Lust and Exciton lead the group of Hayze, Blair, Daniele, Aster, Paperboy, Doorman, and Fishface through the hallways.
Exciton: It’s eerily quiet.
Lust: Yeah, it’s been a long time since we were disconnected from everyone else.
Exciton: I’m getting the vibe that we’re not heading in the right direction.
Lust: If that’s the case, what can we do? This is the only way we can go.
Exciton: I’m not sure; I wish we had up-to-date schematics on this place. It’s impossible to navigate with any certainty.
Doorman: May I make a suggestion?
Exciton: What is Wallguy?
Doorman: Uh… it’s Doorman.
Exciton: Potato, Potato, just tell us what you’ve got.
Doorman: My quirk allows me to make my entire body into a doorway that others may pass through. Any wall, no more how impenetrable, becomes simplistic to step right through, thanks to me.
Exciton: That’s incredibly lame.
Lust: But it could be helpful here. Are you able to make the floor into a door?
Doorman: Yes!
Fishface: So we can go all the way to the bottom floor!
Doorman: W- well, no. You see, I cannot pass through myself.
Exciton: So you’re only useful once… I see why you signed up for this mission.
Doorman: B- but I’m VERY useful in that one time!
Everyone stares at Doorman.
Exciton: Alright, so the 8 of us will move to the next floor.
Doorman: Huh?!
Exciton: What? Is something wrong?
Doorman: Y- you’re just going to leave me here alone?
Exciton: Do you have a better idea?
Fishface: We could split up, send five of us to the next floor, and have four people stay here.
Exciton: That’s too dangerous, it would require Lust and me to split up, and we need to stick together to protect you guys.
Lust: I agree with you, Exciton, but I also wouldn’t feel right about leaving Doorman alone.
Doorman: Me too!
Exciton: So what do you suggest?
Aster: How about Daniele and I stay here with Doorman and Fishface? If your theory is correct that the Vampire Queen is ignoring us due to this floor leading to nowhere, we won’t be in much danger.
Daniele: And even if we encounter any problems, Aster and I are well-trained enough to handle them.
Exciton and Lust look at each other.
Exciton: I trust Aster, so if you’re okay with it as well, Lust, I’ll agree.
Lust: Yes, Daniele is very talented. I’m sure she’ll keep Doorman and Fishface safe.
Fishface: You know we’re the pros, right…
Doorman: And they’re just students…
Exciton: Alright, Doordude, let’s see your quirk.
Doorman: It’s Doorman, and alright!
Doorman lies down on the ground.
Doorman: Door powers activate!
Doorman begins glowing, and a hole opens in his sternum that leads to the next floor.
Exciton: Hey, that’s somewhat useful.
Lust: Be careful, you two.
Daniele: Yes, Ms. Lust, we will.
Aster: You can count on us.
Exciton, Lust, Hayze, Blair, and Paperboy leap through Doorman and enter the next floor. Doorman then releases his quirk.
Aster: Alright, you three, follow me.
Aster continues walking down the hallway.
Fishface: *under his breath* Man, I’m 27, and taking orders from a 19-year-old…
Doorman: This truly is a humiliating time…
Exciton looks around the new floor.
Exciton: Great, it looks the exact same.
Lust: At least we’re hopefully one step closer to the Vampire Queen’s lair.
Exciton: Yeah, one can only hope.
Paperboy: Do we head in the opposite direction we came from on the last floor? In case the others run into a staircase?
Exciton: Who are you?
Paperboy: P- Paperboy…
Exciton: Yeah, I’m not gonna remember that.
Lust: He brings up a good point, though. I say we do that.
Exciton: Alright, that works for me. Let’s go, guys.
Exciton leads them forward. Hayze feels a strange feeling in his bite mark.
Hayze: *grunts*
Blair: Seriously, are you alright?
Hayze: Yeah… this bite… I can’t tell if it’s reacting to us getting closer to the Vampire Queen or just randomly burning.
Blair: If it’s the former… Do you think she’ll try to stop us soon?
Hayze: Maybe, but she’ll send something our way eventually.
Blair: Yeah, well, I’m ready for her.
Hayze: Me too, but I doubt we’ll see much action with Lust and Exciton with us.
Blair: Probably, but we’ll help if we need to.
Hayze: Of course.
Scarlett watches Exciton’s group on the monitors.
Scarlett: (Hm… that was smart of them. I’ll have to worry about Exciton and Lust sooner than I expected. No matter, I can handle them even as a duo, but I’d like to separate their little helpers.)
Scarlett zooms in on Hayze and Blair. She notices Hayze holding his bite.
Scarlett: (I could send Ivy to finish the job, but where is the fun in that? I want to see if the seeds I planted in his mind earlier have sprouted.)
Scarlett presses a button.
Scarlett: Ivy?
Ivy: *through an intercom* Yes, my Queen?
Scarlett: Send our guest for Ms. Blair Maddox in.
Ivy: *intercom* Yes, ma’am.
Scarlett: Oh, and send Pete, or whatever his name is.
Ivy: *intercom* Understood.
Scarlett leans back in her chair and contemplates.
Scarlett: (Terus should easily take care of the son of Colossus and his girlfriend. Ricky will be wrapping things up soon, and Wirths will hopefully finish his experiment and kill those two girls in a reasonable amount of time. Oh, and I’m sure Large Man has probably killed everyone left on the surface by now. So things are progressing exceptionally well.)
Terus continues running through the hallway with Justus and Ash chasing after her.
Ash: Justus, are you sure we should be doing this? She’s probably leading us into a trap!
Justus: I know, but… I need to know what she said.
Ash: What do you mean?
Justus: She said something under her breath, and I thought I heard… I just need to know that my ears weren’t deceiving me.
Ash: Is it really that important?
Justus thinks back to everything Terus said just before running off.
Justus: (Does she know something that I don’t about my father?)
Terus turns a corner, and Justus and Ash quickly follow; however, Terus has disappeared, and they abruptly stop.
Justus: Wh- where did she go?
Ash: How did she do that?
Justus notices an open door about 30 yards down the hallway.
Justus: Hm…
Justus starts walking towards the door.
Ash: Where are you going?
Justus: To investigate that room.
Ash: What if that’s the trap she was leading us to?
Justus: I don’t think it’s a trap.
Ash: Why?
Justus: I just don’t.
Justus continues walking towards the door, and Ash reluctantly follows him.
Justus: Create an astral minefield behind us, okay?
Ash: Right.
The two walk through the door. It leads to a room with just a twin-size bed inside. The walls are covered in various newspapers and documents.
Justus: It’s a bedroom.
Ash: Do you think it’s hers?
Justus inspects one of the walls. There’s a newspaper article showing him winning the Sports Festival.
Justus: Yeah… I do.
Ash inspects the walls.
Ash: Jesus… is she your stalker or something?
Justus: No, she’s something else.
Justus looks around at some of the other walls. There are newspapers and documents of three people Justus has never heard of.
Justus: (Who are these people?)
Ash walks to the bed and lifts the pillow, revealing a newspaper.
Ash: Justus… come look at this.
Justus: Hm?
Justus looks at the newspaper.
Ash: It’s an article where Colossus talks about you.
Justus: What?
Justus reads.
“ With rumors circulating about Colossus’ connection to Justus Grey, U.A.’s top first-year student, I sat down for an interview with the great hero himself. I didn’t waste any time trying to get an answer from him, “Is Justus Grey your son?” I asked, and Colossus responded very candidly: “Yes, he is, but I’ve never been a part of his life, so I think it would be unfair to refer to me as anything more than his biological father.” This, of course, prompted me to ask him a straightforward follow-up, “Why?”. He replied. “Because I was famous at the same time as I was young, which is a dangerous combo. I made a mistake and brought a child into this world without thinking. I’m glad he turned out well despite that; his mother should be proud.” Colossus admitted to consummating a child through anonymous sex and clearly regretted it, but I had to dig just a little deeper…. “Colossus, if that’s the case,” I said, “Does that mean there could be more of your children out there somewhere?” Colossus quickly responded, “No.” “
The rest of the article has been cut out with scissors.
Ash: Why do you think she would have this? Under her pillow, no less?
Justus is deep in thought.
Ash: Justus?
Terus: I think he realizes his father was a filthy liar in more ways than one.
Ash and Justus quickly turn around to see Terus standing in the doorway, pointing two large pistols at them.
Ash: H- How did you get through the minefield!
Justus reaches for his shield.
Terus: If you move a muscle, I will make those newspapers red all over.
Justus stops.
Ash: Who are you?
Terus: Terus Summers… the daughter of Colossus.
Ash’s eyes widen.
Ash: Wh- what? But… that means.
Terus: Hello, brother.
Justus stares Terus down.
Terus: I’m glad we can finally meet face-to-face.
Alexis slowly wakes up.
Alexis: *groans*
She’s inside a narrow but tall room where the only light comes from a grate on the ceiling.
Alexis: Well, this isn’t creepy at all.
Alexis looks down and notices her costume is gone.
Alexis: *sighs* Great, and they were smart enough to take all of my paper.
Alexis stands up and looks around.
Alexis: I didn’t think this place would have prison cells. Especially one as archaic as this.
Suddenly, four small holes in the walls around her open up.
Alexis: Huh?
The holes begin draining water into her cell.
Alexis: *sighs* Well… shit. HELLLLLLLLLP!
Wirths is brewing tea at his desk, Saige is sweating, and her cheeks are red.
Wirths: You were right; you literally locked your other self away. I wasn’t expecting it to take this long.
Saige: I’m not letting her out… I refuse.
Wirths: Yes, yes, you keep saying that.
Chagrin: *muffled voice* (Oh Saige…)
Saige waves her head around frantically.
Wirths: It’s alright, though. I can tell I’m slowly breaking the seal with each question.
Saige: No… no, you’re not!
Wirths: You can keep pretending, but you and I both know unless one of your friends comes to help, you’ll eventually lose this battle.
Saige: What makes you so sure they won’t get here?
Wirths: Why do you think we sent that firing squad after you?
Saige: *grunts*
Wirths: We’re watching everything that happens. We know where everyone is at all times, and your group was the only one approaching this lab. So I captured you and sent the others running the opposite way.
Saige: So… nobody is coming…
Wirths: Nope, so we’ll be at this for as long as it takes.
Saige: Wait… I have one question…
Wirths: Hm?
Saige: Why did you need Alexis, then?
Wirths: Oh, that’s for another side-project. The Queen’s, not mine.
Wirths walks over to his laptop and reveals a video feed of Alexis.
Saige: What the hell!
Wirths: Don’t worry, the water is rising very slowly; she’s got hours before she’ll drown. We’re only filling it now to give her something to do.
Saige: Why her?
Wirths: Without any paper, she’s helpless. All we had to do was strip her costume and leave her there to die.
Saige: What is it with you and stripping people?
Wirths: Oh, I’m sorry for not letting you keep all of your equipment on you. God, what a terrible person I am.
Saige: Well… yeah…
Wirths sips his tea.
Wirths: Alright, that’s enough of a break for me.
Saige: Oh, come on…
Wirths: Hm… what’s something you’d never tell anyone?
Saige: I didn’t hit puberty until I was 14. *groans* Godammit…
Wirths snickers.
Wirths: And you have D-cups? It must have been like watching balloons inflate.
Saige: Yes, I didn’t know what bras were, and I was afraid to ask at that point. *frustrated grunt*
Wirths laughs.
Saige: I thought you said you weren’t enjoying this!
Wirths: I said I wasn’t getting sexual pleasure; I didn’t say I wouldn’t find it funny.
Saige: Great… the mad scientist is laughing at me… this is a new low.
Wirths: Yes, and it’s only going to get lower.
Saige: I guess this is karma for all the times I made fun of and embarrassed Blair… just concentrated into a singular event.
Wirths: Speaking of Blair…
Saige: Oh no…
Wirths: What do you really think of her? Our intel says that you two have a very unique relationship.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Saige: I make fun of Blair because she reminds me a lot of myself from a few years ago. She is easily embarrassed, and it feels good to be the one embarrassing someone. That being said, Blair is one of my favorite people I’ve ever met, and if I was a lesbian, she would be my first choice.
Wirths stares at Saige blankly.
Wirths: That’s not what I-
Saige: Oh, also, her ass is way nicer than mine, and it makes me insecure.
Wirths: Expected…
Saige whimpers as her entire face turns red.
Chagrin: *louder than before* (That’s right, Saige… feel the shame of letting your darkest and most private inner thoughts out. It’s just like the good old times…)
Saige: Stop it! Get out of my head!
Wirths: Now we’re getting somewhere! Just a little bit more!
Saige screams at the top of her lungs.
Saige: *under her breath* Please… someone… help me.
Hayze looks over his shoulder.
Blair: Wh- did you see something?
Hayze: No… I just… I got a strange vibe.
Blair: Oh, alright.
Calm and Impulse appear beside Hayze.
Calm: (You’re letting your mind race; you must focus.)
Hayze: (I know, but it’s hard for me to not think about the others… the challenges they’re facing, and the obstacles they’re being forced to overcome. I wish I was there to help.)
Impulse: (Maybe they don’t need your help. They’re all pretty tough customers, nobody here is a weakling.)
Calm: (Except maybe Paperboy.)
Impulse: (Still, I’m sure they’ll be just fine. All you need to do is focus on what YOU can control. Such as a big fight!)
Calm: (I agree with Impulse, nothing good comes from worrying about the others.)
Hayze: (Yeah, you guys are right.)
A long way behind Exciton’s group, two figures are watching them.
Figure 1: I’ve got my target.
Figure 2: Me too, but how are we going to deal with Exciton and Lust?
Figure 1 pulls out a photo of Alexis in her cell.
Figure 1: I’ve got an idea.
On the surface, Large Man picks up his severed arm and walks towards the fridge he threw at Zach earlier.
Impact: What’s he doing now?
Yul: If I had to guess, he’s planning for the future.
Impact: Huh?
Large Man opens the Fridge’s freezer and stashes his arm inside the ice compartment.
Large Man: I’ll find the doctor once I finish this.
Large Man turns his attention back to Zach.
Large Man: Alright, it’s time for you to die.
Large Man begins walking towards Zach.
Large Man: You’ve pissed me off enough that you cost yourself a painless death. I’m going to make this one hurt!
Zach gulps.
Yul: This is it… Zach will die unless he finds a way to kill this goliath.
Impact: Yul…
Impact looks visibly ill.
Yul: What is it, sir?
Impact: You’ve gotta help Zach.
Yul: I- I can’t… the Soulvania won’t allow me.
Impact: It may block us from entering or launching attacks, but it can’t stop your words.
Yul: Huh? What are you getting at?
Impact: Think, Yul! Zach’s body is devastated, and he can hardly feel his legs. How the hell could he have stood up and fought back?
Yul: I… I don’t know. It defies all logic.
Impact: No, it doesn’t. Zach stood up because he was reminded of why he came on this mission in the first place. You saw that, right? A blood-red fire lit inside him when he told that bastard why he became a hero. He needs to do that again, and you’ve gotta give him the kindling.
Yul: M- Me?
Impact: Yul… I know you’ve figured out how to beat this guy. You’re too analytical not to have.
Yul: But, I- I- I haven’t, sir!
Impact: Yes, you have… I know it…
Impact passes out.
Yul: Impact! Sir!
Large Man reaches Zach and steps on his right shoulder, dislocating it instantly.
Zach: AHHHHHHH!
Yul looks over at Zach, screaming in pain.
Yul: (Is Impact right? Do I know how to beat him?)
Yul flashes back to Zach using the smoke grenades and slicing Large Man’s arm off.
Yul: (Both times Zach was able to land a hit… he did so by charging at him. The first time, he knew Zach would use the grenades, but he didn’t expect Zach to use them to set up his next strike. The second time, Zach used his Skeletal Driller, which had failed prior in the fight, but he knew his opponent would counter it in the exact same way. This allowed Zach to switch his attack midair and gave that brute zero ability to stop it.)
Large Man laughs as he steps and dislocates Zach’s other arm.
Zach: AHHHHH!
Large Man: There, now I won’t have to deal with those claws ever again.
Yul’s eyes widen.
Yul: (That’s it! Zach can win this!)
Large Man kicks Zach across the soulvania and into a wall of debris.
Zach: *groans* I know what dying people mean now when they say I see a light…
Large Man: Hey! I said this death would be slow, so don’t let your fire extinguish yet!
Large Man starts walking to Zach again.
Yul: Zach!
Zach: Huh? Yul?
Yul: Don’t give up! You can live through this fight!
Zach coughs up a ton of blood.
Zach: I appreciate the optimism… but…
Yul: Zach, you can win with just one more attack! All you need to do is stand up!
Large Man laughs loudly.
Large Man: One attack? You realize how moronic you sound, right?
Zach: I hate to say it… but I’m gonna have to side with the big guy here.
Yul: No, Zach, you have to-
Zach: Listen, Yul, you’ve gotta worry about yourself… after I’m gone… Please, take him down.
Yul: No!
Zach: But… Yul…
Yul: Think about your friends, Zach! Think of how ashamed they’ll be when they find out you gave up when you could have won!
Zach: I- I can’t win. I can’t even stand.
Yul: Not with that attitude! You stood up when logic said it was impossible! You did so because you have the heart of a warrior, and you refused to die when you had a chance at victory! What changed?!
Zach doesn’t have a response.
Yul: I won’t promise you that I’ll defeat him… because you will, Zach, and you’ll live to tell the tale! I promise!
Large Man scoffs as Zach grinds his teeth.
Zach: *pained grunts*
Large Man: Will you shut up? He’s already dead, and he knows it! I think I’ll save Impact’s execution for later and kill you nex-
Zach: AHHHHHHHHH!
Large Man: Huh?
Zach is screaming at the top of his lungs as he fights through the unyielding pain of even moving his body. He can hear the faint sound of his bones cracking with each slight movement.
Large Man: Again?! What is this kid made of?!
Yul: I don’t know what he’s made of, but I know what fuels him… a fighting spirit.
Large Man smiles.
Large Man: Who cares if you’re standing? One more attack will end your life. We both know it to be true. Without your claws, you can’t do anything against me.
Zach: Yul! You said I only need one attack, right? Can you fill me in?
Yul: Just look at him, Zach.
Zach inspects Large Man.
Yul: I think you know what you need to do.
After a few seconds, Zach smiles.
Zach: Yeah… I do.
Zach wraps himself in his bone tail and extends spikes out each vertebrae.
Large Man: This again?
Zach: SKELETAL DRILLER!
Zach leaps into the air and begins spinning at high speeds toward Large Man. Screaming at the top of his lungs from the pain.
Large Man: I’ve countered this attack once before, and without your claws, you won’t be able to switch your attack! I’ve won!
Large Man extends his arm to catch Zach… and then he realizes.
Large Man: (H- wait! He cut off my other arm!)
Yul smiles.
Yul: (This large man’s weakness has been abundantly clear from the moment he first appeared. Frankly, I’m ashamed it took me so long to realize it.)
Large Man: Whatever! I’ll stop you with one arm!
Large Man catches Zach’s drilling attack with his singular hand; Zach continues spinning extraordinarily fast, and the tip of his tail is drilling into Large Man’s palm.
“ Large Man: It’s called proper conditioning. I’ve spent years training to protect this base from an attack like this. With strength, speed, and stamina, I’ve devoted countless hours to perfecting my body. You don’t stand a chance against me! “ - Chapter 151
Yul: (He leans on his body and physical capabilities for every strike; he never once considers any other counter. It doesn’t matter how powerful the attack launched at him is, he’ll never dodge.)
Zach’s tailbone begins drilling through Large Man’s hand.
Large Man: AHHH! NO! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!
Zach eviscerates Large Man’s hand and slices toward his skull.
Large Man: I CAN’T LOSE-
Zach’s tail slices into Large Man’s skull, killing him instantly.
Zach: That’s all… I’ve got.
Zach’s attack finishes, and he drops to the ground. Large Man’s body flops with a loud thud. The soulvania disappears.
Yul: Zach!
Yul runs to Zach’s side.
Zach: I- I- I-
Yul: Zach, don’t speak.
Zach: I don’t think I’m gonna make it… Yul…
Yul: Don’t worry, Zach, you will.
Zach: H- how do you know?
Yul’s right-hand starts glowing pink, and his left hand shines blue.
Yul: Because WE’RE gonna make it.
Yul places one hand on his chest and the other on Zach’s.
Yul: Fusion!
Yul and Zach fuse together. Their combined form has no injuries, but his body is infected just as severely as Zach was. As a result, he’s breathing heavily and sweating.
Zul: Only one thing left to do…
Zul limbs over to Impact and grabs his phone. He dials 9-1-1.
Operator: Hello, this is 9-1-1; what is your emergency?
Zul: This is Impact’s phone… Please come and bring a lot of ambulances.
Zul passes out.
Operator: Sir, we’re tracking your location and routing emergency services.
Aaron writhes in pain on the ground.
Aaron: AH! YOU- GODDAMMIT!
Ricky laughs maniacally.
Ricky: How’s your leg? It looks a little well-cooked!
Aaron: If I get my hands on you, I’ll-
Ricky: You’ll what? Kill me? Fat chance! I’M FUCKING IMMORTAL! YOU CAN’T KILL ME! HAHAHAHA!
Aaron: *frustrated grunt* (I’m not one for giving up, but he’s got a point. I didn’t think he’d be this strong after becoming a vampire. Wes might be down for the count, and I’ve got some of the worst leg injuries I’ve ever seen. My bullets won’t work, and there’s no reason for him to get close enough for me to light him on fire again. He’ll dodge my explosive attacks, and there’s nothing in this room I can use for cover or assist me. He’s got me pinned, and there’s nothing I can do to stop him. This might be the end for me…)
Aaron reverts his arms to normal.
Verity: Aaron.
Aaron: Huh? Verity? I forgot you were here.
Verity: Aaron, you have to protect Wes. I don’t think he’s getting back up.
Wes isn’t moving.
Aaron: Yeah, he’s in bad shape.
Verity: Please… don’t let him die.
Aaron stares at Verity.
Aaron: (This girl…)
Aaron stands up, fighting the pain of the GSW in his left knee and his burnt and shot right calf.
Ricky: Getting back up?
Aaron: Yeah, I am.
Ricky: You know it’s hopeless, right?
Aaron: Yeah, I do.
Ricky: Then why? Why force yourself to be knocked down again?!
Aaron smiles.
Aaron: Verity.
Verity: Yes?
Aaron: After this fight, remind me to force Wes to go on a date with you.
Verity: Uh- I- I- okay.
Ricky laughs.
Ricky: What? You like that pipsqueak!
Ricky laughs even harder.
Aaron: Yeah, I don’t get it either, but I will say one thing. It pisses me off that Wes got a girl to care about him this much.
Ricky: Wh- aren’t you two friends?
Aaron: Uh-huh, but that pipsqueak is a pathetic loser, and I will not allow myself to be shown up by him!
Ricky: Th- wh- huh?
Aaron: I haven’t gone on one date with my girl, and he’s got Verity here fawning all over him! If there’s one thing I won’t let Wes be better than me at, it’s getting girls! So, he needs to live through his fight so I can beat him!
Ricky is dumbfounded.
Ricky: What the fuck is this friendship?
Aaron: The best there is!
Ricky: ALL OF THOSE SENTENCES CONTRADICT!
Aaron: Honestly, I was losing hope, but once Verity looked me in the eyes and begged me to keep Wes alive. I realized that I needed to stop thinking about friendship as me being better than Wes and start thinking of us as… equals…
Aaron pukes a little in his mouth.
Ricky: Who cares about your friendship! Even if you SOMEHOW kill me, one of you has to die! You won’t pick yourself, so he’s essentially dead already! You two don’t stand a chance of survival! It’s hopeless!
Aaron laughs.
Aaron: Yeah, you’re right.
Ricky: Huh?
Aaron: It is hopeless for Wes and me, but…
Aaron reaches for a compartment on his costume.
Aaron: Wes plus me? That’s a different story.
Aaron pulls out two jars, one glowing pink and the other shining blue.
Aaron: (Honestly, it slipped my mind that I even had these, but once Verity reminded me of Wes and I’s friendship, I remembered they’re our only hope.)
Ricky: What are those?
Aaron: Something Yul gave me just before we left for this mission. I wanted to save them for when we fought the Vampire Queen, but it doesn’t look like that’s happening.
Ricky: How were those supposed to help you against the Vampire Queen! They’re glowing jars!
Aaron: Want me to show you?
Ricky: Huh? What do you mean?
Aaron: I need to give one of these to Wes for them to work. Will you try to stop me if I do?
Ricky: Of course! I’m not letting you get an edge on me!
Aaron: Really? After all that talk about how you’re immortal and we’ll never kill you? Man, you really are the same kid you were back on the playground.
Ricky’s eyes go bloodshot.
Ricky: What did you just say?!
Aaron: Dude, it’s like a repeat of what happened all those years ago. You’re afraid of me.
Ricky: I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU!
Aaron: Then why not face me at my absolute best? Humiliate me by proving you’re better than me no matter what I do!
Ricky is hesitant.
Aaron: Unless you’re scared, of course.
Ricky: Do it.
Aaron: You sure?
Ricky: Yes, I am sure!
Aaron starts walking over to Wes, and he kneels next to him.
Wes: A- Aaron? Wh… wh- what’s going on?
Aaron: Hold tight, buddy, we’re killing this guy.
Wes: I- I-
Aaron: Save your breath; I don’t need you dying on me right now.
Aaron opens the blue jar, and the energy flows around Wes’ body.
Ricky: What is this?
Aaron screws the pink jar open.
Aaron: Your worst nightmare.
Aaron opens the jar, and the pink energy surrounds his body. Wes levitates up and collides with Aaron in a blinding light.
Ricky: A flash grenade? That’s all? You really are-
The light subsides. Aaron and Wes have fused. Their combined form’s costume takes on attributes of both of theirs. He has Aaron’s eyes, mouth, and nose; he has Wes’ head shape and hair. When he speaks, his voice is an overlap of Aaron's and Wes’.
Aarow: Ah… much better.
Ricky: Wh- what the hell?
Aarow: You look worried.
Ricky: I’m not! I just don’t know what the hell you are!
Aarow: Hm… you’re right? What do you call an Aaron and a Wes? Aarow sounds alright.
Ricky: What is this?! Who are you?!
Aarow: Didn’t I just go over that? I’m Aaron AND Wes, but you know, fused.
Ricky: Fusion? What?!
Scarlett leans forward in her seat.
Scarlett: (I knew they had this capability, but I didn’t think these two buffoons would use it. No matter, they won’t stand a chance against my vampire.)
Aarow starts stretching.
Aarow: Man, this new body really needs to be worked in. Could you be my personal punching bag?
Ricky laughs.
Ricky: You think this little trick changes anything?! I’m still the strongest person in this zip code!
Aarow smiles.
Aarow: You wanna test that theory?
Ricky: Gladly!
Aarow: Then take your best shot!
Verity: (Whenever two people fuse, the combined entity carries on a mix of their personality traits. He clearly has inherited Aaron’s overconfidence.) Aarow, don’t get cocky; he’s still extremely powerful.
Aarow: Shut up! I know what I’m doing!
Verity: (And Wes’ inability to handle criticism.)
Ricky aims Wes’ pistol at Aarow.
Verity: (But the question is… what is his quirk?)
Ricky fires a bullet, but Aarow creates a Riot Shield from his left forearm. The shot reflects and ignites Ricky on fire.
Ricky: AHHHHHH!
Ricky rolls on the ground in pain.
Ricky: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!
Aarow: My Living Arsenal. I can create any weapon or tool I want from any part of my body.
Aarow winks at Verity.
Verity: (He also has Aaron’s romantic skills…)
Aarow: That bullet was reflected with Wes’ patented mirror power boost, so flames gotta hurt.
Ricky’s fire goes out.
Ricky: You… you… YOU!
Aarow: Me what?
Ricky: I’M GONNA KILL YOU!
Ricky lunges at Aarow. Aarow creates a flamethrower out of his forehead and ignites Ricky again.
Ricky: AHHHHHHH!
Aarow laughs.
Aarow: Man, this is a good time for me to be happy about getting Aaron’s forehead instead of Wes’.
Verity: (And he got Aaron’s disdain for Wes.)
Aarow: Well, this has been fun, but it’s time for me to finish you off.
Verity: (Oh, but he has Wes’ interest for a quick fight.)
Ricky’s fire goes out again.
Ricky: FINISH ME? I WILL FINISH YOU!
Aarow creates two shotgun barrels on his heels, shotgun blasts himself into midair, and hovers there.
Aarow: Listen, buddy, your mistake was ever challenging Aaron Zamora. You never stood a chance against him.
Ricky: I WILL KILL YOU! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! YOU KILLED MY FRIENDS! YOU DISFIGURED ME HIDEOUSLY! YOU WILL DIE AT MY HAND!
Aarow: I highly doubt that.
Ricky takes a deep breath.
Ricky: Why am I even getting worked up? You can’t kill me! I’m an immortal vampire!
Aarow: Yeah… that’s the funny thing about immortality.
Ricky: Huh?
Aarow: It doesn’t work if every single atom of your body is erased from existence.
Ricky: What are you-
Aarow creates missile salvos out of each of his upper arms and lower legs.
Ricky: I- I- I-
Aarow: Now, what’s say we wrap this shit up?
Ricky: N- NOOOOO!
Aarow fires a nonstop barrage of missiles at Ricky.
Ricky: AHHHHHHH!
Aarow: Mirror, mirror on the wall, tell me who’s the deadliest of all!
Ricky is blown up over and over again by each missile.
Ricky: THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY REVEEEEEEEEENGE!
Ricky’s body is entirely annihilated. Aarow salutes.
Aarow: And that’s all she wrote.
The soulvania disappears.
Verity: (The soulvania counts Aarow as 1 living being, so its requirements are satisfied.)
Scarlett grinds her teeth.
Scarlett: No matter, we can always run more tests.
Aarow lands beside Verity.
Verity: Good work.
Aarow hugs Verity.
Aarow: I’m glad you’re alright.
Verity: Take your hand off my butt.
Aarow: Oh, sorry, it does that.
Verity: I must say, it’s weird having Wes’ affections channeled through Aaron’s personality.
Aarow: Yeah, I have a crush on you and Alexis, so things could get awkward if we run into her. Unless…
Verity: No threesomes.
Aarow: Ah, you’re no fun! Alright, are you ready to get out of here?
Verity: How can we? We’re in a locked room.
Aarow points up at the shaft they initially fell through.
Aarow: Remember how I can fly and shoot explosives simultaneously?
Verity: Okay, you may carry me, but you cannot touch my butt.
Aarow: No promises.
Aarow picks up Verity and flies up the shaft.
Aarow: (See you, Ricky. I’m glad you wasted your life hating Aaron and Wes; you were a douchebag.)
Back at Wirth’s lab, Saige is in extreme pain.
Wirths: We’re getting close, Ms. Neidert; I know your other self is knocking on the door.
Saige: I… won’t… give… up…
Wirths: Oh… I think you will.
Saige: Wh- wh- why?
Wirths: Because I’ve been saving something special that I know will send you over the edge.
Saige: What?!
Wirths: This is it, Ms. Neidert… any last words?
Saige: Last words?
Wirths: Well, once I’m done interrogating your other self, I’m going to kill you, so this is the last time you’ll ever be in control.
Saige is silent for a few moments.
Saige: Yeah, I have a few… for you.
Wirths: Hm?
Saige: Whatever you do, don’t let her out of this chair.
Wirths: Is that a threat?
Saige: No… a warning.
Wirths laughs.
Wirths: I’ll take that under advisement. Now, let’s see if my theory is correct.
Saige: What… theory?
Wirths: I know there’s a certain boy you’re fond of. Your fellow lab rat, so to speak?
Saige: Don’t call Hayze that!
Wirths: As we speak, two of our operatives are moving in to attack his team.
Saige: Don’t even try to threaten me with Hayze’s life! He’ll take down an army if you throw them at him!
Wirths: Oh, no. That’s not what they’re going to do.
Saige: Wh- what?
Wirths: They’re going to give him the footage of our encounter here.
Saige: No…
Wirths: And force him to watch every second of your deepest and darkest secrets exposed; otherwise, your friend Alexis will die.
Saige’s eyes start glowing.
Saige: No! No! NOOOO!
Wirths: Yes!
Saige’s body goes limp for a few seconds.
Wirths: Ms. Neidert, are you there?
Saige starts laughing.
Chagrin: No, she’s not.