Hayze slowly awakens to see multiple medics around him.
Hayze:
*groans*
Medic 1:
Good, he’s awake.
Medic 2:
It looks like his injuries were all healed successfully.
Hayze sits up.
Medic 1:
Woah, slow down there. Just because you’re healed doesn’t mean you should be up and moving.
Hayze:
What happened?
Hunt:
You won, congratulations.
Hayze:
I did?
Blair:
Yeah, you did.
Hayze:
Blair…
Hayze stands up and walks to Blair.
Medic 1:
I guess fuck us, right?
Hayze:
That was a great fight, thank you.
Blair:
What, are you thanking me for losing? Because I’m not happy about that.
Hayze:
No, for making me give it my all in ways I never have. That was a fight I’ll never forget, and I’m glad I got to finish this tournament battling against someone as strong as you.
Blair blushes.
Blair:
Y- yeah, well, you’re welcome then… I guess…
Suddenly, the arena doors open, and the other 37 examinees flood inside.
Aaron:
Hayze! You won!
Kevin:
Aaron, don’t try to be happy; we all know you’re jealous.
Aaron:
Yeah, you’re right, fuck you, Hayze.
Kevin:
Hayze! You won!
All of 2-A gather at the center except Lilith and Jace.
Eve:
You did great, Blair. We’re all proud of you.
Alexis:
Yeah, and there’s no shame in losing to Hayze.
Blair:
I still wanted to win…
Ash:
Well, you made it farther than any of us.
Blair and Saige lock eyes, and Saige smiles.
Saige:
You did good, Blair.
Aaron slaps Hayze on the back.
Hayze:
*pained grunt*
Wes:
Aaron, the dude literally just finished a fight. You shouldn’t be congratulating him like that.
Aaron:
Congratulating?
Justus walks up to Hayze and offers him a handshake.
Justus:
Welcome to the winner’s circle.
Hayze shakes Justus’ hand.
Hayze:
Thanks. I wish you could have made it further.
Justus:
Me too, but this wasn’t my tournament to win.
Hayze and Silver lock eyes.
Silver:
Good fighting out there, although I feel like I could have won that much faster.
Hayze:
Probably.
Hunt is standing in front of the crowd of students. He clears his throat.
Hunt:
Alright, everyone, the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam is now complete. I have the full list of those who have passed and failed.
Everyone gets tense.
Hayze:
(I won the tournament, but did I do enough to pass?)
Wes:
(Oh god… I forgot about this part.)
Hunt:
Before I reveal the results, I should explain the criteria for passing the exam so that no one has room to argue. All of you receiving your provisional licenses will fall into one of two outcomes. One, you passed all five phases of the exam, or Two, you passed phase zero.
Hayze:
Phase zero?
Blair:
What’s that?
Aaron:
Oh, right, you weren’t there. Basically, up until the semi-finals, anyone eliminated was sent to this island simulation. We had to survive for what felt like 71 days.
Karma:
It was similar to the prison exercise where you could “die,” and your injuries and the environment were real. We were told that only one person who survived the entire time on the island would automatically pass the exam.
Wes:
It was not a fun experience. The nights were cold, and we had no food.
Hunt:
Thank you for briefly describing what phase zero was to the final four. Although, there was one part you got wrong.
Everyone is curious.
Hunt:
The simulation was a test to see if you could learn from the mistakes that got you sent to the island in the first place. Every single one of you could have passed that phase, not just one. We lied to you to build animosity and competition between you, which also served as a test.
Zach:
Wait, so I can still pass?
Eve:
Even though we didn’t survive the island?
Hunt:
You would have had to have shown the skills necessary to pass the exam phase you initially failed and any subsequent ones you missed. For example, if you were eliminated during phase two, you would have had to survive the first 70 days on the island to have any chance at passing. Then you also would have needed to show that you could pass phases three, four, and five as well.
Karma:
(So the later you arrived on the island, the easier it would be for you to pass phase zero. That doesn’t favor me, I would have basically had to pass every single phase on that island.)
Hunt:
Does anyone have any questions?
Everyone is silent.
Hunt:
Okay, then here is the moment of truth for all of you.
Hunt snaps his fingers, and a large screen appears next to him.
Silver:
(I think I did enough.)
Aaron:
(Of course I passed.)
Alexis:
(I was sure of this outcome when I surrendered to Aaron, but I can’t lie, I’m nervous.)
Wes:
(Please! Please! Please! Please!)
Justus:
(Whatever happens, I know I’ll prevail, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to pass right now.)
The screen powers on revealing the exam results:
Everyone examines the board.
Adrian:
11 2-A students, 3 2-B, not bad.
Fatal:
14 out of 39 is better than I expected.
Houston:
Well, I’ll take the three I’ve got.
Aster smiles.
Aster:
(Good for Blair.) Despite my team coming up short in the tournament, I ended up with more passing students than any of you.
Daniele:
Eh, whatever, I’ll take three.
Yul:
I also had three. That’s satisfactory.
Tyson:
At least the hot one passed.
Daniele:
I thought you drafted all of them because they were hot.
Tyson:
Yeah, so I had a three-in-four chance of the hot one passing.
Daniele:
Of course…
Hayze smiles.
Hayze:
(I did it!)
Wes:
(Oh, thank god…)
Aaron:
Hey, Wes.
Wes:
Huh?
Aaron:
Look who else passed.
Wes notices Verity has passed.
Wes:
WHAT!
Verity:
Congratulations.
Wes:
WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!
Karma sighs. Alexis pats her on the back.
Alexis:
It’s alright, Karma. You’ll do awesome next time because of this experience.
Karma:
I know, but it’s hard to accept that all of it was for nothing.
Alexis:
(Kind of makes me feel bad that I passed.)
Eve clenches her fist.
Eve:
(I gave everything I had for that fight against Sydney and Wes, and I came up empty-handed, unlike them. If I had been more composed and devised a better plan with Karma in Phase Zero… maybe we both could have passed.)
Demetri:
What!
Isaiah:
How did we not pass?!
Hunt:
You two tortured your opponent the second you gained the upper hand and were defeated due to lust. In addition, being perverse is why you ended up imprisoned by your peers 18 seconds after arriving on the island. That led to you being quickly dispatched when the pirates came. Any more questions?
Isaiah and Demetri whimper.
Hunt:
I thought so.
Alec:
What about me?! I survived the island!
Hunt:
All you did was kill one of your comrades with zero remorse the moment you got the chance. You failed phase four: heroism. The jokes write themselves.
Alec:
*frustrated grunt*
Grace:
What about me?!
Hunt stares at Grace.
Grace:
Yeah, you’re right.
Angel places his hand on Zach’s shoulder.
Angel:
Congrats, Zach. You’re one of the few who didn’t make the tournament that passed.
Zach:
Yeah, I didn’t think I did much but-
Hunt:
You failed phase three: decision making, and missed the heroism and combat phases. You made the tough choice of staying behind to protect your teammates showing heroism, and you fought to the best of your ability against the pirates. That’s passing to me.
Alexis:
So that’s why Verity and Gavin passed. They both showed incredible heroics during the final day on the island.
Hunt:
Precisely.
Gavin farts.
Gavin:
Yeah, I knew what I was doing.
Sydney:
No, you didn’t, you slime!
Hunt:
You should be happy too, Ms. Bowers. Your sacrifice was enough to catapult you to a passing grade on the exam.
Sydney:
I- it was?
Hunt:
Yes, the judges were impressed with your combat capabilities but didn’t like your attitude. That decision quelled their doubts.
Sydney blushes.
Sydney:
Yeah, right, that was a part of my plan.
Jace and Lilith both look indifferent.
Hunt:
Alright, for those who failed, this exam is held once every four months, in April, August, and December. U.A. asked for an extra examination period earlier in the academic year to allow for more students to have an opportunity to pass the exam. Usually, there would be many more examinees than just you, but unironically U.A. was the only school that felt their students were prepared. You should be happy, though. You now have the experience from this exam and only have to wait half the time to retake it; a lot of you came close, so work hard, and I’m sure you’ll pass next time. You may leave and regroup with your teachers. As for the rest of you, follow me.
The twenty-five failing students leave. Everyone else follows Hunt.
Aaron:
This is it, the moment we’ve been waiting for.
Alexis:
We’re finally going to be heroes.
Justus:
Even if it is just on a provisional basis.
Ash:
It’s better than what we were before.
Hunt and the 14 passing students exit the arena and enter a room similar to the DMV. The two girls that they encountered to sign their consent forms are there.
Girl 1:
Congratulations on passing the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam! We will now be administering a card to symbolize your completion of this exam; your full legal name and hero name will be shown on the card alongside a picture of you and other information.
Girl 2:
The license is a document that allows hero trainees to use their quirks for heroic activities with recognition from the law. However, you are not full-fledged heroes. You may only act in emergencies or under the guidance of a hero who has officially taken you under their wing.
Girl 1:
With all of that out of the way, please form an orderly line for your pictures.
Girl 2 walks up to Hayze and Blair with their school uniforms.
Girl 2:
You two can change in the bathrooms over there.
Fatal stands up.
Fatal:
Alright, I guess we should go meet up with the students.
Houston:
Yes, I believe I can begin the reprimanding on the bus ride home.
Adrian stands up.
Adrian:
I’ll catch up with you guys later; I need to make a call.
Fatal:
Oh, okay, we’ll cya soon.
Fatal and Houston leave. Adrian walks up to Walker.
Adrian:
So? What did you think?
Walker:
They did well. I’m not surprised that Hayze won.
Adrian:
Well? More than half of them passed, that’s way better than we ever thought, and you know why? Because you were their teacher.
Walker:
Don’t give me this crap. I know you called me here to convince me to return to U.A., but I only came here to watch them. I may not be their teacher anymore, but I still am invested in their success. I’m not coming back, Adrian. It’s for the best.
Adrian:
You saw that fight between Hayze and Silver, right? It was just like ours.
Walker:
Mere coincidence.
Adrian:
Really? Because if I recall correctly, that was the same fight that made us both realize what jerks we were. I abandoned Rachel, and that was one of the biggest failures of my life.
Walker:
Notice how you said failure and not regret? That’s because you were protecting the ring, a responsibility that far exceeded any relationship you had.
Adrian:
Oh! So you’re comparing me protecting the world to you leaving these students?
Walker:
No, I’m saying that you made a choice for the betterment of everyone, not just a few people. These kids were put in danger too many times under my watch.
Adrian:
Well, I’ve got a brainwashing virus seemingly going around the class right now! You want to say that’s your fault!
Walker doesn’t have a response.
Adrian:
Face it, Damien. Your teachings and leadership are a big part of why these kids have been so successful since joining the academy. But you’re allowing one mistake to haunt you, and you’re so afraid of making that mistake again that you removed yourself from a decision-making role.
Walker:
And what mistake was that?
Adrian:
EMD.
Walker is taken aback.
Adrian:
I know you’ve never gotten over it, but it wasn’t your fault. And even if it was, that doesn’t mean you’re any less of a hero. You’re depriving these kids of the education they deserve, the best one possible. All because you’re afraid. I know what it’s like to hurt someone because of fear, and trust me, it doesn’t feel good.
Adrian walks away.
Walker:
(EMD… Jake…)
The passing students walk down the hallways of the stadium towards the exit. All of them admire their licenses.
Hayze:
(This is it… I’m finally a hero. This is what I’ve fought for since I was a kid, and now I’m holding it in my hands.)
Justus:
(Father, I wish you could be here to see this.)
Saige:
(Well, it’s a piece of plastic.)
Aaron snatches Wes’ license.
Wes:
Hey!
Aaron:
I’m gonna hold on to this, Wes. Otherwise, you might lose it.
Wes:
What the fu- you know what, that’s fair.
Verity:
May I hold it instead?
Aaron:
Of course.
Wes:
No!
Alexis:
Aaron, quit harassing Wes. It’s time for us to leave.
The students exit the stadium to see their buses waiting for them. Then, everyone begins heading for their class vehicle.
Hunt:
Hayze, wait.
Hayze:
Huh?
Hayze looks back to see Hunt standing behind him.
Hayze:
Mr. Hunt?
Hunt:
Before you go, I wanted to say something to you.
Hayze:
What is it?
Hunt:
Isn’t it obvious? We both remember the first time we met.
“
Hunt:
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:
Yeah… I do.
Hunt:
I guess you proved me wrong. Of course, you needed a little help, but I know your quirk isn’t the only thing that got you to this point.
Hunt offers Hayze a handshake.
Hunt:
Even with Kelsey’s hair-brained serum, I didn’t think you stood a chance of making it into U.A. let alone reaching this point. You’re officially a hero now, kid, which means I’m officially wrong. I usually have good instincts toward these things. In fact, you might be the first kid I’ve ever been wrong about. And to be honest, I’m happy I was wrong. You’ve got a great career ahead of you.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Hayze stares at Hunt’s hand.
Hayze:
You know… you were the person that came closest to making me give up in my entire life. Your words that day nearly made me forfeit my dreams, so I’m glad you were wrong too.
Hayze shakes Hunt’s hand.
Hunt:
Good luck, kid. Make Kelsey proud.
Hayze:
Thanks. I hope to see you again someday, Mr. Hunt.
Hunt smiles.
Fatal:
*from afar* HAYZE! GET YOUR ASS ON THIS BUS!
Hayze:
Coming!
Hayze runs to the bus and boards it.
Hunt:
(I guess that serum wasn’t all bad.)
The buses depart for U.A.
Jace:
(Master, soon we will return and expand the Vanguard.)
Vanguard is walking down the street in a suit with a briefcase. He’s holding the Fool and Empress cards which are both glowing.
Vanguard:
(Good, the Fool has added the Empress to the fold. My infiltration of the U.A. student body is going swimmingly. Soon every student in that school will bow down to me. However, the students aren’t enough to take over an establishment of this magnitude.)
Vanguard pulls out his phone and opens it to U.A.’s website. It has a job posting: Student Quirk Counselor.
Vanguard:
(Opportunities don’t just grow on trees.)
Vanguard arrives at U.A.’s front gate.
Vanguard:
(I will bring this school to its knees.)
On the bus, Hayze is deep in thought.
Hayze:
(Well, now that that’s over, it’s back to the real world.)
Calm:
(As real of a world as it is.)
Hayze:
(Huh? What do you mean?)
Wrath:
(I think he’s referring to your bathrobe-wearing friends back there.)
Hayze looks back at Jace and Lilith.
Calm:
(That’s a problem, but there’s no apparent cause or solution.)
Hayze:
(It has to be a ring, remember what Silver said?)
“
Silver:
No quirk could have that kind of power. Jace is essentially brainwashed, and unless the person who did it followed our bus, that would mean their range is infinite. Just that already sounds impossible for a quirk, let alone when you add the ability to spread brainwashing like a virus. “
— Chapter 127
Hayze:
(Brainwashing, zero downsides, it has to be Iota. He’s back, and he’s taken over Jace and Lilith’s minds.)
Calm:
(I’m not sure of that.)
Hayze:
(What?! How?)
Calm:
(Both Jace and Lilith talked about being exactly who they want to be, and Lilith made it a point to convince Blair during their fight that she was working of her own free will. That doesn’t seem like Iota’s M.O.)
Hayze:
(But it can’t be anything else, Ewing would know if any of the other rings have been taken, and the ones that I’m aware of don’t have the power we’re looking at.)
Calm:
(Then perhaps it isn’t a ring.)
Hayze:
(It has to be.)
Gale:
(Color me skeptical, I can’t imagine there’s a ring that gives someone the ability to provide people quirks alongside “brainwashing.”)
Calm:
(Yes, something is off here.)
Hayze:
(Well, unless I hear otherwise, I’m running off the assumption that Iota is behind this. He’s the only suspect.)
Impulse:
(Not to put a damper in your thought process, but you’re missing one key detail here. The guy doesn’t have hands. He couldn’t use those rings even if he wanted to.)
Calm:
(Impulse is correct, and Iota hasn’t been heard from since the day of his attack. This would be a strange way to return.)
Hayze:
(Look, I’m confident it’s him, trust me on this.)
The personalities all look at each other.
Calm:
(Alright.)
At an abandoned factory in a wasteland, Jagger approaches the building’s front with another person.
Jagger:
What did you say your name was again?
Person:
That’s unimportant.
Jagger stops.
Jagger:
Unimportant? You’re looking to meet with Master Iota. Why should I bring you to him if you’re unwilling to tell me your name?
Person:
It looks like you already have.
Jagger:
*frustrated grunt*
Person:
Now then, let’s not waste any more of my time.
The person continues walking forward.
Jagger:
I’d stop right there if I were you.
Person:
Hm?
The person notices a red dot on their chest. They look up to see Marsh aiming his sniper from the top of the building.
Person:
Hm.
Jagger:
Now listen here, you told me you wanted to join the Iota Movement. The first step in that process is establishing trust. So, I will need your name and reason for joining the movement.
Person:
I thought it was funny how you waited to ask any questions until we had already arrived at your hideout. You wanted to interrogate me at gunpoint.
Jagger:
Yes, and one false move could lead you to a one-way ticket to a ditch, got that?
The person laughs.
Jagger:
What’s so funny?
Person:
You.
Jagger:
Oh yeah?
Person:
Let me speak to your “master,” or else this could get very painful for you.
Jagger:
That’s it! I can tell you’re nothing but trouble! Marsh! Waste his-
Iota:
Jagger!
Jagger stops. Both he and the person turn to see Iota exiting the warehouse.
Person:
There he is.
Iota has prosthetic hands made of metal.
Person:
I guess you won’t be giving me a proper handshake.
Iota:
And I guess you won’t be speaking to me face-to-face.
Jagger:
Huh?
Person:
I have no clue what you’re talking about.
Iota:
It may not be the flashiest quirk, but my quirk comprehension has told me everything I need to know about this vessel you’re using to communicate with me. This man is quirkless.
The person begins laughing.
Jagger:
What!
Person:
So, you figured it out. Well, I guess there’s no point in exchanging pleasantries.
Iota:
You really thought I wouldn’t notice your bats surveying our turf?
Iota points at a bat hanging from a light post nearby.
Iota:
You’re the leader of the new crime syndicate in town, the Vampire Queen.
Person:
I’m glad my reputation has preceded me; I mean no harm by approaching you tonight. I just wanted to make a few things clear. First, I’d like to thank you for killing that bastard Colossus off. With him now out of the picture, the stranglehold on organized crime has finally been lifted. I finally was able to begin my takeover of this fair city.
Iota:
You’re welcome.
Person:
That now leads me to my second point. After that fateful day, you disappeared. However, my bats saw your men on the move about a week ago. So I had to know if you had returned.
Iota:
I have.
Person:
That’s good for you, but I can’t have another major crime syndicate in my city.
Iota:
Your city? Might I remind you that I came within seconds of ruling over this entire planet? I own this place.
The person laughs.
Person:
Iota, Iota, you’ve been gone for a long time. A lot has changed in this world in Colossus’ absence. If you want to control Nashville, we will have some problems.
Iota:
Who said I wanted control?
Person:
Hm?
Iota:
My only objective is collecting the rings. If you happen to share that goal, only then will we have a problem.
Person:
Like I’d want anything to do with those trinkets. Look how far they got you.
Iota looks at his hands.
Iota:
Good, then perhaps there’s a way we can work out an agreement of sorts. You can have free reign over his city while my group simply works to collect the rings. We won’t interfere with each other’s business, and maybe we can work together if our interests overlap.
Person:
That’s fair. I assume all you want for territory is this dump you call a hideout?
Iota:
It’s satisfactory, but if we’re going to have any trust between us, maybe you should stop using your bats to spy on us.
The person looks at the bat, its eyes glow red, and it flies away.
Person:
Happy?
Iota:
Yes. Is there anything else you need? Or are we done here?
Person:
No, I’m just glad we could come to an understanding. I’ll be leaving now. Good day.
Iota:
It’s night.
The person keels over and smacks against the ground.
Jagger:
What the hell was that about?!
Iota walks up to the unconscious body and checks its neck. There’s a bite mark of two fangs.
Iota:
With the fall of Colossus came the rise of many villains, Jagger. We’ve been gone for a long time, so we’re no longer the only lions in this jungle. Luckily our objectives don’t overlap, so we can ignore her.
Jagger:
R- right.
Iota:
Dispose of this corpse.
Jagger:
Wh- but he’s not dead-
Iota pulls out a silenced pistol and shoots the body in the head.
Jagger:
I should have seen that one coming.
A bat watching from afar flies away into Nashville. The bat flies towards a black victorian house. It enters through a window into a bathroom where a woman is taking a bath. The bat lands on her hand; her canine teeth are sharp like fangs.
Scarlett:
Good, as long as that fool Iota won’t interfere with my plans, I have no issue with him staying within the bounds of my city.
The bat flies off, and Scarlett descends further into her tub.
Scarlett:
(The heroes of this city have survived the first few months of a world without Colossus, but they’ve never dealt with anyone like me.)
There is a knock on Scarlett’s door.
Scarlett:
What is it?
Voice:
*muffled* We have your dinner prepared for you, my Queen. Would you like us to wait for you to finish your bath?
Scarlett:
No, I’m quite famished; bring him in.
The door opens, and a large man drags in Seth, the former 1-B student. He has been tied up and gagged.
Seth:
*muffled* AHHHH! AHHHH!
Scarlett:
You couldn’t have brought me a prettier one?
Large Man:
Sorry, my Queen, but he was all we could find; we didn’t want you to wait any longer.
Scarlett:
*sighs* He’ll do.
Scarlett emerges from her tub and approaches Seth; his nose starts bleeding. Scarlett caresses his cheek.
Scarlett:
No, my boy, keep the blood inside. This won’t hurt a bit.
Seth:
*muffled* AHHHH!
Scarlett bites into Seth’s neck and sucks his blood. His screams get quieter and quieter, his skin gets paler, and his body becomes limp. Finally, Scarlett removes her fangs from his neck and pushes Seth’s corpse to the ground.
Scarlett:
It always tastes better straight from the source. I wish you could have brought me a better one, but this was fine.
Large Man:
He was a former U.A. student; he was expelled after failing the first-year final exams.
Scarlett:
How do you know that?
Large Man:
We made small talk on the drive back.
Scarlett:
I guess that makes it a little better. I wish you could have gotten me a real U.A. student. They have so many delicious-looking ones to choose from.
Large Man:
We’ll be on the lookout for them, my Queen.
The large man leaves the room, dragging Seth’s body behind him. Scarlett returns to her bath.
Scarlett:
(This may be a world for the living right now, but soon it will be the age of the vampire.)
The buses arrive at U.A. Class 2-A’s bus parks in front of their dorm. The students all exit the vehicle.
Adrian:
Before everyone heads inside and gets some relaxation time, I’d like to say a few things. First, to those of you who didn’t receive their licenses. You’re not going to fall behind. Remember that Aster, Daniele, Yul, and Tyson didn’t obtain their licenses until the December test. This test was created to allow some of you to jump ahead, not the other way around. Watching some of your peers embark on new adventures will be depressing, but let that motivate you to work hard and pass the next exam. You guys are dismissed.
Angel, Demetri, Isaiah, Eve, Karma, Gus, Lilith, and Jace enter the dorm.
Adrian:
Alden…
Alden:
Oh, come on, can’t I just dream!
Adrian:
Alright, everyone, since Hayze won the tournament, he gets the honors.
Hayze:
I got my fill during the fourth phase; who hasn’t hurt Alden in a while?
Wes:
I haven’t.
Wes pulls his gun and shoots Alden in the kneecap.
Alden:
AHHHHH!
An ambulance rolls up, and Recovery Girl jumps out and grabs Alden.
Recovery Girl:
*under her breath* You’ve only been here 3 minutes.
The ambulance drives off with Alden.
Adrian:
Anyway, now that you have your licenses, I should tell you about the next career phase: Hero Work-Studies. This program allows students to be employed by Hero Offices throughout the school year. These are a little different from your internships, as you’ll be treated as actual heroes. However, you’ll still almost always be under the supervision of the hero you’re working with. They’re opportunities for you all to learn and grow as heroes before graduating. If I had to guess, agencies will be in contact with you soon. So, be prepared to impress and make U.A. proud.
Aster:
We’ll be running your names by the heroes we work for in our studies. I’ll recommend Kevin, Ash, Silver, and Justus to Exciton.
Daniele:
Blair, Saige, and Hayze, Lust will hear about you.
Yul:
Aaron, Zach, and Wes will be recommended to Impact.
Tyson:
And Black Hollow will hear about Alexis.
Adrian:
You guys are lucky. All of them are top 10 heroes. Hopefully, they’ll be willing to take you on. Anyways, that’s all for us, have a good night.
Adrian and Fatal board the bus and leave.
Aster:
It’ll probably be a couple days until you hear back from the heroes, so try not to stress out too much. Good work, guys. We’ll be off.
The students begin walking away.
Aster:
Blair, wait.
Blair:
Huh?
Aster:
I’m proud of you. Good job.
Blair:
Thanks, Aster.
Aster, Daniele, Yul, and Tyson walk away as class 2-A returns to their dorm.
Kevin:
Well, that was a fun adventure.
Zach:
Yeah, just one problem… What are we gonna do for food? We didn’t expect to be gone for so long, so most of our stuff is expired.
Aaron:
Tell that to Gus.
Gus is chugging milk.
Wes:
GUS! WHAT THE FUCK?!
Gus:
I’m thirsty!
Gus’ stomach grumbles.
Gus:
Oh god…
Gus starts running for the bathroom.
Wes:
NO! SOMEONE STOP HIM!
Alexis:
I will! Wait, actually… whose turn is it to clean the bathroom tomorrow?
Everyone is silent. Wes is sweating bullets.
Wes:
Please…
Everyone is indifferent as an explosion goes off in the bathroom.
Wes:
NOOOOOO!
Wes falls to his knees in defeat.
Aaron:
God, it is good to be back!
Everyone disperses.
Justus:
(It’s funny how quickly we all adjust back to normal as if nothing happened.)
Ash:
Hey… Justus?
Justus:
Hm?
Ash:
Thanks for saving me back on the island. I haven’t had a chance to thank you, so I thought I’d do it now.
Justus flashes back to his “dying” moments on the island. He blushes.
Justus:
Yes, well, don’t mention it.
Justus walks off.
Ash:
Will do!
Hayze walks up the stairs to his room when Blair grabs his arm.
Hayze:
Huh?
Blair:
Come on, let’s talk outside.
Hayze:
… Okay.
Blair and Hayze walk out of the dorm entrance and stand by the road. They’re both silent for almost a minute.
Blair:
I-
Hayze:
What was the moment?
Blair:
Huh? What?
Hayze:
The moment where you realized how you felt about me?
Blair:
I… I can’t say it was a singular moment, more of a collection of moments built up over time. At first, I didn’t think much of you, but then we had our first conversation.
“
Blair:
Thanks for trying to cheer me up at the end there. You didn’t have to.
Hayze:
You had a bad day. It was the least I could do, considering that my whole purpose in that exercise was to fall into the abyss.
Blair:
You did get the short end of the stick on that end…
Hayze:
Are you doing okay now? Sorry about Isaiah, Demetri, and Alden. Not all of us guys are like that.
Blair:
Like what? Judge women on the size of their boobs?
Hayze:
…that’s one way to put it. I was gonna say some of us care more about personality, but that works.
Blair:
And you think my personality is one guys would care about? “
— Chapter 12
Blair:
Most guys treated me like a waste of time because of my chest or were afraid of me, but you were different. I liked you, but you know, as a friend. Then the Sports Festival happened, and you did the impossible. You beat Silver. That was probably one of the most inspiring things I’d ever seen in my life. And then you did it again. I nearly died fighting Sydney, and I didn’t want to see that happen to you, and then you said the words I’ve carried with me since that very day.
“
Hayze:
Don’t ever tell me what I can’t do. “
— Chapter 23
Blair:
I think that’s when I developed feelings subconsciously, and I finally realized those feelings only after the forest incident. That girl had me; she was going to take me away. She had killed Mr. EMD and defeated Ms. Fatal. Nobody in their right mind should have tried to save me… but you did.
Hayze and Blair are both quiet.
Blair:
So… was there a moment for you?
Hayze:
Yeah, the moment I realized how much you cared.
Blair blushes.
Blair:
Oh… I- uh…
Hayze:
Blair, I care about you a lot. I’ve tried to help you get stronger and realize how beautiful you are. But I’m not sure I share the same feelings for you… I-
Blair:
Okay, nope!
Hayze:
Huh?
Blair:
This is the part where you let me down easy because you’re afraid of letting yourself be happy, right? Well, I’m not gonna hear it!
Hayze:
But, I-
Blair:
But nothing! Do you think I didn’t notice that I was standing there scratchless while the medics were healing the immense burn wounds I applied to you?
Hayze doesn’t have a response.
Blair:
You were sure then, but you’re not sure now? Why!
Hayze looks away.
Hayze:
I’m afraid of holding you back, Blair. I know what happened to you when I was gone for three months.
Blair’s face turns red.
Blair:
Like… every detail?
Hayze:
No… why?
Blair:
No reason, carry on.
Hayze:
You stopped practicing, you stopped training, you basically put your life on pause because you were so distraught. Say something were to happen to me. What would you do? Because if the answer is what you did last summer, I don’t want that. And god forbid something happened to you… I know exactly what would happen.
An image of Khaos flashes through Hayze’s mind.
Blair:
Well, that’s part of caring about someone! You can’t just look at the bad side. You have to look at the good side!
Hayze:
I know that, Blair, but we’d become each other’s biggest weaknesses. If someone wanted to get to me, they’d hurt you and vice versa. You dream of being the greatest female hero ever, right?
Blair:
Y- yeah…
Hayze:
Well, how will you do that when you’re so caught up with me? I don’t want to hamper your career, Blair.
Blair is quiet for a few moments. Then, a single tear runs down her face.
Hayze:
Blair… I-
Blair:
Everything you’re saying is correct, but you’re forgetting one thing.
Hayze:
Huh?
Blair:
I can’t shut off my feelings… and neither can you. You’re envisioning this perfect fantasy world where after this chat, we walk away and pretend we’re just friends. Hayze… I love you, and that’s not going to stop based on the outcome of this conversation.
Hayze is taken aback.
Blair:
You’re always going to be my weakness. Hell, I almost lost to Grace because of my feelings for you, but I’m okay with that because it makes me happy, and my happiness comes before my career.
Hayze stares at Blair.
Blair:
So, please… don’t worry about hampering my career, fear hindering my happiness.
Hayze wipes the tear from Blair’s face.
Hayze:
Okay.
Hayze kisses Blair.
Hayze:
I’ll try not to.
Blair looks brain-dead. She’s drooling.
Hayze:
Uh… Blair?
Blair:
Huh, what? Sorry, I imagined this a lot in my head, so now I’m a little overwhelmed.
Hayze:
I still don’t think we can be together… with villains attacking and targeting our class. I don’t want to give them a reason to go after you.
Blair:
I guess you’re right… however…
Hayze:
Hm?
Blair:
What if we keep it a secret, just between us?
Hayze:
You’d like that?
Blair:
Of course, secret romances are the hottest.
Hayze smiles.
Hayze:
Well, I guess you’ll have to convince everyone back at the dorm that you’re not happy about what happened here.
Blair:
Yeah, give me a few minutes, and I’ll work up some fake tears.
Hayze:
Okay, I’ll head back first and barricade myself in my room for when Eve comes looking for me.
Blair:
That’s probably for the best.
Hayze starts walking back.
Hayze:
I’ll see you around.
Blair:
Yeah… you too.
Hayze leaves.
Blair:
(I FINALLY DID IT! I FINALLY DID IT! FINALLLLLLLLY!)
Saige:
You know, it was bold of you to have that conversation before putting on a pair of underwear.
Blair’s face turns pale; she slowly turns her head to see Saige hiding in a nearby bush.
Blair:
How much did you see?
Saige:
All of it. I even got it on film.
Saige holds up a picture of Hayze and Blair’s kiss.
Blair:
GIVE THAT TO ME!
Blair tries taking the picture from Saige, but she holds it over her head.
Saige:
Calm down. I heard what you guys said. I won’t say anything.
Blair:
Will you give me the picture then?
Saige:
No, but I will give you a copy.
Blair hesitates.
Saige:
Take it or leave it?
Blair:
Take it.
Saige pulls out a copy and hands it to Blair.
Blair:
H- how do you already have that?
Saige creates a pink translucent photocopier.
Blair:
Right…
Saige puts her arm around Blair’s shoulder.
Saige:
See? Aren’t you happy I was here?
Blair:
I hate you.
Saige:
I love you too, Blair!
Saige and Blair start walking back to the dorm. Blair starts working up fake tears.
Saige:
Eve’s gonna kick Hayze’s ass.
Blair:
*sniffles* Yup.
Adrian enters Ewing’s office.
Adrian:
Alright, Ewing, I’m back. It doesn’t look like any more students have been affected by whatever is causing Jace and Lilith to act different, but-
Ewing:
Calm down, Adrian. There’s nothing to worry about.
Adrian:
Wh- huh? But when I called the other day, you made it seem so urgent, and I-
Ewing swings around in his chair to his Adrian.
Ewing:
Adrian, I’m sure those kids are just going through a phase. We have nothing to worry about.
Adrian:
Uh- I- Wh- I- I don’t understand! You said we were going to have a huge meeting to discuss this and-
Ewing:
I’ve changed my mind. We don’t need to conduct a federal investigation over students changing their wardrobes. In fact, our newest teacher made an excellent suggestion for them to be considered a club!
Adrian:
Wh- new teacher, huh? I thought we wouldn’t finish the hiring process until after the exams.
Ewing:
That was the plan until this outstanding candidate came by the other day.
Ewing pulls out an application with Vanguard’s picture on it.
Ewing:
Meet U.A.’s newest teacher, Mr. Lewis Butler; he’ll make a fine addition to our staff.
Adrian:
Okay, I trust you on that, sir, but should we really be taking what’s happened to Jace Neil and Lilith Weber so lightly?
Ewing:
Of course, now stop asking questions, or I’ll fire you.
Adrian:
Wh-
Ewing:
Leave my office now.
Adrian:
Right… sorry, sir.
Inside his apartment building, Vanguard admires the Alpha ring.
Vanguard:
(With the power of absolute command now influencing Principal Ewing’s decisions, nobody can stop the Vanguard from taking over all of U.A.!)
