A small group of police officers are standing idle at the gates of U.A. alongside the security equipment they’ve been using to scan entrants to the Showcase Festival.
Officer 1:
Thank god this is the last day of this damn festival.
Officer 2:
I know, doing all of these security checks has been driving me nuts. “No, ma’am, you’re not allowed to bring pepper spray into the festival.”
Officer 1:
“Sir, we have to check your bag before you can enter.”
Officer 3:
Yeah, well, it’s for the safety of everyone within this school. Given the recent track record of U.A., There are more than enough reasons to suspect that someone would try to enter with malicious intent. If I’m honest, I disagreed with having this festival at first, but it’s been a lovely weekend for people.
Officer 1:
True, it’s making everyone forget all of the crap that’s happened here over the last year.
Officer 2:
Then I guess it’s accomplishing everything they wanted it to.
Officer 4:
Quiet down. Someone is coming.
The officers see a girl with a hood over her head and her arm in a sling approaching them.
Officer 3:
Hello, Miss. Welcome to the Showcase Festival.
Ivy:
Uh… Hello, officers.
Officer 3 notices that her hand is trembling.
Officer 3:
Sorry if these security measures are a little intimidating. You don’t have a bag by the looks of it, so we’ll try to get you through quickly.
Ivy:
Okay.
Officer 3:
First, how old are you?
Ivy:
18.
Officer 3:
Alright, then I will need to see some I.D.
Ivy reaches into her pocket and pulls out a fake driver’s license.
Officer 3:
(Violet Fletcher…) Please take off your hood, ma’am.
Ivy hesitates.
Officer 3:
(She’s clearly anxious, she must not like seeing this many police officers all at once, but why?) Look, ma’am, I have to confirm that you are the same person in this photo. You can put your hood back up once I see your face.
Ivy reluctantly complies. The officer looks at her for a moment, then nods his head. Ivy puts her hood back on.
Ivy:
Can I go in now?
The officer hands back her fake I.D.
Officer 3:
You have to go through the metal detector first, but you’re okay to enter after that.
Ivy:
That’s fine.
Ivy starts walking towards the metal detector.
Officer 3:
If you don’t mind me asking, why are you arriving for the festival now? Most of the booths are closed, and many people have gathered for the big match going on today. So there’s not a lot going on outside the stadium.
Ivy:
There’s someone I need to talk to.
Officer 3:
Like who? Again, if you don’t mind me asking.
Ivy stops.
Ivy:
Someone.
Back inside the stadium.
Hayze:
Boost!
Hayze uses Ignition Boost to blast himself into the air. Aster flies after him.
Aster:
You made a mistake choosing your fire quirk to fight me!
Verity and Blair watch from the ground.
Verity:
He’s about to ignite your left arm.
Hayze uses boost to launch himself downward, avoiding Aster’s attack.
Aster:
(Damn, that telepathic girl is still an issue, I have to deal with her before I can make any progress with Hayze.)
Hayze lands on the ground safely as Aster hovers away from him. Hayze creates a fireball in his hand.
Hayze:
(Aster’s flames are seemingly created instantaneously with no discernible reasoning for how they’re cast. However, Blair knows the secret behind the speed of his attacks. Unlike my fire which starts from the palms of my hands, his are made from his eyes. He can create a flame anywhere he’s looking, so they appear to come from nowhere. However, Verity’s quirk works similarly. She can read the mind of anyone she can make eye contact with, but Aster figured that out a while ago. That doesn’t mean he’s out of the woods, though. To break free of Verity’s mind-reading abilities, he needs to close his eyes which means he can’t create any new flames; he’s limited to physical attacks. This gives me the edge regardless of whether his eyes are closed. He may have some severe injuries, but I still need Verity if I want any chance of beating him.)
The other members of Class 2-A are watching the battle closely.
Jace:
This is intense.
Angel:
It’s just three on one now.
Karma:
With all of Aster’s injuries, I have to imagine that will be enough.
Alexis:
Not likely. You don’t just become the Top Student of the best hero education institute in the country on a whim.
Lilith:
You think so, Alexis? He can’t be that far off from Hayze in terms of strength now.
Zach:
Yeah, just look at Alec after Kevin’s barrage! There’s no way he’s taking out Hayze, Blair, and Verity like that!
Alexis:
Have you ever considered why he can still fight and Alec can’t?
Zach:
Uh…
Alexis:
(I don’t think Aster’s used every trick up his sleeve just yet.)
Saige laughs.
Saige:
You both got tense during Hayze’s speech a few minutes ago. You wouldn’t happen to relate to Aster, now would you?
Silver:
How does Hayze deal with you for more than 10 seconds?
Saige:
Because he loves my company!
Justus:
I have a hard time believing that.
Saige:
What? You guys are enjoying my company right now!
Silver and Justus both groan.
Silver:
(On paper, Hayze should be stronger than Aster now. However, Aster has his head in the game more now than he has the entire match. Hayze didn’t have to help Aster, but he did because… well… that’s just who he is. After all, he did the same thing for me. Hayze wants to save people even if it makes his personal path tougher, and I respect that.)
Justus:
(What Hayze said about losing the Sports Festival and how it wouldn’t have been good for him to win… I understand what he means. Although I won, I felt the taste of defeat when I fought Tobias, which facilitated change in my ideals.)
Justus looks at Silver through the corner of his eye.
Justus:
(Maybe losing to you… was a good thing.)
Aster closes his eyes.
Hayze:
(Here he comes!)
Aster bursts past Hayze towards Blair and Verity.
Hayze:
(Thought so.)
Hayze boosts after Aster.
Blair:
Here he comes!
Blair begins creating a lava circle around herself and Verity.
Verity:
(Why come after us? Nothing has changed since our last engagement. He must have something else in mind.)
Blair finishes the circle.
Blair:
Volcanic Defense: A.D.S.!
The fire ring hovers into the air and splits into a hundred lava bubbles that surround the girls entirely.
Aster:
(Thought so.)
Aster’s flame armor ignites further into a wild inferno that coats his entire body.
Blair:
(What’s he doing? I know Aster’s moves like the back of my hand, but I’ve never seen him use this Phoenix Mode thing before, I’m completely in the dark on what he’ll do next.)
Verity:
No visual on his eyes. What he does next is only known to him.
Blair:
That’s not good!
Aster tunnels into the ground; his flames burn so hotly that the ground disintegrates as he makes contact.
Blair:
He’s going under!
Verity:
Then simply melt the ground.
Blair:
I can’t with you standing here!
Blair lowers her defenses.
Blair:
Move!
Aster bursts out of the ground, sending Verity and Blair flying in different directions.
Aster:
I’ve got you now!
Everyone in the stands watches in shock.
Zach:
Oh man! He got through!
Gus:
They’re done for now!
Lilith:
Don’t worry, Hayze is coming!
Hayze:
Boost!
Hayze careens towards Aster.
Karma:
Verity is on one side.
Angel:
And Blair is on the other.
Alexis:
He can save one, but not the other.
Zach:
He’s gotta pick Verity. He won’t be able to predict his attacks without her!
Saige smiles.
Saige:
(I guess they haven’t been paying enough attention.)
Aster’s flame armor reverts to normal as he lunges for Verity.
Hayze:
Not so fast!
Hayze creates two fireballs in the shape of amaryllises.
Hayze:
Infinite Assault: Burning Amaryllis!
Hayze begins blasting a barrage of amaryllis fireballs at Aster.
Aster:
(His small flames couldn’t stand to penetrate my armor!)
The fireballs impact Aster and push him backward with each direct hit.
Aster:
(What!)
Hayze continues his barrage blasting Aster further and further back.
Hayze:
(Thanks, Vargas!)
Hayze ceases fire and blasts himself towards Verity and Blair. He grabs each of them and launches himself backward and away from Aster.
Blair:
What was that? I’ve never seen you use that move before.
Hayze:
A recent addition to my arsenal.
Aster rebuffs Hayze’s remaining fireballs.
Aster:
What the hell was that? Those flames felt like bricks.
Hayze creates an amaryllis fireball in his hand.
Hayze:
They may be shaped like flowers, but they have plenty of thorns. It isn’t just decorative.
Aster:
What do you mean?
Hayze:
You ever wonder why you should throw a football in a spiral? It increases its aerodynamics, which leads to a greater velocity, meaning the ball reaches its target much faster.
Aster:
Yeah, I learned that in my first year, just like you did. What does that have to do with the floral shape of your flames?
Hayze:
Easy, amaryllis have similar properties to a fireball, but it’s much easier to spiral. Since you remember what you learned about physics during your first year, do you mind explaining to the audience the effect of speed on force?
Aster’s eyes widen.
Aster:
The force of impact increases with the increase in speed. So, if you double the speed of a fireball, you increase its power of impact four times.
Walker is impressed.
Walker:
It’s almost like we teach them regular classes so that they can apply their learnings to their quirks.
Adrian:
Yeah… that goes over a lot of their heads…
Walker:
Although, I am surprised Hayze would know to use something like that on his own. If I recall correctly, physics wasn’t his strong suit.
Adrian:
Ha… yeah… (Vargas is a master of physics… It's no wonder that his personal fighting style would take advantage of formulas for force and velocity. Before beginning their training, he had to hammer those concepts into Hayze’s brain.)
Blair and Verity get to their feet.
Blair:
You used that attack knowing it wouldn’t damage him. You only wanted to push him back and stun him.
Hayze:
Yup, it worked like a charm.
Blair:
You shouldn’t have done that. You had a free shot and wasted it on saving Verity and me. If he can break through my defenses, neither of us are helpful to you.
Hayze:
Blair, I know he’s your brother, but don’t let that cloud your judgment.
Blair is taken aback.
Hayze:
No matter what, any fight is easier fought when you have teammates, so I wasn’t going to just throw you guys out for one easy shot. Got that?
Blair:
Right… sorry.
Verity:
She brings up a good point, though. I am an intel gatherer, not a fighter. What could you possibly need me for now that our shield is broken?
Hayze:
Look, I’ve got a plan, and I need both of you.
Blair and Verity are both surprised.
Verity:
I thought you said the script was finished?
Hayze:
Well, I was telling a half-truth. I hoped the damage Kevin caused would have been enough to weaken him to the point where we could handle him ourselves, but his Phoenix mode is too powerful. However, we have one more ace up our sleeves, and if that doesn’t knock him down to a point where we can finish him, then it’s pretty much game over.
Blair:
Okay.
Verity:
That’s a little dramatic, but I’ll take your word.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Aster catches his breath.
Aster:
(If the pain from my injuries wasn’t so intense, his spiral attack wouldn’t have knocked me around as much as it did.)
Inside the stadium, Ivy is walking through the halls.
Ivy:
(I’ll complete my mission, then I’ll search for him. I’ll need to tell Zaire a story as to why I’m not returning immediately, but I can-)
The stadium shakes as the crowd roars.
Ivy:
(They’ve been doing that a lot, I wonder what this big match is all about?)
Ivy walks out to the stands and sees the fight.
Aster:
Burning Abyss!
Aster creates a wall of fire that burns directly toward Hayze, Verity, and Blair. They each jump to their side to avoid the flames as they bisect the arena. Hayze and Blair are on one side, and Verity is on the other.
Verity:
That’s not good…
The fire burns as high as the arena’s wall.
Aster:
Now, Hayze and Blair, sit tight while I-
Hayze:
Boost!
Hayze blasts himself towards Aster.
Aster:
(Huh? Why is he doing that? He can’t predict my next attack! I’ll just put him in the ground!)
Aster flies towards Hayze.
Aster:
I may be injured, but you still can’t handle me one-on-one!
Hayze creates six heat grenades, one between each of his fingers.
Hayze:
We’ll see about that!
Hayze chucks the grenades at Aster, and they explode in his face.
Hayze:
(How’d that do?)
Aster emerges from the explosion’s smoke unharmed and flying at full speed.
Hayze:
(Not well…)
Aster grabs Hayze by the face and flies to the ground slamming him straight into the dirt and pinning him against it.
Hayze:
*pained grunts*
Aster:
I appreciate your help in seeing the error of my ways, but you really shouldn’t have done that. Even with one arm and leg, I’m still stronger than you!
Hayze:
Yeah… I’m aware.
Aster:
Huh? Then why did you-
Aster notices a grenade pin of fire has appeared out of Hayze’s inner bicep.
Aster:
(What the-)
Hayze’s palm is glowing red like magma and pointing right at Aster.
Hayze:
Infinite Assault: Blast Burn!
Adrian’s eyes widen.
Adrian:
(He learned how to use that move in so little time?)
Hayze pulls the pin, and an explosion goes off instead of the attack.
Hayze and Aster:
AHHHHH!
Aster and Hayze are sent flying back in opposite directions.
Adrian:
(… Well… it was a good first try…)
Ivy is still watching.
Ivy:
(He’s in the fight? Dammit… Well, that makes things much more complicated.)
Hayze blasts himself onto the same side of the fire wall as Verity.
Ivy:
(He seems stronger than the last time we met…)
Ivy walks back into the inner part of the stadium; however, Saige notices this.
Saige:
(Who’s that?)
Hayze lands next to Verity.
Hayze:
I need you to call out his moves. I’ll play defense.
Verity:
This is a change of pace from watching you run and hide while using basic attacks a third-grader could develop.
Hayze:
I’m gonna take that as a compliment.
Verity:
What else could it have been?
Hayze stares at Verity.
Hayze:
At least you mean well.
Aster flies into the air.
Verity:
He’s planning to use his fire summoning at an extreme rate in hopes that we’ll be struck by at least one of the attacks.
Hayze:
Why would he do that now? That sounds like something he would have tried earlier.
Verity:
He’s worried about his time limit.
Hayze looks at Verity with a dumbfounded look on his face.
Hayze:
*takes a deep breath* Just tell me how long he’s got.
Verity:
By his count, around six minutes.
Hayze:
Six? Okay, I can work with that.
Aster bursts towards Verity and Hayze.
Aster:
Take this!
Hayze grabs Verity as flames begin to appear all around them. Hayze bobs and weaves sporadically to keep Aster guessing where to strike next.
Verity:
He’s fixated on us.
Hayze:
Good.
Hayze starts running away.
Aster:
Get back here!
Aster flies after them.
Hayze:
(That’s right, keep following, keep following.)
Hayze continues running until Aster flies right above the hole he made earlier.
Hayze:
Now, Blair!
Blair is sitting at the exit hole on the other side of the fire wall.
Blair:
Take this! Volcanic Eruption!
Blair blasts an excessive amount of magma through the hole that bursts out the other side straight towards Aster.
Aster:
(Blair?)
The eruption hits Aster and sends him flying into the air as the lava continues rising and rising. From afar, the stadium looks like an erupting volcano.
Verity:
How did you know he’d fall for that?
Hayze:
As I said, we had one ace left. Aster loves Blair and respects her. He’s more than aware of her strength. That’s evident by how he came into this match and didn’t even acknowledge his sister was here.
“
Aster:
She’s my sister, man. I know what’s best for her. ”
— Chapter 90
Hayze:
He fought like she was just any other opponent, but as the old saying goes, blood is thicker than water. He was the twin chosen to go ahead; he’s protecting her and, as such, will always underestimate her. He was so fixated on us because he wasn’t afraid of Blair… And that was a big mistake.
Blair streams more and more lava continuing to blast Aster further into the sky.
“
Aster:
U.A. isn't just for becoming a hero, Blair. I'm not the same person I was on my first day. And I'm not saying you are, but you're holding on to things you shouldn't be, and it's time you let go. Particularly your lack of self-esteem. ”
— Chapter 88
Blair starts tearing up.
Blair:
(I love you, Aster.)
Blair stands up and ups the intensity of her lava output.
Blair:
We may be twins, but you’ve always acted like you’re the older brother, and it’s time for me to show you that we’re equals! Volcanic End!
The beam of lava being shot into the air increases girth and intensity as Aster is blasted straight into the stratosphere.
Blair:
I’ve let go now, Aster!
The beam of lava bursts, and it begins to rain lava into the stadium. At first, everyone panics, but the drops of lava feel like nothing more than warm water.
Blair:
(When I was little, I couldn’t control the temperature of a single drop of lava, and now… I can hold a million.)
Hayze puts Verity down and blasts himself over Aster’s firewall. Blair keels over from exhaustion.
Hayze:
Blair!
Hayze catches Blair in his arms.
Blair:
I’m sorry… I used up all my energy on one attack…
Hayze:
Don’t apologize. That looked important to you.
Blair:
I didn’t know it would… I don’t… I don’t harbor any ill-will towards him. It’s just… my whole life, I’ve felt inadequate, and I think it started when I found out he would begin school before me. Of course, that wasn’t his choice, but… I…
Hayze:
You don’t have to explain why you feel the way you do, I’m sure once the dust settles and this battle is over, win or lose, Aster will be proud of you.
Blair starts to cry.
Hayze:
Goddammit, what did I do wrong this time?
Blair:
These are tears of joy, Hayze. Crying isn’t always for sorrow.
“
A tear falls from Hayze’s eye.
Hayze:
(Thank you, Calm.). “
— Chapter 74
Hayze:
Yeah… I guess it isn’t.
Blair:
I feel like I’m equal to my peers, which just feels so good.
Hayze smiles.
Hayze:
I know that exact feeling.
Hayze places Blair against the ground gently.
Madame Mummy:
Blair Maddox cannot continue. Team Hayze is down to just two members.
Hayze looks up at the sky.
Hayze:
(I guess we should worry about him.)
Inside the security room, there are two guards, and there are tons of TVs hooked up to a plethora of cameras around U.A. There is a knock on the door.
Guard 1:
Huh? What was that?
Guard 2:
Our shift isn’t over for another two hours.
Guard 1:
It must be someone trying to play a joke.
Guard 2:
I’ll go see who it is.
The second guard walks up to the door and opens it.
Guard 2:
Haha, very funny-
Suddenly the guard is sent smashing into the TVs, breaking his neck and killing him instantly.
Guard 1:
AH! WHAT THE HELL!
The Guard reaches for the panic button, but his hand stops, and he can’t move it.
Guard 1:
Wh- what!
The Guard turns around to see Ivy with watery eyes.
Ivy:
I’m sorry.
Ivy pulls him back and slams his head into the wall, cracking his skull and killing him.
Ivy:
*takes a deep breath* It’s over now…
Ivy wipes the tears from her face and walks over to the security camera setup.
Ivy:
Zaire…
Ivy holds her Mark of Iota. It glows. Immediately after that, a warp gate opens. Zaire and Marsh walk out.
Marsh:
I see you actually did your job.
Zaire hands Ivy her mask. She promptly puts it on.
Ivy:
Of course I did. I never fail Master.
Marsh:
Why did you put your mask on? You look cute without it.
Ivy gets angry.
Ivy:
Don’t patronize me!
Marsh laughs.
Zaire:
Marsh… How about you go do your job.
Marsh:
*sighs* Fine.
Marsh walks up to the computer and begins typing.
Marsh:
Disabling security cameras and all archived camera footage…
Marsh presses a final button.
Marsh:
Is deleted.
Marsh starts to leave.
Marsh:
Alright, I’ll go get this invasion started.
Zaire:
Don’t forget to give the signal.
Marsh:
I won’t.
Marsh leaves.
Zaire:
Are you ready to return?
Ivy:
No… I have a business to take care of.
Zaire:
What business?
Ivy:
Four security guards saw my face. They must be eliminated.
Zaire stares at Ivy.
Zaire:
I saw your face. You were crying.
Ivy doesn’t respond.
Zaire:
It’s okay that you don’t like killing, but you shouldn’t put yourself in situations where you have to. If you knew multiple people would see your face, why did you suggest this plan?
Ivy:
Master has a dream, and I share that dream, so I will do anything to help him achieve it. He is my Master, and I am his loyal soldier. So if I have to kill to satisfy him, then so be it.
Zaire:
Then why do you want to go out of your way to kill those security guards? That doesn’t sound like it’s for Master’s satisfaction.
Ivy:
Because… fine! It’s for me! I didn’t like that they saw my face!
Zaire stares at Ivy with a stern expression.
Zaire:
I know why you actually want to stay. I know you’re here to see “him.”
Ivy:
No, I’m not.
Zaire:
Ivy, I understand why you want to. Master spoke to you in a way he never has, and you want to see if the bridge burnt is still crossable.
Ivy:
No! That’s not it! I would never betray Master!
Zaire:
I know that because you’re still calling him Master. Ivy, I’m not here to stop you. I’m here to tell you that Master loves you, and even if he doesn’t say it, I will speak for him.
Ivy stares at Zaire.
Zaire:
That’s interesting.
Ivy:
What is?
Zaire:
Normally, an affirmation like that would have sent you through the roof with happiness, but instead, you stare at me with wonder, unsure if I’m telling you the truth.
Ivy:
If Master loves me… why has he never stopped anyone else in the movement from bullying me? Why hasn’t he ever stood up for me? He’s never done it, not once. He lets them call me trash and a monster. He lets them say horrible things about me behind my back. I want to be loved… but I’m not sure he does.
Zaire:
So, you think the almost stranger you attempted to murder does?
Ivy:
No… I don’t, but I need to ask him a question. I need to find out the truth.
Zaire:
What happens if that truth isn’t in favor of Master?
Ivy:
Nothing, I swore my allegiance to Master, and I will never betray him.
Zaire thinks for a moment.
Zaire:
Then that’s fine.
Zaire closes his warp gate and opens a new one. He reaches in and pulls out Ivy’s sheathed sword. He hands it to her.
Zaire:
I’m a loyal soldier of Master, but I will not impede another member of the movement’s attempts to find happiness as long as it is not at his expense. Good luck, Ivy.
Ivy:
Thank you, Zaire.
Aster is catching his breath, flying in the stratosphere.
Aster:
(Only two minutes left, if I power down, it’s over.)
Aster adjusts himself, so he’s pointing headfirst at the ground.
Aster:
If I’m going down! I’m going down in flames!
Aster begins rocketing towards the ground, with flames bursting so large he looks like a meteor crashing down to earth.
Aster:
This ends here!
Hayze spots Aster as he zooms towards the stadium.
Hayze:
Verity!
Verity:
This is his final attack. He’s putting every last ounce of energy he has into this.
Hayze:
Okay, then it’s time.
Fire begins to spiral down Hayze’s upper arms and forearms.
Hayze:
It’s time to debut my final new move.
Hayze puts his hands together as the fire channels form into an amaryllis. More and more flames stack onto the fireball, making it bigger and bigger until it reaches the size of a large boulder. Every single person in the audience gets to their feet.
Karma:
Aster’s flames are stronger than his. No matter how powerful Hayze’s attack is, his flames will do nothing to Aster!
Jace:
He doesn’t stand a chance!
Hayze looks at Aster’s fire wall.
Hayze:
You may have been wondering up to this point why I would use my fire instead of water or even wind. It’s simple. There’s something I can do that he can’t!
Hayze begins coating his fireball with Aster’s own flames. The audience gasps.
Hayze:
Pyrokinesis!
Aster storms towards the ground.
Aster:
Using my own flames against me, eh? Well, I’ll show you my power! I’m still coming out on top!
Hayze:
We’ll see about that!
Aster’s speed picks up.
Aster:
Phoenician Impact!
Hayze launches his fireball.
Hayze:
Infinite Assault: Final Amaryllis!
As Hayze’s attack careens towards Aster, the petals fall off and transform into smaller fireballs.
Aster:
(A cluster shot! No matter, I’ll just brave through it!)
Aster picks up speed, heading headfirst for the amaryllis.
Hayze:
(This is it!)
Aster:
(One final strike!)
Aster and Hayze:
This is how we will end it!
Marsh takes aim from the top of the stadium, pointing his sights at Hayze’s neck. His mask is lifted, and his pupil is red.
Marsh:
(If I didn’t have a job to do, I’d love to see this finish.)
Final Amaryllis and Phoenician Impact crash into each other, creating a massive explosion that pops in the ears of the whole crowd. Aster’s velocity is heavily slowed down by Hayze’s attack, but he still can continue his trajectory slamming into Hayze and punching him directly in the stomach.
Aster:
Take that!
Smoke coats the entire arena, covering the battlefield and making it impossible to see the result of the attacks.
Zach:
This is so intense!
Jace:
Who won!
Angel:
We have to wait for the smoke to clear!
The whole stadium is in silence, waiting for the result of the match.
Verity:
*coughing* I can’t see anything.
Madame Mummy:
(I have no idea who’s down and who isn’t. All I saw was Aster make contact with Hayze.)
One side of the smoke clears. Aster’s Phoenix mode has ended. He’s lying against the ground, breathing heavily and in severe pain; however, he is still conscious.
Walker:
There’s Aster.
Adrian:
Now, where is Hayz-
Adrian’s eyes widen as fear engulfs his entire body. He stands up from his seat.
Adrian:
No…
A ring of shadows has appeared around Hayze, circling him.
Adrian:
NOOOOOOOO!
The barrel of Marsh’s sniper is smoking.
Marsh:
(Mission accomplished.)
Marsh places his hand against his Mark of Iota located on his neck. It glows. Zaire’s warp gate opens beneath him. He falls through it and closes.
Walker:
Adrian? What’s wrong?
Madame Mummy looks at Hayze.
Madame Mummy:
(I don’t know how, but he’s standing.)
Hayze begins laughing menacingly.
Aster:
What’s… so funny…
Verity’s eyes widen.
Verity:
(What’s going on…)
Adrian is hyperventilating. Walker stands up and tries to calm him down.
Walker:
Adrian, talk to me. What’s-
Adrian touches Walker’s chest and leaps from the teacher’s seats. As he’s falling, he opens a portal to intercept his path and enters it.
Walker:
Adrian!
A portal opens in the arena.
Madame Mummy:
Huh?
Adrian bursts out screaming at the top of his lungs.
Adrian:
I won’t let this happen again!
The ring of shadows turns on Adrian, restraining him.
Adrian:
*choking*
Madame Mummy:
What?
Everyone in the stadium looks confused.
Lilith:
What’s going on!
Jace:
Why did Adrian enter the arena?
Angel:
Yeah, and why is that dark energy thing attacking him?
Alexis:
I think the better question here is what is happening with Hayze!
Hayze laughs menacingly again. Everyone in the stadium turns their attention to him.
Khaos:
I’m baaaaaack.
The whites of Hayze’s eyes have changed to black, and his irises are now white.
Khaos:
And this time… no one escapes.
