Silver, Aaron, and Wes are shocked.
Aaron:
Kevin!
Silver:
What is he doing here?!
Wes:
And how the fuck is he standing?
Kevin waves to his former classmates.
Kevin:
Hey, guys! It’s good to see you! Don’t worry. Everything is under control now!
Vanguard scoffs and leaps down from the Maoi.
Vanguard:
I guess I can spare some time and rip your cherished Mech Suit to pieces, Gundam.
Gundam:
Oh, I’m sorry if you misunderstood, but I’m not the one you’ll be fighting.
Vanguard is taken aback.
Vanguard:
Come again?
Gundam:
Kevin, here is your opponent.
Exciton, Aaron, Silver, Wes, Justus, and Vanguard:
WHAT?!
Exciton:
*shouting* Gundam! This isn’t the time to be joking!
Gundam:
I’m not joking. I have no intention of battling you, Vanguard.
Vanguard stares blankly at Gundam.
Vanguard:
Okay, where are the cameras? I’m being punked, right?
Gundam turns to Kevin.
Gundam:
You know what to do.
Kevin:
Right.
Gundam rockets over to Exciton and the others.
Gundam:
That’s a lot of bodies… Please tell me they aren’t
all
dead.
Silver:
No… just Black Hollow is.
Gundam:
Black Hollow, huh? Poor guy, I’m sorry we didn’t get here sooner.
Exciton:
Gundam! What the fuck are you doing?!
Gundam:
Standing? Perspiring? Why?
Exciton:
Don’t play dumb! We literally just told you that Black Hollow, the NUMBER THREE HERO, DIED BY VANGUARD’S HAND! AND YOU’RE SENDING A STUDENT WHO IS ONLY A FEW WEEKS POST-OP FROM LIFE-SAVING SURGERY TO FIGHT HIM!
Exciton is hyperventilating from anger.
Gundam:
Exciton, calm down.
Exciton:
Get out of that suit so I can slap some sense into you!
Gundam:
Exciton, everything is under control, trust me.
Exciton:
Are you kidding me! I-
Wes:
Uh… Exciton, not to overstep my bounds, but you said it yourself: we’re all essentially waiting for our turns to die. So, even if Gundam steps in, Kevin will get killed later anyway. So we might as well hear Gundam out on this.
Gundam:
The boy is right, and so am I.
Exciton thinks for a moment.
Exciton:
*frustrated grunt* Fine! But don’t come crying to me when this goes South.
Gundam:
It won’t.
Kevin and Vanguard face off.
Vanguard:
Kid, are you being forced to do this? I know I’m killing people here, but even
I
feel bad for you.
Kevin:
Nope, this is my choice. Gundam wouldn’t have let me battle you if my heart wasn’t in it.
Vanguard:
*sighs* Well, okay, but you’re going to regret this choice.
Kevin smiles.
Kevin:
I highly doubt that. MKII, initiate knuckle crack.
MKII:
Knuckle Crack Initiating.
Kevin’s exoskeleton cracks each of his knuckles individually.
Kevin:
Ah, I missed the sounds before an epic battle.
Vanguard:
Trust me, kid, this battle won’t be epic. Here, I’ll be nice and extend you the same pleasantries I gave Black Hollow. You get one free shot, but if you-
Kevin:
200%!
Kevin’s Exoskeleton lights up.
MKII:
Absorbing Adrenaline. Converting into Raw Power. Initiate Ass-Kicking.
Vanguard:
Wait, what?-
Kevin punches Vanguard in the chest, stunning Vanguard.
Vanguard:
*pained grunts*
Kevin:
Huh… I was expecting you to go flying there.
Vanguard staggers backward, holding his chest in pain.
Vanguard:
Wh- wh- what was that!
Kevin:
MKII, Initiate Star Wars Ripoff Protocol.
MKII:
SWRP Initiated, activating Hilt.
A cylindrical device emerges from the wrist of Kevin’s exoskeleton and shifts into his hand.
MKII:
Converting Adrenaline into Plasma.
A beam of concentrated plasma shoots up from the cylinder; Kevin wields it as a sword.
MKII:
SWRP Complete. Initiating Movie Reference. “No, I am your father.”
Kevin slices Vanguard’s head clean off.
Kevin:
Man, he talked a big game for no reason.
Vanguard’s head regenerates.
Vanguard:
What… THE FUCK!
Kevin:
Huh… Neat!
Vanguard gets to his feet.
Vanguard:
I don’t know what this is, but I’m putting a stop to it right now!
Kevin:
MKII, Initiate Snappy Comeback.
MKII:
What is the opponent’s name?
Kevin:
Uh… Vanguard, I think?
MKII:
Vanguard, your mother is a whore.
Kevin:
Nice!
Vanguard activates The Strength and bulks up his Arms.
Vanguard:
I’LL CRUSH YOU!
Vanguard attempts to smash Kevin, but the rocket thrusters in Kevin’s boots activate, flying him into the air.
Kevin:
You’re gonna have to try harder than that!
Vanguard:
Oh, I will!
Vanguard rips the Moai he was standing on earlier from the ground and chucks it at Kevin.
Vanguard:
Take that!
Kevin uses his Plasma Sword to slice the Maoi in half.
Kevin:
Was that not the predictable outcome?
Vanguard:
I’ll show you predictable! The Sun!
Vanguard’s arms revert to normal, and he flies into the air.
Kevin:
Ooh, aerial combat, fun!
Vanguard:
This isn’t fun! This is a battle!
Kevin:
Really? Because so far, it’s been a riot.
Vanguard:
(Calm down, he’s just gotten a few lucky shots in, that’s all.)
Vanguard regains his composure.
Vanguard:
Okay, you’ve had your fun, but now it’s time for me to put you in your place!
Vanguard flies at Kevin and attempts to punch him.
Kevin:
MKII, Initiate Active Defense System!
MKII:
Converting Adrenaline into Plasma. Activating Turrets.
Compartments on Kevin’s shoulder and knee pads open, revealing four small laser weapons.
MKII:
Opening Fire.
The lasers fire plasma beams at Vanguard’s knees and elbows, burning moderately sized holes through them.
Vanguard:
AHHHH!
Kevin punches Vanguard in the back of the head, sending him plummeting straight into the ground.
Kevin:
MKII, Initiate Snappy One-Liner.
MKII:
Vanguard is now in his favorite position: face-down with another man above him.
Kevin:
Ha! Nice!
Everyone on the sidelines is watching in amazement.
Gundam:
While Kevin keeps him busy, it’s time for us to leave.
Gundam picks up Zach and Alden.
Gundam:
I assume you guys are with that plane that’s been circling the island?
Exciton:
Gundam! Don’t act all casual right now! What the hell is going on?!
Gundam:
Hm? Oh, I’m going to fly each of you back to the plane to make our exit simple.
Exciton:
Not that! How is Kevin doing this! I just watched Vanguard basically execute Black Hollow because he was so much more powerful, and now Kevin is kicking his ass without breaking a sweat!
Gundam:
Ah, right. Sorry, I forgot you guys aren’t used to seeing this kind of tech in action. I don’t have time to explain fully, but the Exosuit MKII essentially converts Kevin’s adrenaline into raw energy, fueling the suit’s combat functions.
Exciton:
Okay… but that doesn’t really explain how he’s stronger than Black Hollow and probably me!
Gundam:
Well, that’s because he is.
Aaron:
Huh? That doesn’t make any sense.
Silver:
Yeah, Kevin couldn’t even defeat Hayze in the licensing exam, so how is he stronger than pro heroes?
Gundam:
Because the suit allows him to tap into power reserves that only his quirk grants him. He didn’t know he could access this strength until he fought the Vampire Queen and unlocked the ability to go beyond 100%.
Wes:
Okay, but when Kevin went above 100%, he basically crippled himself, so how the hell can he tap into that so casually?
Gundam:
What do you think the suit is for? Kevin’s body is still beyond repair, but the suit enables him to move pain-free. The technology regulates his quirk and uses the excess energy to power itself, so Kevin doesn’t destroy himself again. He’s tapping into those same reserves he used against the Queen without any consequences.
Exciton:
So, what’s the drawback then? There’s obviously gotta be one, right?
Gundam:
The same consequence that anyone relying on a machine to give themself strength has to deal with: he’s nothing without the exosuit. So, if Vanguard starts breaking it…
Silver:
This will go downhill fast.
Gundam:
That’s why we need to get out of here before that happens.
Exciton:
Alright, go as quickly as you can.
Gundam:
Roger.
Gundam flies off with Alden and Zach.
Exciton:
(Come on, Kevin, keep Vanguard busy for as long as you can!)
Vanguard gets to his feet.
Vanguard:
(This shouldn’t be possible! The Delta Ring should have made me the strongest person on the planet. Yet… I’M BEING KNOCKED AROUND BY A CHILD!)
Kevin lands on the ground before Vanguard.
Kevin:
So… ready to give up yet or?
Vanguard:
Do you really think I’d put this much effort into acquiring these rings just to surrender at the first sign of trouble!
Kevin:
I mean… I’m just meeting you for the first time, so… context doesn’t really matter to me.
Vanguard:
I’ll make it matter!
Vanguard points his palm at Kevin.
Kevin:
(Is he going to fire an energy blast or something) MKII, analysis!
MKII:
Analysis Complete: No incoming attack detected.
Kevin:
(Then what’s he up to?)
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard:
You have no idea what you’re up against! I’ll use the power of Justice! Activate Truth Seeker!
Kevin:
Huh?
An invisible aura surrounds Kevin.
Vanguard:
Tell me what your weakness is.
Kevin:
Like I’d- This suit is the only thing keeping me standing at the moment, remove it, and I’m finished. HUH?! WHY DID I SAY THAT?!
Vanguard:
*nasal grunt* Thanks for the info!
Vanguard bulks up his right arm using Strength again.
Vanguard:
I just needed to change up my strategy!
Vanguard grabs at Kevin’s shoulder plate.
Kevin:
Shit! MKII, fire back!
Vanguard:
That’s not happening!
Vanguard rips Kevin’s shoulder plate off.
Kevin:
AHHH!
Kevin grabs his shoulder in immense pain.
MKII:
SYSTEM ERROR: Left Shoulder plate damaged, firing system offline.
The rest of Kevin’s armor turrets retract.
Kevin:
That’s a bug in the system…
Aaron:
It looks like Kevin’s arm is in bad shape!
Silver:
Yeah, without that suit, he can’t move it at all!
Kevin rockets into the air.
Kevin:
Mistakes may have been made…
Vanguard’s arm returns to normal size, and he flies into the air after Kevin.
Vanguard:
You’re not getting away now!
Kevin:
Watch me!
Kevin flies towards the ocean.
Exciton:
(Dammit! This isn’t looking good!)
Gundam returns and gathers Piper and Rubber Man’s bodies.
Exciton:
Gundam! Vanguard is already starting to turn the tables on Kevin!
Gundam:
That’s fine; Kevin knows what to do.
Gundam flies off.
Exciton:
What does that mean!
Silver gathers his dust and places Black Hollow’s corpse and Drunk Billy’s body on his mound.
Silver:
There’s no reason I can’t help Gundam out!
Silver floats away on his mound of silver dust.
Aaron:
Yeah! Me too!
Aaron shoots a grappling hook at Wes’s ankle.
Wes:
NO! NO! NO!
Aaron transforms his other arm into a shotgun and begins blasting himself upward.
Wes:
AHHHHH!
Exciton:
Those kids are… something…
Kevin spots everyone except Exciton heading for the plane.
Kevin:
(The tide may be turning, but we had a plan ready for this.)
Kevin begins rocketing straight upward.
Vanguard:
You’re not a rocket ship, kid, so you’re coming back down to Earth!
Vanguard follows after Kevin, flying directly beneath him.
Kevin:
(He took the bait, now it’s time to reel him in, or I guess, in this case, throw him back!)
Kevin stops and flips around to face Vanguard.
Vanguard:
Huh?
Kevin:
MKII activate Final Fusillade!
A compartment on Kevin’s chest plate opens, revealing a laser cannon.
MKII:
Converting remaining adrenaline to Plasma energy. Powering Fusillade Cannon.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Kevin:
Open Fire!
MKII:
Initiate Mock: Eat this, bitch.
Kevin’s laser cannon fires a concentrated beam of plasma at Vanguard.
Vanguard:
OH SHIT!
Vanguard tries to dodge, but the beam nails him at extreme velocity, burning a hole straight through his chest and sending him careening into the ocean.
Kevin:
Keep firing!
MKII:
System Recommendation: Stop firing.
Kevin:
Recommendation overrode!
MKII:
SYSTEM ERROR: Power dropping fast.
Kevin continues firing the beam to keep Vanguard pinned to the ocean floor.
Vanguard:
AHHHH!
Gundam reaches the plane and loads Piper and Rubber Man inside; he’s followed by Silver with Black Hollow and Drunk Billy, then Aaron and Wes.
Gundam:
I’m going for Exciton!
Gundam rockets back to the island.
Gundam:
(Keep going, Kevin!)
The MKII is continuously beeping.
MKII:
SYSTEM ERROR. SYSTEM ERROR. SYSTEM ERROR.
Kevin:
Just hold out a little longer!
Gundam grabs Exciton.
Gundam:
Come on! Let’s go!
Exciton:
You don’t have to tell me twice!
The MKII begins powering down, and the Fusillade Beam thins.
MKII:
System Failure…
Kevin’s exosuit powers down, and he begins plummeting into the ocean.
Kevin:
*pained grunts*
Gundam catches Kevin and flies him and Exciton to the plane.
Exciton:
Alright! Let’s get the hell out of here!
Vanguard emerges from the ocean, fully healthy. He spots the plane leaving.
Vanguard:
(Hm…)
Vanguard flies back to Easter Island and lands beside Justus.
Justus:
Master! Are we going after them?
Vanguard:
No, let them leave.
Justus:
Wh- but… why?
Vanguard:
Now that I possess three rings and know their “secret weapon” is a sham, I can kill them whenever I want. I was only keeping them here for my own amusement.
Justus:
I- uh… okay… so what’s next then?
Vanguard manifests Hierophant’s book.
Vanguard:
I’ll assist you in returning to U.A. Once you’re there, relay a message to the rest of the Vanguard.
Justus:
And that message is?
Vanguard:
I’ll return in 21 days; until then, tread water.
Justus:
Three weeks? But what will you be doing in that time?
Vanguard:
I’m going on a vacation to relax before moving to the next stage of my plot. The heroes will be so scared, wondering where I am. I can see it now!
Vanguard laughs.
Justus:
Can I ask where you are going?
Vanguard reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a dusty, tattered bible.
Vanguard:
Home.
Gundam places Kevin down on a chair and exits his mech suit.
Gundam:
It looks like the MKIII will be needed sooner rather than later.
Kevin:
*pained grunt* This bites…
Aaron, Silver, and Exciton place Piper, Rubber Man, and Drunk Billy on the seats.
Exciton:
We’ll drop them off at a hospital when we get back to Nashville. Wes, does Zach need medical attention too?
Wes:
No, I’m actually kind of surprised he hasn’t woken up yet. I only punched him…
Aaron steps on Zach’s chest, waking him up.
Zach:
AHH! OW!
Aaron:
Fixed it!
Silver approaches Black Hollow’s body.
Exciton:
We have a body bag on board for emergencies. Aaron, do you mind fetching it? It’s in the compartment next to the cockpit.
Aaron:
No problem.
Aaron goes to retrieve the body bag. Exciton places his hand on Silver’s shoulder.
Exciton:
It’s hard to lose a mentor; I’m sorry
Silver:
It’s alright; I just have to never forget anything he taught me… and he will live on.
Exciton:
That’s the right attitude to have.
Exciton approaches Gundam.
Exciton:
I know you saved our lives by getting us off that island, but we’re not safe. Vanguard could be flying after us right now.
Gundam:
I doubt he is.
Exciton:
What makes you so sure?
Gundam:
Well, I don’t know what his next move is now that he has those rings, but he won’t do anything immediately for two reasons.
Exciton:
And those are?
Gundam:
First, if Vanguard was in a hurry, he would have killed all of you as quickly as possible. Taking his time and planning to kill each of you one after another shows he’s in no rush. Second, if he was coming after us, this plane would already be sinking to the bottom of the ocean.
Exciton:
Fair points.
Gundam sits down.
Gundam:
Now, you and I have to sit down and plan the next move.
Exciton:
Well, we should probably do that by gathering the Top 10 and Ewing together. We need to keep a lot of information under wraps until we have our stories straight.
Gundam:
I agree.
Exciton sits down across from Gundam.
Exciton:
So, can I ask you a question?
Gundam:
Go ahead.
Exciton:
It hasn’t been that long since Operation V-Day; how did you get this “exoskeleton” built so quickly.
Gundam:
That’s simple; I didn’t do it quickly. I’ve been working on the technology to turn Kevin’s excess adrenaline into raw power since he was my intern a year ago. When I found out about Kevin’s “accident,” I went to see him at the hospital.
A flashback begins. Kevin lies in his bed in silence for a few moments before he hears a knock on his door.
Kevin:
C- come in?
The door opens. Kevin’s eyes widen.
Gundam:
Well, well, well, if it isn’t my old intern.
Kevin:
Gundam, what are you doing here?
Gundam:
I got a call from Big Tank. He told me about the mission… and what you did.
Kevin:
Yeah… thank you, I remembered what you told me during my internship, which gave me the strength to break the 100% barrier. Of course… now that I have… I’ll never do it again.
Gundam:
I wouldn’t say that.
Kevin:
Huh?
Gundam opens a briefcase on Kevin’s bed.
Gundam:
I always knew you’d reach 101+% someday, so I’ve been working on this for you.
Gundam pulls out pieces of the MKII.
Kevin:
A mech suit?
Gundam:
Well, that’s what it was going to be, but I can see that I’ll need to remodel it to accommodate for your injuries. An Exosuit will work better as it will act as a replacement for your torn and destroyed muscles.
Kevin:
Wh- what’s it do?
Gundam:
I’ll show you.
Gundam places the MKII’s left gauntlet on Kevin’s hand.
Gundam:
Try activating your quirk; even 1% will do.
Kevin:
I- okay… (1%!)
Kevin powers up slightly, and the MKII gauntlet activates.
Kevin:
Huh?!
Gundam:
That’s right, adrenaline power. This baby will allow you to use your quirk without damaging your body.
Kevin:
R- really? So I can fight again?
Gundam:
Of course, but under one condition.
Gundam offers Kevin his hand.
Gundam:
Mind becoming my apprentice?
Kevin moves his hand and shakes Gundam’s with the help of the gauntlet.
Kevin:
Of course!
The flashback ends.
Gundam:
I’d been planning on giving Kevin the MKII as a piece of hero gear, but then I had to change it so he could use it to move correctly. He’s powerful, but his limits aren’t breakable… this time.
Wes:
What happened to the MKI?
Gundam:
Oh, it was scrapped because it had issues with… *clears throat* *under breath* Testicle crushing.
Kevin:
WHAT?! THIS IS THE FIRST I’M HEARING OF THIS!
Gundam:
It’s OK; we ironed out those issues in the MKII’s first trial run. Speaking of which, MKII, end trial run.
MKII:
Trial Run One: Complete.
Kevin:
OH, COME ON!
Zach:
Can I get a play-by-play of what I missed?
Silver:
So, does that mean Kevin can return to our class?
Kevin looks distraught.
Gundam:
The MKII is required for Kevin to even operate as a human being. As you saw during his fight with Vanguard, he’s a valuable weapon, but it takes just a single hit to completely derail him.
Exciton:
He’s the definition of a glass cannon.
Gundam:
Yup, and that’s why even with the MKII’s help, his limitations will block him from completing his hero training within the next two years.
Kevin’s classmates look disheartened.
Kevin:
Don’t worry, guys. With physical therapy and the MKII’s help, someday, I’ll be able to fight like I used to, and I’ll finish my hero training and become a pro. My hero career isn’t finished yet.
Zach:
We just wish you were coming back with us, man.
Kevin:
Me too, but I’m glad I was able to help you guys out.
Exciton:
Why don’t you guys lie down? We have a long flight ahead, and you all deserve some rest.
The group nods and takes their seats.
Exciton:
(I don’t know what the next step is, but I can’t say for sure that these kids are done fighting Vanguard.)
Hayze, Blaze, Ivy, Alexis, Blair, Ash, Eve, Gus, Saige, Demetri, and Lust have arrived at Lust’s private jet. Saige is wrapped in bandages, Blair is on crutches, Eve is in a wheelchair with a cast on her leg, and Ivy is walking gingerly.
Lust:
Well, everyone, this mission may have been a failure, but I’m proud of your performances nonetheless.
Gus:
One of Iota’s grunts is dead, so I guess that’s a victory.
Blair:
Oh yeah? Was it the Yo-yo guy?
Demetri:
A.k.a. The biggest pushover Iota has.
Gus:
N- no…
Blaze:
(The Sigma Ring is in Iota’s control… which means he could do what he did in my timeline and unleash Khaos upon this world. But who knows if the changes to this timeline will make that never happen, and even if it does, the Khaos of this time is nowhere near the menace of mine. I’m starting to feel like I don’t have spoilers anymore.)
Blair crutches over to Blaze.
Blaze:
(Oh crap!) Uh… hey, Blair-
Blair:
You will refer to me the way you did yesterday;* giggles* son!
Blaze:
(Oh god…)
Demetri:
(So, he’s from the future, that pretty much answers all of my questions.)
Blair:
Tell me, son, do you have a girlfriend back in the future?
Blaze:
Uh… n- no.
Blair:
Well, you’d better hop to it! I’m expecting grandbabies, you know!
Alexis:
Blair, you’re 18.
Blair:
LET ME ENJOY THIS, ALEXIS!
Hayze:
(He’s activated the scariest thing on the planet: Blair’s maternal instinct.)
Saige begins wheeling Eve onto the plane.
Eve:
God, I can’t wait to see Recovery Girl…
Saige:
I know, it’s kind of weird actually having to recover from our injuries like ordinary people.
Gus and Demetri’s eyes light up.
Demetri:
Wait… Eve can’t hurt us in her state!
Gus:
That means we can fly inside the plane!
Demetri and Gus:
YEAH!
Demetri and Gus board the aircraft. Alexis, Ash, Ivy, Hayze, Blaze, and Blair follow behind them.
Blair:
So… who’s your dad? I mean, I have a vague idea… but I want to know for sure.
Hayze starts sweating bullets.
Hayze:
(Son, don’t do this to me!)
Blaze:
Uh… I don’t know, I never met him…
Hayze:
(Thanks, kid!)
Blair punches Hayze in the back of the head.
Blair:
YOU MADE OUR SON A LIAR!
Hayze:
I’m sorry!
Blair drags Hayze onto the plane, and Blaze watches in horror.
Blair:
We’re going to have a discussion about this.
Hayze:
LET THIS BE YOUR FIRST LESSON FROM YOUR FATHER, SON: NEVER MAKE BLAIR MAD!
Lust walks up behind Blaze.
Lust:
So, are you worried about the ring? I was expecting you to be a little bit more paranoid.
Blaze:
I am, but some differences in this timeline make me less worried about Iota. At the end of the day, we can still handle him. We'll be fine if the others stopped Vanguard from acquiring the Delta Ring.
Lust:
That’s good to hear. I’m sure Exciton had everything handled on his end.
Blaze:
Good, then I think we’ll be alright.
Blaze and Lust enter the plane, but Blaze instantly gets dragged down to a seat by Eve. Alexis, Ash, and Saige are sitting there as well.
Blaze:
I- uh- wh- what’s going on?
Eve:
We have some questions for you about our futures.
Alexis:
Eve does; I don’t care.
Ash:
I slightly care.
Saige:
And I want dirt on everyone else!
Blaze:
Uh… okay? What questions do you have?
Eve:
Well, first of all, do I ever get married!
Blaze gulps.
Blaze:
I uh… don’t know how to break this to you.
Eve reigns Blaze’s neck.
Eve:
WHAT HAPPENS! TELL ME!
Blaze:
It’s not anything that’s your fault! You get assimilated into the Vanguard not long from now.
Eve:
I- I do?
Blaze:
Yeah, but take my “predictions” with a grain of salt; this timeline is already very different from where I come from. None of what I say could even come remotely close to the actual events that transpire. Hell, I’m already 99% sure I won’t be born in this timeline.
Ash:
What makes you so sure of that?
Blaze points at Hayze, sitting on his knees, being reprimanded by Blair.
Blaze:
I think their relationship was much more… “healthy” where I come from.
Saige:
I can assume that if you came back in time, the world must have ended or is pretty close, right?
Blaze:
Pretty much, yeah, the Vanguard and Iota Movement are fighting for control of the world.
Alexis:
Well, just out of curiosity, what happens to most of our class?
Blaze:
Hm… well, starting with my father. He gets trapped inside the Sigma Ring after Iota collects it, unleashing his evil personality Khaos upon the world.
The girls gasp.
Saige:
Will that happen in our timeline now that Iota has the ring here too?
Blaze:
I don’t think so, there’s a lot to it, but I’m pretty sure we’re safe in that regard.
Saige breathes a sigh of relief.
Alexis:
Okay, what about the rest of us?
Blaze:
The day Khaos took control of Hayze’s body was a bloody one… Aaron, Justus, Silver, and Zach all died trying to take him down. Apparently, many of the teachers at U.A. also perished that day.
Alexis:
Aaron?
Ash:
And Justus?
Eve:
All four of them?
Blaze:
Yeah… Aunt Saige told me it was a… tough day… my mom died when I was three to… “someone” in the Iota Movement. And that’s pretty much it for deaths. Although, I can’t say anyone who ended up a brainwashed slave of Vanguard’s is much better.
Eve:
Yay…
Saige:
Who is Vanguard?
Blaze:
Oh shit, you guys don’t know that yet. I believe you know him as Mr. Butler.
Saige:
Huh, neat.
Blaze:
I was expecting more of a reaction.
Ash:
We have a lot more interest in the future right now. I’m sure someone else is dealing with him as we speak.
Eve:
And we have a lot of questions.
Alexis:
Yeah, does Demetri lose his virginity?
This piques Demetri’s interest.
Blaze:
No.
Demetri:
GOD DAMMIT!
Blaze:
Ash, Alexis, Wes, and Eve become a part of the Vanguard after a while, and never leave it alongside anyone you know who is already a part of it. Other than that, there isn’t much else for me to tell you. The rest of us fight for survival every day…
Alexis:
How did you travel back to our time?
Blaze:
I don’t know if I should tell you until after getting the O.K. from your principal.
Saige:
My grandfather? Why him?
Blaze:
Let’s just say… There are a lot of secrets that have been kept for a long time. Trust me, they’re for a good reason, but those secrets will come out, and I’m not sure how the public will react.
Alexis:
You mean those rings, right? Now Iota has three of them; how many are there?
Blaze:
10, and that’s about the extent of my knowledge of the rings.
Saige:
So… you called me “Aunt Saige”…
Blaze:
Uh… y- yeah… you took care of me after my mom died. You taught me how to fight and… some other things.
Alexis, Eve, and Ash look concerned.
Eve:
Like what…
Blaze:
Striped panties are the best.
Alexis:
Well, we know for sure he’s telling the truth about everything else now.
Ash:
Oh god… what was it like being raised by Saige?
Blaze:
Uh… not too bad; her disciplinary methods were harsh but effective.
Eve:
What were they?
Blaze:
If I misbehaved, she would read the book “Fifty Shades of Grey” to me. I haven’t gotten in trouble since I was 8.
Saige:
I am such a great parent!
Blair slaps Hayze.
Hayze:
What was that for?!
Blair:
How long did you know he was our son!
Hayze:
Not much longer than you! He told me while we were trying to find you guys.
Blair:
*sighs* I can’t believe this; now I have to develop a whole co-parenting plan during this flight.
Hayze:
What?
Blair:
He called Saige “aunt,” so we’ll have to tell him to stop doing that. Oh, ask him if he plays any sports; you have to drop him off at practice.
Hayze:
He’s from a dystopian future!
Blair:
Yeah! And that doesn’t mean they don’t play games anymore; I’m sure they have something like “skull ball.”
Hayze:
What the fuck…
Blair:
Just admit that you’re being lazy!
Hayze places his hands on Blair’s shoulders.
Hayze:
Blair, I understand that you’re excited. Honestly, it’s kind of adorable, but you need to calm down. That kid is our son, but he spent 90% of his life without you and all of it without me. He’s grown up; he’s only three years younger than we are now. This whole situation is weird for him, and the last thing he needs is his young-adult parents he’s just meeting for the first time to treat him like he’s a child. He came back in time to save the world from disaster; that’s not something a kid does. He’s probably seen more death in his life than either of us. So, do him a favor and treat him like he’s a person, not your kid.
Blair gets teary-eyed.
Hayze:
I- Blair! I didn’t mean to-
Blair:
I’m not upset… you’re right… and I’m proud. It’s a weird situation for us too, but… it’s cool that we get to meet our child and see all he’s accomplished when we’re so young. It makes me feel better about our future too.
Hayze:
Yeah… me too.
Blair:
Do you know if he’s going back home anytime soon?
Hayze:
I’m not sure; I assume he will be sticking around for a while if he hasn’t returned to the future already.
Blair:
Okay, well, where is he going to stay? We have room at our dorm, but we won’t have any space once we get Lilith and the others out of the Vanguard. And I won’t be disrespectful and give him Jake’s room.
Hayze:
He can stay at my house; it’s pretty empty now that I live at U.A.
Blair’s eyes light up.
Blair:
Nope! He’s staying at my place! My mom will be so excited, and I’ll rub the fact that I have a badass son in Cari’s smug face!
Blair skips away.
Hayze:
(That girl…)
Lust:
So, the others told me about what you did.
Hayze:
Huh?
Lust sits down in the seat across from Hayze.
Lust:
How did you know the Ring fragment would do that if you “injected” it into your bloodstream?
Hayze:
I didn’t… I just knew I wanted to make that guy pay for killing Vargas, and this was the best way to ensure I would never lose the fragment again.
Lust:
Well, you did some great work. Those personalities of yours are powerful allies to have.
Hayze:
Yeah… I’m hopeful I’ll be able to give them their own bodies so they can live lives separate from each other… and me one day.
Lust:
Really? Even though they give you so much strength?
Hayze:
I’d rather rely on my own strength than theirs. They were just pieces of me when they were born, but they developed their own personalities. They don’t deserve to be locked inside of me my whole life.
Lust smiles.
Lust:
That’s very noble of you, Hayze. I don’t think I know many people who would be willing to give up so much of themselves to help others.
Hayze:
Yeah… well, what can I say? I just want to save everyone.
Both Lust and Exciton’s planes arrive at the airport simultaneously. The two groups exit their aircrafts and greet each other, excluding Kevin and Silver.
Alexis:
Aaron? You guys were with Exciton?
Aaron:
Alexis? You guys were with Lust?
Zach:
Yeah, Black Hollow and Exciton pulled us aside for an emergency mission while we were searching for Blair.
Aaron:
Speaking of which, glad to see she’s okay.
Blair:
Thanks… Aaron.
Ash:
Wes! You’re alive!
Wes:
Yeah, it was part of my plan for Angel to throw me so I could-
Wes goes silent for a moment.
Wes:
WAIT, YOU THOUGHT I WAS DEAD AND DIDN’T EVEN CHECK UP ON ME!
Saige:
Ah… isn’t it great to have everyone back together?
Ash:
Yeah, but… someone’s missing… Where is Justus?
Aaron, Wes, and Zach go quiet.
Ash:
Oh god! Don’t tell me he’s-
Aaron:
He’s okay, don’t worry… but… he’s one of “them” now.
Ash:
You mean he’s in the Vanguard!
Wes:
We don’t know how, but he convinced Justus to join him.
Hayze:
It’s okay, guys; we’ll get everyone in the Vanguard back, including him.
Exciton, Lust, and Gundam come together and speak away from the students.
Lust:
Gundam? What are you doing here?
Gundam:
Exciton called me, and I showed up in time to help them out.
Lust:
I see, but uh… where is Black Hollow?
Exciton looks away; Lust notices Silver exiting the plane with a body bag over his shoulder.
Lust:
Oh my…
Exciton:
Vanguard got the ring… we have no idea where he is now.
Lust:
Are you serious! We have to-
Exciton raises his hand.
Exciton:
We shouldn’t discuss this here. Everyone, gather up. We’re going back to U.A. you just completed two vital missions, so you’re going to have to follow my directions to a tee, got it?
The group nods in confusion.
Exciton:
I’m going to contact the rest of the top 10, so we can have a thorough discussion about everything.
Gundam:
You do that; I’ll ask for the play-by-play later.
Lust:
You’re not coming?
Gundam:
I’m not in the Top 10 right now, remember? Besides, I need to bring my apprentice back home for repairs.
Gundam calls for his mech suit.
Gundam:
Keep me updated!
Gundam enters his suit and returns to the plane for Kevin. Exciton places his hand on Lust’s shoulder.
Exciton:
Lust, we have a new threat on our hands, and it’s tougher than anything we’ve ever seen before. I hope you’re ready… because this could get ugly.
