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A Hero Among Us
Chapter 186 "Self Sufficiency"

Chapter 186 "Self Sufficiency"

It’s dusk outside as the U.A. faculty are finishing up a set of meetings.

Ewing: Alright, I think that’s enough discussion for today. You can all go home now; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Houston: Have a good night, everyone. I’m sorry we have to run these meetings so late nowadays; the training periods eat up a lot of the day.

Boom: Eh, it’s alright. Hardly anyone is going to classes again. With Vanguard here, his lackeys aren’t afraid of discipline anymore.

Madame Mummy: Yes, it’s as if these meetings are our jobs now.

Ewing: Well, hopefully, that changes soon.

Multi reaches the door to leave first and tries to open it.

Adrian: Is something wrong, Multi?

Multi: The door… it’s stuck.

Houston: Here, let me try.

Houston attempts to bust open the door but to no avail.

Madame Mummy: That’s strange… it doesn’t lock from the outside.

Walker: Spectre, mind phasing through the walls to open it from the other side?

Spectre: No problem.

Spectre phases through the wall; he looks at the door and sees a chair locking the doorknob.

Spectre: Huh? Who did this?

Suddenly a stream of water collides with Spectre.

Spectre: *grunts* What the hell>!

Spectre attempts to phase out of the water stream, but Calm swims through it and punches the hero in his gut.

Spectre: *pained grunt*

The water blast subsides, and Spectre falls to his knees and looks down the hall. Sydney and Calm are standing beside the blocked door.

Spectre: Hayze? Sydney? What are you two doing? What’s the meaning of this?

Sydney: I’m not thrilled I was assigned this task, but I guess I’ll do my part.

Calm: We’re going to be battling you, Spectre, Alongside any other members of the hero staff that escape that room.

Spectre: But… why?

Calm: That’s not your concern.

Water leaks underneath the conference room door.

Fatal: Water? What the hell?

Ewing: Okay, something is definitely going on; Walker, Adrian, go out there and help Spectre if he needs it.

Walker: Right.

Adrian: We’re on it!

Suddenly, pink gas begins filling the room through the ventilation system.

Houston: Oh no! This is…

Ewing, Walker, Fatal, Adrian, Multi, Boom, Madame Mummy, Houston, and Recovery Girl start getting loopy.

Walker: Huh… 69… that’s a funny number.

Fatal: You know what else is a funny number? G.

Adrian: Oh, that’s awesome…

Ewing is trying to eat his chair. The vents open, and Daniele and Ash jump down wearing gas masks.

Daniele: Whatever you do, don’t take your mask off.

Ash: You don’t have to tell me twice.

Daniele and Ash go to each teacher and restrain their arms and legs with rope.

Daniele: Okay, we’ve got all of them tied up now.

Ash: It’s too bad we couldn’t get Spectre too.

Daniele: Yeah, it’s tough because we didn’t know exactly when they would end their meeting, but getting them before Adrian and Walker portalled out is ideal.

Ash: Will they be alright after being exposed to Gavin’s goofy gas for an extended period?

Daniele: Yeah, Gavin’s quirk wears off with no side effects after a while, so they’ll be fine. We just have to keep them contained until the mission is complete.

Ash: Right.

Daniele: And we have to hope Gavin doesn’t run out of gas.

Ash: I feel like we have nothing to worry about in that department…

Gavin is letting out a constant stream of farts directly into the ventilation system.

Gavin: ASS GAS NEVER ENDING EMBRACE!

Gus: I feel like I’m not needed here…

Gus leans out a nearby window and fires off a flare.

Gus: The Containment Team is in control.

Tyson, Saige, Angel, Gale, Blaze, and Karma watch the flare on the roof of the main campus building. Tyson has a metal device strapped to his back.

Tyson: Alright, Infiltration Team, that’s our signal.

Angel extends his wings, Saige creates a pink translucent jetpack, and Gale stands on the building’s ledge.

Angel: I can carry Karma and Tyson.

Tyson: No way, Buster, I’m riding with the hot chick.

Saige: Sorry, Tyson, I’m taking my nephew.

Blaze: It’s creepy how alike you two are…

Saige: Me and who?

Blaze: You…

Gale: Who cares who takes who? You guys just follow behind me and try not to get lost.

Tyson: Gale, I’m in charge of this team, so don’t act like the head honcho.

Gale: I don’t care what Hayze said. I’m the strongest one here, so I’m taking the lead!

Tyson: That’s fine for the initial infiltration, but you must follow my orders.

Gale: I’ll think about it.

Tyson: No, that’s not-

Gale leaps off the building and begins gliding to the 1-C dorm.

Tyson: *sighs* Good enough…

Blaze: How is that guy a piece of my father?

Saige: He’s the piece of Hayze that never gives up, the part that makes him believe anything is possible. In Hayze, it’s an appealing attribute because he has the rest of his personality to level it out, but when it’s by itself.

Blaze: He’s a self-absorbed prick.

Saige: Bingo.

Tyson: I don’t care what he is; we need him to follow the plan. Angel, let’s go.

Angel grabs Tyson and Karma while Saige grabs Blaze, and the group begins flying to the 1-C rooftop.

Gale: (I don’t care what those chumps say. I can take on Vanguard all on my own. The only reason I’m staying with them is out of the kindness of my heart, but if they start slowing me down… they’re gonna eat my dust.)

Hayze, Eve, Zach, Demetri, Wes, Silver, Blair, Aaron, Alexis, Wrath, Bruno, Ivy, and Tara are gathered at the campus center. Aaron spots the Infiltration team flying.

Aaron: Looks like the eagles are in the air, Hayze.

Hayze: Good, then we’ll get in position.

Alexis: We’ll give you five minutes, then we’ll start our job.

Hayze: Alright, stay safe and look out for each other. You’re going to be fighting a lot of enemies, so don’t get cocky.

Aaron: Too late.

Wrath: *grunts* You should be worried about yourself. I can’t believe you’re actually going inside that dorm. You can’t access our quirks, and you can’t rely on Khaos. So, you’re as weak as you were the day you met Moore.

Hayze: I know, but Tara is here to help me with that.

Behind them, Tara unveils two motorcycles, a white one with a mounted crossbow and a red one with a mounted… Orgasmorator.

Tara: I call the red one!

Hayze: I… I think I know why…

Tara: Do you object?

Hayze: Of course not!

Hayze gets on his motorcycle and puts on his helmet. He glances at Blair.

Hayze: (Give ‘em hell.) Let’s go, team.

Silver: Right behind you, Hayze!

Zach: Yeah, we’re going to take down Vanguard today!

Hayze: Hell yeah, we are.

Hayze, Eve, Zach, Demetri, Wes, and Silver leave.

Alexis: So, Aaron, are you afraid of the punishment you’ll get for what’s about to happen?

Aaron: Unless it’s castration, it’s totally worth it! These bastards have had this coming!

Alexis: Bruno, is your friend here yet?

Bruno: Almost. Tara just finished hacking the gates to open for him.

Alexis: Awesome.

Aaron: I can’t believe you knew a guy with a quirk that could help for this extremely specific scenario!

Bruno: Wh- you- you know him.

Aaron: I think I’d remember a guy with this dumb of a quirk.

Bruno: I agree… WHICH IS WHY I DON’T UNDERSTAND!

Voice: *from afar* That’s right! I have returned!

Mike Hitchcock appears from behind a tree.

Bruno: Mike! It’s good to see you again!

Aaron: Nice to meet you, dude! Man, I’ve never seen a guy with a microphone head!

Mike: Wh- what do you mean?! I was in the hero course last year!

Aaron: I think I’d remember that.

Mike: YOU SHOULD!

Alexis: Now isn’t the time to debate whether we’ve met this guy we’ve never seen before.

Mike: WHAT?!

Aaron: Yeah! Now get over here!

Mike walks over to Aaron.

Aaron: So what, do I just speak into your head or?

Mike: Yes, but could you please grab my pop filter? It’ll keep you from spitting on me.

Aaron: *amplified* Breaking News! Anyone in the Vanguard ONE HUNDRED PERCENT wets the bed!

Wrath: What kind of stupid line is that?!

Aaron: It’s something that can only be proven, never disproven!

Bruno: We’re supposed to be reeling them in! Nobody is going to show up because of tha-

The ground starts shaking.

Aaron: You were saying?

Literally every Vanguard grunt in the school arrives and surrounds the seven of them.

Wrath: *sighs* I’m just happy I get to beat someone up.

Blair: Oh, you’ll get more than just “someone.”

Bruno: Yes, we’ll each have to chip in quite a lot to defeat them all.

Charlotte emerges from the Vanguard crowd-wielding Ester in her scythe form.

Charlotte: I have a bladder control issue!

Wrath: What?

Aaron: She can’t disprove it, so she’s coming up with excuses!

Wrath: Oh… ew…

Charlotte: We will make you pay for your crimes!

Alden emerges from the crowd wearing a black bathrobe.

Alden: Yes, Vanguard will rule supreme! I mean… the Vanguard! Haha!

Alexis: I thought you said he got removed from the Vanguard after you beat him?

Aaron: He did…

Charlotte: This pest again?! We told you last week you’re not a member anymore!

Alden: Haha… what are you talking about?

Charlotte: You showed up at our doorstep crying with a urine trail behind you!

Talon is circling in the air above.

Charlotte: *yelling* Talon! Get this guy out of here!

Talon: On it!

Alden: Oh god! What’s he gonna do to me!

Talon takes a shit on Alden.

Alden: *gagging* It’s white like bird shit but as big as a human dump! AHHHHH! IT’S IN MY EYES!

Alden falls to the ground, screaming and writhing in agonizing pain.

Wrath: I know I’ve been living in another guy’s head my whole life, but how the fuck is this guy still considered a hero?

Aaron: I always assumed he was a Make-A-Wish thing.

Blair: Somehow, he’s not.

Wrath: That would make sense, though.

Charlotte: Stop ignoring me! You’ll all be brought to your knees shortly!

Bruno: Charlotte! This isn’t like you; the girl I knew wouldn’t have been this brash and condescending! You need to break free of Vanguard’s control!

Charlotte: Shut the hell up, you big oaf! I’m perfect how I am, and I’ll never return to the way I used to be!

Bruno: *frustrated grunt*

Mike places his hand on Bruno’s shoulder.

Mike: Don’t worry, Bruno. I’ve got this; Charlotte and I used to be close. I’ll bring her to her senses.

Bruno: Wh- what? She hated you.

Mike: Haha, that’s funny, Bruno. Charlotte always was a shoulder for me to cry on. She was a great friend of mine.

Bruno: She hated that you cried on her shoulder! It ruined some of her clothes.

Mike: I think I’d remember that.

Bruno: She forced you to buy her replacement uniforms.

Mike: I’m… not… recalling that.

Bruno: We texted about this yesterday. You still owe her a button-down shirt.

Mike: Look, maybe we had some rough times, but we’re still close!

Bruno: The first thing she said after you were expelled was, “Thank god.”

Mike: I’ve got this!

Mike steps forward.

Mike: Charlotte! I may not be in the hero course anymore, but I still remember everything I was taught! I’ll save you from Vanguard’s clutches! Just like I saved you many trips to the laundromat by crying all over your clothes! You are my friend, who also happens to be hot-

Charlotte decapitates Mike using Ester.

Bruno: Jesus Christ! MIKE!

Tara: AWESOME!

Wrath: I like this chick.

Aaron: Huh, so he does have a neck. I was expecting him to have wires.

Ivy: Those are your reactions to your friend dying?!

Aaron: It’s sad… but it’s hard to feel bad for a guy we just met for the first time.

Bruno: YOU DIDN- Ah, forget it.

Aaron cracks his knuckles.

Aaron: Now that I have your attention! What do you say I give you something to get REALLY mad about!

Charlotte: Huh?

Aaron transforms his arms into a mortar.

Aaron: Ballistic Bombardment Times 10!

Aaron fires 10 mortar shells into the sky that rain down on the Vanguard dorm.

Charlotte: Are you kidding me!

Alexis: I’ll take blondie! You guys start with the grunts.

Tara: This will be fun!

Charlotte: Talon! Get down here and help!

Talon: Alright!

Tara snipes Talon out of the air with the orgasmorator.

Tara: That’s one prostate milked! Who’s next?!

Blair: Why did you phrase it like that?!

Tara: Don’t question me!

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Tara does a burnout on her motorcycle and drives through the Vanguard crowd.

Tara: YEAHHH!

Lilith, Filip, Desiree, Whitney, Hailey, Reed, Fabio, and Ryan are gathered outside the Vanguard dorm.

Filip: Those bastards attacked us again!

Desiree: They’ve got some nerve!

Fabio: I know! I spilled some of my hair products! They’ll pay for those! Literally!

Ryan: Charlotte, Ester, and Talon ran off when that loser accused us of bedwetting.

Reed is sweating profusely.

Reed: Good thing none of us do that, right?

Lilith: There’s clearly a battle going on. Ryan, Hailey, Whitney, and Desiree go join them on the battlefield.

Ryan, Whitney, Hailey, and Desiree depart.

Filip: What about the rest of us?

Lilith: Filip, Fabio, and Reed, you stand guard. The rest of the lieutenants and I need to discuss some things.

Filip: *frustrated grunt* Guard duty again?

Fabio: We need to do our part, Filip. The Vanguard is a collective! Remember that!

Filip: I know, I know.

Reed: Should we go to Master’s dorm and ensure he’s alright?

Lilith: No, he has his personal bodyguard, and he can handle himself.

Reed: Okay.

Lilith: Don’t leave this post unless ordered otherwise!

Lilith heads inside the dorm.

Fabio: So… what hair products do you guys use?

Hayze, Eve, Silver, Demetri, Zach, and Wes are watching from the bushes.

Silver: Good, most of them cleared out. How do you want us to proceed, Hayze?

Hayze: There are still 3 guards left…

Zach: I’ll take them!

Hayze: No, these three are mine.

Zach: Huh? But you’re the leader, Hayze. You can’t stay behind before we even get in the dorm!

Hayze: There isn’t anything left for me to “lead” you on. Once you guys are inside, you have your individual battles to fight. This is the Purification Team, and I selected four of you because you each have someone in the Vanguard you’re looking to save.

Eve: I’ve got Lilith.

Zach: I’m getting my buddy, Jace, back!

Demetri: Isaiah is mine to battle.

Wes: And I’ve got Verity…

Hayze: Silver will lead you from this point on.

Hayze gives Silver a piece of paper.

Hayze: This has a list of our friend’s dorm room numbers. If I’m keeping track of my Vanguard goons correctly. The only ones left should be the four we’re looking for and Romeo.

Silver: Right, and I’ll take him on.

Hayze gets on his motorcycle.

Hayze: Stay safe, guys. I know you’ll save our friends.

Wes: Be careful, Hayze.

Silver: If you’re not in that dorm right behind us soon, I'll have to come looking for you.

Hayze: *nasal grunt* Oh, trust me, I will.

Hayze rides out of the bushes and skids to a halt in front of the Vanguard dorm.

Filip: What the hell!

Fabio: Is that Hayze?

Hayze: Well, well, well, if it isn’t the three weakest members of Class 2-B.

Filip and Reed: WHAT?!

Fabio: I’m at least better than Romeo!

Hayze: At least he didn’t lose to Jace, of all people.

Filip: *frustrated grunt* That’s only because Jace was a member of the Vanguard, and we weren’t!

Hayze: Well… I beat Jace, and I’m not a member of the Vanguard.

Filip stares at Hayze.

Fabio: He’s got us there…

Filip: Shut up, Fabio! If you’re here to pick a fight, then you’ve got one!

Hayze: Okay, but don’t start crying when you lose!

Hayze drives off.

Filip: Where the hell is he going?!

Reed: I don’t know, but I’m not letting him get away!

Filip: Me neither!

Filip and Reed begin chasing after Hayze.

Fabio: But the Empress told us not to leave our post!

Filip: He insulted the Vanguard, and he must pay!

Fabio: *grunts* You’re right! We can’t let him get away with that!

Filip, Fabio, and Reed depart.

Silver: Alright, let’s head inside!

Silver, Eve, Wes, Demetri, and Wes enter the Vanguard dorm.

Wes: Huh… it’s just as gloomy as I thought it would be.

Demetri: I guess the carpet does match the drapes.

Silver: You can save the interior design and sex jokes for later; we need to find our targets before they can exit the dorm.

Lilith: *from afar* I can’t believe those idiots already abandoned their guard duties! That was like 3 minutes!

Everyone turns to see Lilith standing at the opposite end of the main floor.

Zach: Lilith!

Lilith: It’s pronounced Empress, but I think you know that. Why have you fools infiltrated our dorm?

Eve steps forward.

Eve: We’re here to rescue you and all of our other friends. This cult ends now!

Lilith: “Rescue?” *frustrated grunt* How many times do I have to tell you, people, I chose to be a part of something greater?! But you fools refuse to get that concept into your thick skulls!

Eve: I guess you’ll have to jam it in… through a fight.

Lilith: Pfft, if you’re eager to lose to me, then I’ll gladly bring you into the light. Our last battle was interrupted, so this is my chance to show you how it would have ended. Follow me out back.

Eve: With pleasure!

Silver places his hand on Eve’s shoulder.

Silver: *whispering* I wouldn’t do that if I were you. She still has her original quirk. She wants to fight you outside so she can crush you in her giant form.

Eve: I know, Silver, but this might be my best chance to bring Lilith back to us, so I can’t pass this up.

Silver: *concerned grunt* Okay… just be careful.

Eve: I will. The rest of you should get moving. The others will probably be upstairs.

Silver: Yeah, come on, guys! Let’s go!

Zach, Demetri, and Wes: Right!

The four guys head up the staircase as Eve follows Lilith out the backdoor.

Eve: (It’s been months, Lilith… it’s time for you to come home.)

Aster, Yul, Killian, Impulse, Grace, Alec, and Tobias are stationed outside Dorm 1-C, hiding nearby.

Killian: *frustrated grunt* What are we waiting for?!

Aster: Don’t get impatient. You know the mission. We’re waiting for the Infiltration Team to give us the all-clear.

Killian: We’re the Vanguard Takedown Team! We shouldn’t need an “all-clear.” We should be getting to work fighting the battle of our lives!

Yul: Our job is to take down Vanguard and nobody else. He’s already extremely powerful; we don’t need him to have help.

Tobias: Karma’s likely surveying the building as we speak, Killian. She’ll probably be done shortly.

Killian: Well, she should hurry it up.

Gale, Angel, Blaze, Tyson, Karma, and Saige land on the 1-C roof. Gale approaches the rooftop door.

Gale: Hey, Blaze, why don’t you open this door?

Tyson: Gale, we need to-

Saige places her hand on Tyson’s shoulder.

Saige: He’s not hurting anyone right now, and if his insubordination affects the mission, I’ll handle it. We can’t let him slow us down by arguing the whole time.

Tyson: *sighs* Fine. Blaze, get us in.

Blaze microwaves the door handle. Gale busts down the door.

Gale: Man, my genes did wonders for you.

Blaze: *sighs* I don’t even know what to call you, “my uncle?”

Gale: Eh, how about Superior?

Blaze: I- I’m not calling you that.

Gale: Too bad, because I am. Come on, Inferior.

Gale starts heading down the stairs.

Blaze: Great…

Everyone else follows behind Gale.

Karma: *whispering to Saige* How are you staying so calm? Gale is driving everyone else nuts.

Saige: *whispers* Because, like it or not, Gale might be stronger than any of us. I briefly fought Hayze in Wind Form; that quirk is no joke. We could end up fighting Justus, and we’ll need Gale on our good side.

Karma: *whispers* I see…

The group reaches the top floor of 1-C.

Gale: Alright, Tyson, tell us where Vanguard is hiding.

Tyson: I don’t know exactly which room he’s in, and that’s not what we’re here to do. Karma, start checking the building for anyone else. If you find someone, report back here immediately; otherwise, give the signal to the Takedown Team.

Karma: Right.

Karma starts speeding down the hallways using her quirk.

Gale: So what happens if the building is clear? Then what?

Tyson: We move into the second stage of the plan. Saige and Blaze will assist the Distraction Team, while Karma and Angel will move to the Purification Team. You and I will guard the front of this building and assist the Takedown Team only if necessary.

Gale: What?! Standing guard?! That’s it? Bullshit! I should be on the front line!

Tyson: Hayze and I agreed your skillset will be more helpful in deterring incoming Vanguard members that might join the final battle than directly assisting in it.

Gale: Well, that’s just a mistake! You're wasting my talents!

Tyson: Gale, I-

Suddenly, the group hears the sound of clapping.

Romeo: Well, it looks like we have a very quaint group of intruders. What are you doing in the Master’s private quarters?

Angel: You mean this entire building?

Romeo: Of course, Master deserves nothing less than the best we can provide him.

Blaze: Uh… correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this guy a joke?

Tyson: Not as a member of the Vanguard; we need to be careful; he got assigned a powerful quirk from Vanguard.

Romeo: Tyson, what are you doing with these fools? You were a part of our elite ranks! I can’t believe you would pass that up to join… this.

Tyson: I realized I liked being myself, Romeo.

Romeo: You know very well that’s not my name. So why don’t you correct yourself?

Tyson: Fine, I will W-

Gale steps forward.

Gale: So, you’ve decided to be my first victim, huh? Well, that was a big mistake! When I’m done with you, you’ll be hanging from the flagpole by your boxers!

Romeo: Hayze? I didn’t think you had this kind of attitude in you.

Gale: The name’s Gale and I’m far more powerful than that guy, and unlike him, I don’t accept surrenders. So, get ready to feel my whirlwind of destruction!

Romeo laughs.

Gale: What’s so funny?

Romeo: You! Silly! Because you don’t realize the mess you’re in.

Romeo holds out his left hand; six ping-pong ball-like objects emerge from his palm and levitate in the air above in a ring. Each one is labeled with a member of the Infiltration Team’s name.

Angel: What are those things?

Tyson: Our chances of suffering… Romeo’s Tarot Quirk is the Wheel of Fortune, and we’ve all just become victims in his game.

Gale: What the hell does that mean?

Romeo: Why don’t I show you?

Suddenly, one of the balls lights on fire, and the flame starts moving from ball to ball clockwise.

Romeo: When the roulette stops, the person selected will receive a random punishment from the Wheel of Fortune.

Blaze: What kind of “punishment?”

Romeo: I don’t know, but that’s the fun of it all.

The fire continues moving from ball to ball.

Gale: Screw this! I’m not standing around and letting you do this!

Gale channels the air around his body into a scythe.

Gale: Get ready to die!

Gale leaps in the air and glides toward Romeo at high speed.

Romeo: Oh, Karma!

Karma accelerates in front of Romeo and slugs Gale in the chest.

Gale: Ah! What the hell!

Karma spin kicks Gale, knocking him to the ground and dispelling his wind scythe.

Gale: Whose side are you on!

Saige: His! Look!

Karma’s eyes have hearts in them.

Angel: He got her with his Charm quirk!

Gale: *frustrated grunt*

Romeo: Yes, Karma here will be of great use to me. And speaking of karma…

The fire stops on Gale’s ball.

Gale: Huh?

Romeo: Looks like you’re my first victim!

The fire leaves the ball and forms into words: Gravity.

Gale: Gravity? What does that mean-

Suddenly, Gale feels the force of gravity on his body become immense, pinning him to the ground.

Gale: What the hell?!

Romeo: Hahaha! Looks like the wind has been grounded!

Gale: I’ll get you!

Tyson: *whispers* Angel, your feathers are enough to disable this guy’s charm, right?

Angel: *whispers* Yeah, I’ve done it before, but it was a shot to the back when he lowered his guard. With Karma protecting him, I’m not sure I can hit him.

Saige creates a sniper rifle using her quirk.

Saige: *whispers* Angel, you go distract Karma. I’ll try to land a shot on him.

Angel: Right!

The Wheel of Fortune begins spinning again.

Romeo: Try and try all you must, but the Wheel of Fortune will soon destroy you all!

Hayze skids to a stop by the U.A. fountain; he looks back at Fabio, Filip, and Reed chasing after him on foot.

Hayze: (Good, they followed hook, line, and sinker.)

Hayze looks at his reflection in the rear-view mirror.

Hayze: (Wrath was right; I can’t access their abilities. And I haven’t heard from Khaos in so long; I don’t know if I can trust him if I attempt to use Darkness Form. So for the first time, I must rely purely on my own skills. Luckily, I have Tara’s gadgets to help me, but they won’t carry me the way my quirk can.)

Fabio, Filip, and Reed reach Hayze and catch their breaths.

Filip: Alright, buddy, you’re going down!

Hayze: I doubt that.

Fabio: You’re up against three of the Vanguard's strongest fighters! You don’t stand a chance!

Hayze: If that’s the case, I guess I have nothing to worry about…

Reed: Why you!

Reed deploys his three drones from his back.

Hayze: Oh right, you’re the guy that can do that.

Fabio: Yes, and I’m the guy who can do this!

Fabio lets down his hair and sends it careening toward Hayze. Hayze dismounts the crossbow at the front of his bike and grabs a bolt from the quiver strapped to his back.

Hayze: I may not have my fire quirk, but this is just as good!

Hayze fires the bolt into Fabio’s hair and ignites it.

Fabio: AHHHHH! NOOOOO! MY HAIR!

Fabio runs around, panicking with his scalp ablaze.

Filip: Reed! Help Fabio! I’ll handle this guy!

Reed: Right!

Filip kneels down and places his hands on the ground.

Filip: Let’s see how fast you are when you’re on ice!

Filip sends a wave of icicle spears crashing toward Hayze. Hayze drives out of the way of the attack and loads another bolt in the crossbow.

Hayze: You’re gonna have to do better than that!

Hayze fires the bolt at Filip, it breaks apart into a net, but Reed’s Attack Drone blasts it to bits before it can restrain Filip.

Hayze: *grunts* Damn!

Filip: Thanks, Reed!

Reed: Attack drone! Takedown that asshole!

The Attack Drone begins firing lasers at Hayze, but he dodges by driving and evading the blasts.

Hayze: (Regardless of whether they’re strong on their own, taking on three opponents at once is a tough task. I can’t get overconfident!)

Hayze drives up the wall of the school building. The drone follows close behind him, continuing to rain down lasers.

Hayze: (These drones may be part of his quirk, but they still have the same faults as any other flying machine.)

Hayze presses a button on the motorcycle’s terminal.

Hayze: Initiating: Mega Bass!

The motorcycle’s speakers begin playing music with bass levels so high that the windows of the building start shattering, causing the glass to go flying and pelt the drone, forcing Reed to lose control.

Reed: *frustrated grunt* Dammit!

Hayze then fires a bolt through the Attack Drone, destroying it.

Reed: AHHHHHHHH!

Hayze drives back onto the ground and looks at Reed; he’s writhing in pain.

Hayze: Those things regenerate or something, right?

Filip: Yeah, but it hurts like hell for him, asshole!

Hayze: You’re the ones trying to kill me…

Filip: Oh, we’re not trying!

Suddenly, Hayze gets electrocuted by a Taser to the back.

Hayze: AHHHHH!

Hayze falls off his bike and notices Reed’s Defense Drone flying behind his motorcycle. It’s dead silent.

Hayze: What?

Reed stands up and starts laughing hysterically, as does Filip.

Filip: WE GOT YOU!

Reed: YEAH! I don’t feel a thing when my drones are destroyed, but our trick was enough to get my stunning Defense Drone in for an attack.

Hayze: *frustrated grunt*

Filip: Yeah! Now it’s time for some fun!

Filip begins freezing the ground in black ice. Hayze attempts to stand up, but the ice freezes his hands and feet to the ground alongside the motorcycle’s tires.

Hayze: Dammti! I can’t move!

Filip: We’ve got him trapped now! Fabio, do you want some revenge?

Fabio’s scalp is singed; he barely has any hair left.

Fabio: YES! FUCK THIS GUY!

Filip tosses Fabio an icicle.

Filip: Kill him with that! It’s the perfect murder weapon!

Reed: Yeah! Then we get back to the dorm and tell Master all about it!

Fabio approaches Hayze.

Fabio: HOW DARE YOU SINGE MY MAGNIFICENT HAIR! YOU WILL PAY FOR EACH AND EVERY STRAND YOU TORCHED!

Hayze: (Shit! I can’t stand up, and I can’t fight back with my hands frozen to the ground. I’ve gotta get out of this!)

Hayze slips his feet out of his shoes and kicks the motorcycle.

Fabio: What’s that going to do?

Motorcycle: Threat detected, activating defense protocols.

Fabio: Huh?

The motorcycle’s headlights lower, and two machine gun barrels extend out and aim at Fabio.

Motorcycle: Exterminating threat.

The motorcycle uses the guns to light up Fabio.

Fabio: AHHHHHHHHHH!

Filip and Reed: FABIO!

Fabio falls to the ground in pain.

Reed: Heal Drone! Help him out!

The Heal Drone flies to Fabio and begins healing his wounds.

Filip: I’ll make you pay for that!

Filip begins charging toward Hayze.

Hayze: I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

Filip: Huh?

Hayze: What makes you think this thing will stop protecting itself after shooting Fabio?

Filip stops.

Filip: *grunts*

Hayze: (Okay, I’ve got them held at bay, but that won’t last forever. I have to break my hands free of this ice.)

Reed: Filip! Just ice that bike! Then we won’t have to deal with it anymore!

Filip: Yeah! Sure thing!

Filip kneels down.

Hayze: (Shit! Think fast, Hayze!)

Hayze does a handstand, causing some of the bolts in his quiver to fall out. He then searches for a flame bolt and grabs it with his teeth.

Hayze: (This will hurt, but I can’t lose to these guys!)

Hayze stabs the bolt's tip into the ice, causing a burst of flames that melt the ice, freeing and burning his hands and the motorcycle.

Hayze: AHHHH!

Hayze hops on the bike and drives out of the way just as Filip sends another ice surge his way.

Filip: DAMMIT!

Reed: I hate how resourceful this guy is!

Hayze is breathing heavily; his hands have already begun healing.

Hayze: (This is difficult, I just burnt up a handful of my bolts, and these guys won’t let up any time soon. I have to take those two down, but first…)

Hayze fires a bolt into the Defense Drone, sneaking behind him, and destroys it.

Reed: SHIT!

Filip: Great… Now all you’re good for is healing.

Reed: Hey! I can still fight with my hands!

Filip: With your nerd strength? I’d love to see that!

Reed: Hey! Shut up!

Fabio: I hate being alive…

Hayze takes a deep breath.

Hayze: (Look at these guys, Hayze… they’re hero students, but you should have beat them already. If I were Silver, Justus, or Aaron, they’d be out cold, and I’d be back at the Vanguard dorm right now. I always believed I could be a hero regardless of my quirk because I had the skills and know-how necessary to succeed, but… if I can’t beat these guys…)

“ Fatal: Always remember one thing: It’s not about the quirk; it’s about the person who wields the quirk. “ - Episode 3

Hayze gets a look of determination in his eyes.

Hayze: (No… don’t waste time doubting yourself. You made it this far because of who you are, not because of the quirk Dr. Moore gave you. Nobody believed you could beat Silver, nobody anticipated you could give Aster a real match, and nobody thought you would ever be where you are today! You are a hero, and it’s time to show everyone, including yourself, that you don’t need the elements to win!)

Hayze starts driving towards the building again.

Reed: What’s he doing?!

Filip: I don’t know! But I’m not going to let it happen!

Filip begins firing a barrage of black icicles at Hayze; he barely attempts to dodge them as they slice into his body.

Hayze: (My healing quirk allows me to be more reckless than anyone else, so I have to take advantage of that!)

Hayze drives up the side of the wall again.

Filip: My attack didn’t phase him!

Reed: Yeah, and I still know what he's up to!

Hayze reaches the top of the wall and presses a button on the terminal, causing two launch springs to deploy, sending the motorcycle flying through the air.

Reed: What the…

Filip: FUCK!

Hayze: Take this!

Hayze crashes the bike into Filip, injuring and knocking him out cold.

Reed: Filip!

Hayze falls off the motorcycle in the process, but he immediately stands up and charges at Reed.

Reed: Woah! Woah! I was kidding earlier!

Hayze begins beating the shit out of Reed.

Hayze: (If I injured myself in the crash, then at least I’ll heal, and if I hurt my hands beating this little bitch, then I’ll be fine soon enough.)

Reed: I WASN’T BUILT FOR A FIGHT LIKE THIS!

Hayze uppercuts Reed, knocking him out cold.

Fabio: Filip! Reed! I’ll avenge you!

Fabio charges at Hayze.

Hayze: (I can’t be dependent on my Elementalist Quirk anymore… if I want to be a true hero. I need to know I can fight for myself if I have to.)

Fabio attempts to punch Hayze, but he dodges and counters with a punch to Fabio’s chest.

Fabio: *pained grunt*

Hayze: (I need my elements to climb the mountain, but now that I’m at the top… I have to stand on my own two feet.)

Hayze knocks Fabio out with an elbow bash to the back of his head.

Hayze: (Because that’s what it will take for me to save everyone…)

Hayze falls to the ground in exhaustion.

Hayze: (This is the most wounds I’ve ever healed at once, my body is eating all my energy up.)

Hayze passes out.

Hayze: *groans*

Vanguard is sitting inside a dorm room, meditating.

Vanguard: (I’ve lost control over Filip, Fabio, and Reed, and with the commotion I heard earlier, It looks like the students of U.A. are making their move.)

Vanguard smiles.

Vanguard: (Too bad it will cost them their lives.)