Fatal and Dr. Moore are on the roof of U.A. looking out at an arena with 10 times the diameter of an average U.A. training facility.
Dr. Moore:
I always love watching all the facilities merge into one for the hero course’s final practical exam. It’s a sign that another year has passed and that the next generation of heroes is growing up.
Fatal:
Well, I can tell you first hand that seeing that massive arena appear is about the most intimidating sight to behold as a student.
Dr. Moore:
But as a teacher?
Fatal:
Oh, it’s incredible. Watching the students freak out is always a sight worth seeing.
Dr. Moore:
Rumor has it that the administration for the hero course made some pretty drastic changes to the exam this year. Is it true?
Fatal:
Oh hell yeah, it is… frankly, I think it’s too much.
Dr. Moore is surprised.
Dr. Moore:
You’re saying it’s too much? It must be absolutely terrible then.
Fatal:
For starters, it’s going to last five days.
Dr. Moore is shocked.
Dr. Moore:
Five days!
Fatal:
Yeah… this test is going to break them down, but Damien says it will show us what they’re truly made of; Who among them are the true candidates for being great heroes. If I’m honest, I think less than half will pass.
Dr. Moore thinks for a moment.
Dr. Moore:
Do you think Hayze will pass?
Fatal hesitates; she then turns to Dr. Moore and looks her dead in the eyes.
Fatal:
No.
Hayze approaches the front gate of U.A. and sees a massive crowd of people standing there.
Hayze:
(What the hell is going on?)
Hayze gets closer to the school and sees that the crowd is a bunch of news crews trying to get inside the school. A bunch of Multi Clones have formed a wall to block the entrance.
Reporter 1:
Come on! Let us in! We have to get interviews with the students!
Reporter 2:
Freedom of the press, asshole!
Multi:
I’m sorry, but due to recent incidents with U.A.’s security, all media will not be permitted entry to school grounds.
Reporter 1:
Oh, I see! So U.A. is afraid of looking bad again, so they don’t want any form of publicity, huh!
Multi:
No, it’s not that, we have to protect the students and-
Reporter 2:
And what? Get them attacked in a mall?
Reporter 3:
Stop pretending that you’re doing this for the students and admit that it’s because you’re afraid of looking like a bunch of morons again!
Multi doesn’t respond.
Hayze:
(Poor guy…)
Hayze hears footsteps coming from behind him. He looks over his shoulder to see Alden has arrived.
Alden:
Ah, the paparazzi! I knew they’d find me eventually.
Hayze:
Yeah… go get ‘em, tiger.
Alden:
Gladly.
Alden starts walking towards the crowd of reporters.
Alden:
*yelling* Hello, my beautiful fans! I’m so happy you showed up early to get an exclusive interview with moi!
The crowd turns around, and their faces light up.
Reporter 1:
Holy shit, it’s him!
Alden starts smiling.
Alden:
I see my reputation precedes me.
The crowd starts charging towards Alden.
Alden:
Sorry guys, ladies, first!
The reporters trample Alden to get to Hayze. Alden’s screams are covered up by reporters asking Hayze questions rapidly.
Reporter 1:
What was it like fighting that masked lunatic?
Reporter 2:
Did you think you were going to die?
Reporter 3:
Do you trust U.A. to keep you safe?
Reporter 1:
Do you think you’re getting a proper hero education from U.A.?
Reporter 2:
Why do you think U.A. isn’t investigating the attack?
Reporter 3:
If you had to choose whether U.A. was an evil establishment or a poorly run one, which would you choose!
Hayze:
Uh… I… um…
Suddenly a chain wraps around Hayze’s forearm, and he’s ripped upward and out of the crowd. Hayze and Alden are both dragged to the entrance of U.A. by Principal Ewing. He has a stern look on his face.
Multi:
Oh, uh… Principal Ewing… you didn’t have to-
Ewing:
Leave this premise now! You’ve injured a student, and I have every right to call the authorities here.
The reporters are confused.
Reporter 1:
We didn’t hurt any students!
Ewing points at Alden. The reporters are still confused.
Reporter 2:
He’s a student?
Alden:
*coughing blood* Come on…
Ewing helps Hayze to his feet.
Ewing:
Head inside with Alden, Hayze. I’ll deal with them.
Hayze:
Thank you, Principal Ewing.
Hayze carries Alden over his shoulder.
Hayze:
Come on, buddy, you’ve got five days to get beat up; no need to do it now.
Alden:
*groans*
Multi lets Alden and Hayze into the school.
Ewing:
*in the background* You see, he passed the entrance exam because-
Hayze sees the massive arena in the distance.
Hayze:
(Holy shit… that must be where the exam is taking place… no bigger stage, I guess.)
Hayze arrives at the front of the arena, where all other Class 1-A and Class 1-B students are gathered alongside Recovery Girl, Walker, and Adrian.
Recovery Girl:
*notices Alden* Oh, come on! Already!
Recovery Girl walks over to Hayze.
Recovery Girl:
*sighs* What happened?
Hayze:
His fan club got a little handsy.
Recovery Girl:
Amusing…
Hayze places Alden on the ground, and Recovery Girl starts to heal him. Hayze walks away, Aaron and Wes approach him.
Aaron:
What’s up, Hayze? Are you ready for this?
Hayze:
As ready as I can be, how about you?
Aaron:
Oh, I’m going to ace this thing, trust me.
Wes:
I’m glad one of us is confident…
Aaron:
Shut up, Wes.
Wes:
No…
Hayze:
You seem more down than usual, Wes…
Wes:
I’m just ready to get the worst teammates ever… and then promptly get my ass beat.
Hayze:
Alright… that’s good to hear.
Aaron:
Pfft, don’t worry about your teammates. Just do your best and hope they don’t slow you down.
Wes:
What if I’m the one that slows them down?
Aaron:
Then you should stop being a bitch.
Wes:
That’s fair.
Hayze:
(I’m glad to see Aaron hasn’t lost his confidence with the amount of pressure we’re under.)
Hayze looks around his class.
Hayze:
(Justus and Silver look as poised as ever, Demetri and Isaiah are praying they’re not on the same team, Jake and Gus are napping, Lilith and Ash look cheerful while the rest of the girls look determined, and Saige looks like she’s up to no good. Yup, everything’s normal here.)
Kevin approaches Hayze, Aaron, and Wes.
Kevin:
Man, I wish we could just get this thing started already. The suspense is killing me.
Wes:
Are you also worried about your teammates…
Kevin:
No, not really. Even if I get saddled with Alden, I could use him as a pack mule.
Aaron looks at Wes.
Aaron:
Hm…
Wes:
DON’T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
Suddenly the four of them hear douchey laughter. They turn to see Killian, Bruno, and Alec.
Aaron:
Why are you guys laughing?
Killian:
We just heard a funny joke. Do you want to hear it?
Hayze:
It’s us.
Killian:
It’s y- fuck you!
Aaron starts laughing.
Aaron:
You really came over to insult us? We’ve already kicked your asses before. What makes you think we couldn’t do it now?
Alec:
While your class was off getting attacked in malls and forests, our class went through rigorous training to get much more powerful.
Killian:
We aren’t fans of the fact that you guys have been all over the news. Our class deserves some recognition, so we’re going to blow you guys out of the water during this exam!
Killian looks at Kevin.
Killian:
And for some of us, we’re out for revenge for what happened at the Sports Festival.
Kevin looks confused.
Kevin:
What did I do to you?
Killian:
YOU BEAT ME, YOU IDIOT!
Kevin:
… I- I did?
Killian:
YES!
Kevin:
… huh.
Killian:
HUH? THAT’S ALL I GET! WE HAD AN EPIC BATTLE, YOU ASSHOLE!
Kevin:
We did? I remember fighting Jace, Aaron, and Justus… I guess I did have to fight someone else.
Killian:
HOW DID YOU FORGET OUR FIGHT!
Bruno approaches Wes.
Bruno:
You.
Wes:
M- me?
Bruno:
Don’t think I haven’t forgotten our last encounter.
Hayze:
What did you do to this guy, Wes?
Aaron:
Yeah, Wes, what did you do?
Wes:
I… uh… I…
“
Bruno turns his body into diamond and starts running through the minefield, detonating the mines and taking zero damage. Kevin, Wes, and Aaron follow his path.
Justus:
(Damn! They’ll get there before I do at this rate. Only one thing to do!)
Justus reaches into the ground, digs up a mine, and throws it like a frisbee at Bruno. Bruno ducks to dodge, so the mine starts going at Wes.
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Wes:
OH SHIT!
Wes panics and turns himself into a mirror, reflecting the mine back at Bruno, sending him flying forward and on a flurry of mines that blow him back into the maze.
Bruno:
YO
U PI
ECE O
F SHI
IIIIIIT!
Aaron:
WES WHAT THE FUCK!
Wes:
I PANICKED, OKAY!
Aaron:
WE NEEDED HIM MORE THAN YOU! YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT LIKE A MAN!
Wes:
NO! “
— Chapter 13
Wes:
I don’t remember…
Bruno:
Well, I do, and I will get my revenge!
Aaron:
Oh! I remember! Didn’t you blow this guy up in the first round of the Sports Festival!
Wes starts sweating profusely.
Bruno:
Tell me, do you know the phrase “shitting bricks?”
Wes:
Yes… I’m doing it right now.
Bruno:
Good, well, if I find you, you’ll be shitting diamonds.
Wes:
W- what does that even mean?
Bruno:
You’ll find out.
Alec:
You tell him, Bruno, I’m looking for my own form of revenge!
Alec and Aaron start glaring at each other. Hayze looks at the three pairs.
Hayze:
(All this time apart really made me forget how much our classes hate each other.)
Saige:
*from afar* I call ref!
Saige runs up to the boys holding a pink translucent ruler.
Saige:
So who’s first, boys?
Killian glares at Saige.
Killian:
Come on, guys, let’s not waste our time on these amateurs.
Killian, Bruno, and Alec walk back to their class.
Saige:
Looks like you guys win!
Aaron:
Sounds about right.
Wes:
Win what?
Aaron, Hayze, and Kevin:
You’ll understand when you’re older, Wes.
Wes:
FUCK YOU GUYS, WE’RE THE SAME AGE!
The boys hear a loud whistle and turn their attention to Walker and Houston, standing in front of the crowd of students. Behind them is a lineup of teachers, including Colossus, Madame Mummy, Boom, Adrian, Spectre, Metro Mole, and Fatal.
Walker:
Welcome everyone to the Final Practical Exam for U.A.’s first-year hero course students.
Houston:
We’re glad to see that nobody chickened out and skipped town.
Walker:
Yes, all 41 students are accounted for, but who knows how many will pass?
Houston:
That’s a good question, Walker. Who knows?
All the students look tense.
Eve:
(They’re already trying to psych us out, I see.)
Silver:
(I know I will.)
Alden:
(Hopefully, at least one person in our class fails so that I can get my seat back…)
Walker takes out a heavy-looking sack.
Walker:
I guess we should waste no time and get right into explaining the exam.
Houston:
Behind us is the largest facility that UA can create, covering a substantial portion of the campus.
Walker:
It feels even more extensive on the inside due to the virtual reality equipment generating the environment.
Houston:
This is where you will spend the next five days.
Walker:
Surviving.
Everyone takes a second to absorb the news.
Killian:
(Survival? Hell yeah! That’s my specialty!)
Justus:
(So, I guess that explains the length of the exam… they’re going to test our ability to withstand the elements.)
Wes:
(Oh god, can this get any worse for me?)
Houston pulls out a large backpack full of supplies.
Houston:
Each team will be given one of these backpacks. It comes with just enough food for five days, but you’ll have to ration wisely, or you’ll run out too soon.
Walker:
Destruction or robbery of these bags is forbidden during the exam, but if your team loses yours, then it’s your problem.
Houston:
Now, that’s just one part of the exam, moving on to your task.
Walker opens the sack and dumps the contents. Five Orbs of varying colors drop on the ground making loud thuds. Walker picks one up.
Walker:
You’re going to be collecting orbs.
The students are surprised.
Zach:
(That’s it?)
Aaron:
(What’s the catch?)
Walker:
There are five different colored orbs, each representing something different. They also weigh about 40 pounds each.
Walker tosses the orb to Alden. Alden tries to catch it, but he misses, and it smashes into his nuts. He falls to the ground writhing in pain.
Alden:
*high-pitched* Ow…
Houston:
Each team will start off with 1 orb. The color will depend on which class you’re a part of.
Walker:
1-A will have blue orbs, while 1-B will have green.
Houston:
Your ability to pass this exam will depend on the combination of orbs you’re able to collect during your time in the facility.
Walker:
But first, we’re going to show you the layout of the arena.
Recovery Girl wheels out a TV screen with a map of the facility.
Houston:
The layout is relatively simple but still needs some explanation.
Walker:
There are two rings of the circular facility, a large forest on the outer ring.
Houston:
And a small city in the inner ring.
Walker:
And at the very center is your goal.
Houston:
It’s the largest building in the city, a skyscraper you could see from the edge of the forest.
Walker:
Your teams will enter the arena at various entry points around the outer ring. If you want to pass the exam, you’ll have to make it to the center skyscraper by the end of the five days.
Houston:
It’ll be quite a lot of walking.
Walker picks up the red orb.
Walker:
The center building contains red orbs, but these aren’t simple to get by any means. You’ll be faced with a challenge. If you complete it, you get one, but you automatically fail the exam if you don't.
Many students gulp.
Houston:
The red orb comes at a steep cost, but getting the orb means you pass the exam automatically as well.
Walker:
It’s an all or nothing.
Houston:
But reaching the center isn’t everything. As I stated prior, your combination of orbs will matter as well. For example, you pass the exam if you get to the center with 2 blue or 2 green orbs.
This piques some students’ attention.
Walker:
If you reach the center with a blue and a green orb, you don’t pass immediately, but you will face a far more manageable version of the red orb challenge.
Houston picks up a white and a purple orb.
Houston:
Two other orbs have different ways of being collected.
Walker:
White orbs are scattered throughout the city. If you collect 10 of them, you pass. If you assemble 3 of them and an orb of any other color, you pass.
Houston:
I’m sure you think that that sounds easy, right?
Walker:
Well, it’s not, and the purple orb has something to do with that.
Houston:
The city will not be safe by any means. Three teachers will be patrolling at all times. If they see you, they will try to take you down.
The students are shocked.
Jace:
(Teachers are going to be involved!)
Alexis:
(Well, that makes things complicated…)
Karma:
(The scenarios to pass… There are plenty, but all of them are difficult.)
Walker:
Just like during your practice exercises, teachers will be inhibited by weights, so they won’t be at full power, but they’re definitely more than a challenge for you to handle.
Houston:
They’ll carry purple orbs; you pass if you enter the tower with one of those.
Walker:
You can’t just steal the orb from a teacher. You have to “defeat” them.
Houston:
And that just about handles all the passing combinations.
Walker:
Which means we can move on to logistical stuff. Remember, you pass with your team, and you fail with your team. That doesn’t mean you need to stay together at all times, but it does mean that lone wolf behavior will not help you.
Houston:
Furthermore, collecting more orbs than necessary does not reward you in any way, grade-wise, that is.
Walker:
And bear in mind that we will be watching you, for the most part, that is. If we deem you unfit to continue, you will be removed, and your team will have to press on without you. So keep that in mind when fighting. Recovery Girl will assist in deciding whether we’ll pull someone.
Recovery Girl:
And don’t worry, your sweet little heads, I won’t have a short leash when pulling someone from the exam. You’ll only be removed if your life is at risk.
Walker:
I’m glad you mentioned that because I’ll be watching all fights during the exam, you can fight with the same force you did during the tournament round of the Sports Festival, but know that I will intervene to stop deadly force from being administered. Although, if I do interfere, that’s considered a loss for the party protected, and their orb, if they have one, must be handed over.
Houston:
Well, I think that handles most of the heavy lifting in our explanation. Any questions?
Charlotte raises her hand.
Houston:
Yes, Charlotte?
Charlotte:
These are supposed to be teams of three, right? Our class only has 20 people, so that means there will be a group of two, correct?
Houston:
Ah, yes, there will be. The group of two from my class will be two people with high scores from the midterms and who performed well at the Sports Festival. They’ll be given the same supplies as a group of three.
Walker:
Any other questions?
Karma raises her hand.
Karma:
Wes the forest have traps?
Walker:
That’s for you to find out.
Saige raises her hand.
Saige:
Is combat allowed in the center tower?
Walker:
No, once a student has stepped foot in the tower, it’s almost as if they’re submitting a paper test. They’re locking in their fate based on the orbs they’ve collected.
Sydney raises her hand.
Sydney:
Will there be any restrictions on our fighting?
Houston:
No, anything goes, but remember what Walker said about intervention.
Hayze raises his hand.
Walker:
Yes, Hayze?
Hayze:
What happens to those who don’t reach the tower at the end of the five days? I know they fail, but what comes after?
Walker:
You heard my warning in class, anyone who fails to reach the tower or assemble a passing collection of orbs will be removed from the hero course.
Everyone shutters.
Walker:
Is that all for questions?
Nobody raises their hand.
Walker smiles.
Walker:
Good, now onto the fun part.
The TV screen changes from the map to a group of three blank squares.
Walker:
It’s time to announce your teams.
Everyone tenses up further.
Walker:
We’ll start with my class. The faces of each team will be displayed one at a time, do not argue with me about your team, or you will automatically fail, understood.
Everyone in class 1-A nods.
Walker:
Good, now let’s begin.
Three squares on the screen start to rotate through pictures of Class 1-A.
Aaron:
(I don’t care who I get as long as they don’t hold me back.)
Wes:
*crossing his fingers* (Anyone but Alden, Anyone by Alden, Anyone but Alden!)
Blair:
(Just don’t give me a perv…)
Jace:
(Justus, Silver, Kevin, Aaron, Hayze, give me someone strong to work with!)
Alden:
(I don’t even need a team!)
The screen stops on the faces of Justus, Ash, and Jace.
Justus:
(Not terrible…)
Jace:
(BOOM! Justus baby!)
Ash:
(Justus and Jace… I haven’t really worked with either of them before, this’ll be new.)
Walker:
(The critical flaw with this group is their lack of versatility regarding their offense. Ash is with two people who rely heavily on hand-to-hand combat, putting a massive emphasis on her quirk, but will she be able to use it properly to help her group? Justus is a strong leader, but he expects his team to follow through with everything he says, and Jace might not go along with Justus’ fight-first personality.) Next.
The three squares on the screen start to rotate through pictures of Class 1-A.
Wes:
*crossing his fingers* (Anyone but Alden, Anyone by Alden, Anyone but Alden!)
Silver:
(I’ll carry whatever team I’m given.)
Hayze:
(This is intense, your team chemistry will determine almost everything for your exam.)
The screen stops on the faces of Aaron, Lilith, and Gus.
Aaron:
(Are you fucking kidding me! Butterfly girl and Jake 2?)
Lilith:
(This seems alright…)
Gus:
(Ugh, a girl on the team… at least I have Aaron…)
Walker:
(Aaron is strong and confident in his own abilities. His greatest attribute is his work ethic, but he’s being paired with two people that go against that attribute. Aaron will have to cope with that if he wants his team to succeed. Lilith is soft-spoken and just wants everyone to be happy, she’ll have to manage Aaron’s frustrations and keep her own confidence in the process. Finally, Gus’ laziness will drive Aaron crazy. He’ll have to learn how to step up, or else he’ll be left behind.) Next.
The three squares on the screen start to rotate through pictures of Class 1-A.
Demetri:
(Isaiah and I work together all the time!)
Isaiah:
(So there’s no way we’ll be put on the same team again!)
The screen stops on the faces of Kevin, Isaiah, and Demetri.
Kevin:
(Aw fuck…)
Demetri and Isaiah:
(ARE YOU KIDDING ME!)
Walker:
(Isaiah and Demetri hardly work well together. Everything they do blows up in their face. Kevin is the strongest person in the class in terms of raw power. He’s a solid accent for those two. Kevin isn’t the most decisive leader, but that team could be successful if he can step up.) Next.
The three squares on the screen start to rotate through pictures of Class 1-A.
Wes:
(Alden’s not off the board… and there are only 4 teams left… he put Isaiah and Demetri together… so that means I could be just as screwed!)
The screen stops on the faces of Blair, Saige, and Wes.
Wes:
(NO! THIS IS JUST AS BAD!)
Saige:
(Oh, I like this!)
Blair:
(I’M WITH THE SLUT!)
Walker:
(It’s relatively evident that Blair doesn’t get along well with Saige, Saige has a strong personality, and Wes is terrible with women, especially ones that argue. Not much else to say here.) Next.
The three squares on the screen start to rotate through pictures of Class 1-A.
Hayze:
(Options are getting slim…)
Silver:
(If I get Alden and Jake, I’m going to kill them.)
Zach:
(Man, I like some people left here, but some I could live without…)
The screen stops on the faces of Zach, Alexis, and Karma.
Alexis:
(Hm.)
Karma:
(Uh oh.)
Zach:
(Yeah! Those two are awesome!)
Walker:
(Although powerful on paper, that team has almost zero leadership, and I know some tempers could flare…) Next.
Everyone looks around at the remaining six members of class 1-A. Then, the three squares on the screen start to rotate through pictures of Class 1-A.
Aaron:
(Oof, Hayze, Silver, Angel, Eve, Jake, and Alden…)
Hayze:
(Not looking great right now…)
Eve:
(Fuck…)
Alden:
(I don’t even need a team!)
Jake:
(What’s going on?)
Angel:
(I’m okay with whatever I get.)
Silver:
(If I get Alden and Jake, I’m going to kill them.)
The screen stops on the faces of Silver, Angel, and Alden.
Alden:
(Good, I can carry those scrubs!)
Angel:
(Oh boy…)
Silver:
(He’s not making it out of the forest alive…)
Walker:
(Silver is a strong leader, but Alden is terrible, they’re going to clash… a lot. Angel isn’t the best at deciding under pressure. He doesn’t like picking sides, but in this case… he has to.) This means that the last team is:
The screen switches to the faces of Jake, Eve, and Hayze.
Eve:
(I hate my life…)
Jake:
(Why is my face on the TV?)
Walker:
(Hayze is a strong strategist who has shown he can work with whatever he’s given, such as in his fights with Colossus and Silver, but what will he do with the biggest slacker here and a girl with a vendetta against him? Eve has to learn how to play nice, and Jake has to step up if they want any chance of passing.) Now, moving on to Class 1-B’s teams.
Hayze looks at Eve and Jake.
Hayze:
(Well, it’s not my first choice… and it may very well have been my last, but I can’t let a lousy draw stop me from passing this exam… I refuse to flunk out of the hero course. Jake, Eve, it’s time for us to show everyone what we’re made of!)
