There is a traffic jam in the middle of Nashville. Cars are honking, and the drivers are getting pissed.
Douchebag:
Hey, get out of the road, asshole!
The traffic’s source is a man in a magician's costume standing in the middle of the road.
Magician:
Now, now, such foul language won’t do. It would behoove you to learn the name of the newest villain around the block!
The magician walks up to the douchebag’s car and places his hand on it.
Douchebag:
Woah, what are you doing! Don’t mess with my car! I just got it painted-
Suddenly all of the cars in the traffic jam levitate into the air.
The Illusionist:
I am The Illusionist! And I will wreak havoc upon this city!
All of the car doors open, The Illusionist turns them on their side, and the occupants of each vehicle fall out onto the street.
Douchebag:
What the hell, man!
The Illusionist smiles from ear to ear.
The Illusionist:
As an upcoming villain, it will do my reputation wonders to increase my body count rather quickly!
Panic breaks out as everyone tries to run for their lives.
The Illusionist:
This will have me on all the major networks!
The Illusionist snaps his fingers, releasing his levitating hold.
The Illusionist:
Now die!
The civilians brace for impact and their impending death. The Illusionist laughs maniacally.
The Illusionist:
HAHA! Everyone will know my name now!
Nothing happens. All the civilians are confused and unharmed.
The Illusionist:
Wh- what?
Everyone looks up. All cars are being held in the air by a network of vines.
The Illusionist:
HUH!
Evergreen:
*from afar* This clearly is your first dance. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made such a rookie mistake.
The Illusionist turns around to see Evergreen has arrived.
Civilian:
Look! It’s the Number 3 Hero, Evergreen! We’re saved!
Everyone cheers.
The Illusionist:
*grunts* This is fine! Defeating a hero as well regarded as Evergreen is enough to make my villain debut go down in history!
The Illusionist starts laughing.
Evergreen:
Who said you were fighting me.
The Illusionist stops laughing and looks nervous.
The Illusionist:
Th- then who am I-
Colossus lands on the ground directly behind The Illusionist, who starts sweating bullets.
Colossus:
Me.
The Illusionist puts his hands in the air.
The Illusionist:
I SURRENDER!
Colossus:
*sighs* Of course you do…
Evergreen wraps The Illusionist in vines and hoists him in the air.
The Illusionist:
*groans* My debut…
Evergreen:
Well, that was easy.
Colossus:
I was actually looking forward to fighting him.
The civilians cheer loudly, crowd around, and praise Colossus.
Colossus:
Woah! Calm down, citizens! Form an orderly line!
Evergreen:
*under her breath* I was the one who saved them…
Evergreen starts walking away.
Colossus:
Wait! Evergreen, where are you going!
Evergreen:
I’ll bring this guy to the police. You can have fun with your fan club!
Colossus:
No! Don’t leave me like this!
Later, Evergreen and Colossus overlook the police managing the traffic from a nearby rooftop.
Colossus:
Sorry that I got all the credit again…
Evergreen:
It’s no problem. I’m used to it.
Colossus:
Well, it’s a problem if you’re used to it! All I did was arrive, and he gave up.
Evergreen:
Don’t sound so disappointed. It’s not about the fight; it’s about keeping everyone safe.
Colossus:
I know, I know *sighs* it’s just… I miss fighting. The closest I’ve gotten to a “real” fight was when I played the villain for a training exercise at U.A.
Evergreen:
Jeez, wasn’t that back in the fall?
Colossus:
October, to be exact…
Evergreen:
I understand your position. Heroics aren’t very thrilling when all the villains surrender as soon as you arrive.
Colossus:
My reputation makes my career less entertaining, but it keeps villains in the dark. They don’t come out like they used to before I became a hero… so… I’m thankful for that.
Evergreen:
I know. The crime rate hasn’t been this low in decades. But, at least it’s enough to keep all the hero agencies in business.
Colossus:
Such is the grim reality of hero work. We need villains to keep our jobs.
Evergreen:
Yeah… let’s not think about that.
Colossus:
Oh… sorry, I didn’t mean to-
Evergreen:
It’s okay. I’m glad that your existence has brought such a profound form of peace. But, if villains keep surrendering that easily, we may have to find ourselves new careers.
Colossus laughs.
Evergreen:
So…
Colossus:
Hm?
Evergreen:
You mentioned U.A. earlier… How is your son doing there?
I won’t lie. I’m worried about how U.A. has been handling itself lately.
Colossus:
Huh? What do you mean?
Evergreen:
Between that attack that happened last November and the one that occurred a couple weeks ago. It sure seems like those kids are in a lot of danger.
Colossus:
Yes, they have been, but I have faith that Justus can handle himself and protect his classmates.
Evergreen:
Has S.T.O.R.M. found anything about this “Iota” person? He seems like trouble.
Colossus:
They’ve come up with nothing, which worries me.
Evergreen:
That is troubling… It's been half a year since he first appeared. There should have been some form of a lead found by now.
Colossus:
Well… there was one thing. Do you remember that nuclear threat incident in Georgia last December?
Evergreen:
Yes, why? What’s the connection?
Colossus:
S.T.O.R.M. was able to hack into the deceased villain’s computer. They found his hideout and sieged it, but everything inside was already gone.
Evergreen:
Wh- what? I thought Hack Master killed himself abruptly?
Colossus:
Yes… it’s suspicious. Based on the stories from that day, there’s no reason to believe he had planned his death.
Evergreen:
So, they think it has something to do with Iota?
Colossus:
He’s faked a death before…
Evergreen:
Hm…
Colossus:
Either way, Iota isn’t like that villain from earlier… he isn’t afraid of me. After all, he did try to kidnap my son.
Evergreen stares at Colossus with concern in her eyes.
Evergreen:
How are you and he doing?
Colossus is quiet for a moment.
Colossus:
It’s his birthday tomorrow.
Evergreen:
Did you get him anything?
Colossus:
I can’t. His mother forbids me from sending him gifts.
Evergreen:
Ouch… even after all these years?
Colossus:
She doesn’t want me in his life, and I understand why. I made a mistake when I was young and conceived a son with a woman I didn’t know. She wanted to get married and didn’t like it when I refused. She said I needed to “take responsibility” and said I couldn’t be involved with Justus otherwise.
Evergreen:
That’s pretty selfish of her. Depriving her son of a father because of her own pride.
Colossus:
I’m not a saint here. I could have tried to fix things with her and put more effort into having a better relationship with my son. But instead, I used her stance as an excuse.
Evergreen thinks for a moment.
Evergreen:
How old is Justus going to be?
Colossus:
18.
Evergreen:
So he’s an adult now, you can get him a gift.
Colossus:
I don’t know…
Evergreen:
Even if it’s something dumb, he’ll appreciate getting his first gift ever from his father.
Colossus is silent.
Evergreen:
You want to repair your relationship with him, right?
Colossus:
Yes.
Evergreen:
Then it’s time to tell him the truth about your relationship with his mother. You don’t have to be the fall guy anymore.
Colossus:
*grunts*
Evergreen:
Or sit there and feel sorry for yourself, I don’t care which.
Colossus stares off at the setting sun.
Colossus:
(I’ve been making good progress, but I’ve been acting as more of a mentor than a father. Maybe this is my chance to be both.)
The girls of 2-A (minus Saige) are out eating together at a restaurant.
Lilith:
Man, this is so good!
Karma:
I know, it’s been a while since we all went out together.
Eve:
Not as long as you think. The last time was the mall incident.
Awkward silence.
Eve:
Oh, come on, that was weeks ago! We can talk about it without being all weird!
Ash:
Yeah… but I’d rather remember the good times from our first year than the bad ones.
Karma and Lilith both nod in agreement.
Eve:
Whatever… I’ll shut up.
Ash notices that both Alexis and Blair are in deep thought.
Ash:
Hey guys… you’ve been awfully quiet…
Blair:
Huh? Oh sorry.
Alexis doesn’t respond.
Ash:
What are you thinking about?
Blair:
Just the Showcase…
Eve:
What about the Showcase? Are you hoping Hayze asks you to be on the team?
Blair:
Something like that…
Ash:
Well, I hope I can be on the team too… How many of us are there to pick from again?
Karma:
Well, eleven of us were above the green line. Hayze was one of them, so that eliminates him.
Lilith:
You, Karma, Blair, and Alexis all are options.
Karma:
And then from the boys, there’s Silver, Aaron, Justus, Kevin, and Zach. Wait, that only makes ten… who are we forgetting?
Eve:
Saige.
Karma:
Oh, that’s right, I forgot about her because she isn’t here.
Lilith:
I hope she’s having fun back out west!
Ash:
Yeah, I wish she could have been here, though. I enjoy her company.
Alexis:
Where is Saige?
The girls are surprised Alexis broke her silence.
Ash:
She flew back out to Seattle to visit her friends from U.A. West. I’m sure they missed her.
Karma:
Are you alright, Alexis? You haven’t seemed yourself.
Alexis:
I don’t feel well, that’s all.
Eve:
Well, you can go home if you want. We have the whole summer to see each other.
Ash:
Yeah, we don’t want you to stick around if you’re not okay!
Alexis looks away.
Alexis:
Okay then…
Alexis gets up from their table and grabs her bag.
Alexis:
I’ll see you guys around.
Lilith:
Bye, Alexis!
Ash:
Feel better, okay?
Eve:
Cya girl.
Alexis leaves.
Eve:
Man, she really has been off since the Final Exams. Did something happen, Karma?
Karma:
Not anything in particular. She was her usual self all the way up until the end.
Lilith:
Maybe she didn’t like that you guys were the last ones to finish.
Karma:
I mean, that was more my fault than hers. We lost a fight the first night against Alec from the other class, he left us pretty severely wounded, and we had to claw our way back into the exam. So, I’m not sure what it could be.
Ash:
Hm…
Eve:
And what about you, Blair?
Blair is surprised.
Eve:
Something is wrong. I can tell.
Blair:
I… I… uh…
Eve:
Spill it. Otherwise, I’m going to keep asking.
Blair:
*sighs* It’s my brother.
The four girls are surprised.
Ash:
Wait, you have a brother?
Karma:
How come we didn’t know that?
Eve:
How come
I
didn’t know that? I’ve been to your house plenty of times.
Blair:
He’s been busy with his hero work-study, and he sleeps at the agency for many nights.
Lilith:
So he’s a hero too?
Blair:
Yeah, I don’t like talking about him because he’s pretty accomplished, and it’s a little hard being stuck in his shadow. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good brother, but he doesn’t realize how intimidating it can be to be related to his success.
Eve:
Well… why is he on your mind today?
Blair:
Just… personal stuff.
Eve:
You don’t want to talk about it?
Blair:
Not right now…
Eve leaves Blair be.
Eve:
So what else will be happening at the Showcase Festival? You know, besides the dumb fight Hayze is in.
Karma:
I hear there’s going to be a beauty pageant.
Eve shudders.
Eve:
Ugh… those things are disgusting! I hope nobody from our class enters!
Lilith:
It sounds kind of fun, though! The winner gets to pick which dorm their class lives in next year!
Ash:
Really? Are the dorms going to be that different?
Lilith:
Well, some dormitories will have bigger rooms and more appliances than others. Some of the dorms will have duos, while others will have individual rooms for everyone in the class.
Karma:
There are apparently even dorms with all the fixins, a custom gym, individual rooms, and even a pool in the backyard. The one drawback is the bathrooms are co-ed to save space.
Lilith:
Co-ed! I hope we don’t get one of those!
Ash:
A pool does sound nice-
Eve slams her fists on the table.
Eve:
Alright, we need to win that pageant!
Ash:
Uh… what happened to pageants being disgusting-
Eve:
Things change! We need to put our best foot forward! Any volunteers!
Ash, Lilith, and Karma are startled by Eve’s enthusiasm. Blair isn’t paying attention.
Blair:
(I need to stand up for myself.)
Alexis walks down the street by herself.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Alexis:
(I’ve never felt like this before in my life… I feel… ashamed.)
Alexis takes her phone out and sees three missed calls from Aaron.
Alexis:
(I feel bad for not responding… but I also just… can’t bring myself to face him…)
Alexis reaches an apartment complex and walks into it.
Alexis:
(When I walked through those doors to officially pass the exam, I thought I’d feel good about it. Sure it was a rocky road… but at least we finished on our own terms. But my mood quickly changed when I saw the practical results on the screen…)
Alexis rides the elevator up to a higher floor of the building.
The elevator stops, and Alexis starts walking through the hallway.
Alexis:
(I’ve never let a guy get in my head this much… but… he’s not like any other guy I’ve met before…)
Alexis reaches a door and stops.
Alexis:
(I don’t know how I can go on without resolving these feelings I have… I need to test myself and find out where I stand.)
Alexis knocks on the door. No answer.
Alexis:
I know you’re in there. I’m not leaving until you come out.
No answer.
Alexis:
Look, either you open this door, or I do, I don’t care which.
A few seconds pass, and the door unlocks.
Alexis:
(That’s what I thought.)
The door cracks open. It’s Saige.
Saige:
How did you know I was still here?
Alexis:
You’re an introvert that wears the mask of an extrovert, and you just spent close to a week with other people. I’m perceptive enough to know that you’d lie about something to get a few days to yourself.
Saige:
I guess you are. Want to come inside?
Alexis:
Sure.
Saige:
Sorry, this place is a bit of a mess.
Alexis enters to see garbage, clothes, underwear, and cups scattered everywhere. The sink is full of dirty dishes, and the whole place smells awful.
Alexis:
Is it bad that this is exactly what I expected?
Saige:
No, I’m proud of my mess.
Alexis laughs.
Saige:
So… why did you come here? I’m not saying you aren’t welcome. It’s just we aren’t exactly the closest of friends.
Alexis:
I came here for two things…
Saige:
And those are?
Alexis:
First, advice.
Saige:
Hm? Advice on what?
Alexis:
Feelings… I guess.
Saige smiles.
Saige:
What is it with you girls and coming to me for advice on this stuff? First Blair and now you, should I expect a knock from Eve soon?
Alexis:
It’s just you radiate confidence, and it isn’t a mask like mine.
Saige:
I enjoy your flattery, but you think too highly of me…
Alexis:
Well yeah, you also radiate this “perfect” aura, but judging by your living conditions…
Saige shrugs.
Saige:
How long have you had feelings for Aaron?
Alexis:
Since the forest.
Saige:
Mind filling me in on that? I wasn’t exactly there for that part of the story.
Alexis:
Well, I always liked him for who he is, but when he saved me that night and helped me walk back, he protected me, and I appreciated that. But it wasn’t like he was thinking of me as weak and in need of a protector… no… it was the opposite. He respected me and helped me for that reason. He’s the kind of person where respect is everything, and that’s… that’s what I admire most about him. Aaron has a lot of qualities I like, he’s confident, he’s ambitious, and most of all, he’s reliable. So all of those things compounded into my developing feelings for him.
Saige:
It’s funny hearing you say you like his ambition when you’re one of the least ambitious girls I’ve ever met.
Alexis:
Opposites attract. But it’s my lack of ambition that I think has led me down this weird funk I’m in. For a while, I was just getting stronger for the sake of it. I knew I would have to get a job someday, so I picked the one that’s the most fun and has good pay: being a hero. But now that I have feelings for Aaron, my desire to get stronger is tied to him. Aaron doesn’t want a girl that’s weaker than him. He wants a girl who he can respect. He wants an equal.
Saige stares at Alexis for a moment.
Saige:
Are you saying all of this because you don’t think you fit that description anymore?
Alexis doesn’t respond.
Saige:
Why don’t you?
Alexis:
He was the first person in our class to finish the final exam, and not only that… he defeated the same guy that took my entire team down, Alec, and he beat his teammate Tobias, who gave Justus trouble at one point, as well. That wasn’t the first time he defeated Alec either… and I didn’t think about it until I saw the final results and saw that Aaron’s team finished with my team’s original orb. I felt inferior to Aaron at that moment… and I’m afraid of losing his respect…
Saige looks concerned.
Saige:
Look, I think you’re overblowing this. Aaron isn’t one-dimensional. If he cares about you, he won’t lose respect for you because of a team-based exam. What will lose you his respect is allowing your feelings to cloud your judgment and lower your confidence.
Alexis:
Don’t you get it…
Saige is confused.
Saige:
Get what?
Alexis:
That’s why I’m here. I’m angry at myself for allowing my feelings to consume me… That’s not who I am, and I need to break free.
Saige:
And how do you plan on doing that?
Alexis:
Well, that leads me to my second reason for being here.
Saige:
Huh?
Alexis:
I want to fight you.
Saige is surprised.
Saige:
Uh… come again?
Alexis:
Before you showed up, I was considered the strongest girl in our class, so I think it’s time we find out if that’s still the case.
Saige:
So what… you think beating me will make you feel less inferior to Aaron?
Alexis:
Saige… this isn’t about Aaron.
Saige looks confused.
Saige:
I guess I misunderstood what you were talking about earlier.
Alexis:
This is about me; I’m worried I’ve become fixated on Aaron’s opinion of me. I want to get stronger because I want to, not because I want Aaron to like me. I want to know that the shame I felt for my performance in the final exams was because of my pride as a hero, not Aaron. If I fight you, I can figure that out.
Saige smiles.
Saige:
I get it. You don’t want to be one of those girls who lets a guy be her driving motivation. I can understand that, but why me?
Alexis:
I know you’re good, but I’ve never seen
how
good. I want a challenge, and I think you’re the best one I could ask for.
Saige:
Okay, we can fight, but do you want to make it interesting?
Alexis:
What do you mean by interesting?
Saige:
If I win, I want you to tell Aaron everything you just told me.
Alexis:
*grunts* Why? What do you gain from that?
Saige:
Nothing.
Alexis:
Then why do you want that? I haven’t told him because I’m ashamed I feel this way. I don’t want him to know this.
Alexis’ words catch Saige’s attention.
Saige:
(Shame… huh?) Look, if you win, you don’t have to do it. So you do think you’ll win?
Alexis thinks for a moment.
Alexis:
(I know she’s goading me… but…) Okay, and if I win?
Saige:
Good question… you pick.
Alexis:
Well, since you feel the need to try and make me expose my feelings. How about you do that… with Hayze.
Saige:
So if I lose, you want me to tell Hayze my true thoughts about him, okay, that’s fine.
Alexis notices Saige’s confidence.
Alexis:
(She’s not worried at all… so I’ll make her worried.)
Justus is at his home by himself watching TV when his phone starts to ring.
Justus:
(Hm? Who is calling me?)
Justus picks up his phone and sees that it’s Colossus, surprising him. He hesitates but then answers.
Justus:
Hello, father.
Colossus:
Hello, Justus! I’m just calling to see how your final exams went!
Justus:
You were there. You know I passed.
Colossus:
*grunts* I know! I just… I wanted to hear how they went from you yourself!
Justus:
They went pretty well. I got along well with my team and had a few fights…
Colossus:
Well, how did those fights go! Did you show off some new moves!
Justus:
Well… not well…
Colossus:
I… I thought you said the exams went well?
Justus:
Well, the result, not my individual performance.
Colossus:
Wh- what happened?
Justus:
I finally got to fight Silver… he beat me.
Colossus:
Did you put up a good fight?
Justus:
Of course.
Colossus:
Then that’s all that matters!
Justus:
No… it isn’t…
Colossus:
Yeah… I know… I’m just trying to be positive…
Justus:
It’s okay. I just need to figure out how I will close the gap between Silver and me. I thought I was heading in the right direction, but clearly, I made a wrong turn somewhere… d- do you have any advice?
Colossus has a look of excitement on his face.
Colossus:
Well, you don’t want me to give you the answers, I assume… but I will provide you with a nudge in a good direction. Do you remember your match against Hayze during the Sports Festival?
Justus:
Y- yes?
Colossus:
I’d start by analyzing that.
Justus is a little confused.
Justus:
Alright… then…
Colossus:
Well, I’m sorry your fights didn’t go the way you’d have liked, but I’m happy that you were able to pass a day early!
Justus:
Yeah… me too…
Colossus:
Okay, I’ve got to go now. I’m technically on patrol right now! I just wanted to hear from you.
Justus:
Okay… thanks for calling…
Colossus:
Oh, and just in case I don’t get the chance to say it tomorrow, happy birthday!
Colossus hangs up. Justus is left in shock.
Justus:
(He actually knows my birthday?)
Colossus looks out at the night sky with a concerned look.
Colossus:
(I have to help him… and I think I know what gift I can get him for his birthday to do that…)
The two head out to a nearby forest. Alexis has her entire paper supply ready.
Saige:
This forest is pretty secluded. Your explosions won’t draw any attention.
Alexis:
That’s good.
Alexis and Saige square off.
Saige:
I have to warn you, I wasn’t just given the rank of Top Student at U.A. West for nothing.
Alexis:
That’s not much to brag about. It’s like being crowned queen of the trailer park.
Saige:
Ouch, my pride…
Alexis smiles.
Alexis:
Saige, promise me one thing.
Saige:
Hm?
Alexis:
Don’t hold back.
Saige:
You sure? I thought you wanted this to be a fight.
Alexis:
Ouch, my pride…
A light breeze blows through the forest.
Alexis and Saige:
(Go!)
Alexis launches a barrage of a hundred origami birds at Saige.
Alexis:
Ceremonious Dance: Kamikaze Formation!
Saige creates a pink translucent wall in front of herself, blocking each explosion.
Saige:
(She’s definitely using this as a fake-out.)
Alexis:
Ceremonious Dance: Swan Formation!
Saige immediately looks up and sees a swarm of origami birds start diving down at her.
Saige:
(She’s going all out and not worrying about conserving paper!)
Saige creates a mini jet engine on her arm and blasts herself out of harm’s way. The birds that Alexis launched detonate in a fiery burst.
Saige:
(She knows she needs to be aggressive against me, give me an inch, and I'll take a mile!)
Saige lands on the ground and sees another swarm of birds flying her way.
Saige:
*grunts* (Round 2.)
Saige creates a bubble shield around herself. The birds collide and explode on impact.
Alexis:
(Basic attacks aren’t enough against her, I need to pull out all of the stops.)
Alexis takes out a group of paper bombs and begins running around, placing them against the base of various trees.
Alexis:
(I have to work hard if I want to beat her!)
Saige lowers her bubble shield. Smoke from Alexis’ barrage is still surrounding her.
Saige:
You’re going to have to do a lot better than that.
Alexis emerges from the smoke holding six paper shuriken between her fingers, lunging at Saige.
Alexis:
Take this!
Alexis chucks the shuriken at the ground in front of Saige.
Alexis:
Detonate!
The shurikens explode and launch Saige backward into the air.
Saige:
(Nice move!)
Saige skids against the ground.
Alexis:
Looks like the first hit is mine!
Saige:
That’s fine. All that really matters is who gets the last one!
Saige gets to her feet.
Saige:
Switching from a long-range approach to a short-range one using the smoke was clever.
The breeze from earlier has changed into strong winds.
Saige:
(This could help.)
Alexis puts her hands together.
Saige:
Hm?
Alexis:
Ceremonious Dance: Nightjar Formation!
Suddenly the paper bombs Alexis placed on the trees surrounding Saige start to detonate.
Saige:
What? You’re actually going to wipe out all of these trees?
Alexis:
Who said those bombs were explosive?
The flash bombs go off and blind Saige.
Saige:
Ah! (Think fast!)
Saige creates a bubble shield around herself.
Alexis:
That won’t work this time.
Alexis sends ten origami birds underground.
Alexis:
Ceremonious Dance: Burrowing Owl Formation!
The birds tunnel underneath the shield and explode upon exposure to the air, slightly injuring Saige.
Saige:
Shoot!
The bubble shield lowers.
Saige:
That was a lot of work to get one attack off.
Alexis:
Your quirk is powerful. I need to utilize any opportunity I can get and even go out of my way to make some.
Saige smiles.
Saige:
Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed being in the driver’s seat.
Saige starts to take off her shirt, confusing Alexis.
Saige:
Because now it’s time I take control of this fight.
Alexis:
Why did you need to take off your shirt to say that?
Saige:
You flashed me, so I thought I’d flash you.
Saige giggles.
Alexis:
Fair.
Saige creates a pink translucent sniper.
Saige:
You better watch out!
Saige starts firing at Alexis, who barely avoids the shots.
Alexis:
Woah! I didn’t know I was fighting Aaron!
Saige:
No, I’m not Aaron. I’m ONLY aiming for your tits!
Alexis:
Does that imply that Aaron sometimes aims for the tits?
Saige:
It would be a wasted opportunity if he wasn’t.
Saige continues firing at Alexis.
Alexis:
(I’ve gotta break sight with her.)
Alexis grabs three paper shuriken from her pocket and throws them against the ground, detonating them and creating a smokescreen to escape with. Saige smiles at this.
Saige:
(Welcome to my web, said the spider to the fly…)
Alexis hides behind a tree away from Saige and catches her breath.
Alexis:
(Man… she is one crazy bitch, but I still think I can beat her.)
Alexis flashes back her Burrowing Owl attack.
Alexis:
(That attack was a test… it seems as though she’s only able to create one item at a time, or at the very least, she can’t produce a second item as fast as the first one. I’ve found her weakness, and now I can take her down with my ultimate move!)
Using the remaining portion of her paper cloak and even her paper shirt, Alexis begins sending origami birds one by one into the sky.
Alexis:
(She won’t know what hit her.)
Saige scopes in her sniper.
Saige:
(So Alexis is hidden behind one of these trees… All I need to do is pick the right one, and I win.)
Saige creates a dart in her hand.
Saige:
(This dart will put her right to sleep and win me the fight.)
Saige loads the dart into the sniper.
Saige:
(Now which tree to fire at…)
In the sky, a swarm of Origami birds has collected.
Alexis:
(Now… it’s time!)
The birds begin rubbing together vigorously, creating smoke and then igniting with fire. The burning origami birds then flock together, forming a fiery bird in the sky.
Alexis:
(Ceremonious Dance!)
The firebird descends down upon Saige.
Alexis:
Phoenix Formation!
Saige looks up and sees Alexis’ attack.
Saige:
Oh, that’s a cute attack. Too bad it won’t have a chance to connect.
Saige takes aim at a tree.
Alexis:
(With her unable to create a second item in quick time, she has no way of stopping my attack, and she has no clue where I am, so she can’t stop-)
A gunshot goes off. Saige’s dart stabs into Alexis’ neck.
Alexis:
(Me…)
Alexis gets drowsy and slides down the tree to a sitting position.
Alexis:
(H- how did she know I was here?)
The Phoenix burns out.
Alexis:
*groans*
Alexis’ body goes limp, and she falls to her side.
Saige:
You tried your best, but I’m better, unfortunately.
Alexis falls asleep.
Alexis wakes up to see Saige wearing her panties as a bandana.
Alexis:
*groans* Are those mine?
Saige:
…Yes.
Alexis:
Are you going to give them back?
Saige:
…No.
Alexis gets up.
Alexis:
How did you do it? How did you know where I was?
Saige points in the air. Alexis looks up and sees Saige’s shirt has been tied into a parachute carrying a pink translucent camera.
Saige:
The winds were an excellent help after I realized I’d be able to create my own personal surveillance drone using them. I decided to start playing games with you.
Alexis:
Like how?
Saige:
Like purposely allowing your underground attack to work. If you landed a genuine attack, I knew you’d start over-analyzing it and believe you’d found my weakness.
Alexis:
Well, I thought you couldn’t create multiple items considering you already had a shield up.
Saige:
Fair assessment, but you were going off of forged information. After taking my shirt off, I realized all I needed to do was lure you into hiding. Once you were out of sight, I created my drone and watched for your location using a tablet I forged with my quirk. Luckily for me, you made it easy by creating a giant bird in the sky. I saw each individual bird emerge from the same tree and knew exactly where you were. The rest you know all too well.
Alexis smiles.
Alexis:
Even when I thought I had you on the ropes, you were carefully crafting a winning formula.
Saige:
Well, your aggressive attacks at the beginning did catch me off guard. I’d say you were a decent challenge.
Alexis:
Decent, huh?
Saige:
I’m kidding. I hope this fight got for you what you hoped it would.
Alexis looks up at the night sky.
Alexis:
I think it did…
Someone rings Hayze’s doorbell.
Hayze:
Coming!
Hayze opens the door to see Adrian.
Adrian:
Long time no see.
Hayze:
You said “a couple days,” not close to a week…
Adrian:
*sighs* Getting your “present” was a really arduous task. Can I come in?
Hayze:
Sure.
Adrian walks into the house.
Adrian:
Look, I’m sorry that there’s only a week until the Showcase, but getting this was really important. We’ll just have to make your training quick.
Hayze:
I get why it’s essential. I just don’t get why it took you so long to get it.
Adrian:
Let’s sit down.
Adrian and Hayze both sit down at the table. Adrian takes out a box and gives it to Hayze.
Adrian:
This will help you control your quirk and keep Khaos locked up.
Hayze opens the box and takes out a pendant with a small blue gem.
Hayze:
You got me jewelry?
Adrian:
That’s not just jewelry!
Hayze:
Then what is it?
Adrian:
It’s a fragment of a ring.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
Hayze:
Wh- what!
Adrian:
That’s why it took so long to get. I had to track down the guardian and convince him to give me a piece of the ring. The fragment contains some of its power.
Hayze:
You can do that?
Adrian:
Of course you can! Why do you think nobody has ever gone out of their way to destroy these damn things!
Hayze:
Okay, that’s fair… so what ring is this from?
Adrian:
The Sigma Ring, more commonly known as the Soul Ring. It allows the wearer to trap the souls of their victims inside the gem and use them as their soul servants calling upon them in battle.
Hayze examines the pendant.
Hayze:
So… I can do all that with this?
Adrian:
No! That’d be stupid! Ring fragments only have a fragment of the ring's power they originate from. That piece will only allow you to maintain the souls in your body.
Hayze:
Maintain?
Adrian:
You won’t be able to make them do whatever you want, but you will be able to keep them trapped in your head and not take over at a moment's notice.
Hayze:
And that’s all it does?
Adrian:
Don’t sound so disappointed… you also can call upon them to fight alongside you, but it’s not nearly as powerful as it sounds. Since you don’t control them, they can go wild, so you’d need to trust them 100%, and they’d only have 50% of your current power.
Hayze:
Did the guardian not want to give you this?
Adrian:
No, I had to show him all of your fights from the Sports Festival, give my own personal recommendation, give him a written letter from Ewing asking for his help and beg. So you better appreciate this.
Hayze:
I do… Thank you.
Adrian:
Well, try it on.
Hayze puts the pendant on. Immediately his mind feels clear.
Hayze:
Woah…
Adrian:
Good stuff, huh?
Hayze:
That’s… amazing…
Adrian:
Good, now we have no time to waste. I can explain more about the ring on the training grounds.
Adrian gets up and starts walking to the door.
Hayze:
Right now?
Adrian:
Hey! You were the one complaining about not having enough time! Chop chop!
Hayze gets up and follows Adrian.
Hayze:
(A fragment of the Sigma Ring… I can’t believe he had to go to such lengths to contain Khaos… I have to do something, I have to become stronger than Khaos! I owe it to Adrian and principal Ewing!)
Justus hears a ring on his doorbell. He heads downstairs and opens the front door. He looks down and sees a gift addressed to him. He reads the note.
Colossus:
*note* Justus, I usually am not allowed to send you gifts, but because you turned 18, I decided I would break your mother’s rules. It’s your life and your decision about whether you want to include me in it. I know this gift is a little late and unorthodox, but I hope it gives you strength. Happy Birthday, son.
Justus examines the box.
Justus:
(Better late than never, I guess…)
Justus heads inside and opens the box.
Justus:
(A little unorthodox, he says…)
Justus holds up his gift from Colossus.
Justus:
(He got me jewelry?)
The gift is a pendant with a small red gem.
