Lilith flies with Wes, Verity, and Alden towards class 2-A’s rendezvous point.
Lilith:
How are you guys doing?
Wes:
I’m good, but…
Wes looks at Verity, who is still catatonic, and Alden, who is barely holding on to Wes’ ankle.
Wes:
I can’t say the same for these two.
Lilith looks concerned.
Lilith:
It’s okay. Angel and I took everyone else to a spot in the forest just outside the walls of U.A. we’ll meet up with them, and then we’ll head to the evacuation shelters together.
Wes:
That sounds good.
Lilith sees Angel flying with Justus and Silver far off in the distance.
Lilith:
(We’re almost ther-)
Suddenly a clone comes leaping towards them, screeching at the top of its lungs.
Lilith:
Oh crap!
Wes:
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING!
Lilith dips down to avoid the clone, but it quickly leaps back into the air after landing.
Lilith:
He must be the thing that’s been attacking the city!
Wes:
Probably not! There’s no way he would be all by himself with no heroes after him! He’s probably one of many people attacking!
Lilith:
Okay, but can you do something about him!
Wes:
Nobody here is a ranged fighter, and he's a physical attacker, by the looks of it. My quirk is useless against him!
Lilith:
Well, can you shoot him!
Wes:
I couldn’t bring my gun through security! It’s back home!
Lilith ascends further into the air as the clone barely misses grabbing Alden’s leg.
Lilith:
We gotta do something!
Wes:
Just keep flying!
Suddenly a second clone clotheslines Lilith.
Clone 2:
DIE!
Lilith:
AHHHHHH!
Wes, Verity, Alden, and Lilith start falling to the ground, where the other clone is patiently waiting to kill them.
Clone 1:
DIE!
Wes:
OH SHIT! OH FUCK!
Wes looks up at the clone above them.
Wes:
Lilith! Watch out!
The clone starts ripping on Lilith’s wing.
Lilith:
AHHHHHH!
Clone 2:
DIE!
Wes’ eyes widen with pure fear.
Wes:
(Holy fuck… we’re gonna die…)
Out of nowhere, Jake teleports on the back of the second clone.
Wes:
Jake?
Jake pokes the clone in the eyes, causing it to loosen its grip on Lilith’s wing and try to grab Jake off his back.
Jake:
You remind me of Alden. You’re bad at everything.
Clone 2:
DIE!
Jake jumps off the clone and grabs Lilith’s hand. He then teleports the five of them away.
Clone 2:
WHAT!
The clone slams face-first into the ground.
Clone 1:
WHERE GO?
Clone 2:
GONE!
The two clones both screech before leaving to find new prey.
Clone 1 and 2:
MUST KILL!
Alexis, Demetri, Eve, Gus, Isaiah, Jace, Karma, and Zach are all standing in the forest outside the perimeter of U.A.
Eve:
They sure are taking their sweet time.
Karma:
Be patient, Eve. They’re bringing Silver and Justus, and I’m sure they were reluctant to leave.
Eve:
Yeah, you’re right. They’re real men.
Demetri, Gus, Isaiah, Jace, and Zach:
HEY!
Angel arrives with Silver and Justus.
Eve:
Where’s Lilith?
Angel:
Right behind me.
20 seconds pass.
Jace:
Was right behind you an exaggeration or?
Angel:
No… she wasn’t that far behind… I… I don’t know where they are…
Eve:
WHAT!
Alexis:
Well, she’s only carrying Wes. They should be faster than us, so we might as well start heading to the shelters.
Eve:
What?
Zach:
Yeah, Alexis is right. It’s not safe for us out here if multiple Top Ten members were needed.
Eve:
We can’t just leave Lilith!
Gus:
What about Wes?
Eve:
Lilith is fragile! She’ll be scared on her own!
Jace:
Wes is with her…
Eve stares at Jace and Gus.
Jace:
Yeah, that’s fair.
Gus:
She’s basically on her own.
Justus:
I’m sure she’s okay, Eve. She probably got a little sidetracked, that’s all.
Eve:
I still just don’t feel right about it…
Silver:
It’s good you’re showing concern, Eve, but keep in mind that this is the future profession that Lilith wants. You have to show confidence in her abilities as a rescue hero. She’s not fighting, so she can handle herself.
Eve thinks for a moment.
Eve:
Fine… let’s just go.
Alexis:
Right.
The eleven students start heading towards the evacuation shelters. Justus and Silver straggle behind.
Justus:
Does running away irk you too?
Silver:
Yeah, but there’s nothing we can do about it. You heard Mr. Walker. This is serious.
Justus:
I know… but we’re heroes, and heroes shouldn’t run.
Silver:
You’re right… but heroes also shouldn’t disobey direct orders from their superiors. Even if those orders piss them off…
Justus:
*groans*
Back in the arena, Khaos faces off against Walker, Adrian, and Fatal.
Khaos:
I can see you’re not going to make this easy for me.
Walker:
We know your game. You’re trying to separate us and attack from our shadows while we’re defenseless. Sorry to say, but we’re not letting you do that.
Khaos laughs.
Khaos:
Alright… I guess I’ll just change up my methods.
Khaos’ executioner’s blade dissipates into the air.
Walker:
Hm?
Adrian:
This is new…
Khaos holds out his right arm a black vortex opens up from its shadow. Rays of darkness begin to emerge from the vortex and form a helix. The helix then develops into a crossbow that Khaos wields.
Khaos:
I’ve got plenty of tricks up my sleeves.
Walker:
(Damn! He just shifted from short to long-range combat in an instant.)
Khaos disappears into the ground.
Fatal:
Dammit! He’s gone again!
Walker:
Not for long. He’s going to start taking shots at us from the shadows.
Fatal:
Huh?
Adrian:
Walker and I will have to block his fire using his quirk. We can’t afford to dodge them.
Walker:
Yes, his goal is still to separate us even if his range has changed.
Suddenly a bolt made of shadows come whizzing towards them.
Adrian:
I’ve got it!
Adrian opens a portal and absorbs the bolt.
Walker:
Good.
Another bolt comes flying at them from a completely different direction.
Walker:
This one is mine.
Walker absorbs the bolt in his portal.
Khaos:
*from afar* So your plan is to stay close to each other, huh? Well, maybe it’s time I fixed that!
A whole barrage of bolts begins flying from many different directions as Adrian and Walker work as fast as they can to block each one.
Adrian:
(They’re coming too fast!)
Walker:
(Shit! My quirk isn’t capable of working at this speed!)
A bolt skewers Walker’s bicep and goes clean through his arm.
Walker:
AHHH!
Walker falls to his knees, holding his profusely bleeding arm.
Fatal:
Damien!
The barrage of bolts stops.
Adrian:
Are you alright!
Walker:
I’ll live…
The arena is eerily silent.
Walker:
(This thing… whatever it is we’re fighting… its quirk is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Its pure power and versatility are unbelievable. He’s able to shift modes of combat at the drop of a dime, he’s able to paralyze his opponents in an instant, and on top of all that, he can appear in our shadows and attack while we have no chance to block. And that’s not even mentioning that he was utterly invincible before that attack. He utilized my quirk’s greatest weakness and wounded me, so he’s definitely intelligent. Usually, I'd be much more aggressive, but with everything he’s capable of, I’m stuck having to stall for time to come up with a plan, and at this point, it’s becoming evident that we can’t beat him.)
Fatal:
Damien, he has to have some weakness, right?
Walker looks back at Fatal.
Walker:
You’re right… he has to… no quirk is this perfect. (But the question is… what is that weakness because he seems unstoppable from everything I’ve seen.)
Dr. Moore hasn’t moved from where she and Fatal were watching the match. She looks horrified.
Dr. Moore:
This… this is what I created?
Tears fill her eyes.
Dr. Moore:
I MADE ANOTHER MONSTER!
Dr. Moore collapses to her knees in anguish.
Dr. Moore:
I let my damn sympathy, ambition, and curiosity cloud my judgment! I NEVER SHOULD HAVE USED THAT FUCKING SERUM AGAIN!
Dr. Moore wipes her eyes before getting to her feet.
Dr. Moore:
And I never will again…
Khaos laughs from the shadows of the arena.
Adrian:
Why did you stop firing? One hit is enough for you?
Fatal:
Don’t coax him, Adrian!
Khaos:
*from afar* Oh, don’t worry, I’m just giving you a necessary break. I don’t want to defeat you too quickly.
Adrian:
And why not? That doesn’t seem like your style.
Khaos:
Because I can sense that someone important is in this arena, and I’m just letting her finish her business before meeting her.
Adrian:
(Her? What could he mean by that?)
Ivy and Saige clash their swords.
Saige:
So what’s it like being a murderer?
Ivy:
Shut up and fight.
Ivy tries to slash at Saige’s legs, but Saige leaps back and dodges.
Saige:
I may not have ever gotten a chance to meet EMD, but that doesn’t matter, he didn’t deserve to die, and I’m more than happy to be the one to bring you to justice for his murder.
Ivy:
EMD, huh?
Saige:
What? You don’t remember him?
Ivy:
I have every contour of his face memorized.
Saige is surprised by this.
Ivy:
He had blue eyes and brown hair, his nose was at a 95-degree angle, and he had sparkling white teeth and a strong jawline. He had a scar above his right eye covered by his eyebrow, and his ear lobes were not connected to his head.
Saige stares at Ivy.
Ivy:
I don’t enjoy killing. I don’t enjoy ending the lives of innocent people.
Saige:
Then why do you do it?
Ivy:
Because my Master requires it.
Saige:
That’s one sick excuse.
Ivy:
It’s no excuse, I’m a murderer, and I would have murdered Hayze to protect my loyalty to my Master.
Saige:
Your Master is a fucked up man if he’s asking you to kill people to prove your loyalty.
Ivy:
Say what you want, but I love my Master, and I will do anything for him.
Saige’s eyes narrow.
Saige:
I don’t even know what to say to that other than that I’m disgusted. Why would you ever love a man like that?
Ivy:
If you’ve ever felt what true loneliness feels like, you’d understand that it’s hard not to feel something close to love for the person that saved you from it.
Saige takes a step back.
Ivy:
That was interesting.
Saige:
Ignore that.
Ivy:
You’ve felt true loneliness? The despair of nobody caring about you, the heartbreak of being betrayed, the gross and disturbing feeling that somehow you deserve it?
Saige’s eyes widen.
Ivy:
You have… but based on your personality, I can tell that you’ve met someone that saved you from it. Let me guess… Hayze?
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Saige looks away.
Ivy:
That’s why you said he was special to you, correct?
Saige:
Just shut up…
Ivy:
And you’re here to fight me… for him. The same way I fight for my Master. So you can understand why I do the things I do.
Saige’s grip on her katana tightens.
Saige:
I’m not doing this for him… I’m doing this for me!
Ivy notices that Saige has lowered her guard.
Ivy:
Pull.
Saige begins getting pulled towards Ivy.
Saige:
Not so fast!
Saige transforms her katana into a riot shield to block Ivy’s sword slash.
Ivy:
(She’s quick…)
Saige:
Tell me something…
Ivy:
Hm?
Saige:
You said you would have killed Hayze to prove your loyalty to your “master,” right?
Ivy:
Yes.
Saige:
Why would someone willing to kill a pro hero for her “master” need to kill a simple U.A. student to prove her loyalty?
Ivy doesn’t respond.
Saige:
That’s what I thought… you weren’t trying to kill Hayze for him. You were doing it for yourself!
Ivy:
*frustrated grunt* No, I-
Saige:
You see, that’s the difference between you and me. We may have experienced true loneliness, but you try to cover up your selfish actions under the guise of being selfless. Meanwhile, I’m forward with my selfishness. Do I need to be fighting you? No, but you know what? I don’t give a fuck. I’m going to be the hero that takes you down!
Ivy’s eyes widen beneath her mask.
Saige:
(She’s got me caught in her pull. I can’t escape using rocket propulsion because this is a gravitational force she’s applying to me, and it’s far too intense. So, my only option is to kill the power at its source, which is her palms! But, of course, she’s holding her sword in one hand, so it’s not that one…)
Saige can see that Ivy is using the palm of her arm in the sling to pull her.
Saige:
(There it is, I’ll only have one shot at this!)
Ivy pushes against Saige’s shield.
Ivy:
You can’t escape my hold! This quirk ruined my life, and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t end yours!
Saige transforms her shield into a slingshot and shoots Ivy’s shoulder.
Ivy:
AHHH!
This causes Ivy to release Saige from her pull just before she’s impaled.
Saige:
(Jackpot!)
Saige quickly transforms the slingshot into a rocket thruster and blasts herself away from Ivy.
Saige:
WEEE!
The heat of the thruster melted the tip of Ivy’s sword alongside burning holes all throughout Ivy’s clothes and, most importantly, her mask.
Ivy:
*gasps*
Ivy drops her sword and covers her mask with her free hand. This confuses Saige.
Saige:
(That mask is that important to her, huh? I mean, come on, I can see some underboob, and she’s more concerned about the stupid mask?)
Ivy is trembling.
Saige:
You sure are something else. You weren’t wearing that mask earlier, and you weren’t acting like this.
Ivy:
That’s because I knew I could kill anyone who saw my face, but now you might see me… and- and- I can’t do anything!
Saige is weirded out.
Saige:
Are you… seriously
that
afraid of people seeing your face? I mean, come on, most girls would be more concerned with the burnt clothes and exposed skin than their face being revealed.
Ivy:
I’d rather be naked than have my face revealed to someone who could live to tell the tale.
Saige is silent for a few moments.
Saige:
Normally, I’d make a joke like, “Oh, I can arrange that,” but I’m honestly more curious why you’re so afraid of people seeing your face.
Ivy:
My father tried to smother me in my sleep with a pillow.
Saige is taken aback.
Ivy:
I woke up, and in a panic, I used my quirk to smash him against my bedroom ceiling, killing him instantly. He was the first person I ever killed, and I loved my father, and I thought he loved me… but he didn’t, and the last thing he did with his life was cover my face. So this mask is a symbol of the thing that should have ended my wretched life.
Saige has no words.
Ivy:
I only remove it for my Master’s sake, and while you claim that I’m being selfish and using my love for him as an excuse to fulfill my desires. I CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE, I’D NEVER REMOVE THIS MASK IF I HAD A CHOICE!
Ivy breathes heavily.
Saige:
Okay, that’s it.
Ivy:
Huh?
Saige:
At first, I came into this fight hating you, then I started empathizing with you, then I went back to hating you, and now I just want you dead. Your story is sad, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that you’ve killed lots of people just because you love a madman. Well, let me tell you something, I don’t give a fuck about how you ended up where you are. I can’t say I’ve felt what it’s like to have my father try to kill me, but I can say I’ve felt what it’s like to have my brain feel like it’s being ripped in two. Unsure of whether I’m me or someone else. I felt powerless, alone, and like I wasn’t even real, but throughout all of that… I never used it as an excuse to do terrible things to escape those feelings. I persevered through it, fought to survive, and never once lost sight of my morals. You abandoned your morality to feel the slightest semblance of “love.” You’ve taken the lives of many to maintain that “love,” and you attempted to kill…
Saige grinds her teeth.
Saige:
AND YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SAY YOU WISH YOU WERE DEAD? YOU’RE A FUCKING WASTE OF A HUMAN LIFE!
Ivy removes her hand from her mask and dips her head.
Saige:
If I wasn’t a hero student, I’d kill you and grant your wish of death, but let me tell you this…
Ivy looks up at Saige.
Saige:
I’m not religious, but I hope there’s a hell for you to be sent to.
Saige charges at Ivy, catching her off guard.
Ivy:
Push!
Saige creates a wall behind herself, so Ivy’s push does nothing but slams her up against that.
Saige:
I see… Your push isn’t continuous like your pull.
Ivy:
I can still do it again! Push!
Ivy pushes Saige against the wall over and over again.
Saige:
(She’s only stalling for time, she claimed her wounded arm wouldn’t weaken her, but it’s clear that she’s nowhere near 100%. She can’t use her sword and her good arm for her quirk simultaneously, which creates a beautiful opening for me to exploit.)
Ivy continues pushing Saige back over and over.
Ivy:
(I have to grab my sword and make an attempt on her life, it’s my only chance, but…)
Ivy looks at her sword on the ground and then at her two hands.
Ivy:
(I have to stop pushing her and grab my sword with my good arm, then I’ll use my bad arm to keep her in place while I slowly approach her. Once I get close enough, I’ll end her life. I’ll just have to move fast.)
Ivy takes a deep breath.
Ivy:
(Now!)
Ivy reaches for her sword. However, Saige anticipated this and immediately transforms her wall into a catapult, launching herself toward Ivy.
Ivy:
(What?)
Saige punches Ivy in the abdomen, sending her flying backward.
Ivy:
*groans*
Saige walks over to Ivy as she lies against the ground.
Saige:
You never should come here in your condition. I’m woman enough to admit that given your track record in combat, I never would have defeated you if you had full range of motion in both your arms.
Ivy tries to get up, but she feels a sharp pain that keeps her on the ground.
Saige:
I suppose I should mention that “Top Student” also encompasses academics. Anatomy is one of my favorite subjects. That punch was aimed directly at your kidney, one of the most vulnerable spots in the body.
Saige places her foot on Ivy’s injured shoulder.
Saige:
Don’t even think about trying to power through the pain because I’m ready to pop your arm out of its socket to keep you from escaping.
Ivy:
Just kill me…
Saige:
Why would I do that?
Ivy:
Because I’d rather be dead than live through what will happen to me…
Saige:
What are you talking about?
Iota stares out at U.A. from the rooftop Zaire, X, and himself are standing on.
Zaire:
Master, is something wrong?
Iota is silent.
Zaire:
Master?
Iota:
Ivy has been defeated.
X:
What? That crazy chick?
Zaire:
That is surprising.
Iota:
Yes, yes, it is.
Silence.
Zaire:
Are you alright, Master?
Iota:
Yes, I am, Zaire.
Zaire:
Then why do you seem distraught?
Iota:
Because I feel nothing, I found Ivy in a convenience store when she was just a child. I practically raised her and taught her everything she knows. I’m distraught because I feel nothing, knowing what comes next.
Zaire:
You said it yourself, Master. She’s expendable.
Iota:
I guess I would have expected some form of emotional reaction to seeing my longtime apprentice defeated, but I suppose I underestimated myself and how far I’ve come. Nothing can ruin today, not even this.
The Iota ring starts to glow.
Iota:
Goodbye, Ivy.
Ivy starts to feel pain in his head to an extreme level. She screams in agonizing pain.
Saige:
What’s going on!
Ivy screams so loud that her voice can be heard throughout the stadium.
Adrian:
What the hell?
Fatal:
What’s that?
Walker:
Someone’s in trouble.
From deep in the shadows, Khaos can hear Ivy’s screams.
Khaos:
(No…)
Ivy continues screaming.
Saige:
What’s wrong with you! I didn’t punch you that hard!
Ivy:
(MASTER! I’M SORRY!)
(Iota):
(I know Ivy, it pains me to do this.)
Ivy screams again.
Saige:
(What the hell is-)
Suddenly a shadow arrow pierces through Saige’s chest.
Saige:
*pained grunt* What?
Saige keels over and passes out as the arrow dissipates from her chest.
Iota:
Huh?
Ivy stops screaming.
Zaire:
What’s wrong, Master? Did something happen during the hemorrhage?
Iota:
Yes, yes, something did.
X:
Is it a bad thing?
Iota smiles.
Iota:
An exciting thing.
Khaos has emerged from Saige’s shadow.
Khaos:
Just in time.
Ivy is barely conscious.
Ivy:
(H- Hayze?)
Khaos looks down at Ivy as she passes out.
Khaos:
If I had known you were fighting with a broken arm, I wouldn’t have left this battle up to chance.
Khaos looks at Saige as blood pools around her body.
Khaos:
(I’m not allowed to kill this one, so I’ll have to rush her to medical help.)
Khaos kneels next to Saige and places his hand on her abdomen.
Khaos:
Let’s go to-
Suddenly a group of chains comes flying towards Khaos and wraps around his arms and legs.
Khaos:
What the hell!
Ewing:
STAY AWAY FROM MY GRANDAUGHTER, YOU FIEND!
Ewing has arrived.
Khaos:
Look, old man, you don’t know who you’re-
Ewing slams Khaos against the side of the hallway.
Ewing:
I’LL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE!
Ewing lifts Khaos in the air.
Khaos:
(Shit… I wasn’t expecting him to attack that fast-)
Khaos uses shadow paralysis on Ewing.
Ewing:
RELEASE ME SO I CAN KILL YOU!
Khaos:
Yeah, that ain’t happening… I need you to let me go so I can take care of business.
Ewing:
I’m not letting you go!
Khaos:
That’s fine. Let your granddaughter die.
Ewing’s eyes widen.
Khaos:
Yeah, that’s what I thought. As we speak she’s bleeding out and she’s only got a few minutes to live unless you get her to Recovery Girl. My shadow paralysis lasts two full minutes, and I’m more than willing to wait that out.
Ewing:
*frustrated grunt*
Khaos:
So, I’ll cut you a deal, you release me and I release you. Then we each go our separate ways.
Ewing doesn’t hesitate.
Ewing:
Fine.
Khaos smiles.
Khaos:
One more thing, I’m taking the girl.
Ewing:
You mean that murder that killed one of my teachers in cold blood and attacked my students including your host multiple times?
Khaos:
Yup, and I already know your answer. Mainly because you don’t have a choice.
Ewing stares at Khaos for a moment.
Ewing:
Deal.
Khaos:
Good.
Khaos releases Ewing from his shadow paralysis and Ewing frees Khaos from his chains.
Khaos:
Cya around, Ewing.
Khaos places his hand on Ivy’s chest and disappears into the ground with her.
Ewing:
Saige!
Ewing runs over to Saige and picks her up off the ground.
Ewing:
You’re going to be alright, sweetie!
Ewing starts running.
Ewing:
(This is all my fault!)
Khaos and Ivy emerge in a classroom inside U.A.
Khaos:
Phew… it’s a good thing he didn’t call my bluff. I’m not allowed to kill that girl, and I didn’t even hit any of her vital areas, she’s got plenty of time to get to Recovery Girl and be healed.
Khaos looks down at Ivy.
Khaos:
(I can’t believe she was in the stadium at the same time I took over. I was shocked I sensed her shadow when I used Shadow Sneak. I knew this would be my chance to meet her.)
Khaos gets a sinister smile on his face.
Khaos:
(When I saw her kill that bastard EMD with no remorse I knew she was the one. I knew she was the same as me… a cold-blooded killer. Hayze thinks she’s “misunderstood” or “being used” because he’s a soft loser. Anyone who can kill like that without even a second thought has hatred deep in their veins, stone-cold anguish that borderlines on evil. The same things that brought my being into existence… I see in her. She’ll make the perfect partner for me to kill this world with. My Queen of Evil.)
Khaos looks at Ivy’s shoulder.
Khaos:
(She’s not useful to me in this state, but she’ll be indebted to me for saving her life. So, I can afford to move on without her for now. After all, I have people to kill.)
Khaos walks up to the door.
Khaos:
I will return for you, later.
Khaos walks into the hall and closes the classroom door behind him.
Khaos:
I need to scratch this itch, I need to kill.
A gun cocks.
Khaos:
Huh?
Someone is pointing a gun at Khaos’ head.
Khaos:
Well, now, what do we have here?
Back in the city, Colossus continues killing clone after clone.
Colossus:
Colossal Impact!
Colossus:
Colossal Impact!
Colossus:
Colossal Impact!
Colossus:
Colossal Impact!
Colossus:
Colossal Impact!
Body after body falls as more and more Clones enter the battlefield, giving Colossus hardly any time to catch his breath.
Colossus:
Jesus… I wish I was younger…
Suddenly a bunch of vines whiz past Colossus and hoist ten of the clones in the air before continuously slamming them into the ground repeatedly.
Evergreen:
Need some help?
Colossus:
Boy do I…
Evergreen finishes slamming the clones into the ground before holding them in place inside the craters their impacts created.
Vulcan:
Volcanic Rising!
The craters start to fill with magma liquefying the clones.
Vulcan:
You really are getting old, Colossus.
Colossus:
You’re only 34, Vulcan. Don’t give me that crap.
Vulcan:
Some number one hero, hundreds of these things are roaming the streets, destroying buildings, and killing innocents! You should have had this cleaned up by now!
Colossus stares at Vulcan.
Colossus:
Why are you working with him, Evergreen?
Evergreen:
Despite how strong we are, you're the only one who can handle these things with a single attack. How many have you killed?
Colossus:
I lost track at around 300.
Evergreen:
300 plus Colossal Impacts at your age? You might need to make a run to the school to see Recovery Girl if we’re going to have any chance at getting through this horde.
Colossus:
What? I’m fine… besides you guys just killed ten of them.
Evergreen:
Yes, and we had to use substantial resources to do it. We need you to guide us through this, Colossus.
Vulcan:
Don’t give him that much credit, I’m the number two for a reason, if he kills 2,000, I’ll kill 2,001.
Evergreen:
Considering he’s at 300 plus and you’re at 100 at best, that’s unlikely.
Vulcan:
*frustrated grunt*
Colossus laughs.
Colossus:
I’ll be sure to not slow down. I’ll keep fighting for the sake of this city! I won’t stop!
Evergreen smiles.
Evergreen:
That’s good to hear.
Vulcan:
S.T.O.R.M. is sending in a slew of agents as reinforcements and most of the Top 10 are on the scene. Don’t get a big head. You’re not the only one out here.
Colossus:
Too late!
Colossus bursts off to fight more clones.
Vulcan:
God, I hate that man.
Evergreen:
That’s fine, but he’s also the hero this city needs right now.
Vulcan:
And what are we? Chopped liver?
Evergreen:
No, the city needs us too, but they need him more.
Vulcan scoffs.
Evergreen:
That’s what I expect you to do.
Ten clones surround Evergreen and Vulcan.
Vulcan:
Ready for another round?
Evergreen:
Of course.
Zaire has fitted X with a vest of ten capsules.
X:
What’s this supposed to do?
Zaire:
It will allow you to create and store more nuclear energy if we need you to explode.
X:
If? I thought this was going to happen!
Zaire:
Only if the plan calls for it.
X:
Oh, that’s bullshit! I signed on to this “movement” so that I could kill people! A FUCKING LOT OF THEM! And now you’re telling me-
Zaire gets in X’s face.
Zaire:
You will follow the instructions that Master Iota has given accordingly, or else I will warp you into space where you will die without killing a single soul.
X gulps.
Zaire:
More than likely you will explode today, but if the plan doesn’t call for it you will return home with us and be used another day, understand? You will kill people when the time comes, I promise.
X stares at Zaire.
X:
Fine… whatever.
X looks down at the capsule vest and notices some wires are connected.
X:
What’s with these?
Zaire:
They’re for the “Dead Man’s Trigger.”
X:
Huh?
Zaire pulls out a small heart rate monitor.
Zaire:
If the heroes attempt to kill you or remove your vest, this bomb will trigger your stored nuclear energy and set off an explosion anyway.
X:
I see… so basically the only way I’m leaving here without exploding is if Master Iota calls for it.
Zaire:
Precisely, and the heroes can do nothing about it.
X smiles.
X:
I like that!
Iota comes walking over to Zaire and X.
Zaire:
Has Ivy been “taken care of”?
Iota:
No, I spared her because she was saved from being captured.
Zaire:
Saved? By who?
Iota:
That doesn’t matter. Have the preparations been completed?
Zaire:
Almost, I just need to set up the DMT.
Iota:
I’ll do it. I need you to quickly take care of something for me.
Zaire:
Hm?
Iota:
Go kill the four guards that saw Ivy’s face. They’re loose ends, and I don’t like loose ends.
Zaire:
If you don’t mind me asking, why? They are loose ends, but they’re Ivy’s loose ends.
Iota:
Because I might need Ivy later, I don’t want her to be preoccupied with that task.
Zaire:
Understood.
Zaire opens a warp gate and steps through it. Iota looks out at the city as chaos continues to ensue.
Iota:
(Today is the day… the day I win.)
