Alec starts waving his scythe around.
Alec:
You talk a big game, but can you back it up?
Alexis:
I guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?
Alec smiles.
Alec:
I like your attitude; I have to admit that your loss in the Sports Festival left a bad taste in my mouth.
Alexis:
Technically, I didn’t “lose.” I just didn’t win… which is better than you can say.
Alec:
Shut your mouth! I’ve already incapacitated your teammates and severely wounded you once already! I may have lost my first match, but I’m more than my record indicates!
Alexis looks at Zach and Karma.
Alexis:
(Zach has a stab wound in both of his feet, plus another in his upper back from his own claws. Karma is the same except for a large bite mark in her leg rather than a second foot injury. Not great, but I’m sure she has a plan.)
Alec examines Alexis.
Alec:
(Three open wounds… more than enough blood for me to re-establish my link!)
Alec points his scythe at Alexis.
Alec:
No more stalling! It’s time for your defeat!
Alec charges at Alexis.
Alexis:
(He’s not wasting time.)
Alexis launches three origami birds and detonates them between herself and Alec, stopping his advance.
Alec:
(She’s trying to protect her teammates…)
The smoke clears, Alexis is gone.
Alec:
Hiding! That doesn’t seem like your style!
A paper bomb attached to a tree goes off, causing it to fall towards Alec.
Alec:
Pfft!
Alec easily jumps out of the way.
Alec:
You’re going to have to do better than that!
Alexis runs behind Alec.
Alec:
(Shit! It was a distraction!)
Alexis puts Alec in a chokehold.
Alexis:
*whispering* Why don’t you take a nap?
Alec:
N- Never!
Alexis looks over at Karma and Zach, who are gripping their necks.
Alexis:
(The randomness of his quirk seems like it would inconvenience him, but it’s almost a strength when he’s fighting a team!)
Alec looks down at Alexis’ forearm and sees her wound from his original scythe throw. He tries to lick the blood seeping through her paper bandage.
Alec:
(A little more…)
Alec inches his tongue closer to Alexis’ blood. Alexis notices this and pushes Alec forward and out of the chokehold.
Alec:
You were quick to abandon that plan now, weren’t you?
Alexis:
Abandon, what plan?
Alec hears the sound of sizzling.
Alec:
Huh?
Alec realizes Alexis put a paper flash bomb on his chest.
Alec:
Shit!
The flash bomb detonates; Alexis looks away as Alec is engulfed in light.
Alexis:
(I haven’t been hurting him to avoid further injury to Karma and Zach, but at this rate…)
Karma starts to stand up.
Zach:
Karma… are your eyes burning too?
Karma:
Yes, but that doesn’t matter. I’ve got a plan, and I won’t let his Soul Link stop me.
Zach:
Plan?
Karma:
Just stay here and recover; Alexis and I have this handled.
Alec is writhing in pain, covering both his eyes with his hands.
Alec:
AHHH! Damnit! Twice!
Alexis:
You okay?
Alec:
Shut up!
Alexis notices Karma isn’t with Zach anymore.
Alexis:
*nasal grunt*
Alec regains his vision to see Alexis spin kick him straight to the face.
Alec:
*sighs* Great…
Alec slams into a tree.
Alec:
*frustrated grunt*
Alexis:
You're sure easy to smack around for someone who talks such a big game.
Alec:
Your arrogance will only make it harder to accept your defeat.
Alexis:
I’ve got 3 open stab wounds, and you’re getting knocked over easier than a house of cards; maybe you’re the arrogant one?
Alec chucks his scythe at Alexis, but she anticipates the attack and dodges it. She then quickly grabs the base of the scythe so Alec cannot reel it in.
Alexis:
Predictable.
Alec:
*frustrated grunt*
Alec pulls on the scythe’s rope, but Alexis doesn’t budge.
Alexis:
Do you even have your orb?
Alec:
That’s none of your concern.
Alexis:
So that’s a no, then? That’s fine.
Alexis covers the rope with small pieces of paper then detonates them to sever Alec’s connection with his scythe.
Alec:
Damn you!
Alec pulls up his sleeve and detaches the rope mechanism for his scythe. It falls to the ground with a thud.
Alec:
You should just give up; I’m not walking away from here without your orb!
Alexis:
Yeah, because you’re not walking away from here at all. After we defeat you, we’ll keep you hostage; your teammate will surely come looking for you.
Alec starts laughing.
Alec:
If you think you can defeat Tobias… you’re just an idiot.
Alexis:
I saw what he did to Justus, he seems tough, but he took advantage of Justus’ anger.
Alexis points the scythe at Alec.
Alexis:
And he won’t do that to me.
Alec:
Tobias isn’t just “tough,” he’s a genius in combat. I wouldn’t dare pick a fight with him.
Alexis is surprised.
Alec:
I can tell by your expression that you’re shocked that someone as egotistical as me would say something like that.
Alexis:
Maybe.
Alec:
Tobias lied during his fight in the Sports Festival, he surrendered, claiming he would never win the battle, but that’s not true.
Alexis:
And why would he do that?
Alec:
One, because he didn’t want to win, he wanted to piss that arrogant bastard off. Two, he knew that 1-A and 1-B would cross paths again, and he wanted to be underestimated when that time came.
Alexis:
So then why are you telling me this?
Alec:
Because Tobias went to track down the massive explosion that went off earlier today and take down whatever team he finds.
Alexis’ eyes widen.
Alexis:
(That means…)
Aaron transforms his right arm into a pistol and points it at Tobias. Tobias immediately rips Lilith up and uses her as a human shield.
Aaron:
Cowardly move.
Tobias:
All is fair in love and war.
Aaron inspects Tobias.
Aaron:
(I’ve only seen him in action once. He got inside Justus’ head, but he didn’t win. He forfeited because he knew he’d eventually lose. He can’t be any stronger than Zach or Angel, and I could take them down easily.) How about you let Lilith go, and then you and I could settle this one-on-one.
Tobias laughs.
Tobias:
Your confidence borders on stupidity.
Aaron:
That’s your opinion.
Tobias:
Your teammates are a resource. You shouldn’t throw them away even if you’re sure of your victory.
Aaron:
Coming from the guy who came here alone? You’re not just cocky. You’re a hypocrite.
Tobias:
Confidence and calculation shouldn’t be mistaken for one another.
Aaron:
What does that even mean?
Tobias:
You’ll find out.
Aaron looks at Lilith.
Aaron:
Alright.
Tobias:
Hm?
Aaron:
I’ll use my teammates as a resource.
Aaron fires his pistol at the button on Lilith’s costume, causing her to grow to her giant form. Lilith’s growth repels Tobias backward and sends Gus flying.
Tobias:
What’s this!
Gus:
*waking up* Wh- wh- OH SHIT!
Gus slams into the dirt while Tobias lands gracefully.
Tobias:
Interesting development.
Gus:
*muffled* Ow…
Lilith is shaky.
Lilith:
Oh man… this never gets any easier!
Each of Lilith’s footsteps creates small earthquakes.
Tobias:
(Her erratic movement signals inexperience, I have nothing to fear.)
Tobias hears a loud sound. He quickly turns and repels a rocket fired by Aaron using his walking stick.
Tobias:
(Predictable.)
Aaron is surprised.
Aaron:
(Hayze did the same thing, but even though this guy can’t see, he seemed to do it better… his timing was more precise.)
Tobias stands up straight and listens closely.
Tobias:
(I need to re-establish my bearings.)
Aaron stares at Tobias.
Aaron:
(I don’t know what he’s doing, but now is a better time than any to attack!)
Aaron points his rocket launcher behind himself and transforms his other arm into a shotgun.
Aaron:
(Let’s go!)-
Aaron propels himself toward Tobias using his rocket launcher. Then, Aaron aims his shotgun at Tobias’ head.
Aaron:
(I’m gonna take you out!)
Aaron fires, but Tobias dodges the shot.
Aaron:
(Wh- what? Still? At this range and speed!)
Tobias grabs the barrel of Aaron’s shotgun and throws him to the ground.
Aaron:
*groans*
Tobias looks down upon Aaron.
Tobias:
As much as I would enjoy a prolonged fight, it’s best if I simply rid myself of you now.
Tobias places his foot on Aaron’s upper arm.
Tobias:
These arms are what make you strong. Without them, you’re nothing.
Just before Tobias breaks Aaron’s arm, he tenses up.
Tobias:
(The flow of the wind… something is-)
Lilith’s kicks Tobias with her massive foot.
Lilith:
(Did I get him?)
Tobias was able to grab onto Lilith’s shoe last second to prevent himself from being sent flying.
Tobias leaps onto the top of her foot and climbs up her leg.
Tobias:
(I guess I’ll have to deal with this one first!)
Lilith searches for Tobias.
Lilith:
(Where did he go? I could have sworn I hit him, he should have gone flying!)
Gus finally gets up.
Gus:
*groans* Why couldn’t they just let me nap…
Gus notices Lilith’s transformation.
Gus:
Huh… so I guess we’re in a fight… maybe I’ll just go back to-
Gus notices Tobias climbing up Lilith’s back.
Gus:
(Wh- what? Is that the guy that fought Justus? What’s he doing climbing Lilith?)
Gus has a look of realization.
Gus:
(Oh no… I’ve gotta warn her!) Lilith!
Lilith doesn’t respond.
Gus:
Right… she can’t hear me…
Gus notices Aaron slowly getting up off the ground.
Aaron:
*groans*
Aaron grabs his chest.
Aaron:
(Damn, why did this guy have to show up now? I still haven’t recovered from my fight with Hayze… if I was at 100% right now…)
Gus:
Aaron!
Aaron:
Gus? You’re actually awake?
Gus:
That blind guy is climbing Mount Lilith!
Aaron:
What!
Aaron spots Tobias.
Aaron:
Ah, shit! And it doesn’t look like she’s noticed him.
Gus:
I tried to warn her, but she can’t hear us from down here.
Aaron looks at Gus with a blank expression.
Aaron:
Gus.
Gus:
Y- yes?
Aaron:
What is your quirk again?
Gus:
I can breathe smoke.
Aaron:
Do you need me to spell it out for you?
Gus:
Oh…
Lilith starts sweating.
Lilith:
(I forgot how much faster this size difference eats my energy, maybe I should just-)
Lilith notices smoke rising from the forest in the shape of an “O.”
Lilith:
(Is that Gus? Huh, that looks like a circle.)
Another smoke symbol, “N.”
Lilith:
(That one is a lightning bolt! I like this game!)
Another smoke symbol, “U.”
Lilith:
(That’s a horseshoe!)
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
A final symbol, “↩.”
Lilith:
(Uh… that’s another horseshoe, but there’s an arrow on one end… hm… circle, lightning bolt, horseshoe and horseshoe with an arrow. What could it mean…)
Lilith gets a look of realization.
Lilith:
I got it! Lightning will strike the circle pen, causing the horses to go crazy and run away! But what does that have to do with this situation?
Aaron looks disappointed.
Aaron:
Fuck me…
Tobias climbs up onto Lilith’s shoulder.
Tobias:
Hello.
Lilith gets scared.
Lilith:
Wh- who said that!
Tobias:
Me.. the guy on your shoulder.
Lilith:
Eek!
Lilith swats her shoulder, but Tobias jumps back to avoid her hand.
Tobias:
That wasn’t very nice.
Lilith:
Oh, I’m sorr- Wait a minute! You’re my enemy!
Tobias:
Yes, yes, I am.
Tobias leaps onto Lilith’s face and pokes her eye with his walking stick.
Lilith:
Ow!
Lilith grabs her eye and starts stumbling around.
Aaron:
Of course, the blind guy goes for the eye!
Lilith starts to lose her balance.
Lilith:
Oh no! Oh no!
Lilith starts to fall backward, with Aaron and Gus both standing where she’ll land.
Aaron:
Oh shit! Run!
Aaron starts to run, but Gus stays put.
Aaron:
Gus! What are you doing! You’ll be crushed!
Gus salutes Aaron.
Gus:
This is the way I want to die, Aaron. Live on to tell my story.
Aaron:
No!
Aaron grabs Gus and drags him away.
Gus:
NOOOOOOOO! You monster! Don’t take this away from me!
Aaron and Gus barely escape as Lilith crashes into the ground, creating an earthquake. Tobias stands victorious over Lilith’s unconscious body as she shrinks down to standard size.
Tobias:
Timber.
Aaron dusts himself off. He turns to face Tobias.
Aaron:
Gus, stay back. I can handle this.
Gus:
*snores*
Gus is asleep.
Aaron:
(I’d be mad, but I’m surprised he even woke up for this fight.)
Aaron looks up at the moon, which is past the center of the sky and is starting its descent.
Aaron:
(We spent almost the whole day walking, and for a portly guy like him, that’s exhausting. It’s okay, though. After I take this guy down, we can spend tomorrow recovering.)
Aaron and Tobias start walking towards each other.
Tobias:
It sounds like your teammate has hit the snooze button.
Aaron:
He can rest. I prefer one-on-one anyway.
Tobias laughs.
Tobias:
You have two perfectly good teammates, and you’re opting to take me on alone? That, combined with your weakened state, should be more than enough for you to hand over your orb and give up-
Aaron:
Just shut up.
Aaron transforms his right arm into a Mosin Nagant with a bayonet.
Aaron:
I never back down from a challenge, so don’t ever try to lecture me on why I should!
Tobias:
*nasal grunt* Fool.
Aaron:
Call me what you like; I’ll be taking your orb now.
Alec leans up against the tree.
Alexis:
Hm? Tired out?
Alec:
Fighting three people isn’t the easiest thing, you know?
Alexis:
Then why would you volunteer for this? You have a teammate; why would you come to fight all of us alone?
Alec laughs under his breath.
Alec:
Because we need to catch up…
Alexis:
What?
Alec:
The Sports Festival… you remember the composition of the tournament, right? There were 15 members of Class 1-A and only 4 of us. None of us made the Semi-Finals, and we only won a single fight.
Alexis:
Right… but what does that have to do with this?
Alec:
Everything.
A flashback begins. It’s the first day of classes following the Sports Festival. All of the students of Class 1-B are gathered in their classroom. Everyone is silent…
Killian:
Alright, I’ll be the one to say it: you guys sucked.
Everyone gets mad.
Seth:
Coming from the guy who lost his only match!
Killian:
Hey! At least I made the damn tournament!
Mike:
Come on, guys… please don’t fight.
Killian:
Yeah! Just like the Sports Festival! Don’t fight!
Reed:
Killian, you didn’t do any better than us! Shut up!
Charlotte:
He’s got a point, though. At least he made the tournament. 80% of us were on the bench by then.
Killian:
Yeah! At least one of you is intelligent!
Whitney:
You’re not condoning Killian’s behavior, right, Charlotte?
Charlotte:
No, I’m just saying he’s not wrong.
Romeo:
Personally I-
Everyone:
Shut up, Romeo!
Romeo:
I- I-
Talon:
Killian is right.
Killian:
Look! Bird Brain agrees with me!
Talon:
We all sucked. The Sports Festival was our opportunity to prove ourselves and show off for the hero agencies in attendance and watching on TV. Unfortunately, our chances of getting internship offers are slim, while our rival class is bound to get many. We should ALL be ashamed of ourselves!
Everyone is silent.
Ester:
What do you think, Sydney? You were the only one to win a match.
Sydney:
I don’t really care.
Verity:
She does, and she really wants a rematch with the boy who kicked her ass.
Verity is face to face with Sydney.
Sydney:
VERITY! I TOLD YOU TO STOP DOING THAT!
Verity:
I wasn’t sure if you were serious.
Sydney:
THAT IS NOT FUNNY!
Killian starts laughing.
Killian:
Your loss was pretty embarrassing, Sydney! You got beat by that guy who still has training wheels with his quirk!
Sydney:
Funny, if I recall correctly, you weren’t watching my fight. Where were you again?
Killian:
Hey! At least I put up a good fight!
Bruno stands up.
Bruno:
Quiet down, everyone! Bickering is why we lost in the way we did!
Everyone turns their attention to Bruno.
Bruno:
More of us could have advanced to the tournament had we not fought over that special headband the entire second round. Multiple 1-A groups didn’t even have to lift a finger to advance because we were so busy with each other! It was our stupidity and lack of teamwork that gave 1-A the edge!
Killian:
Hey! You were the first person to jump ship when we ran into that lava trough in the maze! Why do you-
Bruno:
What? Did you want me to carry everyone on my back?
Killian:
I- Well…
Filip:
You could have at least stuck with the group!
Bruno:
We had already abandoned 8 of our classmates by that point, but you didn’t seem to have a problem, did you, Filip?
Filip:
I- Well…
Bruno:
My point isn’t that we needed to stay unified as a class. We were divided into teams for that round, and none of us cared about that. We were only concerned with ourselves, and that’s why we lost.
Bruno walks to the front of the class.
Bruno:
I’m sure many of us have developed rivalries with 1-A students following the Sports Festival.
Alec thinks of Aaron, Killian thinks of Kevin, Sydney thinks of Hayze, and Bruno thinks of Wes.
Bruno:
But a gap has been created between us and them. What is that gap exactly? A talent gap. We’re now second fiddle to 1-A, and is anyone happy with that?
Everyone:
No!
Bruno:
Then it is our job to close that gap at all costs. It will take rigorous effort, countless sleepless nights, and a lot of endurance, but we will become the stronger class! Who is with me!
The whole class cheers.
Bruno:
Then we shall-
The door slams open, Houston has arrived.
Houston:
Why do I hear you failures cheering?
Everyone gets tense, Bruno immediately rushes back to his seat. Houston walks to the podium.
Houston:
…
Everyone is scared.
Houston:
You all disappointed me… you made me feel like a fool for believing in you. I dared to brag about the strength of my students to class 1-A’s teacher, Mr. Walker. And what did you do? WIN 1 MATCH OF THE TOURNAMENT, credit Sydney.
Sydney:
Thank you, sir.
Houston:
Shut up.
Sydney:
Yessir.
Houston:
Your punishment will be a 10,000-word apology essay detailing what you did wrong and how you’ll improve for the future. In addition, it’s clear that you are all in need of some extra training, so starting tomorrow, you’ll all be running laps before-
Bruno stands up.
Houston:
Sit down!
Bruno:
Sir, I’d like to request for my essay to be 20,000 words instead!
Houston and the rest of the class are surprised.
Houston:
Well- I- I guess you can-
Killian stands up.
Killian:
I’d like to make that request as well!
Houston is more surprised.
Houston:
I- uh-
Alec stands up.
Alec:
Me too, sir.
One by one, each member of 1-B stands up and makes the same request, except for Sydney. Houston starts tearing up.
Houston:
You’ve made me so proud.
Everyone looks at Sydney.
Sydney:
What? 10,000 is enough.
Bruno raises his hand.
Houston:
Yes, Bruno?
Bruno:
We of class 1-B are unhappy with our performance at the Sports Festival, and we plan to do everything in our power to make up for our mistakes and become better students and, more importantly, heroes.
Houston looks around the room.
Houston:
And you all agree with that?
All but Sydney:
Yessir!
Houston smiles.
Houston:
Good.
Houston cracks his knuckles.
Houston:
Then let’s get to work.
The flashback ends, Alec stands up straight.
Alec:
While your class was out being attacked in a forest, we were training to become stronger! The Sports Festival went to class 1-A, but the Final Exams? They belong to class 1-B!
Alec starts running at Alexis.
Alexis:
Karma! Now!
Karma appears using her acceleration quirk and stabs Alec in the gut. The injury is reflected onto Karma.
Alec:
What the hell!
Karma drives Alec into a tree with blood spewing from her mouth.
Karma:
Alexis! Now!
Alexis binds Alec to the tree using her paper. Karma keels over.
Alexis:
Karma!
Alexis runs to Karma’s aid and covers her wounds with paper.
Alexis:
You did well.
Karma:
Thank you, but your distraction is what lowered his guard and allowed me to strike him down.
Alexis:
Don’t flatter me. He forgot about you because you were hurt; that’s why you didn’t use your quirk to heal your injuries, right?
Karma smiles.
Karma:
Yes.
Alexis:
And you took the liberty of essentially stabbing yourself so that I could tie him down.
Karma:
What can I say? I really wanted your respect back.
Alexis smiles.
Alexis:
You’ve got it.
Karma holds out the blood-covered knife to Alexis.
Karma:
Finish him off.
Alexis grabs the knife.
Alexis:
With pleasure.
Aaron and Tobias are dueling with one another. Aaron’s Bayonet and Tobias’ Walking Stick clash.
Tobias:
I should advise you I do not possess my team’s orb.
Aaron and Tobias’ weapons clash again.
Aaron:
That’s fine. Once I’m done taking you down, we’ll tie you up and go searching for your teammate!
Tobias:
Alec is no easy opponent to defeat.
Aaron transforms his other arm into an M1 carbine with an attached bayonet.
Aaron:
I’ve done it once before!
Aaron tries stabbing Tobias in the chest, but Tobias grabs the carbine and forces the bayonet into the ground.
Tobias:
Yes, you did, but Alec’s style has changed since then.
Alexis approaches Alec with the knife.
Alexis:
So, tell me… What happens if you ingest your own blood?
Alec looks nervous.
Alec:
Wh- why would I tell you that?
Alexis:
Your reaction already told me: something not good for you.
Aaron rips the 2nd bayonet out of the ground and tries swinging both knives at Tobias, but he blocks both strikes with his walking stick.
Tobias:
Alec learned from his battle with you that he has to be willing to set aside his love for bloodshed to prioritize victory.
Alexis forces Alec’s mouth open and wipes his own blood on his tongue. Then forces him to swallow it.
Alexis:
Now, what will that do?
Alec starts shaking, so does Karma.
Alec:
How did you bitches know? HOW!
Alexis:
We didn’t, but considering our options. This was the best route we could go.
Alec:
Wait, she was in on it? How! You didn’t even talk to her!
Alexis:
Yes, but we both knew that defeating you while you were still linked to at least one of us would be a challenge. So we both came to the same conclusion: First, we restrain you, then we test some theories.
Alec:
*frustrated grunt*
Alec and Karma stop shaking.
Alec:
Dammit…
Alexis:
So, what did that exactly?
Alec:
Ingesting my own blood automatically breaks all active connections I have.
Alexis:
So now I can start whaling on you without worrying for my friends? I don’t believe you. Why would you tell me the truth?
Alec looks at Alexis with a glint in his eye.
Alec:
Because this fight is over.
Alexis’ eyes widen.
Alec:
Deploy!
A compartment inside of Alec’s rope system for his scythe opens and fires a dagger directly into Alexis’ arm.
Alexis:
AHHHHHH!
Alexis smashes the device.
Alexis:
That was your big plan? Stab me again?
Alec:
Toying with my opponents and watching them bleed is my favorite thing.
Alexis starts to get woozy.
Alexis:
Woah, I…
Alec:
But that sometimes prolongs fights and gives my opponents a chance to come back and win… that’s what made me lose at the Sports Festival.
Alexis drops Alec’s scythe and falls to her knees.
Alec:
So installed a voice-activated hidden dagger into my Scythe Retrieval Apparatus. A fail-safe, if you will.
Alexis falls over, barely conscious.
Alec:
Tipped with a tranquilizer.
Alexis’ eyes start fluttering.
Alexis:
You… you’re…
Alec:
Goodnight, beautiful.
Alexis falls asleep. The paper holding Alec against the tree falls to the wayside, freeing him. Alec grabs his scythe off the ground.
Alec:
Just like I said, this fight is over.
Tobias and Aaron continue blocking each other’s blows, but Tobias is forcing Aaron back.
Tobias:
Your class’ success in the Sports Festival made you all look promising; it made you believe you were stronger than us, it made you think that you didn’t have to worry about us, you thought we were beneath you. We were nothing more than “the guys you beat” while to us, your class was our rivals, people we aspired to defeat. That determination allowed us to close the gap and be well-prepared to take you down when the time came.
Aaron aims his Mosin’s barrel at Tobias’ face and fires. Tobias immediately blocks the bullet with his cane.
Aaron:
What!
Tobias:
And that time is now.
Tobias whips Aaron in the jaw with his walking stick, knocking him off balance.
Tobias:
You don’t understand what it means to be a part of a team!
Tobias smacks Aaron’s knee, slamming him into the ground.
Aaron:
*groans*
Tobias:
I decided to engage you three on my own because I knew you would “lead” your team to your demise.
Aaron:
What the hell does that mean!
Tobias points his stick right in Aaron’s face.
Tobias:
Teams work with one another and help each other. You do neither of those things, you hope your team will help you, but you always try to do everything yourself. I knew this would devolve into you shooing off your teammates to try and engage me.
Aaron:
I’m not like that!
Tobias:
Really? Are you so sure about that?
“
Aaron:
Gus, head back to Lilith and wait for me there. “
“
Aaron:
Gus, I’ve got this, head out. “
“
Aaron:
How about you let Lilith go, and then you and I could settle this one-on-one.
“
“
Aaron:
Gus, stay back; I can handle this. “
Aaron’s eyes widen with realization.
Tobias:
You see? I never had a reason to fear that you three would work together to defeat me.
Aaron is silent.
Tobias:
Finally speechless?
Aaron:
I’ve got one last thing to say to you…
Tobias:
And what might that be?
Aaron:
You may win this round, but we will find you, and WE will defeat you.
Tobias smiles.
Tobias:
Yeah, right.
Tobias smacks Aaron upside the head with his walking stick and knocks him out cold.
Tobias:
Good luck with that.
Tobias reaches into Aaron’s pocket and pulls out the blue orb.
Tobias:
Beautiful.
Tobias looks down at Aaron.
Tobias:
(Like you could defeat me.)
Alec walks over to Karma.
Karma:
You… you’re not taking our-
Alec kicks her in the head, knocking her out.
Alec:
Now then.
Zach is trying to get up, but his foot injuries prevent him from doing so.
Zach:
Goddamnit! I need to help!
Zach gets kicked back onto the ground. He looks over his shoulder to see Alec.
Alec:
It’s over.
Zach:
No, it isn't! I-
Alec kicks Zach in the back of the head three times, knocking him out.
Alec:
There, a mouth full of dirt will teach you not to talk back.
Alec walks over to the campfire and looks through Zach, Karma, and Alexis’ supply bag, eventually finding their orb.
Alec:
Ah… it pays to win.
Alec looks over at Alexis’s unconscious body and then looks back at the supply bag.
Alec:
*sighs* Whatever.
The following day, Aaron wakes up in the same spot Tobias left him.
Aaron:
*groans*
Aaron gets worried; he checks his pockets.
Aaron:
(Dammit! He got it…)
Aaron looks at Gus’ unconscious body.
Aaron:
*sighs*
Aaron picks up Gus and starts carrying him over to Lilith, who he also picks up.
Aaron:
Come on, you two.
Aaron carries his two teammates over to their supply bag and places them on the ground; he bandages Lilith’s eye and makes a fire.
Lilith:
*waking up* Wh- what happened?
Lilith notices Aaron.
Lilith:
A- Aaron?
Aaron:
Yes, Lilith?
Lilith:
D- did we-
Gus:
AHHHHHHHHH!
Lilith:
Gus! Are you alright?
Gus:
Oh, thank god, I had a nightmare that we failed this exam and got kicked out of school. I had to go to work at my dad’s deli and cry for the rest of my life.
Aaron and Lilith stare blankly at Gus.
Gus:
So Aaron, how did the fight go?
Aaron:
I lost.
Gus:
Oh okay, that’s fine, I’m sure we can- YOU WHAT!
Gus gets in the fetal position and starts muttering the names of different sandwich meats to himself.
Lilith:
Wait… Aaron… you’re not serious, right! So that guy got our orb?
Aaron stands up.
Aaron:
Yes… he did.
Lilith looks scared.
Lilith:
What are we going to do!
Aaron turns to Lilith and Gus.
Aaron:
We will find that guy and get our orb back.
Lilith:
You really think we can do that?
Gus:
Deli, here I come…
Aaron:
I want to apologize to you two. It’s my fault we’re in this mess.
Lilith:
No, Aaron, I-
Aaron:
Lilith, I was weakened from my fight with Hayze, which I chose to have on my own. My weakness is part of what cost us this fight. It’s my fault, and I refuse to believe anything else.
Aaron takes a deep breath.
Aaron:
We lost because I wasn’t the leader I needed to be, and I’m sorry for that, but I’ve seen the error of my ways.
Aaron clenches his fist.
Aaron:
We are a team, and together… we’re going to get our orb back, and we’re going to pass this exam!
