Impulse and Wrath exchange blows at high speed.
Wrath: You always thought you were “all that,” and it pissed me off!
Impulse: Funny, who does that remind me of?
Wrath: *frustrated grunt* I’m gonna wipe that smug smile off your face!
Wrath leaps back and fires a helix of flames at Impulse.
Wrath: Helix Hellfire!
Impulse dodges with ease.
Impulse: So… did you forget I was fast or?
Wrath: Shut the hell up!
Impulse: Hm… no.
Wrath attempts to punch Impulse with an Infernal Impact, but Impulse dodges. They repeat this cycle over and over.
Grace: So… are we just gonna sit here and watch or what?
Aaron: Did you not see what happened to Bruno when he tried to get involved?
Grace: Yeah, but I’d rather go down fighting than standing here like a bitch. I thought you would feel the same.
Aaron: I do, but this isn’t something we should rush into. You weren’t here when Impulse explained everything. He looked genuinely concerned. If we don’t play this smart, we risk losing Hayze, Impulse, Wrath, and the others forever.
Grace: Well, then come up with a plan.
Aaron clenches his fist.
Aaron: (She’s right, Aaron. You’ve always wanted to be a leader, and this is your chance, so man up. Part of being in command is making the tough choices that put people’s lives on the line.)
Aaron thinks for a moment.
Aaron: Alright, we need to separate them. They discussed absorbing each other, so avoiding that should be our first priority. Blair, are you ready to fight?
Blair: I’m not 100%, but if Hayze’s life is on the line, I’m helping no matter what.
Aaron: Good, then you and Masked Girl are on Wrath Duty. Grace, Alexis, and I will take on Impulse.
Blair, Alexis, Grace, and Ivy: Right!
Aaron: Remember, our goal is to keep them away from each other, so keep the fight going as long as possible. Don’t try to beat them if it risks your defeat.
Ivy: Will do.
Blaze gets to his feet.
Blaze: I’ll go with Blair and Ivy…
Blair: What? You’re not in any condition to fight.
Blaze: You just said it yourself. If my father’s life is on the line, I will help.
Blair looks proud.
Aaron: Hey, the more, the merrier. You guys draw Wrath away… that will probably be easier.
Blair, Blaze, and Ivy run toward the fight.
Grace: Alright, let’s do this!
Alexis: Hey, Aaron?
Aaron: Hm?
Alexis: I can’t help but notice you didn’t ask if I was ready to fight.
Aaron: You’re my girl; you’d better be, or else I have bad taste.
Alexis smiles.
Alexis: You dick.
Aaron: Now, come on, let’s fight.
Wrath leaps into the air and attempts to kick Impulse’s head.
Wrath: Gotcha!
Impulse teleports behind Wrath.
Impulse: Nothing personal, kid.
Impulse strikes Wrath in the back, sending him flying and smacking into the ground.
Wrath: *frustrated grunt* References aren’t funny!
Impulse: I beg to differ!
Wrath: I can’t wait to wipe that stupid smile from your fa-
Ivy: *from afar* Push!
Wrath gets blasted by gravity and gets sent crashing into a nearby tree.
Impulse: Hey! What did we say about-
A grappling hook wraps around Impulse.
Aaron: Go, Alexis!
Alexis reaches into her pocket and pulls out a set of flash bombs that fold into origami birds.
Alexis: Ceremonious Dance: Nightjar Formation!
The birds fly toward Impulse, explode, and blind him.
Impulse: AHHHH!
Aaron: You’re next, Grace!
Grace charges towards Impulse.
Grace: You wanted a fight, so here it is!
Grace pummels Impulse with a barrage of punches, finishing with an uppercut that frees him from Aaron’s hold. He smacks against the ground.
Grace: Counterattack, please!
Impulse quickly stands up, speeds towards Grace, and punches her in the gut with a thunder punch, electrocuting her.
Grace: *moans* Oh yeah! That’s the good stuff!
Impulse: We told you not to interfere, and now you’ll face the consequences!
Impulse kicks Grace in the face, knocking her to the ground.
Aaron: You’re fast, but let’s see how quickly you can take us down.
Impulse: Very.
Wrath gets to his feet, visibly pissed off.
Wrath: WHO DID THAT?!
Blair: Laval Lambasting!
Wrath: Huh?
Wrath narrowly dodges two beams of lava.
Wrath: HEY! WHAT DID I TELL YOU EARLIER?!
Blair, Blaze, and Ivy stand in a line, blocking Wrath from Impulse and the others.
Blair: Wrath, you need to come to your senses.
Blaze: You don’t want to join with Impulse or any of the other personalities, for that matter! If you do, you’ll be erased!
Wrath scoffs.
Wrath: I know! That’s why I want to absorb that fool! Once I do, I’ll become even more powerful than I am now!
Blaze: But- you-
Wrath: But nothing! Once we’ve become one, we’ll be stronger than Vanguard, and we can avenge our friends' deaths! And protect everyone else from him.
Blair is taken aback.
Ivy: You can’t seriously want to throw your own life away! Where’s your pride?
Wrath: my pride is right where it needs to be. I’ll throw everything away, including my life, to become stronger than Vanguard.
Blaze: Dammit… I thought appealing to his pride would get through to him. Mom, you have more experience with Dad’s personalities than I do. What should-
Blair is in deep thought.
Blaze: M- Mom?
Blair: (That first answer…) Wrath, who died?
Blaze: Huh? Mom? What are you-
Wrath: Angel, Karma, Tyson, and Khaos… have all perished.
Blair: What… Angel and Karma?
Blaze: Khaos?
Wrath: They all died, and I was too weak to protect them… it’s my fault they’re gone. But if I reach my maximum strength, I can avenge them and make sure nobody else dies.
Blaze: What’s he talking about… Wrath, you weren’t there when Tyson died. And you couldn’t have seen Angel, Karma, or Khaos’ deaths… so-
Blair: We’re not going to get through to him like this…
Blaze: Huh?
Ivy: What do you mean?
Blair: His answers… they’re Hayze’s. Whatever state he’s in… it’s causing his personality to fuse with Hayze’s. If we want to break Wrath free of this, we need to make him remember that he wants to be himself.
Blaze: But wasn’t that what we were doing already?
Blair: No, you were trying to appeal to Wrath’s personality, but he was born from Hayze. The best thing we can do is use Wrath’s experiences since he became a separate person to our advantage.
Wrath cracks his knuckles.
Wrath: Try all you might, but I’m going to destroy you three, and then I’m going to absorb Impulse.
Blair: Wrath, don’t you want to fight guys like Silver, Justus, Aaron, and other strong opponents to prove that you’re as good as you say?
Wrath: I already have, and I defeated all of them.
Blair: No, Hayze did, but I guess you’re right since soon you’ll be the same person.
Wrath: *frustrated grunt* He beat Silver using my damn quirk!
Blair: No, it’s his quirk.
Wrath: No, it fucking isn’t!
Blair: Well, it’s not like it matters. It’s going to be all of yours soon.
Wrath: *louder frustrated grunt* Shut up! I will become the strongest fighter ever!
Blair: We.
Wrath lets out a frustrated yell and coats his arms in flame.
Wrath: I’m gonna wipe you out, tiny tits.
Blaze: I see… good thinking, Mom.
Blair looks gleeful.
Ivy: We just have to keep pushing the right buttons.
Blair: Hey, guys! Did you hear my whole spiel?
Grace: *from afar* Oh, we got it.
Grace turns to Alexis and Aaron.
Aaron: I don’t know much about Hayze’s impulsive side.
Alexis: Let's try to make him choose between two things. One Hayze would pick, and one Impulse would?
Aaron: That could work…
Grace: Don’t worry, guys, I’ve got a plan.
Alexis: Oh, boy. Is it perverted?
Grace: Uh… kind of?
Alexis: Then I’m down.
Aaron: As long as it works, I don’t care.
Grace: Good… I haven’t had much time to get to know Impulse, but I think I have an idea of something that could make him want to be his own person… or I guess I should say “someone.”
Gale steps toward Tobias.
Gale: I remember you. You were the guy who beat the absolute crap out of Saige because you were a limped-dick bitch, right?
Tobias: I’ll admit my actions were harsh and uncalled for that day. I don’t condone them.
Gale: *scoffs* When did that happen?
Tobias: After my defeat in the Licensing Tournament, I spent what felt like weeks on the island of eliminated examinees. It gave me time to reflect… and realize I was wrong.
Gale: So, that’s it? Do you think that makes everything better? You’re a good person now, Yipee!
Tobias: No, I do not. Past actions cannot be undone, and their impact cannot be lessened. The only thing that matters is what I do from now on.
Tobias unsheathes a thin sword from his cane.
Tobias: That is the power of introspection and learning from your mistakes.
Gale slow claps.
Tobias: Your mockery doesn’t affect me.
Gale: I know; I just think it’s admirable that you still want to fight me after what I did to those two losers.
Alec and Killian are both out cold.
Tobias: They lacked critical intel. Your counterpart should have taught you by now that the battle for information is nearly as important as the physical battle itself.
Gale: If you think watching me wipe the floor with those two is enough information to defeat me, then you’re a fool.
Tobias’ eyes narrow.
Tobias: We’ll see about that.
Tobias bursts toward Gale.
Gale: I feel like there’s a joke about beating a blind man I could make, but I can’t think of one.
Gale points his palm at Tobias.
Gale: Whirlwind Wa-
Tobias stops.
Gale: I- what?
Tobias quickly throws his cane blade into Gale’s arm.
Gale: AH! What the fuck?! You son of a-
Tobias begins pummeling Gale with a barrage of punches and kicks.
Gale: *pained grunts* Why, you little-
Gale begins surrounding himself with wind.
Gale: I’ll destroy you!
Tobias rips his sword from Gale’s arm and stabs it into his thigh.
Gale: AH! FUCK!
Tobias uppercuts Gale, knocking him to the ground.
Gale: *frustrated grunt*
Tobias: Something I learned from observing your battle with Alec and Killian: The best way to disarm you is by getting up close and personal.
Gale rips Tobias’ sword from his thigh.
Gale: Oh, yeah? I’ll show you!
Gale materializes one of his tornado daggers.
Gale: Let’s see how well you do against a tornado, blind man!
Gale chucks the dagger at Tobias. It spins into a tornado.
Tobias: You do remember I have a quirk, right?
Tobias leaps out of the way; the tornado slices past him and flies into the sky.
Gale: Of course, I remembered that! (SHIT!)
Gale redirects the tornado at Tobias.
Gale: It doesn’t matter how many times you dodge; I’ve got your only weapon!
The tornado continuously flies past Tobias, and he avoids it each time.
Gale: (Soon he’ll tire out… and then I’ll win.)
Tobias smiles.
Tobias: (3… 2… 1…)
The hilt of Tobias’ cane sword extends and begins expelling gas.
Gale: Ah! What the hell?!
Gale tosses the blade away, but not before inhaling the gas.
Gale: Shit… fuck me…
Gale keels over, heavily weakened. His tornado ceases, and the dagger falls to the ground.
Tobias: Well, that was easier than I expected.
Gale: Fuck… you…
Gale passes out, and Tobias retrieves his sword.
Tobias: Good, now to-
Tobias hears the sound of clapping. Tempest is leaning against the tree Alec and Killian collided with.
Tobias: Who’s there?
Tempest: It’s me, Hayze, Tobias.
Tobias: Oh, alright. You had me worried there.
Tempest approaches Tobias.
Tempest: Thanks for taking care of Gale. The other personalities started going wild too. I ran over here to make sure Gale wasn’t causing you guys any trouble. I see Alec and Killian didn’t fare well.
Tobias: No, they did not. What happened to Gale? Why did he start acting strangely?
Tempest: I don’t know. I guess I was too hasty to let them all free. I should have been more careful.
Tobias: It’s alright. All’s well that ends well.
Tempest: I guess I’ll absorb Gale back into my body, and we can regroup with the others. I believe the heroes have-
Tempest attempts to strike Tobias with a quick punch, but the blind hero blocks with his cane sword.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Tempest: *nasal grunt* How did you figure it out?
Tobias: When Gale started acting strangely, he said, “It’s time for us to become one.” It makes no sense why you wouldn’t be involved with that, Hayze. I won’t allow you to absorb Gale until I have a proper explanation.
Tempest smiles.
Tempest: Okay, I’ll give you one.
Tobias: You just tried to strike me. I have no reason to trust you now.
Tempest: Heh, it was worth a try.
Tobias: I don’t want to fight you, Hayze.
Tempest: Oh, don’t worry.
Tempest unclasps his fist.
Tempest: You aren’t.
Tempest sends a barrage of raindrops flying into Tobias’ chest and legs.
Tobias: AHHHH!
Tempest: Liquid Bullets!
Tobias falls to the ground in pain.
Tempest: Don’t worry. I avoided all of your vital areas.
Tobias: Water? Wait a second… so you’re actually Calm…
Tempest: You're a third right.
Tobias: Wait… does that mean…
Tempest: I was once Hayze, but I’ve absorbed Khaos and Calm. Call me Tempest. Now, I’m here to become two-thirds complete. So, stay on the ground, please.
Tempest starts walking towards Gale.
Tobias: (I need to buy some time…) Wait…
Tempest: *sighs* What?
Tobias: If you’re three people already… shouldn’t you be strong enough to take down Vanguard?
Tempest: No, I can only reach my maximum power when I combine all six components.
Tobias: But what will happen to Gale and the others when you’ve accomplished that goal?
Tempest: They’ll be gone forever, but they’ll live on inside me.
Tobias: And… they’re okay with that?
Tempest: It doesn’t matter what they want! They’re just pieces of me!
Tobias: But-
Tempest: But nothing.
Tobias: The Hayze I know wouldn’t have thrown his life away like this!
Tempest: “The Hayze you know?” What?! You barely even interacted with him! He despised you for the way you treated Saige!
Tobias: Yes, and I apologize for that. My fight with Hayze made me see the error in my ways. I shouldn’t have acted as I did, and I’ve changed. I want to be a better hero, and I know Hayze would be happy to hear that… if he’s still in there, of course.
Inside the recesses of Tempest’s mind, Hayze hears a noise. He looks over his shoulder; there’s a window with a view of the world through Tempest’s eyes.
Tobias: *faint* Hayze! Break free! You have to! Hayze!
Hayze looks away indifferently.
Tempest: Hayze is gone, just like Gale will be. And once I absorb the victor of Impulse and Wrath’s battle, I’ll free everyone of this nightmare.
Tempest resumes moving towards Gale.
Tobias: (I just need a few more seconds! Even if I have to take a risk.)
Tobias tosses his cane sword at Tempest. He promptly turns around and blocks the attack.
Tempest: You’re really getting on my nerves, Tobias! You’re lucky I haven’t absorbed Wrath yet!
Tempest charges Tobias and knees him in the face, knocking him out cold.
Tempest: Finally…
Tempest approaches Gale.
Tempest: One step closer to completion.
Yul: *from afar* Fusion!
Tempest: Huh?
Tempest turns around only to be struck in the stomach by a toaster. He flies backward and tumbles against the ground.
Tempest: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!
Aster and Yul have arrived. Yul is standing beside a Toaster Trebuchet.
Yul: Toaster plus Spoon!
Tempest: WHAT?!
Aster looks around at Killian, Alec, Tobias, and Gale’s unconscious bodies.
Aster: It looks like there was a party here… why weren’t we invited?
Tempest: (I still have a chance at making this work.) Tobias turned against us! I don’t know why. I think he was a Vanguard double agent this whole time! That’s why I attacked him! You’ve gotta believe me!
Yul: Don’t even try it.
Tempest: Huh?
Aster: We heard the story from Impulse, and judging by your tri-colored eyes and “one step closer to completion” line, I’d say you’re not the real Hayze.
Tempest grinds his teeth.
Tempest: (They’ll stop me if I try absorbing Gale. So, I need to either defeat or distract them. Logically speaking, the latter option is more appealing. They’re close friends, so If I put one of them in a dangerous situation, the other is bound to help, even if it gives me an opening. Aster’s already lost Tyson today, and he’s more emotionally driven than Yul, so that makes Yul the perfect target.)
Tempest gets to his feet.
Tempest: Well, now, I have to take care of you two as well.
Aster: Take care of us? Come on, I know you’re not Hayze, but you must have his memories. He needed an entire team to bring me down.
Tempest: Oh… I remember.
Tempest forges Khaos’ executioner’s blade in one hand and creates Calm’s sea skates on the bottom of his shoes.
Tempest: So, it’s good that I AM A TEAM!
Tempest skates towards Aster and Yul with incredible speed.
Yul: Aster!
Aster: Right!
Yul reaches into a satchel he’s been carrying and pulls out a flashbang and a disco ball.
Yul: Fusion! Flashbang plus Disco Ball!
Yul tosses the fused item in the air; he and Aster leap to the ground and shield their eyes.
Tempest: What the-
The disco ball begins spinning in the air, generating a blinding light that covers the entire area.
Tempest: AHHHHHHHHHHH!
Tempest drops his sword and wanders, blinded and covering his burning eyes.
Tempest: FUUUUCK!
The disco ball hits the ground and shatters.
Aster: Nice work, Yul.
Yul: Yes, that should keep him incapacitated for a few minutes.
Tempest: CURSE YOU!
Tempest falls to his knees, writhing in pain.
Aster: Good, then let’s get Gale out of here.
Yul: What should we do with him?
Aster: I’m not sure, but a good first step is getting him as far away from whoever this is.
Yul: Right.
Aster: Take him to where Hayze’s team was stationed. None of the other personalities should be there. I’ll stay here and keep this guy at bay.
Yul: Roger.
Yul starts walking towards Gale.
Yul: Alright, Gale, let’s go.
Gale: Go where…
Aster and Yul are shocked as Gale starts to get up.
Gale: It’s gonna take more than that to keep me down…
Yul: You’re awake!
Aster: (Oh no…)
Gale stands up.
Gale: Yeah, I am! Now, where’s that-
Gale notices Tempest.
Gale: Jackpot!
Yul: What?!
Gale approaches Tempest.
Gale: I didn’t think it would be this easy.
Yul cuts Gale off.
Yul: Stop right there!
Gale: *frustrated grunt* Not this again!
Yul: Again… Wait a second… were you the one who defeated Alec and Killian?
Gale: Yeah, what about it?
Yul: Why?!
Gale: Because they did the same thing you’re doing right now! Getting in my way of becoming the strongest fighter the world has ever seen!
Yul: So you want to be absorbed?
Gale: No! I want to absorb him!
Tempest: It doesn’t matter who absorbs who! You’ll just end up a part of me!
Gale: No! You’ll end up a part of ME!
Everyone is quiet.
Tempest: Maybe I shouldn’t absorb this one.
Yul: Gale, we won’t let you throw your life away!
Gale: Too bad, I’m not, and I don’t care what you-
Suddenly, a toaster hits Gale upside down the head, sending him flying and tumbling against the ground. Aster laughs.
Aster: Boy, this thing is fun.
Yul: Aster? Why?
Aster: Look, he clearly won’t come with us willingly, so we’ll have to take him down before the other guy gets his sight back.
Yul: I understand, but can I propose a different idea?
Aster: Go ahead.
Yul: It would be wise for us to break him free of whatever spell is causing him to want to be absorbed. He may be unwilling to come with us now, but we might be able to change that.
Aster: I’m skeptical, but I trust you. You take the lead on this.
Yul: Right.
Exciton fires a barrage of crystals at Vanguard.
Exciton: Exciton Burst!
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard: Oh, Exciton, didn’t we learn from last time?
Vanguard teleports behind Exciton.
Vanguard: I guess it’s time to add another Top 10 Hero to my kill list.
Exciton: *frustrated grunt*
Exciton spins around and attempts to punch Vanguard, but Vanguard blocks, grips Exciton’s hand, and twists his wrist.
Exciton: AHHHHH!
Impact: Exciton!
Impact barrels toward Vanguard at extreme speed.
Vanguard: The World!
Suddenly, Vanguard disappears, and Impact collides with Exciton.
Impact and Exciton: AHH!
Exciton and Impact tumble against the ground together.
Vanguard: Maybe I was wrong about fighting multiple people at once. This is fun!
Septuple vines emerge from the ground beneath Vanguard.
Vanguard: Well, this is cute.
Evergreen: Frenzy Plant!
The vines slice towards Vanguard.
Vanguard: The Emperor!
The vines transform into balloons.
Evergreen: What!
Vanguard: The Magician!
Vanguard teleports behind Evergreen and grips her head with his hands.
Vanguard: Judgement!
Evergreen begins screaming in agonizing pain.
Vanguard: If you have evil in your heart, Judgement will send shockwaves throughout your entire body, depending on much you have. By the looks of it, Evergreen has quite a lot built up!
Lust places Zach’s unconscious body on the ground beside Gus and Jace. She somberly looks over Karma and Angel’s corpses.
Lust: These poor kids…
Zach starts to come to.
Zach: *groans* What the heck…
Lust: Zach, is it? Are you alright?
Zach: I- I- think so… but what happened? Where’s Khaos?
Impact and Exciton get to their feet.
Impact: Sorry about that, Ex.
Exciton: Don’t worry about it. We’ve gotta help Evergreen.
Vanguard tosses Evergreen aside.
Vanguard: Too late.
Exciton: *frustrated grunt*
Exciton reaches into his pocket and discretely pulls out a small metal device.
Exciton: /You distract him; I’ll plant it on his back./
Impact: /Right!/
Impact charges toward Vanguard.
Impact: It’s time for me to telepor-
Vanguard: The Empress!
Impact’s hair begins growing uncontrollably to the point where he trips over it and starts falling.
Impact: Ah crap…
Impact accelerates through the air at high speed and crashes into the bleachers with a monstrous thud.
Impact: *groans* Ow…
Vanguard turns around to admire his work.
Vanguard: Nice work, Impact!
Exciton runs up to Vanguard and slaps the metal device on his back. It activates and embeds into his skin.
Exciton: Gotcha!
Vanguard: Oh, now this is precious. What’s this going to do? Blow me up? Well, I’ve got two words, and they start with “G” and “R.”
Exciton: That right there is a prototype bomb created by Gundam. It’s the only one of its kind, and when it detonates, it will send endless scores of nanobots into your bloodstream. They’ll destroy every cell of your body until there’s nothing left!
Vanguard smiles.
Vanguard: And that’s supposed to defeat me?
Exciton: I’d love to see a guy standing with no cells.
Vanguard: And I’d love to see the look on your face when this doesn’t work.
Exciton: Too bad you won’t!
The bomb detonates and begins sending nanobots into Vanguard’s bloodstream.
Vanguard: AHHH, OH NO! Just kidding.
Exciton: Huh?
Vanguard: Death!
Vanguard blasts himself with a deathball disintegrating the entire upper half of his body, stunning Exciton.
Exciton: Wh- what…
Vanguard’s bottom half flops on the ground and begins regenerating.
Exciton: I… I…
Vanguard finishes regenerating and leaps to his feet.
Vanguard: So, where are those nanobots now? Oh, right, gone.
Exciton looks catatonic.
Vanguard: You actually thought that would work!
Vanguard kicks Exciton, shattering his shoulder.
Exciton: AHHHHH!
Exciton tumbles against the ground and writhes against the ground in pain.
Vanguard: How cute.
Zach watches in horror.
Zach: Those three… they’re supposed to be the strongest heroes there are… and he’s tossing them around like ragdolls…
Lust stands up.
Lust: Whatever you do, don’t leave this spot. Got that?
Zach: Y- you can’t seriously be thinking of going over there, right?!
Lust: I have to, Zach… I’m a hero.
Lust charges towards Vanguard. Zach is shaking like a leaf.
Zach: (I’ve never been this afraid in my entire life…)
In the distance, a pair of helicopters approach U.A.
Pilot: We’ll be arriving in t-minus five minutes, sir.
Vulcan: (Vanguard, it’s time to meet your maker.)
Gale gets to his feet.
Gale: DID I JUST GET HIT BY A FUCKING TOASTER?!
Aster: Alright, you’re up, Yul.
Yul: Right.
Yul steps forward.
Gale: Huh? Oh, so you’re ready to fight now?
Yul: Affirmative, but it would be best to change my choice of weapon.
Gale: Huh?
Yul pulls a double-barrel shotgun out of his satchel.
Gale: You had that and hit me with a toaster? FUCK YOU!
Yul retrieves Alec’s scythe from the ground.
Yul: Fusion! Scythe plus Shotgun!
The two items fuse into a shotgun with twin scythes sticking from the barrels and an attached chain mechanism.
Yul: Reaper’s Claw!
Gale: Aw man, that’s so cool…
Yul fires the gun, sending two scythes with chains flying toward Gale.
Gale: Whirlwind Wall!
Gale deflects the scythes with a powerful gust of wind.
Gale: Ha! Try stopping that!
Yul: Now, Aster!
Aster: On it!
Aster charges toward Yul and leaps off his back to jump high into the air.
Gale: Huh?
Aster catches one of the repelled scythes and tosses it at Gale.
Aster: Take this!
Gale: No chance!
Gale creates a Typhoon Boom and catches the scythe by the blade.
Gale: Reverse Revenge!
The scythe gets sent flying back to Aster and pierces his heart.
Aster: *pained grunt*
Aster’s body flops against the ground. Yul begins reeling in the scythes.
Gale: Alright, do your damn incantation!
Aster’s entire body becomes engulfed in blood-red flames. The flames then beam up and form into a Phoenix that screeches so loud it pierces the ears of all that can hear it.
Aster: Like a Phoenix, I rise from the ashes of my death better and brighter than I was before!
The fire forms into a human with wings coming out the back.
Aster: Phoenix Mode!
Gale: You’ve got your big gun, so you’d better use it!
Aster: With pleasure!
Aster flies toward Gale and ignites his shoulder.
Gale: *pained grunt*
Yul takes aim with his Reaper’s Claw.
Yul: We’ve got you now!
Yul fires. Gale ignores the pain of his flaming shoulder and begins channeling wind around his body.
Gale: I’m the best fighter you’ll ever see! Don’t ever say you’ve got me!
Gale’s eyes turn pure green. The air currents around him become visible and shoot out in all directions. Repelling Yul’s scythes and Aster.
Gale: GALE FORCE WINDS!
Gale glides through the air and punches Aster in the chest, knocking the phoenix to the ground but burning his own hand in the process.
Aster: AHHHH!
Gale then grabs Yul’s scythes, one in each hand, and pulls Yul towards him.
Gale: TORNADO TACKLE!
Gale glides toward Yul and punches him in the chest with extreme force.
Yul: *pained grunt*
Gale then flies back as his eyes return to normal, and his attack ends. All three of Gale, Aster, and Yul are left breathing heavily.
Gale: How did you like that?!
Aster and Yul both smile.
Gale: Huh?
Both get to their feet and shake off their pain.
Aster: We got you.
Gale: What! No, you didn’t!
Yul: Maybe not physically, but that was not our goal.
Gale: What are you on about?!
Aster: You were just prattling on about how you will be the strongest fighter once you absorb everyone, but during that last attack, you said…
“ Gale: I’m the best fighter you’ll ever see! Don’t ever say you’ve got me! “
Gale is taken aback.
Gale: Well, I-
Aster: Don’t say you’re only trying to get stronger by absorbing the others. Because that contradicts your previous statement.
Gale: I- Uh… I… Quit trying to mess with my head! I’m not falling for your tricks!
Yul: This isn’t a trick, Gale. You don’t want your existence to be erased, my friend. If you view yourself as the strongest fighter, merging with your brothers proves you’re insecure about that.
Gale clenches his fists.
Gale: I’m already the best there is! I just want more power for the sake of having it!
Aster: /Yul, I think we’ve planted the seeds, but we’ll need more sunlight./
Yul: /Don’t worry, I have an idea./ *full volume* That might be true, but are you satisfied with throwing away your chance to be your own person?
Gale: Huh?
Yul: You’ve only recently been given the opportunity to be your own man, and you’ve already decided to throw that away? How pathetic.
Gale: Nothing about me is pathetic!
Yul: Have you even considered everything you can experience now that you have your own life?
Gale: Hm?
Yul: What’s something that Hayze liked that you despised?
Gale thinks for a moment.
Gale: Well, his choice of girl. I can’t believe he’d choose that flat-
Aster ignites Gale’s other shoulder.
Gale: AHHHH!
Yul: Aster!
Aster: We all know what he was going to say. Although, I am glad he mentioned that…
Yul: Hm? Why?
Aster: He reminds me of Tyson.
Gale recovers from his burns.
Gale: ALRIGHT! THAT’S IT! YOU TWO-
Aster: Say, Gale?
Gale: Huh? What!
Aster: Would you say that you view yourself as a lady’s man?
Gale: Of course! What girl wouldn’t want a piece of someone as awesome as me!
Aster: Would you really want your brothers to cramp your style? Think of how much tail you could get without them. Too bad that it’s inevitable you’ll all be fused soon.
Gale stares at Aster.
Gale: I- No- I-
Gale’s eyes start to flicker.
Yul: Now, Aster! Knock some sense into him!
Aster flies into the air.
Aster: Let’s do this!
Aster careens towards the ground and smashes his fist into the cement, creating a bunch of debris. He then begins coating each rock in flames.
Aster: Phoexian Meteor Storm!
Aster begins rapidly punching and kicking the flaming cement pieces, sending them flying at Gale.
Gale: Huh?!
One of the flaming rocks strikes Gale in the head, and he falls to the ground.
Yul: Nice work, Aster!
Aster: Let’s just hope it worked.
Gale sits up, rubbing his head.
Gale: *groans* What the fuck?
Yul: Gale, is that you?
Gale’s eyes open. They aren’t glowing anymore.
Gale: Huh? Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? DON’T YOU DARE CALL ME HAYZE!
Aster: Nice!
Yul: He’s back!
Aster: Good, now you two need to get out of here before-
Tempest stands up.
Tempest: Before what?
Aster: *frustrated grunt*
Yul: Dammit! We weren’t fast enough!
Gale leaps to his feet and stands with Aster and Yul.
Gale: Oh, I remember now! You want to absorb me, right?
Tempest: I will absorb you, Gale!
Gale: Well, that’s not happening! I’m gonna take you down!
Aster: No, Gale, you need to get out of here!
Gale: And you think he’s just going to let that happen?
Yul: Gale’s right, Aster. We have to stun him again first.
Gale: Stun him? Fuck that; let’s take him down. Come on, the three of us together can handle him!
Aster thinks for a moment.
Aster: Alright, I’m down. Let’s get him, guys.
Gale: Now, that’s what I’m talking about!
Tempest: Are you serious? *sighs* Fine, I guess I’ll just have to do this again.
Gale cracks his knuckles.
Gale: The only way to reverse the fusion and get Hayze and Calm back is by defeating him. So, don’t hold anything back.
Yul: I didn’t think you were that fond of them, Gale.
Gale: That’s how you know we’re brothers.
Aster smiles.
Aster: Then let’s save them.
Gale and Yul: Right!
Tempest scoffs.
Tempest: Gale, you’re about to get the same treatment I gave Calm.
Gale: And you’re about to get annihilated by your best part!