Good. Through the first four phases of this exam, we’ve tested you on your cooperation, communication, deception, stress management, willpower, determination, physical condition, decision-making, bravery, deduction, heroism, and planning. We at the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam committee feel that we have adequately evaluated you in every aspect of being a hero at this point… except one: your combat skills. The final phase of this exam is a tournament.
Everyone tenses up with excitement.
Hunt:
The matches will consist of one on one fights. The winner will be determined by whichever fighter can knock the other one out first. Essentially the same rules as your Sports Festival, however, there are a few differences. First, half of the matches for each round will take place in one day, and any supplies you may have used will be replenished. You’ll be able to visit our on-staff medics after your match. Attrition will not be an element of this tournament. Second, the setting of each match will be randomly determined before it begins. The environment will be different every time. I will act as a referee and step in if, at any point, I believe the life of an examinee is at risk. If that happens or you ask for my assistance, you automatically lose the match. Furthermore, withdrawals will not be accepted. If you don’t want to fight your opponent, you must wait until the match begins and forfeit. Are there any questions?
Silver raises his hand.
Hunt:
Yes?
Silver:
If this is a tournament, does that mean only one of us will pass this exam?
Hunt:
No, during each of your matches, you’ll be evaluated by a committee of proctors. You'll pass if they deem you have what it takes to be a hero.
Saige:
So, we could, in theory, lose in the first round and still pass the exam?
Hunt:
Precisely, and the opposite is true: the person who wins this tournament could still fail. Matches are merely opportunities. You’re by default given 1 chance to prove you deserve to pass; each victory grants you an extra chance.
Wes:
(In essence, the winner of this whole thing doesn’t matter. Our performance in our individual matches does. Aaron isn’t going to like that.)
Hunt:
In each of your hands is a lot. You’ve been matched up against one of the other 17 examinees.
Everyone’s eyes start darting around at each other.
Justus:
(Who am I up against?)
Demetri:
(I hope I get to fight someone strong.)
Grace:
(I know whom I want.)
Aaron:
(I don’t care who I’ve got, I’ll destroy them.)
Hunt clears his throat to get their attention.
Hunt:
I’m sure you all want to know who you’re fighting. Well, that will have to wait.
Everyone looks disappointed.
Hunt:
We’ll now have a 28-hour break. The matches will begin tomorrow. Bring your SEALED cards with you to this arena. You'll instantly fail if you do not bring your card or break the seal. Enjoy your night.
Eve:
Woah, what do you mean? We just had a 24-hour break, and we’ve only been going for 2 hours. So why can’t we just get started? What’s the point in waiting?
Hunt:
Enjoy your night.
Hunt walks off.
Kevin:
Well… I guess we’ve some time to kill.
Wes:
I’m heading back to bed. I don’t want the temptation of opening this card smacking me in the face.
Demetri:
Hell yeah, brother.
Isaiah:
That’d be an embarrassing way to fail the exam.
Everyone starts walking off towards the exit except Hayze.
Saige:
Hayze, come on.
Hayze:
I’ll catch up with you in a second.
Saige:
Okay…
Saige leaves with the rest of the examinees. Hayze starts walking off in the direction of the examinees who failed the fourth phase and were carried away by the medical team. Hayze enters the medical wing of the stadium and spots Bruno and Alec on stretchers with two medics standing by them. Hayze hides around a corner.
Medic 1:
Numbers 3 and 13 will need to stay for a couple of hours.
Hayze:
(That’s Gavin and Alden.)
Medic 1:
29 is in a weird daze, but she should be ready to be sent to phase 0.
Hayze:
(Phase 0?)
Medic 2:
What about 24 and 26? They’re out cold.
Medic 1:
They just got knocked around pretty good. Bring 29 down and then come back for them in an hour.
Medic 2:
Right, where is she?
Medic 1:
I wheeled her into the check-up room over there. She’s all set. You know the drill, drug her, strip her down to her drawers and then send her down to be processed.
Medic 2:
Isn’t it weird that we’re taking their clothes?
Medic 1:
I don’t know, man, it has something to do with making them cold. It’s strange, but I’m sure the higher-ups know what they’re doing.
Medic 2:
I still feel bad we’re putting them through this; those things are like sleeping in cages.
Medic 1:
I know, but this is the exam. They need to play hardball.
Hayze:
(Wh- sleeping in cages? Drugging? What’s going on?)
Hayze inches closer but makes a slight noise.
Medic 1:
Did you hear that?
Medic 2:
It sounded like it was around that corner.
Hayze:
(Shit!)
Hayze runs off with the medics seeing.
Hayze:
(Whatever that was, it confirms my suspicions that something happens to us after we fail, and it doesn’t sound good.)
That night, Aaron, Jace, Sydney, and Tobias reserve themselves in their rooms while Kevin, Wes, Justus, Hayze, Alexis, Eve, Lilith, Saige, Ash, and Blair hang out together in the mess hall. Silver is standing off to the side by himself.
Kevin:
Man, I can’t believe Zach and Angel didn’t make it.
Alexis:
They let their fear get the better of them. They got so caught up in making the right decision that they didn’t make any.
Kevin:
I know, but I’m just sad those guys don’t get to compete in this thing.
Saige:
How about we get a round of applause for Eve making it to the tournament this time.
Everyone claps and Eve grinds her teeth.
Eve:
Might I remind you that you weren’t there last time either.
Saige:
I wasn’t a student then, so I’m 1 for 1.
Eve:
Right *under her breath* bitch…
Lilith:
I’m just glad we’re all here. 15 of us from 2-A… we did amazing!
Kevin:
Cheers to that.
Silver scoffs.
Silver:
(Look at them socializing as if they won’t have to beat the shit out of each other tomorrow.)
Saige sneaks up next to Silver.
Saige:
What are you doing over here?
Silver:
Where did you come from!
Saige:
I came to check on my good buddy Silvy!
Silver:
I told you not to call me that.
Saige:
And I told you not to be so rude; it looks like we both aren’t listening.
Silver:
Go away. I have no interest in hanging out with you guys.
Saige:
Then why are you still here? You finished eating a while ago.
Silver:
I- I- Uh…
Saige:
Come on, Silvy.
Saige drags Silver over to the group and sits him down.
Kevin:
Hey, welcome to the party, Silver!
Silver:
Ugh…
Saige:
Silver here was just telling me all about how excited he is for tomorrow.
Kevin:
You and me both, brother.
Ash:
I think everyone is!
Wes:
Speak for yourself… I know I will get matched up against someone like Aaron or Tobias…
Kevin slaps Wes on the back cheerfully.
Kevin:
Probably!
Wes:
You’re supposed to cheer someone up after that!
Kevin:
Nah, you’ve got bad luck! You’re fucked, dude!
Everyone laughs.
Wes:
Oh, fuck you guys!
Saige:
I think I know who Silver wants to fight!
Silver:
Shut up…
Alexis:
Don’t worry, you’re one of about eight people here who want to fight Hayze.
Kevin:
Hell yeah, I want my first crack at him.
Lilith:
Hear that, Hayze, you’re pretty popular!
Hayze is in deep thought.
Lilith:
Hayze?
Eve smacks Hayze out of his trance.
Hayze:
Ow…
Eve:
Listen when you’re being spoken to, asshole.
Hayze:
Huh, oh sorry…
Ash:
Are you alright, Hayze?
Hayze:
Uh, I’m fine. I think I’m just gonna head to bed-
Hayze starts to stand up, but Blair grabs his hand and forces him back into his seat.
Blair:
No, you’re staying! We’re having fun tonight before we all have to fight!
Kevin:
Hell yeah!
Hayze:
O- I- Uh… okay.
Silver looks around at everyone.
Silver:
How are you all being friendly and cheerful right now? There are 11 of us here out of 18. That guarantees at least two of the people in this room will fight each other tomorrow. Does that not phase any of you?
Ash:
Of course not. We’re all friends here!
Lilith:
Yeah, it’s just a fight. It’s not like what happens tomorrow will affect everyone’s relationship with one another.
Alexis:
I kicked the shit out of Wes during the Sports Festival, and we’re on good terms.
Wes:
First of all, that was a tie. Second of all, why me?
Kevin:
Hell, sometimes good things come out of fighting your friends. Remember how big of a douchebag you were before you fought Hayze?
Eve:
Kevin!
Kevin:
What? Am I lying!
Justus:
It’s alright. I wasn’t great before the Sports Festival either.
Kevin:
You can say that again!
Eve slaps Kevin.
Eve:
Stop it!
Everyone laughs. Silver looks around at them.
Silver:
(Friends… huh.)
Justus turns to Hayze.
Justus:
Who are you hoping to fight tomorrow, Hayze?
Everyone listens for Hayze’s answer.
Wrath:
(Tobias!)
Impulse:
(Kevin!)
Calm:
(Lilith.)
Gale:
(Anyone.)
Hayze:
There are a lot of people I’d like to fight… I, uh, can’t really pick one.
Eve:
Pussy answer.
Alexis:
Eve.
Kevin:
Oh, what, you can give sly remarks, but I can’t?
Eve:
It’s Hayze!
Kevin:
So? It’s Silver and Justus!
Blair stares at Hayze.
Blair:
(Something is off…)
Later on, Hayze walks to his room with Saige. But unbeknownst to them, Blair follows behind closely.
Saige:
You did pretty good; I know large groups overwhelm you.
Hayze:
Yeah…
Saige:
What’s wrong? I know something’s up.
Hayze:
After we got dismissed from the arena, I followed the medics and overheard them talking about something.
Saige:
What?
Hayze:
I think something terrible might be happening to the people who failed.
Saige:
What do you mean?
Hayze:
The medics talked about bringing Verity somewhere. They said something about locking her in a cage-like thing.
Blair is surprised by what she’s hearing.
Saige:
Are… what?
Hayze:
I know it sounds crazy, but… doesn’t it worry you that despite Karma and Gus being eliminated days ago, we haven’t seen them in the stands?
Saige:
Now that you mention it…
Hayze:
Something terrible is happening… what if Iota is back, and he’s kidnapping us one at a time after we fail and-
Saige:
Hayze, you’re being paranoid.
Hayze:
Am I Saige? Do you think it’s just a coincidence that only one person isn’t going to be eliminated from this exam? If you, I, Blair, or anybody loses tomorrow, they could go through the same thing that Verity is going through. What if Karma, Angel, Zach, and Gus are all being tortured and brainwashed right now. What if-
Saige places her hands on Hayze’s temples. Saige’s fingertips glow pink as pulsating rays are cast through Hayze’s head.
Hayze:
Th- thank you…
Saige:
I haven’t had to do that in a while… What's going on?
Hayze:
I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to worry, but… slowly but surely, my control is waning.
Blair’s eyes widen.
Saige:
What? But that shouldn’t be happening because of the-
Hayze:
I know, but it’s losing its power. I have to take control over them… soon. And I’m worried about the others…
Saige:
Hayze, you probably just misheard what they were saying.
Hayze:
Maybe… but I’m not sure.
Saige:
It’s alright, even if what you heard was true. There’s nothing we can do about it. We have to pass this exam, don’t do anything that could jeopardize that.
Hayze:
Right…
Hayze starts walking off.
Hayze:
Good luck tomorrow. In case I don’t get a chance to say it.
Hayze leaves.
Saige:
*sighs*
Blair:
Hey.
Saige:
Huh?
Blair:
You and I need to talk.
The next day, Hayze wakes up with his hero costume and gear lying on his desk.
Hayze:
(Showtime, I guess.)
All 18 examinees gather in the arena in front of Hunt. The spectators gather in their usual seats, including Tyson.
Aster:
So, I’ve got 4 competitors, Daniele has 4, Yul has 5, and Tyson has 2.
Yul:
Indeed.
Daniele:
Oh, look, you can count.
Aster:
What do you say we put a wager down on this, Daniele?
Daniele:
Hm?
Aster:
If one of our competitors wins the tournament, we can ask the loser to do anything we like.
Daniele:
Anything?
Aster:
Yup.
Daniele:
Oh, you’ve got a deal.
Aster and Daniele shake hands.
Yul:
Look, it’s starting.
Hunt approaches the center.
Hunt:
Alright, let’s begin. Everyone, show me your cards.
Everyone holds their cards out in front of them. Hunt materializes a whiteboard and pen in front of himself.
Hunt:
Reveal and state your number.
Everyone rips the seal off of their card.
Jace:
8.
Demetri:
13.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Sydney:
16.
Silver:
14.
Kevin:
10.
Alexis:
4.
Hayze:
11.
Blair:
5.
Wes:
17.
Isaiah:
13?
Eve:
15.
Ash:
9.
Saige:
1.
Grace:
6.
Tobias:
12.
Aaron:
3.
Justus:
2.
Lilith:
7.
Hunt looks confused.
Hunt:
Hm… two 13’s?
Isaiah:
Huh? Why does he have my number!
Demetri:
What do you mean by YOUR number? It’s mine!
Hunt:
I guess we put two 13’s in the box instead of an 18. Oh well, we can’t redraw now.
Demetri:
What?
Isaiah:
Then what are we supposed to do!
Hunt snaps his fingers, and a whiteboard appears behind him:
Hunt:
Here is the bracket for our tournament.
Everyone examines the bracket.
Isaiah and Demetri:
(Wh- we have to fight together!)
Wes:
(Oh… you’ve gotta be kidding me… I HAVE TO FIGHT TWO OF THE SCARIEST GIRLS ON THE PLANET AT THE SAME TIME!)
Blair:
(So, I’m up against the weird girl.)
Lilith:
(Jace, huh?)
Jace:
(Perfect, I’m in the same quadrant as Blair.)
Aaron stares at the bracket sternly.
Grace:
(AWWW, I have to wait until the third round to fight anyone good!)
Kevin:
(Ash…)
Ash:
(Kevin…)
Silver:
(I’ll annihilate those idiots.)
Eve:
(So, a three-way fight? I can get behind that.)
Saige:
(So, I’m up first against Justus… this won’t be easy, but I can pull through.)
Justus:
(Saige is arguably the most formidable opponent I could have drawn. I’ll have to make little to no mistakes against her.)
Hayze feels a pulsating feeling throughout his entire body.
Wrath:
(Good…)
Hunt snaps his fingers, and the whiteboard disappears.
Hunt:
We’ll start with the match on the far left, so Saige Neidert and Justus Grey stay here. Everyone else, you have a designated spot in the stands. Follow the signs and head there.
The other 16 examinees walk off, leaving just Justus and Saige.
Hayze:
(Good luck, Saige. This could be
the
match of the tournament.)
Silver:
(Justus should win this with ease.)
Alexis:
(Saige may act like a goofy girl, but in combat, she’s as serious as it gets.)
A few minutes later, the examinees reach their spectating booth.
Kevin:
Now, this is a fight!
Alexis:
The winner of the Sports Festival going up against the former top student of U.A. West.
Eve:
You could easily argue that these are the two strongest students in our class.
Silver stares at Eve out of the corner of his eye.
Kevin:
Justus has to win this, though, I know Saige is mighty, but I’ve never even seen her have a full-out fight. That makes me skeptical.
Alexis:
Trust me, you shouldn’t be.
Hayze:
(Saige isn’t as immensely stronger than everyone else as she was back last year. I’m not sure whether Justus has surpassed her or not, but we’ll see.)
Hunt clears his throat.
Hunt:
Alright, it’s time to officially begin the Final Phase. You both are aware of the rules. The match will only be declared when the words “The winner is…” Leave my mouth. If I intervene and you attempt to continue, the result of the match will be reversed, understood?
Saige:
Yup.
Justus:
Yessir.
Hunt:
Good, then now it’s time to determine the terrain for this match.
Hunt snaps his fingers, and a TV screen appears next to him.
Hunt:
Images of potential battlegrounds will be shuffled through until the screen stops on a random one. That will be where you’ll fight. Then, when the terrain generates, the fight will officially begin.
The screen starts randomizing through various locations.
Justus:
(I’d prefer an area with a lot of flat ground. Saige’s quirk is much more suited to hiding and taking potshots than direct confrontation.)
Saige:
(It doesn’t matter where we fight; I’ll shift my strategy accordingly.)
The screen stops on… a plane.
Saige:
Wh- what?
Justus:
Huh?
Hunt:
Good, now let’s begin.
Saige:
Wait, what do you mean a pl-
A blinding light blares. Suddenly Justus and Saige find themselves on a 747, seemingly flying through the sky. They look around at the rows and rows of empty seats.
Saige:
Well, safe to say I wasn’t expecting this.
Justus cracks his knuckles.
Justus:
It’s time for us to fight.
Saige giggles.
Saige:
You’re just going to go straight for it, huh? Shouldn’t you at least take a second to observe our surroundings?
Justus:
I’m well aware that one of my punches could break a hole in this plane, creating a vacuum that would suck us out to who knows where.
Saige:
Yeah… but I don’t think you have to worry about that.
Justus:
Huh?
Saige creates a C4 and chucks it against the emergency exit.
Justus:
(What!)
Saige creates a detonator in hand and clicks it.
Saige:
Let’s have some fun!
The C4 goes off, breaking a massive hole in the plane. Saige gets sucked out and sent flying while Justus grabs onto one of the seats and hangs on for dear life.
Justus:
(She’s insane!)
Justus notices the seat he’s hanging on to is slowly being ripped from the floor.
Justus:
(I have to do something!)
Justus looks at the boots Tara designed for him.
Justus:
(It’s time to debut this gadget!)
Justus knocks his heels together, activating mini thrusters. Justus lets go and is sent flying out of the plane.
Justus:
(Balance! Balance!)
Justus is eventually able to gain control and stop his descent. He then rockets towards the plane.
Justus:
(Considering Mr. Hunt hasn’t declared the match over, I’d say she’s found her own way to survive the fall.)
Saige used her quirk to create a grappling hook she shot onto the plane to hang on. She also made goggles to protect her eyes.
Saige:
Good, he’s out of the plane!
Saige reels herself back inside the plane. She uses her quirk to cover up the hole, which removes the vacuum.
Saige:
Phew… alright, now for some
real
fun.
Justus lands on the top of the plane.
Justus:
(Where is she?)
Saige enters the cockpit; there are no pilots.
Saige:
(Just as I suspected.)
Saige takes the pilot seat and straps herself in. She then picks up the intercom.
Saige:
This is your pilot speaking. We seem to be experiencing some turbulence, so please buckle your seatbelts. We’re in for a bumpy ride!
Saige turns the controls and flips the plane over.
Justus:
WOAH!
Justus starts falling; he turns his boots back on and flies back up to the plane. Saige spots him out the window.
Saige:
(So, those boots are a gadget. Well, his fuel supply isn’t infinite, so all I have to do is force him to keep him flying until eventually… he runs out.)
Saige starts doing barrel rolls with the plane.
Saige:
WEEEEEE!
Justus flies back and keeps his distance from the spinning aircraft.
Justus:
(So, she is the one doing that!)
Justus spots the cockpit.
Justus:
I’ll just attack her there!
Justus rockets towards the cockpit.
Justus:
Hammer of Justice!
Justus shatters one of the cockpit windows.
Justus:
There you are!
Saige stops barrel rolling the plane.
Saige:
Hi, Justus!
Saige uses her quirk to replace the window.
Saige:
Bye, Justus!
Justus:
*grunts* Hammer of Justice!
Justus punches out another window. Saige instantly replaces it.
Justus:
*frustrated grunt*
Justus keeps breaking the cockpit’s windows, but Saige replaces each one the next moment. Eventually, leading to every window being one of Saige’s constructs.
Justus:
You think you’re clever? Well, I know your weakness! All I have to do is break one of these constructs, and you’ll be powerless!
Justus winds back a punch.
Justus:
Hammer of Just-
Saige removes the construct Justus was about to punch, causing Justus to fly into the cockpit and slam into the wall.
Justus:
Ugh… I can't say I was expecting that…
Saige giggles; she removes all of the other constructs making the entire cockpit into a massive vacuum that sucks Justus right back out of the plane.
Justus:
Woah!
Saige replaces all of the windows again and turns the plane back to autopilot.
Saige:
(Let’s see what other mayhem I can cause.)
Kevin grimaces.
Kevin:
What’s Justus doing? He’s letting Saige play circles around him!
Ash:
Yeah, this isn’t like Justus at all.
Blair:
Of course, but it’s exactly like Saige. She once gave me advice about this exact situation…
“
Saige:
Obviously, the main goal of a fight is to win, of course, but a plan to have during the battle is to get your opponent on your terms. So, for example, she told you you had 3 moves to try and defeat her before she defeated you with one. So instead of trying to catch her off guard or possibly take advantage of her overconfidence, you simply went along with precisely what she said. “
— Chapter 64
Blair:
Saige made a bold move breaking open a hole in the side of the plane right off the bat, but from that moment, she took the fight into her own hands, and Justus has been fighting to take it back ever since.
Lilith:
So does that mean Justus is going to lose?
Silver:
No.
Everyone turns their attention to Silver.
Silver:
Justus may be a strength hero, but he’s also a tactician. Counting him out of this fight so soon would be a mistake.
Justus regains his balance with his rocket boots and starts flying back towards the plane.
Justus:
(Saige is quite the elusive girl. She’s been using this terrain to her advantage this whole time. I need to start doing that now if I want to win this fight!)
Justus’ boots start to putter.
Justus:
(Dammit! These weren’t made for sustained flight! I’m running out of fuel fast!)
Justus grabs the plane’s wing just as his boots run out of fuel. Justus climbs on the wing and smashes one of the windows; he climbs back into the aircraft.
Justus:
(Where is she?)
Justus looks around the plane and doesn’t spot Saige anywhere. He sees the cockpit door is open, and no one is inside.
Justus:
(She’s planning something…)
Justus carefully walks through the plane, his eyes peeled for any movement.
Justus:
Saige… where are you?
Justus walks past the bathrooms and notices out of the corner of his eye that one is locked.
Justus:
(This is a trap.)
Justus jiggles the door handle.
Saige:
*muffled* Occupied!
Justus:
Don’t play games!
Justus rips the door off its hinges.
Justus:
What!
All that’s in the bathroom is a pink translucent tape recorder.
Justus:
But that means-
Saige bursts out of the other bathroom and kicks Justus in the stomach causing him to fall ass first on the toilet.
Saige:
I can’t believe you fell for that, Justus!
Saige giggles.
Justus:
I can’t believe you fell for this!
Saige:
Huh?
Saige notices Justus is holding the plane’s instant inflatable raft in his hand.
Saige:
(Crap!)
Justus pulls the cord, instantly inflating the raft in Saige’s face, pinning her against the bathroom mirror.
Saige:
(Clever play!)
Justus pushes the raft against Saige, squishing her face into the mirror.
Justus:
I know you’re probably in no pain, right? You’re probably just uncomfortable.
Saige:
You could say that…
Justus:
Well, I guess I should fix that.
Saige:
Huh?
Justus has Saige’s tape recorder from her trap in his hand.
Saige:
(No!)
Justus crushes the tape recorder -causing Saige to get an agonizing migraine.
Saige:
AHHHHH!
Justus pulls back the raft and chucks it aside. Saige slides to the ground holding her head in pain.
Justus:
Now then, it’s time for me to finish this.
Justus grabs Saige’s ankle and starts dragging her towards the hole in the plane she detonated earlier.
Ash:
Justus is going to win!
Kevin:
And he didn’t even need his quirk to do it!
Lilith:
It’s really over?
Eve:
Saige is so weak in this state she can’t even fight back. He’s won.
Hayze watches closely.
Hayze:
(Come on, Saige… don’t let one mistake cost you this match.)
As Justus drags Saige through the plane towards the gaping hole. Saige grabs onto the leg of a seat.
Justus:
(Huh?)
Justus pulls tighter on Saige’s ankle, but she holds onto the chair with all her strength.
Justus:
Fine… I’ll finish you with Colossal Justice instead.
Justus releases Saige’s ankle.
Justus:
Take th-
Saige kicks Justus in the nuts.
Kevin:
Oof…
Isaiah:
Poor guy…
Demetri:
Walked right into that one…
Justus falls to a knee holding his balls, and Saige desperately tries crawling away.
Justus:
Cheap move, but it won’t get you far!
Justus removes his shield from his wrist holder and chucks it at the back of Saige’s head.
Saige:
AHHHH!
Justus:
(If I keep her head in a daze, there’s no way she’ll be able to defeat me.)
Saige continues crawling as blood gushes from a gash on the back of her head.
Justus:
(She’s still going?)
Justus slowly gets to his feet.
Justus:
(I can’t let her keep going.)
Justus works through his pain and walks after Saige.)
Saige:
(He’s… coming… I’ve… gotta… get… separation…)
Saige places her hand on the back of her head.
Justus:
(I have to end this now while I have the chance!)
Justus charges at Saige.
Justus:
Colossal Justic-
Saige twists around and splashes the blood from her wound in Justus’ eyes.
Justus:
*grunts*
Saige crawls away quickly as Justus is stunned.
Justus:
(I can’t let her get away!)
Justus takes his shield and blindly throws it where he last saw Saige. The shield slices into her back and flies back to Justus.
Saige:
AHH!
Justus:
(There!)
Justus throws his shield again, but Saige quickly crawls between two rows of seats this time. The shield collides with the ground making a loud bang before flying back to Justus.
Justus:
(She moved between seats.)
Justus’ eyes stop stinging. Saige catches her breath.
Saige:
(My head is still in a lot of pain, but I think I’m strong enough to make a single small object, but what?)
Justus clears his eyes and cautiously moves forward.
Justus:
(She’s between one of these rows of seats… but which one.)
Justus readies his shield.
Justus:
(She’s bound to have started recovering by now, I have to be careful again.)
Suddenly a flashbang rolls out from a seat directly in front of Justus.
Justus:
(Wh- no!)
The flashbang goes off, blinding Justus once again.
Justus:
AHHHHHH!
Saige crawls beneath the seats towards the back of the plane.
Saige:
(I only have a little bit of time.)
Justus falls to a knee.
Justus:
(She’s resourceful, that’s Saige’s greatest strength, but I won’t let her win.)
“
Colossus:
So to the next generation of heroes, don’t remember me for my strength… remember me for what I represented. Don’t forget that you’re role models and inspire others to be the best they can be by simply being yourself. “
— Chapter 106
Justus:
(I have to pass this exam… for myself AND my father. I will be the next symbol of peace, but I have to beat Saige first to do it.)
Justus winds back a punch.
Justus:
(I will not lose!)
Justus’ fist trembles.
Justus:
(This for my father! I will carry on his legacy!) Colossal Impact!
Justus punches the air creating a shockwave that blasts through the plane and annihilates all the seats in its path. Saige gets hit by the blast and sent careening through the air until she slams into the very back of the plane.
Saige:
*groans* That… that hurt.
All of the students are surprised.
Eve:
That was Colossus’ move…
Blair:
I didn’t know Justus could do that…
Ash:
(Colossus could only use that move because of the power of that ring, so Justus shouldn’t be able to do it at all. But, if Justus is inspired enough by his father that he can feel his spirit watching over him, he’s able to exceed his physical limitations. However, that doesn’t mean it’s good for his body.)
Justus’ arm falls to his side, bleeding from multiple spots.
Justus:
(Looks like I might have overdone it… there goes my right flexor and tricep. No matter, she’s on her last legs.)
Justus approaches Saige.
Saige:
(So much pain… that blast was so powerful.)
Saige crawls off to her side.
Justus:
Don’t try to run!
Justus charges towards the back of the plane.
Saige:
Bye!
Saige crawled inside the elevator to the cargo hold and descended. Justus punches the doors out and leaps on top of the elevator itself.
Justus:
You won’t escape!
The elevator reaches the cargo hold while Justus punches a hole in the top of it and leaps down. The elevator doors open up next to the landing gear. Justus looks down at a trail of blood leading further into the hold.
Justus:
Come out, come out, Saige.
Saige:
No, I don’t think I will.
Saige steps out from behind a crate next to a lever.
Justus:
(Oh no!)
Saige:
Cya, Justus!
Saige pulls the lever, and the landing gear begins to descend, creating a vacuum that pulls Justus.
Justus:
It won’t end like this!
Justus leaps forward as the suction forces pull him toward the opening. He throws his shield at Saige’s ankles, knocking her over and causing her to start tumbling towards the open gears.
Justus:
If I’m going down, you’re going down with me!
Justus and Saige both fall through the holes and land on one of the landing gears.
Justus and Saige:
*groan*
Both gain their composure and realize their situation. Justus attempts to punch Saige, but she kicks him in the face.
Justus:
*grunts* I see you’re doing better.
Saige:
My head’s a little better now that you mentioned it!
Saige starts climbing up the landing gear, Justus attempts to climb after her, but the torn muscles in his right arm prevent him.
Saige:
Sorry, Justus, but this is where you get off.
Saige creates a semtex grenade and drops it on Justus.
Justus:
(Shit!)
Justus leaps to the other landing gear and grabs onto its wheel as the grenade detonates, destroying the bottom of the gear Saige is on. Saige continues climbing towards the cargo hold while Justus hangs from the other gear with his left arm.
Justus:
(Dammit, with my right arm the way it is, I can’t climb up!)
Suddenly, Justus notices his shield partially hanging off the edge of the landing gear hole.
Justus:
(That’s my only chance!)
The shield slides off and starts falling. Justus snags it with his right hand.
Justus:
(I have to throw it with my bad arm… this isn’t good! But I have to do this if I want any chance of winning!)
Justus throws his shield as hard as he can, tearing his bicep and lateral muscle.
Justus:
Come on!
The shield careens towards Saige, but it veers slightly to the right and sails off.
Justus:
(No…)
Saige reaches the top and climbs back into the cargo hold.
Saige:
This was a good fight, Justus… I really appreciate it. You had me on the ropes for a while… don’t fret, though. I’m sure you’ll still pass.
Saige throws a semtex grenade on top of the other landing gear. It explodes, destroying the equipment and causing Justus to plummet.
Justus:
(I lost… I’m sorry, Father…)
Suddenly a hallucination of Colossus appears, falling beside Justus.
Colossus:
(Remember my words, Justus.)
“
Colossus:
Being number 1 isn’t just about strength… it’s about what you represent. “
— Chapter 106
Colossus:
(You fought to the bitter end. What you represent is a true warrior. The result may not be in your favor, but no hero wins every battle. As long as you can walk away saying you did everything you could… that’s alright in my book. Remember that I had to play pretend to get to where I was. You don’t need to worry about how fast you surpass me; just be resolute in the fact that you will.)
Justus smiles as Colossus’ hallucination fades.
Justus:
(I will father…)
The holographic environment fades. Saige falls to her knees, breathing heavily while Justus is lying on the ground.
Hunt:
The winner is Saige Neidert.
Daniele leaps up from her seat.
Daniele:
LET’S GO, SAIGE! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Aster:
Dammit, Justus…
Yul:
That’s 3 left for Aster and 4 for Daniele.
Daniele:
Damn right!
Kevin is shocked.
Kevin:
Justus lost…
Lilith:
In the first match…
Alexis:
It just goes to show how powerful Saige is.
Medics come out with two stretchers; they pick Justus up and place him on one.
Medic:
Would you like to lay down, Ms?
Saige:
I can walk.
The medics start wheeling Justus off towards the medical area. Saige starts to follow, but a medic stops her.
Medic:
Sorry, Ms, but eliminated examinees are taken to a different area. Follow me.
“
Hayze:
I think something terrible might be happening to the people who failed.
Saige:
What do you mean?
Hayze:
The medics talked about bringing Verity somewhere. They said something about locking her in a cage-like thing. “
Saige:
Okay…
Saige follows the medic. Ash stands up.
Ash:
I’m going to visit Justus and ensure he’s doing alright.
Hayze:
Yeah, I’ll come with you. We can try to meet up with Saige after.
Ash and Hayze start walking towards the exit when they’re confronted by a Sentinel from the first phase.
Sentinel:
Active competitors may not leave this area until their match has been called for or a recess has been called.
Ash:
Wh- what?
Sentinel:
Any attempts to leave will be met with an instant elimination from the exam.
Ash:
*grunts*
Hayze:
Come on, Ash, let’s sit down.
Hunt watches closely.
Hunt:
(We must be careful after what happened with Hayze.) Alright, let’s begin the Second Match.
Aaron smiles.
Aaron:
(Time for me to win.)
Alexis stands up. Two staircases materialize leading up to the spectator’s area.
Hunt:
Aaron Zamora and Alexis Meadows, please enter the arena.
Aaron starts walking down one staircase while Alexis walks down the other.
Alexis:
(Okay, Alexis, this is your chance… to save Aaron.)
