Silver gets to his feet.
Silver:
*grunts* Damn bitch…
Hayze:
Are you alright?
Ivy:
I wouldn’t be concerned with him. You’re the one fighting for your life.
Silver:
Oh yeah? We’ll see about that!
Silver opens two of his dust canisters and sends a wave of silver careening toward Ivy. The dust smacks against the wall of the Soulvania and is halted.
Silver:
What?!
Ivy:
I already told you. Nothing gets in or out of this area until one of us dies.
Hayze:
Ivy, stop this! I won’t kill you.
Silver:
Huh?!
Ivy:
That’s fine. I don’t care which of us dies.
Hayze:
Wh- what?
Ivy:
I’m tired of you, Hayze. Ever since we first met, my world has been falling apart piece by piece. I hate being alive, but I don’t have the strength to end my life. So, either you kill me, and I can finally be free, or I kill you, and I never have to think of you ever again!
Hayze:
Ivy…
Silver:
What the hell is she talking about, Hayze?
Hayze stares at Ivy.
Hayze:
Back during the forest attack, when I chased after Ivy… we had a talk.
Silver:
A “talk?”
Hayze:
She asked me why I wasn’t afraid of her, and I told her it was because I needed to save Blair. That was my mission, and I wasn’t going to let fear stop me. Her intrigue made me curious. I wanted to know why someone who billed herself as a killing machine would waste time asking me a question when she could have just captured me and called it a day. I asked her why she took orders and allowed herself to follow someone she called “Master.” She told me it was because he gave her a purpose for being alive and treated her like a human. Like nobody else did. At that moment, I realized I wasn’t talking to a monster. I was talking to a girl that was misunderstood and in pain. She never got a chance to live an everyday life because she was born with a quirk deemed “too powerful” for society. I knew she didn’t like killing; she only did it because it was what her master told her to do. And she’d rather be a murderer than be alone again.
Everyone is silent for a few moments.
Silver:
Hayze… what the fuck…
Hayze:
Ivy, I’ve always wanted to show you that I care and can be friends. You don’t have to be a part of Iota’s operation; you can live a regular life!
Ivy stares at Hayze.
Ivy:
Are you done?
Hayze:
Huh?
Ivy:
Your words don’t correlate with your actions.
Hayze:
H- how!
Ivy:
If you care about me so much, why did you abandon me? Why did you forget about me!
Hayze:
What do you mean?
Ivy:
After I was jettisoned from the Iota Movement, I was ready to die… but I had unfinished business. I thought you were lying and trying to play tricks on me that night, but after I heard from Jagger that you defended me behind my back… I started to think that maybe you did care. My sole goal in life after the day of the assault was to find you and finally get my answer. I spent all of my energy tracking you down… until I finally found your address.
Hayze:
Wait…
Hayze starts to tremble.
Ivy:
I went to your home… and knocked on the door, but you didn’t answer… I thought that maybe you were just out for a while, so I camped out nearby… scrounging what little food I could find from your neighbors’ garbage.
Hayze:
I… I…
Ivy:
I stayed there for 2 months… waiting… I knew you weren’t dead. Zaire sent you somewhere, and you didn’t come back. You forgot about me. You went off to wherever you were, and you didn’t once think about what happened to me. You knew my master threw me away, but you never thought about picking me up. You didn’t care about me then, and you dare to say you do now. Pathetic.
Hayze is speechless.
Silver:
(What the hell is this? I didn’t realize Hayze had all of this going on with this girl. Does he actually think he can “save” her?)
Hayze:
Ivy… I…
Ivy:
Save your breath. It’s time for one of us to die.
Hayze:
I ran away because I was afraid of being cared for… I was scared of having attachments and people worrying about me. You’re right, Ivy… I forgot about you… I’m sorry. I wanted to help you have a normal life, but I failed…
Hayze drops his sword.
Silver:
Hayze! What are you doing!
Hayze:
I won’t kill you, Ivy! I still want to help you!
Ivy:
Well, the best way you could help me now is by dying at my hands!
Ivy lunges at Hayze.
Silver:
Hayze, you idiot, dodge!
Hayze hesitates and then dodges. Ivy slashes his upper arm.
Hayze:
*groans*
Silver:
Hayze, get your head out of the clouds and fight back! This girl is gonna kill you!
Ivy slices at Hayze again.
Hayze:
Spark Shower!
Electrical impulses begin to course through Hayze’s body. Hayze emits those impulses outward, shocking Ivy and stopping her.
Ivy:
You’re weak. Judging by your eyes, you’re only at half-strength. What a shame that you won’t be able to fight back at full power.
Ivy points her hand at Hayze.
Hayze:
(Shit!)
Ivy:
Push!
A gravitational force slams into Hayze’s chest and slams him into the Soulvania’s wall.
Hayze:
*groans*
Blood drips from Hayze’s mouth.
Silver:
(This is bad! I can’t help Hayze, and he’s outmatched! This girl is going to kill him!)
Impulse and Aster continue running toward Hayze and Silver’s location. Impulse starts to stagger.
Aster:
Is something wrong?
Impulse:
*grunts* I don’t know… my connection to Hayze… it feels like it’s being “blocked.”
Aster:
What do you mean by that?
Impulse:
I don’t know… I just feel weak…
Impulse falls to his knees.
Aster:
Hey!
Aster deactivates Phoenix Mode and helps Impulse up.
Impulse:
I think Hayze is in trouble…
Aster:
Yeah, so we need to get there fast.
Impulse:
Then leave me; I’ll just slow you down.
Aster:
No, if something terrible is happening to Hayze, then he’ll need your help, or at least your power. I have to bring you.
Aster and Impulse continue along.
Aster:
(Hayze and Silver, just hold out until I get there.)
Hayze slowly gets to his feet.
Ivy:
You seem fragile.
Hayze:
How did you get this power?
Ivy:
You mean Soulvania?
Hayze:
Not just that, you seem… stronger. How could you have improved this much if you starved for two months?
Ivy:
So now you’re questioning my integrity?
Hayze:
No, I’m just amazed… that’s all.
Ivy:
Well, since you are about to die. I might as well grant you that information.
A flashback begins.
On a rainy night, Ivy is lying in a box in an alleyway. She looks dirty and malnourished.
Ivy:
*groans* Someone… kill me…
Suddenly, Large Man and two goons from Scarlett’s operation pass through the alley.
Goon 1:
Man, nobody is out walking in this rain. We’ll never find anybody for the Queen.
Large Man:
Not with that attitude.
Goon 2:
Pfft, it’s not like she makes it easy for us. We’re looking for a specific type of person.
Goon 1:
Yeah, late teens to early 20’s men, AND they have to be attractive. That’s a lot!
Large Man:
Look, I don’t care. We’re staying out here until we find someone, got that? If we go home empty-handed, she might feast on one of us.
The goons gulp.
Large Man:
Now, come on, let’s-
Ivy grabs hold of Large Man’s ankle.
Large Man:
Huh?
Ivy:
Kill me…
Goon 1:
Woah…
Goon 2:
It’s a girl…
Goon 1:
The Queen can’t eat that!
Ivy:
Please…
The goons look at each other. One of them reaches for his gun.
Goon 1:
I mean, what’s the harm in giving the little lady her wish-
Large Man stops the goon.
Goon 1:
Something wrong?
Goon 2:
Yeah, the Queen doesn’t want any women, and the girl is asking to die.
Goon 1:
Let me do my one good deed of the year.
Large Man:
She does want women.
Goons:
Huh!
Goon 1:
The Queen is into them now?
Goon 2:
Why didn’t you say so sooner! We can go home now!
Large Man:
Not for eating, you idiots; she needs them for a project.
Goon 1:
Oh…
Large Man kneels next to Ivy.
Ivy:
Just let them shoot me… please.
Large Man:
I won’t let you die here, but you might have your wish granted soon. You’re coming with us.
Ivy:
*groans*
Large Man picks up Ivy. She doesn’t have the energy to resist and passes out in his arms.
Large Man:
I’m bringing her back to the facility. You two keep searching for the Queen’s dinner.
Goon 1:
Ah, you just wanted to get out of hunting duty!
Goon 2:
Bastard!
Large Man:
Do what I say, or else!
The goons cower and run away.
Large Man:
Come along, girl.
Large Man carries Ivy to another alleyway with a telephone booth in it. He steps inside and dials 1827. The floor opens, and Large Man and Ivy descend into Scarlett’s underground facility. Many goons roam the halls as Large Man brings her to Wirths’ lab.
Large Man:
Doc, I have a new subject for you.
Wirths:
Okay… Why did you bring her to me? You know they go inside the cages.
Large Man:
This one is a little beat up. I thought you'd want to see her first to make sure she’s worth testing on.
Wirths:
*sighs* Fine, strip her down and put her on the table.
Large Man removes Ivy’s clothes down to her underwear and places her against the table. Her skin is pale, with cuts and bruises on her arms and legs. She’s so skinny you can see the outline of her skeleton.
Wirths:
I see…
Wirths inspects Ivy.
Wirths:
Judging by her odor and the length of her body hair. I’d say she’s been homeless for about three months.
Large Man:
Ugh… why do you need to know all of that?
Wirths:
I need to know precisely how long she’s been malnourished. If her body can’t handle my experiments, then she’s useless to me.
Large Man:
Can’t you tell that by the fact that I can see her ribcage and the area between the bones in her forearms?
Wirths:
That’s not an exact measure. Food intake can vary when living on the streets; maybe one day, she ate nothing, and another, she found a half-eaten pizza to dig into. It’s much easier to infer the length of survival by how long they’ve gone without a shower or shave. Why do you think island movies always use the size of a man’s beard to show how long they’ve survived?
Large Man:
Whatever, Doc, can you use her?
Wirths:
Probably not; she’s too physically weak. I can euthanize her, though, to give her a painless end to her suffering.
Large Man:
Alright, I’ll dispose of the body after.
Suddenly, Scarlett enters the lab.
Scarlett:
Alright, Doctor, tell me how- what are you idiots doing?
Large Man:
I found this homeless girl while searching for your dinner, my Queen. I thought the doctor could use her for his experiments, but she’s too weak.
Wirths:
I was just preparing to end her life.
Scarlett:
Hm…
Scarlett walks up to the table.
Scarlett:
Poor darling, she could have had the chance to be a vampire like me.
Ivy slowly awakens.
Ivy:
*groans*
Large Man:
She’s awake, Wirths.
Wirths:
That’s fine. The serum still works.
Ivy:
Wh- where am I?
Scarlett:
A safe place, my darling.
Ivy:
Really? Why don’t I believe that…
Scarlett:
Tell me, girl, what is your name?
Ivy:
I… Ivy.
Scarlett’s eyes widen.
Scarlett:
Large Man, tell the chefs to prepare a wonderful meal.
Large Man:
Wh- why?
Scarlett:
I want to welcome our new friend here to my operation.
Wirths and Largeman look at each other with confused expressions.
Large Man:
Yes, my queen.
Sometime later, Large Man escorts Ivy to a dining room where Scarlett has a filet mignon dinner with baked potatoes and various other foods prepared for her. Ivy is clean and wearing fresh clothes.
Scarlett:
Sit down, please. Large Man, leave us.
Large Man exits, and Ivy hesitantly sits down at the table. She stares at the meal.
Scarlett:
Go ahead, eat; I know you’re hungry.
Ivy:
Why are you doing this for me? I already told your friend I wanted to die.
Scarlett:
Because Ms. Ivy, I’m an admirer of yours.
Ivy:
Admirer?
Scarlett:
You bear the curse of an S-Rank quirk, correct?
Ivy is taken aback.
Scarlett:
I know that pain.
Ivy:
Y- you do?
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Scarlett:
Of course, my quirk is S-Rank as well. You see, I’m a vampire, so I’m not really “alive” I’m undead. I don’t live off of food and water like you do; I live off the blood of others. This made it hard for me growing up, the government provided me with AB-type blood to keep me alive, but I needed to wear a collar that would shock me if I tried to open my jaw too wide.
Ivy:
Wh- why?
Scarlett:
They feared I’d try to feast upon other children or my parents. I was different, but they didn’t care. They labeled me a danger to society and treated me like that. I wasn’t a child. I was a monster to them… even my own family was afraid of me.
Ivy flashes back to the night her father tried to smother her to death.
Scarlett:
Don’t you hate how people with extraordinary abilities like us are treated? I wasn’t given a chance at a real life just because of how I was born. I know the same goes for you.
Ivy:
Yeah… I was a monster to everyone too.
Scarlett:
I’m sorry to hear that.
Ivy:
It’s okay… I’ve had a long time to accept my circumstances.
Scarlett:
I’m also sorry to hear that.
Ivy:
Huh?
Scarlett:
Why should you accept that this is what society does to people like us? You should want them to change.
Ivy:
I should?
Scarlett:
Ivy, right now, you’re inside a massive underground facility, the home base of my operation. Our goal is to take over this city and, eventually, the world, but in a unique way.
Ivy:
Unique?
Scarlett:
The lab you were in is focused on creating a serum called “Project V.” Would you like to know what the “V” stands for?
Ivy nods.
Scarlett:
Vampire.
Ivy:
Hm?
Scarlett:
That serum will give people my quirk. I’m trying to create a society of vampires. I’m trying to make everyone like me.
Ivy:
Why?
Scarlett:
I was ostracized and treated like a monster because I was different. If everyone has my quirk-
Ivy:
You won’t be different anymore…
Scarlett:
How can they treat people with S-Rank quirks differently anymore if everyone has an S-Rank quirk?
Scarlett places her hand on Ivy’s shoulder.
Scarlett:
I know you’re talented. The legendary girl who killed a pro hero and more. I would love to have your help making my dream a reality. Wouldn’t you love to fix the way this world treats people like us? This is your chance to make the world a better place.
Ivy:
I… I don’t know… I’ve always wanted to be normal and be treated like a person, but…
“
Hayze:
Your Master… does he care about you? “
— Chapter 36
Ivy:
Even if I’m normal… would anybody ever care about me?
Scarlett:
I care about you, Ivy. You’re just like me.
Ivy:
That’s what my master said… and then he threw me away like a piece of garbage.
Scarlett stares at Ivy.
Scarlett:
Tell me, what do you need me to do to prove that I care about you?
Ivy:
I… I don’t know.
Scarlett:
How about this? I share with you my power.
Ivy:
What?
Scarlett:
If I bite you, my saliva will enter your bloodstream, and my essence will be permanently infused into your life force. What does that mean? Well, you’ll have access to my most extraordinary power, Soulvania. With it, you’ll be able to force anyone you please to fight to the death.
Ivy’s eyes widen.
Ivy:
Anyone?
Scarlett:
Of course, one of my bites is the ultimate sign of my trust, as I can never take back the power I’ve bestowed on you. If you wanted to leave this place and inform the police of my criminal operation, I could do nothing to stop you. I care about you, Ivy, you are my sister in pain, and I want to help give us the lives we’ve always wanted.
Scarlett offers Ivy her hand.
Scarlett:
Please… join me.
Ivy stares at Scarlett’s hand.
The flashback ends, and Ivy reveals the vampire bite on her neck.
Hayze:
So… it was the Vampire Queen.
Ivy:
Yes, and she will make this world where people like me can be free.
Hayze:
Ivy, you don’t need to turn people into vampires to be “normal.” There are other ways.
Ivy:
Like what?
Hayze:
Like accepting that there is no such thing as “normal!”
Ivy:
Huh?
Hayze:
Just because you’ve been labeled as different by everyone else doesn’t mean you have to listen to them. I don’t think you’re a monster, and I know you’re not a bad person. You just accept that you can live a regular life, then maybe, just maybe, it can finally happen!
Silver:
(Hayze is convinced this lunatic isn’t evil. He’s putting everything he has into convincing her to switch sides, but even if he gets through to her, they’re fighting to the death. So what’s his endgame here?)
Ivy stares at Hayze.
Ivy:
This is why I want you dead, Hayze.
Hayze and Silver:
Huh?
Ivy:
I’m tired of you constantly trying to convince me that I’m doing something wrong! I was happy working for Master Iota, and you made me second-guess him! That was when everything began falling apart! Now I’ve found a cause that I believe in and a new master that cares about me, and you’re trying to make me unsure of her! I want you dead! Once and for all, so I never have to hear you speak again!
Hayze stares at Ivy.
Hayze:
(I fucked up so severely… I had my chance to save her, and I blew it, and now I don’t think there’s anything I can do to help her. She feels pure hatred towards me.)
Silver:
Hayze, it might be time to start fighting for your life and forget about “helping” this girl. You’re going to die at this rate!
Ivy:
You should listen to your friend, Hayze.
Hayze:
*grunts*
Back at the honor ceremony, everything is wrapping up.
Exciton:
Well, it was good seeing all of you. I’ll catch you at the next summit.
Gunslinger:
You’re just gonna leave?
Exciton:
Yeah? I’ve got a good night’s sleep waiting for me at home.
Impact:
Are you not worried about that kid you sent to hunt down the assassin?
Exciton:
Huh? Oh, Aster’s got that handled. I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.
Big Tank:
Are you sure? Those kids should have been back by now.
Exciton:
Don’t question my employees, grandpa.
Big Tank:
*frustrated grunt*
Lust:
Well, I need to know how Hayze is doing. I’m worried… that criminal didn’t seem very equipped for combat.
Black Hollow:
Perhaps they got too far from the stadium? That man did teleport, so that must have been his quirk.
Lust:
Maybe…
Exciton:
You guys worry too much. If you have confidence in your employees, then they’ll be fine. See ya.
Exciton leaves.
Big Tank:
That guy can be so annoying.
Black Hollow approaches Lust.
Black Hollow:
I have open seats in my helicopter if you’d like to join me in searching for them.
Lust:
Yes, I would.
Yul, Daniele, Ash, Wes, and Alexis are together watching the Top 10 converse.
Ash:
I hope Hayze and Silver are alright.
Alexis:
They should be, but this is definitely worrisome.
Lust and Black Hollow approach the students.
Lust:
Daniele and Alexis, you’re coming with us. We’re searching for them.
Daniele:
Alright.
Alexis:
Gotcha.
Black Hollow:
Follow me to the helipad.
Black Hollow, Lust, Alexis, and Daniele leave.
Yul:
We should head back to U.A.
Wes:
I can’t wait to tell everyone about this…
Ash:
I just want everything to be okay.
Yul:
Aster, Hayze, and Silver are as tough as they come. They’ll be fine.
Aster and Impulse reach the building. Aster notices Silver standing by the ledge.
Aster:
Hey! Silver!
Silver:
Aster?
Aster:
Mind giving us a hand?
Silver uses his silver dust to bring Aster and Impulse onto the roof.
Aster:
What the hell is going on here?
Silver:
A fight…
Aster:
I can see that, but what is this fog?
Silver:
A cage.
Aster:
What?
Silver:
As long as they’re both alive, that cage will stop us from entering or trying to interfere in any way. It also keeps them trapped inside.
Aster:
That can’t be real?!
Silver:
It is… it’s the power of the Vampire Queen herself.
Aster:
The Vampire Queen?!
Silver:
Yeah… this girl Hayze is fighting works for her, and until either she or Hayze dies, we can’t do anything.
Aster:
*frustrated grunt*
Impulse:
This must be what’s severing my connection to Hayze… I could sense this wall before we got here. I believe everything Silver is saying is true.
Aster:
Well, then Hayze will just have to kill this chick.
Silver:
That’s the problem…
Aster:
Huh?
Silver:
Hayze doesn’t want to kill her; he’s trying to convince her that she’s not a villain.
Aster:
What?!
Ivy:
Even your friends think you’re a moron, Hayze.
Hayze:
Maybe I am, but everything I’ve said has been the truth. I want to help you, Ivy.
Ivy:
Your “help” has brought me nothing but pain. It’s time for you to accept that you aren’t the savior you think you are.
Hayze’s eyes sharpen.
Hayze:
Oh really?
Silver:
Oh boy…
Impulse:
Now you’ve done it.
Hayze materializes his other shock saber.
Hayze:
If I can talk some sense into you, I’ll fight it into you!
Hayze slashes his saber, sending a curved lightning slash with incredible sharpness and speed at Ivy.
Hayze:
Lightning Cutter!
Ivy:
Dumbass.
Ivy points her palm at the strike and repels it with her Push Force.
Ivy:
You don’t stand a chance against me.
Hayze:
That’s what you think!
Ivy:
Huh?
Hayze absorbs the electricity and channels it throughout his body.
Hayze:
Lightning Speed!
Hayze begins circling Ivy at an extreme pace.
Ivy:
(He’s too fast! I can’t hit him like this!)
Silver:
(It’s about time Hayze got on the offensive!)
Hayze bolts towards Ivy.
Hayze:
Thunder Punch!
Hayze coats his right arm in lightning and punches Ivy, sending her flying into the fog wall and electricity coursing throughout her entire body.
Silver:
Nice move!
Ivy gets up.
Ivy:
You’ve finally come to terms with the fact that one of us will die?
Hayze:
No, neither of us is going to die!
Ivy:
That’s just simply incorrect.
Hayze:
You’re wrong!
Hayze grabs his other shock saber and begins repeatedly speeding around the arena.
Ivy:
I made a mistake before. I was trying to track you down, which is clearly impossible, so instead…
Ivy points her hand at a random point in Hayze’s path.
Ivy:
Push!
Ivy sends Hayze flying into the wall of the Soulvania.
Impulse:
How did she predict that!
Aster:
She didn’t. Hayze was moving so fast that all she needed to do was target a point where he COULD be and fire an attack. From there, she had a good chance of nailing him.
Impulse:
Damn… I wish I could be in there for this fight.
Aster:
You and me both…
Hayze stands back up.
Hayze:
(Unfortunately, I’ve fought Ivy using my Lightning Form once before…)
“
Hayze:
Take this!
Hayze appears right next to Ivy, catching her by surprise.
Hayze:
Blackout Blitzkrieg!
Hayze fires a beam of electricity at Ivy, electrocuting and sending her flying through the air. She smashes into the ground destroying the floor tiles and indenting the ground in the shape of her body; electricity continues pulsating through her. Hayze is sweating and breathing heavily after the attack, his eyes revert to normal, and he falls to his knees.
Hayze:
(That should do it…)
Ivy starts standing back up. Hayze looks at her in shock.
“
— Chapter 59
Hayze:
(She took my strongest attack with ease… and unfortunately, with Impulse and I separated, I’m working at half strength here. My best bet for beating her would be with my swords, but how can I do that without killing her? I still have to keep trying to convince Ivy to change sides. Maybe if I succeed, she can drop this barrier, and we’ll live. That’s my only option at this point.)
Hayze uses lightning speed to bolt toward Ivy.
Ivy:
Push!
Ivy fires a gravitational attack at Hayze. However, it merely slows him down. Hayze slashes at Ivy.
Hayze:
Take this!
Ivy blocks Hayze’s swords with her katana. Then, the two begin sword fighting, blocking each other’s every attack.
Aster:
(When Hayze and I fought during the showcase, I learned just how amazing of a tactician he is, but this is a challenge I don’t think even he could overcome. He’s not 100%, and this girl is a powerhouse. He’ll have to come up with something ingenious to win this fight.)
Silver:
(Come on, Hayze. You can do this!)
Black Hollow’s helicopter approaches the building.
Alexis:
Look! Down there!
Black Hollow:
There they are!
The helicopter hovers high in the air near the building.
Daniele:
What’s going on?
Alexis:
What is that strange circle?
Black Hollow:
And why aren’t Silver and Aster helping Hayze?
Aster, Impulse, and Silver spot the helicopter.
Silver:
Black Hollow’s here, great!
Aster:
Yeah, but they can’t do anything to help until after this fight is over.
Hayze and Ivy continue clashing swords.
Hayze:
Ivy! Please listen. I’m sorry I neglected you, I made a mistake, and I hurt plenty of the people I care about because of it. I can’t change the past, but you still have a future if you trust me. You were willing to trust me before; why can’t you now?
Ivy:
I don’t want your help, Hayze! I hate being alive! It’s been nothing but pain and suffering since the moment I was born! The only things I want anymore in this world are death and to help my Queen achieve her dream! I don’t care which comes first!
Hayze:
Then why do you want to kill me?
Ivy:
I already told you that!
Hayze:
Well, it sounds like you have more than two things you want. You want to kill me, Ivy, because you’re afraid of having a choice! You “hate” me because I’m creating a fork in the road for you. All that time you spent alone after your parents tried to kill you, all you wanted was a purpose to still be alive, and Iota gave you that! You didn’t want anything else because you didn’t think you deserved anything else! Well, you do! And I want to help you get it! Before you are two bridges, you must choose which one you go down! But you’re afraid to. You’d rather cut one down and be forced to take the other! That is a choice, Ivy, but it’s the wrong one! You’re not a villain; you just never got a chance to be a hero.
Ivy stares into Hayze’s eyes. She lowers her sword.
Hayze:
Ivy?
Ivy:
How do you know all of that?
Hayze:
Because after our first meeting, I did research. I needed to know why you were working for Iota; I needed to know your story. It’s a sad one, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Hayze offers Ivy his hand.
Hayze:
Let me help you, Ivy.
Ivy stares at Hayze’s hand.
Ivy:
Do you promise that you care about me?
Hayze:
Of course.
Ivy looks into Hayze’s eyes for a few seconds.
Ivy:
Liar.
Ivy stabs her sword through Hayze’s chest.
Hayze:
*pained grunt*
Silver, Aster, Impulse, Alexis, Daniele, and Lust:
Hayze!
Hayze drops his sabers and falls to his knees, looking at the katana in his chest. His eyes are filled with terror.
Hayze:
Ivy… why?
Ivy:
I told you. I don’t want your help.
Ivy rips the sword from Hayze’s chest; he flops against the ground, bleeding out.
Alexis:
We’ve gotta help him!
Alexis sends a swarm of Origami birds flying toward Ivy and Hayze, but they explode against the wall of Soulvania.
Alexis:
What!
Ivy places her hand against her vampire bite mark.
Silver:
Let us in, you bastard!
Aster:
Lower this barrier!
Suddenly, they hear laughter.
Silver:
Huh?
Aster:
Who the hell is that?
Suddenly, Scarlett appears inside the Soulvania.
Black Hollow:
The Vampire Queen!
Daniele:
She’s involved with this?
Scarlett looks at Hayze.
Scarlett:
You did great, Ivy. I only wish you had left more blood for me.
Ivy:
Thank you, my Queen. I just ask that you finish this quickly. I’m ready for his life to be over.
Scarlett:
Of course.
Scarlett grabs Hayze by the collar and picks him up.
Hayze:
Y- you…
Scarlett:
I wouldn’t speak, my boy. These are your last moments. You should avoid any extra pain.
Silver:
Put him down, bitch!
Aster:
Let us in!
Aster and Silver bang on the walls of Soulvania.
Scarlett:
Don’t worry, Hayze, your blood is going to an excellent cause.
Hayze:
P- project V?
Scarlett:
Yes, I’m sorry you can’t be a part of my world of vampires, but I hope in death you take solace knowing you helped create it.
Hayze:
F- fuck you…
Scarlett:
Goodbye.
Scarlett bites Hayze’s neck and begins sucking his blood.
Silver:
Hayze!
Everyone watches in horror as Hayze’s skin gets paler and his body becomes limp. Scarlett removes her fangs as the Soulvania disappears.
Scarlett:
Delicious.
Scarlett fades away, and Hayze’s corpse flops against the ground.
Ivy:
Finally.
Everyone watching is dead silent. Impulse is fading in and out.
Impulse:
I- oh… fuck…
Daniele:
He’s dead…
Alexis:
Hayze is… gone.
Silver:
I…
Ivy picks up Hayze’s dead body by the collar.
Ivy:
I guess we don’t need this sack of meat anymore.
Ivy notices something.
Ivy:
(Hm?)
It’s the Sigma Ring fragment.
Ivy:
(Wait… is that?)
Ivy rips the pendant off Hayze.
Impulse:
Woah! Don’t do that! I-
Suddenly Impulse is sent flying back into Hayze’s body.
Ivy:
Good riddance.
Ivy throws Hayze’s lifeless body off the roof.
Alexis:
Hayze!
Alexis sends a swarm of origami birds to break the corpse’s fall.
Black Hollow:
Bring him here!
Alexis flies the body up onto the helicopter.
Lust:
Check his pulse!
Daniele places her fingers against Hayze’s neck; she feels nothing.
Daniele:
He’s… dead…
Lust and Alexis look distraught.
Daniele:
I can’t believe it…
Black Hollow grabs two parachutes. He hands one to Lust.
Black Hollow:
We need to join this fight!
Lust:
Right!
Lust and Black Hollow parachute towards the roof.
Daniele:
We need to get him to a doctor!
Pilot! How quickly can we get to the hospital!
Pilot:
7 minutes, ma’am.
Alexis:
Daniele, he’s dead… we can’t do anything.
Daniele:
We have to try! Hayze would have if it were us!
Alexis stares at Daniele.
Alexis:
You’re right; let’s go.
Daniele:
7 minutes is a long time, but we have no choice.
Alexis:
Or do we…
Daniele:
Huh?
Alexis:
How close is U.A.?
Pilot:
3 minutes.
Alexis:
Then let’s go there!
Daniele:
Good thinking!
The helicopter flies off.
Ivy:
Well, I think my work here is done.
Ivy starts running away, jumping from rooftop to rooftop.
Aster:
Get back here!
Black Hollow and Lust land on the roof.
Black Hollow:
Silver, Aster, let’s go!
Lust, Aster, and Black Hollow start chasing after Ivy. Black Hollow notices Silver isn’t moving.
Black Hollow:
Silver! Come on!
Silver looks catatonic.
Silver:
*under his breath* Hayze… is dead… I’ve lost to Hayze twice… if he couldn’t beat her… what could I do?
Black Hollow:
He’s in shock, Aster. Stay here with Silver.
Aster:
What! But I want to-
Black Hollow:
That’s an order!
Aster:
Right, yessir.
Black Hollow and Lust chase after Ivy.
Aster:
You alright, dude?
Silver:
No… I think I just watched my best friend die.
Aster:
Oh, sorry…
Hayze’s eyes slowly begin to open. He’s lying in a bed inside a hospital.
Hayze:
*groans* Does this mean… I lived?
Someone is sitting in a chair next to Hayze’s bed.
Jake:
No. You didn’t.
