Hayze’s eyes dart open.
Hayze: *grunts*
Hayze is lying down in a pod of some sort. He has a helmet on his head with many wires connected to it.
Hayze: *groans*
Someone takes the helmet off of Hayze.
Daniele: Welcome back, Hayze.
Hayze places his hand against his face.
Hayze: Wh- what happened?
Daniele: You died.
Hayze: Wh- right… Wait, I’m dead?
Daniele: Well, not for real. You died in the exercise.
Hayze looks around. There are 19 other pods in a circle inside this dark black room he’s inside. Justus, Silver, Blair, Saige, Angel, Karma, Gus, Alexis, Zach, Demetri, and Isaiah are all wearing helmets and unconscious inside 11 pods. 8 other pods are empty.
Hayze: So… it wasn’t real?
Daniele: No, it wasn’t, but everything you felt was.
Hayze looks down.
Daniele: Stand up. It’s time for you to be debriefed.
Hayze: Huh?
Daniele: What’s the point of an exercise if you don’t know what it was about?
Hayze stands up and is a little wobbly.
Hayze: Jesus… How long have I been here?
Daniele: About a day.
Hayze: What!
Daniele: It takes a while to set up everything, and it’s set so that you’ll wake up at least 1 hour after the last person did. That’s so we have plenty of time to explain everything to everyone.
Hayze: So, everyone’s alive and okay?
Daniele: Of course.
Hayze looks at Blair.
Daniele: Come with me.
Hayze follows Daniele out of the room and down a hallway. They enter a room with two couches facing each other.
Daniele: Sit down.
Daniele and Hayze sit on separate couches.
Daniele: I must say you did exactly what I expected you to do.
Hayze: And that was?
Daniele: Put up a fight like no one else could. You tried everything you could and still lost. I bet everyone left has given up hope after that.
Hayze: Right…
Daniele: I guess I should explain a couple of things first. You were placed inside a simulation, a computer program that put you in a dire, life, or death situation. Fearmonger gave a story, an imperfect one, as to how you ended up in the said situation. I’m sure you all had trouble believing a word he said until… Well, Alden died. Of course, nobody gives a fuck about Alden, so all that did was raise the tension in the room. It got all of you thinking: is this real? But then, Kevin died… and that’s when everything changed. You all believed your beloved classmate and friend had perished in that lava pit. Suddenly it was real. You were all fighting for your lives. It’s interesting to see how different people react after this realization. Your reaction was… something.
Hayze: What’s that supposed to mean?
Daniele: I drafted you knowing there were some “things” we needed to work out. Such as your philosophy that you can save everyone.
Hayze’s eyes narrow.
Daniele: Don’t get mad at me. You came up with some great strategies and maneuvers in your fight against Fearmonger, but you usually would have sniffed out that you were in a simulation. But, unfortunately, you didn’t, and you know why?
Hayze stares at Daniele with a stern expression.
Hayze: Why?
Daniele: Because you were so afraid of watching more of your friends die… and if I’m being honest, it seemed like some people you were… specifically worried about.
Hayze: Wh- what do you mean?
Daniele: You were quick to include Lilith in your plans… Why not Saige or Blair? You could have communicated with them like you did with Lilith, but you didn’t. Why?
Hayze: They weren’t necessary for the plan I had…
Daniele: Necessary or wanted? Because it seems to me like having Saige’s quirk on your side against Fearmonger would have been a real asset.
Hayze doesn’t respond.
Daniele: Let me put it to you this way. From where I’m sitting, it looked like you valued Lilith’s life less than theirs.
Hayze: Fuck you!
Daniele: That’s what I saw, and based on what you’ve said so far, I’d say that’s the case.
Hayze: I thought I could beat him with just Lilith-
Daniele: After watching Kevin, Aaron, Wes, and Eve die trying their hardest to win? You really thought it would be smart to fight at less than 100%? That doesn’t sound like you at all.
Hayze stares at Daniele.
Daniele: You know what’s something I noticed? You were determined to defeat Fearmonger and find a way to save everyone from the start, but then something pushed you into another gear. You were set on getting in that ring as soon as possible. It was when Lilith flew into your arms crying. You have a natural need to protect, Hayze. When Lilith was there like that, it triggered that need. You had to do everything in your power to protect everyone at all costs, and what was the best way to do that? Jumping right into a fight with Fearmonger. As long as you were fighting him, everyone else was safe. If you won, everyone would be safe; if you lost, at least it wasn’t someone else who had to die. Well… except Lilith… of course, you and I both know how you reacted to that.
“ Hayze: TORRENTIAL TRIBUTE! “ - Chapter 115
Hayze: Right…
Daniele: Your philosophy is admirable, but only to the point where it isn’t a problem. You can’t save everyone, Hayze. You need to understand that.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
“ Lionel: Kid, the hardest part about this job is that you can’t save everybody. “ - Chapter 74
Daniele: Otherwise, this won’t be the last time you-
Hayze: Stop talking.
Daniele: I-
Hayze: I SAID STOP!
Daniele goes quiet.
Hayze: I could have saved everyone, but the simulation was built so that I couldn’t! I figured out how to hurt him, so he started healing instantly. I stabbed him in the heart. Hence, he became immortal. After figuring out the secret to his phasing ability, he became invisible! I found a workaround to counter his invisibility, so he became silent and removed his footsteps. I threw him off the platform, and he teleported back! That simulation was built for me to lose! How do you expect me to accept what you’re saying!
Adrian: Do you really think Fearmonger was trying that hard?
Hayze: Huh?
Hayze looks over his shoulder. Adrian entered the room silently.
Adrian: Fearmonger knew he couldn’t lose, so he wasn’t putting his best foot forward. That’s why he wasn’t trying to use his quirk. There was no need. Fearmonger had all those abilities to make you believe there was no way to win. It was to drive home the dread and hopelessness in the room. Even if Fearmonger didn’t have the program on his side, he would have crushed you in seconds.
Adrian sits down on the couch next to Daniele.
Adrian: I know you’re frustrated, trust me. We’ve already had this talk 8 times, and just so you know… I’ve been in that seat before.
Hayze: Wh- what?
Adrian: Daniele has too. All hero course students go through this at the beginning of the first semester of their second year. As I’ve said before… This year, you learn what it means to truly be heroes. For every year of your life up to this point, being a hero has been a dream. Now, you’re trying to make it a reality. Do you know what the goal of this exercise is, Hayze?
Hayze: What?
Adrian: It’s to teach you what it feels like to be powerless.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
Adrian: Inside that cell, you watched your friends die one at a time. You saw their best efforts be in vain, and slowly but surely, the thought that your death was upon you was sown into your mind. You were powerless in the face of your inevitable demise. That’s the way people we save feel. They’re going through a crisis; if you understand that and know how that feels, you’ll be a better hero. I get how you feel about all of this, but know that this exercise is a means to an end, not an end in itself. If you’re not willing to accept what happened in that simulation. It reflects who you are as a hero, and you’ll never grow. Look back at everything you did and ask yourself if that was the right choice. This exercise was designed for you to fail miserably and watch things you never wanted to happen, happen. The solace is that none of it was real, and nobody is dead, but you need to know in your heart that if that situation actually happened, you’d have to be better.
Everyone is silent for a few moments.
Hayze: When you went through this exercise… What did you see?
Adrian stares at Hayze.
Adrian: I watched Rachel die… I was so enraged I immediately pushed my button and met the same end just minutes later. I nearly punched principal Ewing during my debriefing. I was so pissed he made me go through that. You’re a little more composed than I am, but I can tell you’re fuming. This exercise is built to be a surprise. Nobody is allowed to talk about it; it’s a complete secret. Next year’s class will go through the same thing and as will the class after that.
Adrian stands up.
Adrian: This exercise seems cruel, and to be honest… it is, but there’s a reason why U.A. is the #1 rated Hero course in his country. We’re willing to do anything to make our students better heroes.
Adrian leaves.
Daniele: Is there anything else you’d like to go talk about from today?
Hayze: No… I’m done.
Daniele stands up.
Daniele: Okay, then I’ll walk you back to your dorm. All your classmates who “died” earlier in the exercise are already there.
Hayze: Right.
Daniele and Hayze leave and begin walking back to class 2-A’s dorm.
Hayze: Can I ask you something?
Daniele: Hm?
Hayze: Right after you picked me in the draft, you made me come to the front of the classroom and stand beside you. Then, you asked me who I wanted you to pick… why did you do that? You told us you had a definite plan in mind, so no matter what I said, you wouldn’t listen. So, what were you doing there?
Daniele laughs.
Daniele: I was asserting dominance.
Hayze: What? Over me? I don’t think I’ve ever had cooperation issues…
Daniele: No, over the two girls.
Hayze: Blair and Saige?
Daniele: Yup, I did very in-depth research on every single one of you before the day of the draft, as shown by my notebook, of course. Teamwork was something vital for me to have in a team member, that’s no issue for you, and Angel and Lilith are both cooperative enough to follow your orders no problem.
Hayze: Blair and Saige both are cooperative.
Daniele: Well, in my analysis, I found they have a common distraction… so I decided to put them in their place early and make them aware of who is in charge here. As for asking for your opinion for seemingly no reason… I just wanted to screw with you.
Hayze: That sounds about right.
Daniele: What, you make it so fun!
Hayze: How do I do that?
Daniele: Well, I noticed around girls you’re attracted to, you act very disinterested.
Hayze: You’re about as attractive as the positive ends of two magnets put together.
Daniele: I’m no psychologist, but I imagine that’s a symptom of growing up alone. It’s cute.
Hayze: (This girl is like Saige, but she isn’t doing this because she thinks it’s funny, she’s doing this for personal gain. I don’t know what she’s egging me towards...)
Daniele: That’s why I hugged you during the training exercise. I knew you’d freeze up from having a pretty girl draped around you.
Hayze: Uh-huh…, you just assumed I would find you attractive?
Daniele: You have a type that’s easy to identify if you put enough time in.
Hayze: How much time did you put in?
Daniele: You seem to like strong-willed women with caring personalities and a sense of ambition. *whispers* and nice asses.
Hayze: What was that last part?
Daniele: Nothing!
Hayze: You put that much time into learning all of that about me?
Daniele: Don’t think you’re special. I did that for everyone on the team, even Lilith.
Hayze: Lilith?
Daniele: Yeah, she has a big humiliation fetish, but that’s neither here nor there.
Hayze: Hold up.
Daniele: I guess I should say I saw one exception in my theory about you.
Hayze: Huh?
Daniele: I’ll give you a hint. It’s the one you told me not to pick.
Hayze: Oh right…
They reach the dormitory.
Daniele: I want you to know that I’d prefer we didn’t have any “conflicts” going on within the team. So, whatever is going on between you and Blair, I’d like it to be resolved very soon.
Hayze: (And… there it is…)
Daniele: That’s your homework until the License Exam. I expect you to get an A.
Daniele walks away.
Hayze: (That girl could hand you a cure to cancer and then say cash or credit...)
Hayze enters the dorm.
Lilith: Hayze!
Lilith and Wes are both sitting on the couches in the common area.
Lilith: So, you didn’t make it much longer after I “died.”
Hayze: Hey… guys…
Lilith: Is… something wrong?
Wes: It’s weird walking into a room full of people you thought were dead half an hour ago, huh?
Hayze: Yeah… where’s everybody else?
Hayze walks over and sits on the couch as well.
Wes: Aaron’s out back throwing a temper tantrum, I think.
Lilith: That’s an exaggeration…
Wes: Barely. I think Kevin’s in the gym, and Ash and Eve went out to go buy food at the grocery store.
Hayze: Really? After everything that happened?
Wes: They wanted to make a good meal and a cake for everyone returning from the simulation. Although, based on everything Lilith told me about your fight with Fearmonger, I’d say we’re not going to see everyone back until tomorrow night.
Hayze: Yeah… probably. Uh, by the way, you didn’t mention Jace.
Wes: Oh right, that’s because I haven’t seen him. Kevin told me that when Jace got back, he went straight to his room.
Hayze: Damn, he must have been up there for a while now.
Wes: Considering how he left the simulation…
Everyone flashes back to Jace essentially committing suicide.
Wes: I’d say he’s got a lot to think about.
Hayze: True…
Wes: You seem shaken…
Hayze: And you’re not?
Wes: I chose to go out the way I did. I made peace with my death. I came up with a plan and executed it… waking up in the pod was more of a second chance than a surprise.
Hayze: Right…
Hayze looks at Lilith.
Lilith: Oh, I’m fine. It was a little scary, but at least it wasn’t real, right?
Hayze: No… it’s not that. I uh… I’m sorry.
Lilith: Huh?
Hayze: You had concerns about my plan, and I rushed us into battle. You “died” because I was careless. So, I’m sorry about that.
Lilith: I- don’t worry about it, Hayze! It’s not like that actually happened!
Hayze: We thought it did… for all you knew... that was it.
Awkward silence.
Hayze: I’m gonna go lay down for a bit.
Wes: Alright.
Hayze leaves.
Lilith: What’s wrong with everyone? They all seem so… dejected.
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Wes: I think that’s the point of the exercise Lilith. We all saw things we wish we didn’t see, and now we all know how we would act in a life or death situation like that.
Lilith: Yeah, but we’ve been in those spots before! What’s different now!
Wes: In the forest, we were up against a bunch of guys our age. They needed dirty tricks to defeat Mr. Walker, and the only one of them that presented a threat was the masked girl. Fighting the rest was like the 1-B students in the Sports Festival. Sure the danger was much greater, but they weren’t so far ahead of us that we didn’t stand a chance. The only other example I can think of was the day of the Showcase.
Lilith: Yeah, and we nearly died!
Wes: Uh-huh, notice how you said “we” look around, Lilith. There’s a reason why you and I are the only ones sitting here.
Lilith: I… right…
Outside, Aaron punches a tree with his scalding hot fist burning an indentation into its trunk.
Aaron: (I couldn’t even take him down with me! That bastard forced me into killing myself just for a tie, and that didn’t even WORK!)
A flash of Aaron lying barely alive in blood-soaked snow enters his mind.
Aaron: (Never again… I won’t lose.)
Kevin chucks a 50-pound medicine ball against one of the gym's walls.
Kevin: (I spent that entire summer building up my strength. I wanted to be a different fighter, I wanted to be a better fighter, but the first chance I got, I went right back to what I’ve always been! An idiot who punches hard…)
Hayze: I see you’re not taking it well either.
Kevin: Huh?
Kevin turns to see Hayze has entered the gym.
Kevin: Wow, you’re done already?
Hayze: What were you expecting me to wait until everyone was dead to do something?
Kevin: Well, when you put it that way…
Hayze walks over to Kevin.
Hayze: You should be happy you didn’t have to watch everyone die. With each person, it got more and more morbid.
Kevin: Yeah, you say that, but knowing you died first is not a great feeling either. I was the guy who made everything real for everyone else, but for me… it wasn’t real until I was careening towards the lava.
Hayze picks up the medicine ball and chucks it against the wall.
Hayze: Did you also have a moment of reflection?
Kevin: I don’t know how anyone couldn’t… as I fell, I couldn’t help but think of Jake. When he died, I was inspired to aim higher than I already was. If that guy who slept 75% of our classes could sacrifice himself like that, surely I could be doing better, I thought. But, my “death” was pathetic compared to his.
Kevin picks up the medicine ball and chucks it against the wall.
Kevin: I’m sure you went out in a blaze of glory.
Hayze: Something like that.
Kevin laughs.
Kevin: You know, I initially wanted to be a hero to have fun. It’s the best job in the world, I thought. It would be a blast, I thought, but now… I realize I’m too powerful to be that simple-minded with my motivations. I can do a lot with my power… both good and evil. I saw it first hand on the day of the Showcase. So I want to be a hero to protect those that are powerless. I had a chance to do that today, and I failed.
Hayze doesn’t say anything.
Kevin: What? No, “At least it wasn’t real?”
Hayze picks up the medicine ball and chucks it against the wall.
Hayze: Nope, I don’t care about it being a simulation. I’m pissed anyway.
Kevin: Right on.
Kevin picks up the medicine ball and chucks it against the wall.
Kevin: You know what’s funny? It’s been a year now since our “fight.”
Hayze: That’s true. A lot has changed since then.
Kevin: Yeah, for both of us. I know I didn’t show it today, but I’m not the same fighter I was a few months ago.
Hayze: Really? How so.
Kevin: Like I’d spoil that surprise. You’ll see when the time comes.
Hayze smiles.
Hayze: Hey, Kev?
Kevin: Yeah?
Hayze: I think you could have beat him… if he wasn’t cheating.
Kevin: Same to you.
Hayze: Thanks…
Up in his room, Jace is packing his bags.
Jace: I came to this stupid school to be a hero… not just any a hero. A goddamn good one!
“ Fearmonger: How many of you think you will graduate from U.A. and be instantly famous and happy doing your job? The answer isn’t everyone! Some of you are going to be just like me. You’re going to have days when you nearly die, and nobody will know your name. Do you know what’s crazy, kids? Being a U.A. student will be the height of your fame and popularity for some of you. That’s a fact. “ - Chapter 114
Jace: No one in this class fits that definition more than me... I thought U.A. would be way better for me. I was at the top of my class all throughout high school… I had the best grades, was one of the strongest fighters, and had a ton of friends… I was built to be a great hero, but ever since the first day of our first year, it’s been nothing but failures!
Jace slams his fists against his bed.
Jace: Silver, Justus, Kevin, Aaron, Hayze, Saige, Blair, Alexis, they’re all what I should have been… top of the class, brimming with potential and numerous opportunities to expand their reputation. What am I? I’m the guy who’s friends with the rejects… and now I got put through an exercise like that? Who do those bastards think they are making us think we were going to die? I wouldn’t have done what I did if I knew what was going on! I’M BETTER THAN THAT!
Jace takes a deep breath.
Jace: Screw this school… clearly U.A. isn’t where I’m supposed to be! Why else would things be going the way they are, huh?
Jace grabs his bag and walks out of his room.
Jace: (I’ll just leave quietly… I’m sure none of them will notice I’m gone.)
Jace turns to walk down the hall. He’s startled as Wes is standing there.
Jace: Wh- what are you doing here, Wes?
Wes: Uh… my room is down the hall.
Jace: Right…
Wes looks at Jace’s bag.
Wes: Going somewhere?
Jace: N- no.
Wes: Look, I don’t give a fuck if you are. It’s your life, after all.
Jace: I’m not going anywhere! And don’t tell anyone I am, got it!
Wes shrugs.
Wes: Good luck.
Wes walks off.
Jace: (Fuck that guy…)
Jace walks down the stairs and exits the dorm without anyone seeing. He walks to the entrance of U.A. and swipes his student ID to open the doors. He steps out and looks back at the school.
Jace: (Goodbye, U.A., I’d say thanks for the memories, but…)
Jace walks off.
Jace: (There weren’t any worth remembering.)
Jace begins walking to the Nashville train station as the sun sets.
Jace: (I don’t know what I’ll tell mom and dad… I guess the truth? I don’t know, but I can do better than I was at U.A. I just have to believe in myself and find the right path for me.)
Voice: You’ll never find that path if you run aimlessly.
Jace: Wh-
Jace looks around frantically.
Jace: Who said that?
Jace notices he walked past an alleyway with a fortune teller’s table set up at the end.
Jace: Hey!
Jace runs up to the table.
Jace: Did you just talk to me?
Voice: Why yes, I did.
The voice is revealed to be Vanguard sitting at the table with his cloak and hood covering the top part of his face.
Vanguard: I responded to what you were saying.
Jace: I wasn’t saying anything! I was thinking and you… what’s your quirk!
Vanguard: I didn’t hear what you were saying out loud. I listened to what your heart was saying.
Jace: Oh boy… I hate fortune-tellers… Let me guess, you could tell I was contemplating my future because my head was down and I had a bag full of my belongings? Oh, and you knew I was thinking about a path because this is the way to the train station? I know how you guys work. You use general observations and minute details to make people believe you can see their future. Well, I ain’t falling for it.
Vanguard: Then why are you standing before me?
Jace: Huh?
Vanguard: If you believe that fortune-telling is smoke and mirrors, wouldn’t it have made more sense for you to continue walking as if I said nothing at all?
Jace doesn’t have a response.
Vanguard: I’d say that you’re currently at a very tumultuous point in your life. You’ve just made a huge decision, but now you’re questioning where you should go next. You’re so desperate for an answer that you’re willing to hear the opinion of a complete stranger. Why else would you be standing here before me?
Jace clenches his fist.
Jace: Look, buddy, I’m not falling for your act! You’re not getting any of my money!
Vanguard: That is fine. I’ll tell you your fortune free of charge.
Jace: That’s right, that is too bad- wait, what?
Vanguard: Consider this a simple act to guide someone in need of direction.
Vanguard reaches into his cloak and pulls out a deck of cards.
Jace: (Cards?)
Vanguard places the deck on the table.
Vanguard: I shall pull a card from the top of this deck. Depending on the card's identity and orientation, I’ll know everything I need to know about your future. Would you like me to do so?
Jace is intrigued.
Jace: (Well… it’s free, and it’s not like it will do any harm to just hear him out…) Fine, but can I draw the card myself?
Vanguard: Of course, fate has already decided what the card shall be.
Jace: Right… (Damn fake psychics…)
Jace places his hand on the deck.
Vanguard: Now draw and reveal.
Jace draws the card and flips it over… it’s The Fool.
Vanguard: Ah, you drew the fool in reverse.
Jace: Th- the fool? What does that mean?
Vanguard: It means that you are The Fool, and everything the fool represents, you represent.
Jace: Huh? Okay, that’s bullshit. I’m no fool!
Jace places the card back on top of the deck.
Jace: You placed that card there on purpose! I didn’t see you shuffle!
Vanguard: I did not need to, but if you’d like to redraw, you can be my guest.
Jace shuffles the deck vigorously.
Jace: There! Now I’ll-
Jace draws the Fool again.
Jace: What the hell!
Vanguard: As I said before, fate has already decided what the card shall be.
Jace places the card back and shuffles again.
Jace: I’m no fool!
Jace draws the Fool again.
Jace: This is bullshit!
Vanguard: No, this is your fortune.
Jace: Huh?
Vanguard: The Fool, in reverse, represents recklessness, the feeling of being taken advantage of, and inconsideration. Tell me, do those words represent you?
Jace is taken aback.
Jace: No way! Not a single one!
Vanguard: It seems reckless to run away without having a discernible idea of where you’re going, doesn’t it?
Jace doesn’t have an answer.
Vanguard: It seems inconsiderate of you to run from those who care about you without giving them a proper reason for leaving, doesn’t it?
Jace: Shut the hell up!
Vanguard: And I assume that reason is you felt taken advantage of, am I wrong?
Jace lunges at Vanguard.
Jace: SHUT UP!
Vanguard grabs Jace’s arm, stopping him dead in his tracks.
Vanguard: They say a man only angers when he’s afraid.
Vanguard leans into Jace’s ear.
Vanguard: What are you afraid of, Jace?
Jace pushes off Vanguard.
Jace: How do you know my name!
Vanguard: I saw you during the Sports Festival. If I recall, you lost to the boy named Kevin in the first round.
Jace: Of course... that’s all people remember me for… my goddamn failures!
Vanguard: You don’t like failing, huh?
Jace: Who does!
Vanguard: Some view failure as an avenue to success. In fact, that’s the popularized opinion.
Jace flashes back to his debriefing with Yul.
Yul: Remember, Jace, although this particular exercise didn’t end in the way you nor I would have liked. You can use this memory to make yourself better for the future.
Jace scoffs.
Jace: It’s a stupid opinion if you ask me! Failure is what we’re trying to avoid, right? Failure is letting people die! I’m trying to become the best damn hero I can be! How am I supposed to do that if I’M ALWAYS SET UP TO FAIL!
Jace is breathing heavily from anger.
Vanguard: So, you’re saying U.A. hasn’t panned out the way you would have liked?
Jace: That’s an understatement…
Vanguard: Why do you think that is?
Jace: How am I supposed to know? That school is a shit show. Ever since I got there, it’s been mess after mess. First, there was the attack during our field trip where nearly half of my classmates got kidnapped, and a teacher died. Then, there was the attack at the mall where a quarter of my classmates were hospitalized, and one nearly died. Finally, there was the attack during the Showcase where one of my classmates maimed the villain orchestrating the whole thing, another sacrificed himself to save the city, and countless other members of my class fought minions to protect themselves and others from death. That place is a goddamn breeding ground for danger.
Vanguard: I noticed something.
Jace: Huh?
Vanguard: None of those events really heavily involved you now, did they?
Jace: N- no… they didn’t. In the forest, I could only help at the very end to save my classmates from being kidnapped. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there for the mall incident and was stuck in the fallout shelter during the Showcase.
Vanguard: Don’t you wish you were more important?
Jace: *grunts*
Vanguard: Don’t you wish you were the star of the show? I’m sure you envy others for that exact reason.
Images of Justus, Hayze, Silver, Kevin, Aaron, Saige, Blair, and Jake flash through Jace’s head.
Jace: Yeah… I do…
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard: Then this can be your chance.
Vanguard pulls out the Alpha Ring.
Jace: Hey… that looks just like…
Vanguard places his deck back in his cloak and puts the Alpha Ring on his finger.
Vanguard: Just like what?
Vanguard kicks up the table, blocking Jace’s view of him.
Jace: Hey!
The table falls over, and Vanguard starts running down the alley.
Jace: Get back here!
Jace springs onto the roof and starts following Vanguard from above. The sun has finished setting, and night has befallen the city.
Jace: (Dammit! it’s going to be hard to track him in this darkness!)
Vanguard runs through the alleyways until he reaches a parking lot. He jumps and clears a fence leading him into a forest.
Jace: (He knew he couldn’t lose me in the city. That’s fine.)
Jace squeezes his leg springs all the way down.
Jace: (I’ll just jump ahead of him!)
Jace launches himself into the air straight into the forest. He lands in a clearing inside the forest.
Vanguard: Very good. I can see U.A. taught you how to play into your strengths well.
Jace turns around to see Vanguard leaning against a tree.
Jace: (Was he waiting for me? No, that can’t be.)
Vanguard: Jace Neil, I’d like for you to join me.
Jace: Join you? What the hell are you talking about? And why do you have that ring! It’s just like the one Colossus and Iota were using!
Vanguard: This ring is the start of something beautiful.
Jace: “Something beautiful?”
Vanguard: The start of our revolution.
Jace: What are you talking about?
Vanguard: I want you to join the Vanguard.
Jace: You’re not explaining anything here. What the hell is a vanguard?
Vanguard: Not “a” vanguard, THE Vanguard. The human race is vile, and I want nothing more than to make it pure and beautiful.
Jace: What do you mean by vile?
Vanguard: Do you not see it already? A simple difference of opinion can lead to war and countless deaths. Countries like this have such an abundance of resources that it has trouble finding new locations for all of its trash, while others are so deprived that their people suffer from famine. Humans are so divided. How can we allow such atrocity to occur in this world of ours? God did not create humans for them to live like savages. God wanted us to achieve utopia far before the 21st century!
Jace: God? Look, I’m not an atheist or anything, but I don’t really buy into all of that religious mumbo jumbo you’re spewing off.
Vanguard: Of course, you’re not an atheist.
Jace: Huh?
Vanguard: God is standing before you.
Jace looks at Vanguard with a weirded-out expression.
Vanguard: I want to unify this world under a single religion where I will be its holy figure! In this world, our species will no longer be divided! Jace, join the Vanguard and help me create a utopia!
Jace stares at Vanguard.
Jace: I’ll pass.
Vanguard: Are you sure about that?
Jace: Hell yeah, I am! What you’re saying… It's like you want everyone to be the exact same. What kind of world is that?
Vanguard: A perfect one.
Jace: For you, maybe. You want to be a god amongst men; let me guess, that ring is all part of your plan!
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard: Maybe it is.
Jace: Then I’m going to defeat you and take that ring right off your damn finger! Those things are bad news, and I won’t let you leave here with it in your possession! This is my chance to prove myself and show everyone what I can do!
Jace launches himself towards a tree and uses it as a springboard, sending him flying at Vanguard at an extreme speed.
Jace: (I don’t know what his quirk is, but unless it affects his reaction speed, there’s no way he can stop me!) Pulverizing Punt!
Jace kicks Vanguard with tremendous impact force and velocity, but nothing happens.
Jace: Wh- what?
Vanguard: So, that was your turn? I guess I’ll take mine.
Vanguard grabs Jace’s neck with one hand, hoists him up, and starts strangling him.
Jace: *choking*
Vanguard: Do you know why you’re never the star of the show, Jace? Do you know why you’re never important? Because you’re weak.
Jace: *choking* What’s… your… quirk?
Vanguard laughs.
Vanguard: My quirk allows me to give others power, but not myself. My strength is purely human.
Jace: *choking*
Vanguard: That’s right, Jace. You’re being utterly embarrassed by someone who is essentially quirkless. Do you not see the triviality of your own existence?
Vanguard drops Jace to the ground.
Jace: *Gasps for air*
Vanguard: If you can’t stand up to me, Jace. How can you stand up to anyone? Clearly, you were abandoning U.A. to convince yourself that you’re not the problem. Your failures are your own, Jace. It doesn’t matter where you are or where you’re going… you’ll always be the same pathetic boy you’ve always been.
Jace: You’re wrong! I was the best there was back in High School!
Vanguard: Have you ever considered that’s because you didn’t have any competition back then?
Jace’s eyes widen.
Vanguard: Jake Kopech slept through the Sports Festival you’re remembered for, and he has a statue built in this city. Adam Hayze was essentially quirkless while you were in High School, and he’s a famous hero in this city. What the hell are you, Jace?
Tears start to roll down Jace’s face.
Jace: STOP IT! STOP IT!
Vanguard: Jace, don’t cry. I’m here to help you.
Jace looks at Vanguard as the moonlight shines upon his back.
Vanguard: As I said, my quirk grants me the ability to empower others. How, you may ask? I can give you another quirk.
Jace: Wh- what?
Vanguard reaches into his pocket and pulls out the Fool card.
Vanguard: You were ashamed to be represented by the Fool, but I can give you the power of the Fool.
Jace wipes his face.
Jace: And you’re saying… that will make me strong?
Vanguard: Not just strong, Jace. I can make you the person you’ve always wanted to be. I can give you every quality you wish you had in addition to a new quirk to add to your own.
Jace is in deep thought.
Jace: I can be… my ideal version of myself?
Vanguard: Yes, Jace, you can, but you have to answer one question for me.
Jace: Wh- what?
Vanguard: Will you join the Vanguard?
Jace stares at Vanguard for a few moments.
Jace: Y- yes! I will!
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard: Good…
Vanguard holds up the Alpha Ring, and it starts to glow.
Vanguard: Then please stare into this ring.
Jace stares into the glowing ring.
Vanguard: And consider this a gift from God.
At the entrance to U.A., Ash and Eve have reentered the premise with bags of groceries in hand.
Ash: Thanks Ms. Fatal for escorting us.
Fatal: No problem, girls. Have a good night!
Fatal leaves Ash and Eve.
Eve: Come on, Ash. Let’s head back. I'm sure two or three more people have gotten back by now.
Ash: Yeah, let’s-
The gate opens.
Ash: Huh?
Eve: Who’s that?
Jace steps through the gate.
Ash: Jace? What are you doing here?
Eve: And why were you out by yourself? We’re supposed to be accompanied by a teacher.
Jace is silent.
Ash: Jace?
Eve: You there, idiot?
Jace smiles.
Jace: Hello, girls.
Eve: Hey…
Jace: Sorry, I just needed to go on a walk. I didn’t think I needed to bother a teacher for that.
Eve: Yeah, well, you should next time. If you got caught, you’d be in serious trouble. Don’t worry, though. We won’t rat you out or anything.
Ash: Yeah, it’s okay!
Eve: Anyway, we brought back some ingredients for a great-
Jace gets on one knee, takes Eve’s hand, and kisses it.
Eve: Wh- What the!
Jace: Thank you for not revealing my secret, Eve. I appreciate your confidentiality almost as much as your beauty.
Eve’s face turns red.
Eve: Get away from me!
Jace laughs and stands up.
Jace: And as for you, Ash. I find the fact that you wear white underwear to be very attractive.
Ash’s face also turns red.
Ash: Wh- wh- wh- HUH?
Jace starts walking away.
Eve: Hey! Don’t walk away from us! What the hell was that!
Jace stops and looks back at them.
Eve: You don’t just kiss girls’ hands and talk about their underwear without permission! What the hell has gotten into you?
Jace laughs.
Jace: I’ve seen the light, Eve.