Scarlett punches one of the pillars in her throne room, toppling it.
Scarlett: How dare she betray me?! I could have left her to become one of Dr. Wirths’ test subjects, but no, I gave her another chance at life, and this is how she repays me!
Scarlett takes a deep breath.
Scarlett: No matter. Even if Ivy hadn’t warned them, everything was already falling apart. With Wirths dead, my new serum’s perfection and mass production would have been delayed by months and maybe years. I lost this battle long ago, my subordinates are dead, and my syndicate has fallen. I have two choices: run or die. Perhaps that fool Iota would be willing to allow me into his ranks. It’s clear that I underestimated the power of those rings. If I join him and gain his trust, I could potentially rebuild my empire only after I betray him, of course. The other option is to fight the heroes and kill as many of them as possible, either by my hand or via the nerve gas.
Scarlett thinks for a moment.
Scarlett: No, I shouldn’t give up because I’ve been defeated here. Even if Iota rejects me, I’d rather see my vision to the end than die knowing I could have done more.
Scarlett walks to her throne and presses a button on the side, ejecting an umbrella for her.
Scarlett: (I’ll take the West Exit, it will take longer for me to reach it, but Ivy won’t expect it if she warns the heroes.)
Scarlett starts walking towards the throne room door.
Scarlett: (I’ll hide in the shadows until nightfall and then-)
Aster: Going somewhere?
Scarlett: Huh?
Aster is standing in the doorway.
Scarlett: You really followed me all the way here? What a foolish boy you are.
Aster: Foolish? You ran from me, so clearly, you’re afraid.
Scarlett: I needed time to recover from my wounds and initiate the final part of my plan. You were simply a gnat, and I ignored you.
Aster: *nasal grunt* Right.
Scarlett: What do you want?
Aster: Isn’t that obvious? I’m here to stop you.
Scarlett laughs.
Scarlett: Stop me? You’re better off running for your life.
Aster: Oh? You mean like you did?
Scarlett: Your arrogance is palpable, but I don’t have time to waste dispatching you. Run along.
Scarlett starts walking towards the door again, but Aster ignites a line of fire between them.
Aster: I didn’t say this was optional.
Scarlett: You really believe you can take me on?
Aster: Yeah, and I’ll finish you before the pros arrive.
Scarlett scoffs and starts walking towards another of the throne room’s pillars.
Scarlett: Fine, if you’re feeling suicidal, then who am I to deny your quest for death?
Scarlett presses a button on the back of the pillar, opening a panel containing two claw gauntlets. She puts them on.
Scarlett: This should only take a few minutes.
Aster: No Soulvania?
Scarlett: I’d love to leave whenever I’d want to. Besides, I already know it’s a moot point against you.
Aster: So you do know about Phoenix mode? Good to know.
Scarlett: I didn’t need my bats for that one. I have a TV.
Aster: Yeah, yeah, yeah, let’s just get started!
Aster begins lighting every pillar in the room on fire.
Scarlett: What’s the point of that?
Aster: Give it time.
Aster reaches into his utility belt and grabs hold of three shurikens, and he tosses them at Scarlett and lights each of them on fire midair.
Aster: Take that, you hag!
Scarlett: Pfft, amateurish.
Scarlett ducks and dodges the shuriken; Aster gets a glint in his eye.
Scarlett: Did you think my comment was about your first attack?
Scarlett quickly straightens her posture and repels a second set of shuriken that are not on fire.
Aster: *grunts*
Scarlett: Using the oldest trick in the book? Really? What kind of simpleton do you take me for?
Aster: I already told you. Just give it time.
Scarlett: No, I don’t think I will.
Scarlett disappears into the shadows.
Aster: (I’ve seen this before… This is Khaos’ deadliest weapon.)
Aster calmly surveys the whole room.
Aster: (Although, it also serves another purpose…)
Aster quickly turns around and ignites a flame in the doorway just as Scarlett reappears.
Scarlett: AHHH!
Scarlett’s back is lit on fire.
Aster: Running away? I thought you were confident?
Scarlett: I don’t have time for this!
Scarlett bursts towards Aster.
Aster: (Woah!)
Aster leaps back and tries to ignite Scarlett’s head, but she fades into shadows.
Aster: (Shit!)
Scarlett reappears behind Aster and kicks him hard in the back, sending him flying and tumbling against the ground.
Aster: *groans* What’s the point in having those claws if you’re not going to use them?
Scarlett: Why would I stab you and let your delicious blood go to waste on the floor?
Aster: Fair point.
Aster gets to his feet.
Aster: I can’t say that I expected you to attack me upfront. Good move.
Scarlett: Patronizing me? That’s not going to get you far in this fight.
Aster: Who said I was talking down to you? I’m allowed to compliment my opponent.
Scarlett: *nasal grunt* Arrogant swine.
Scarlett extends her arms outward.
Aster: Huh?
Scarlett: The audacity to believe that you could defeat me without any help…, especially in my own lair.
Suddenly many bats begin congregating above Scarlett.
Aster: Oh boy…
Scarlett: Let’s see you live through this!
The bats swarm Aster, he ignites and kills a handful of them, but the rest begin continuously biting and scratching him.
Aster: *pained grunts*
Scarlett laughs.
Scarlett: You talk a big game, but you’re afraid.
Aster: No, I’m not.
Scarlett: Then why hold back? Your phoenix mode might have actually been a challenge for me, but you’re worried that I might kill you, and if you die in that form, you’re gone for good.
Aster: *frustrated grunt*
Scarlett: I’ll let you play with my bats for a while. I’d say good riddance, but I know you’ll get right back up once they’re done with you.
Scarlett starts walking to the door again.
Aster: Where do you think you’re going?!
Scarlett: Elsewhere, I’m done with you and this base, for that matter.
Aster clenches his fists.
Aster: You’re gonna see this fight to the finish!
Aster lights his arms on fire, repelling the bats.
Scarlett: Huh!
Aster: Take this, you hag! Burning Knuckle!
Aster runs up to Scarlett and attempts to punch her with his burning fist. However, a group of bats block his attack by shielding her with their bodies.
Aster: What?!
Aster leaps away from Scarlett as the burnt bats flop on the ground, dead.
Scarlett: The bats are my minions and will protect me from harm. Dogs may be man’s best friend, but these creatures are mine.
Aster: Damn!
Aster drops to the ground and rolls to extinguish the flames on his arms.
Aster: *pained grunt*
Scarlett: Hm… igniting your body outside of Phoenix Form was not a tactic I was aware of, but I see why now.
Aster: In base form, my body is only flame-resistant, not immune. Doing that hurt like a bitch, but I couldn’t let you get away.
Scarlett: Why are you so insistent upon fighting me? You can’t seriously believe that you’ll win.
Aster: You know a lot about me, but it seems my reputation has preceded you.
Scarlett: I know exactly who you are, Aster Maddox. You’re U.A.’s top student, and the hype surrounding you is pretty immense. You’re considered to be a future top-10 hero in the making.
Aster: Yup, and who says I’m not already?
Scarlett laughs.
Scarlett: The word arrogant should be tattooed like a scarlet letter across your chest. Do you really buy into your own hype that much?
Aster: No, I don’t.
Scarlett: Hm? Then why-
Aster: Let’s just say I learned a little ago that I needed an attitude adjustment.
“ Hayze: The same way you let your ego cloud your judgment on adequately preparing for this fight. Aster, you're a great fighter and an opponent I'll be proud to say I've fought. But you're not Colossus, and I know you want to be the youngest number one ever, but part of getting to that point is experiencing failure. Colossus would say the same, without loss, you can never learn and improve. What's happened in this match will probably have a more adverse effect on your life than any other fight you've been in, and that's because you didn't dominate the whole time. You get to see the error of your ways, and you can become stronger because of it. I lost to Justus at the Sports Festival, and I learned from the moment I felt like I had failed, but it was the best thing for me. Winning that tournament wouldn't have taught me anything. It would have been the worst thing for me. “ - Episode 94
Scarlett: Really? Because everything you’ve done up to this point has been the opposite of that statement. You barged in here and challenged me without any second thought.
Aster: Who needs second thoughts when you’ve got a plan?
Scarlett: Huh?
Suddenly, the pillars Aster lit on fire begin to collapse.
Aster: Let’s see your bats stop the ceiling from crushing you to death!
Scarlett: *frustrated grunt* You’ll die too!
Scarlett realizes.
Scarlett: No! This was your plan from the start! You’re going to kill us both and escape using Phoenix Mode.
Aster: With enough time to spare to grab a coffee on my way out.
Scarlett: Damn you!
Scarlett disappears into the shadows.
Aster: No chance!
Aster ignites a wall of fire, blocking the only exit. Scarlett reappears just before it.
Aster: Go ahead, try running through it. I know how much vampires love fire.
Scarlett: *frustrated grunt*
Aster: My fight against Hayze that day taught me a lesson about relying too much on my talent. With enough planning and prep time, even the weakest person can defeat someone quite powerful. I had a plan, and now you’ll fall victim to it.
Scarlett: We’ll see about that!
Scarlett rushes Aster while her bats dive toward him.
Aster: (What’s her plan?! Is she trying to kill me before the rocks do? No, she’s not that dumb!)
Scarlett slices at Aster, but he dodges by leaping back. Then, the pillars collapse entirely, and the ceiling begins to cave down.
Aster: Times up for y-
Scarlett kicks Aster in the face, sending him flying through his firewall and out of the collapsing throne room.
Aster: What?!
The ceiling collapses on Scarlett. The rubble fills the entryway, blocking it off completely.
Aster: (Why did she do that? She “saved” my life… it makes no sense.)
Scarlett quietly appears from the shadows behind Aster.
Scarlett: It’s much easier to suck your blood when you’re not on fire.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Aster: Huh?!
Scarlett bites Aster’s neck and begins draining his blood.
Aster: *groans* How?
Scarlett: My bats are willing to go to the grave for me; they shielded me from the debris and gave me enough time to escape to the shadows. Once the ceiling collapsed and destroyed your firewall, I was free!
Aster: *frustrated grunt* Dammit!
Aster dies as Scarlett absorbs his energy.
Scarlett: *sigh of relief* Back to full power… and maybe more…
Scarlett starts walking away from Aster’s body.
Scarlett: You can rise now if you’d like.
Aster’s entire body becomes engulfed in blood-red flames. The flames then beam up and form into a Phoenix that screeches so loud it pierces the ears of all that can hear it.
Aster: Like a Phoenix, I rise from the ashes of my death better and brighter than I was before!
Scarlett: Do you have to give the speech?
Aster stands up and faces Scarlett.
Aster: Now you’ve got a real problem to deal with. You may have won round one, but it’s time for me to knock you out.
Scarlett laughs.
Scarlett: Your Phoenix Mode may have boosted your strength, but absorbing your energy has restored me to my original power. You don’t stand a chance against me now more than ever!
Aster: We’ll see about that.
Scarlett: Well, I hope you have another “genius” plan ready because now that you’ve died once…
Scarlett brandishes her claw gauntlets.
Scarlett: You don’t have any more second chances.
Aster: I don’t need anymore. (I just need to learn from the past.)
A flashback begins.
Yul and Aster are facing off inside U.A. Arena during the final round of the 2nd-Year Sports Festival. Yul is standing a little before the tree line, wounded and burnt in many areas, as Aster barely has a scratch on him.
Aster: This is it, Yul. You put up a good fight, but you’ll have to settle for silver for the second straight year.
Yul: We’ll see about that, my friend.
Yul quickly grabs a stick and a rock.
Yul: Fusion!
Yul creates a boomerang made of stone.
Yul: Take this!
Yul throws the boomerang at Aster, but he dodges with ease.
Aster: What was that?
Yul: My plan!
The boomerang curves through the air and begins soaring towards Aster’s back.
Yul: (Aster knows the boomerang will reverse course, so I’m not counting it catching him off guard, but if he wants to dodge my attack, he has to look over his shoulder and see it. In that split second, I’ll strike.)
The boomerang continues soaring toward Aster, but he doesn’t check to see where it is.
Yul: (Wh- what’s Aster doing?! He has to be insane if he’s going to try guessing when he needs to dodge!)
Yul hears a loud sound behind him.
Yul: Huh?!
Yul looks over his shoulder to see a tree collapsing towards him.
Yul: AH!
Madame Mummy stops the tree from crushing Yul with her bandages.
Yul: *sighs*
Aster: There we go.
Aster looks over his shoulder and dodges the boomerang a second time. Madame Mummy places the destroyed tree on the ground.
Madame Mummy: The winner is Aster Maddox.
The crowd goes crazy.
Boom: AND FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, ASTER MADDOX HAS WON THE SPORTS FESTIVAL!
Aster walks up to Yul.
Aster: Great fight, man. You did really well.
Yul: It was clever of you to start burning the tree behind me to force Madame Mummy to intervene and disqualify me. I didn’t even think of it.
Aster: Yeah, but that’s only because you got tunnel vision on trying to get a hit on me. If you had been more careful, you could have maybe turned the tables.
Yul: *nasal grunt* Thanks, but you’re just too strong for me.
Aster laughs.
Aster: Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I can’t compliment a good effort.
Yul: Ha, never change, Aster.
Aster and Yul shake hands.
Aster (Naratting): I didn’t want to sound like a douche, but was that tournament a breeze. That was only the start of our second year, and I was already defeating my peers without taking damage. I actually thought for a second about asking to graduate early. I felt like I was ready to take the hero world by storm.
Later, Aster, Yul, and Tyson walk through the stadium hallways. Aster has his gold medal, Yul silver, and Tyson bronze. Tyson yawns.
Tyson: Man, same placements as last year. How freaking boring.
Aster: Speak for yourself; I had a ton of fun.
Yul: Do you guys want to get some food?
Tyson: Hell yeah, I’m starving! Getting my ass whooped by Aster works up an appetite.
Aster: You guys go ahead; I’ve gotta take a leak. I’ll catch up.
Yul: Okay, see you then.
Yul and Tyson head one way while Aster walks toward the bathrooms. He can hear two people talking as he reaches the hallway's corner.
Multi: Ah, Aster is gonna make one fine hero someday. He’s been one of the best students I’ve ever seen! I can’t wait to see the line of heroes trying to take him under their wing.
Walker: He’s definitely talented; I’ll give him that.
Multi: Oh come on, Walker, don’t sell the kid short. You saw him today; it was like watching a young Colossus!
Aster smiles.
Walker: I don’t like his attitude.
Multi: Huh? He’s a great kid! What do you mean?
Walker: I’m not denying that, but his demeanor on the battlefield leaves a lot to be desired. Watching his four matches today… there was always something that stood out to me.
Multi: And that was?
Walker: It was like he thought the match was already over, and he wanted to skip to the end. Confidence is good, but it’s almost as if he believes wholeheartedly that he’s reached his maximum strength.
Multi: Hasn’t he? I know that might be a naive statement, but Aster just won the Sports Festival and didn’t even need to visit Recovery Girl. That’s insane!
Walker: It is, but what happens when he starts fighting opponents he isn’t outright stronger than?
Multi: Huh?
Walker: My students know how to handle adversity far better than him, and they’ve only been here a month. It feels good to be on top, but if you don’t know how to climb back up from the bottom, you’re as fragile as a house of cards. Someday he’ll learn that lesson, but until then, he’s got a lot to work on.
Walker starts walking away in the opposite direction of Aster.
Multi: Hey! Wait up!
Aster thinks for a moment.
Aster: (What the heck is Mr. Walker talking about? Nobody will ever be better than me, with my skills, smarts, and this quirk, I’m practically invincible!)
Flash forward to the day of the showcase.
Aster lies against the ground in agonizing pain.
Aster: *groans* Everything hurts…
Hayze walks over to Aster.
Hayze: So, you're the top student of U.A., right?
The flashback ends.
Aster: (I didn’t acknowledge what Walker said that day… I thought he was just being foolish, but he was right. I needed that beating from Hayze to teach me that I still have so much more I can do to improve myself. Learn from my failures.)
Aster ignites a wall of fire behind Scarlett and another behind himself.
Scarlett: Well, now, is someone angry?
Aster: Call it a Firevania because there is no escape for you this round!
On the surface, many police officers are gathered in and around the rubble of Scarlett’s house. They have an entire perimeter set up with many ambulances around. EMTs are aiding Fatal, Sydney, and Silver. Walker is at the bottom of the shaft waiting for others to arrive while Big Tank is talking to the leading officer.
Big Tank: What happened to Impact? Did he kill that villain that intercepted us at the entrance?
Officer: I think one of the provisional heroes did.
Big Tank: What? Really?
Officer: Well, when we arrived, there were three people here, Impact and two students, and one of those kids was beaten beyond belief, barely alive even. Impact had a nasty poisonous infection, so we rushed them to the hospital; I’m not sure about their condition now. We haven’t gotten an update.
Big Tank: Has anyone else exited the facility before us?
Officer: Yeah, two boys and a girl. Both boys were severely injured, but we also got them sent to the hospital quickly.
Big Tank: Did one of the boys have metal hands?
Officer: Uh… yeah, I think so.
Big Tank: Good, then those three made it out.
One of the paramedics inspects Fatal’s burns.
Fatal: *pained grunt*
EMT 1: We’ll need to get you to the hospital asap.
Fatal: Don’t waste an entire ambulance on me. I’ll be fine.
EMT1: No way, Ms. Fatal. Burn wounds like these are an infection waiting to happen.
Sydney: We can share an ambulance. I’m ready to have my burns treated.
EMT2: We don’t need to rush you to a hospital. Your burns aren’t potentially life-threatening.
Sydney: Are you saying my face isn’t important!
EMT2: W- w- n- no… but-
Sydney: But nothing! Let’s all just get inside Justus’ ambulance!
Tyson is helping the paramedics load Justus into an ambulance.
EMT4: Thanks for the help.
Tyson: Yeah, don’t mention it. Just take good care of this guy, okay?
EMT4: We will.
The ambulance takes off for the hospital.
Tyson: *nasal grunt* (Thank god I don’t have to carry him anymore.)
A portal opens beside the elevator shaft. Daniele walks out carrying Kevin.
Daniele: I really need some help here!
Paramedics rush over to assist Daniele.
Silver: Kevin!
Silver tries to stand up, but his paramedic stops him.
EMT3: Sir, you’re in no condition to be standing, let alone walking. The other paramedics will help your friend, trust me.
Silver: *frustrated grunt*
Silver looks at Kevin’s wounds and cracked skin.
Silver: (What happened to him?)
The paramedics place Kevin on a stretcher and quickly load him into an ambulance. It takes off immediately after. Tyson runs up to Daniele.
Tyson: Daniele, are you alright?
Daniele: Just a few bruises and cuts. What about you?
Tyson: Pfft, I hardly even saw anyone. Do you know what happened to Aster?
Daniele: Last I saw, he was chasing after the Vampire Queen.
Tyson: What! Alone?
Daniele: Yes.
Tyson: Why didn’t you go with him?!
Daniele: I had to bring Kevin back here! He was going to die! Did you not see his condition?
Tyson: Yeah… but… Aster’s taking on that chick alone? Are you not worried about that?
Daniele: Of course I am, but I didn’t have a choice. We just have to hope everything will be alright for him.
Tyson: *sighs* I guess…
Daniele: What about Yul? He didn’t make it inside, right?
Tyson: He’s probably at the hospital already; we should meet him there.
Daniele: Only after Aster gets out.
Tyson: Oh… uh, yeah, for sure.
EMT5: Uh, Tyson, right?
Tyson: Huh?
A paramedic is standing behind Tyson and Daniele. He points at Terus’ corpse.
EMT5: Sir, I’m sorry, but that girl is dead.
Tyson: I’m aware.
Daniele: Huh?
EMT5: Then why did you drag her out of the facility? There’s nothing we can do for her.
Tyson: Honestly, I don’t know why, but that guy, Justus, asked me to.
EMT5: Well, she has no ID, so we can’t contact her family or anything. We’ll have to transport her to the hospital’s morgue.
Tyson: Go ahead. Justus is there, so you can ask him what’s up.
The paramedic walks off.
Daniele: You really dragged that girl all the way here out of the kindness of your own heart?
Tyson: Hey, I’m not the asshole you all make me out to be.
Daniele: No, just a mega pervert.
Tyson: Oh, don’t give me that. I know you have all kinds of dirty thoughts about Aster. But at least I’m honest!
Daniele’s face turns red.
Daniele: NO, I DON’T!
Tyson: Daniele, I know you were being serious when you asked him out that time.
Daniele: Wh- wait- what! Then why did you laugh?
Tyson: I thought it was hilarious that you used a bet to do it.
Tyson walks off.
Daniele: *groans*
Aster bursts towards Scarlett.
Aster: You’re going down!
Scarlett: I find that unlikely!
Scarlett disappears into the shadows to dodge Aster’s attack and remineralizes behind him.
Scarlett: All you are to me in this form is a big firefly!
Scarlett slices at Aster’s back, but he quickly turns around and grabs her claws to stop her.
Aster: Fireflies are fast, huh?
Scarlett’s claws start to melt.
Aster: And hot.
Scarlett: And stupid!
Aster: Huh?
Scarlett bites Aster’s neck through his fire.
Scarlett: AHHH!
Aster: What?!
Scarlett drinks some of his blood before being forced to back off by the flames. Aster staggers backward.
Aster: *pained grunt* (What was that? I didn’t expect her to bite through my flames, she has to be- Huh?!)
Scarlett’s wounds from the flames have completely regenerated.
Aster: You don’t have a single burn or scratch!
Scarlett: That’s the power of a vampire. As long as I have sustenance, I can regenerate and heal all damage I sustain.
Aster: And by sustenance, you mean blood, right? So doing a reckless maneuver like that was beneficial for you?
Scarlett: Of course. Why else would I have done it?
Aster: *grunts*
Aster is light-headed, and his legs are wobbly.
Scarlett: Blood is essential for a functioning human body; the more you lose, the less strength you have. You’re in over your head, Aster. This transformation won’t save you from death.
Aster: We’ll see about that.
Scarlett: If you surrender now, I’ll spare your life, but I assume you won’t accept that offer?
Aster: Never.
Scarlett: Well then, I guess it’s time for me to end this dance.
Scarlett fades into the shadows again.
Aster: Funny, I was about to say the same thing.
Aster begins igniting the walls, floor, and ceiling with fire.
Aster: You’re in here somewhere, and I’m going to find out where!
Aster eventually lights Scarlett on fire.
Scarlett: AHHHH!
Aster: I’ve got you now!
Aster lunges at Scarlett and punches her in the stomach, sending her flying through Aster’s firewall.
Scarlett: AHHH!
Aster: Burn the witch, am I right?
The flames slowly extinguish, and Scarlett’s wounds heal instantly after.
Scarlett: Bastard…
Aster: I’m guessing you won’t be able to heal that fast for much longer if I keep doing that.
Scarlett: (At this rate, the pros will arrive before I can finish him off. With that last attack, I lost too much energy; I’m in no condition to fight any of them. I need to kill this phoenix now and make my escape, even if it costs me in the long run.)
Scarlett stands back up.
Aster: Ready for more?
Scarlett: No, little birdy, it’s time for you to have your wings clipped.
Aster: Oh yeah? What are you gonna do?
Suddenly two bulges from near Scarlett’s shoulder blades.
Scarlett: Grow my own.
Aster: What?
Two large bat wings emerge from the bulges on Scarlett’s back.
Aster: Oh… that’s nice…
Scarlett: Up to this point, you were concerned with victory, but now you only have one objective.
Scarlett’s fangs grow sharper and longer.
Scarlett: Survive!
Aster: Okay, so you grew some new appendages, so wh-
Scarlett bursts towards Aster with incredible speed.
Aster: (What!)
Scarlett: Die!
Scarlett stabs one of her claw gauntlets into Aster’s chest.
Aster: *pained grunt*
She kicks Aster in the chest, knocking him down. She looks at her claws as they melt completely.
Aster: Where did all of that speed come from!
Scarlett: This is my true form. Vampires must typically blend in with humans, but I can unlock all my power like this.
Aster: But… why wouldn’t you have used this from the start? Or against Kevin?
Scarlett: That should be quite obvious.
“ Scarlett: That’s the power of a vampire. As long as I have sustenance, I can regenerate and heal all damage I sustain. “
Aster: I see… so this is an all-in tactic for you. You plan to kill me and run away from everyone else.
Scarlett: You should take solace in knowing you pushed me to this level. I must make my escape now or die at the pro’s hands.
Aster: Well, I’m not going down that easily!
Aster attempts to light Scarlett on fire, but she preemptively moves out of the way.
Aster: What! (It was like she knew when I was going to attack.)
Scarlett: My speed is far greater than your mortal eyes can comprehend. Trying to stop me now is futile.
Aster: *frustrated grunt*
Scarlett winds back her other claw gauntlet and aims for Aster’s head.
Scarlett: Say goodbye!
Suddenly, a bolt made entirely of shadows pierces Scarlett’s chest from behind, stunning her.
Scarlett: Wh- What!