Ewing stares at Blaze in awe.
Ewing:
(Who is he? And where did he come from?)
Blaze:
Are you alright, Ewing, sir?
Ewing:
I… I’ve been better.
Blaze:
Don’t worry. I have this handled from here.
Vanguard:
Oh, you do, do you?
Blaze:
Of course, Vanguard.
Vanguard:
(How does he know who I am?) Who are you?
Blaze:
My name is Blaze, and that’s all you need to know.
Vanguard:
So I guess you won’t tell me how you knew we were here? Or how you arrived here seemingly out of nowhere?
Blaze:
Nope, that isn’t important.
Blaze pulls out his obsidian sword.
Blaze:
Ewing leaving here alive is.
Vanguard laughs.
Vanguard:
I don’t think you understand who you’re speaking to.
Blaze:
Oh, trust me, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Vanguard cracks his knuckles and neck.
Vanguard:
Ah, fine. I could spare a minute or two.
Blaze:
I’ve always hated that attitude of yours.
Vanguard:
Hm? Have we met?
Blaze reaches into his pocket.
Blaze:
We will.
Vanguard:
Wh- what?
Blaze throws down a pair of grenades, filling the boiler room with a thick smokescreen.
Vanguard:
*coughing* What the hell?!
Blaze runs to Ewing.
Blaze:
Come on, sir! We have to get out of here!
Ewing:
Who are you?
Blaze:
I’ll explain that later; we need to leave this room right now.
Blaze hoists Ewing over his shoulders and runs for the exit.
Vanguard:
Where are you?! Show yourself!
Vanguard frantically searches the smokescreen for Blaze and Ewing.
Vanguard:
(Where the hell- no!) Verity! Block the exit!
The smoke clears, and Blaze and Ewing are gone.
Vanguard:
NO!
Vanguard runs out of the boiler room and spots the trail of blood.
Vanguard:
(Exciton and Lust are on campus today, I don’t know if they’ve left yet, but if they haven’t and he gets to them… I’m screwed!) Verity!
Verity:
Yes, Master?
Vanguard:
Go to the stadium and order all Vanguard members to return to the dorm immediately.
Verity:
Yessir, and what will you be doing?
Vanguard:
I must go now; my identity will be revealed by that mystery boy and Ewing.
Vanguard clenches his fists.
Vanguard:
My plan was perfect! How could it have been thwarted by some kid I’ve never even met! Meddling brat! I’ll need to check in with Lt. Weaver and see if Adrian is still alive; I might as well set my eyes on the Theta Ring since I couldn’t extract the location of the others from Ewing.
Verity:
But you did.
Vanguard:
Wh- what did you just say?
Verity:
You asked me to acquire the location of the Delta Ring from Principal Ewing, and I did.
Vanguard:
Are you serious?! Why didn’t you tell me?
Verity:
You didn’t ask.
Vanguard stares at Verity.
Vanguard:
Whatever. Is that the only one you were able to get?
Verity:
Yes, because you mentioned it before I attempted to read his thoughts, the location of that ring was brought to the forefront of his consciousness. However, he moved too quickly for me to find the others.
Vanguard:
That’s fine; Delta is the most important of the remaining rings for me to acquire. Once I have that, collecting the rest will be simple.
Verity:
Do you still want me to call off the plan at the stadium?
Vanguard:
Yes, we don’t need to risk our forces over something that no longer matters. We’ve already lost Karma.
Verity:
Right.
Vanguard:
(I can sense that Jace is still under my control, but his life force is weak…) Verity, inform Lilith that she’s in command during my absence.
Verity:
What about Jace?
Vanguard:
Jace failed me, and I need someone I can trust in charge while I’m gone. Now, tell me where the Delta Ring is.
Blaze places Ewing down inside a classroom.
Blaze:
I think we lost him for now… how are you feeling?
Ewing:
Like I just got hit by three buses in a row…
Blaze:
Yeah, well… you look it.
Ewing:
I don’t… I don’t think I’ll make it to a hospital…
Blaze:
It’s okay; you don’t need to.
Blaze reaches into his pocket and pulls out a medicine bottle.
Ewing:
What are those pills?
Blaze:
Thyagodryphen, the best medicine the world has ever made. I could only bring 5 tablets with me, so we need to make them count.
Blaze takes one of the pills and places it in Ewing’s mouth.
Blaze:
Swallow it, sir.
Ewing swallows the pill; suddenly, his wounds begin to heal lightning-fast.
Ewing:
Wh- what the hell?
Blaze:
Works great, doesn’t it? It’ll heal all your cuts, bruises, and pains like nothing. But your dislocated shoulder and probably many broken bones aren’t going to be much better.
Ewing is in awe.
Ewing:
A medicine like this exists, and I’ve never heard of it? How?!
Blaze smiles.
Blaze:
Because it doesn’t exist yet.
Ewing:
Wh- what? But I just…
Ewing notices the white gem fragment Blaze has. His eyes widen.
Ewing:
I- is that? A fragment of the Epsilon Ring? Wait… then that means…
Blaze:
Yes, Ewing, I’m from the future.
Ewing:
Wh- why have you come to the past? Well, I guess that’s obvious… to prevent my death.
Blaze:
Well, that’s part of it, you see I-
The sound of a helicopter approaching the school can be heard.
Ewing:
Wait one moment.
Blaze:
Huh?
Ewing looks out the classroom window and spots the helicopter.
Ewing:
I know that chopper! We need to get to the helipad to discuss this.
Blaze:
Wh- why?
Ewing:
If you’re here from the future, something catastrophic must occur soon, right?
Blaze:
Oh- yeah, well, I-
Ewing:
Then Lust and Exciton will want to hear about this. Come on, help me walk!
Blaze stares at Ewing in shock.
Ewing:
Huh? What’s wrong? Why are you hesitating?
Blaze:
Lust and Exciton… are alive?
Lust and Exciton are standing on the helipad as the helicopter slowly descends.
Lust:
Did you
have
to call in a helicopter?
Exciton:
I thought traveling like this would be way more fun. Besides, I know the pilot.
The helicopter lands.
Exciton:
Hey! You got here right on time!
Black Hollow bursts out.
Black Hollow:
Where’s Iota?!
Exciton:
Nowhere.
Black Hollow:
Wh- WHAT?!
Lust:
(What…)
Exciton:
Don’t worry, he’s still off in who knows where. Anyway, since you’re here, mind taking Lust and me back to our agencies?
Black Hollow:
You lied to me about the greatest terrorist our world has ever known just so you could get a helicopter ride!
Exciton:
Pretty much, yeah.
Black Hollow:
Goddamn you…
Exciton:
Alright, let’s get out of here.
Black Hollow:
Fine… come along, Lust.
Lust:
Thank you, Black Hollow.
Black Hollow:
You’re welcome, LUST!
Exciton:
What are you mad about?
Black Hollow:
*sighs* Let’s just go.
Ewing:
*from afar* Wait!
The three heroes turn around and see Blaze and Ewing approaching.
Lust:
Principal Ewing!
Exciton:
Woah! What the hell happened to you?
Ewing:
I found the person responsible for Recovery Girl.
Black Hollow, Lust, and Exciton run to Ewing’s aid.
Blaze:
Don’t worry, he will be okay; we just have to get him to a hospital.
Exciton:
And who are you?
Blaze:
My name’s Blaze.
Exciton:
Hm… you got a last name?
Blaze:
Uh… yeah, it’s just-
Black Hollow:
Ewing, your clothes are covered in blood, but I don’t see a scratch on you. How is that possible?
Ewing:
This boy here gave me some powerful medicine. But that’s not important right now; I need you three to go after Vanguard.
Exciton:
Vanguard?
Lust:
Is he the one who did this to you?
Ewing:
Yes, and he’s probably still on campus, commanding his army of my students. You three together should be able to stop-
Blaze:
He’s not here.
Ewing:
Huh?
Exciton:
Do you know something Ewing doesn’t?
Blaze:
Vanguard’s on the move; he’s going to the location of the Delta Ring.
Ewing:
What?!
Black Hollow:
Delta Ring?
Ewing:
How does he-
Blaze:
I don’t know, but shortly after your death, he acquired the ring, so he has to know.
Exciton, Lust, and Black Hollow are all confused.
Ewing:
Verity must have gotten the information before I escaped his grasp. Does he know all of their locations?
Blaze:
No, just that one.
Exciton:
Okay, hold up, what the hell is going on?
Blaze looks at Ewing.
Ewing:
Go on, tell them.
Blaze:
Lust, Exciton, and Black Hollow, I am Blaze, and I come from the future.
All three of them are shocked.
Exciton:
You’re messing with me, right?
Blaze:
No, I traveled here using a fragment of the Time Ring, aka the Epsilon Ring. I came here to stop a horrible future from befalling this world. A future where billions have lost their lives to the Vanguard and Iota Movement.
Black Hollow:
Iota?
Ewing:
And Vanguard? Both of them? How?
Blaze:
As we speak, Iota is in hot pursuit of the Sigma Ring, and Vanguard is already moving to get the Delta Ring. In my time, they completed these tasks uncontested, bringing them to 3 rings each and establishing themselves as the strongest two people on the planet. Nobody could stop them.
Exciton:
Not even us? Together?
Blaze:
No, you three and the #1 hero Vulcan were dead.
Lust:
What?
Exciton:
Okay, you lost me.
Black Hollow:
How is that possible? We’re all alive right now.
Exciton:
If you’re really from the future, then the only things that should be different are what you personally changed.
Blaze:
I know… I don’t know what happened; I wasn’t expecting any of you to be alive when I got here. Otherwise, I would have gotten your assistance to save Ewing from Vanguard.
Lust:
Well, how about this, how did we all die?
Blaze:
Uh… if I recall correctly, from the stories I heard, you all died together during a dangerous mission to stop an S-Rank villain a few weeks before Vanguard killed Ewing.
Exciton:
Wait… you don’t mean…
Black Hollow:
He must be referring to the Vampire Queen mission.
Exciton:
Yeah… but we made it out of that because of Hayze…
Blaze:
Y- you did?
Exciton:
Tell me something, are Adam Hayze and Aster Maddox alive in the future?
Blaze:
Uh… in the case of Hayze, that’s a bit “complicated.” But I know for sure Aster Maddox died alongside you three and Vulcan.
Black Hollow:
Hm… then perhaps there was a change in the timeline that caused Hayze to not be there with us, so he couldn’t save our lives.
Exciton:
That would make sense, but it doesn’t explain why
he’s
here.
Blaze:
Huh? What do you mean?
Exciton:
Look, I don’t know a ton about time travel, but I know about Multiverse Theory. If you travel back in time, you create an alternate timeline. Thus, preventing paradoxes and breaks in the space-time continuum. So, how come you traveled back in time and popped out in an alternate timeline that already existed?
Blaze:
I don’t know, that’s why I’m confused. To be honest with you, I only understand the basics of how these rings operate.
Exciton:
Okay, then we can move to Ewing. You said after Iota’s Assault that U.A. knew nothing about those Rings Iota and Colossus had, but now it sounds like you were lying. So, before we do anything, I want an explanation.
Ewing thinks for a moment.
Ewing:
*sighs* There’s no point in keeping anything a secret anymore… I’ll tell you everything about the Rings.
Vanguard is running through the streets of Nashville, looking like a madman.
Vanguard:
(The heroes know my identity now, so it won’t be long until I cannot show my face anywhere around this city. I must find a disguise and escape Nashville as fast as possible. Luckily, they’re unaware I know where the Delta Ring is, so once I’m gone, I’ll be free to collect it with no opposition!)
As Vanguard approaches a street corner, a random hero turns in his direction. They’re surprised by the blood-covered, shirtless man running through the streets.
Hero:
Woah, body, what the hell! Are you alright?
Vanguard ignores him.
Hero:
Hey! Stop!
The hero runs in front of Vanguard to stop him.
Hero:
I said stop!
Vanguard:
Kill yourself.
Vanguard uses the Alpha Ring to command the Hero; he immediately pulls out a knife and slits his own throat.
Pedestrians:
AHHH!
Vanguard continues running as if nothing happened.
Vanguard:
(I can’t waste any time; I must get on a flight to Chile!)
Ash creates an astral minefield in the air around Angel.
Ash:
Try flying your way out of that!
Angel:
Ha! Watch me!
Angel begins flying toward Ash.
Angel:
(I’m way more powerful than Ash! I’ll just power my way through her mines!)
Angel flies into a mine; the explosion blasts him backward, dealing tremendous damage to him with each detonation.
Angel:
(Why do these hurt so much!)
Angel gets blasted by every ghost mine and careens into the ground, badly injured.
Angel:
*groans*
Ash walks over to Angel and looks down at him.
Ash:
I don’t think it was so bright for you to try that.
Angel:
*pained grunt* How… those mines didn’t damage Zach or Kevin like this when you battled them…
Ash:
My ghost explosives are powerful, but they get even stronger if my opponent’s spirit is weak. Zach and Kevin both have incredible hearts, so they needed to be injured before my mines could do severe damage, but you, on the other hand. Your spirit is as weak as a wet piece of paper; you’re not even the real Angel.
Angel:
My spirit is plenty… strong.
Angel forces himself to stand up.
Angel:
If I wasn’t constantly being compared to Justus, Silver, Aaron, and Hayze, I’d get the recognition I deserve for being incredibly powerful in my own right. I once beat Jace with a single hit! Could you do that?!
Ash:
No.
Angel:
I work just as hard as any of those guys! Yet I get none of the praise they do! It drives me insane!
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Ash:
(Wait…)
“
Justus:
It’s not about the loss… it’s about what the loss means. I need to integrate more moves into my repertoire, change my strategy, and find a way to progress. That’s what a fight between rivals means; it doesn’t determine who is stronger definitively… it indicates to the winner that they’re moving in the right direction, and it demonstrates to the loser they’re going in the wrong direction.
Ash:
I… I think I get it. You’ve been quiet cause you’re trying to figure out what you can do to get better… so that you can win next time you fight Silver.
Justus:
Precisely.
Ash:
But… but what does that have to do with-
Justus:
Hard work isn’t the only thing that makes you stronger; you have to have direction. If you’re just trying to get strong by doing the same things repeatedly, eventually, you’re going to hit a wall. You have to adapt, learn new things, and evolve as time goes on. One person did that, the one that changed the way he’s perceived more than anybody else: Hayze.
Ash:
Yeah… watching him beat Silver was…
Justus:
Unbelievable.
Ash looks down at her hands and clenches them.
Ash:
I understand, Justus; if I want to get stronger, I need to change things up! “
— Chapter 78
Ash:
I understand, Angel, but if you want to get praised… You need to stop asking yourself why they’re stealing “your” recognition and instead ask what you can do to take it back.
Angel:
What are you-
Ash spin kicks Angel in the head, knocking him out cold. As a result, Ash’s S.S. Badge increases by 2 points.
Ash:
I got to where I am today because I learned from Justus instead of being jealous of him. And I owe him a lot for that.
Gus:
Good fight, Ash!
Ash:
Gus! What are you still doing here!
Gus:
Oh… uh… watching the fight?
Ash:
You need to bring Karma to Recovery Girl!
Gus:
Oh right…
Gus’ left side is drenched in Karma’s blood.
Ash:
Here, you carry Angel. I’ll get Karma.
Verity watches from the bushes.
Verity:
(Lovers and Moon are both defeated, Master was right, it would be best to cut our losses now.)
Verity sneaks into the stadium without being noticed.
Verity:
(Now to shut down this event.)
Eve and Lilith clash in the hallways of U.A. Stadium. Eve attempts to punch Lilith, but she uses her wings to fly backward quickly.
Eve:
Stand still!
Lilith:
Why, so you can magnetize me to the wall? What do you think I am, an idiot?
Eve:
Don’t test me, Lilith.
Lilith:
Your game is obvious, Eve. You rely heavily on your freakish strength and don’t spend enough time strategizing. I mean, come on, sometimes I forget about your stupid quirk because all you do is punch people.
Eve:
You wish you could punch people so hard they think you have two quirks.
Lilith:
I have two quirks, thanks to the Vanguard!
Eve:
Yeah, but you’re not you.
Lilith:
You can keep saying that; it doesn’t mean anything to me.
Lilith reaches into her pocket and grabs two seeds.
Lilith:
With these, I’ll bind you to the ground, and then we’ll see how high and mighty you are.
Eve:
If you think that’ll work, just try it.
Lilith smiles.
Lilith:
Okay then.
Lilith shrinks to her butterfly form and flies toward Eve.
Eve:
(She lectured me about strategy and then tries this? One of my punches will swat her out of the air and take her down for good.)
Eve leaps back a few times to keep her distance from Lilith.
Eve:
(Let’s see if you’ve been paying attention, Lilith.)
Eve taps the wall.
Lilith:
(What could she be magnetizing? She hasn’t laid a hand on me.)
Lilith flies toward Eve, but a wall of vines blocks her.
Lilith:
What! (Oh, right… those are the vines I trapped her in earlier!)
Eve:
Looks like you made a mistake, Lilith.
Eve’s hand bursts through the vines and grasps Lilith.
Lilith:
*pained grunt*
Eve:
It’s time to bring you back, Lilith!
Lilith regrows to her normal size, freeing herself from Eve’s grip.
Eve:
*frustrated grunt*
Lilith:
Forgot I could do that? Well, now I’ve got you cornered!
Lilith flicks a seed at Eve.
Lilith:
You’re done!
Eve:
You sure are forgetful.
Eve catches the seed.
Lilith:
Ha! It doesn’t matter if you caught it! All I have to do is grow that seed and-
As Lilith grows the seed, it flies back and magnetizes to her.
Eve:
You really should pay close attention in a fight.
Lilith:
No!
The seed grows into a vine wall that binds Lilith.
Lilith:
*frustrated grunt*
Eve:
I’ve got you now, Lilith!
Eve winds back a punch.
Lilith:
Or so you think.
Lilith shrinks down to butterfly size and flies up Eve’s sleeve.
Eve:
(Shit!)
Eve tries to swat Lilith, but she’s too quick.
Eve:
GET OUT OF MY SHIRT!
Lilith pulls out a knife.
Lilith:
(Now to plant the seed that will lead your defeat, Eve.)
Lilith cuts a slit in the skin on Eve’s back.
Lilith:
(You’re finished!)
Eve:
I won’t let you beat me, Lilith!
Eve slams her entire back into the wall, smashing Lilith.
Lilith:
AHHH!
Lilith flies out of Eve’s shirt, injured.
Lilith:
Dammit…
Eve:
How did you like that?
Lilith:
*frustrated grunt*
Eve:
I’ll bring you back, Lilith. Whether you like it or not.
Lilith:
No, you won’t!
Eve:
Yes, I will! I feel responsible for not stepping in when Jace brainwashed you. I shouldn’t have sat there and watched, knowing something was wrong. Even if it got me thrown out of the Licensing Exam, it would have been worth it to save a friend!
Lilith:
Well, I’m glad you didn’t. Because I couldn’t be happier being a member of the Vanguard, and soon you will be too!
Eve:
No, this is my time to be a hero, and I will save you, Lilith!
Alexis continues peering in at Tyson.
Alexis:
(I’ve gotta shut down this simulation at all costs.)
Alexis spots the timer… There are only 5 minutes left.
Alexis:
(If I don’t… someone’s gonna die… ) *gulps* (But, I can’t beat Tyson. Sure, his quirk isn’t for fighting, but that doesn’t mean his Vanguard power isn’t. Not to mention that he has far more combat experience and incredible strategic abilities than me. I’m outmatched, no matter how you slice it.)
Hayze looks up at the clock.
Hayze:
(Time’s almost up… it looks like I might have to go through with this.)
Jace is crawling away from Hayze.
Hayze:
I don’t know where you’re going because you're smashing into the dirt in a few minutes.
Jace:
Shut the hell up! I won’t give you the satisfaction of killing me!
Hayze tosses a tornado dagger into Jace’s calf.
Jace:
AHHHH! MOTHERFUCKER!
Hayze:
This isn’t the time to act tough; we can both make it out of this if you release Blair.
Jace:
Never! You’re going down with me!
Hayze:
That option isn’t on the table, Jace. You have two choices, live or die. When that clock hits two minutes, your final decision has to be made. And let me remind you that your “master” isn’t going to miss you.
Jace:
Of course not… I’ll have failed them!
Hayze:
You didn’t fail him, Jace. They wanted both of us dead, so at least you did half of the job.
Jace:
How many times do I have to tell you! THEY DIDN’T-
Hayze:
Jace, if your Master didn’t want you dead, why would he have set this whole death game up?
Jace:
What are you saying?
Hayze:
You could have just said, “Hayze, either you or Blair is gonna die, choose!” and that would have worked out perfectly for you!
Jace’s eyes widen.
Hayze:
The primary reason why they set this up is to kill you, Jace! Open your eyes!
Jace goes into deep thought.
Jace:
(He’s right… )
Hayze looks up at the clock: 2:15.
Hayze:
Well, Jace, it looks like this is it.
Hayze walks up to Jace and rips the tornado dagger from his ankle. Hayze is trembling as he holds the blade.
Hayze:
(Come on… someone stop this.) You thought stacking the deck in your favor would allow you to win a fight against me, but you never stood a chance, and now your Master will get his wish. *gulps* Goodbye, Jace.
Ivy:
Hayze!
Killian and Bruno:
He’s gonna do it!
Alec:
HE’S GONNA DO IT!
Alexis hears Hayze’s speech through the speakers in the control room.
Alexis:
(Stack the deck! That’s it!)
Alexis uses her quirk to draw a card from the deck of cards on Tyson’s person without him noticing.
Alexis:
This is over!
Tyson:
Huh?
Alexis presses the abort button using the card, ending the simulation. The arena reverts to normal.
Jace:
What?!
Hayze:
Yes!
Bruno, Killian, and Ivy breathe sighs of relief.
Jace:
TYSON! RESTART THE SIM-
Hayze kicks Jace in the back of the head, knocking him out.
Hayze:
You got lucky, Jace, but don’t worry, we’ll save you soon.
Hayze enters his fire form, rips his sword from his chest, and cauterizes his wound.
Hayze:
AHHH!
The Vanguard students in the stands are in shock.
Vanguard 1:
Jace lost!
Vanguard 2:
What the fuck?!
Vanguard 3:
We can’t stand for this!
Vanguard 4:
Yeah! Let’s get that guy while he’s weak!
The Vanguard members stand up and start moving down the seats to storm the arena.
Bruno:
Oh no!
Ivy:
We’ve gotta get down there! Fast!
Hayze looks up at the Vanguard members.
Hayze:
I’m really not in the mood to deal with this.
Verity:
Good, because you don’t.
Hayze:
Wh- AH! Where- did you take your bell off?
Verity:
Vanguard, stop where you are. We have been ordered to return to the dorm. This has come directly from Master. Do not disobey.
The Vanguard members stop their riot and begin calmly exiting the stands. Verity starts walking away from Hayze.
Hayze:
Hey, aren’t you forgetting something? *points at Jace*
Verity:
I can’t carry him.
Hayze:
Hey! And what about Blair?!
Verity:
She’s fine.
Hayze:
That’s not what I-
Verity:
She’s locked in the science wing storage closet.
Verity leaves.
Hayze:
Thank you.
Bruno and Ivy come running into the arena.
Bruno:
Are you alright?
Hayze:
Yeah, it’s times like these where I appreciate my healing quirk.
Ivy:
Why did she call off those Vanguard goons?
Hayze:
I don’t know… but I don’t like it. Bruno, mind carrying Jace here to the infirmary?
Bruno:
No, he may be a member of the Vanguard, but I know the real Jace is in there.
Bruno picks up Jace.
Bruno:
Come along, dumbass.
Hayze:
Oh, and here take this.
Hayze tosses Bruno Jace’s severed finger.
Bruno:
Oh… thanks…
Hayze:
I’m not sure how Recovery Girl does with limb reattachments, but hey, I’m sure he’ll appreciate the effort.
Bruno:
Alright, well, I’ll see you later.
Bruno departs.
Ivy:
Are you sure you’re alright?
Hayze:
Yeah, I’ll be fine, don’t worry.
Ivy:
You know… when you were talking to Jace back there… you were saying a lot of things that… sounded so familiar.
Hayze:
Hey, that part of your life is over. Don’t let it get to you.
Ivy:
Right…
Hayze:
Now, come on, we’ve gotta go get Blair.
Ivy:
Okay!
Lilith spots the Vanguard exiting the stadium.
Lilith:
Looks like we’ll have to call this battle early.
Eve:
What! No!
Lilith:
I’ll be seeing you.
Eve:
You’re not getting away from me!
Lilith shrinks down to butterfly form and flies away.
Eve:
That’s against the rules!
Lilith:
Then disqualify me; I don’t care!
Lilith leaves. Eve punches a wall.
Eve:
Dammit!
Saige:
Uh… Eve… a little help? I can make you some scissors for these vines… and my hair.
Filip and Fabio are lounging around as Blair’s skin turns blue.
Blair:
I’m g- g- g- gonna kill you g- g- g- guys.
Filip:
Shouldn’t have tried to pull the “I’ve gotta go the bathroom trick on us.”
Blair:
F- f- f- fuck you!
Fabio:
You know, it’s been a long time since Talon left. Shouldn’t he have gotten the order to kill or release her by now?
Filip:
Eh, maybe they just forgot about her.
Fabio:
Well, she’s gonna get frostbite soon. Should we care about that?
Filip thinks for a moment.
Filip:
Neh.
Blair:
Y- y- you dick!
Suddenly, Talon comes smashing through the door, knocked out cold.
Filip:
Huh?!
Fabio:
Oh god!
Hayze steps into the room.
Blair:
Hayze!
Filip:
Oh god! It’s Hayze!
Fabio:
Please don’t hurt us!
Hayze sees Blair’s frozen state.
Hayze:
Which of you did that to Blair?
Fabio points at Filip immediately.
Fabio:
FILIP DID IT!
Filip:
You asshole!
Hayze shoots a fireball into Filip’s chest, searing his skin and knocking him out cold. Hayze looks at Fabio.
Fabio:
C- c- c- can I go?
Hayze:
Sure.
Fabio:
Oh, thank you, god!
Fabio runs past Hayze, but as he does, Hayze lights Fabio’s hair on fire.
Fabio:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Hayze runs up to Blair and melts the ice and ropes trapping her.
Blair:
Oh, Hayze!
Hayze and Blair embrace, but Blair’s legs are very wobbly.
Hayze:
I’m glad you’re okay.
Blair:
Thank you, I knew you’d come to my rescue. What did you do to Jace?
Hayze:
They had a match set up; if I didn’t fight him to the death, they said they’d kill you.
Blair:
So you killed Jace?!
Hayze:
No, someone ended the simulation before I had to. I’m sure it was one of our friends; we’ll have to head to the dorm so I can thank them.
Blair:
Yeah, you mind helping me? My legs are pretty numb.
Hayze:
Of course.
Hayze picks up Blair and carries her princess style.
Blair:
(YES! FINALLY!)
Hayze:
Come on, let’s go.
Hayze and Blair leave, passing Ivy on the way out.
Ivy:
(So, this is what it’s like to help others. I think I could get used to it.)
Ewing finishes telling Black Hollow, Exciton, and Lust the history of the rings, the involvement of U.A. in protecting them, and the guardians.
Exciton:
I see… So, that’s what happened during the fight between Iota and Colossus.
Black Hollow:
Iota was really once a guardian?
Ewing:
Yes, and that was my mistake. I didn’t realize Ivan had such an intense obsession with Colossus that when he discovered the secret… It drove him mad. Without his hands, Iota isn’t a threat… but Vanguard… he’s beyond powerful now that he possesses the Alpha and Gamma Rings.
Lust:
But, Blaze, didn’t you say the Iota Movement was at war with the Vanguard in the future?
Blaze:
Yes, at some point, Iota named a successor to his empire, and they assumed control of the Iota, Omega, and Sigma Rings, becoming equal in strength to Vanguard, but that won’t happen until Iota dies in a few years of old age.
Exciton:
Old age? The guy’s only a year or two older than I am.
Lust:
Remember his Planetary Creation quirk? Using that drained many years of his life, it makes sense that he would only have a few left.
Exciton:
Oh, right.
Black Hollow:
Either way, we need to stop Vanguard before he can acquire that Delta Ring.
Exciton:
Yeah, Ewing, give us the location. I’ll call Vulcan and gather up some heroes; we can head there by tonight.
Blaze:
No!
Everyone looks at Blaze.
Exciton:
Huh? Is something wrong?
Blaze:
You have to head there right now! Vanguard knows that once he gets that ring, nothing will be able to stop him! He won’t waste a second, so we can’t either!
Ewing:
Blaze, are you sure?
Blaze:
Yes, you need to start moving immediately.
Exciton:
Look, I understand you’re from the future, but you’re forgetting something.
Blaze:
And that is?
Exciton:
I never got a crack at Vanguard in your time, so you saying he becomes “the strongest person on the planet” doesn’t mean anything to me. No offense to you, Ewing, but you’re an old man. So it’s understandable that you’d get clobbered by him. Me, on the other hand, I’m in the prime of my life and the “2nd” strongest hero there is. We know exactly where this guy will be and have a rough estimate of when he’ll be there. We’ll form a team and coordinate an assault to take him down.
Blaze:
You’re a fool if you do that!
Exciton:
Watch your mouth, kid!
Lust:
Exciton, calm down!
Blaze:
Vanguard has killed and brainwashed millions of people! That man is one of the three monsters that have destroyed my world! I won’t let him do that to this world too!
Lust:
(He… he seems so familiar…)
Exciton:
We can’t think with our emotions right now, kid. We have to create a logical attack strategy.
Blaze:
You won’t be able to beat him if he gets the Delta Ring… tell him, Ewing!
Exciton turns to Ewing.
Exciton:
Well, teach?
Ewing:
Given what I know about Vanguard’s quirk… gathering the Delta Ring would make him superior to you in every way, Exciton. I believe you should take the boy’s advice.
Exciton stares at Ewing.
Exciton:
Okay, we’ll go now. Black Hollow, fly us to the airport, and I’ll arrange for my private jet to be ready for us.
Black Hollow:
Right.
Exciton:
Come on, Lust. Let’s go.
Lust:
Mhm.
Exciton:
I’ll make some calls and see if I can get some other heroes en route, but for now-
Blaze:
Wait, Vanguard isn’t our only problem! One of you needs to stay behind and help with the other issue.
Ewing:
Right, you mentioned Iota was looking for the Sigma Ring… but how?
Blaze:
I don’t know, but he’s going to find it soon… and it leads to the deaths of many people at this very school.
Ewing:
H- how?
Blaze:
To get revenge on Hayze for slicing off his hands, Iota had one of his minions blindside him, trapping his soul inside the Sigma Ring. This caused Hayze’s evil alter ego, Khaos, to take control of his body. With Khaos no longer bound by Hayze, he began a massacre.
Lust:
That’s why you said Hayze being alive was complicated.
Blaze:
Yes, I’m not sure how close Iota is to finding the Sigma Ring, but it will be soon. So, we need to stop that as well.
Exciton:
*sighs* You’re spreading us a little thin here, kid.
Blaze:
Hey! There’s a reason why you needed a time traveler to prevent all of this from happening!
Exciton:
It’s fine… but I don’t think it’s wise for just two of us to go after Vanguard, and if you’re saying we don’t have any time to waste…
Ewing:
You’re gonna have to use the students…
Exciton:
I don’t want to, but it’s our only choice; we need backup.
Lust:
They did great during the Vampire Queen mission; there’s no need to be worried.
Exciton:
I know, but this is a lot for them to go through in such a short time. *takes a deep breath* Okay, Black Hollow and I will go after Vanguard while Lust goes to stop Iota.
Black Hollow:
We’ll take the chopper and see if we can spot the provisional heroes.
Exciton:
Right.
Lust:
I’m okay with this.
Exciton:
Good, then, Ewing, all we need now is our destinations. Where are we headed?
Ewing:
Well… Lust, you’re going to head to Alaska.
Lust:
Ooh, interesting. But where exactly in Alaska?
Ewing:
That’s difficult for me to answer; the guardian, Vargas, lives in a remote area where only three people know the exact location. You’re going to need one of them to show you to him.
Lust:
I assume one is you, but you’re too hurt to travel.
Ewing:
Yes, and Adrian is another, but he’s off… somewhere. So, that leaves only one option.
Lust:
Who?
Ewing:
Hayze, he trained with Vargas for a few months. He can lead you there.
Lust:
Oh, fantastic! I haven’t seen Hayze since the Vampire Queen mission! It’ll be fun to go on a mission with him again!
Blaze:
No! Hayze can’t come! Iota trapping him in the Sigma Ring is one of the many reasons I returned to the past! That would be like pouring gasoline on a fire!
Ewing:
Well, he’s your only option unless you want to wait a day or two for me to get healthy.
Blaze:
*grunts*
Lust:
Okay, I’ll fetch Hayze and head to the airport. Come on, Blaze, you’re coming too!
Blaze:
I- I am?
Lust:
Yeah, I could use your future telling. Besides, what are you gonna do around here? It’s time to help prevent catastrophe!
Blaze:
(She’s way too joyful…)
Lust:
Let’s go, Blaze!
Blaze:
Wait, I have to give Exciton and Black Hollow something.
Blaze pulls out his bottle of Thyagodryphen
.
He pours two pills out and hands them to Exciton.
Exciton:
What are these?
Blaze:
They’re powerful medicine tablets; I gave one to Ewing. That’s why he isn’t dead right now.
Exciton:
I see… future medicine…
Blaze:
Yeah, but I’ve only got four of them, so use them carefully. Only to keep someone alive.
Exciton:
Got it, thanks.
Lust:
Come on, Blaze!
Blaze:
Wait- what- ah!
Lust drags Blaze off the helipad.
Exciton:
Okay, teach, and where are Black Hollow and I off to?
Black Hollow:
And will we need a guide like Lust?
Ewing:
No, you won’t… you’re headed to Easter Island.
Bruno arrives at the main campus building with Jace to see Karma and Angel being loaded into ambulances.
Bruno:
Hey! What’s going on?
Ash:
Huh? Bruno?
Gus:
What are you doing here?
Bruno:
I was bringing Jace here to Recovery Girl. Why are these two leaving in ambulances?
Ash:
Something happened to Recovery Girl, and she’s unavailable to help them.
Bruno:
Oh no… Well, Jace needs help badly.
Ash:
What did Hayze do to him?
Bruno:
Exactly what he needed to to survive. Paramedic, can you take Jace as well?
Paramedic:
Yeah, sure, we can double up.
Bruno:
Thank you.
The paramedics load Jace into an ambulance as well.
Bruno:
Here.
Bruno hands the paramedic Jace’s severed finger.
Paramedic:
Aw, you dick, you didn’t mention that on purpose.
The ambulances drive off.
Bruno:
I’m glad they’re getting the help they need.
Ash:
Me too.
Gus:
Mhm.
Zach and Justus meet up with Aaron and Silver (carrying a broken and battered Wes).
Zach:
Did you guys find anything?
Silver:
We found Wes…
Aaron:
And his soiled pants!
Wes:
Fuck… you…
Justus:
Well, that’s not good. We need to-
Suddenly, the winds around them pick up as Black Hollow’s helicopter descends and lands beside them.
Silver:
Black Hollow?
Zach:
What’s going on?
The chopper door opens.
Exciton:
You five, get in! Now!
Justus:
But we’re-
Exciton:
I said now!
The five boys look at each other before subsequently piling into the helicopter.
Aaron:
(What is going on?)
The chopper door closes. Alden comes crawling out of the bushes.
Alden:
Wait… that helicopter… it’s Black Hollow’s! They’re going on a mission! They’re gonna need me!
The chopper starts taking off.
Alden:
WAIT!
Alden grabs onto the landing gear.
Alden:
I’M COMING WITH YOU!
The helicopter flies off, with Alden flailing around, hanging on for dear life.
Alden:
AHHHHHHH!
