Vanguard arrives at his apartment, breathing heavily. He goes to his closet and puts on a new suit.
Vanguard: (Getting to Easter Island could be a challenge. First, a flight to Chile could take half a day or more, then I’d need to fly from Chile to the island. I’m not exactly in a rush; nobody knows where I’m headed, so as long as I don’t attract any more attention and get on a flight uncontested. I should be home free.)
Vanguard grabs his briefcase.
Vanguard: (The only thing worrying me is that boy… How did he know where Ewing and I were? He’s not a U.A. student; I know that for sure. I’ve never seen him before. So who is he? And how did he appear out of thin air?) *grunts* (Whatever, I can’t worry about that now. I need to get on the move.)
Vanguard goes to leave his apartment, but he abruptly stops as he reaches for the doorknob.
Vanguard: (Wait… if he knew about my plan to interrogate Ewing… What if he knows that I’m headed to Easter Island? Perhaps his quirk grants him the ability of precognition? Of course, that doesn’t explain everything, but it does solve how he was able to intercept my plan. I can’t afford to be reckless; I must assume he knows my next move. So, I need to find a faster route to the island.)
Ash and Gus arrive back at Class 2-A’s dorm. Eve is giving Saige a haircut while Alexis is seated on the couch eating popcorn.
Eve: FUCK!
Eve’s scissors broke.
Alexis: Oof, another pair goes down; how many is that now?
Eve: Shut up, Alexis!
Eve chucks the broken scissors into a pile of other broken scissors and grabs a new pair.
Ash: Uh… what’s going on?
Alexis: Lilith grew Saige’s hair super long while she was protecting Eve and me. Then Eve went and broke one of Saige’s constructs, giving her a massive headache, so this is Eve’s way of paying her back.
Eve: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!
Eve broke another pair of scissors.
Saige: Take a lap, Eve. Cool off.
Eve picks up one of the couches and chucks it out the window.
Gus: She’s so terrifying...
Ash: Wow, so you guys fought Lilith?
Saige: Yeah, briefly. She ran off after the Vanguard retreated.
Ash: They retreated? So you were able to stop their plan?
Saige: Yup, everyone’s alright, and you can thank Alexis for that.
Ash: Really? You stopped it all by yourself, Alexis?
Alexis: Oh, it was no big deal. I just had to get past Tyson.
Gus: Wait, you fought Tyson?
Alexis: No, I just used one of his playing cards to shut down the simulation. Good thing that guy carries paper with him wherever he goes.
Ash: Oh man, he must have been pretty mad you pulled one over on him.
Gus: Did he try fighting you after that?
Alexis: Yeah… he did…
Ash: How did you get away?
Alexis: I exploited his weakness.
Flashback: Tyson stands up from his seat.
Tyson: Hey! What the hell!
Alexis: Sorry, but nobody’s dying today!
Tyson: Yeah, nobody except you!
Tyson teleports behind Alexis and knocks her to the ground.
Tyson: Now, you’re gonna pay for-
Alexis: I’ll let you touch my breast if you let me leave.
Tyson: How many seconds?
Alexis: Three.
Tyson: Five.
Alexis: Two.
Tyson: Four.
Alexis: One, take it or leave it.
Tyson: Deal!
Ash stares at Alexis, dumbfounded.
Alexis: Too easy.
Eve: Okay, round 15!
Eve grabs another pair of scissors as Hayze and Blair enter the dorm.
Ash: Blair! You’re okay!
Blair: Yup, although I’m dealing with some frostbite...
Alexis: Damn, Hayze, you work fast. How did you find her so quickly?
Hayze: Verity told me where she was after I knocked Jace out.
Hayze sets Blair down on the couch.
Hayze: Uh… weren’t there two couches?
Alexis, Ash, and Gus point at the one Eve threw out the window.
Hayze: Oh.
Saige: Do you like my hair, Hayze?
Hayze: Sure… what happened?
Saige: Lilith.
Hayze: Oh.
Alexis: I feel like it’s been a while since we last saw you.
Gus: Yeah, it must suck being in 2-B now.
Hayze: They’re good people; I don’t mind them. It’s nice to see y’all, especially Gus and Eve, since I haven’t seen them since before Operation V-Day.
Eve growls at Hayze as she cuts Saige’s hair.
Hayze: Missed you too.
Gus: I missed you so much, Hayze! Everyone here is so mean to me!
Hayze: Well, you never wash your hands and are pretty sexist.
Gus: Not you too!
Hayze: Is everyone else out somewhere?
Alexis: Yeah, Zach, Justus, Silver, and Aaron were out searching for Blair. I suppose we should go find them.
Hayze: What about Demetri and Wes?
Ash: *under her breath* Oh crap…
Alexis: I assume Demetri’s up in his room crying.
Demetri: Hey!
Demetri is sitting right next to Alexis.
Alexis: Oh shit. How long have you been there?
Demetri: When you sat down, you said, “you smell like semen” to me.
Alexis: So, awhile?
Demetri: *sighs* I hate it here.
Hayze: Okay, so that leaves Wes; where is he?
Ash and Gus are sweating profusely.
Hayze: Ash… Gus… What aren’t you telling us?
Ash: There’s a slight possibility Wes is… dead…
Hayze: Wait, you’re not sure?
Alexis: Damn, we’re dropping like flies.
Ash: Well… Angel kind of threw him somewhere, and uh…
Gus: We never checked if he lived.
Saige, Alexis, Hayze, and Demetri stare at Ash and Gus.
Hayze: Guys, I know Wes bitches a lot, but come on, seriously?
Ash: We’ll go look right away! Come on, Gus!
Gus: Oh, god, more running?
Ash goes to leave, but as she approaches the doors to leave, Lust and Blaze enter. Blaze has concealed his obsidian sword by wrapping it in a cloth.
Ash, Hayze, Blair, Saige, and Eve: Lust?
Lust: Hello, everyone!
Hayze: Ms. Lust, what are you doing here?
Lust: Well, it’s time for another mission.
All of them are surprised.
Blair: Another one already?
Saige: Not to sound like I’m not excited, but isn’t this a lot of work for provisional heroes like us?
Lust: Oh, the Vampire Queen mission already put you well past that mark. This mission is extremely important, but it’s not as dangerous. I just learned about it a little over 10 minutes ago, so you guys are my only option. Sorry if that’s rude.
Hayze: We understand, but what exactly is the mission?
Lust: Hayze, I need you to take us to the Sigma Ring.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
Hayze: What?
Lust: I can’t explain everything here because we need to move quickly. But, Iota is apparently in hot pursuit of it. Ewing told me you know exactly where it is.
Hayze: I do; how close is he?
Lust: We don’t know, but it won’t be long until Iota finds the guardian.
Hayze: Vargas can hold his own, but we need to go now.
Lust: Exactly why I’m here.
Alexis: Uh… could we get an explanation?
Lust: Later. Alexis, Blair, Ash, and Saige, you’re coming with us.
Gus: Aw… can we come?
Lust: Uh… let me check. Blaze?
Blaze is standing away from everyone else; he immediately tucks the Epsilon Ring fragment into his shirt.
Blaze: Uh, yeah?
Lust: Do you think 7 people is enough?
Blaze: Honestly, I’m not sure, but the more, the merrier.
Lust: Okay, Gus Riggs, Demetri Perish, and Eve Avery, you are all my interns for the next few days.
Gus: Hooray! We get to go on a mission!
Demetri: Huh?
Eve: WAIT! REALLY?!
Eve breaks another pair of scissors.
Eve: MOTHER FUCKER! WHY IS THIS SHIT SO THICK!
Saige: I don’t know; I think it’s a side effect of Lilith’s power. Ask Blair; after being nailed by one of Lilith’s beams, she started going au naturale.
Blair: Wh- wh- NO! Wait, how do you know that?!
Blaze pukes.
Alexis: Uh, is he alright?
Hayze: Yeah, and speaking of which… who is he?
Lust: His name is Blaze, and he’s from-
Blaze runs up to Lust and covers her mouth.
Blaze: I’m from S.T.O.R.M. We've been monitoring Iota’s movements for some time, and that’s how I know he’s close to acquiring the Sigma Ring.
Hayze: S.T.O.R.M.? How old are you?
Blaze: I’m 15.
Hayze: Aren’t you a little young to be a S.T.O.R.M. agent?
Blaze: That’s what makes me a good intel gatherer.
Hayze: Well, that’s a good enough answer for me to stop prying altogether. Come on, guys. We’ve gotta go.
Blaze: (Phew…)
Lust: Good, I’ve called for a limo to arrive for us.
Hayze: Are we going to pick up Daniele or Sydney?
Lust: No, I’m leaving Kleptogirl and Daniele in charge of my agency while I’m gone. And if Sydney’s with her classmates, I don’t want to stir up any commotion.
Hayze: Okay, I have one other question, though, Ms. Lust.
Lust: Hm? And that is?
Hayze: Do you mind if we bring someone else along that isn’t a hero student?
Lust: It depends… why?
Hayze: They have a lot of experience with Iota and his goons; they could really help us.
Saige: (Wait… is he talking about who I think he’s talking about?)
Lust: Hm… This is a crucial mission, so I shouldn’t turn down any help.
Hayze: Thank you.
A warp gate opens in the middle of a forest. Zaire steps out, holding the Sigma Ring fragment in hand.
Zaire: (No reaction. That marks Oregon off the list. Should I go to Washington next? Or bite the bullet and finally go to Alaska. That will probably take a whole week to search.) *sighs* (Alright, let’s just go.)
Zaire enters another gate and warps to the snowy tundra of Alaska.
Zaire: (I probably should have brought a jacket.)
Zaire holds the fragment up in the air.
Zaire: (Any reaction?)
The ring begins to glow as Zaire points it to the North.
Zaire: (Yes! Finally! The Guardian is close, I’ll return to the factory and get a team to apprehend them.)
Zaire looks around.
Zaire: (I believe this is where I sent Hayze after he sliced Master’s hands off.)
Zaire is silent for a few moments.
Zaire: (I probably shouldn’t mention that when I return.)
Black Hollow’s helicopter approaches an airport runway where a private jet awaits its passengers.
Alden: OH, THANK GOD! WE’RE LANDIN- OH SHIT!
Alden lets go of the landing gear and smashes into the ground.
Alden: *groans* Ow…
The helicopter lands. Exciton, Black Hollow, Justus, Zach, Silver, and Aaron (carrying Wes) hop out.
Zach: So, uh… what’s going on?
Exciton: We found the guy in charge of your “Vanguard” problem.
Justus: What?!
Silver: Really?!
Aaron: It’s about time!
Black Hollow: Yes, and he’s on the move.
Zach: Where?
Exciton: Ever heard of Easter Island?
Aaron: You mean the place with the heads?
Justus: Why is he going there?
Exciton: *sighs* Do you remember Iota and Colossus and those rings they had?
Aaron: Yeah…
Black Hollow: It turns out that Vanguard has 2 of the ten rings.
Silver: Two of them? Wasn’t that enough to make Iota believe he was the strongest person on the planet?
Exciton: Yeah, but Vanguard’s two aren’t as powerful as the ones Iota had. The problem is that another ring is located on Easter Island, and Vanguard wants it.
Black Hollow: If he gets his hands on it, he’ll be more powerful than Exciton and me.
Aaron: Seriously? What about Vulcan?
Exciton: Even him. So, we’ve gotta get to the island and collect the ring before Vanguard.
Black Hollow: In his current state, we believe both Exciton and I can defeat him. But that will change drastically if he gets his hands on the ring.
Exciton: You five are here as a backup if the two of us have to take him on. Your job will be to flee the island with the ring.
Black Hollow: You won’t be fighting.
Aaron: Aw...
Exciton: Hey, this isn’t the time for jokes. This is serious, kids. Now come on, we’re getting on the plane.
Black Hollow: This will be a long flight to Chile.
The group boards the plane, and Alden watches, hiding behind the helicopter.
Alden: (I’ve gotta get on that plane!)
Alden runs up and grabs onto one of the landing gears.
Alden: (This is my chance to prove myself!)
Aaron places Wes in one of the seats on the plane and sits down next to him.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Aaron: Ah… I never thought I’d get to ride in a private jet.
Wes: *groans*
Aaron: Yeah, you suck, Wes.
Zach, Justus, and Silver take their seats.
Silver: So… should we ask about how Vanguard is controlling our friends?
Justus: I have to imagine via one of those rings.
Silver: It would make a lot of sense.
Justus: I don’t think we should bother them. Exciton seems really serious right now.
Silver: I guess that’s not surprising. By the sounds of it, if this mission goes south, we could be talking about Vanguard becoming a bonafide supervillain.
Justus: The whole world is riding on our success.
Zach: Do you think if they beat him, then everyone will be freed from his control?
Silver: We can’t think about that. That’s not in our control.
Justus: Yeah, the preferred outcome of this mission is we never even see Vanguard.
Zach: R- right.
Black Hollow and Exciton take their seats far from the students.
Black Hollow: Did you get a hold of any of the others during the flight here?
Exciton: Vulcan hasn’t responded, and I didn’t bother to contact Impact. He’s still not 100% after that poisoning he suffered during the Vampire Queen mission.
Black Hollow: What about Evergreen?
Exciton: She wouldn’t get to the island in time to help. I got someone, though. They’re en route but given their ETA. We’ll only see them if things go south.
Black Hollow: Who is it?
Exciton: It’s-
Pilot: *intercom* Please take your seats and strap on your seatbelts; we’re taking off momentarily.
The plane begins driving down the runway.
Alden: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The plane flies into the sky and raises its landing gear.
Alden: I REGRET EVERYTHING!
Vanguard is walking down the streets of Nashville, wearing sunglasses and a hat to conceal his identity.
Vanguard: (The heroes may have fast means of transportation, but I have something far more powerful… the Alpha Ring.)
As Vanguard passes by a random civilian, he places his hand on their shoulder.
Vanguard: *whispers* Walk to the center of the road.
The civilian immediately begins doing as they’re told.
Passerby 1: What’s he doing!
Cars swerve to avoid the civilian as they stroll to the center of the road.
Passerby 2: Someone stop him!
Rubber Man: I’ve got him!
A random hero nearby comes running down the street and stretches his arms out, grabbing hold of the man and ripping him from the road.
Civilian: W- woah… what just happened?
Rubber Man: What were you thinking, sir?
Civilian: I- I- I don’t know. I- I think I blacked out.
Rubber Man: Well, you picked a bad time to do that.
Vanguard watches their interaction with a smile on his face.
Vanguard: (Perfect.)
After Rubber Man finishes talking with the civilian, he continues his patrol with Vanguard tailing him.
Vanguard: (Let’s read your fortune.)
Vanguard reaches into his suit and pulls out his deck of tarot cards. He draws the top card, revealing the Hierophant.
Vanguard: (As I suspected, the Hierophant's morals and ethics are prevalent in a hero, especially one that just saved a man’s life.)
Vanguard drops his briefcase, cracking it open and spilling papers onto the street.
Vanguard: Oops!
Vanguard begins picking up the papers. Rubber Man notices and approaches him.
Rubber Man: Mind if I help?
Vanguard: Thank you, hero!
As Rubber Man reaches for a paper, Vanguard grabs his wrist.
Rubber Man: Huh? What-
Vanguard: Obey Me.
Rubber Man: Yes, Master.
Vanguard: Use your ability to bring me to Easter Island as fast as possible.
Rubber Man snaps his fingers, and a book and quill appear out of thin air. He stabs the quill’s tip into Vanguard’s arm, drawing blood. He then begins writing in the book.
Vanguard: (The Hierophant obeys law and order. Thus, if he acquires someone’s blood, he can write “rules” for them to follow. These rules are predictions of their actions and can only be written once every 24 hours per person. It’s similar to the power of Absolute Command that the Alpha Ring grants me but different. They aren’t being commanded to perform the action. Instead, it will happen naturally.)
Rubber Man finishes writing and reveals the “rule” to Vanguard.
Vanguard: (Arrive on Easter Island within the next day. Perfect! Hm… although, a flight to Chile could last anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, so the Hierophant will have to act fast-)
Suddenly a helicopter arrives, flying wildly above the street.
Bystander 1: Oh my god!
Bystander 2: What’s going on?!
Bystander 3: That’s Drunk Billy! The Inebriated Hero!
Bystander 4: What’s he doing!
Bystander 3: He must be taking his helicopter out for a flight, but I have no idea why he’s flying so barbarically!
Rubber Man stretches his arms, grabbing the helicopter’s landing gear and holding the chopper in place.
Vanguard: Rubber Man! Get us on that helicopter!
Rubber Man: Yes, Master.
Rubber Man stretches one of his legs and wraps it around Vanguard like a rope. He then flies both of them up to the helicopter by shortening his arms.
Drunk Billy: Don’t worry, *hiccups* citizens! I’ll stop this menace!
Drunk Billy punches himself.
Drunk Billy: Oh? We’ve got *hiccups* a fighter on our hands! I guess I’ll have to fly this helicopter into that children’s hospital to stop him!
The chopper door opens, and Rubber Man and Vanguard enter.
Drunk Billy: Who the hell are you?
Vanguard knocks Billy out and takes control of the helicopter from him.
Vanguard: Well, this was helpful.
A limo arrives at an airport runway. Lust, Blaze, Ash, Saige, Alexis, Eve, Blair, Gus, and Demetri leave the car. A private jet with “Air Lust: Join the Mile High Club” on the side of it arrives.
Eve: Uh… Ms. Lust?
Lust: Yes, Eve?
Eve: Do you know what the Mile High Club is?
Lust: It’s for heroes who have flown a jet to fight crime, right?
Eve: *sighs* Yes…
Lust: Okay, everyone, ready to join the Mile High Club?
Demetri and Gus: YES!
Eve punches Demetri and Gus, knocking them out.
Eve: Where do we put our bags?
Lust: The luggage compartment is in the back.
Eve: Thank you.
Eve starts dragging Demetri and Gus to the back of the plane.
Blaze: (15 years younger, and she’s still just as terrifying.)
Saige checks out her haircut in the limo’s window.
Saige: What do you think, Blair? Don’t I look cute?
Blair is staring at the back of the limo as Hayze helps Ivy out of the car.
Ivy: *whispers* Do they know it’s me?
Hayze: *whispers* Only Saige, and she’s okay with it.
Ivy: *whispers* You mean the one that almost killed me?
Hayze stares at Ivy.
Hayze: *whispers* Yes.
Saige gets a sinister grin on her face.
Saige: *To Blair* Is someone jealous?
Blair: Jealous! No! Of course not? But, uh… who is that?
Saige: Maybe it’s his girlfriend.
Blair: Shut up! I’m not falling for that!
Saige: You never know. Each personality may get its own female friend.
Blair stares at Saige.
Blair: Hayze! I need to speak with you!
Hayze: Hm? About what?
Blair knocks Hayze out and starts dragging him to the plane.
Ivy: Wh- what just happened?
Blaze watches, dumbfounded.
Blaze: (Should I be concerned I’m the only conscious male right now?)
Lust: Come on, everyone! We’ll be taking off shortly!
Everyone piles into the jet.
Lust: Alright! We’re off to Alaska!
Blair: Wait, what?! Why didn’t you let us get winter-
The plane takes off.
Blair: Clothes…
Zaire enters Iota’s office.
Iota: You’ve returned. I hope this is good news.
Zaire: Yes, I found the location of the Sigma Ring.
Iota: Where?
Zaire: Alaska.
Iota: Hm, well, you’d better wear layers.
Zaire: I will. Before assembling a team to take the ring from its guardian, I wanted to report this finding to you.
Iota: I trust you’ll make the right call on who to bring.
Zaire: I will, Master.
Zaire goes to leave.
Iota: Zaire.
Zaire: Hm? Yes, Master?
Iota tosses Zaire something.
Iota: Take that; you might need it.
It’s the Iota Ring.
Zaire: Master, I can’t take this!
Iota: I trust you, Zaire. I want the Sigma Ring, and I know you’ll return with both. Now, go. I won’t argue with you about this.
Zaire stares at the ring for a moment.
Zaire: Yessir.
Vanguard flies Drunk Billy’s helicopter to a commercial airport and lands the aircraft on a helipad.
Vanguard: (Alright, now all I need to do is hijack a plane, that should be easy-)
Drunk Billy tries strangling Vanguard.
Drunk Billy: I’LL GET YOU FOR *hiccups* THIS!
Vanguard: *choking* Rubber Man! Get him off me!
Rubber Man rips Drunk Billy off Vanguard and throws him out of the chopper.
Vanguard: What is wrong with you?!
Drunk Billy: Do you think I wanted to be born with a blood alcohol content of 1?
Vanguard: Don’t you mean .1?
Drunk Billy: I said what I *hiccups* said!
Vanguard: *frustrated grunt* I don’t have time for this!
Vanguard grabs Billy and uses the Alpha Ring on him.
Vanguard: Obey me.
Drunk Billy: Yessir!
Vanguard: Rubber Man! Find a plane that has enough fuel to reach Easter Island.
Rubber Man: Yes, Master.
Vanguard: Good. Once you’ve located one, we’ll hijack it.
Drunk Billy: And then I can fly it!
Vanguard: Yes- NO!
As Exciton’s jet soars through the night sky, the students sleep. But, Exciton is in deep thought.
Black Hollow: Is something wrong, Exciton?
Exciton: Is something right, Black Hollow?
Black Hollow: Hm?
Exciton: I don’t understand how you can be calm right now… after everything we heard…
Black Hollow: You mean the rings.
Exciton: Yes, I mean the rings! This whole time there have been 10 magical artifacts that can bring their wielders the power of god… it makes you feel small in this world.
Black Hollow: Hm, do I sense shattered pride?
Exciton: No. You don’t.
Black Hollow: Then what are you getting at?
Exciton: You really need me to spell that out? U.A. has kept this a secret for decades, and now Pandora's box is opened. Even if we stop Vanguard, what happens next? The rings will still exist, and more and more people will crave their power. Vanguard and Iota’s quirks aren’t that powerful, but now we have a kid from the future telling us they will rule the Earth with these rings. Do you not see the problem there?
Black Hollow: I do, but that’s not a bridge we have to cross yet.
Exciton: But, we-
Black Hollow: Our one goal is stopping Vanguard at all costs. I won’t worry about what comes after that until this mission is complete.
Exciton: I don’t know if I can do that.
Black Hollow: I’m surprised you can’t.
Exciton: Hm?
Black Hollow: You’re the king of calm. Seeing you like this is… different.
Exciton: You heard Ewing. If Vanguard gets a hold of the Delta Ring, we’re no longer on top of the food chain. With the Vampire Queen, that was never an issue. This is the first battle I’ve ever gone into where my life is truly on the line.
Black Hollow: And you’re afraid?
Exciton: Not in the way you’re insinuating. If we fail… the world will fall apart, and we’ve got a kid from the future to prove it.
Black Hollow: Perhaps you should stop worrying about what will happen if we lose this battle and start thinking about how you’ll prevent it, regardless of the outcome.
Exciton stares at Black Hollow for a few seconds before lying back in his seat.
Exciton: (Yeah… maybe.)
Lust’s jet is also in transit. Eve, Ash, and Alexis are napping while Blair keeps watch, with Hayze sitting beside her.
Hayze: Uh… so why are you staring at Saige like that?
Blair: So she can’t do anything to them while they sleep.
Saige: Boo!
Blair: Shut up, harlot!
Hayze: Uh… you know I could do that, right?
Blair: Sorry, Hayze, but you’re too nice to her.
Saige: Yay!
Blair: Shut up, Whore!
Blaze watches everyone from afar and smiles.
Blaze: (Seeing them all like this… it’s surreal.)
Lust: So, Mr. Blaze.
Blaze: Huh?
Lust takes the seat across from Blaze.
Lust: Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions… about you know what?
Blaze: Uh… no, it’s okay. But I’d prefer that nobody else learn anything about me.
Lust: That’s understandable. So, what is the future like exactly?
Blaze: I’m unsure how to describe it because I was born into the world just before everything fell apart.
Lust: Oh, right, so what year were you born exactly?
Blaze: August 2019.
Lust: Wait… so roughly 9 months from now?
Blaze: Yes.
Lust stares at Blaze.
Lust: Blaze, I assume there are no schools in the future, correct?
Blaze: Uh, yeah, I’ve been homeschooled by my Aunt Sai- my aunt.
Lust: Okay, so do you know how long it takes a baby to develop inside its mother’s womb?
Blaze: Of course, 9 mo-
Blaze’s eyes widen.
Blaze: (SHIT!)
Lust: So, that would mean your parents would have needed to conceive you right around now. I hope we didn’t do anything to disrupt that.
Blaze is pale.
Lust: Who… are… your parents?
Blaze’s trembling finger slowly points at Hayze and Blair.
Lust: Oh...
Blaze: *under his breath* I just prevented my own existence…
Lust: I thought you seemed familiar! Isn’t that cute! They make such a great couple!
Blaze: Yeah… from what I’ve heard. I never got to meet them.
Lust: Oh, right… you said Hayze… is vanished the correct word?
Blaze: I… guess?
Lust: What happened to Blair?
Blaze: She died to an Iota Movement member when I was only three.
Lust: Oh… I’m so sorry to hear that. It must be an interesting experience seeing your parents now, especially when they’re still young.
Blaze: Yeah, it’s kind of weird seeing them like this. I only ever heard stories, but they seem really nice.
Lust: You should try talking to them! You don’t have to say who you are, but you could at least get to know them.
Blaze: Maybe… It's... very intimidating.
Lust: Well, you’ve been given a second chance. I wouldn’t waste it if I were you.
Blaze: Yeah… I can… try. Is there anything else you want to know?
Lust: Yes, actually. What do you think caused our timelines to separate?
Blaze thinks for a moment.
Blaze: A single event, more than likely. I’ve been thinking of possible explanations since I learned that you and Exciton are still alive. Our realities are nearly identical. I was told a specific time and place that Ewing and Vanguard could be found fighting, which was correct. So, it’s not like the changes have had significant ripple effects yet. You said that Hayze was the one who saved you from dying in the Vampire Queen’s lair, correct?
Lust: Yeah, he used his Darkness power to bring us to-
Blaze: Wait, what?!
Lust: Hm, what? Did I say something wrong?
Blaze: Hayze has control over his Darkness powers?
Lust: You’d have to ask him for specifics, but that’s what he used to save our lives.
Blaze goes into deep thought.
Blaze: (From the stories I was told… Hayze could only use his dark powers with Khaos’ permission or if his other personalities held Khaos back. But… if what I was told is true, Hayze was severely weakened from the battle with the Vampire Queen, so there’s no way he could have controlled the darkness himself. Which means…)
Blaze looks at Hayze.
Blaze: (Khaos had to have been the one that saved all of their lives. But the Khaos I know is a bloodthirsty animal who would torture heroes before saving them. So, this version of my father must have succeeded in doing something that weakened Khaos’ evil… but what?)
Lust: Um… Blaze?
Blaze: Oh, sorry, I got a little deep in thought there.
Lust: So, do you have any ideas?
Blaze: No, I need to investigate further.
Blaze looks at Ivy, sitting by herself in the back of the plane.
Blaze: (Maybe she could be part of the answer? I have no clue who she is, which doesn’t make any sense.)
Ivy stares at her prosthetic hand.
Ivy: (So, I might have to face my old “allies” in battle. They treated me so poorly for so many years, but I also spent most of my adolescence with them, so in some ways, they’re kind of like family. Not the good kind, obviously, but the idea of killing them... doesn’t sit well with me. I threatened Jagger’s life many times, and now I wonder if I’ll hesitate to finally do the job.)
Ivy takes a deep breath.
Ivy: (No matter what happens… I won’t let Hayze down. I’m finally on the side of good, and I have to make an impact.)
A warp gate opens in the same spot in Alaska Zaire was earlier. Zaire, Jagger, Julio, Khold, Blaine, Yusuf, Marsh, and Signal step out.
Jagger: Jesus, it’s cold!
Khold: What? What do you want?
Jagger: That’s not- *grunts*
Julio: It’s Alaska in November, Jagger. What were you expecting?
Jagger: To not see my breath.
Julio: Well, then you had your hopes way too high.
Blaine: I don’t know why you’re complaining; it’s not cold at all.
Blaine’s wearing a tank top.
Jagger: Listen here, matchstick! Of course, you’re not cold!
Khold: My brother is just an idiot; ignore him.
Blaine: You can’t even spell idiot, idiot.
Khold: Yes, I can! E-
Blaine: Already wrong.
Khold: Shut the hell up before I kill you!
Zaire: Both of you quiet down.
Blaine and Khold cease their fighting.
Zaire: Signal, do you have all of the devices set up?
Signal: Yup, boss.
Signal pulls out 8 PDAs with wired devices and straps them to each of the Hunting Team’s arms.
Signal: Since there’s obviously no internet connection out here, we’ll use my quirk and these devices like beacons. The display shows a radar of up to 10 miles in each direction, and we’re represented by the 8 dots. Each beacon is a heart rate monitor, so if anyone dies, they will disappear off the map. This will help us keep track of each other while we search the forest for the guardian. If anyone’s heart rate starts going up for any reason, such as during a battle. Their dot will start blinking rapidly. So, if you find the guardian, that’s all you need to do to signal the rest of the team to converge on them.
Khold: Wait, we’re searching for this guy? I thought we had a ring fragment to lead us to him?
Blaine: Or her, chauvinist.
Khold: You’re lucky I don’t know what that word means!
Zaire: The guardian could easily be on the move, so we need to search the forest while one team follows the fragment. That way, he won't get far if he tries fleeing.
Yusuf: Okay, how are we going to split up?
Zaire: We’ll go in pairs. Signal, you’re with me since the beacons won’t work if you end up in harm’s way. We’ll go north, following the fragment.
Signal: Right.
Zaire: Marsh and Jagger, you’re both ranged attackers, so you’ll search the south. Marsh, you can probably perch on those cliffs over there.
Marsh: Roger.
Zaire: Julio and Yusuf, you take the east.
Julio: Right.
Yusuf: Mhm.
Zaire: And that’s Khold and Blaine for the west.
Blaine and Khold: NO!
Zaire: That’s an order, and if I find out you two tossed aside your responsibilities to fight each other, Master Iota will have your heads.
Blaine and Khold pout.
Signal: I’m marking this spot on the map with a plus marker; this is our rendezvous, okay?
Everyone nods.
Zaire: Good, then let’s begin the hunt.
The groups head off in their assigned directions.
Signal: Are you sure having Khold and Blaine together is a good idea? This whole forest could be gone before we even find the ring.
Zaire: They’re foolish, but they won’t do anything to disappoint Master Iota. Besides, Khold and Blaine are a much better team than you’d think.
Signal scoffs.
Signal: I’d love to see that.
Zaire: *grunts* You just might.
Vanguard walks up to a boarding terminal alongside Drunk Billy and Rubber Man. The Flight is to Australia.
Boarding Agent: Uh… can I help you, sirs? I’m sorry, but the flight has already finished boarding.
Vanguard: I’m agent Butler of S.T.O.R.M. These are two heroes, Rubber Man and… Billy, who are here to assist me. We have reason to believe a terrorist is on board this aircraft.
Boarding Agent: Wh- what?!
Vanguard: Yup, so I’d get everyone off the plane now if I were you.
Boarding Agent: We- we- well, we have to evacuate the whole airport then!
Vanguard: There’s no need, ma’am. We have this covered.
Boarding Agent: But I-
Vanguard pushes past the agent and boards the plane with Drunk Billy and Rubber Man.
Flight Attendant: Uh, sir, what are you doing-
Vanguard: *shouting* Okay, everyone, remain calm, but we believe one of you is wearing a shoe bomb.
The entire flight starts panicking and screaming; they stream their way out of the plane in terror. The pilots open the cockpit.
Pilot: What the hell is-
Vanguard knocks the pilot out as Rubber Man knocks out any remaining suicidal passengers and flight attendants.
Vanguard: Hm, this was easier than I thought.
Drunk Billy: *hiccup* Who doesn’t love the TSA? I brought 6 handguns in here, and those metal detectors picked up *hiccup* NOTHING!
Vanguard: How are you a hero?
Vanguard takes control of the plane and begins driving it down the runway.
Vanguard: (Next stop, Easter Island!)
The plane takes off as police cars attempt to chase after it.
Officer 1: Johnson, activate the wings!
Officer 2: Wh- police cars don’t have wings, sir!
Officer 1: Not with that attitude!
Officer 1 drives their car off a cliff to their deaths.
Police Officer: DAMMIT, GUYS! WE JUST HAD THE SEMINAR! POLICE CARS DO. NOT. HAVE. WINGS!
As Vanguard’s plane soars through the sky, he looks down at his two rings.
Vanguard: (I’m so close… Soon I’ll finally be able to do what no man and no god has ever achieved: create a perfect world. And no one on this Earth will stop me. That’s a promise.)
Vanguard clenches his fists on the controls.
Vanguard: (And I don’t break promises.)