Exciton: God, it’s been a long time since I was last here.
Lust: You’re only 26, Exciton. You don’t have to act like you’re so old.
Exciton: 7 years is a while, you know.
Lust: I guess that’s true; even a few years for me feels like quite a bit of time.
Exciton: I hope the kiddos have been enjoying their time off. That was a pretty intense mission for them to participate in while they were still in school.
Lust: Probably, but are we going to tell them about what happened…
Exciton: They have a right to know. Besides, it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Iota more than likely executed the Vampire Queen. So, at least we never have to worry about her again.
Lust: Yeah, that’s for sure.
Exciton: I hear they have dorms here now. Is that right?
Lust: Yes, I’ve been here before. We should stop by 2-A first. I want to see how Blair and Saige are doing.
Exciton: That’s fine. I just gotta check in with Aster, but we can do that later.
Lust: We also have to visit Principal Ewing too.
Exciton: Yeah, but we can do that at the end. Let’s enjoy the visit until then.
Lust: Right.
Killian, Alec, and Tobias are sitting on the front steps of 2-B’s dorm, watching various groups of Vanguard members.
Killian: Man, I can’t believe I was a part of that outfit. Makes me sick looking at ‘em.
Alec: Yeah, and they made you into one of their little bitches.
Killian: *frustrated grunt* I’m gonna make them pay for that!
Tobias: You can’t.
Killian: Wh- why not?
Tobias: Because Sydney knocked you out of the tournament, they no longer care about you.
Killian: Huh!? What!?
Killian looks at his S.S. Badge; it has a 0 displayed.
Killian: GODDAMMIT!
Alec: HAHAHAHA!
Hayze is writing in a notebook in the common area, with Ivy sitting on the couch across from him.
Ivy: Hayze, it’s been a few days; maybe you should take a break?
Hayze: I can’t; everything is riding on us saving Jace. I have to figure out a plan, I’d love to be the one to take him on myself, but Lilith told me they’ve been ordered not to fight me. So, I doubt Jace would bite on that.
Bruno: Then let me do it.
Bruno walks up to them.
Hayze: I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, Bruno. We don’t know what Jace’s Vanguard quirk is, so it’s probably best for someone with more versatility to take him on.
Bruno: I don’t care; I’ll defeat him no matter what! I’m tired of watching my friends be brainwashed! I want to be the one to end this.
Hayze stares at Bruno for a moment.
Hayze: Okay, I understand.
Ivy: If only there was a way for multiple of us to fight him, but I doubt he would agree to that.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
Hayze: Ivy, you’re a genius!
Ivy: Huh? Wait- what?
Hayze stands up and places down his notebook.
Hayze: I’ll be back; I’ve gotta go talk to someone.
Hayze runs out of the building.
Ivy: Wait! Where- *sighs*
Bruno: Don’t worry, I trust him. If he has a plan, I’m sure everything will be alright.
Ivy: I know; I just think he’s letting the weight of solving this problem all fall on his shoulders. When that doesn’t need to be the case.
Bruno: We’re all here helping, aren’t we?
Ivy: Yes, but… he’s the only one creating the plans.
Bruno: Hm… I guess you are right about that.
Jace enters the conference room inside the Vanguard dorm by himself.
Jace: (It’s been a while since Master requested me alone. I wonder what this could be about?)
The T.V. screen turns on, and Vanguard is on a video call.
Vanguard: Hello, Fool.
Jace: Morning, Master. What’s this impromptu meeting for?
Vanguard: I have a question for you.
Jace: Yes, Master?
Vanguard: How loyal are you to the Vanguard?
Jace is caught off guard by Vanguard’s question.
“ Jace: Convinced me? I joined the Vanguard of my own free will.
Daniele: Bullshit! Look at what you’ve done to your closest friends! Look at the harm you’ve brought upon this school! There’s no way anybody who once called themselves a hero chose this path!
Jace stares at Daniele.
Jace: (She’s right.) “ - Chapter 167
Jace: 100%.
Vanguard: If that’s the case, are you willing to lay down your life for this cause?
Jace’s eyes widen.
Jace: Y- yes, of course. I- is that what you’re asking me to do?
Vanguard: I have a scheme I’m working on. One that will catapult the Vanguard to complete control of this school.
Jace: “Wes?” No if?
Vanguard: Yes, but it will require you to put yourself in harm’s way. Are you ready for that?
Jace: Yes, Master! Whatever you need! I will not put myself before the Vanguard’s vision. I will do whatever it takes!
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard: Good. I’ll call you later with the details. But, for now, keep everyone in line.
Jace: Yes, Master.
Vanguard ends the call.
Vanguard: (With this plan, I’ll be rid of my only loose end AND potentially the biggest thorn in my side…)
Vanguard stands up and turns on the light in his office; he removes his cloak and changes into his work uniform.
Vanguard: (And while that’s happening, I’ll check up on a “little” hunch.)
Adrian reaches into his pocket.
Adrian: Damien, stay right here. I’ll take care of this.
Walker: Hm? What are you planning?
Adrian: To take this guy out, using my head.
Adrian pulls out a ring case.
Walker: Is that…
Adrian: It is.
Adrian opens it, revealing the Theta Ring.
Adrian: I know I told you a million times that I thought you were wrong, but on the off chance that you weren’t, I knew we might need this.
Walker: What does it do?
Adrian: Watch.
Adrian puts on the Theta Ring and takes a deep breath.
Adrian: They fired their first shot at 92 degrees east, then relocated 55 degrees northeast. By that logic, they’ve more than likely moved to about 18 degrees north.
Adrian looks directly towards 18 degrees north.
Adrian: Now that I know their location, it’s all a matter of opening a portal to it.
Walker: H- how were you able to deduce all of that?
Adrian: Based on the direction the bullets were fired from both times they shot at us. If they believed moving 37 degrees was enough the first time, then they moved roughly the same amount this time. I imagine they’re prepared for hand-to-hand combat, so I’ll need a weapon.
Walker: There’s a pistol inside of your pack.
Adrian: I know; I figured that out because of its weight. Don’t you think bringing 17 HE grenades was a little overkill?
Walker: I like to come prepared.
Adrian: Probably because of the trauma you suffered from having EMD’s death occur under your watch.
Walker: Huh?
Adrian: Another deduction.
Adrian cracks his knuckles.
Adrian: This will be over in 27 seconds.
Walker: What? How? There’s no way-
Adrian runs over the dune, booking it for their packs.
Walker: ADRIAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?
Weaver takes aim at Adrian’s head.
Weaver: I’ve got you now.
Adrian smiles.
Adrian: (First, they’ll hesitate.)
Weaver hesitates to pull the trigger.
Weaver: (Wait… what if this is a part of his plan? I don’t know what his quirk is… and he has to know that this is suicide if his quirk can’t save him.)
Adrian readies his left hand.
Adrian: (Next, they’ll realize they can’t pass up the opportunity to kill me.)
Weaver grips the trigger.
Weaver: (No, I have to kill him! Even if his quirk can stop my shot, I have to take this chance! Besides, there’s no way he can react to my shot in time.)
Adrian raises his hand.
Adrian: (And they’ll fire now!)
Weaver fires at Adrian, but he instantly opens a portal, absorbing her shot.
Weaver and Walker: What!?
Adrian reaches for his pack and pulls out the pistol.
Adrian: (Then, they’ll be stunned for a few seconds. In utter shock that I “reacted” in time to block their shot.)
Weaver shakes her head frantically.
Weaver: (He got lucky, I’ll just kill him now.)
Weaver takes aim at Adrian’s head, but he opens a portal beneath himself and disappears into it.
Weaver: (Damn! I was too slow!)
Weaver looks around the desert landscape for Adrian.
Weaver: (Where is he?)
A portal opens behind Weaver. Adrian steps out of it and cocks the pistol while aiming at the back of Weaver’s head.
Adrian: It’s over.
Weaver: (H- How did he know exactly where I was!)
Adrian: Drop the sniper, now! (She’ll turn around and try to stab me next.)
Weaver pulls out a knife and slices at Adrian, knocking the pistol from his hand. She holds the knife to his neck.
Weaver: I don’t know how you did all that, but I’m still a soldier. You can’t beat me in hand-to-hand combat.
Adrian: No, I can’t.
Adrian opens a portal behind Weaver; her sniper bullet from earlier flies out of it and goes straight through her leg.
Weaver: AHHHH!
Adrian takes the opportunity, rips the knife from Weaver’s hand, and forces her to the ground.
Weaver: *frustrated grunt* Damn you!
Adrian grabs the pistol from the sand and knocks Weaver out cold.
Adrian: Phew…
Adrian removes the Theta Ring.
Adrian: Thank god that’s over with. She’s got some incredible skills, but she can’t handle the power of a Ring.
Later, Adrian patches up Walker’s gunshot wound beside the backpacks. Weaver is tied up unconscious beside them, with her wound also tended to.
Adrian: This should stop the bleeding and keep it from getting infected. It’ll be kind of a bitch to get both of you to the stronghold, though.
Walker: Do we really still need to go? Was this encounter insufficient proof that the person controlling the Vanguard is using the Alpha Ring?
Adrian: It isn’t, but we have to see if Battlin’ Boxer is alive. Also, there could be clues to the identity of the madman behind all of this.
Walker: That’s true, but on the second point, we could just interrogate her, couldn’t we?
Adrian: No, the Alpha Ring’s user almost certainly commanded her to kill herself if she’s captured and/or questioned.
Walker: Does it hurt to try?
Adrian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a fake tooth.
Adrian: Yes.
Walker: Cyanide, I assume?
Adrian: Yup.
Walker: Damn… I guess we do have to keep going.
Adrian: Yeah, and there’s one problem… We have two people who can’t walk and two heavy packs.
Walker: It’s okay; we only need my pack; it has the food and water. You carry that, and I’ll bring her.
Adrian: What?! You can’t walk on that!
Walker: Who’s walking?
Walker hobbles over to Weaver and opens a portal beneath them.
Adrian: (Oh… smart…) hey… wait a second! Why weren’t we doing that from the start!? DAMIEN!
Hayze arrives at Class 3-A’s dorm; he knocks on the door.
Hayze: Uh… hello?
Nobody comes to the door.
Hayze: (Man… not a single person is here?)
Yul: Hayze?
Hayze: Huh?
Hayze turns around to see Yul standing behind him.
Hayze: Yul! You’re just the person I wanted to see.
Yul: Hm? Why so?
Hayze: Do you have any extra fusion canisters made yet?
Yul: Yes, actually, I have two more. Aaron’s still hanging on the first set; I refilled it for him recently.
Hayze: Is it alright if I take one set? I think we could use it to trick Jace into a fight he can’t win.
Yul: Of course, I’d say you should take both. I created them for others to use. Aster has no interest in fusion, so they’re best in your hands.
Hayze: O- oh, really? Thanks.
Yul pulls out both sets of canisters and fills them with fusion energy.
Yul: Here you go; I’m sure you know all the details by now, but as a reminder, a fusion lasts only 30 minutes. These canisters are one-time use each, so make them count.
Hayze: I will, thank you.
Yul: Do be sure to knock around Jace quite a bit. This Vanguard nonsense has gotten out of hand.
Hayze: Will do. Oh, and can I ask why your dorm is empty?
Yul: They were all assimilated into the Vanguard; I’m the last 3-A student left.
Hayze: Wait, what!? How?
Yul: *sighs* The other members of the Big Four and myself decided to pay the Vanguard a visit and see if we could stop them. Our carelessness led to Tyson being converted, which led to him taking out all third-year hero students besides Aster, Daniele, and myself.
Hayze: They really got Tyson?
Yul: Yes, from what I know of the battle, one of their quirks took him off guard. I feel bad for him and my classmates. It was lonely staying in a dorm alone, so Aster and Daniele allowed me to live in Class 3-B’s dorm for the time being. I was only coming here to pick up a few things I had forgotten.
Hayze: (Damn… it’s worse than I thought…) If that’s the case, then I’ll have to act fast. Cya, Yul, and thanks again.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Yul: No problem, and good luck.
Hayze starts running off.
Yul: Oh, and one more thing, Hayze.
Hayze: Huh?
Yul: This isn’t something I’ve had to mention before, but now that we have multiple fusion canisters, I need to. Once two people have fused together, they cannot refuse until 12 hours have passed.
Hayze: I see… so you can’t stack fusions.
Yul: Yes, but that rule only applies to that specific pair. Either one could fuse with a third person.
Hayze: Oh… okay, well, thanks for that heads up.
Hayze leaves.
Yul: (I know Tyson wants us to lie back and wait for the right moment to save him, but seeing Hayze doing everything he can to try and make things better… makes me feel guilty.)
The girls finish their training with Fatal for the day.
Fatal: Great work today, girls. You all keep impressing me with your progress.
Blair: I hate to admit it, but that first set of training exercises paid off quite a lot.
Ash: Yeah… I do feel like my quirk has gotten stronger.
Fatal: It’s not that your quirk is stronger; your control and confidence in it have increased.
Alexis: That’s a good point; when you presented me with my task, I thought it was impossible.
Fatal: Yup, confidence is critical, and all of you have had yours increase substantially under my guidance. Well… except one.
Sydney is soaking wet.
Sydney: Shut up.
Fatal: Well, your thighs and ass will be pretty toned. I bet your boyfriend will like th- oh wait…
Sydney: Fuck. You.
The girls all laugh.
Fatal: Anyway, that’s enough for today. I’ll see all of you tomorrow.
The girls disperse. Blair and Alexis leave and head toward the dining area.
Blair: These workouts are so intense… Every day I’m worried I can’t keep up.
Alexis: Well, you’re getting stronger. All of us are. The boys will have to pick up their game soon, or we’ll surpass them.
Blair: Hell yeah!
Alexis: Oh, hey, look, it’s Mr. Butler.
Blair: It looks like he’s coming towards us.
Vanguard approaches the two girls.
Vanguard: Hi, girls. Sorry to interrupt, but may I speak with you alone, Ms. Maddox?
Blair: Oh, uh… sure. What’s this about?
Vanguard: Nothing major; I just need to survey how your quirk usage has progressed since you arrived here at U.A.
Blair: Oh, okay. Mind going ahead, Alexis?
Alexis: No problem.
Vanguard: Don’t worry. This won’t take long.
Alexis walks off.
Alexis: (Huh? Strange, I haven’t heard of anyone else needing to be surveyed. Maybe she’s just first? But then why wouldn’t he want to survey me too?)
Verity walks out in front of Alexis.
Alexis: Huh, Verity? What are you-
Verity: The Hermit.
Alexis passes out.
Verity: All clear, Master.
Vanguard smiles at Blair creepily.
Blair: Um… so what do you need to ask me, Mr. Butler?
Vanguard: To be my puppet.
Blair: Wh- huh, what?
Vanguard removes his glove and places the Alpha Ring against Blair’s forehead, paralyzing her.
Vanguard: You have no free will; you only exist to follow my orders. This will continue until I say otherwise.
Vanguard removes the ring from her forehead, and Blair’s eyes look vacant.
Blair: …
Vanguard: Follow me.
Blair: …
Vanguard and Blair walk off.
Vanguard: (Step one: Complete.)
Lust and Exciton arrive at Class 2-A’s dorm.
Exciton: Man, they spared no expense on these things.
Lust: Well, when your students are getting kidnapped and attacked, you have to save face somehow.
Exciton laughs.
Exciton: Come on, let’s head inside.
Alden comes crawling out from a nearby bush.
Alden: Please… take me with you.
Exciton: Oh, sweat, a coat check!
Exciton tosses Alden his coat.
Exciton: I don’t want to see a single spot on that. It costs more than your life.
Alden: No, please, I-
Exciton and Lust head inside.
Alden: *sobs*
Gus, Justus, Zach, Silver, and Aaron are playing cards.
Gus: I have a pair of 4’s!
Zach: Hah! Three of a kind!
Gus: Aw…
Silver: I told you you should have folded, Gus. Zach’s Poker Face sucks.
Zach: What! No, it doesn’t!
Aaron: Yeah, it does.
Justus: Mhm.
Zach: Aw, come on!
Gus takes off his shirt and hands it to Zach.
Silver: Also, this isn’t strip poker; you don’t have to take your clothes off.
Gus: I don’t have any money to bet…
Silver: What? Why?
Gus: After my dad found out I stole a shit ton of meat from the deli, he cut off my allowance…
Aaron: HAHAHA!
Justus: I’m… sorry to hear that?
Zach takes Gus’ shirt.
Zach: I guess I could use this as a tablecloth.
Gus: Aw…
Exciton: So, this is what you kids do for fun around here?
Everyone looks to see Lust and Exciton.
Zach: Woah! Holy crap! It’s Exciton and Lust!
Justus: Zach… you’ve met them before.
Zach: Well, yeah, but… they’re still cool…
Eve comes running up to Lust with stars in her eyes.
Eve: You must be Ms. Lust, the #5 hero; I’m such a huge fan!
Lust: Oh, that’s so great to hear! I’m always thrilled to meet a fan!
Eve: I’ve been following you ever since you graduated from U.A. you’re an inspiration to female heroes everywhere!
Lust: Oh, stop! You’re going to make me blush!
Silver: If you don’t mind me asking, why are you two here?
Exciton: Unfortunately, we have to report that the Vampire Queen escaped custody.
Everyone is shocked.
Aaron: Are you kidding me!? After everything we went through, she’s back at large!
Exciton: Not exactly. We were intercepted by Iota’s goons; I had to let them take her to protect the officers accompanying me. Our best guess is that she’s dead now.
Justus: Well, that’s good.
Silver: But that means no interrogation and thus no new information on Iota’s whereabouts.
Exciton: Pretty much. It’s whatever, though; I doubt we could have made her talk.
Justus: Iota clearly felt otherwise.
Exciton: Hey, we’re talking about a guy that was the most powerful human in existence for all of 10 seconds. I’m not surprised he’s being careful.
Aaron: Is that all you needed to say?
Exciton: I mean, yeah? We’re allowed to visit our alma mater, you know?
Aaron: Yeah… I guess that’s true.
Lust: Your work studies aren’t concluded either. I need to check in with my heroes. Speaking of which, where are Saige and Blair?
Silver: Saige is up in her room; I can bring you to her if you’d like.
Lust: That would be great, thank you.
Justus: Blair just left to go eat dinner.
Gus: Cause she doesn’t like my cooking…
Eve: IT’S BECAUSE YOU DON’T WASH YOUR HANDS!
Gus: I ONLY LEARNED WHAT A SINK WAS RECENTLY, OKAY!
Lust: That’s good to know; I’ll leave a message for her with Saige.
Silver leads Lust upstairs.
Exciton: So, is it always this wacky around here?
Aaron: More or less.
Recovery Girl is giving Wes a check-up.
Recovery Girl: Well, you’re good to go, Wes.
Wes: Thanks, Recovery Girl. I appreciate it.
Recovery Girl notices Wes’ somber expression.
Recovery Girl: Is something wrong, my boy?
Wes is silent for a few moments.
Wes: Have you ever felt what it’s like to take something for granted… and only realize how important it was to you after it's gone?
Recovery Girl smiles.
Recovery Girl: You’re talking about a girl, aren’t you?
Wes: NO!
Recovery Girl laughs.
Recovery Girl: It’s okay, Wes.
Wes: No, it isn’t… I let my stupid delusions of grandeur get in the way of protecting her- IT! If I was smart, I would have gotten Saige or Justus to help me. Maybe then they wouldn’t have taken her- IT!
Recovery Girl: My boy, what does saying any of this do for you?
Wes: Huh?
Recovery Girl: That whole spiel you just went on, does saying any of that mean anything?
Wes: I- I- I don’t understand…
Recovery Girl: My point is that what happened, happened, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.
Recovery Girl picks up Wes’ sword and hands it to him.
Recovery Girl: But what you can do is dictate the future.
Wes: I- I guess, but… all I could do is assist others. Anytime I try to do anything on my own, I barely survive or get my ass kicked, most times both. So what could a sad excuse for a hero like me accomplish?
Recovery Girl: A lot, but the first step is accepting that if you want to get her back, you must be willing to put 100% effort in. Can you do that, Wes?
Wes hesitates.
Wes: I- I think so.
Recovery Girl: Do you want to get her, my boy?
Wes: Yeah… I do.
Recovery Girl: Then you need to answer that with more certainty. So, I will repeat it: Can you do that, Wes?
Wes: Y- Yeah! I can!
Wes takes his sword.
Recovery Girl: Then go do it.
Wes: Yes, ma’am, thank you, Recovery Girl.
Wes leaves.
Recovery Girl: Don’t mention it…
Recovery Girl smiles and begins picking up her medical supplies.
Vanguard: Quite the recovery that boy made in such a short time, eh Recovery Girl?
Recovery Girl: Hm?
Vanguard is standing in the doorway to the office.
Recovery Girl: Oh, Mr. Butler, what are you doing here?
Vanguard: I just have a few questions I need to ask you, that’s all.
Recovery Girl: Hm? Go ahead; I’d be happy to help you in any way I can.
Vanguard closes the office door and locks it.
Recovery Girl: (Huh?)
Vanguard: Okay, then answer me this: why do you always wear gloves?
Recovery Girl’s eyes narrow.
Recovery Girl: Why are you asking?
Vanguard: Oh, I’m just curious, that’s all.
Recovery Girl slowly backs up to her desk.
Recovery Girl: It’s for medical purposes; I can’t touch my patients with my hands, that’s all.
Vanguard: Hm, then, could you take your gloves off for me?
Recovery Girl: *grunts*
Vanguard: If it’s just for patients, then I’m sure you shouldn’t have a problem with that, right?
Recovery Girl reaches behind herself, grabs a stapler off her desk, and hides it behind her back.
Vanguard: Well?
Recovery Girl stares at Vanguard for a few moments.
Recovery Girl: Who are you really?
Vanguard laughs.
Vanguard: The man that will change the world.
Vanguard removes his glove, revealing the Alpha Ring.
Recovery Girl: WHAT!? Where did you get that!?
Vanguard: Off a corpse.
Recovery Girl: *frustrated grunt* Battlin’ Boxer… you poor boy…
Vanguard cracks his neck.
Vanguard: Hand it over, and I won’t kill you.
Recovery Girl: Never!
Recovery Girl fires a batch of staples at Vanguard, but he brushes them aside with his muscular arms.
Recovery Girl: What!? How-
Vanguard rushes Recovery Girl, grabs her neck, slams her against the wall, and holds her there.
Recovery Girl: *choking*
Vanguard removes one of Recovery Girl’s gloves, revealing the Gamma Ring.
Vanguard: Yes!
Vanguard removes the ring from her finger and admires it.
Recovery Girl: *choking* How… How did you know?
Vanguard: It’s rather obvious to anyone who knows what the rings can do.
Vanguard releases her, and she frantically scrambles for air.
Recovery Girl: But… How do you know what the rings can do?
Vanguard laughs.
Vanguard: Maybe instead of asking me what I DO know about these magnificent artifacts, you should ask yourself what you DON’T know.
Recovery Girl: Huh?
Vanguard knocks Recovery Girl out cold.
Vanguard: I’d love to kill you, but I don’t need people looking into your death.
Vanguard opens the door, and Verity steps in.
Vanguard: Hermit, use your quirk, then leave her underneath the ceiling fan with a rope tied to it.
Verity: Yes, Master.
Vanguard places the Gamma Ring on his finger.
Vanguard: (Step 2: Complete!)
Jace, Angel, Isaiah, Lilith, Karma, Tyson, and many Vanguard students approach Class 2-B’s dorm.
Alec: Hey!? What are you punks doing here!
Jace: I’m here to issue a challenge.
Alec: Oh yeah?! Well, I’ll-
Tobias steps forward.
Tobias: I’ll take you on.
Alec: Woah! Hey! Who says you get dibs?!
Killian: Yeah! I need to make this guy pay for making me into a clown!
Jace: I’ve already chosen my opponent, and I refuse to face anyone else.
Tobias: Who is it?
Jace smiles.
Jace: I think you know who it is. Now, fetch him for me, or we’ll siege this building and show you all the light!
Vanguard Crowd: YEAH!
Tobias, Alec, and Killian look at each other.
Tobias: He’s not here right now.
Jace: Then where is he?
Hayze: Right here.
Hayze has returned.
Jace: Good...
Hayze: What’s going on?
Jace: It’s time for you and me to face off.
Hayze: *grunts* Oh really?
Ivy and Bruno exit the dorm.
Bruno: What’s all this commotion!
Ivy: Woah… that’s a lot of black cloaks…
Jace: What do you say, Hayze?
Hayze: If I win, you leave the Vanguard, got it?
Jace laughs.
Jace: Oh, you think this is a tournament match?
Hayze: Is it not?
Jace: No, this is a standard fight.
Hayze: Then you must be an idiot; if there are no stakes, there’s nothing in it for either of us.
Jace: Oh, trust me… there are stakes.
Hayze’s eyes narrow.
Hayze: Well, my answer is no.
Jace: Oh boy… well, you see… actually, your answer is yes.
Hayze: No, it isn’t.
Jace: Hm… then let me ask you this, would you be upset if a certain flat-chested girl were to… I don’t know… get “hurt?”
Hayze clenches his fists.
Hayze: What did you just say?!
Calm appears beside Hayze.
Calm: Hayze, control your emotions. Don’t let them cloud your judgment.
Hayze: *frustrated grunt* Fine, I’ll fight you.
Bruno: Don’t let him strong-arm you like this!
Hayze: If he has Blair, I don’t have a choice.
Killian: What if he’s lying?! He hasn’t shown any proof!
Jace: Lovers, fetch me a finger.
Angel: Yessir.
Hayze: Hey! I said yes! I don’t need proof.
Jace: Good, then follow me.
Jace turns to the other 2-B students and Ivy.
Jace: The rest of you are coming too. If you don’t, then let’s just say you’ll get to see what a severed head looks like.
Hayze: Just start walking.
Jace: If you’re in such a hurry, then okay.
Jace leads everyone to U.A. Stadium.
Jace: You five ingrates can spectate, as will my entourage.
Hayze: Do as he says, guys.
The Vanguard grunts head to one side of the stadium’s seats while Tobias, Killian, Alec, Bruno, and Ivy go to the other. Leaving just Hayze and the Vanguard lieutenants.
Jace: Lovers and Moon, stand guard; nobody can leave, and no pro heroes may enter.
Angel: Understood.
Karma: With pleasure.
Jace: Magician, go ready the simulation.
Tyson: Ok.
Jace: Empress and Temperance, you’re on patrol; ensure everyone stays in their seats.
Isaiah: Yessir.
Lilith: Fine.
They disperse, leaving just Hayze and Jace.
Hayze: If you touched a single hair on Blair’s head, I’ll-
Jace: Don’t worry, she’s perfectly fine, and as long as you and your friends follow the rules, she’ll stay that way.
Hayze: Do I have your word?
Jace: Of course.
Hayze: Then let’s just get this over with.
Jace: Right.
Hayze and Jace enter the arena and walk to the center. The Vanguard members cheer from their seats.
Killian: This doesn’t make any sense! Why would he want to battle Hayze like this! Even if he wins, Hayze won’t join the Vanguard.
Bruno: Yes, but if Jace does happen to lose, he won’t leave them, meaning we can’t learn the identity of the Vanguard’s Master.
Ivy: Perhaps they’re trying to gage his strength?
Tobias: No, that’s not what’s happening at all.
Alec: Care to explain to the rest of the class?
Tobias: They wouldn’t go to these lengths to get Hayze to fight unless they gained something significant from the battle.
Alec: Okay, so if they don’t want him in the Vanguard, what do they want?
Tobias: Isn’t it obvious? This is a battle to the death.
Ivy: What?!
Bruno: You’re kidding!
Killian: No way!
Alec: Man, this is hardcore!
Hayze and Jace faceoff at the center of the arena.
Jace: Begin the simulation!
A blinding light blares, and a holographic skyscraper in the middle of construction forms with Hayze and Jace standing at the very top. The center of the building is completely empty; thus, there is a massive drop straight to the ground between them.
Hayze: Interesting choice…
Jace: Indeed it is, but it’s time for more details.
A construction crane moves toward them and positions an anchor above the massive pit.
Hayze: (An anchor?)
Two chains and shackles attached to the anchor drop down, one beside Jace, and the other beside Hayze.
Jace: Attach the shackle to your ankle.
Hayze and Jace both do so.
Hayze: What’s this for?
Jace: Exactly 1 hour from the start of this fight, that crane will drop that anchor. It’ll plummet 90 stories to the ground. These chains have shackled us to that anchor, which means we’ll be taken to our deaths if it falls.
Hayze: What?!
Jace: Look below you.
Hayze: Huh?
Hayze looks down and sees a small box lying on the ground before him. Jace has one as well.
Jace: Inside that box contains the key to my shackle, but it requires a fingerprint scan to open. Yours, to be specific.
Hayze: And your box?
Jace: Visa versa. It has your key and needs my fingerprint to open it. The goal of this battle is to kill your opponent and use their fingerprint to save yourself from the death plunge.
Hayze: Why can’t I just knock you unconscious?!
Jace: Because that’s against the rules.
Hayze: *frustrated grunt*
Jace: Now that we’ve established the basics, let me present more rules. You are not allowed to use your quirk at all!
Hayze: You can’t be serious!
Ivy: No way!
Bruno: Hayze is weak without his quirk! He can’t win without it!
Jace: Don’t worry. You can still use your equipment.
Hayze: Thanks…
Jace: You’re welcome. Now then, nobody is allowed to leave this stadium or their seats, for that matter. Hayze cannot receive assistance of any kind, or else…
Hayze: *sighs* I know the answer, but I’m still gonna say it… or else what?
Jace: Thank you for humoring me.
Jace snaps his finger. A TV Screen inside the stadium turns on to a feed of Blair strapped to a chair with Filip, Fabio, and Talon standing beside her.
Hayze: BLAIR!
Jace: If any rule is broken, my men are under direct order to kill her.
Hayze: Damn you!
Jace cracks his neck and knuckles and removes his cloak.
Jace: Now then, what do you say we get this fight started?
Hayze: If I win, does Blair go free?
Jace: Of course.
Hayze clenches his fists.
Hayze: (So, it’s either I die, Jace dies, we both die, or Blair dies… there are no other choices…) HOW ARE YOU OKAY WITH THIS JACE?! YOU COULD DIE!
Jace laughs maniacally.
Jace: I’ll do anything for the Vanguard, Hayze! Even lay down my life! Besides, you and I both know you won’t kill me! You don’t have the guts!
Hayze grinds his teeth.
Jace: Now… let the battle begin!