Alec leaps out of the way.
Alec: Yeah, never mind, you can have this one!
Kevin punches Grace in the face sending her flying into the arena wall, crating it in.
Kevin: She didn’t take much!
Eve, Karma, and Alexis are shocked.
Alexis: That was an insane hit!
Karma: Yeah, that girl didn’t even try to dodge; she just took it.
Eve: No way she’s getting back up after that!
Silver is impressed.
Silver: Well, Kevin got a little stronger, I see. He made short work of that girl.
Justus: Don’t speak so soon.
Grace starts to get back up.
Kevin: Huh?
Silver: What!
“ Grace: The more I get hit, the stronger I become. My power grows with each blow. So based on my assessment, I’d say that if you punch me just a few more times, I will start hitting harder than you. “ - Chapter 109
Justus: Her ability is quite unique. It’s a strength quirk that counters other strength quirks.
Silver: Huh? What do you mean?
Justus: Kevin, you have to avoid hitting her! It will only make her stronger!
Kevin: What? How do you suppose I go about that?
Justus: Might I remind you of the goal of this exercise.
Both Alec and Grace’s team’s third-years are left completely defenseless.
Silver: That’s right, they aren’t even attempting to protect their flag.
Justus: If you focus on her team’s flag, Silver and I can try for the other.
Grace leaps down from the wall.
Grace: That was a nice hit! I’ll take another!
Grace charges at Kevin.
Justus: She’s built to fight people like you and me, Kevin. I don’t recommend pursuing a drawn-out battle!
Kevin charges at Grace.
Justus: Kevin!
Kevin punches Grace again. She goes flying into the same spot in the wall.
Justus: He’s not listening…
Silver: Whatever, as long as she’s distracted, that’s one less problem for us to deal with. Now, I will go after their flags and eliminate both teams. After that, we can turn our attention to-
Justus: No, I should go for the flags. You’re a ranged fighter. You can defend and attack from here with Aster. If I stay behind, I won’t be able to help you.
Silver stares at Justus.
Silver: (This guy always wants the glory for himself.) No.
Justus: What do you mean, No? It’s our best option.
Silver: I’m not playing second fiddle to you.
Justus: You literally fight better when you’re standing still! How can you be arguing against me right now!
Silver: I can get this job done better and faster than you. I’m not taking on a support role, so you can fit in with this team. The objective is to capture their flags, and I have the best chance of doing that, so I’m not going to sit back and help you feel better about your contributions.
Justus: Silver! You’re not making any-
Suddenly Alec’s scythe digs into Justus’ back.
Alec: Sorry to interrupt your lover’s quarrel, but I just wanted to remind you that I’m here!
Alec reels his scythe back. Justus falls to a knee, holding his wound.
Silver: See? You should play defense, Justus.
Justus: *grunts*
Alec licks Justus’ blood. Justus feels a strange feeling pulsate over his body.
Justus: Dammit, that will make this tricky!
Silver approaches Alec.
Justus: Silver! What are you doing?
Silver: I’m gonna fight this guy.
Justus: But he and I are connected! Any damage you do to him will reflect on me!
Silver: So what? If I knock this guy out, we don’t need you. It’ll be a clear path straight to their flags.
Justus: Silver! Stop acting like a brat! You’re not helping this team!
Silver: Do you not see what’s going on here! This isn’t a team!
Justus is caught off-guard by this response.
Silver: Kevin’s fighting that girl for no reason other than his ego, and we’re fighting over something meaningless! I refuse to be benched when I know I’m better than you; if I had to guess, the feeling is mutual!
Justus doesn’t have a response.
Silver: Yeah, “best option,” my ass.
Alec laughs.
Alec: You guys seem functional.
Silver: We aren’t.
Silver cracks his knuckles.
Silver: And that’s fine by me.
Eve, Karma, and Alexis all look concerned.
Karma: Those three couldn’t work together if their lives depended on it.
Eve: But that doesn’t make any sense. Silver and Justus worked together during the Final Exams, which were much higher stakes than this.
Alexis: And usually, Kevin is very cooperative, but he’s putting a fight with Grace over the objective.
Hunt: It actually makes a lot of sense.
Alexis, Karma, and Eve: Hm?
Hunt: You all probably aren’t aware of the history behind Silver and Justus’ relationship.
Alexis: There’s history?
Eve: As in before our class?
Hunt: Silver’s father was the first hero to be blocked from being number one by Colossus.
Eve, Karma, and Alexis are all surprised.
Karma: What? How come we’ve never heard of this before?
Hunt: Because you’re young.
Eve: No, she means from Silver.
Alexis: Or Justus.
Adrian: You’d have to ask Silver that, not Mr. Hunt.
Hunt: I only bring it up because of the recent development of Colossus not truly being as powerful as he let on. Silver’s father could have been the best, but Colossus was chosen to be number 1, not him. I’m sure that weighs on Silver’s mind. He doesn’t want to be number 2 to Colossus’ son.
Tobias takes a seat on the ground and starts meditating.
Angel: He’s just sitting there now.
Saige: He’s gonna wait until his friend wakes up. Then he’ll try again.
Lilith: Sh- should we do something?
Saige: Eh, there really isn’t any point. He’ll just deflect our attacks. Besides, I’m enjoying the show going on outside.
Grace jumps down from the wall again.
Grace: Thank you, sir. May I have another?
Kevin: So, your power grows each time I hit you, huh?
Grace: Oh, so CJ told you about my quirk. It doesn’t really matter. Two punches from you, and I’m almost full-go.
Kevin: Funny, I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with here.
Grace: Kevin Baldwin, 6”2, 215 pounds, your quirk Adrenaline rush allows you to increase the concentration of the adrenaline in your body. At more than 30%, you suffer drawbacks. 40% begins your threshold for being on a “timer” per your words and 60%+ is when your competency is suppressed. You placed 2nd in the first-year Sports Festival after losing to Justus Grey in the Finals. That loss came due to Justus outlasting your time limit. Thus, the simplest way to defeat you is by forcing you to exceed 60% adrenaline concentration. All I need to do with my power is withstand enough of your attacks until I’m stronger than you. When the battle turns in my favor, you’ll be forced to use more and more adrenaline. From there, I just need to survive the clock.
Kevin stares at Grace with a blank expression.
Kevin: D- did I just have a stroke?
Grace: I didn’t just pick you Silver, Justus, Aaron, and Hayze out of a bag. I did extensive research and deduced that you five would be the most… exhilarating of matchups.
Grace starts to drool.
Eve: This girl is a freak!
Ryan, Fabio, and Romeo sigh.
Fabio: In more ways than one…
Romeo: She’s a masochist…
Ryan: Yeah, and that’s what makes her so dangerous.
Eve: I’d say gross, but we can go with that.
Fabio: He means that literally. Grace’s ability has a massive weakness. Sure she gets stronger with each punch, but that doesn’t mean she can naturally withstand all of them. It doesn’t matter if her power grows after each attack if she goes down after the first one. She gets an erotic thrill out of her own pain, which allows her to keep getting back up after every attack, more vital than before.
Ryan: The amount of dopamine and serotonin released into her brain is like a high. It’s gonna take a lot to bring her down. Your friend doesn’t stand a chance if he keeps punching her full force like that.
Eve: So this chick is a massive pervert with an ability that makes her stronger because she’s a pervert. Jesus fucking christ, what is it with these top student girls from other schools?
Romeo: They say that due to quirks, the female libido actually peaks at the same time as men.
Alexis, Eve, Karma, Fabio, and Ryan: Shut up, Romeo.
Romeo: *sobs*
Grace wipes the drool off of her face.
Grace: Anyway... HIT ME AGAIN!
Kevin: With pleasure!
Eve: *yelling from the stands* DON’T PHRASE IT LIKE THAT, KEVIN!
Kevin charges at Grace.
Grace: (Good, once I feel the sweet sensation of his knuckles smashing against the side of my head. I’ll be more powerful than he is, and then I’ll be in control of this fight!)
Kevin smiles.
Grace: (Huh?)
Kevin feints and gets Grace in a chokehold.
Grace: Wh- what are you doing?
Kevin: So, you get stronger with each hit, right?
A white aura surrounds Kevin’s right arm.
Kevin: Then all I need to do is use targeted attacks on vital parts of your body!
Kevin’s kidney punches Grace.
Grace: OH YEAH!
Kevin: That’s uh… not what I was expecting!
Kevin begins rapidly kidney punching Grace over and over again. She pukes up a ton of blood.
Kevin: How do you like that!
Grace: Ah… who said stop?
Kevin: Wh- what?
Grace rips Kevin’s arm from her neck. She then chucks him into the wall.
Kevin: *grunts* Dammit… I thought that would work.
Grace: Man, you aren’t even going all out, and you have me RILED up! And after that series of punches, I’m stronger than you! So, now you have to increase your adrenaline!
Kevin: *frustrated grunt*
Alec lunges at Silver with his two scythes. Silver uses a small wall of silver dust to block his attack.
Silver: You talk a big game, but you’re nothing compared to me.
Alec: Big words coming from a guy that got socked by a girl.
Silver: What are you-
Ester reverts to her standard form and punches Silver directly in the face, causing his skin to split and his blood to spill onto Ester’s fingers.
Silver: *frustrated grunt*
Alec: Good work, Ester.
Ester: Thanks, Alec. I did my best!
Alec: You did, now return to me.
Ester transforms back into a scythe, and Alec grabs her.
Alec: Boy, this was way too easy.
Alec dabs his finger in Silver’s blood on the ground and licks it. Silver feels the strange feeling pulsate through his body.
Alec: Now then, it’s time for fun.
Alec drives both of his scythes into his thighs. Reflecting the wounds onto Silver and Justus.
Silver and Justus: AHHHH!
Justus struggles to his feet as Silver falls to the ground.
Justus: Look at what you caused, Silver. We wouldn’t have been in this mess if you had worked with me!
Silver: Just shut up already. This is all a part of the plan!
Justus: Huh?
Alec’s wounds haven’t healed.
Alec: What the?
Alec falls to his knees in pain.
Alec: Why aren’t they healing!
Ester: Alec! Look!
Alec looks closer at his wounds. The gashes are outlined by silver dust prying them open.
Alec: What!
Silver: You seriously thought I forgot the girl was one of your scythes? I wanted you to ingest my blood. When you drove your weapons into my dust wall, I had a small portion of the wall slip down the scythes and into your sleeves.
Silver smiles.
Silver: Any damage you do to yourself won’t be instantly healed. Which means your abilities are entirely inert.
Alec looks around his body. Small portions of silver dust are attached to his skin like sand at a beach.
Alec: You think you’re clever? All I need to do is knock you out, and none of this will matter!
Silver: I’m aware.
Alec holds his scythe to his own arm.
Alec: So what if I can’t heal myself! I’ll take you and your teammate out easily!
Silver: Let me ask you a question.
Alec: Huh?
Silver: Don’t you think that’s literally the first thing I would think of?
Silver opens his remaining four canisters of silver dust.
Silver: If your legs are shot, what’s your counter to this?
Alec’s eyes widen.
Alec: Gavin! Take Ester!
Alec tosses Gavin Ester as Silver crashes a massive wave of silver dust into Alec, sending him crashing into a wall. Silver and Justus feel pain in their back as Alec’s damage is reflected.
Gavin: Woah! That was spicy!
Eve is impressed.
Eve: Silver just completely annihilated him!
Karma: Alec is submerged under all of that dust. He’s 100% immobilized.
Alexis: Silver probably could have beaten Alec in a drawn-out match, but he approached the battle this way because it disposed of Alec much sooner.
Eve: Why did he do that? For style points?
Alexis: No… he was protecting Justus.
Eve: Huh? What?
Silver turns to Justus.
Silver: He won’t be able to move for the rest of the round. I have to stay right here to keep it that way. I’ll protect our flag.
Justus stares at Silver for a moment, then nods and limps towards Gavin and Ester.
Silver: (Yeah, that’s what I thought.)
Adrian smiles.
Adrian: (Had he fought Alec for an extended period, Justus would have been completely incapacitated. By defeating Alec quickly, he ensured that Justus only sustained bad but not severe injuries, albeit at the cost of caving to Justus’ plans. Silver wanted to be in the spotlight and win at the same time. This way, he can accomplish both.)
Justus faces off against Gavin.
Justus: I won’t lie to you, I don’t even know your name, but I’m more than ready to take you down.
Gavin: I didn’t know shadows could talk?
Justus: Huh?
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Gavin: You’re Colossus’ shadow, right?
Justus stares at Gavin.
Justus: I see… you’re trying to get a rise out of me.
Gavin: Yeah… ASS GAS!
Justus: What?
Ester: WAIT, GAVIN, NO!
Gavin rips a colossal cloud of goofy gas, engulfing himself and Ester. Justus leaps back and barely avoids it.
Justus: (This must be his ability.)
Justus throws his shield into the air.
Gavin: Oh, so you avoided my ass gas?
The cloud clears, and Ester is scooting her butt against the ground, circling Gavin with drool coming down her chin.
Ester: Weeeeee! I’m having fun!
Gavin: My ass gas is unstoppable! You don’t stand a chance against me!
Justus's shield slices through the air and wedges between Gavin’s buttcheeks.
Gavin: AHHHHH!
Gavin falls to the ground writhing in pain.
Gavin: My ass gas! NOOOOOOO!
Justus and the spectators are dumbfounded.
Justus: I- I didn’t expect that to work…
Kevin gets to his feet.
Grace: Alright, enough is enough. POWER UP! I’m ready for the real fight to begin!
Kevin: Sorry, but that’s not how I do things anymore.
Grace: Hm?
Kevin: I realized my combat style was flawed a while ago. Once I reached a certain point, I wasn’t the one fighting anymore… my quirk was. All of my peers have shown how brain is just as important as brawn in battle. My quirk completely ignores that. I become a raging pile of muscle that’s incapable of proper thought. That’s why I worked hard to change that about myself. Just because I can increase my adrenaline output doesn’t mean I should!
Grace is confused.
Grace: Well, this is a tease… quit monologuing and power up!
Kevin: No, I only fight at 30% now.
Grace: If that’s the case, then I’ll just defeat you now!
Grace lunges at Kevin.
Kevin: Bad move.
Grace: Huh?
Kevin’s legs emit a white aura.
Adrian: (That white energy… he also had that happen when he got her in the chokehold earlier.)
Kevin last-second dodges and leaps away from Grace’s punch, causing her fist to collide with the wall.
Grace: (What? That speed… he’s only able to achieve that at 60% or higher! What’s going on?)
Grace rips her fist from the wall.
Grace: How did you do that? No way you’re only at 30!
The white aura transfers to Kevin’s arms.
Adrian: (I see…)
The skin on Kevin’s arms begins to turn bright red, much to Grace’s surprise.
Grace: Don’t tell me…
Kevin: Take this! 90% Fusillade!
Kevin punches Grace into the wall and begins beating her with a barrage of punches.
Kevin: AHHHHHH!
Each punch pushes Grace further into the cement wall. After nearly 200 strikes, Kevin’s arms begin to shoot steam out of every pore.
Kevin: Time for a finisher! ADRENAL DRIVE!
Kevin winds back his right arm, and it changes to blood red. He punches Grace in the stomach and shatters the cement around her body. His arms have reverted to normal, but he has a small amount of steam coming from them, and he can barely lift them above his shoulders.
Kevin: *breathing heavily* Take that…
Eve shoots up from her seat.
Eve: What the hell was that?
Karma: I’ve never seen Kevin fire off such a powerful barrage while still being able to speak properly!
Adrian: Looks like he’s discovered a new way to use his quirk.
Houston: Impressive.
Alexis: Kevin seems to have mastered a way of only increasing the adrenaline output in certain parts of his body, allowing him to apply his quirk's positive effects without suffering all of the negative consequences. During that last barrage, he had his arms working with 90% adrenaline which is why they were bright red, and for the final attack, he used 100%.
Eve: That’s insane…
Karma: And he mastered that in only a few months?
Alexis: By the looks of it, yeah. Kevin must have felt pretty motivated to change the way he fights.
Adrian: (Alexis is correct. This kind of innovation isn’t easy. Kevin had to reformat the way he uses his quirk completely, and the finished product is quite impressive. For Kevin, the idea of using his most potent abilities, a.k.a. 90 and 100% outside of a colossal battle, was utterly ludicrous. But, by realizing that utilizing his full power was a mistake, he could use both in an ordinary fight.)
Adrian smiles.
Adrian: (Kevin realized that by taking a step back, he could take a massive leap forward.)
Kevin falls to a knee.
Kevin: (That’s my first time using this power in an actual combat scenario. It took a lot out of me, but I’m sure she’s done for.)
Grace starts moving, much to everyone’s surprise.
Grace: Now that… WAS A RUSH!
Kevin: H- how!
Grace’s right collar bone and left arm are broken alongside her right femur. In addition, Grace has 6 shattered ribs and a punctured lung.
Grace: Nobody has ever given me a beating like that!
Kevin: *frustrated grunt*
Eve watches in horror.
Eve: H- h- h- how big of a pervert is she?
Ryan: Apparently strong enough to withstand that.
Filip wakes up.
Filip: Wh- what’s going on?
Tobias: Good, you’re awake.
Tobias stands up.
Lilith: Uh… Saige, they’re back.
Saige: Oh, yeah, they are.
Saige jumps down off the throne.
Saige: So, will we have an encore of last time or?
Tobias: Your arrogance will get the better of you soon enough. All you’re doing is hiding behind a wall.
Saige: Hiding? I’d call it defending. Our win condition is to protect the crown at all costs. If you call that cowardice, I don’t want to know what you call victory.
Tobias: I’m not saying your strategy isn’t sound. I’m commenting on your attitude. You act as though you’re in complete control over this situation. However, you can only control what goes on inside that bubble.
Saige: Might I remind you that I put your teammate to sleep for the last 10 minutes, which made you have to twiddle your thumbs during that time.
Tobias: Yes, that’s true, but you cannot defeat us from inside that bubble. You’re waiting until the other fights are completed. However, you have no control over when and how those battles end.
Saige: Oh, we can’t defeat you, huh? Angel, use your ultimate move.
Angel: B- but you’ll be injured.
Saige: No, we won’t.
Angel: Alright then…
Angel covers himself with his wings.
Saige: Now watch.
Saige creates a smaller bubble shield around just herself, Lilith, and Daniele.
Saige: Go now, Angel!
Angel starts gyrating rapidly. Saige lowers the original bubble shield.
Angel: Steradian Defense: Ultimate Quill Cascade!
Angel starts firing off Feathers in every single direction possible.
Filip: The fuck is th-
Filip gets shot up with feathers to the entire front of his body.
Filip: AHHHH!
Tobias attempts to deflect every feather fired at him with his cane and open hand but cannot stop every single one causing him to sustain minor injuries as the feathers cut into multiple spots on his arms, legs, and torso.
Tobias: *grunts*
Angel ends his attack and spreads his wings.
Angel: Hey, that worked pretty well!
Saige lowers the inner shield and raises the original one.
Hunt: Filip Frederick from the Purple Team has been knocked unconscious and eliminated.
Saige giggles.
Saige: What was that about us not being able to defeat you?
Tobias: Beating one member of our team is not defeating all of us.
Saige: Man, you should realize that nobody takes you seriously after what Aaron did to you.
Tobias doesn’t respond.
Saige: That’s what I thought. Lilith, come here.
Grace limps towards Kevin.
Grace: Alright, big guy, it’s my turn.
Kevin: (Shit! I’m down to just my legs, and who knows how hard she’ll hit now after everything I put her through.)
Grace charges at Kevin.
Kevin: (What! She was just limping a minute ago!)
Grace punches Kevin in the face breaking his jaw in four places.
Kevin: AHHHH!
The impact nearly sends Kevin flying, but Grace grabs Kevin’s ankle and throws him into the dirt.
Kevin: *groans*
Grace: Don’t tell me you’re done already! I WANT MORE!
All of the students watching look disgusted.
Eve: This is just disturbing…
Alexis: But criminally effective. I haven’t seen anyone throw Kevin around like this since his battle with Justus!
Karma: Even though her methods are weird and perverse, she’s far beyond our power.
Alexis: Yeah, I wouldn’t stand a chance against her.
Eve: *groans* Can you guys stop complimenting her… she’s literally just getting off on her own pain.
Romeo: To be fair, there isn’t much difference between Kevin’s use of adrenaline and her use of dopamine. Both accomplish the same purpose of allowing them to fight through immense pain and injuries. You only have a problem with Grace’s method because you’re too prude.
Eve stares at Romeo.
Romeo: Uh oh…
A few minutes later, Romeo is being carted off to the infirmary.
Eve: *under her breath* Piece of fucking, goddamn fucking…
Ryan and Fabio are both shaking in fear.
Ryan: Why are there so many terrifying girls in this class…
Fabio: I don’t know, but I don’t like it!
Kevin tries to get up, but Grace steps on his back and pushes him back to the ground.
Grace: I’ve never felt this powerful before! Aw man, if this is how good a fight with you feels… I can’t wait to fight some of the others!
Grace starts to drool again.
Kevin: (This chick is so weird…)
Kevin grabs a handful of dirt and throws it into Grace’s eyes.
Grace: Eek!
Kevin then kicks Grace in the stomach, causing her to fall on her ass.
Kevin: (She’s too strong now, I have to try and capture her flag!)
The white aura surrounds Kevin’s legs.
Kevin: (70%!)
Kevin rushes towards Grace, Tobias, and Filip’s flag.
Kevin: (This is my only chance!)
Tobias rushes and intercepts Kevin.
Kevin: (Woah! How did he-)
Tobias swipes Kevin’s legs causing Kevin to smash into the ground.
Kevin: *groans*
Grace: Helen Keller! I told you he’s mine!
Tobias: That nickname doesn’t even make sense.
Justus and Silver turn their attention to Kevin’s fight.
Justus: Kevin looks like he’s in trouble.
Silver: Go, I’ll keep these three at bay.
Gavin is rolling on the ground in pain with Justus’ shield still wedged in his ass, and Ester is eating dirt.
Justus: Right…
Justus gingerly jogs towards Kevin, Tobias, and Grace.
Silver: Actually, now that I think about it…
Silver takes some silver dust from the pile holding Alec and streams it over to their team’s flag. He wraps the third-year in the dust and drags them over to him.
Hunt: The Pink team’s flag has been captured, which means participating members Alec Vyxon, Gavin Thompson, and Ester Clark, alongside Reed Grier, have been eliminated.
Silver: Good.
Kevin slowly gets to his feet.
Tobias: You may not capture our flag; I will not allow it. You may, however, return to your fight with Grace.
Kevin: (That’s not happening.)
Kevin attempts to spin kick Tobias, but he dodges and smacks Kevin down again with his cane.
Tobias: Do I have to repeat myself?
Grace comes running over.
Grace: Did you not hear me! This one is mine! I called dibs!
Tobias: I’m not interfering with your battle. I simply am protecting our flag.
Grace: Well, good!
Grace grabs Kevin by the collar.
Grace: Because I’m not done with him.
Kevin’s legs emit a white aura; they turn blood red.
Tobias: Grace! Look out!
Grace: Huh?
Kevin: (ADRENALINE RUSH!)
Kevin kicks Grace so hard that she gets sent flying backward. Kevin then runs at an extreme speed, catches up to her in midair, and kicks her to the ground.
Kevin: (Now for number two!)
Kevin attempts to run back for Tobias, but Grace grabs his ankle and trips him.
Kevin: Huh?
Grace: THIS IS THE BEST BATTLE EVER!
Grace throws Kevin, and he slams into Saige’s bubble shield.
Lilith: Kevin!
Grace charges at Kevin.
Saige: (Oh no!) Lilith, you have to-
Grace punches in the stomach with such force that it shatters the bubble shield sending Saige, Lilith, Angel, Daniele, and the crown flying.
Kevin: *groans*
Grace: You’re still conscious after that? Man, that’s hot!
The crown hits the ground and rolls to a stop.
Angel: Lilith! Saige! We have to-
Tobias smacks the back of Angel’s head with his cane and knocks him out cold.
Hunt: Angel Northcroft from the Yellow Team has been knocked unconscious and eliminated.
Silver and Justus run towards the crown, but Grace gets in their way.
Grace: Remember what we talked about earlier? It’s time for us to fight!
Silver: *frustrated grunt*
Justus: *grunts*
Lilith runs for the crown and grabs it; Tobias walks toward her.
Tobias: I’ll be taking that.
Lilith: No! It’s ours.
Tobias lunges at Lilith and smacks her wrist with his cane, causing her to drop the crown. He punches her hard in the stomach, and she falls to the ground writhing in pain.
Blair: Damn, that means we’re out!
Hayze: Yeah, they put up a good fight, though…
Tobias stares at the crown for a moment. He doesn’t pick it up. However, instead, he chooses to walk away from it.
Blair: Wh- what’s he doing?
Hayze clenches his fist.
Hayze: He better not be doing what I think he’s doing!
Blair: Huh?
Saige is writhing in pain on the ground, holding her head in her hand, unable to stand. Tobias approaches her.
Tobias: Well, well, well, look what we have here.
Saige is in so much pain she can’t speak.
Tobias: Remember the talk we had? This is what happens when you’re arrogant. Your wall protected you, but you had no plan for if it fell. I knew Grace inevitably would break through, and you’d be writhing in pain on the ground… like a bitch.
Saige: *frustrated grunt*
Eve, Karma, and Alexis look concerned.
Eve: Why is he doing this? If he grabs the crown, their whole team is eliminated!
Alexis: That’s not what he’s after…
Eve: Huh?
Alexis: Remember, this guy tore Justus down during the Sports Festival, and apparently, he did something similar to Aaron during the Final Exams. It’s like this guy lives for calling people out on their character flaws.
Ryan: You’re not wrong. Tobias has a major superiority complex. He can’t see, so he’s super observant of others' behavior. It’s like he believes he exists to call people out on their bullshit. If you ask me, it’s kind of sad, but I’d never tell him that. The last thing I’d want is to end up on the receiving end of one of his verbal beatdowns.
Eve: I’m just confused why Saige isn’t fighting back. It didn’t look like she got hit at any point.
Hunt: This is the weakness of Saige’s quirk I talked about. She receives an intense migraine if one of her psychic constructs is destroyed.
Karma: But we already knew that.
Hunt: That’s not the weakness I’m referring to. That problem leads to her true weakness. Saige can only create constructs when her mind is clear. So, if she has a migraine.
Alexis: She’s completely helpless…
Tobias kicks Saige.
Tobias: Maybe you should learn that pride is earned. The ability to laugh in the face of others isn’t something you do when you’re this easily defeated.
Tobias kicks Saige again.
Tobias: It’s pathetic to think you’re this powerless after one of your flimsy objects shatters. How can you call yourself a hero?
Tobias begins savagely beating Saige with his cane as tears roll down her face.
Tobias: Cry all you wish! You would have laughed in the face of your opponents. You wouldn’t have expressed sympathy, so why should anyone have it for you?
Tobias senses something approaching, and he instinctively deflects it. It was a fireball.
Tobias: Hm?
Tobias looks in the direction the fireball came from. Hayze has stepped out of his cell, and his eyes are red.
Wrath: (If you hit her with that cane again, I’ll shove it right up your ass!)
Hayze: If you hit her with that cane again, I’ll shove it right up your ass!
Grace, Justus, and Silver are surprised.
Justus: Hayze?
Silver: What’s he doing?
Blair looks concerned.
Blair: H- Hayze?
Tobias smiles.
Tobias: Protecting one of your own, I see.
Hayze: What do you mean by that?
Tobias: Your fellow lab rat was in danger, so you came to her aid.
Hayze stares at Tobias.
Wrath: (You have ten seconds to grab that crown.)
Hayze: You have ten seconds to grab that crown.
Hunt turns to Adrian. Adrian nods and leaps into the arena between Tobias and Hayze.
Adrian: Alright, break this up!
Tobias: I’m following the rules of the exercise, sir. She still is my opponent. He’s interfering.
Adrian: I’m not concerned with the exercise rules right now. Walk away from her, Tobias. She’s eliminated.
Tobias stares at Adrian for a few moments.
Tobias: Alright.
Tobias steps away from Saige. Adrian turns to Hayze.
Adrian: Hayze, you are eliminated for interfering with a round you’re not participating in.
Hayze stares at Adrian.
Wrath: (Don’t let that blind bastard get away! He deserves to burn!)
Hayze’s eyes revert to normal.
Hayze: That’s fine.
Hayze steps back into his cell.
Blair: Hayze, are you okay?
Hayze: I’m fine, don’t worry about it.
Blair: Are you s-
Blair thinks for a moment.
Blair: Okay.
Adrian leaps back into the stands and retakes his seat.
Hunt: Thank you for that, Adrian.
Adrian: Something had to be done. I believe Hayze was more than ready to fight Tobias had I not stepped in.
Eve, Karma, and Alexis all overhear what Adrian said. Hunt stands up.
Hunt: You may now resume.
Tobias picks up the crown.
Hunt: The Yellow team has lost possession of the crown which means remaining team members Lilith Weber and Blair Maddox have been eliminated.
Tobias walks up next to Grace and faces off against Justus and Silver.
Tobias: Do you wish to fight these two?
Grace: Of course.
Grace cracks her knuckles.
Silver and Justus: *grunts*
Tobias: Alright, then I will return to guarding our-
Grace: Wait a second!
Grace notices Silver and Justus’ injuries.
Grace: AWWWW MAN! These guys are already injured!
Tobias: So?
Grace: I’m not wasting my first time fighting them now! Not while they’re injured! I want them fresh!
Tobias: Uh… what?
Grace sits down and pouts.
Grace: Nope! Not doing it!
Tobias looks at Silver and Justus.
Tobias: Well then, I guess I have no choice.
Tobias tosses them the crown, and Silver catches it.
Silver: Huh?
Tobias: I cannot defeat both of you at once. So, I have no choice but to surrender.
Silver and Justus are both confused.
Silver: You’re kidding, right?
Hunt clears his throat.
Hunt: The Purple team has lost possession of the crown which means remaining team members Tobias Ingram, Grace LaFleur, Desiree Bautista, and Charlotte Matthews have been eliminated.
Tobias turns to walk away.
Tobias: Come, Grace.
Grace: I already did, twice. That fight with the big guy was HOT!
Tobias shutters.
Tobias: Ugh…
Silver and Justus walk to the throne. Aster takes a seat on the throne, and Silver places the crown on his head.
Hunt: The Blue team wins round three!
Aster laughs.
Aster: It wasn’t pretty but you three did pretty good.
Hayze, Blair, Alec, Ester, Tobias, Charlotte, Reed, Desiree, and Lilith take their seats in the stands while Gavin, Filip, Angel, Kevin, and Saige are carted off to Recovery Girl’s office. Grace refuses to be carted away, so she walks to the infirmary.
Hunt: Due to Kevin Bohm’s injuries from Round 3, he will not be allowed to compete further. So, he is therefore eliminated. Blue only has three members remaining, so their final member may now enter.
Ash walks out and joins Silver and Justus at the throne.
Ash: Good work, guys.
Silver: Looks like we won’t be cooking for the girls now.
Ash: Who said that?
Silver and Justus: Huh?
Ash: I said if you guys lose, you didn’t specify a round, so if you lose at all…
Silver and Justus stare at Ash.
Silver: FUCK!
Justus: We’ve been outplayed…
Aster: (I think I have a favorite in this group.)
Hunt clears his throat.
Hunt: For the remaining three teams, you have the next minute to decide whether you will compete in this round.
Silver and Justus look around.
Silver: Who is even left?
Ash: If I’m keeping track correctly, two teams haven’t entered a single round yet. Aaron’s team and a team from 2-B.
Silver: And who is the other?
Ash: Well…
Gus is sobbing in the corner of his cell as Tyson is napping.
Ash: They’re unimportant.
Cut to Team Yul.
Zach: Okay, Aaron, we have to enter this round, so how about we go with Jace’s plan. You stay back and protect Yul at all costs. Then, If anything goes south, you can leave.
Aaron: That’s fine, but which of you are willing to have your fate in my hands?
Wes, Zach, Demetri, and Isaiah look around at each other.
Wes: I’ll go. I’d rather not help Aaron in Round 5.
Zach: Yeah, besides, I want a guaranteed crack at Silver and Justus. I want to go too.
Demetri: Fine, I can work with Isaiah and douchebag.
Aaron: You said Isaiah’s name twice.
Isaiah: HEY!
Demetri: I was clearly talking about you!
Hunt’s timer goes off.
Hunt: Let the fourth round begin!
Two gates open. Out of one comes Aaron, Wes, and Zach. Out of another comes Bruno, Verity, and Whitney. Wes looks panicked.
Wes: OH GOD! WE HAVE TO GO BACK!