Gus walks over to Ash and Hayze and checks their pulses.
Gus:
(I’m not sure how, but they’re both alive… I guess I should start heading back to the snowmobiles.)
Gus picks up Hayze and Ash, carrying one over each shoulder, and begins walking back in the direction he came.
Gus:
(You guys are lucky I’m nice…)
Gus passes by Yusuf.
Yusuf:
Wh- where are you going?! You can’t leave me here like this!
Gus:
Sorry, but I’m out of shoulders, so you’ll have to stay here.
Yusuf:
Oh, come on, man! I’ll freeze to death like this!
Gus continues walking.
Yusuf:
Aren’t you a hero! COME ON!
Gus stops.
Gus:
*sighs* Fine.
Gus grabs Ash’s knife and throws it at the ground in front of Yusuf.
Gus:
If I see you again, Hayze will kick your ass.
Yusuf:
R- right! Thank you!
Gus leaves, and Yusuf looks at Julio’s corpse.
Yusuf:
(Thank god I didn’t cave and say anything…)
Lust kicks Zaire with another pounding pirouette.
Zaire:
*grunts*
Zaire attempts to punch Lust, but she dodges and lands a quick kidney punch.
Zaire:
*pained grunt* Dammit!
Lust spin kicks Zaire, sending him flying and tumbling against the ground.
Zaire:
*groans*
Signal:
(Zaire is completely overwhelmed against Lust, he’s barely even putting up a fight.)
Signal checks his beacon.
Signal:
(Dammit, Julio and Yusuf are dead… and it looks like everyone else is returning to the rendezvous point. This isn’t looking good.)
Lust uppercuts Zaire in the jaw.
Eve:
This guy might as well give up; he’s not beating Lust.
Saige:
Yeah, she’s a Top 5 hero; there’s no way he’ll beat her.
Vargas:
I wouldn’t be so sure…
Saige:
Hm?
Eve:
Why?
Vargas:
He possesses the Iota Ring and its unbelievable powers. Lust may be strong, but she’s not stronger than that.
Saige:
The rings are powerful, but surely the wielder has to play a role in its power ceiling, right?
Vargas:
Indeed they do, but what makes you so sure this man isn’t intelligent enough to use it properly?
Saige:
Well, because he works for Iota, frankly.
Vargas:
He does, but from my battle… I can tell he doesn’t just “work” for Iota… he’s an extension of Iota’s will. I genuinely believe this man would do anything to complete a task given to him by his Master, including giving his own life. And that’s what makes him so dangerous…
Zaire slowly gets to his feet, breathing heavily.
Lust:
You’re exhausted.
Zaire:
I’m alive.
Lust:
Yeah, and you won’t stay that way for long if you don’t walk away now.
Zaire:
Never…
Lust:
Look, I understand wanting to “please” your “master.” I actually commend your devotion, but your warp gate ability is how you and your team will escape this forest. If you die, you’ll be killing them too.
Zaire:
I won’t die… so that point is moot.
Lust:
I know it’s part of my job, but I don’t like killing. In fact, I tend to avoid it at all costs, but you’re forcing my hand here. I’ll give you one last chance to-
Zaire spits at Lust.
Lust:
*sighs* Okay, you asked for it.
Lust sprints at Zaire.
Lust:
(I’ll start paralyzing him by attacking his pressure points, then I’ll go for the kill.)
Zaire opens a warp gate beneath his feet and falls into it.
Lust:
(Where did he go?)
Lust scans the area, searching for Zaire.
Lust:
Keep your guard up, girls!
Saige and Eve:
Right!
Signal hides.
Signal:
(Please, for the love of God, Zaire, don’t tell me you just deserted us!)
Zaire reappears elsewhere in the forest and collapses from exhaustion.
Zaire:
(I can’t lose… not until… the mission… is complete.)
Zaire glances at the Iota Ring.
Zaire:
(Master Iota trusted me with his most prized possession because he knew I could get the job done… I can’t let him be wrong.)
Zaire attempts to stand up but collapses again.
Zaire:
(Using the Iota Ring to forcibly evolve my quirk drained me in ways I couldn’t imagine… I’ve never felt so weak, and after the beating I just took from Lust… my body is failing me.)
As more and more time passes, Lust lowers her guard.
Lust:
(It looks like he took my advice and left.)
Lust approaches Vargas and the girls.
Lust:
Are you alright, Vargas?
Vargas:
No… his final attack damaged me significantly…
Lust:
It’s okay; we have medicine that can heal you.
Eve:
We do?
Lust:
Yes, my friend Blaze has some. It will fix you right up, Vargas.
Vargas:
If you say so…
Lust:
Saige, you keep Vargas safe. Eve, do you mind fetching our other “friend” for me?
Eve:
Hm? Oh! Right, yeah, one second.
Signal is sweating bullets behind his tree.
Signal:
(Zaire! PLEASE COME BACK!)
Eve appears next to Signal.
Eve:
Hello there.
Signal:
AHHHHHHHHHH!
Blair and Ivy hear Signal’s screams echo throughout the forest.
Blair:
Well, I’d say we know we’re heading in the right direction now.
Ivy:
(That sounded like Signal, I wonder what happened to him?)
Blair:
Come on, let’s pick up the pace; just because that’s a scream I don’t recognize, it doesn’t mean the others aren’t in trouble.
Ivy:
Right!
Back on Easter Island, Vanguard tosses Black Hollow aside.
Black Hollow:
*groans*
Vanguard:
I’d say it’s almost time for me to wrap this up.
Exciton gulps.
Exciton:
You two… listen to me.
Silver:
Huh?
Aarow:
What is it, Exciton?
Exciton clenches his fists and grinds his teeth.
Exciton:
At this point, Vanguard is too powerful for anyone to take down.
Aarow:
Yeah… these last few minutes have been a pretty good demonstration of that…
Exciton:
Well, I’ve been thinking, and I believe there’s one way he could be defeated.
Silver:
Wait, really? How?!
Exciton goes quiet for a few seconds.
Aarow:
Uh… Exciton?
Exciton:
Aarow, I asked you earlier about fusion because I believe it’s the key to our victory. If Vulcan and I can fuse together, then there’s a
chance
we’ll have enough power to wipe Vanguard out.
Aarow:
But… Vulcan isn’t here… and we don’t have any way to fuse anymore.
Exciton:
I know…
Exciton takes a deep breath.
Exciton:
This pains me in every fiber of my being to say, but… I must survive this fight no matter what… if mankind wants any chance at survival.
Aarow:
So… what are you saying?
Exciton:
After Vanguard finishes off Black Hollow… he’ll choose another of us to kill. When that happens… I need one of you to volunteer… to die.
Aarow and Silver are shocked. All three of them stand there in silence.
Vanguard:
Well, Black Hollow… are you ready for the sweet embrace of death?
Black Hollow slowly gets to his feet.
Vanguard:
Standing up? Wow, I’m impressed!
Black Hollow:
Never!
Black Hollow turns invisible.
Black Hollow:
(Even with his awesome might, he still needs to see me to strike, so-)
Vanguard punches Black Hollow in the chest.
Black Hollow:
AHHHHH!
Black Hollow becomes visible again, staggers backward, falls to his knees and pukes his guts out.
Vanguard:
Hm, it looks like you lose our game.
Black Hollow:
H- how?
Vanguard:
That time, I used the power of The Star, granting me Aura Reading. I could see the outline of your soul.
Black Hollow:
Dammit…
Vanguard:
I also could have used The Emperor and turned your quirk off, but I did this for the sake of variety. Anyway, I’m bored with you now, Black Hollow.
Exciton:
(This is it…)
Silver:
(Black Hollow…)
Black Hollow glances at Silver.
Black Hollow:
(Silver, my boy…)
Vanguard:
I think I’ll use The Strength to defeat you.
Vanguard’s right arm grows massive muscles, disproportionate to the rest of his body.
Black Hollow:
(Whatever happens… always remember… The path a hero takes can have many twists and turns, but no matter where it brings you… enjoy the ride.)
Vanguard:
Any final words?
Black Hollow smiles.
Black Hollow:
Just five: Go Fuck Yourself-
Vanguard crushes Black Hollow beneath his fist, killing him.
Silver:
Black Hollow!
Aarow:
He’s gone!
Exciton:
*grunts*
Vanguard’s arm reverts to normal. He turns towards Exciton, Aarow, and Silver.
Vanguard:
So… who’s next?
Silver gulps.
Silver:
(Should I-)
Aarow steps forward.
Aarow:
It’s you and me, pal!
Exciton:
(That wouldn’t have been my pick, but I can’t knock the kid’s spirit.)
Vanguard chuckles.
Vanguard:
Eager to die, are we? Okay, I’ll accept your challenge. Get over here.
Silver stands up.
Silver:
Aarow, wait! You shouldn’t do this. Your fusion can’t last much longer, and Aaron and Wes will also die if you die.
Aarow:
I’m not worried about that; the only thing that concerns me is taking this guy down.
Silver:
But-
Aarow creates shotgun barrels from his heels and blasts himself to face off against Vanguard.
Vanguard:
Black Hollow was a rather dull “battle.” I hope you can provide more flair for me.
Aarow:
Oh, trust me, flair is my middle name!
Vanguard:
I’m sure it is-
Vanguard suddenly looks toward the North East sky.
Aarow:
Huh?
Silver:
What’s going on?
Exciton:
Does he see something?
Vanguard watches the sky intently.
Vanguard:
(Two auras… approaching rather quickly…)
Aarow:
Hey! Are you ignoring me?
Vanguard ignores Aarow.
Aarow:
HEY! I’M TALKING TO YOU!
Vanguard:
Consider this your lucky day.
Vanguard leaps atop a Maoi and continues watching the sky.
Aarow:
THAT’S IT! YOU ASKED FOR IT!
Aarow rockets back into the air.
Aarow:
If you won’t take me seriously, then I’ll make you!
Aarow creates missile salvos out of each of his upper arms and lower legs.
Silver:
Aarow! Calm down!
Aarow:
Mirror, mirror on the-
Aarow defuses back into Wes and Aaron, and they plummet to the ground.
Aaron and Wes:
*groan*
Silver:
Well… that solves that problem.
Exciton:
(What could have Vanguard’s attention like that? Could our reinforcement be arriving?)
Blaze and Demetri arrive at the snowmobiles.
Blaze:
Dammit! He’s not back yet!
Blaze lies Alexis down on one of the vehicles.
Demetri:
Okay, now can I get an explanation? How am I alive, and where did those guys go?!
Blaze:
I don’t know about the first question, but I arrived after Alexis took out Blaine. I convinced Khold to flee in exchange for his brother’s life. That’s how we got here.
Demetri:
(Blaine? Khold?) How do you know their names?
Blaze:
Let’s just say I’ve run into them before.
Demetri:
Wait, really? When?
Blaze gets quiet. A flashback starts; a young Blaze and much older Saige are inside a cellar lit by candles.
Blaze:
Aunt Saige… can I ask you a question?
Saige:
You just did, but sure.
Blaze:
Who was the person who killed my mother?
Saige gets quiet.
Blaze:
Well? You said you were with her when she died! I want to know who it is!
Saige:
Why? What are you going to do with that information?
Blaze:
Well… I…
Saige:
You’re just like your father.
Blaze:
Huh? What do you mean?
Saige:
One of his faults was vindictiveness; he cared too much about revenge.
Blaze:
Who did he need to get revenge against?
“
Hayze points his palm at Tobias.
Hayze:
Any last words?
Tobias:
“Last?” Are you that confident you can finish me with your next attack?
Hayze:
Of course! Infinite Assault…
Hayze pulls the pin.
Hayze:
Blast Burn!
Hayze fires a massive inferno from his palm. It fills the entire street and towers 30 yards high.
Tobias:
(This heat!) “
— Chapter 129
Saige:
If you hurt someone he cared about, he’d do anything to make you pay. That’s why I’ll only tell you who killed your mother if you promise me to never fight them.
Blaze hesitates.
Saige:
Well?
Blaze:
*sighs* Fine… who was it?
Saige:
You remember those two bickering brothers from the Iota Movement?
Blaze:
Y- yeah…
Saige:
The fire user, Blaine, he did it.
Blaze:
H- he did?
Saige:
Yes, and remember our promise, Blaze. If I find out you ever fought him, I’ll make you pay.
Blaze:
*gulps*
The flashback ends, and Blaze clenches his fists.
Demetri:
Well?
Blaze:
I don’t want to talk about it.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Demetri:
That’s great, but I do! You’ve been cloaked in mystery since the moment you arrived at our dorm. You have a ton of info that I don’t understand how you could possibly have. So, start talking!
Blaze:
I told you! I don’t want to-
Gus:
*from afar* Hey!
Demetri and Blaze turn to see Gus arriving with Hayze and Ash.
Demetri:
*whispers* We’ll resume this later.
Blaze:
Gus! What happened to them?
Gus:
Uh… Hayze, I’m not sure, but Ash got shot. Hayze healed her somehow, so I think she’s alright.
Blaze:
Well, we need to wake him up. Alexis needs his help now!
Gus glances at Alexis.
Gus:
She looks like a smurf!
Blaze:
Yeah! So wake Hayze up-
Gus slams Hayze into a tree.
Hayze:
*groans*
Blaze:
That works… I guess.
Hayze:
Wh- what happened? Is Ash alright?!
Blaze:
She is, but Alexis isn’t.
Hayze notices Alexis’ state.
Hayze:
Jesus Christ!
Blaze:
I know, she’s in bad shape, the cold is-
Hayze smacks Blaze on the back of his head.
Blaze:
OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!
Hayze:
YOU DIDN’T OFFER HER YOUR JACKET? I SUCK WITH WOMEN, AND EVEN I KNOW TO DO THAT! WHO THE HELL RAISED YOU?!
The sounds of Saige’s laughter echo through Blaze’s head.
Blaze:
You don’t want to know…
Hayze’s eyes turn red; he surrounds Alexis in a spiral of fire, warming her up. Then, after a few minutes, her skin regains its usual color.
Alexis:
*groans*
Hayze:
How are you feeling, Alexis?
Alexis:
Hayze? I’ve uh… been better.
Hayze:
Can you move everything?
Alexis sits up and wiggles her fingers and toes.
Alexis:
Looks like it.
Hayze places his jacket on Alexis’ shoulders.
Alexis:
Thanks, Hayze.
Hayze:
Hey, I’m just glad you’re okay. Speaking of which…
Gus sets Ash down, and Hayze ignites a flame and uses the smoke to wake Ash up.
Ash:
Huh… where am I?
Hayze:
With friends.
Ash’s grogginess fades.
Ash:
I- I’m alive?
Hayze hugs Ash.
Hayze:
I’m sorry…
Ash:
I- uh- it’s okay… Hayze. I’m not really sure what happened exactly.
Hayze:
We’ll tell you about it later; we’ve gotta move right now.
Hayze unthaws the treads on all of the snowmobiles.
Hayze:
I’ll take Alexis, Demetri, you get Gus, and Ash, you drive Blaze.
Blaze:
Wait, why are we taking the snowmobiles now?
Hayze:
It doesn’t matter if they know where we are if we’re all together. Let’s go!
Hayze drives off with Alexis.
Ash:
You heard him! Follow Hayze!
Ash and Blaze drive off with Demetri and Gus close behind.
Hayze:
(I just hope everyone is alright.)
Lust and Eve supervise Signal as they force him to repair their snowmobiles. He has a black eye.
Eve:
Pick up the pace! Or else we’ll see if we can break my record for broken penis angle.
Signal:
*gulps* What’s your current record?
Eve:
90 degrees.
Signal begins working as fast as he can.
Eve:
That’s what I thought.
Lust:
I like your spirit, Eve. After you pass your licensing exam, I’ll give you a call.
Eve:
Really?!
Vargas attempts to stand up, but Saige forces him to stay down.
Saige:
Woah, woah, Vargas, you’re in no condition to be standing, let alone walking.
Vargas:
That warp gate user… he’s not gone. Trust me.
Saige:
It’s not that I don’t believe you, but even if he returns, he’s in no condition to beat Ms. Lust.
Vargas:
You’re wrong…
Zaire attempts to stand up again but to no avail.
Zaire:
(STAND UP!)
Jagger:
Well, well, well, how the mighty have fallen.
Zaire:
J- Jagger?
Jagger:
Did you lose?
Zaire:
No… I defeated the guardian, but then the hero, Lust, showed up.
Jagger:
So, you ran? Pathetic.
Zaire:
I just needed a second to recover, then I’m going back to finish what I started.
Jagger:
(As much as I’d love to kill you, you’re my ride out of here. So, I guess I’ll do the next best thing.)
Jagger offers Zaire his hand.
Zaire:
Hm?
Jagger:
Come on, it’s time for us to complete the mission.
Zaire:
I… I don’t need your help.
Jagger:
Really? Because from where I’m standing, you need a lot more than just my help.
Zaire:
I promised Master I’d retrieve the Sigma Ring, and I will not fail him.
Jagger:
Are you willing to do everything you can to achieve that goal?
Zaire:
Of course.
Jagger:
Then, by that logic, you’re willing to accept my help, so swallow your pride so we can finish this job.
Zaire hesitates, then grabs Jagger’s hand. Jagger assists Zaire to his feet.
Jagger:
So, what’s the plan?
Zaire:
Hm… once we eliminate Lust, everything will fall into place.
Jagger:
I can take care of her.
Blair and Ivy arrive at the clearing.
Blair:
Saige!
Saige:
Blair? You’re here?
Blair:
Yeah, you know I came along, right?
Saige:
Yeah… just… on foot?
Blair:
I’ll uh… tell you about that in a minute. Is this the guardian?
Vargas:
I have a name… and I used to have bladder control.
Blair:
Ew…
Saige:
Lust took care of the Iota grunts that attacked Vargas. Well, one of them ran away, and the other is repairing our snowmobiles so we can bring Vargas to a hospital.
Ivy:
(Signal…)
Lust spots Blair and approaches her.
Lust:
Blair! It’s good to see you’re alright! But where are the others?
Blair:
We were attacked by a pair of Iota goons; they separated us. I don’t know where Alexis, Ash, Gus, or Demetri are.
Saige:
Hayze and Blaze went back to see if they could find you. Did you see them?
Blair:
No, we didn’t.
Saige:
Maybe they found the others?
Lust:
Perhaps, but either way, we need to-
A warp gate opens at the center of the clearing, and Zaire returns.
Ivy:
(Zaire…)
Eve:
He’s back!
Signal:
ZAIRE! HELP ME!
Eve punches Signal in the face, knocking him out cold.
Eve:
Shit! Too hard…
Lust approaches Zaire.
Lust:
I thought you wised up, but returning here means I’m going to take things further than I did before.
Zaire:
Who says I didn’t wise up?
Lust:
Hm?
Jagger takes aim at Lust.
Jagger:
(I could strike her carotid artery, just like I did with Julio, and kill her here and now. That’s what Zaire expects me to do, but that’s not what will happen.)
Lust looks over her shoulder at Eve and Signal.
Lust:
If you want your friend back, we’ll give him to you, but I want the ring fragment you used to find Vargas back in exchange for him.
Zaire:
No, this isn’t a negotiation.
Lust:
Then what is it? Because it’s clearly not a fight.
Zaire:
Well, you can’t bargain or fight a dead woman, so…
Lust:
What?
One of Jagger’s needles stabs into Lust’s shoulder.
Lust:
*grunts* What?
Zaire uses the distraction to kick Lust in the chest, knocking her to the ground.
Saige:
Ms. Lust!
Blair:
Is she alright?!
Lust attempts to get her feet but feels woozy.
Lust:
Wh- what’s going on?
Eve:
(I’ve seen this before!) Everyone, that poison needle guy is in the trees!
Blair, Saige, and Ivy look at the treetops; Jagger has already slid down the tree and taken cover.
Saige:
I don’t see him!
Blair:
He must have run away, fucking weasel!
Ivy:
(That’s Jagger for you…)
Lust struggles to get to her feet.
Zaire:
Jagger’s poison is already festering within your bloodstream; you’ll be down in the next few minutes.
Lust:
Then I’ll just have to defeat you before then!
Lust attempts to summer salt at Zaire, but it ultimately falls apart, and she falls flat on her face.
Lust:
(I’m weakening… and fast!)
Zaire:
(I don’t have to waste on finishing her off.)
Lust attempts to stand up again, but Zaire swats her away and walks toward Vargas.
Blair:
You may have brought Lust down!
Saige:
But you’ve still gotta go through us!
Eve:
Let’s get him!
Ivy:
No! Don’t!
Blair, Saige, and Eve charge at Zaire.
Zaire:
(I may be exhausted, but I still have enough energy to swat down some flies.)
Saige creates a rocket launcher and fires a blast at Zaire; Blair also launches a magma stream at him.
Zaire:
(A couple of school girls don’t stand a chance against the power of Iota!)
Zaire telekinetically reflects Saige’s attack on Blair and vice versa.
Blair and Saige:
AHHH!
Both girls collide with the ground in pain.
Eve:
Don’t forget about me!
Eve attempts to punch Zaire, but a warp gate opens in front of her; she falls into it and reappears fifty feet in the air.
Eve:
Oh no!
Eve slams into the dirt and is knocked unconscious.
Vargas:
I told them…, but they didn’t listen.
Zaire continues walking towards Vargas, but Ivy blocks his path.
Zaire:
I- Ivy?
Ivy:
Hello, Zaire.
Zaire:
So, this is where you ended up.
Ivy:
Yeah, I’m with the good guys now.
Zaire:
That’s subjective.
Ivy:
Zaire… just walk away.
Zaire:
You know I can’t do that.
Ivy:
No, I know you won’t do it.
Zaire:
That’s the same thing.
Ivy:
It’s not because, in one case, your mind can be changed.
Zaire:
Why would I do that?
Ivy:
Because Iota is using you, just like he’s used me. He’ll throw you away when the time comes; trust me.
Zaire scoffs.
Zaire:
Ivy, do you know the difference between my affiliation with Master Iota and yours?
Ivy:
Tell me.
Zaire:
I knew you were just a pawn in Master’s game. He told me everything, so I allowed you to live, Ivy. I pitied you. I felt terrible that you devoted your life to someone that never gave a damn about you for a moment.
Ivy:
*frustrated grunt*
Zaire:
Now get out of my way, or else I’ll be forced to hurt you.
Ivy:
Just because you were higher in the chain of command than me doesn’t mean that Iota doesn’t think the same of you.
Zaire laughs.
Zaire:
I’m not just higher in the chain, Ivy; I’m on top.
Ivy:
No, you’re not.
Zaire:
That’s incorrect; Master Iota trusts none of his subordinates more than me.
Ivy:
You’re the incorrect one. There’s one person above you that will always be trusted before you and will always be Iota’s priority.
Zaire:
Who?
Ivy:
Iota.
Zaire’s eyes narrow.
Ivy:
He’s always been looking out for himself, and everyone else is just a means to an end for him. But you don’t have to be, Zaire; you can walk away now and-
Zaire sends Ivy flying into a tree with the Iota Ring, knocking her out cold.
Zaire:
She spends one day around heroes and tries to act like one, insolent brat.
Zaire finally reaches Vargas.
Zaire:
I apologize that this moment was delayed, but it’s finally time for me to claim Master Iota’s prize.
Vargas:
The girl was right, you know. The day will come when you’re discarded like a piece of trash.
Zaire:
I didn’t ask for your opinion.
Vargas:
That’s fine; I’ll be the first one to laugh in your face when you arrive at the gates of hell.
Zaire:
You think you’re going to hell?
Vargas:
I’m going to put a special request in. I’ll waste my chance at a perfect afterlife for the opportunity to mock my killer one final time.
Zaire:
*frustrated grunt* I’ll show you “mocking!”
Zaire pulls out the Sigma Ring fragment.
Zaire:
I’ve seen your Amaryllis Style before… under the use of Adam Hayze. You gave this fragment to help him control his personalities, correct?
Vargas:
Maybe.
Zaire:
Well, your pupil’s carelessness with your gift is what led us to you… and led you to your death. So you can laugh at me all you like; I’ll take solace in the fact that you trained the very boy that brought your demise upon you.
Vargas stares at Zaire.
Vargas:
The girl was right, you know.
Zaire:
*frustrated yell*
Zaire punches Vargas directly in the heart.
Vargas:
AHHHH!
Zaire removes the Sigma Ring from Vargas’ finger as he writhes in pain.
Zaire:
Jagger, fetch Signal. It’s time for us to-
Hayze:
Infernal Impact!
Hayze zooms toward Zaire and punches him in the jaw with his flame-cloaked fist, sending him flying and causing him to drop the Sigma Ring fragment on the ground.
Saige:
Hayze…
Ash, Blaze, Gus, and Demetri get off their snowmobiles and rush to Lust, Blair, Eve, and Saige’s aid.
Blaze:
Are you alright?
Blair:
I’ve been better…
Hayze kneels next to Vargas.
Hayze:
Vargas… I’m so sorry… this is all my fault…
Hayze starts to tear up.
Vargas:
Hayze… please listen.
Hayze:
Huh?
Vargas:
These are my dying breaths, so hear them well. I chose to stay here when I could have run away. You did not force me to do that…
Hayze:
But… you wouldn’t have had to make that choice if not for me! You trusted me with that fragment, and I lost it! They wouldn’t have found you if not for me.
Vargas:
Hayze… I’d be alive and well right now if not for my own actions. Just as I trusted you with the fragment, Principal Dubois trusted me with protecting the ring at all costs. I didn’t do that, but I know he’s smiling in the afterlife after watching me give the fight of my life. Just like I will be doing the same for you in a few moments.
Hayze:
But… sir… I-
Vargas:
But nothing… Hayze, I may have only been your mentor for a short time, but I watched you grow into the hero you are today. One that I know will one day be the greatest we’ve ever… seen…
Vargas pukes up a ton of blood.
Hayze:
Vargas!
Vargas:
Hayze… There's one final technique I need to show you before I go.
Hayze:
What? Y- You can’t perform any attacks in your condition.
Vargas:
It’s not an attack…
Vargas places his hand against his heart, creating a small, faint flame.
Vargas:
Infinite Ending: Soul Amaryllis… Hayze, take the last of my flame so that a piece of me may live on in your attacks.
Hayze hesitates.
Hayze:
Okay, Vargas, I will.
Hayze absorbs Vargas’ final flame.
Vargas:
Now… give him hell.
Vargas dies.
Hayze:
I will…
Everyone is silent. Jagger has maneuvered to the snowmobiles and grabbed Signal’s unconscious body.
Jagger:
(Well, Zaire can handle this. I’ll see him at the rendezvous.)
Zaire gets to his feet, his face still steaming from Hayze’s punch.
Zaire:
Good riddance to him.
Hayze slowly stands up.
Hayze:
Everybody… stay back. I need to teach this guy a lesson.
Zaire places the Sigma Ring on one of his fingers.
Zaire:
I’ll spend a few minutes thrashing you. You deserve it for the pain you caused my Master.
Hayze cracks his neck.
Hayze:
Bring it, bitch.
Blaze:
What?! We’re not letting you fight him alone!
Hayze picks the Sigma Ring fragment off the ground.
Hayze:
Who says I’m alone?
Zaire scoffs.
Zaire:
You think I’m afraid of you and one of your pathetic personalities?
Hayze turns off his quirk and materializes one of his tornado daggers.
Hayze:
Who said anything about one?
Zaire:
Huh?
Hayze uses the dagger to slice a massive gash down his inner forearm.
Hayze:
AHHHH!
Ash:
Hayze! What are you doing?!
Hayze crushes the weakened fragment in his hand, reducing it to dust.
Hayze:
Getting even.
Hayze pours the dust into his open wound as it heals shut, causing the ring fragment to enter his bloodstream.
Hayze:
AHHHHH!
Zaire:
(What has he done!)
After a few seconds of screaming, Hayze stops and takes a deep breath.
Hayze:
I’m gonna make you hurt!
Hayze's body emits a blue aura.
Hayze:
But before we begin, I’d like to introduce you to a few friends of mine.
Calm appears beside Hayze.
Hayze:
The Wave of Logic: Calm.
Calm:
It’s a pleasure.
Wrath appears.
Hayze:
The Incarnate of Anger: Wrath.
Wrath:
Now, this is gonna be fun.
Impulse appears.
Hayze:
The Energetic Speedster: Impulse.
Impulse:
I’m raring to go!
Gale appears.
Hayze:
And finally, The Grand Wind: Gale.
Gale:
It’s been too long since I got to stretch my legs.
Everyone is amazed as the five versions of Hayze stand in flesh and blood. Each of their eyes is their respective color, including Hayze’s.
Blair:
Five… Hayzes?
Saige:
Did we all end up in one of Blair’s wet dreams?
Zaire is shocked, but he shakes it off.
Zaire:
I’m not afraid of this newfound ability of yours. You just split your power into 5 pieces, so each of you is only worth 20% of Hayze’s max strength, and with the power of the Iota Ring, I can easily defeat you all.
The personalities and Hayze all smile.
Wrath:
I call first dibs.
Hayze:
No, Wrath, let Impulse go first.
Wrath:
Ugh… fine.
Impulse charges at Zaire.
Zaire:
I’ll stop you with the power of Iota!
Impulse appears behind Zaire.
Zaire:
What?!
Impulse:
Funny thing about brain waves… they aren’t faster than light!
Impulse begins barraging Zaire with Thunder Punches to the chest in rapid succession.
Impulse:
Blitzkrieg: 1,000 Punches!
Zaire:
AHHHHH!
Impulse finishes his all-out assault with an uppercut that sends Zaire into the air.
Hayze:
You’re up, Gale.
Gale:
About time!
Gale charges at Zaire, creates two Typhoon Booms in his hands, and leaps into the air.
Gale:
Typhoon Boom Times Two!
Gale sends Zaire crashing and bouncing against the ground.
Zaire:
AHHHH!
Hayze:
Calm!
Calm:
Mind giving me an assist, Wrath?
Wrath:
Sure, I guess!
Wrath uses his flames to melt all the snow surrounding himself, Calm, and Hayze.
Calm:
Thank you.
Calm channels the water together into a massive wave that surges toward Zaire.
Calm:
Torrential Tribute!
The water blast slams Zaire into a tree at extreme velocity.
Zaire:
*muffled* AHHHH!
Calm’s attack finishes leaving Zaire a bloody mess against the tree he collided with.
Hayze:
Wrath, send him out with a bang.
Wrath:
With pleasure!
Flames spiral down Wrath’s arms, he puts his hands together, and the fire begins channeling, forming into a massive amaryllis fireball.
Wrath:
Infinite Assault: Final Amaryllis!
Wrath launches the fireball; As the blast careens towards Zaire, the petals fall off and transform into fireballs of their own.
Zaire:
(I… I… I must… escape.)
Zaire opens a warp gate and falls into it, narrowly escaping Wrath’s attack. The fireball barrels through the forest, annihilating everything in its path until it eventually dissipates.
Impulse:
Did we get him?
Hayze:
No, he escaped.
Wrath:
Dammit! I wanted that bastard dead!
Hayze:
I did too, but he’ll get his… someday.
Everyone else is shocked.
Blaze:
(That’s… my dad?)
Hayze:
Impulse. Take everyone to the nearest hospital one at a time, starting with Lust. Wrath, go keep Alexis warm. Calm and Gale, take a break. Thank you all for your help.
Wrath:
Hey, we wanted to crush that guy just as much as you.
Impulse:
I mean, we are parts of you, after all.
Gale:
All for one and one for all.
Calm:
We’re a team, so you don’t need to thank us.
Hayze:
Well, I think I will anyway.
Gale and Calm fade away, Impulse grabs Lust and speeds away. Hayze approaches Blair and Saige.
Hayze:
Are you two okay?
Saige:
I took a big load from Blair, it was tough, but I got through it!
Blair:
Oh, shut up!
Blaze laughs.
Blaze:
Aunt Saige, you were right; mom is hot-headed.
Everyone looks at Blaze.
Hayze:
Aw crap…
Blaze:
Oh shit… Did I just say that out loud?
Blair stares at Blaze.
Blair:
Wait… did you just call me “Mom?”
Blair’s eyes widen, and she looks back and forth at Blaze and Hayze.
Blair:
Oh my god…
Blair starts laughing maniacally.
Blaze:
Uh… why is she doing that?
Hayze:
I warned you…
On Easter Island, Aaron and Wes have rejoined Exciton and Silver. Aaron places Black Hollow’s body beside the unconscious bodies.
Aaron:
I can’t believe we defused right before we were going to nail him.
Wes:
Consider that for the best, we were seconds away from finding out how a fly feels in the summer.
Silver:
I’m confused… What is he looking at?
Exciton:
I’m not sure… but I hope it’s who I think it is…
Aaron:
Huh?
Wes:
Who do you hope it is?
Vanguard spots the two figures he’s been tracking as they come into view.
Vanguard:
(There they are… but who are they?)
Vanguard identifies one: It’s Gundam in his mech suit.
Vanguard:
(Gundam? I guess he’s coming to hear the good news that he’s back in the Top 10… but… who’s the other one?)
Gundam and the other person descend onto the island and land just before Vanguard’s Maoi.
Vanguard:
Well, well, well, Gundam, this is a pleasant surprise. I thought you were out of the Hero game.
Gundam:
I didn’t retire; I just took a step back. But Exciton gave me the call. I knew I needed to be here right away.
Vanguard:
Well, you’re a little too late.
Vanguard shows off his three rings.
Vanguard:
I’m afraid I’ve already collected my prize.
Gundam:
That’s fine; I planned to defeat you with or without the Ring.
Vanguard laughs.
Vanguard:
I didn’t know you got into comedy in your spare time, Gundam! You’re picking it up fast!
Gundam:
Laugh while you still can, villain.
Vanguard wipes a tear from his eye.
Vanguard:
So, mind introducing me to your pal?
Gundam:
Of course, this is my apprentice. Say hello.
The person standing beside Gundam steps forward; his body is covered in a metal exoskeleton, and he’s wearing a helmet. He removes it with a smile.
Kevin:
It’s good to be back.
