Hunt: Alright, let’s begin the fourth match. I’ll remind all of you that this will be the final match for today, and we’ll start the fifth match tomorrow at the same time we began the first match today.
Two staircases materialize leading up to the spectator’s area.
Hunt: Lilith Weber and Jace Neil, please enter the arena.
Jace stands up and starts walking towards a staircase.
Ash: Good luck, Lilith!
Eve: You got this, kick this weirdo’s ass!
Kevin: And remember, it’s just Jace!
Lilith: Will do, guys!
Lilith stands up and walks towards the other staircase. She locks eyes with Jace.
Lilith: G- good luck, Jace.
Jace: What’s with your expression? You should be smiling.
Lilith: Wh- what do you mean?
Jace: Today is the day you see the light, Lilith. The day you finally become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
Lilith: Huh?
Eve: Lilith, don’t listen to this idiot. He spouts this stupid nonsense all the time, don’t buy into it.
Lilith: R- right.
Lilith and Jace approach the center of the arena. The selection TV reappears next to Hunt.
Hunt: Alright, it’s time to select the terrain.
The screen starts randomizing through various locations.
Kevin: Am I the only one that’s kind of bored already?
Isaiah and Demetri: No…
Eve: Will you guys shut up? Lilith may not be a tough girl, but she can put up a good fight.
Kevin: I’m not saying anything about Lilith in particular. I’m just saying this matchup isn’t that interesting.
Eve: Well, I’m sorry that not every battle can involve a girl fetishizing pain!
Silver: I agree with Kevin. These two being matched up against each other isn’t that interesting.
Kevin: See?
Eve: Ugh… why?
Lilith doesn’t want to become a combat-based hero. She wants to work in the rescue business. So, a fight doesn’t have a lot of stakes for Lilith. Then there’s Jace; he hasn’t been acting like himself and doesn’t boast great combat capabilities. So, there isn’t much on the line with this matchup.
Eve: I guess that’s fair, but I’m still rooting for Lilith.
Silver: Don’t get me wrong, I am too. Maybe a good smacking will bring Jace back to his senses.
The screen stops on a circus tent.
Lilith: (Huh?)
Jace: (This is fine.)
A blinding light blares, and Jace and Lilith find themselves in a circus tent. Above them is a trapeze, and other circus equipment is spread around them.
Lilith: Okay, Jace! I may not be the strongest person in our class, but I will give this fight my all!
Jace laughs.
Lilith: Uh…
Jace: You? Give it your all? Lilith, that’s just silly. “Not the strongest person in our class”? You’re the weakest.
Lilith: Below Alden?
Jace: Of course.
Lilith: Take that back!
Jace: Why take back the truth? Is it because you don’t like it? That doesn’t make it any less accurate!
Lilith extends her wings and takes flight.
Lilith: I’m not weak, and I’ll show you!
Lilith starts flapping her wings to generate winds.
Lilith: Razor Wind!
Lilith launches two slices of wind directly at Jace.
Jace: Not only are you weak, Lilith, but you also lack any ability to strategize!
Jace springs into the air, dodging Lilith’s attack.
Jace: Take this!
Jace springs his fist into Lilith’s chest, sending her careening to the ground.
Lilith: *groans*
Jace lands on the ground beside Lilith and offers her his hand.
Jace: Would you like some help? Like always?
Lilith swats Jace’s hand away and gets up on her own.
Lilith: I don’t always need help!
Lilith tries to punch Jace, but he catches her punch and smiles in her face.
Jace: Lilith, you’re just lying to yourself.
Lilith: No, I’m not!
Lilith tries to punch Jace with her other fist, but Jace also catches that one.
Jace: This is just getting embarrassing.
Jace extends his spring arms into the air pushing Lilith upward. He then releases her fists, causing her to smack into the ground.
Lilith: *groans*
Jace approaches Lilith.
Jace: I’m not even trying right now, Lilith, and you can’t even lay a hand on me.
Lilith leaps up and lunges at Jace. She attempts to punch him repeatedly, but Jace dodges each one like it’s nothing.
Jace: Perhaps you should try something else.
Jace trips Lilith and kicks her to the ground.
Jace: Your aerial attacks don't work, nor do your punches. What do you have left?
Lilith: This!
Lilith presses the button on her suit and begins to grow to giant size.
Jace: Oh, this? Trivial.
Jace springs onto the trapeze cord.
Lilith: You’re going down, Jace!
Lilith tries grabbing Jace in her hand.
Lilith: Come here!
Jace springs up and behind Lilith, dodging her grasp. He then springs off the ceiling of the circus tent to launch himself at Lilith.
Jace: Jacking Jackknife!
Jace uses his spring legs to add more force to his kick, causing her to lose balance and fall forward into the trapeze.
Lilith: Ah!
As Lilith struggles to stand back up, Jace leaps down and ties her shoes together.
Jace: (This will stop her dead in her tracks.)
Lilith stands up and looks around the tent.
Lilith: Where did he go?
Jace: Over here!
Lilith spots Jace standing at the very other end of the circus tent.
Jace: Come get me!
Lilith attempts to take a step forward, but her tied-together shoelaces cause her to trip and slam into the ground, causing a mini earthquake in the arena.
Lilith: *groans*
Lilith reverts to standard size. Jace approaches her.
Jace: Just give up. This is sad.
Lilith: No, I can beat you; I know it!
Jace: Oh really? Do you care to see what the future of this battle holds?
Lilith: Huh?
Jace reaches into his cloak and pulls out a deck of tarot cards.
Jace: I can read your fortune right now.
Lilith stares at Jace with bewilderment.
Wes: Huh? Since when was Jace into tarot?
Isaiah: Maybe it’s a new hobby he picked up?
Demetri: Or maybe he’s a stupid idiot. Who actually believes in fortune-telling?
Kevin: Yeah, it is pretty stupid.
Wes starts sweating.
Lilith: Read my fortune?
Jace: 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 about your future.
Lilith: You think a card can tell you all of that?
Jace: I know it can.
Jace draws a card and flips it over… it’s The Empress.
Jace: Hm… the Empress reversed.
Lilith: Wh- what does that mean?
Jace: It means that you are The Empress, and everything The Empress represents, you represent.
Lilith: Okay… what does the Empress represent?
Jace smiles.
Jace: When upside down, the Empress forecasts dependence, lack of growth, and emptiness. Tell me, Lilith, do those words represent you?
Lilith: N- no!
Jace: Are you sure of that? Because you don’t sound like it.
Lilith gets to her feet.
Lilith: Of course not! I’m not dependent! I’m not smothering!
Jace: Really, Lilith? You’re going to lie to me right now?
Lilith: Huh?
Jace: All you ever do is rely on others! We have been students at U.A. for over a year now! Can you name one thing that you have accomplished all by yourself?
Lilith is taken aback.
Lilith: I-
Jace: Think of your peers, Lilith. Blair just defeated the former top student of U.A. East, Saige defeated Justus, and Alexis had Aaron beaten. All of them have improved in the last year, and where are you? Struggling to even land a punch!
Lilith starts to tear up.
Lilith: STOP IT!
Lilith tries to punch Jace, but he dodges. Lilith trips and falls over. She sobs as she lies against the ground.
Jace: You feel emptiness, don’t you? That empty feeling of being left behind. You say your goal is to become the top rescue hero in the world, but I know deep down you wish you could compete with your peers.
Jace leans down next to Lilith.
Jace: The winner of this match will fight Blair in the next round. Do you believe you stand any chance against her?
Lilith: N- n- no…
Jace: Do you want to?
Lilith: Wh- what?
Jace: Lilith, I was once like you. I was shackled by the chains of my own mediocrity. I came to U.A. to become a fantastic hero, but I found myself trapped in the shadows of those I called my friends, but then I saw the light.
Lilith: What even is the light? You’ve talked about it for weeks, but I don’t know what you’re referring to…
Jace smiles.
Jace: The light is the truth. The acceptance that you are not happy with who you are. Whether it be your appearance, your power, your personality, etcetera. Once you see the light, you can finally move on and become the person you’ve always wished you were. So ask yourself, Lilith, are you happy with who you are?
Lilith doesn’t answer.
Jace: Your silence speaks a thousand words. Lilith, you are The Empress, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. An empress is strong, an empress is beautiful, and most of all, she is proud of who she is.
Lilith is in deep thought.
Lilith: (Jace is right… I am codependent, haven’t grown, and feel empty inside because of that. Everyone else is getting better and stronger, and I’m just… nothing.)
Flashes of memories of Lilith’s time at U.A. go through her mind. Getting trounced by Angel in the ports Festival, crying in the cabin during the forest attack, and being knocked down in her giant form by Tobias.
Lilith: (Every time we had an opportunity to prove ourselves, I embarrassed myself and did nothing. The only things I’ve ever accomplished were at the direction of others… Why am I so worthless?)
Jace offers Lilith his hand.
Jace: Lilith, if you join the Vanguard, all of those feelings you are feeling right now will disappear. I know because I went through the same thing. I’m happy to be who I am now. This is who I have always wanted to be. Do you want to experience that as well?
Lilith stares at Jace’s hand.
Lilith: (Do I? Jace may be weird, but he’s right. I’m not happy, and as far as I can tell… he is. I mean… What's the harm in seeing if he’s telling the truth? It’s not like anything I’m doing right now is any better.)
Eve stands up.
Eve: Lilith! What are you-
A sentinel jumps in front of Eve and covers her mouth.
Sentinel: Ms, you are not allowed to interfere with the match.
Eve: *muffled*
Ash: What even is going on? What is Jace talking about?
Silver: He’s been using psychology to beat Lilith, but now he’s being strange.
Demetri: He’s been talking about the Vanguard thing for a while, but I always thought it was just some kind of metaphor.
Isaiah: Yeah, I have no clue what this is all about.
Hayze watches intently.
Jace: What do you say, Lilith? Will you join the Vanguard?
Lilith: I-
Lilith flashes back to Saige, Alexis, and Blair’s moments of triumph and her moments of failure.
Lilith: Yes! I will!
Jace smiles.
Jace: Good.
Lilith takes his hand.
Jace: Just look into my eyes, Lilith, and you will see the light.
Lilith stares into Jace’s eyes. A purple Alpha symbol appears for a moment before Lilith passes out.
Eve: What did he just do!
The arena reverts to normal.
Hunt: The winner is Ja-
Jace puts his hand up to stop Hunt.
Jace: I forfeit.
Everyone is shocked, including Hunt.
Hunt: The match is over. You can’t forfeit now.
Jace: You said the match only ends when you announce the winner. You haven’t done that yet.
Hunt stares at Jace.
Hunt: The winner is Lilith Weber.
Eve leaps down from the spectator’s section.
Eve: Lilith!
Eve runs over to Lilith.
Sentinel: Hey! Get back here-
Hunt shakes his head no.
Eve: Lilith! Are you alright?
Jace: She’s fine, better than usual, in fact.
Eve: What did you do to her, you creep!
Jace: I showed her the light.
Eve: Don’t give me that philosophical bullshit, you-
Lilith: *groans*
Eve: Lilith?
Lilith slowly regains consciousness.
Eve: Lilith? Are you alright?
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Lilith pushes Eve aside and stands up.
Lilith: Ah… I’ve never felt this good in my entire life.
Jace: See? I told you she’d be better.
Eve: What? Lilith, are you ok-
Lilith shows Eve her hand.
Lilith: Silence, peasant!
Eve: Huh?
Lilith: Don’t refer to me by that name. It doesn’t befit someone of my caliber.
Eve: What are you talking about, Lil-
Lilith: What did I just say!
Eve: (What’s going on?)
Lilith points to herself.
Lilith: I am The Empress! Do not address me in any other manner!
Everyone in the arena looks weirded out except for Jace.
Eve: I- are- what’s wrong?
Lilith: Nothing is wrong. Everything is well because I have seen the light!
Everyone is shocked.
Isaiah: This is getting creepy, guys…
Demetri: I don’t like this.
Kevin: What did Jace do to her?
Eve slowly approaches Lilith.
Eve: Why don’t you just lie down for a bit, Lil-
Lilith slaps Eve.
Lilith: What did I say! You dare defy the Empress’ orders?
Eve stares at Lilith in shock.
Hunt: Alright, let’s clear this up. No fighting is allowed outside of a match. Jace Neil, you have been eliminated from the tournament, so head out.
Jace: I will, but first…
Jace takes off his cloak and places it around Lilith’s shoulders.
Jace: I must welcome the Vanguard’s newest member, the Empress.
Lilith: Thank you, the Fool.
Jace walks off to the medical bay.
Hunt: We will begin our intermission for the remaining 14 examinees. Return to the stands at the set time, or you will fail the exam automatically.
Lilith starts walking off, leaving Eve standing there alone in shock.
Lilith: Goodbye, peasant.
Eve: (Lilith…)
Tobias and Sydney get up and leave.
Wes: Do we want to talk about what just happened?
Kevin: That was seriously messed up…
Ash: What happened to Lilith?
Silver: I have no idea.
Hayze: (This can’t be… could it be the work of…)
Hayze gulps.
Hayze: (Iota?)
Houston turns to Adrian.
Houston: Should we be concerned with that?
Adrian: Of course, but there’s nothing we can do. Unless you have a good explanation for what happened.
Houston: I do not, but we should look into it.
Adrian: I’ll schedule a guidance counseling meeting with her and Jace.
Fatal: Do you think that’s enough? What we just saw was beyond creepy.
Adrian: No, but as I said, there’s nothing we can do right now.
Jace wakes up in the rowboat inside the simulation; he opens the box and reads the note. Then, he grabs the flare gun and fires it into the air.
Jace: (There’s no need for me to continue participating in this exam. I’ve accomplished all I need.)
On the island, Killian spots the flare.
Killian: Guys! Look!
Karma, Alec, and Gavin come running over.
Karma: That must be whoever lost the fourth match.
Killian: Who was in that one again?
Karma: If I recall correctly, Lilith and Jace from my class.
Killian: Oh, then I don’t care.
Alec: Same.
Killian and Alec both walk off as Karma stares at the flare.
Karma: (Why would they do that? Lilith or Jace…)
Gus sits up in the shelter. He’s actually skinny.
Alec: You’re gonna try and be productive?
Gus: I can only eat into my fat reserves for so long. I need to get sustenance.
Killian: Cool.
Killian hands Gus the machete.
Killian: Go over there and start cutting that bamboo in half. We’re reinforcing the shelter.
The bamboo pile is massive.
Gus: Wh- you can’t expect me to do that!
Alec: We’re going into the woods to collect the damn things! Would you rather do that?
Gus: I’d rather do neither!
Killian: You’ve laid on your ass for weeks, so you have to contribute!
Gus starts groaning. He keels over and lies back down in the shelter.
Gus: Sorry, guys… I don’t feel good. Maybe I’ll try again another day.
Killian and Alec: THE HELL YOU DO!
On another part of the island, there’s a cove that Alexis, Justus, and Zach are in. Zach is surveying the water with the spear while Alexis and Justus watch.
Alexis: How are you handling all of this?
Justus: Hm?
Alexis: Not to rub salt in the wound, but you won the last tournament. I imagine being bounced in round one doesn’t feel too good.
Justus: It doesn’t, but I lost a match I can be proud of. In my opinion, I put up a good fight and was simply bested. I wish I was still in the exam, fighting. But, I’m still on the correct path. So, I don’t feel too sorry for myself.
Alexis: That makes sense. My only goal was to make Aaron see the error of his ways. Once I accomplished that, I didn’t feel the need to continue in the tournament.
Justus: I’m glad you were able to help him. I was planning to try something soon.
Alexis: Y- you were? Why? As far as I knew, you and Aaron weren’t that close.
Justus: A long time ago, someone who wasn’t that close to me helped clear my mind. I consider that person a better hero than I am, and I want to follow that example. Helping people find their way even if they don’t want my help.
Alexis: I see… is this part of the “correct path” you’re on?
Justus: Yes, my father’s death showed me this path, and I plan to follow it to its end.
Alexis: That’s good. It’s a good thing we can both walk away from the tournament feeling good about ourselves.
Justus: Yes… the only problem is I wish I didn’t have to sit on this island and think about how I lost all day.
Alexis: You’ve got a point there…
Zach: I got one!
Zach jumps for joy with a small fish skewered on the spear.
Zach: I did it, guys!
Alexis: That’s great, Zach, but we’ve got 18 mouths to feed.
Zach turns pale.
Zach: Oh yeah… split this thing 18 ways, and we’ll each get a little bite. *groans*
Justus stands up.
Justus: Then we’ll just have to catch 17 more. Show me how you got that one, Zach.
Zach: Huh? Oh, okay.
Justus enters the water with Zach as Alexis stands up and starts walking into the water as well.
Alexis: (I hope everything is going well in the real world.)
Hayze walks down the stadium halls until he reaches a medical room. He knocks on the door.
Blair: *muffled* Who is it?
Hayze: It’s me, Hayze. Can I come in?
Blair: *muffled* Uh… sure…
Hayze enters the room. Blair is lying in bed with a mound of ice on her crotch.
Hayze: Wow…
Blair: Yeah… fractured pelvis.
Hayze: Damn, are you going to be able to fight in two days?
Blair: I think so, the medics here have healing quirks, but they aren’t as strong as Recovery Girl’s. I’ll be back on my feet to spectate tomorrow.
Hayze: That’s good. Do you know what happened in the fourth match?
Blair: Yeah… There's a TV in this room, so I could watch. It was… creepy.
Hayze: That’s the word of the day right there…
Blair: Do you have any idea what happened?
Hayze: No, but we’re discussing it later.
Blair: We are?
Hayze: Yeah, the remaining eleven of us will all gather here to talk about Jace, Lilith, and other things. I asked Kevin and Silver to invite Tobias and Sydney, but I don’t think they’ll join us.
Blair: W- wait, in here?
Hayze: Originally, we were going to do it in my room, but if you’re unable to walk, we’ll have to do it here.
Blair: Uh… I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that…
Hayze: Okay, we’ll just talk about it without you then.
Blair: Oh… dammit… I… fine… let’s do it here.
Hayze smiles.
Hayze: I’m glad you’re doing okay.
Blair: Yeah, it was an embarrassing fight, but I got the win, so…
Hayze laughs.
Blair: Don’t laugh at me!
Hayze: I’m not laughing at you, Blair. I’m just happy you won.
Blair: *grunts*
Hayze starts walking to the door.
Hayze: I’ve gotta go visit Saige, but I’ll be back with the others.
Blair: R- right…
Hayze leaves, closing the door behind him.
Blair: (He visited me first… yay!)
In the hallway, Saige is waiting for Hayze. She has bandages wrapped around her head.
Saige: Admit it, you were laughing about how she got kicked in the crotch so hard she flew like an airplane.
Hayze: No…
Saige: Right…
Hayze: How much did you overhear?
Saige: Almost everything. I wonder what else you want to talk about besides Jace and Lilith.
Hayze: Well, we’ve already discussed it.
Saige: The cage thing, huh?
Hayze: Yeah… I know you said not to worry, but I still am.
Saige: Oh no, I’m worried too now.
Hayze: Hm?
Saige: Sending us to different medical wings? That’s pretty damn strange. I’m not convinced anything malicious is happening. But I am worried.
Hayze: Well, we’re going to discuss it later. So, if you have something to say, say it then.
Bruno, Grace, and Angel traverse the island carrying the day’s rations of rice back to camp.
Grace: Ah… now this is the life! Surrounded by rock-hard abs on both sides.
Bruno: Grace, now is not the time to act perversely. We’re bringing our dinner back to camp.
Grace: Okay… this is a pretty hefty amount of rice. How is this only for today?
Angel: It’s enough for 36 bowls of rice. Two for everyone. Basically, our lunch and dinner for the day.
Grace: Oh… right.
Bruno: The supply gets more significant as more people arrive, but this is all we get for the day, and it isn’t enough to keep us well-nourished over a long period.
Grace: Okay, but hear me out. Why don’t we just not give the people who sit in the shelter all day their rations?
Angel: We’re not allowed to.
Grace: Huh?
Angel: We were given a specific set of rules we must follow for life on the island. When it comes to these rice rations, we have to feed everyone equally, and any rice we try to save for the next day will be taken away.
Grace: I see…
Bruno: In addition, we’re not allowed to injure or force others to raise the flag.
Grace: Wait, wait, wait… what did you just say?
Angel: Oh boy…
Alexis, Zach, and Justus return to the campsite with four fish.
Gavin: Those fish look fresh!
Alec: I can’t tell if that was supposed to be a joke or if you forgot that fresh actually works there.
Killian: Who cares? We can finally eat something other than rice!
Gus shoots up.
Gus: Looks like my stomach pain cleared up.
Alec and Killian: Of course it did...
Justus: Sorry, but this will only be enough to feed about half of us.
Killian: That’s fine. Only the people that have been working will eat. The slackers in the shelter get nothing.
Gus: Yeah, I agree.
Killian: YOU’RE ONE OF THEM, DUMBASS!
Gus: *sobs*
Filip and Talon groan.
Filip: Come on, man… if you feed us, maybe we can help…
Talon: We’re only lying here because we’re out of energy.
Karma: They bring up a fair point.
Killian: You think one fish meal will make them just start working as hard as the rest of us?
Justus: That’s also a fair point.
Alden gets up; he’s as skinny as a twig.
Alden: I need to be fed… I don’t want to die...
Karma: *whispering to Alexis* Oh, by the way, we haven’t told Alden this is a simulation.
Alexis: Gotcha.
Alec: I just spent all day reinforcing the damn shelter you idiots are lounging in, so I better get some damn fish!
Killian: Same here. As long as I get my fair share, I don’t care who gets the rest.
Awkward silence befalls everyone.
Zach: (I’d love to say I’m willing to not eat, but I spent all day catching these fish. I just… can’t bring myself to do it.)
Alexis: (This is where things get tense. Everyone needs to eat, and these fish could buy the people struggling an extra couple of days.)
Karma: (The rules for sharing food only apply to the rations, everything we gather is fair game.)
Bruno, Angel, and Grace return with the rice.
Bruno: What’s going on? Why does everyone look like they’re on edge?
Killian: The fishing party caught us some grub, but there isn’t enough for everyone.
Bruno: Four fish? Of course, there is.
Killian: Oh yeah, if you’re willing to eat a chicken finger’s worth. Nobody will get enough energy off of that!
Bruno: I guess you’re right about that.
Killian: I’ve been saying we should split it between the 10 people that did work today, and I think that you all agree, but you’re not willing to say it because you don’t want to come off as cruel. This may be a mutual camp, but we need to make it clear that if you want to eat, you’ve gotta work.
Angel: As brutal as it sounds, he makes a good point.
Karma: I can’t disagree with him.
Alden’s stomach growls.
Alden: Please… I can’t survive off just rice.
Gus: Me neither.
Alec: Then raise the damn flag! There are still 14 damn people left in the exam, and you guys are struggling now! There’s no way you’ll make it to the end.
Gus: What if it’s tomorrow?
Killian: IT WON’T BE TOMORROW, DUMBASS!
Alden clears his throat.
Alden: I saw we take this to a vote, the democratic way. We may be living on an island, but we are not savages. We will work through the majority rules system to make decisions, and everyone will have a vote and, therefore, a voice. I say we-
Alden trips and falls in the campfire.
Alden: AHHHHHHH! AHHHH! HELP ME!
Alden dies, and his body disappears.
Killian: Alright, I’m going to gut these fish and prepare them for the ten of us. If anyone has any problems with that, bring ‘em to me.
Everyone is silent as Killian grabs the machete.
Alexis: (A bunch of us have honest hearts and want to help the weak people, but when everyone is starving… it’s hard to not be selfish.)
Saige, Aaron, Isaiah, Eve, Demetri, Hayze, Ash, Wes, Kevin, and Silver gather in Blair’s medical room.
Ash: It’s weird only having 11 of us here.
Silver: 8 have failed, and Lilith isn’t here for obvious reasons.
Kevin: Why did you gather everyone together, Hayze?
Hayze: To talk about two things. First, Jace and Lilith. Before the exam, everyone started to worry that there was more wrong with Jace than we initially thought. And after his match today, I think we all know we were right.
Saige: What even happened? It was like she took his hand and changed personalities entirely.
Eve: He did something to her, that’s what! Lilith’s a kind and sweet person. She would never act the way she did today!
Silver: We all know that, Eve. Saige is asking if anyone has an idea of how he did it.
Hayze: Anyone?
Everyone is quiet.
Kevin: Looks like we’ve got nothing.
Silver: Maybe instead of starting there, we should focus on the origin. How did Jace suddenly start acting the way he is now? It seemingly came out of nowhere.
Aaron: We all know it has to do with the prison exercise. He basically committed suicide, and that was the last time we saw him being “normal.”
Saige: That’s true. When I woke up from the simulation, Jace had already changed.
Silver: The same goes for me. Who was awake when Jace “died”?
Blair: If I recall correctly, Kevin and Aaron were the only two.
Kevin: I went straight to the gym after getting back. I never saw him.
Aaron: Me too. Except I was out back.
Silver: Damn… I have no idea what could have happened then. We’re not allowed to leave campus unsupervised, so-
Ash: Can I say something…
Everyone turns their attention to Ash.
Ash: The night of the prison exercise. Eve and I went grocery shopping since we knew it would take a while for everyone to get back. When we returned, Jace entered the gate alone…
Hayze: Alone?
Silver: So he did leave.
Wes: I also have something to say.
Everyone turns their attention to Wes.
Wes: I passed by Jace that evening after he had just left his room. He had his bags packed.
Silver: So he was abandoning U.A.
Kevin: Why didn’t either of you mention this before now?
Ash: Eve and I didn’t want to get Jace in trouble…
Eve: Yeah… I’m not a narc.
Wes: It wasn’t my business. I just assumed he changed his mind.
Kevin: Well, he sure as hell did.
Aaron smacks the back of Wes’ head.
Wes: OW!
Aaron: Next time, bring up important information sooner!
Wes: I… I missed this…
Hayze clears his throat.
Hayze: So with those pieces of information. We’re sure that Jace was trying to abandon U.A. out of shame for what happened in the prison exercise. His personality change occurred while he was outside of U.A. unsupervised. He then returned that evening.
Eve: And now he’s capable of spreading his mental illness to others…
Aaron: It has to be the work of a quirk, right?
Silver: I doubt it.
Aaron: Huh?
Silver: No quirk could have that kind of power. Jace is essentially brainwashed, and unless the person who did it followed our bus, that would mean their range is infinite. Just that already sounds impossible for a quirk, let alone when you add the ability to spread brainwashing like a virus.
Aaron: We’ve seen guys with quirks way stronger than that! There was a guy that was essentially a nuke, remember?
Silver: Yes, but all quirks have checks and balances. Your quirk can’t be overused, I have to be grounded to fully use mine, Will’s mirrors can shatter, etcetera. A quirk existing with that much power and no apparent downside? I find that hard to believe.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
“ Adrian: A long time ago, there was a villain with a rare ability called exorcism. It allowed him to absorb the quirk of a person and confine it to a catalyst. The villain was so mad in the head he formed a team with the sole goal of killing the top 10 heroes, taking their quirks, and trapping them in a single container that would make the wielder the most powerful human alive. You see, the strength of exorcism was that it could absorb all of a quirk’s positives without any of its drawbacks. “ - Chapter 46
Hayze: (It can’t be… is he really back already?)
Saige: Okay, so say it isn’t a quirk. What is it?
Silver: I’m not saying it can’t be a quirk. I’m saying it’s improbable. My opinion could change if we had more information, but with what we have. I don’t think we can come up with anything.
Everyone goes silent.
Isaiah: So, we need to talk to Jace?
Demetri: We could, but he won’t tell us shit. He basically tries to pretend he’s always been this way.
Kevin: So what do we do?
Nobody has an answer. Hayze steps forward.
Hayze: I’m sure the teachers are just as concerned with the match as us. They’ll probably investigate as soon as we return to U.A. However, I think right now, our best option is for everyone to avoid communicating with Jace and Lilith until we know what’s wrong. We don’t want what’s affecting them to spread.
Eve: Of course, you’d say that! Lilith doesn’t deserve to be left the way she is.
Hayze: I know, Eve, but we can’t do anything right now with the little information we have, and Jace won’t give us anything more, and that won’t change. We have to leave this in the hands of the teacher’s unfortunately.
Eve: *frustrated grunt*
A few moments of awkward silence pass.
Wes: So… what was the other thing we brought us here to talk about, Hayze?
Hayze: Right… After the fourth phase, I followed the medics that wheeled Verity and the others away. I overheard them saying something about everyone throwing them in cages.
Everyone is surprised.
Ash: What?
Hayze: This entire time, I’ve been wondering what happens to us after we leave the exam. We haven’t seen any of the 8 members of our class that have failed nor the rest of 2-B. So I think they’re all being held somewhere, which isn’t good.
Aaron: Are you saying they’ve got Alexis in a cage?
Ash: And Justus?
Hayze: Yeah… I think so.
Silver: Are you sure you didn’t mishear them?
Hayze: I don’t think I misheard the part about them getting stripped down to their underwear to make things more uncomfortable.
Silver: *grunts*
Demetri: (I don’t want to end up in a cage…)
Isaiah: (We’ve gotta win tomorrow.)
Hayze: I’m bringing this up because I want everyone to be ready. At least three people in this room will be taken tomorrow and potentially up to six. They’re going to try and drug you, so be on guard.
Wes: (Fuck…)
Silver: What if this is part of the exam? Wouldn’t resisting be bad for us?
Hayze: Maybe… They called it “Phase 0,” but that doesn’t inspire optimism. We’ve been attacked many times… I just want everyone to be safe. If you think I’m being paranoid, you can accept your fate, but I know what I heard and have a bad feeling about it.
Awkward silence.
Aaron: Well, I’m going to head to bed. I need a good night’s sleep to heal these injuries.
Wes: I guess I’ll enjoy my last night’s sleep in a bed…
Everyone clears out until the room is left with just Hayze and Blair.
Blair: Do you actually think the people who failed are in danger?
Hayze: I’m not sure, but I just want everyone to be aware.
Hayze leaves.
Hayze: (Whatever happens tomorrow. I can’t lose my match…)
The next day, the 14 remaining examinees gather in the spectator’s stands. Lilith sits in the back by herself, wearing Jace’s cloak.
Eve: (Lilith…)
Hunt walks out to the center of the arena.
Hunt: Alright, let’s begin the fifth match.
Two staircases materialize leading up to the spectator’s area.
Hunt: Ashley Wright and Kevin Bohm, please enter the arena.
Kevin stands up and starts walking towards a staircase.
Kevin: (Let’s go!)
Ash stands up and starts walking towards the other staircase.
Ash: (This time, I’m not withdrawing.)