Chapter 158 «Cold as Ice»

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Aquafist recovers from his ball bruises.

Aquafist:

*frustrated grunt* You little brat!

Sydney:

You really only have yourself to blame… for everything.

Aquafist:

Sydney, I only hit you because I loved you.

Sydney:

You hit us because you were a nutcase with an inferiority complex. I don’t know what it is about men with fragile egos and trying to make themselves sound like the good guy all the time. It really is embarrassing.

Aquafist:

You? You’re embarrassed for me? How idiotic.

Sydney:

You’re a grown man blaming his daughter for his life falling apart faster than paper in water. You’re pathetic.

Aquafist:

That’s it!

Aquafist’s right-hand morphs into a sickle.

Aquafist:

It’s time for me to teach you a lesson!

Sydney:

You can still bitch and moan with an IQ starting with a dash?

Aquafist:

Why you little!

Aquafist charges at Sydney.

Silver:

Sydney, I’ll-

Sydney:

Sit there and watch.

Silver:

Huh?

Sydney creates a vortex of water beside herself.

Aquafist:

So, this is that quirk you hid from me all those years?

Sydney:

Yeah, I put it right in the closet with you.

The Vortex fires a continuous burst of water at Aquafist.

Sydney:

Tsunami Cannon!

Aquafist:

That won’t work on me!

Aquafist starts running on the walls, avoiding the attack.

Silver:

I’ve got-

Sydney:

I said watch!

Silver:

*frustrated grunt* Fine, show me what you’ve got!

Aquafist reaches Sydney and lunges at her.

Aquafist:

Die!

Sydney:

You’re so predictable.

Aquafist:

Huh?

Sydney creates a wall of water between her and Aquafist. As he passes through it, his sickle hand reverts to normal.

Silver:

(Her water stunned his quirk!)

Sydney releases her water vortex and spin kicks Aquafist in the jaw, sending him slipping and sliding down the wet hallway.

Silver:

Woah…

Sydney:

I know you defeated me in the past, but I own this man’s moves and fighting style like the back of my hand. If you want to make it out of this battle with limited injuries, I recommend listening to what I have to say.

Silver thinks for a moment.

Silver:

What do you want me to do?

Sydney:

I’ll be the sword while you act as my shield. Keep your distance and have your dust ready to stop him from landing any decisive blows.

Silver:

Keep my distance from him? What if you need more than just the help of my dust?

Sydney:

No, keep your distance from me.

Silver:

Why?

Sydney:

Because when he inevitably realizes he’s going to die at my hands, he’ll try to trap all of us in a Soulvania together. And if he does, one of us will have to die.

Sydney looks Silver dead in the eye.

Sydney:

And it won’t be me.

Silver stares at Sydney.

Silver:

What happens if he starts to win?

Sydney:

He won’t.

Sydney charges at Aquafist and tries to kick his head, but he grabs her foot with both hands.

Aquafist:

You really thought that would work? Just because you landed a few good hits doesn’t mean that I’m suddenly stupid!

Sydney:

Who said it didn’t work?

Aquafist:

What?

Sydney creates another vortex of water.

Sydney:

Let’s see you dodge at this range!

Aquafist:

(Shit!)

Sydney:

Tsunami Cannon!

The vortex fires water at Aquafist, the sharp waves slice his skin, and the impact force breaks three of his ribs, sending him tumbling through the hallway.

Aquafist:

*grunts*

Sydney:

If you run now, there’s a

chance

I might not catch you.

Aquafist laughs.

Sydney:

What’s so funny?

Aquafist:

I always knew you had this kind of power inside you,

my

kind of power!

Sydney stares at Aquafist.

Aquafist:

Why don’t you just admit that my parenting was what you needed to become strong?

Sydney:

Because it’s not true.

Aquafist:

Really? That stone-cold look in your eye didn’t come from me?

Sydney:

It did, but that doesn’t mean I like it.

Silver opens two of his silver dust canisters.

Silver:

(I’m not used to playing second fiddle, but this is her fight, not mine. All this time, I thought she was just some man-hating brat, but when you have a father like that… I can see where her snarky attitude came from.)

Aquafist slowly gets to his feet.

Aquafist:

Come on, sweety. Are you telling me you don’t like who you are?

Sydney:

Oh, I like me, just not the parts you’re responsible for.

Aquafist:

*frustrated grunt* Why are you like this?!

Sydney:

What do you mean? I thought that was obvious.

Aquafist:

How are none of my comments phasing you?! How are you able to clap back with a sly remark each time?! You aren’t even visibly angry!

Sydney smiles.

Sydney:

Is someone getting angry? Maybe that will make you hit harder.

Aquafist:

I raised a witch of a daughter.

Sydney:

You can stop with your attempts to rile me up. They’ll never work.

Aquafist:

And why’s that?

Sydney:

I stopped giving a fuck about you a decade ago.

Aquafist:

Oh yeah? Well, I can change that.

Sydney:

I’d like to see you try.

Aquafist reaches into his pockets and pulls out two spherical devices.

Sydney:

Hm?

Silver:

(What are those?)

Aquafist places the spheres inside his arms; they begin freezing into solid ice.

Aquafist:

Your water attacks may nullify mine, but not my ice attacks.

Silver:

(It’s like when I fought her in the mountain terrain, and her quirk was changed entirely!)

Sydney:

This is new.

Aquafist:

Yeah, the Vampire bitch had a wack job scientist that hooked me up with these instant freeze spheres, and as long as they’re lodged inside of my arms, they’re going to stay frozen.

Sydney:

Whatever, you’re no match for me.

Aquafist:

Hm… then let’s see how you like my other new gadget.

Aquafist pulls out a mask with a breathing device.

Sydney:

Good, your face is covered. Now my gag reflex can relax.

Each time Aquafist breathes out, solid ice forms from his breath.

Sydney:

Huh?

Silver:

What the hell is that?

Aquafist:

Let’s see how you handle me now!

Aquafist charges at Sydney, and Silver raises a mound of his silver dust.

Sydney:

Don’t move; I’ve got this.

Silver:

But-

Sydney:

(he’s going to feint a right hook and then do a flip to get behind me and skewer my back. It’s his usual desperation move.)

Aquafist cocks back his right arm.

Sydney:

(I’ll just create a tsunami cannon on the ground behind me, and when he goes to land, I’ll crush him against the ceiling.)

Aquafist:

You’re going down!

Sydney:

(This is checkmate.)

Aquafist slowly begins bending his knees.

Aquafist:

Just kidding.

Sydney:

Huh?

Aquafist blows on Sydney’s face, and pure white ice begins forming on various spots on her face.

Sydney:

AHHHHHH!

Silver:

What the hell!

Aquafist:

I see you’ve studied all of my moves extensively. You thought you could predict everything I do, right? Well, I’ve got a new bag of tricks to play with!

Aquafist’s ice hand transforms into a sharp spike, and he goes to stab Sydney in the gut.

Aquafist:

Time to die!

Suddenly, Silver’s dust mound forms in front of Sydney’s chest, blocking Aqua Fist’s attack.

Aquafist:

What?!

Silver uses his dust to pull Sydney back and away from Aquafist; she’s still writhing in pain from the ice. Silver examines her.

Silver:

I see. That mask turns the carbon dioxide you breathe out into dry ice.

Aquafist:

*grunts* Yup, and that shit burns like a bitch.

Silver:

How can you be enjoying inflicting this kind of pain on your own daughter! You’re a sick human being!

Aquafist:

She’s the one who threw her dear old dad in prison and never looked back! She deserves this!

Silver:

Because you abused her, you bastard!

Aquafist:

I did what I had to to make her strong. Look where she is now. She would have never gotten there without me! And look at how she repaid me!

Silver:

And I thought I had dad issues…

Aquafist:

Silverclad always was a piece of shit.

Silver:

Yeah, but he never hit me.

Aquafist:

Maybe that’s why you’re so pathetic.

Silver:

He didn’t talk to me much growing up; he only ever reminded me of what I was born to be.

Aquafist:

A failure?

Silver:

A hero.

Silver opens up his other four canisters of silver dust.

Aquafist:

Oh, what are you going to fight me now?

Silver:

Just until she’s ready to tag back in.

Aquafist:

Then bring it. I always wanted to beat the shit out of your dad, so I guess you’re the next best thing.

Silver:

I guess I am.

Nitroglis slowly begins walking towards Walker and Fatal.

Nitroglis:

Let’s see, let’s see, who should I kill first? I hate the girl more, but making her watch the man die could be a lot of fun. Decisions, decisions.

Walker:

It doesn’t matter what you choose. Neither of those things is happening.

Nitroglis:

Do you not realize the severity of this situation? You’re both locked inside a room with

me

. If my explosive finale goes off, not one of us will live to tell the tale. And even if you kill me, one of you will have to die anyway.

Walker:

That isn’t a problem.

Fatal and Nitroglis:

Huh?

Walker:

First, your “explosive finale” won’t be going off. Second, we already know which of us will die when the time comes.

Fatal:

What?!

Nitroglis:

How noble.

Fatal:

I see… you didn’t force yourself into this fight to protect me; you just wanted an excuse to die.

Walker:

That’s not true.

Fatal:

The hell it is! I can beat this guy with both arms tied behind my back. I don’t need your help!

Walker:

And I don’t need you yelling at me at a time like this.

Fatal:

*frustrated grunt*

Nitroglis laughs.

Nitroglis:

You two are far better entertainment than I was expecting! Perhaps I’ll make this battle slow and painful for you.

Fatal:

Oh yeah? I’ll show you.

Walker:

Rachel, this entire room is a powder keg. You can’t allow him to-

Fatal:

Just shut up and watch me work.

Walker:

But-

Fatal picks up one of the explosive guns.

Nitroglis:

Oh, are you going to blow yourself up again?

Fatal pulls out the clip and dumps ten bullets into her left hand.

Fatal:

No, I’m gonna show you what a

real

gun can do.

Nitroglis:

Huh?

Fatal takes one of the bullets in her right hand and boosts the muscles in her thumb.

Fatal:

Bang.

Fatal flicks the bullet at Nitroglis; it travels at the same speed as if fired from a gun. The bullet whizzes through Nitroglis’ right arm.

Nitroglis:

AHH!

Fatal:

The next one is coming for your head!

Fatal grabs another bullet.

Nitroglis:

You don’t scare me!

Nitroglis grabs two sticks of dynamite and ignites their fuses.

Fatal:

The same lame attack? We can stop those.

Nitroglis:

There’s only one problem: I’m not throwing these!

Fatal:

Yeah, so… ah, shit.

Walker:

If those dynamite sticks go off, the chain reaction will kill us all.

Nitroglis:

Not me! And don’t even think of firing another shot if you miss and hit one of these dynamite sticks? BOOM!

Fatal:

Great…

Walker:

We have to be delicate about this, Rachel.

Fatal:

I’m aware.

Walker:

Use your speed to attack him up close and get the dynamite out of his hands. I’ll try to catch them in my portals or put their fuses.

Fatal:

But if he pulls the trigger on that gun he’s holding, it will explode and kill us both.

Walker:

How will he pull the trigger with his hands full?

Fatal:

Okay, fair point… let’s go!

Fatal boosts her leg muscles and charges at Nitroglis.

Nitroglis:

Underestimating an explosives expert? That’s one quick way to get yourself killed!

Nitroglis uses the lit fuses on his dynamite sticks to ignite four more on his rack.

Fatal:

Huh?

Nitroglis:

How are you going to stop all of this now?

Fatal jump kicks Nitroglis in the head, causing him to drop the two sticks in his hands.

Nitroglis:

*grunts* You can’t stop me!

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Fatal:

Watch me!

Fatal tries to jab at the lit fuses on Nitroglis’ dynamite rack, but Nitroglis snatches her hand.

Nitroglis:

Nothing’s ever that easy!

Sparks fly from Nitroglis’ fingertips, burning Fatal’s arm further.

Fatal:

*pained grunt*

Walker opens a portal beneath one of the dynamite sticks.

Walker:

(I’m almost at capacity and need to keep enough room just in case.)

Walker grabs the other loose dynamite stick and puts out the fuse.

Nitroglis:

Sorry, deary, but you’re abouta go, BOOM! HAHAHA!

Fatal:

I forgot how annoying you are!

Fatal tries to punch Nitroglis with her other hand, but Nitroglis catches that one as well.

Nitroglis:

You can do nothing now but head straight to oblivion!

Walker creates a portal underneath Fatal and Nitroglis. They fall in together.

Walker:

*grunts*

The Soulvania starts to fade.

Walker:

Hm…

Walker opens an exit portal right in front of himself, Fatal and Nitroglis come out, and Walker quickly puts out all of the fuses on Nitroglis’ dynamite.

Nitroglis:

Wh- huh?

Walker punches Nitroglis in the face, sending him tumbling against the ground. The Soulvania stops fading.

Fatal:

Thanks.

Walker:

I think I know how to get out of this unscathed.

Fatal:

What, you got a plan to kill him? Because it’s getting hard to stop all these explosions from going off.

Walker:

Yes, I do. Just follow my directions.

Fatal:

Okay, and uh… look, I’m sorry for being annoying on this mission. I just… we miss you at U.A., all of us.

Walker:

It’s alright. I understand your frustrations. I’ll hear you out, but only after we’re out of danger… all of us.

Fatal:

Will do.

Walker:

Now, let’s kill this guy.

Major Minor rips the needle from his leg.

Major Minor:

Listen here, girl. You may have caught me off guard once, but I’m a trained military officer. You won’t-

Daniele throws a cascade of needles at Major Minor. They stab into various spots on his arms and legs.

Major Minor:

くそ![Fuck!]

Grunts:

Huh?

Daniele:

I was getting tired of hearing you speak, so I thought I’d make things easier for everyone.

Major Minor:

(これは彼女の能力に違いない!) [This must be her ability!] (何!それは私の思考にも影響しますか?これはとても紛らわしいです!) [What! It affects my thoughts too? This is so confusing!]

Major Minor grabs his head with both hands.

Daniele:

You picked a fight with the wrong girl!

Aster:

(Daniele may not look like much, but she’s one of the most dangerous fighters I’ve ever seen. I’m glad I’ve never had the displeasure of facing off against her. Her quirk is unique, and at first, you’d think it’s pretty useless, but with her intelligence, it becomes a deadly weapon.)

Daniele:

Aster, trouve un moyen de contourner le Soulvania et élimine ces tireurs pendant qu'ils sont distraits. [Aster, find a way around the Soulvania and take out those gunman while they're distracted.]

Aster:

(I can understand her perfectly.) Ça ira [Will do.]

Aster enters a nearby room.

Major Minor:

おい!彼を止めて![Hey! Stop him!]

None of the grunts respond to Major Minor.

Major Minor:

(彼らは私を理解できません!) [They can't understand me!]

Daniele:

Is something wrong, Major? You look a little shaken. Almost like you’re having trouble comprehending your own thoughts.

Major Minor collects himself for a few moments and starts laughing.

Major Minor:

戦うために私が考える必要があると本気で信じてるの?純粋な本能だけで倒せる![You really believe I need to think in order to fight? I can defeat you off pure instinct alone!]

Daniele:

I highly doubt that.

Major Minor:

見る [Watch.]

Major Minor claps his hands together and then slaps the ground. Nothing happens.

Daniele:

(He’s set one of his traps somewhere in this arena. If I trigger it, he could cause some real damage. So, I need to be as careful as possible to avoid it.)

Daniele scans the area.

Daniele:

(Against Fishface, he placed the trap in between the two of them, knowing that Fishface was a hand-to-hand fighter. However, I’m different. He knows I’m capable of keeping my distance. So, where would he place a trap against a ranged attacker? Simple, directly behind me. His next attack will be to rush me and see if he can force me into his trap.) *nasal grunt* (I’ve got him all figured out.)

Major Minor:

さあ、私の怒りに立ち向かおう! [Now face my wrath!]

Major Minor draws his machete and charges at Daniele.

Daniele:

(Just as I expected, now for my counter.)

Daniele leaps in the air and starts spinning.

Daniele:

Pounding pirouette!

Major Minor grabs Daniele’s foot.

Daniele:

Huh?!

Major Minor:

私があなたを投げ込むことができるのに、なぜあなたは私の罠に足を踏み入れたのですか! [Why have you walk into my trap when I can just throw you into it!]

Major Minor chucks Daniele against the ground. It disappears, and she falls into a pit of warm green slime.

Daniele:

Ugh! What is this?!

Major Minor:

あなたは私のグートラップに自分自身を見つけました。その液体は筋弛緩ジェルです。苦労すればするほど、最終的には逃げるのが難しくなります… [You've found yourself in my goo trap. That liquid is muscle relaxing gel. The more you struggle, the harder it will be for you to escape until eventually…]

Daniele:

I’ll get out of this!

Major Minor:

いいえ、しません。私は、あなたがこの罠から逃れるための武器を何も持っていないことを知っています。それが私があなたに対してそれを使用した理由です。[No, you won't. I know you have nothing in your arsenal that will allow you to escape this trap. That's why I used it against you.]

Daniele:

(How does he know that?)

The grunts all cheer.

Grunt 1:

Yeah, Major Minor!

Grunt 2:

We may have doubted you, but I’m glad we were wrong!

Grunt 3:

You’re the best!

Major Minor:

男性諸君、ありがとう!嬉しいです- [Thank you, men! I'm glad you-]

Major Minor notices Aster sneaking up behind the grunts.

Major Minor:

男性!あなたの後ろに![Men! Behind you!]

Grunt 1:

We don’t know what you’re saying, Major!

Grunt 2:

But it’s probably something about how we’re completely safe right now!

Grunt 3:

We should definitely keep our guards down!

Aster lights all of the grunts on fire.

Grunts:

AHHHHH! HELP US! IF ONLY WE COULD HAVE BEEN WARNED!

All of the grunts burn to death.

Major Minor:

うおおおおお![NOOOOOOOOOO!]

Major Minor falls to his knees.

Aster:

They’re all done, Daniele.

Daniele:

That’s good.

Aster:

Yeah, but you falling for one of his traps isn’t. What happened?

Daniele:

I didn’t fall for his trap! He-

Major Minor:

I outsmarted Ms. Daniele Chase, the number 3 student at U.A.

Daniele:

Huh?

Aster:

Hm?

Daniele:

How do you know my full name?

Major Minor:

That’s simple.

Major Minor pulls out a book.

Major Minor:

Every proper combatant studies his enemies before combat. I have extensive knowledge of you, your quirk, and your history.

Daniele:

Then how come you were surprised by my quirk earlier!

Major Minor:

To fool you into a false sense of security.

Aster:

So, were you targeting Daniele for a while, or do you have information on all of us?

Major Minor:

My Queen has a very strong information network. As head of security, I’m responsible for compiling even the most mynute of information into a compendium on all our potential attackers.

Aster:

(The same way Daniele does…)

Major Minor opens the book.

Major Minor:

I know Ms. Chase here exhibits anal tendencies and is a perfectionist by nurture. She has never left her room without making her bed and has scored a 100 on every test she has taken in her entire life. She is 5’7, 124 pounds, Shoe size 8, C-cup bra-

Daniele:

WE GET THE POINT!

Major Minor shuts the book.

Major Minor:

Knowing that Ms. Chase is an extreme strategist and is used to having vast amounts of intel on her opponent, I knew she’d overanalyze my battle with the dead fish. Thus, I took her completely off guard by predicting her movements.

Daniele:

(So he knew what I would do from the start… he outplayed me at my own game…)

Aster:

Whatever, it’s not like you’ve won. Daniele can improvise.

Daniele twitches.

Daniele:

(Improvise!)

Major Minor:

From watching her history in battle, I can tell you that is negatory, son. Both of her eliminations in U.A.’s Sports Festival came after her opponent made a move she wasn’t prepared for. Therefore, it is my estimation that I have already won this battle.

Aster:

Can you make him start talking in Japanese again? He’s really getting annoying.

Major Minor:

Ms. Chase can do as she likes. Her death will be slow and painful.

Aster:

Oh, come on, she can climb out of a pit!

Major Minor:

No, she can’t. She has no gear or weapons to assist her, only her upper body strength which is being taken care of by the goo she has found herself submerged in.

Daniele:

(He’s right. I can already feel my arms and legs falling asleep. My quirk won’t help me now, and I don’t have anything with me that could help either. I’m sunk, literally.)

Aster laughs.

Aster:

Seriously? You think a pit of goo is gonna do Daniele in?

Major Minor:

Yes.

Aster:

*sighs* Daniele, why don’t you show him?

Nothing happens.

Aster:

Daniele?

Daniele:

I’M THINKING!

Aster:

Jeez, okay. *under his breath* Reminds me of my sister.

Major Minor:

She can think all she likes. She ain’t getting out of there.

Daniele’s shoulders sink into the goo.

Daniele:

(Maybe if I use my needles to scale the wall… no, the wall is made of metal, that will never work.) *grunts* (How am I actually gonna let myself get done in by a fucking pit of slime?)

Daniele is silent for a few moments.

Daniele:

(And I never got to tell him… how I feel.)

A flashback starts.

Multi has a group of 20 students gathered on U.A.’s track field.

Multi:

Alright, Class 1-B, it’s time for me to see what you’ve got! State your name and quirk please! We’ll start with the boy on the far end.

Daniele looks very skittish.

Daniele:

(Oh god, what if I say my name wrong? Should I write down a script on my hand? No, I don’t have a pen, also, I’d look like a total freak!)

Tyson:

Hey, how’s it going?

Daniele:

Huh?

Tyson:

You seem a little nervous. Take a breath; it’s everyone’s first day.

Daniele nervously starts backing away from Tyson. Tyson looks dumbfounded.

Tyson:

Was it something I said?

Tyson taps on Aster’s shoulder.

Tyson:

*whispering* Yo, bro, what’s up with this chick? She looks totally freaked out by me.

Aster:

*whispering* She probably could sense your lecherous gaze.

Tyson:

*whispering* Oh, come on! I was actually trying to be nice this time.

Aster:

*whispering*

Oh yeah, and she just happens to be the best-looking girl here?

Tyson:

*whispering* That’s the last time I will try to do anything for anybody.

Aster laughs.

Tyson:

*whispering* Why don’t you try then?

Aster:

*sighs* Fine.

Aster walks up to Daniele.

Aster:

Hi, my name’s Aster. What’s your-

Daniele backs away. Aster looks dumbfounded.

Tyson:

Told you…

Aster:

Is, uh, something wrong?

Daniele:

I- I- um… uh… I- uh…

Multi:

You! You’re up!

Tyson:

Yessir!

Tyson runs up to introduce himself.

Aster:

Look, I’m sorry if Tyson said anything weird to you. He’s a bit of a… “womanizer,” but he’s actually a pretty nice guy if you get to know him.

Daniele:

I- um… I- uh…

Aster:

You wanna do something for me?

Daniele:

Huh?

Aster:

Take a deep breath and tell me your name.

Daniele hesitates and then does as Aster says.

Daniele:

M- my name is Daniele.

Aster:

Nice to meet you. My name is Aster. Do you just have those first-day nerves or?

Daniele:

I uh… I’ve attended all-girl middle and high schools, so this is my first time interacting with boys my age since I was a little girl.

Aster:

Ah, that makes sense. I could see anyone being nervous about that. Well, let me just tell you that us teenage boys aren’t as bad as the ones on TV.

Daniele nervously laughs.

Multi:

Hey! You in the back. You’re up!

Aster:

Yessir! *to Daniele* I’ll see you around.

Aster runs up to introduce himself. Daniele stares at him as he goes.

Daniele (Naratting):

(Aster just had such a calming presence to him, and for a girl like me who’s high-strung… it felt nice.)

At the end of the school day, Daniele is leaving by herself.

Daniele:

(That wasn’t so bad… I kind of made a bit of a fool of myself during Hero Training, but hey, at least I got to talk a b-)

Aster:

Hey, Daniele!

Daniele:

Huh?

Aster, Yul, and Tyson are standing together ahead of Daniele. She walks up to them nervously.

Aster:

This is our friend, Yul. He’s in Class 1-A. We all went to the same high school together. He’s more polite than Tyson, so I thought you’d like to meet him.

Tyson:

Hey!

Yul:

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Daniele. Aster told me about how you have been in all-girl schools for the last 6 years. I hope that Aster and I can help ease you into the transition.

Tyson:

Hey! Come on, I was actually trying to be excellent for once.

Yul:

I find that hard to believe.

Aster:

Me too.

Tyson:

Okay, maybe I stared at her butt for like 18 seconds before going to speak to her, but I still had good intentions!

Daniele:

What!

Daniele slaps Tyson so hard he slams into the school wall.

Tyson:

Ow…

Daniele:

Pervert!

Aster and Yul laugh.

Yul:

Well, that got rid of her nervous energy.

Aster:

Yeah, nice job, Tyson!

Tyson falls to the ground.

Tyson:

Yeah… all part of the plan.

Aster:

So, Daniele, we were gonna get a bite to eat. Want to join us?

Daniele:

Huh? Me?

Aster:

Yeah, what better way to get over your man phobia than to hang out with some.

Yul:

You’ve already initiated yourself well into the group by bashing Tyson.

Daniele:

I… um… I- I- um…

Aster:

Remember what I asked you to do earlier?

Daniele:

Huh?

Aster:

Whenever you’re nervous, just do that.

Daniele takes a deep breath.

Daniele:

I- I’d like that…

Aster:

Cool, welcome aboard.

Yul:

I’ll carry Tyson.

Aster:

Yeah… Daniele did a number on him.

Daniele smiles.

Daniele (Naratting):

(Those three became great friends for me, something I wasn’t expecting. I got used to talking to Polite, Normal, and… less reputable boys, and I built up a lot of confidence from them. I became the person I am today, and it was all thanks… to him.)

The flashback ends.

Daniele:

(I guess that’s why I always revert back to my skittish self when I want to tell him how I feel…) *groans* (And now look, he’s up there telling this crossdresser about how I’m going to kick his ass, and I can’t even figure out how to pull myself out of this goo.)

Daniele bites her lip.

Aster:

Remember what I asked you to do earlier? “

Daniele:

*grunts* (Take a deep breath, and come up with a plan.)

Daniele takes a deep breath.

Aster:

Come on, Daniele.

Major Minor:

Save your breath and prepare for the Queen’s arrival. She has requested you.

Aster:

Requested me for what?

Major Minor:

You’ll see in a-

Major Minor gets hit upside the head by one of Daniele’s shoes.

Major Minor:

AHH! BITCH!

Daniele’s other shoe hits him in the head.

Major Minor:

Alright! Listen here you-

Major Minor looks inside the pit. One of Daniele’s needles goes straight into his right eye.

Major Minor:

AHHHHHH!

Major Minor stumbles around in pain; He slips on the goo left on the ground from Daniele’s shoe and falls into the pit himself.

Aster:

Daniele!

Major Minor:

AHHHH! THE MUSCLE RELAXERS ARE IN MY EYE! LITERALLY!

Daniele:

I didn’t need to get out of this pit; I just needed to bring you in with me!

Daniele forcibly submerges Major Minor in the goo.

Daniele:

Who’s trapped now?!

Major Minor kicks Daniele off of him and emerges for air.

Major Minor:

Dammit, you ruined my makeup!

Daniele:

Yeah, and next, I’m going to ruin you!

Major Minor:

Pfft, do you really think dragging me down here does anything for you?

Major Minor pulls out his machete.

Major Minor:

Now you have nowhere to run.

Daniele:

*nasal grunt* Who’s running?

Kevin cracks his knuckles.

Kevin:

Alright, you big neanderthal, you’re giving me a pretty bad wrap, so I’m gonna make this quick and put you out of your misery.

Clone:

DIE!

The clone coats his arms up to his shoulders in silver. He creates spikes on the outer parts of his arms.

Kevin:

Well, that’s not pretty.

The clone charges at Kevin.

Kevin:

Oh yeah? I’ll match you fist for fist!

Kevin’s legs emit a white aura.

Kevin:

Adrenaline Rush!

Kevin’s legs turn blood red, and he bursts towards the Clone.

Clone:

DIE!

Kevin dodges the clone’s fists and wrist blades.

Kevin:

Take this!

Kevin kicks the clone in the chest, sending him flying. Kevin then runs at extreme speed to catch up to the clone and kick him straight into the ground.

Clone:

*groans*

Kevin:

I guess I should thank you, I never would have perfected that move without seeing how barbaric my fighting style was.

Clone:

D-

Kevin:

Huh?

Clone:

DIE!

The clone’s eyes turn white, and its skin turns bright red.

Kevin:

(90%?! Really?!)

The Clone grabs Kevin and chucks him against the wall. The impact indents the wall.

Kevin:

*groans*

Clone:

DIE!

The clone begins punching Kevin over and over again, pushing him further and further into the wall.

Kevin:

(I just gotta hold out for 15 more seconds!)

The clone rips Kevin from the wall and repeatedly throws him against the ground.

Kevin:

(I’m not enjoying the ragdoll treatment here!)

The clone starts punching Kevin over and over against the ground this time.

Kevin:

(Something is wrong, he should be shutting down.)

The clone picks Kevin up and throws him against the Soulvania wall.

Kevin:

*groans* Fuck…

Kevin looks at the clone, steam is coming from various parts of its body, but it’s not shutting down.

Kevin:

What the hell…

Scarlett:

Do you like our little pet project?

Kevin:

Huh!

Scarlett has appeared on the other side of the Soulvania wall to Kevin.

Kevin:

You!

Scarlett:

Hello there, Kevin was it? I see you’ve been having a fun time with my pet.

Kevin:

What did you do to it! That’s not my quirk!

Scarlett:

Oh, we made some “modifications.” We made it smart enough to use its power correctly. Iota made these clones with such little care. It’s no wonder his plan didn’t work.

Kevin:

How did you get it? Why did you want it?

Scarlett:

Oh, come on. Who wouldn’t want a mindless animal that will kill anything in its path? So while the invasion was ongoing, I had my men corral one in and capture it. From there, my lead scientist did some work and made him into the perfect killing machine.

Kevin:

Jesus Christ…

Scarlett:

You know, it’s funny. Ivy told me you weren’t the original target for the clone’s base components.

Kevin:

Wh- what?

Scarlett:

She was initially tasked with collecting blood samples from Justus and Silver. However, she was met with strong opposition from Justus, so they had to settle for you.

Kevin:

I…

Scarlett:

This meant the clones were much wilder, and their maximum strength could only be achieved briefly. They were a failure. That’s more than likely why Iota has abandoned his clone army. Your quirk just wasn’t good enough.

Kevin:

Not the way they’re using it!

Scarlett:

Oh? Are you saying you’re using it better?

Kevin:

Of course.

Scarlett:

Well, this fight will help determine that. Because from where I’m standing, you’re wrong.

The clone gives off a blood-curdling screech.

Scarlett:

Looks like it’s recharged.

Kevin:

You mean it can sustain 90% and use it again!

Scarlett:

Of course, I just said it was the perfect killing machine, didn’t I?

The clone charges at Kevin.

Kevin:

(I can’t take another one of those trashings, but at 90%, even my best attacks will feel like a scratch to him. Whatever! I can’t let it kill me!)

Kevin’s arms become surrounded by a white aura and turn blood red.

Kevin:

ADRENAL DRIVE!

Kevin starts barraging the clone’s chest with a series of high-intensity punches.

Kevin:

AHHHHHHH!

Kevin uppercuts the clone, sending him flying back. Kevin’s arms power down, and a small amount of steam comes from them. Kevin can barely lift them above his shoulders.

Kevin:

Take… that!

The clone slowly starts to get up as if it was nothing.

Kevin:

What! Th- that was my best attack!

Scarlett:

The best that you’re willing to use.

Kevin:

Huh?

Scarlett:

You’re holding back. If he’s using 90%, wouldn’t that mean you have more than enough to take him down?

Kevin:

And then I drop after 10 seconds? No thanks.

Scarlett:

Suit yourself, but I’m afraid you’re running out of options.

Kevin:

Why are you even here? You look like you’ve seen better days.

Scarlett:

I had an unfortunate run-in with one of your friends, so I require some fresh life force to replenish my strength and condition.

Kevin:

You mean him?

Scarlett:

When my clone kills you, I’ll feast upon its boundless energy to restore myself. Then I’ll go and kill the rest of your friends.

Kevin laughs.

Scarlett:

Why are you laughing?

Kevin:

Because I can’t wait to see the look on your face when I kill your little “pet.”

Scarlett:

So you’re going to use 100%?

Kevin:

No, I’ll find another way.

Scarlett laughs, and the clone lets out another roar.

Scarlett:

I’d love to see you try.