Blair wakes up to the sound of her alarm.
Blair: (Today is the day.)
Blair leaps out of bed.
Blair: (The day of the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam.)
Blair brushes her teeth and grabs a towel.
Blair: (If I pass the exam, I can be out doing hero work as early as next week!)
Blair walks downstairs and takes a shower.
Blair: (I have to pass, I have to. I won’t allow anything less for myself. Nothing can go wrong today.)
Blair opens her underwear drawer… it’s empty. She stares into the drawer with a horrified look on her face.
Blair: I- I- I-
All of Class 2-A is gathered in the lobby of their dormitory, excluding Jace and Blair, wearing their school uniforms.
Zach: Man, this is exciting! I can’t wait to get started!
Angel: I know it feels like we’ve been building up for this for so long. It’s hard to believe that we usually wouldn’t take this exam for another few months.
Gus: I just want to get it over with… this is too much stress for me.
Kevin: I’ll be interested to see how many of us make it. Keep in mind only 4 of us passed the exercise Mr. Hunt and the third-years gave us.
Zach: Nah, I’m sure we’ll be fine! This is the big one. We can’t afford to mess up, so everyone will be on their A-game! Right, Hayze?
Hayze is staring off into space.
Zach: H- Hayze? You there, dude?
Hayze: Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry, what were you saying?
Justus: He asked if you agree that many of us will pass the exam because of how important it is.
Hayze: I mean, I’m sure people will give a better effort now than they did in the exercise.
Zach: See? That’s what I’m saying!
Justus stares at Hayze for a moment.
Justus: Are you alright, Hayze?
Hayze: Yeah, don’t worry about it. I’m just thinking about something…
A flashback begins.
Hayze is standing in Adrian’s office while Adrian is at this desk.
Adrian: So that’s what was going on… I had a feeling something was off…
Hayze: It was strange. I felt their presence, but they weren’t in control. It was almost as if they were influencing me, but I could disregard what they were saying and act of my own accord.
Adrian: You were wearing the fragment, though, right?
Hayze: Of course, I never take it off.
Adrian: Hm… well, there’s a chance the fragment is running out of power.
Hayze: What? You never said it could run out of juice!
Adrian: Because I didn’t want to worry you, I thought it would last long enough to the point where you wouldn’t need it anymore. You see, there’s a reason we haven’t just smashed the rings into dust. They… regenerate.
Hayze: Regenerate? That’s not something a gem can do!
Adrian: I know, and we don’t understand why they do it. But… a fragment will eventually run out of power and revert into an ordinary stone. Then, the piece we chipped off the actual ring regenerates.
Hayze: Wh- what should I do?
Adrian: Well, I’d work on getting a handle on your personalities because you’re running out of time. Right now, they’re just able to influence you, but soon enough, they’ll be able to do much more…
Hayze: I’ve spent months trying to tame Gale, Wrath, and Impulse. How can I do that knowing I’m running out of time?
Adrian: You’ll have to figure that out, for your sake.
The flashback ends.
Hayze: (It’s now or never with them.)
Jace comes walking down the stairs in his usual black attire.
Jace: Morning.
Jace sits at the dinner table, and everyone stares at him.
Zach: Guys, it’s been like a month now… I’m really worried about Jace.
Angel: Yeah… he’s just a completely different guy.
Demetri: Has anyone talked to him about it?
Zach: He brushes us off when we ask if he’s okay.
Isaiah: Or he tells us that he’s always okay because he’s “seen the light.”
Justus: We can talk to Mr. Adrian about it after the exams.
Kevin: I agree, it’s time.
Zach: Right!
Karma checks her phone. It’s 7:56.
Karma: It’s almost time to go, is everyone here?
Alexis: We’re just waiting on Blair.
Eve: I’ll go check on her.
Saige: There’s no need. Here she comes.
Blair sheepishly walks down the stairs holding her skirt down.
Blair: (Of course, today, all of the days is my laundry day… What rotten luck. I instinctively put all my underwear down the laundry shoot without thinking, and now it’s being washed! It’s okay though, Blair, you just have to wear your uniform until the exam starts, then I can change into my costume. It’s okay to not wear underwear in a bodysuit. The other girls all do it. Everything will be a-ok.)
Blair looks out the window of the dorm. It’s snowing.
Blair: (WHY IS IT SNOWING IN OCTOBER!)
Blair has a mortified look as Eve walks over to her.
Eve: What kept you so long? You were almost late.
Blair: I- uh… overslept.
Eve: Then how did you shower?
Blair: Sleepwalking.
Eve: Right…
Eve notices something.
Eve: Since when did you have a birthmark?
Blair: Huh?
This catches Jace’s attention.
Eve: There’s a little symbol on your thigh; let me see it.
Blair: No!
Blair backs up.
Blair: That’s uh, yeah, that’s my birthmark, yup yup yup. Always been there!
Eve: Weird, I’ve never noticed it before.
Blair: Yeah, it runs in the family. My mom and sister both have it too, don’t worry about it.
Blair nervously laughs.
Eve: Right…
Jace smiles.
Jace: (Dumb girl.)
Eve walks away. Blair looks down at The Fool’s mark.
Blair: (I never noticed that… what is it?)
Adrian, Fatal, Yul, Aster, Tyson, and Daniele walk through the doors.
Adrian: Alright, everyone, your attention, please.
Everyone faces Adrian.
Adrian: Today, as you all know, is the day of your first Provisional Hero Licensing Exam. I say first because for the majority of you. Hell, potentially even all of you, you’ll be retaking this exam, and that’s okay. Obviously, I’m not saying that failure should be acceptable. But, I want you all to know that passing this exam won’t be easy, especially at your experience level. That being said, give it your all. If you pass, you could be working in the field in no time. This is what you’ve been training and building for and your first shot at fulfilling your dream. So, be ready.
Everyone in the class feels nervous excitement.
Justus: (Father, I will not fail.)
Silver: (This is my chance to finally pull ahead, I won’t let my dream slip between my fingers.)
Kevin: (I’ve come a long way from being the guy that just wanted to be a hero for fun. I have a real chance to help people. I have to pass.)
Aaron: (I promised myself that I’d never settle for anything less than absolute victory ever again. I have a dream of reforming the country’s system of law, and to do that, I have to be a part of it first.)
Wes: (Jake, this one's for you. I’ll get my license so I can be a hero… just like you.)
Saige: (I won’t let my pride nor shame get the better of me. I’ll pass so that I can show everyone that even a “lab rat” can be a hero.)
Alexis: (I don’t have a lot of motivations in life. In fact, I’m not that ambitious of a girl, but being a hero is the only thing I’ve aspired for in my whole life, and I have a chance to achieve that dream today.)
Ash: (It doesn’t matter what I have to do. I will become a hero, I’m just not kind and sweet Ash anymore. I’m a strong girl, and I will prove that to everyone.)
Blair: (I was a girl riddled with anxiety and insecurities, but now I’m a proud woman. I’m not afraid of what I can and can’t do anymore. I will be the greatest hero ever and the first girl to do it.)
Hayze: (Just a few months before the first day of school, I was hopeless. That all changed when I met Dr. Moore… she may have believed what she did was wrong, but I’ll keep fighting to show her spirit that it was the best decision of her entire life!)
Fatal: Everyone, follow me.
The students follow Fatal out the doors of their dormitory.
Fatal: Okay, everyone, get inside the bus.
Zach: Th- THAT’S A BUS?
A heavily armed and reinforced bus with tinted and bullet-resistant windows is parked in front of the dorm. The tires are bulletproof, and there is a mountable machine gun turret on the top and back of the bus. Everyone stares at the bus dumbfounded.
Justus: (I guess they meant it literally when they said security would be tighter this year…)
Eve: (No chances, am I right…)
Wes: (What the fuck?)
Aaron: I call tail gun!
Fatal slaps Aaron.
Fatal: Everyone will take their NORMAL seats.
Aaron: Ugh…
Everyone loads onto the bus.
Demetri: You know, sitting in one of these for once is nice.
Isaiah: I know. Usually, we’re taped to the top of the bus.
Demetri: Or dragged by it.
Eve: Yeah, and you could end up like that if you don’t stay on your best behavior.
Demetri and Isaiah: Yes, ma’am!
Aaron takes a seat at the far back of the bus. Alexis takes a seat next to him.
Alexis: Hey there.
Aaron: Oh, hey.
Awkward silence for a few moments.
Alexis: Aaron, I just want you to know… I miss when we were close…
Aaron doesn’t respond.
Alexis: That’s okay; I wasn’t expecting any reply.
Blair takes a seat.
Blair: (Of course, I’m forced to go commando on the most important day of our entire hero education, and on top of that, it happens to be the coldest day of the year. My luck has been so bad lately… just in the last week, I had my pants ripped TWICE; my phone didn’t charge in my sleep, so I was late to class, and my bag ripped on the rainiest day of the year, ruining my homework. I don’t know what I did to upset the forces of the universe, but this sucks…)
Jace sits down next to Blair.
Blair: (And now it gets worse!)
Jace: You seem very nervous, Blair.
Blair: Huh? What do you mean?
Jace: Just something seems off… you were trying really hard to keep your skirt down. It almost makes me think-
Blair: Well, with perverts like you around, I was only trying to be extra careful.
Jace: Maybe, but why today of all days would you put the extra effort in like that?
Blair: (HE KNOWS!) Listen… Jace… buddy! You wouldn’t tell anyone, would you?
Jace looks at Blair with a sinister glint in his eye.
Blair: (Oh god…)
Jace: I won’t tell anyone, don’t worry.
Blair: R- really?
Jace: No, I quite enjoy watching you struggle to protect the little dignity you have.
Blair: Wh- what’s that supposed to mean?
Jace: Have you noticed all you’re good for is amusing everyone with your clumsy antics?
Blair: Huh? I-
Jace: I mean, come on? A bird pooping on your shoulder in the middle of an exercise, your bra getting unhooked because of a pat on the back… you’re just the unintentional class clown.
Blair: Y- you knew about the bra incident?
Jace: Of course, everyone does.
Blair: WHAT?
Jace: I mean, whenever the guys talk about you, they always laugh about the dumb stuff you do, especially Hayze.
Blair: H- Hayze?
Jace: Yup, I hate to say it, Blair, but you’re pathetic. Just like I used to be.
Blair: You still are pathetic…
Jace: That’s what you think. Do you notice how that doesn’t affect me? I’ve seen the light, Blair. I’m the person I’ve always wanted to be, and I’m happy. Do you want to continue being the pantyless laughingstock?
Blair: I- I- I don’t know…
Jace smiles.
Jace: Well, it’s a long bus ride; you can think about it during that time.
Jace gets up and moves to the back of the bus. Blair stares out the window, thinking about what Jace said.
Blair: (Am I happy with who I am? I- I’m not sure… I mean, I’m always embarrassing myself. Maybe Jace is weird, but… he’s right… he always is happy and never seems down nowadays…)
Eve takes her seat next to Blair.
Eve: Hey, how are you doing, Blair?
Blair: I… I’m alright.
Eve: Huh, is something wrong?
Blair: No.
Eve: Okay…
After everyone has loaded onto the bus, Fatal sits in the driver’s seat.
Fatal: Alright, everyone! We’re off to the testing facility!
Fatal starts the bus and drives out the front gates of U.A.
Hayze: (Here we go… it’s time for the Licensing Exam.)
After an 8-hour bus ride, Class 2-A arrives at a large stadium. Everyone funnels off of the bus.
Zach: Damn, that’s one big building!
Angel: Yeah… and secure.
Zach: Huh?
Angel: Look.
Angel points to the roof of the stadium. There are two snipers posted there.
Zach: Woah...
Adrian: Alright, everyone, as Angel has already pointed out, this testing facility has been locked down, and security is 100% airtight. After all the incidents from last year, we aren’t going to take any chances.
Silver: That makes sense.
Fatal drives the bus away.
Ash: W- where is Ms. Fatal going?
Adrian: All of your hero costumes are in the bus storage. Ms. Fatal will take the bus to a secure garage. After that, the costumes will be inspected by security. You’ll receive them when necessary.
Wes: Wait… when necessary? How long will it take them to check everyone’s costume?
Adrian: Probably about a day.
Everyone is surprised.
Wes: A day? I thought this was only going to be a one-day thing. Nobody brought anything to stay multiple.
Adrian: The exam runs differently each time it’s given. It could take 24 hours or a whole week.
Everyone is shocked.
Karma: But nobody brought a change of clothes!
Alexis: Yeah, or any of our toiletries or-
Adrian: Don’t worry. If any of those are necessary, they’ll be provided to you.
Ash: Wh- what do you mean by that?
Adrian: You’ll find out. For now, just be aware that anything can and will be thrown at you during this exam. Expect the unexpected.
Everyone stares at Adrian sternly.
Justus: (This all sounds so weird… what kind of exam is this?)
Silver: (Clothes and toiletries will be provided? I’m curious what this all could entail.)
Another bus arrives. Houston, Class 2-B, and their third-years funnel out of the bus.
Adrian: Good, they’ve arrived.
Class 2-A and 2-B lock eyes with one another.
Killian: (I can’t wait for our class to show these guys up. I got my ass handed to me in the last exercise, I can’t afford to let that happen again.)
Alec: (I want another crack at that beautiful blonde girl, Alexis.)
Bruno: (I hope that Wes has forgiven me for my necessary actions.)
Grace: (I can’t… wait… to... FIGHT!)
Grace starts drooling.
Sydney: (...)
Tobias: (...)
Gavin: (I’ve got my ass gas back!)
Verity: (The flat-chested one chose to go commando for this. She is courageous.)
Adrian waves to Houston.
Adrian: I already finished the spiel. We’re going to head inside.
Houston: Right, we’ll be seeing you soon.
Adrian turns to 2-A.
Adrian: Alright, follow me.
Everyone follows Adrian through the stadium's front entrance, and they are met by a female greeter.
Greeter: Hello, and welcome to the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam! Please take the elevator on the left if you are just here to spectate the exam.
Adrian: Right, come on, everyone.
Daniele: Good luck, guys.
Tyson: Look good out there, ladies.
Yul: I hope to see some great performances.
Aster places his hand on Blair’s shoulder.
Aster: Good luck, sis.
Blair: Thanks, Aster!
Adrian, Aster, Daniele, Yul, and Tyson leave in the elevator.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Greeter: Now, as for the rest of you. Please form an orderly line in front of the door on the right.
Everyone gets in a line. The greeter walks up to the door.
Greeter: I will let you in one at a time. You’ll know it’s your turn when I come to get you. During this time, please do not talk or communicate with the other examinees in any way, or you will automatically fail the exam.
Everyone gets tense.
Greeter: I’ll take the first person in line, please.
Aaron: That’s me.
Aaron and the greeter step through the doorway. The greeter carefully ensures nobody else can see what’s behind the door.
Hayze: (Man, this exam gets weirder by the minute.)
One by one, the students of 2-A go through the door. Eventually, Hayze reaches the front of the line. The door opens.
Greeter: Next, please.
Hayze walks through the door, and the greeter shuts it behind him. In front of him is a long dark stairwell.
Greeter: Please go down the stairs and walk down the hallway until you reach the check-in station.
Hayze: Alright.
Hayze does as he’s told. Eventually, he reaches a desk with two girls sitting behind it.
Girl 1: Hello, and welcome to the Provisional Licensing Exam!
Girl 2: Please present your student ID or other valid identification!
Hayze hands them his student ID.
Girl 1: Thank you, now, please sign these three forms.
The second girl lays out three forms in front of Hayze.
Girl 1: These are three consent forms. The first gives us permission to record you during the exam.
Girl 2: The second means that you acknowledge and accept any and all forms of treatment during this exam.
Girl 1: The third is a non-disclosure agreement.
Hayze picks up and reads the three forms.
Hayze: So, if I’m reading this second one right. You could theoretically force us to do just about anything during this exam?
Girl 2: Yes, by signing the form, you acknowledge that anything that happens to you during the exam is necessary and in your best interest.
Hayze: Right…
Girl 1: If you are not comfortable signing these forms, you can choose not to, but you will not be allowed to take the exam.
Hayze: No, it’s alright. I’ll sign them.
Hayze signs all three forms.
Girl 1: Thank you.
Girl 2: Please take this.
The second girl hands Hayze a plastic card with the number 9.
Hayze: Huh? What’s this?
Girl 1: It’s your examinee number. This is how you will be identified during the exam.
Hayze: Alright…
Hayze takes the card.
Girl 1: Thank you.
Girl 2: Now, please walk down the hall and enter the room marked by your identification number. You can use that card to open the door.
Hayze: Okay.
Hayze starts walking down the hall. He eventually walks past doors with numbers engraved in them… 1, 2, 3, 4. He finally reaches room 9. He opens the door and enters it.
Hayze: Huh?
The room looks just like a small hotel room. It has a large bed with a desk and a TV. There’s a minibar full of snacks and a second door. Hayze inspects the room; he notices a piece of paper on the desk.
Hayze: (Turn on the TV.)
Hayze grabs the remote and turns the TV on. Hunt appears on the screen.
Hayze: (Hunt? I thought he said he wasn’t involved in this exam?)
Hunt: Hello, my name is Mr. Bradley Hunt, and I will be your proctor for this exam. I’m sure you're very anxious to find out why you’re in this room, don’t worry, the exam hasn’t started yet. This is where you’ll live while participating in the exam. Underneath your bed, you’ll find a change of clothes.
Hayze reaches under the bed. He finds a plain blue shirt and some pants of the same color. Both have the number 9 on them.
Hayze: (These are like hospital scrubs…)
Hunt: Please change into those and leave your original clothes on your desk. This change of wardrobe will make it so that nobody has any unfair advantages due to their clothing, such as pockets or sleeves. This will also make your identification number impossible to hide unless you remove your clothes entirely, but I don’t recommend that. During your stay here, meals will be provided to you, and a bathroom is attached via the second door you see. Please make yourself comfortable. You will now have to wait until the screen turns red. That means that the first phase of the exam is ready to begin.
The screen turns black.
Hayze: (He sure made a big fuss about the identification number.)
Hayze looks at the 9 on his shirt and pants.
Hayze: (I wasn’t the ninth person to walk through that door… so why am I 9? Hm… I guess I’ll have to see the other’s numbers before I can figure that out.)
Hayze changes into the outfit provided. He walks to his door and turns the knob. It’s locked.
Hayze: (I see… so I’m not going anywhere until that TV turns red, and he said that was for the first phase… which means there will be multiple phases. But… there’s one thing that I can’t get out of my head…)
“ Hunt: This is where you’ll live while participating in the exam. “
Hayze: (What happens to us when we’re not participating in the exam? Are we just allowed to leave?)
Hayze lays down on the bed.
Hayze: (If what Adrian said is true… I must work on controlling Gale, Impulse, and Wrath as soon as possible. If I don’t, then I could lose control of my body, and if that happens… I don’t even want to think about that…)
Some time later, the TV screen turns red.
Hayze: (It’s time.)
The screen changes to Hunt.
Hunt: It’s time for the first phase of the exam. Your door will now unlock.
Hayze hears the door unlock.
Hunt: Please take a right after exiting your room and walk until you reach a double door. Remember that we are monitoring you, and communication with your fellow examinees is strictly prohibited until you walk through the door. You may now leave your room.
Hayze exits his room. He looks to his sides to see students from classes 2-A and 2-B leaving their rooms as well. Out of Room 8 comes Alexis, and out of Room 10 comes Blair. They’re both wearing the same clothes as Hayze with their respective numbers written on them.
Hayze: (Alexis and Blair were both still in line when I entered… so the numbers definitely have nothing to do with our order of entry.)
Everyone starts walking down the hall as they were instructed. Nobody is talking.
Hayze: (This is eerie…)
Eventually, they reach the double doors, and everyone funnels out into a large open arena similar to the ones at U.A.
Hayze: (So it is a stadium on the inside.)
The arena is large and circular with high walls like the Sports Festival. The roof is closed, with everything lit artificially. The 39 students are standing on a flat plane of dirt with no notable landmarks.
Killian: So… what’s going on here? There’s nothing but dirt.
Hayze looks around at everyone’s clothes. He takes note of their numbers.
[https://i.ibb.co/ZhsxZMn/b7451de6ab7a3f5e21d158a384ec1fdd.png]Hayze: (There’s no discernible pattern… they have to be random, but why?)
Suddenly, an intense light blares, blinding all of the students.
Zach: What’s going on?
Angel: I’ve felt this feeling before.
Alexis: It’s just like-
A holographic room appears around the examinees. It’s a long but not very wide room. It’s decorated like an elementary schoolroom. The front of the room has a chalkboard and a desk; on the left side of the desk is a green door, and on the right side, a red door. In the center lies 13 rows of 3 desks students typically use.
Silver: (What is this?)
The green door opens, and Hunt enters the room.
Hunt: Alright, everyone, take the seat closest to you.
Everyone takes their seat, creating this seating chart:
[https://i.ibb.co/SvJks9Q/463b32f1ec2d63cd6a9dd23ad50512fb.png]Hunt: Alright, welcome to the first phase of the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam.
Everyone listens closely.
Hunt: I’m sure the first question on all of your minds is, “how many phases will there be?”. That I cannot tell you. However, you will be informed of when the final phase has arrived. Right now, you need to focus on the task at hand.
Bruno: And that is?
10 holographic chairs materialize on both sides of the students. The green door opens, and 10 men and women wearing suits and sunglasses walk into the room and sit in the seats.
Justus: (What’s this about?)
Alec: (Pfft… these guys don’t look tough.)
Blair: (This is all so… stressful. I feel like they’re all staring at me.
Hunt clears his throat to bring everyone’s attention back to himself.
Hunt: Those are the sentinels. They’ll be keeping a close eye on you during this phase.
Silver: (Sentinels?)
Hunt pulls out a stack of 39 cards.
Hunt: I’m going to go around and place one of these on your desk face-down. Don’t look at it, or you will fail instantly.
Hunt walks around the room and places a single card on everyone’s desk. Hayze stares at the back of his card.
Hayze: (What is this about?)
Hunt returns to the front of the room.
Hunt: Alright, time for me to explain what’s going on. Each of you was randomly assigned a number 1-39, equivalent to the number of examinees we have. That number is on your shirt and pants, so you can’t forget it. On the other side of the card I just gave you is a number 1-39. That number corresponds to another examinee. Their card has your number on it. Making you a pair, which were also randomly determined. This phase will last exactly 15 minutes. At the end of that period, if you possess the card with your number, you move on to the next phase. Sounds simple, right? It’s not. On each side of this room are 5 sentinels. They have no knowledge about which of you are paired together, but that’s what they’re watching for. If at any point during the 15 minutes they correctly identify a pair, that pair fails.
Everyone in the room tenses up.
Hunt: Now, if they incorrectly identify who you are partnered with, your pair moves on instantly. Basically, your goal is to exchange cards with your partner without any of the sentinels ever noticing.
Zach: (That has to be next to impossible in a room this small! They’re only like 10 yards away from us!)
Hunt: The sentinels are also unaware of your quirks and have no prior knowledge about any of you. You’re complete strangers to them. Any questions?
Silver raises his hand.
Hunt: Yes?
Silver: If there are 39 of us, that means someone doesn’t have a partner. Does that mean they automatically pass?
Hunt: No, if the sentinels figure out you’re not a part of any pair, you’ll fail.
Silver: (So, if you’re by yourself, you have to make it look like you’re doing something.)
Hunt: Before starting the timer, I have to place some ground rules. You are not allowed to sabotage another team. Any attempts to do so will automatically cause you to fail. You also may not injure nor attack the sentinels in any way. Furthermore, you cannot damage this room, so no holes in the walls. Finally, you aren’t allowed to destroy your partner’s card, resulting in a failure for you and a pass for them. Does everyone understand?
The room is silent.
Hunt: I’ll take that as a yes.
Hunt pulls out a timer and sets it for 15 minutes.
Hunt: Your time starts now. You may check your cards.
Everyone discretely checks the card given to them. Hayze’s card has a 5 (Sydney) on it.
Hayze: (5? If I recall correctly… that’s Sydney.)
Sydney: (Great, now I must deal with this idiot.)
Wes’ card says 8 (Alexis).
Wes: (Crap… I didn’t pay attention to anyone’s number! Maybe I can just slyly look around for it… No! The sentinels will be watching for that! If I react in any way, they’ll know instantly!)
Aaron’s card says 32 (Aaron).
Aaron: (Jackpot! I just have to pretend I’m doing something, and I’ll pass easily!)
Justus’ card says 3 (Gavin).
Justus: (That’s… oh no, the guy who likes farting. He’s at the front of the room, so it might be difficult for me to communicate with him. Hopefully, he remembers my number.
Blair and Ash have each other’s numbers.
Blair: (Sweet! Someone I work well with!)
Ash: (Good, I got Blair.)
Silver has 25 (Grace).
Silver: (That’s… the new girl from 2-B. She’s a strength quirk user, which means her abilities are virtually useless in this situation, dammit!)
Karma drew 36 (Filip).
Karma: (How are we supposed to do this? We’re a terrible match!)
Kevin drew 27 (Tobias).
Kevin: (That’s the guy from 2-B who likes to beat people up… Toby, was it?)
Kevin notices Tobias is just one seat diagonally to his right.
Kevin: (Sweet! We’re right next to each other!)
Saige has 13 (Alden).
Saige: (Hm… ceiling guy.)
A minute passes of dead silence and hardly any movement.
Aaron: (They’re all afraid of making an obvious move. One mistake, and you fail instantly. I don’t envy their positions.)
Silver: (There’s nothing in the rules saying that we can’t assist each other, hell, Gus could put up a smokescreen, and we could all make our exchanges in the chaos. But then, nobody would be eliminated, and no progress could be made. This is tricky.)
In the stadium stands, Fatal, Houston, and Adrian sit together in one row of seats. A few rows back, Aster, Yul, Daniele, and Tyson sit together.
Fatal: Boy, oh boy, this one is interesting.
Houston: I bet they weren’t expecting to have to work in teams this early on.
Adrian: Yeah, it’s probably psyching them out. If their partner makes a wrong decision, they could go down with them.
Houston: Quite the doozy of a challenge for them to be presented with right out the gate.
Fatal: You’ve got that right. It’s only 15 minutes long but damn, is it difficult.
Houston: If they don’t act soon, they’ll be up shits creek without a paddle.
Adrian stares at the screen intently.
Adrian: (This first phase is testing a lot. First, their cooperation skills, how well they can work with a randomly assigned partner on the fly. Second, their communication skills, they can’t directly speak with their partner, so they have to come up with some new ideas. Third, their deception skills. You can’t defeat anyone if your motives are obvious. Finally, their ability to handle stress, you could fail this phase instantly if you’re not careful. Combine that stress with the fact that it’s only the first phase and the embarrassment of failing now. It’s gotta be driving them crazy.)
Hayze gulps.
Hayze: (It’s already been 3 minutes, and I don’t even know if a single exchange has happened. I hate that I’m in the front row and at a massive information disadvantage.)
Silver creates a wrist blade out of silver and starts rubbing it against the leg of his desk, creating silver dust.
Silver: (I’ll need at least enough to spell out a message.)
Ash takes over Blair’s body but doesn’t take complete control.
Blair: *whispering extremely softly* Are you here?
Ash taps Blair’s finger on the desk.
Blair: (Good.)
Blair secretes a dab of lava out of her index finger and starts writing on the desk.
Blair: (This plan should work.)
Kevin looks nervous.
Kevin: (He’s one fucking seat away. It seems so easy just to pass him the card, but they would catch that in a heartbeat! Actually, now that I think about it… does he even know he’s my partner? He’s blind, and the card isn’t in braille, so…)
Tobias turns around and faces Kevin.
Kevin: (Wh- what’s he doing?)
Tobias hands Kevin his card.
Tobias: Please, tell me what number is on this card.
Everyone in the room is shocked.
Kevin: Uh… am- I- uh...
Tobias: Please, I’m blind, so I cannot read it myself.
Kevin stares at Tobias for a moment and then gulps.
Kevin: It’s 2.
One of the sentinels instantly stands up.
Sentinel: Examinee Number 27 is paired with Examinee Number 2!
The room is so tense you could hear a pin drop.
Hunt: I’m sorry, but that’s incorrect. 27 is actually partnered with 7.
Sentinel: Wh- you mean the guy that he asked for help!
Hunt: Examinees 27 and 7, a.k.a. Tobias Ingram and Kevin Bohm, you both pass. You may leave through the door to my right.
Tobias stands up and starts walking to the door. Kevin is still shocked.
Sentinel: H- hey kid, how did you do that?
Tobias stops.
Tobias: I may be blind, but my quirk makes it so my other senses are heightened to superhuman levels. I could tell by Kevin’s irregular breathing pattern that he was more stressed than any other person in this room, and why would that be? Because his partner is blind. The rules of the phase state that you may not sabotage another team, so if Kevin wasn’t my partner, he would be forced to tell me exactly what number was on my card. However, he was my partner, so he could lie. You assumed that due to my blindness, I was unaware of my partner's identity, which meant there was a 1 in 38 chance Kevin was actually it. Thus, you were compelled to call out the incorrect pair.
Sentinel: *frustrated grunt*
Houston jumps out of his seat.
Houston: There you go, Tobias! Wait to represent Class 2-B with style!
Adrian: What a great plan.
Fatal: If it weren’t for that kid’s behavioral problems, I’d put him as a shoo-in to pass this exam.
Houston: Oh, Tobias is passing alright! Mark my words!
Kevin stands up.
Kevin: (I have no clue what just happened, but that guy just carried me to the next phase)
Kevin and Tobias both exit through the green door. Hunt stares at Tobias as he leaves, flashing back to Tobias’ savage beating of Saige.
Hunt: (He’s the perfect example of what it means when someone says, “You don’t have to be a good person to be a pro hero.”)
Hunt checks the clock.
Hunt: 11 minutes left.
Everyone is still tense.
Justus: (Tobias just did that with ease, and now we have to figure out ways to do the sa-)
A sentinel stands up.
Sentinel: Number 15 is paired with Number 22.
Reed and Ester are both shocked.
Hunt: That is correct. Number 15, Reed Grier, and Number 22, Ester Clarke, both fail. Please exit through the door to my left.
Reed slams his fists on his desk.
Reed: WHAT THE HELL! HOW DID YOU KNOW!
Sentinel: Kid, you really thought we would overlook one of the humps on your back was missing?
Reed: *grunts*
Reed’s drone is cloaked on the ceiling, carrying his card to Ester.
Sentinel: I noticed it right away, but I wanted to at least let you make it 5 minutes into the exam before eliminating you. You’re not hero material if you make it that easy.
Reed’s eyes are watery.
Reed: No! This can’t be! I can’t be out already!
Ester: Reed… it’s over… come on.
Reed: Dammit!
Reed and Ester both exit through the red door.
Angel: (And just like that, two people have failed.)
Saige: (Not surprising it was a pair of 2-B students who got eliminated early.)
Hayze stares at the red door.
Hayze: (Why did they have to exit through there…)
Wes is sweating bullets.
Wes: (I can’t be the only person in this room who doesn’t know everyone’s number, right? I can’t believe I’m actually gonna fail during this first phase! How will I ever live this down!)
Suddenly, Wes’ card starts folding itself.
Wes: (Huh?)
Wes’ card folds itself until it is the size of a dime.
Wes: (What’s going on?)
Out of nowhere, a second folded card of the same size crawls up Wes’ desk and rolls next to Wes’ card. Wes’ card then rolls away.
Wes: (Wh- what just happened?)
Wes discretely unfolds the new card. It has his number on it.
Wes: (OH MY GOD! MY SAVING GRACE!)
The other folded card rolls over to Alexis and goes up her pant leg.
Alexis: (No way any of the sentinels will notice anything that small being exchanged at this distance.)
Hunt: 8 minutes left.
Alden is shaking.
Alden: (Come on, Saige… please come up with something.)
Saige stands up.
Alden: (Huh?)
Saige grabs her chair and smacks Alden to the ground with it.
Alden: AHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL!
Nobody in the room reacts.
Alden: (Wh- what?)
Saige giggles and sits back down.
Alden: (Wait… nobody is paying attention to me. In fact, they’re going to great lengths to avoid looking at me.)
The sentinel closest to Alden has turned his seat around and is facing the wall.
Alden: (I wonder if that means…)
Alden walks up to Saige’s desk and switches his card with hers. None of the sentinels or anyone in the room reacts.
Alden: (THEY ALL AREN’T PAYING ATTENTION TO ME!)
Alden sits down at his desk and sobs.
Saige: (Well, that was easy.)
Grace stands up.
Silver: (Wh- what’s she up to?)
Grace strips down to her underwear.
Demetri: (OH YEAH!)
Isaiah: (I LOVE THIS GIRL!)
Hunt groans.
Hunt: (I literally recommended against this…)
Houston facepalms.
Houston: Grace… this is on film...
Adrian: For being as powerful as she is…
Fatal: This isn’t her brightest moment…
Grace laughs.
Grace: Ha, you sentinels need to know my number if you want to call me out, but if I don’t have these clothes on, you’ll never figure it out!
Grace grabs her card and walks over to Silver.
Grace: Alright, partner, let’s switch cards!
Silver: Are you an idiot! There’s one of each number in the room! So even if they didn’t memorize everyone’s number already, all they have to do is figure out which one is missing!
Grace: Oh, right…
Silver: Damn you!
A sentinel stands up.
Sentinel: Number 25 is partnered with Number 36.
Silver: *grunts*
Grace: Oh boy…
Everyone in 2-A worries for Silver.
Hunt: That’s incorrect.
Everyone in the room is shocked.
Fatal: Wh- how?
Adrian: Quick thinking by Silver.
Fatal: Huh?
Adrian: The sentinels were so occupied with Grace’s number that they didn’t even notice Silver tampered with his.
Silver’s shirt and pants say the number 36, but the 3 fades away and is revealed to have been created from silver dust.
Sentinel: What!
Grace: Woah! Nice work buddy!
Silver: PUT YOUR DAMN CLOTHES ON! YOU’RE LUCKY I CAME UP WITH THIS ON THE SPOT!
Grace nervously laughs.
Hunt: Examinees 25 and 6, a.k.a. Grace LaFleur and Ryne Verdugo, you both pass. You may leave through the door to my right.
Grace and Silver both exit through the green door.
Hunt: 6 minutes left.
Aaron transforms his arm into a flare gun and fires a flare on his desk.
Aaron: (Let the sentinels read into that.)
Blair stands up, then Saige stands up.
Eve: (Hm? What’s this?)
Blair and Saige start walking toward each other with their cards in hand.
Blair: Here.
Saige and Blair exchange cards.
Sentinel: Okay, number 10 has to be paired with number 23!
Blair and Saige both smile.
Sentinel: Huh?
Hunt: That’s incorrect. Number 10 is paired with Number 19.
Sentinel: Wh- then why are they exchanging cards!
Saige points back at Ash’s unconscious body.
Saige (Ash): Because that’s my body, I’m borrowing this one.
Sentinel: Wh- what!
Blair: Ash’s ability allows her to take control of other people’s bodies. We knew you would have to call out a pair if an exchange happened before your eyes. So, Ash took over Saige’s body and pretended to exchange cards with me.
Sentinel: But that’s sabotaging another team! You’re taking precious time away from that examinee!
Blair smiles.
Blair: Not if she already has her own card.
Blair reveals that the card Saige possessed was her own.
Sentinel: *groans* Dammit!
Hayze smiles.
Hayze: (Good work, Blair.)
Ash sits Saige’s body back down and returns to her own body.
Hunt: Examinees 10 and 19, a.k.a. Blair Maddox and Ashley Wright, you both pass. You may leave through the door to my right.
Ash and Blair exit.
Hunt: 4 minutes left.
Hayze: (It’s getting down to the wire, I can’t communicate with Sydney… this is bad.)
Hayze notices something strange on his desk… it’s water.
Hayze: (Huh? Is this...)
The water appears as a message on Hayze’s desk.
Hayze: (“When they take their glasses off, throw me your card, idiot.” I’m not quite sure what that means, but I guess I’ll just have to trust her.)
Suddenly, all 10 of the sentinels’ sunglasses start to fog up.
Sentinel: Ugh… what the-
Hayze watches closely.
Hayze: (She’s creating condensation on their glasses to obscure their vision.)
The sentinels’ sunglasses become entirely fogged up, and they all start reaching to take them off.
Hayze: (Now!)
Hayze and Sydney throw each other their respective cards. The sentinels wipe off their sunglasses.
Hayze: (Phew… I’ll have to thank her later.)
Justus starts to worry.
Justus: (I don’t know what to do, I can’t punch my way out of this. I have to-)
Gavin farts really loudly.
Gavin: I just shit my pants…
Hunt: Ugh… if you can clean yourself up in 3 minutes, then go ahead.
Gavin gets up and starts waddling towards the exit. When he reaches Justus’ desk, he farts loudly again.
Gavin: Nevermind, my pants are toast.
Gavin walks back to his desk and sits down. Justus stares at him with a disgusted look on his face.
Justus: (What was that?)
Justus notices his card has moved.
Justus: (Huh?)
Justus flips over his card. It’s the one with his number on it.
Justus: (Wh- how did he do that?)
Gavin smiles.
Gavin: (All in a day’s work.)
Hunt stares at his timer.
Hunt: That’s it, time is up. Any movement now will result in an instant failure.
Everyone tenses up.
Hunt: Alright, hold your card above your head. If it’s the same as your number, you pass.
Everyone raises their card. Aaron, Hayze, Alexis, Wes, Justus, and Saige all have theirs.
Hunt: It looks like we have 4 more failures.
Everyone starts looking around.
Hunt: The pair of Number 28, Talon Stafford, and Number 34, Hailey Stone, fail. As do the team of Number 36, Filip Frederick, and Number 35, Karma Montgomery.
All of Class 2-A are shocked.
Eve: K- Karma?
Hunt: Will all the failures please exit through the door on my left.
Karma, Hailey, Talon, and Filip stand up.
Eve: Karma! No way! What happened?
Karma: I couldn’t think of anything I could do… my quirk doesn’t work if I sit still. I just… I had no ideas.
Eve: But- I…
Karma starts walking towards the red door with the others.
Karma: I wish I did better, but unfortunately, I didn’t.
Everyone watches as Karma, and the others leave.
Eve: (Dammit!)
Alexis: (Poor Karma… she was the only one from 2-A that didn’t make it.)
Justus: (That could have easily been me if not for Gavin… I need to be better.)
Hayze: (And just like that, the first member of class 2-A had failed.)