Vargas is meditating inside his log cabin.
Vargas: (I always had a feeling this day would come.)
A flashback begins. Vargas is speaking on the phone with Ewing.
Ewing: *phone* Vargas, you must leave your home now.
Vargas: And why is that?
Ewing: *phone* Your location has been compromised. I’m unsure how, but Ivan is closing in on you as we speak. I’m not sure when his men will arrive or if he will be among them, but you need to flee.
Vargas is silent.
Ewing: *phone* Vargas? Are you still there?
Vargas: I won’t go.
Ewing: *phone* What?! Vargas, you must! Protecting the Sigma Ring is crucial!
Vargas: It is, but I will not run. I will stand my ground and fight.
Ewing: *phone* I- I- you can’t be serious! Now is not the time to be prideful!
Vargas: I was asked by your predecessor to protect this ring with my life, and I will keep that promise to him. I do not care about your opinion on this matter.
Ewing: *phone* Vargas! I-
Vargas hangs up the phone.
Vargas: I appreciate the warning.
The flashback ends.
Vargas: (I’ve given so many years of my life to guarding this ring, and this will be the first day I will fight to keep it safe.)
Vargas removes the Sigma Ring from its hiding place and places it on his finger.
Vargas: (If these bastards want this ring, they’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.)
Lust’s jet lands at a rural airport in Alaska. The group exits the aircraft. The cargo compartment opens, and Demetri and Gus crawl out.
Demetri: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE! WE COULD HAVE FROZEN TO DEATH!
Eve: And you didn’t. Congratulations.
Demetri: Only because Gus wouldn’t stop farting!
Gus: I’m sorry... I had a couple bean burritos for lunch…
Demetri: “Sorry” doesn't cut it!
Eve: Why did we bring them again?
Blair shivers.
Blair: Jesus, it’s cold…
Saige: Yup, this right here is hard nipple weather.
Blair: Why did we bring her again?
Lust approaches Hayze.
Lust: So, how close are we now?
Hayze: Not far. When I left after training with Vargas, he sent me to this runway because it was closer than the commercial airports.
Saige: Yeah, that was a fun flight home.
Lust: Oh, Saige, you’ve been here too? Ewing told me only Hayze knew where to go.
Saige: Not surprising. He probably didn’t want me to come. Oh well.
Lust: That man can be protective.
Hayze: It’ll take us an hour or two if we go on foot. Of course, I could be there within the next few minutes if I use my lightning speed.
Lust: No, I don’t want you going ahead. I arranged for some snowmobiles to be prepared for us.
Hayze: Okay.
The group heads into the nearby town and arrives at a snowmobile rental shop.
Local: Alright, these six are fueled up and ready to go.
Lust: Thank you.
Everyone else is buying winter clothing at a shop next door. They regroup at the six rental snowmobiles.
Hayze: Alright, I programmed the coordinates of Vargas’ house into all the GPSes.
Lust: Okay, I’ll ride alone; the rest of you pair up.
Ash and Alexis pair up.
Alexis: I’ll drive.
Ash: Sounds good.
Demetri: *sighs* Come on, Gus. I already know how this is gonna play out.
Gus: Yay! I’m not last!
Demetri: You are, but we’re just skipping ahead.
Gus: Aw...
Blair approaches Hayze.
Blair: Come on, Hayze. We’re a pair.
Hayze: Uh, sorry, Blair. I have to take uh… her.
Hayze points at Ivy.
Blair: What! Why?!
Hayze: Well, she-
Blaze: I can take her.
Hayze: R- really?
Blaze: You can go with your girlfriend.
Hayze: Uh, she’s not my-
Blair covers Hayze’s mouth.
Blair: I like this kid.
Hayze: Well, one problem, you don’t have a license.
Blaze: A license for what?
Everyone looks at Blaze.
Hayze: Driving…?
Blaze: (Oh shit…) Yeah! I don’t have… that?
Hayze: Well, neither does she, so you guys can’t go together.
Blair: Okay, then make Saige do it!
Hayze: Saige wants to be a passenger so she can grope the driver of her snowmobile.
Blair stares at Hayze.
Blair: *sighs* Fine, I’ll take her.
Hayze: Wh- y- you?
Blair: Yeah, come on, Mystery girl.
Ivy: I- oh, okay…
Hayze turns to Blaze.
Hayze: I guess that means you and I are a pair. Come on.
Blaze: Alright.
Eve: *sighs* Come on, Saige.
Saige: Yay! It’ll be like resting my hands on pillows!
The pairs and Lust get on their snowmobiles.
Lust: Alright, everyone, let’s go!
Exciton’s plane continues toward Easter Island.
Zach: Uh… Exciton, can I ask a question?
Exciton: Shoot?
Zach: Isn’t it really illegal to fly to Easter Island?
Exciton: Oh yeah, 100%, only one plane flies to and from the island. If we try to land at the airport, we’ll have problems.
Zach: Okay… then what are we gonna do? Crashland?
Exciton: Nope, I’ve already got a plan to work around that problem.
Justus: And that is?
Exciton: We’re not going to land at all. The 7 of us will skydive onto the island while the plane stays in the air.
Silver: Uh… won’t the plane run out of fuel?
Exciton: Nope, this bad boy is state-of-the-art technology and completely electric, and do you wanna take a guess at what the pilot’s quirk is?
Aaron: He’s the one powering the plane.
Exciton: Ding, ding, ding.
Zach: Okay, but how are we supposed to get back on the plane?
Exciton: What do you think the co-pilot’s quirk is?
Justus: Teleportation of some kind?
Black Hollow: Similar to your late friend, Jake.
Exciton: Anyway, prepare yourselves. It won’t be long until we’re ready to jump.
Justus: Right.
Exciton: And wake your weird friend up.
Wes is drooling, passed out.
Aaron: Oh… yeah… we will.
Exciton: That sounds like a lie, but I’m not in the mood to force you to do it.
Vanguard’s plane is not far behind Exciton’s.
Vanguard: (It won’t be long now…)
Drunk Billy: Hey, Vanny?
Vanguard: It’s Vanguard.
Drunk Billy: Can we make a pitstop for more tequila? We’re fresh out.
Vanguard: Wh- no! And why are you drinking? Aren’t you already drunk?
Drunk Billy: Ever heard of fighting fire with fire?
Vanguard: That doesn’t apply here.
Drunk Billy: Says *hiccups* you!
Drunk Billy downs some vodka.
Vanguard: Wh- I thought you said you were out!
Drunk Billy: Of tequila, we still got some gin, vodka, and whiskey, but I’m a man of culture.
Vanguard: (I should eject him from this plane, but he might be useful to me.)
Rubber Man: Master, what’s the plan for when we reach the island? If the heroes are already there and they spot the plane, they’ll know it’s us.
Vanguard: I know, that’s why I’ve got a plan for that.
Vanguard pulls out his deck of tarot cards.
Vanguard: Billy, you are…
Drunk Billy: Not sober!
Vanguard draws a card.
Vanguard: (The Devil upright, representing addiction, materialism, and playfulness. Perfect.) Billy, please stand by.
Drunk Billy: Stand by for what?
Vanguard: You’ll see.
Drunk Billy: That’s ominous!
Vanguard: Yes, yes, it is.
Signal and Zaire arrive at Vargas’ home.
Signal: *into GPS* This is Signal; we’ve reached the target’s house. Stand by for updates. So, what are we gonna do, knock on the door?
Zaire: Just stay back.
Zaire starts walking to the front door.
Signal: Woah, you’re gonna go in by yourself?
Zaire cracks his neck.
Zaire: Of course.
Signal: *under his breath* Badass…
Zaire approaches the door and knocks. Vargas opens the door, and the two men stare at each other.
Signal: (Are either of them gonna say anything?)
Their standoff continues for a full minute.
Zaire: I’ll give you one chance. Hand it over-
Vargas: Burning Amaryllis!
Vargas fires two fireballs shaped like amaryllis at Zaire, but he blocks by opening a warp gate.
Vargas: *grunts* (So this is his quirk.)
Zaire: This is a lovely house; it would be a shame if something happened to it.
Zaire opens another warp gate inside Vargas’ home, sending the fireballs flying inside, lighting it ablaze.
Vargas: That’s alright; this location was compromised anyway.
Zaire leaps back.
Zaire: I’ll give you a little more room to work with.
Vargas steps away from his burning home towards Zaire.
Vargas: If you really care about having room to battle, there’s a clearing about a half mile that way. I don’t care, but I’ll give you the option.
Zaire thinks for a moment.
Zaire: (Him setting the forest on fire could be problematic for me, but why would he offer me an advantage like this?)
Vargas: Well? I’m waiting.
Zaire: Fine, but we’ll be walking there. I hope your old bones can handle this cold.
Vargas: I don’t know if you couldn’t notice, but I’m my own heater.
Zaire: *nasal grunt* Let’s go. Lead us to this clearing.
Vargas: Your buddy can’t come.
Zaire: Rest assured, guardian, your battle is with me. Signal will not interfere, right Signal?
Signal: You got it, boss.
Vargas thinks for a moment.
Vargas: Alright, follow me.
The snowmobiles ride through the tundra toward Vargas’ home. Lust leads the way, with Hayze and Blaze right behind and the rest of the team a little behind them.
Blaze: Hey! You see that!
They can see the smoke coming from Vargas’ cabin in the distance.
Hayze: Shit… they got there already. We’ve gotta pick up the pace!
Hayze drives ahead of Lust.
Lust: Hayze! Stay behind me!
Hayze: Vargas is in trouble! We can’t waste any time!
Lust: I know, but Hayze, you have to follow my orders! I’m in charge of this mission, so get behind me!
Hayze: *frustrated grunt*
Hayze slows down so that Lust can pass him.
Blaze: Shouldn’t this Vargas guy be pretty powerful? I know we should still get there as fast as possible, but I’m sure he can hold his own for at least a little while.
Hayze: He can, but… you never know what these Iota bastards might have up their sleeves. I won’t let them kill Vargas! (I won’t let him die because of my mistake.)
Signal and Zaire follow Vargas as they stroll through the forest. Signal feels a sensation and looks off in a seemingly random direction.
Zaire: *whispers* Is something wrong?
Signal: *whispers* I just picked up six frequencies heading toward the cabin.
Zaire: *whispers* What?! What are they?
Signal: *whispers* GPS signals, more than likely vehicles. Snowmobiles, if I had to guess. They’ll reach the cabin in about 10 minutes, I’d say.
Zaire thinks for a moment.
Zaire: *whispers* Add their signals to our beacons and inform the others. I don’t want anyone interfering.
Signal: *whispers* Gotcha.
Zaire: (How could anyone have known we were here? Even if Hayze told Ewing about the fragment being stolen, they predicted when we would find the Sigma Ring. It doesn’t make any sense.)
Signal adds the locations of the 6 snowmobiles onto the hunting party’s beacons.
Signal: (There, now the others can harass them. And I think I’ll scramble the heroes’ frequencies for fun.)
A fork in the trail arrives, and Lust and Hayze take a left.
Hayze: (We’re almost there, Vargas.)
Suddenly all of the snowmobile’s GPSes go on the fritz.
Alexis: Huh? What’s going on?
Ash: What? What is it?
Alexis: The GPS isn’t working; I don’t know which way to go.
Ash: Where did Hayze and Lust go?
Alexis: I don’t know; they were out of sight.
Ash: Uh… I guess just guess?
Alexis: Right it is.
Alexis takes a right, and Blair and Demetri follow behind her.
Saige: Huh? Why did Alexis, Blair, and Demetri just go right?
Eve: What do you mean?
Saige: It’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to take a left here.
Eve: Should we follow them and tell them to turn around?
Saige: Hm… no, they’ll catch up when the GPSes come back online.
Eve: Okay.
Eve takes a left. Signal smiles, watching the group split into two on his GPS.
Signal: (Yes! Gottem!)
Blaze looks back and only sees Eve and Saige behind them.
Blaze: Uh… Hayze? I think we lost a few people.
Hayze: I’m sure they just fell behind; it’s no big deal.
Blaze: Okay…
Exciton’s plane arrives at Easter Island. Everyone has their parachutes on.
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Wes: So, what the fuck is going on?
Justus: Okay, so-
Aaron pushes Wes out of the plane.
Wes: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Everyone stares at Aaron.
Aaron: What? It’s way funnier if he has no clue what’s going on.
Silver: While that’s definitely true, there’s one problem.
Aaron: And that is?
Silver: Does Wes have any idea how to open a parachute?
Aaron’s eyes widen.
Aaron: Godammit, Wes! Why do you suck so much!
Aaron jumps out of the plane.
Exciton: Welp, I guess we’re just going. Come on, kids!
Exciton, Black Hollow, Justus, Silver, and Zach also jump.
Pilot: Well, they all jumped.
Co-Pilot: Sweet, now we can just relax and wait for them to request evac.
Pilot: Hm… the weight of the plane indicates we still have a passenger on board.
Co-Pilot: Huh, a raccoon must have gotten in the cargo hold. Lower the landing gear, and let’s see if we can flush it out.
Pilot: Roger.
The pilot lowers the landing gear.
Alden: AHHHHHHH! WAIT! NO!
Alden can’t hold on and gets sent plummeting.
Alden: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The group lands on the ground safely, with Alden smashing into the ocean.
Wes: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU PSYCHO?!
Aaron: Nothing. What’s wrong with you?
Wes: *sighs* I’m not even gonna try and argue; I’m not gonna win.
Exciton takes the lead.
Exciton: Alright, guys, no more jokes. The mission has begun. Ewing gave me approximate coordinates to the guardian’s home, so let’s get moving.
Everyone: Right!
The group begins hiking the island toward the Delta Ring’s guardian. Vanguard can see Easter Island in the distance.
Vanguard: (Finally…) It’s time to go.
Rubber Man: Huh? But we’re not close enough to the island to parachute down.
Vanguard: Who said we’re parachuting?
Rubber Man: Then how-
Vanguard: Billy, it’s time.
Drunk Billy: Him for what?
Vanguard: Activate the Devil’s quirk.
Drunk Billy: Okay… how do I-
Drunk Billy’s eyes turn blood red, and he starts screaming at the top of his lungs.
Rubber Man: What’s happening!
Vanguard: The Devil embodies evil; he’s infected Billy and turned him into a Berserker.
Rubber Man: Berserker?
Vanguard: A warrior that is the ultimate killing machine. Billy, bring us to the island safely.
Drunk Billy: Yes, Master.
Drunk Billy rips the airplane door off its hinges and grabs Vanguard and Rubber Man.
Drunk Billy: LET’S GO!
Drunk Billy leaps out of the airplane and begins soaring toward the island.
Rubber Man: How can he jump this far!
Vanguard: He’s the ultimate killing machine! Of course, he can jump! Now, why don’t you assist us in slowing our descent, Rubber Man?
Rubber Man stretches himself out to become a parachute as their plane nose dives into the ocean.
Vanguard: (Only one thing stands between me and the ultimate power… the guardian of the Delta Ring.)
A woman is meditating on a beach. Behind her is a cliff-face house.
Piper: (The tranquil waves guide my spirit.)
She has a flute strapped to the small of her back, and a string with the Delta Ring is attached around her neck.
Piper: (I’ve been here for 10 years, and not a single person has ever stepped foot on this beach… I’m glad to keep that streak going-)
Alden washes up on the shore, choking up a massive amount of ocean water.
Alden: WHAT! THE FUCK!
Alden looks up at Piper.
Alden: Oh… hi, Lady… do you have any water… and new pants?
Piper stares at Alden, dumbfounded.
Alden: Uh… you hear me?
Piper: *sighs* All good things must come to an end.
Piper stands up and approaches Alden.
Piper: Are you here to challenge me?
Alden: Uh… why would I want to do that?
Piper: (Playing dumb, I see.) I know you want this ring and its power.
Alden: I do? (Wait… power!) Yeah… I do!
Alden stands up.
Alden: I’m gonna take that ring from you, lady!
Piper pulls out her flute.
Piper: (I always knew this day would come, it’s time to defend this ring with my life.) Then we shall do battle.
Alden: Hell, yeah!
Alden reaches into his pocket and pulls out his four hologram discs.
Alden: (It’s a good thing I had Tara make these waterproof!) You’re going down!
Alden chucks the hologram discs into the sand surrounding Piper.
Alden: It’s time for our feature presentation! “Alden Taillon claims that ring!” Act 1: Assembling the team!
Alden’s holograms of himself appear.
Alden Hologram 1: Glad to be back amongst the most handsome guys around!
Alden Hologram 2: Right back at you, beautiful!
Alden Hologram 3: You guys flatter me. Clearly, you’re better looking.
Alden Hologram 4: We all are.
Piper: (What is this? Is he setting up a move?) Your digital dummies don’t scare me.
Alden Hologram 1: Dummies?!
Alden Hologram 2: We’ll show you!
Alden extends his fingernails.
Alden: It’s time for Act 2: The Hero falls!
Alden lunges at Piper; she easily smashes him upside the head with her flute.
Alden Hologram 3: Oh, no!
Alden Hologram 4: Not the face!
Piper: (Is he intentionally allowing me to hurt him?)
Alden falls ass-first into the sand as his face swells up.
Alden: Don’t worry, guys. It’s all part of the plan!
Alden points at Piper’s feet; she looks down and sees a smoke bomb.
Piper: (That’s what he was after!)
The smoke bomb goes off, enshrouding Piper.
Piper: *coughing*
Alden: If you can’t see me, you can’t beat me!
Piper smiles.
Piper: That’s where you’re wrong.
Piper puts the flute up to her mouth.
Piper: It’s time for my melodious attacks to send you back to the ocean!
Alden: That’s not happening! Because it’s time for Act 3: The Comeback!
Alden begins running past Piper repeatedly, slicing her with his nails.
Alden: HAHAHAHA! YOU DON’T STAND A CHANCE AGAINST ME!
Piper: (Speed and reaction time were never my strong suits, this guy did his homework. Although his attacks really aren’t hurting me at all… they are a bit annoying, though.)
Alden’s smoke begins clearing.
Alden: Looks like it’s time for the next act, men!
Alden Hologram 1: You go, Alden!
Alden Hologram 2: Kick her ass, you magnificent man!
Alden Hologram 3: All the women will swoon!
Alden Hologram 4: I know I am!
Alden gets a sinister glint in his eye.
Piper: (His ultimate move must be coming, it’s time for me to wage a counterstrike.)
Alden: It’s time for Act 4: The takedow-
Alden attempts to lunge at Piper, but his feet get stuck in the sand, and he tears both his Achilles tendons.
Alden: AHHHHHHHH!
Alden Holograms: OH NO!
Piper: Huh…
Alden flops against the sand.
Alden: I FELT TWO VERY DISTINCT POPS, AHHHH!
Alden Hologram 1: Get up, man! You can still do it!
Alden Hologram 2: We know you can!
Alden: You’re right, guys! I can!
Piper is dumbfounded.
Alden: I must get that ring! I can use it to propose to Ash!
The Alden clones cheer as he gets to his wobbly feet.
Alden: I will not lose!
Piper: (I haven’t even attacked yet…)
Alden: We just finished Act 4: The Hero hits rock bottom, but now we can move into the final chapter of this story!
Alden extends his fingernails to be 5 feet long.
Alden: These are going right through your heart! Act 5: Slicing Slaughter!
Alden lunges at Piper again, but she begins blowing into her flute.
Piper: (Melodious Maestra: Brown Note.)
Piper’s music hits Alden’s ears, and he immediately defecates himself.
Alden: NOOOOOOOOO!
Alden smacks into the sand as his pants continue to fill with feces.
Piper: You never should have challenged me; it would have saved you this humiliation.
Alden Hologram 1: Get up, man! You know you can!
Piper smashes all of the hologram discs.
Alden: *groans*
Piper: I’m sorry, but it’s time for you to die.
Alden: WHAT?!
Piper: I cannot allow you to leave with the knowledge of my location. So, your life must end here.
Alden: PLEASE, NO! I’LL FORGET!
Piper: I can’t take that risk.
Piper picks up a nearby rock.
Alden: (Shit! She’s actually gonna do it! I’ve gotta save myself!) WAIT!
Piper: Hm? What is it?
Alden: Ewing sent me!
Piper immediately drops the rock.
Piper: H- he did?
Alden: Yes, I only challenged you as a test, and you passed… so congratulations!
Piper: Why would Ewing send you? I mean, I know I don’t have service out here, but still, he would have come here himself!
Alden: Uh… Ewing had an accident and needed to send his top student here.
Piper: Your U.A.’s top student? (Man, the school really has fallen off these days.)
Alden: Of course! Do you think just anyone could swim here?
Piper: You swam the whole way, really?
Alden: Yup, that’s why Ewing trusted me!
Piper: Hm… okay, what message have you brought me?
Alden: Uh… (Come on, Alden! Think of something, or else she’s gonna kill you! I know!) A group of seven guys is coming to steal the ring as we speak!
Piper: What?! Really?
Alden: Yeah… and two of them are super powerful!
Piper: That’s not good… if you’re saying there’s a large group coming, then we have to leave immediately.
Alden: Right… yeah, let’s do that. Or… we wait patiently for them to arrive.
Piper: Why would we do that?
Alden: To ambush them!
Piper: But you said-
Alden: We can fight them! I believe!
Piper stares at Alden.
Piper: (Okay, he’s clearly lying. He must be a part of the team coming if he’s trying to get me to stay. Although… that gives me an idea…)
Vargas, Zaire, and Signal reach the clearing. Signal stands off to the side as Vargas and Zaire stare each other down.
Vargas: So, your boss sent you to fight me?
Zaire: Yes, to ensure that this pickup goes smoothly.
Vargas: The coward couldn’t bother to face me himself? They say a man who hides behind his subordinates is no man at all.
Zaire: Watch your tongue. Master Iota is no coward! That man has sacrificed far too much to be disparaged by a foolish old man like you.
Vargas: You want to talk about sacrifice? Try living in bloody Alaska for most of your life, protecting a ring just for some brat to show up at your doorstep and burn your house down. I don’t care what your pathetic “master” has done to get to where he is. He doesn’t have the courage to face me.
Zaire’s eyes narrow.
Zaire: I’ll make you regret every one of those words.
Vargas: Really? What are you going to do? Send your buddy to fight me?
Zaire: *frustrated grunt*
Zaire opens a warp gate beneath two nearby fallen trees and drops them on Vargas.
Vargas: I guess you’ve forgotten my quirk. Here’s a demonstration! Infinite Assault: Bursting Amaryllis!
Vargas begins rapidly launching Amaryllis fireballs at the trees, singeing and destroying them.
Vargas: You’ll have to do better than that, young man.
A warp gate opens behind Vargas, and Zaire exits it.
Zaire: (Oh, how right you are.)
Zaire reveals a hidden wrist blade and attempts to stab Vargas in the back of the neck.
Zaire: (Die!)
Vargas spins around and grabs Zaire’s forearm, stopping his attack.
Zaire: (What?!)
Vargas: In sports, you should always keep your eye on the ball. In combat, you should always keep your eye on your opponent.
Zaire tries to rip his arm away from Vargas.
Vargas: You’re not going anywhere!
Vargas shoots two fireballs at Zaire’s feet, melting his shoes to the ground and to his feet.
Zaire: AHHHHH!
Vargas leaps back multiple times, building about 40 yards of distance between himself and Zaire. Fire begins spiraling down Vargas’ upper arms and forearms.
Vargas: It’s time for you to meet your end!
Vargas puts his hands together, and the fire begins channeling, forming into a massive amaryllis fireball.
Zaire: (He’s going for the kill! I must escape!)
Zaire desperately attempts to remove his feet from his shoes, but Vargas’ fire fused the fabric to his skin.
Vargas: Goodbye!
Vargas launches the fireball.
Vargas: Infinite Assault: Final Amaryllis!
As the fireball careens towards Zaire, the petals fall off and transform into fireballs of their own.
Signal: (Zaire’s toast!)
Zaire: (I can’t dodge, so there’s only one way to stop this!)
Zaire pulls out the Iota Ring and puts it on.
Zaire: (I will not fail my master!)
Zaire uses the Iota Ring’s telekinetic abilities to stop Vargas’ ultimate attack dead in its tracks.
Vargas: (What?!)
Signal: (Holy crap!)
Zaire: I will not be denied!
Zaire screams as he begins forcing the attack back toward Vargas.
Vargas: (Oh no!)
Vargas begins absorbing the flames into his body.
Vargas: AHHHHH!
The attack dissipates; Vargas and Zaire are both breathing heavily.
Vargas: (How did he-) Huh?!
Vargas spots the Iota ring.
Vargas: (Iota gave him that!)
Zaire uses the Iota Ring to telekinetically defuse his ankles from his shoes; he steps out of them.
Zaire: You almost had me, but I came here for that ring, and I won’t leave without it.
Vargas: I guess you’ll be more of a challenge than I expected.
Zaire: Of course.
Signal: (Man, I can feel the tension in the air. This battle will be one for the ages.)
Exciton and his group arrive at the beach leading to Piper’s home.
Aaron: So, do we know anything about the person who lives here?
Exciton: Nope, we didn’t have time to get that information.
Zach: So… we could be meeting an insane person for all we know?
Exciton: I’m sure they aren’t-
They turn a corner to see Alden, gagged and tied up, hanging from the front of Piper’s home by his ankles.
Exciton: Insane…
Alden: *muffled screams*
Wes: Alden? What the hell is he doing here?
Aaron: More like how the hell is he here? Did Alden go on vacation a few weeks ago, and we just didn’t notice?
Exciton: No, I remember seeing this guy at your school yesterday; he was the co- HEY! WHERE THE HELL IS MY COAT?!
Alden: *muffled screams*
Exciton: You’d better have a good explanation for where the hell my coat is! Zach and Justus climb up there and help him down.
Justus: Yessir.
Zach: You got it.
Justus and Zach start climbing the cliff.
Piper: Stop right there.
Everyone looks to see Piper standing down the beach, holding a detonator.
Exciton: It’s you!
Wes: Uh… should we be worried about what that detonator is connected to?
Piper: I won’t let you steal this ring! If you move one step closer, I’ll set off the explosives inside my house, causing it to fall and crush all of you!
Aaron: Hey! We’re not here to steal your ring, lady!
Exciton: Aaron, calm it down.
Piper: That’s a lie, and I know it!
Exciton: He’s telling the truth; Ewing sent us-
Piper: Don’t even try! I already heard it from him!
Piper points at Alden.
Wes: He does not speak for any of us.
Piper: Your friend-
Exciton, Black Hollow, Wes, Aaron, Silver, Justus, and Zach: No.
Piper: Uh… what?
Black Hollow: Ms?
Piper: My name is Piper.
Black Hollow: Piper, what did this boy tell you?
Piper: He said you seven were sent to steal the ring from me.
The whole group looks at Alden.
Alden: *muffled cries for help*
Exciton: Zach and Justus, come back down.
Zach: Yup.
Justus: Mhm.
Alden: *muffled screams*
Exciton: Look, this idiot has lied to you.
Piper: Hm?
Exciton and Black Hollow explain the situation to Piper.
Piper: I see… so who is that?
Alden: *muffled screams*
Aaron: He’s our classmate, Alden. He’s about as dumb as a box of rocks.
Piper: So, we must leave right away.
Exciton: Yup, my plane is waiting for us. We can escort you to it.
Black Hollow: We’re willing to wait if you need to collect your belongings.
Piper: No, it’s okay, I’m a minimalist, and this home served me well, but there isn’t anything I need. Especially if time is of the essence.
Exciton: Right, then let’s get out of here.
The group begins leaving the beach.
Alden: *muffled cries for help*
Black Hollow: Exciton, I don’t like the kid, but he’ll starve to death if we leave him here.
Exciton: *sighs* Yeah, I know. Zach, you’re in charge of him.
Zach: If I have to…
Aaron: Here, I’ll help you out.
Aaron shoots the rope holding Alden up, and he crashes into the sand. Zach walks over to him and starts dragging him.
Alden: *muffled groan*
Zach: Ugh, he smells like shit.
Piper: Sorry about that.
Zach: Wh- why are you sorry?
Piper: He tried fighting me, so I made him defecate himself.
Aaron: Of course he did…
The group leaves the beach and begins hiking through the plains of Easter Island, seeing all the Moai.
Zach: Man, these heads are cool.
Aaron: Yeah, I always wanted to go to a place like this.
Wes: Why? There are no explosions.
Aaron: That’s why I said “like” this. Listen to your friends, Wes.
Vanguard: Yeah, Wes, listen to your friends and hand over that ring.
Everyone stops. Vanguard is standing atop a Moai.
Exciton: Vanguard!
Silver: Wait, Vanguard was Mr. Butler this whole time?
Aaron: You know, it seems pretty obvious now that the answer is in front of us.
Wes: Yeah, the whole S.S. tournament was his idea.
Black Hollow: We’re not giving you the ring.
Vanguard laughs.
Vanguard: I don’t think you understand, Black Hollow, but my request is not optional.
Vanguard leaps down from the Maoi and faces the group.
Vanguard: I see you brought an excellent supply of bargaining chips. I’ll tell you what, if you hand over the ring right now, I’ll only kill one of the students.
Aaron: Just a reminder, Alden falls under that category.
Alden: *muffled scream*
Exciton cracks his knuckles.
Exciton: *whispers* Black Hollow, lead everyone away from here. I’ll hold him off.
Black Hollow: *whispers* Are you sure you don’t want my help?
Exciton: *whispers* Yes, now go.
Black Hollow: Right. Follow me, everyone.
Black Hollow and the rest of the group run away, leaving just Exciton and Vanguard.
Exciton: Don’t even think of trying to chase after them.
Vanguard: Why would I?
Exciton: Huh?
Vanguard: I don’t have to.
Exciton’s eyes widen.
Exciton: Black Hollow! Look out!
Black Hollow: Huh?
Suddenly, Drunk Billy emerges from the ground and uppercuts Black Hollow, sending him flying back and knocking him unconscious.
Exciton: *frustrated grunt* Cheap shot!
Vanguard: I will not be denied my destiny, Exciton, not by you or anyone else.
Aaron, Silver, and Justus surround Piper to protect her.
Aaron: If you want that ring, you’ll have to get through us first!
Justus: You won’t defeat all of us!
Silver: We may only be provisional heroes, but we’re as tough as they come.
Drunk Billy laughs.
Aaron: What’s so funny?
Drunk Billy points at a Maoi, and Rubber Man steps out from behind it.
Vanguard: As you can see, I’ve come prepared to annihilate anyone that opposes me. So, the question is… do you fall in that category?
Exciton: Hell yeah, I do!
Exciton fires a barrage of crystals at Vanguard; they slice and stab into various parts of his body, including his head, neck, and torso.
Exciton: Take tha-
Vanguard: How cute.
Exciton: Huh?
Vanguard begins ripping the crystals out one at a time, with each wound instantly healing as he does so.
Vanguard: Exciton, do I need to keep repeating myself?
Exciton: *frustrated grunt*
Alexis and Ash continue riding through the Alaskan trails with Blair, Ivy, Demetri, and Gus not far behind them.
Alexis: (We haven’t seen the others for a while. I think we might have chosen the wrong path.)
Alexis slows down and stops; Blair and Demetri park behind her.
Blair: Hey, what’s wrong?
Alexis: I think we’re lost. The GPS still hasn’t come back online, and the others are nowhere to be seen.
Demetri: Well, why haven’t you tried communicating with them through the CB?
Alexis: That doesn’t work either; it’s like something is blocking all electronic signals.
Ash: So, what should we do?
Alexis: It’s probably best to backtrack to the fork we got separated and go from there.
Demetri: Great, so that’ll be another 15 minutes.
Alexis: Hey, it’s better than aimlessly going in the wrong direction.
Demetri: I guess.
Alexis: Now, come on, let’s-
Alexis presses down on the gas, but the snowmobile stays put.
Alexis: Huh?
Ash: What’s wrong? Are we stuck?
Alexis: Maybe, but I don’t know how.
Demetri and Blair attempt to drive their snowmobiles, but they also don’t move at all.
Demetri: Hey, mine isn’t moving either.
Blair: Me too.
They all look down at their snowmobile treads and see they are encased in ice.
Alexis: What the hell?
Blair: How did that happen?
Khold: I don’t know… how did it?
Khold and Blaine appear from behind two trees.
Alexis: Who the hell are you two?
Khold: *smiles* Brother, who are we?
Blaine: Isn’t it obvious, Brother? Their executioners.