12-year-old Fang walks through the school halls as children avoid looking at her while others stare at her with malice.
Child 1: *whispers* That’s the freaky new girl.
Child 2: *whispers* I heard she got kicked out of her last school for fighting.
Child 3: *whispers* So, she’s a delinquent? What a loser.
Fang’s eyes change to pure blue, and she begins crying.
Child 1: Ew! What happened to her eyes?
Child 2: And I thought her arm thing was creepy.
Child 3: Ugh, she just gets weirder by the second.
Fang reaches her classroom and takes her seat.
Fang: (My face of sorrow means I cannot hide my feelings. They can see that I’m genuinely hurt by their words and gazes. I wish I could control my quirk, but… an ability like this cannot be tamed so easily.)
Hayze, Wes, and Fang are ready to take on Justus and Silver.
Silver: Ready to see what we become?
Justus: Sure, but I’d rather fight as a team.
Silver: Me too, but we’ll have plenty of those opportunities in the real world.
Wes tugs on Hayze’s sleeve.
Wes: Hayze… with your tactics, I’m sure we’ll win. Just please, all I ask is you don’t use me as a meatshield or bait in your plan.
Hayze: Wes, I can’t promise anything.
Wes: I’ll take that…
Fang: Are you well known for your planning?
Wes looks at Fang.
Wes: You’ve never heard of this guy, have you?
Hayze bonks Wes on the head.
Hayze: And I’m sure you’ve never heard of China’s Top Student, have you?
Wes: N- no…
Fang: Oh, it’s alright. I didn’t mean-
Hayze: Don’t worry about it, Fang. Wes says the wrong thing a lot.
Wes: Yeah… I can’t argue that.
Hayze: I’m kind of a strategist by nature, so that’s what I’m known for in our class.
Fang: Ah, well, the same goes for me.
Hayze: Oh, really? Well, in that case, I’ll follow your lead.
Fang: That’s not necessary. You can-
Hayze: Silver and Justus have seen me fight plenty of times. Perhaps it’ll be better if we have someone else develop the plan.
Wes: Hayze, I’m scared.
Hayze: You always are.
Wes: *sighs* I hate that you’re not wrong.
Fang smiles.
Fang: Alright, I’m ready to go then.
Yul approaches Silver and Justus.
Yul: Ready?
Silver and Justus: Mhm.
Yul: Then, let’s begin.
Yul places his hand on each of their shoulders.
Yul: Fuse!
Silver and Justus merge into a single person. He has Justus’ hair with a mixed color, Silver’s eyes and head shape, Justus’ nose, and a blend of their clothes, but his entire body is made of silver. When he speaks, his voice is an overlap of Justus’ and Silver’s.
Silvus: Hello, opponents. Prepare for defeat.
Fang and Hayze glance at each other and nod.
Yul: Ready, everyone? Begin!
Silvus points his palm at Hayze, Wes, and Fang.
Silvus: Silver Bullets!
Silvus fires a barrage of silver bullets. Hayze creates a shadow kunai.
Hayze: Shadow Scratch!
Silvus: I’ll never let you use that against me!
Silvus leaps back to avoid Hayze’s attack.
Hayze: I’m not using it on you!
Silvus: Huh?
Hayze throws his kunai at Wes’ shadow.
Wes: Wh- huh?!
Hayze: Mirror Defense!
Hayze forces Wes into firing his grappling hook into a light post to swing in front of Silvus’ attack. He transforms Wes' body into a mirror.
Silvus: What the?!
The bullets reflect off Wes and blast Silvus with double the force.
Silvus: *grunts*
Wes lands safely on the ground.
Wes: HAYZE! What was that? I could have done that myself!
Hayze: Could have and would have are two very different concepts, Wes.
Wes: *sighs* Sadly, you’re right… At least you nailed him good.
Fang: I’m not so sure of that.
Silvus brushes off his shoulder, barely injured.
Wes: Oh, shit…
Hayze: Silver’s armor plus Justus’ durability makes this fused warrior impervious to most attacks.
Wes: And that one was doubled…
Silvus: You won’t defeat me with your weak quirks, so don’t even make an attempt.
Hayze: (Justus and Silver have both gotten their arrogance in check, but together… they’re a little too confident.)
Fang steps forward and grows her extra set of arms.
Fang: My quirk is many things, but “weak” is not one of them.
Wes: Uh… Fang, I don’t think punching him is a good idea.
Hayze: *whispers* Follow her lead, Wes.
Wes: If you say so.
Silvus smiles.
Silvus: If you think you can take on the combination of Justus and Silver, the sons of the former top two heroes, then bring it.
Fang: Watch me.
Silvus: (She’s probably going to use her face of rage, but if she believes that will be enough power to break through my defense, she’s wrong.)
Fang covers her face with her forearms.
Fang: Asura Form: Face of Joy!
Fang’s face becomes stuck on a smile, and her eyes turn completely yellow.
Fang: *laughs* It brings me great joy to annihilate you!
Fang withdraws four swords from the sheaths on her back.
Fang: Feast your eyes on my four-sword style!
Fang’s blades ignite with flames.
Silvus: What the?!
Fang: *laughs hysterically* Fire swords! Courtesy of Hong Kong Hero Institute’s Engineering Team!
Silvus grinds his teeth.
Silvus: (Fire attacks! My one weakness! It’s alright, I’ll just-)
Hayze: Shadow Paralysis: Chain of Pain!
Silvus: Huh?!
Hayze’s shadow extends through Fang’s and attaches to Silvus’
Hayze: Nice distraction, Fang!
Fang: *laughs* Thanks!
Silvus: Are you kidding me? That’s all that was?!
Hayze: No, those swords are still burning.
Fang charges at Silvus.
Fang: Now enjoy! Four Flames of Fury!
Fang slices Silvus repeatedly with her swords, severely burning him on his torso.
Silvus: AHHHHH!
Fang’s face returns to normal. Silvus is sent flying through the air before crashing into a car.
Lilith: She’s so powerful!
Alexis: What a combo!
Aaron: Those two are in sync.
Ozzie: Yeah, Fang knew Hayze could paralyze his opponents, so she made her attack into a spectacle to distract Silvus. That way, she could make him say G’day to her swords without him dodging; wise move.
Hayze and Fang high-five.
Hayze: I like the alliteration.
Fang: I like your quirk.
Hayze: You figured out how to work with it fast. That reminds me of someone.
Fang: Who?
Hayze: That’s not important.
Wes: If you two are done patting each other on the back, Silvus is getting back up!
Silvus has gotten to his feet as his chest smolders from Fang’s attack.
Silvus: I won’t be taken down so easily…
Hayze: We weren’t expecting you to.
Silvus: I must say, I underestimated you, Fang. But make no mistake: that won’t happen again!
Fang: (I’ve heard that before.)
A flashback begins. 17-year-old Fang is in a female hero’s office as they look through Fang’s file.
Imperia: High grades, impeccable skills, recommendation by your teacher. It’s evident why you weren’t offered an internship by a top hero and are here instead.
Fang: Yes, I could have performed better in my field tests, but I assure you, I-
Imperia: That’s cute, but we both know your gender is to blame.
Fang goes quiet.
Imperia: That’s why the rest of China won’t take you. You’re restricted to Hong Kong, but the hero work here is not strong enough for your talents.
Fang: Not to speak out of turn, but what’s your point in bringing this up, sir?
Imperia: I want to help you.
Fang: What?
Imperia: I grew up in Hong Kong as well; I know how Mainland China looks down on us and our system of heroes. They’re only willing to accept the elite of the elites, and unfortunately for you and me, they’re only men.
Fang: Yes, unfortunately…
Imperia: I’ll take you under my wing as an intern, but that will only be your title. You will be my proverbial sidekick.
Fang is shocked.
Fang: R- really?
Imperia: Yes, but this is not allowed under Hong Kong law, so I will need to fight for you.
Fang: Y- you don’t have to stick your neck out for me!
Imperia: Yes, I do.
Fang: Huh?
Imperia: If we want to make a difference and teach the rest of China to stop underestimating female heroes from Hong Kong… we need to show them how powerful women like you are. Fang, I don’t deserve to be your mentor, but I’m the best you can get.
Imperia offers Fang her hand.
Imperia: Join me… please.
Fang immediately shakes Imperia’s hand.
Fang: Of course.
Imperia: Good, then it’s time for your first lesson.
Imperia takes a sword hanging from her wall and tosses it to Fang.
Fang: Hm?
Imperia: If you’ve got four hands, we should take advantage of them.
Fang smiles.
Fang: Right!
The flashback ends.
Fang: (I come from a place where being a hero isn’t simple. There are roadblocks that no other area in the world can compare to. However, I’ve learned to overcome the deficits I’ve faced from being born in Hong Kong so I can overcome any battle in America.)
Silvus takes a deep breath.
Silvus: Alright, no more kid gloves. It’s time for me to go all out!
Fang: You weren’t doing that already?
Wes: Ha!
Silvus: Wes is first.
Wes: WHAT?!
Suddenly, spikes emerge from every spot on Silvus’ body.
Hayze: Oh boy.
Silvus: Silver Spike Storm!
Silvus’ spikes fire off like needles in every direction. Their velocity is so fast that none of Hayze, Fang, or Wes can react in time.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Hayze, Fang, and Wes: AHHHH!
All three fall to their knees as Silvus charges them down.
Wes: Don’t worry, guys! I’ve got this!
Wes fires his grappling hook and swings into the air. He transforms his body into a mirror.
Wes: Ha! Now you can’t hit me! You’re going down!
Wes careens toward Silvus.
Wes: Hi-yah!
Wes attempts to kick Silvus in the head, but his silver skin shatters Wes' fibula.
Wes: AHHHHHHHHHH!
Wes crashes to the ground, shattering the mirrors on his back.
Wes: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Silvus stares at him dumbfounded.
Silvus: You know that was like kicking a brick wall, right?
Wes: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Aaron: *from afar* WOOHOO!
Suddenly, a shadow crossbow bolt bounces off Wes and pierces Silvus’ left pec.
Silvus: *pained grunt*
Hayze: Nice work, Wes!
Wes: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Hayze aims at Wes again and fires another bolt, but Silvus dodges.
Hayze: *grunts*
Fang: Hayze, your shadow arrow… it broke through his skin.
Hayze: Yeah, it did, but it was boosted by Wes' power.
Fang: I know, but perhaps if we weaken Silvus… the same effect can occur.
Hayze: I’m listening.
Silvus cracks his neck.
Silvus: (I’ve been relying too heavily on my Silver half. It’s time to utilize Justus’ talents as well, but first…)
Silvus becomes invisible as Wes recovers from his pain.
Wes: Uh… guys… where did he go?
Suddenly, Wes' mirror chest shatters.
Wes: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Wes' screams catch Hayze and Fang’s attention.
Hayze: He’s using Ferrokinetic invisibility!
Fang: What?
Hayze: It’s a long story, but he can basically turn invisible.
Fang: Okay, so we need to prepare ourselves for his attack.
Hayze and Fang stand back to back. Hayze readies his crossbow.
Fang: *whispers* You’ve got the plan down?
Hayze: *whispers* Yup, you can count on me.
A barrage of needles appears from nowhere and slices into Hayze’s upper chest.
Fang: Funny, Silvus. I thought you said you were done underestimating me.
Hayze: I think he’s just overestimating me.
Fang: Both can be true.
Hayze: *nasal grunt*
Aaron is still laughing about Wes.
Zach: It’s not THAT funny, Aaron.
Aaron: How!?
Ash: You should pay more attention to the rest of the match.
Lilith: Yeah, it’s exciting!
Alexis: (Hayze and Fang are working together as though they’ve known each other for years. I wonder if their quirk’s similarity is giving them that edge or if it’s something else.)
Silvus is standing perfectly still to maintain his stealth.
Silvus: (Hayze could have dodged that by using Shadow Sneak… they’re up to something. But with Hayze as my opponent… I can’t play things slow. Anytime he’s been given a chance to recover… it’s spelled doom for his adversary. So I have to strike!)
Silvus forms claws from his knuckles, appears, and stabs Hayze in the stomach.
Hayze: AHHH!
Hayze drops his crossbow and falls to his knees as Silvus rips his claws from Hayze’s chest.
Zach: Hey! That’s my move!
Aaron: Yeah, and it’s generic.
Zach: It’s still mine!
Fang whips around and punches Silvus repeatedly.
Silvus: Didn’t you learn from Wes' pathetic display?
Fang’s fists are unharmed.
Eve: Looks like she’s stronger than Wes.
Aaron: Who isn’t?
Fang grabs Hayze with one arm and leaps back.
Fang: I wasn’t trying to injure you. I wanted to keep my teammate safe.
Silvus: Admirable, but another fire sword attack would have been much more intelligent.
Fang: I didn’t ask for your advice.
Silvus smiles.
Silvus: Well, let me show you why it matters!
Silvus charges Fang.
Silvus: Take this! Silver Hammer of Justice!
Fang attempts to defend with her arms, but Silvus weaves through them and punches Fang in the gut.
Fang: AHHH!
Fang is sent flying as blood spews from her mouth.
Silvus: My monstrous strength is not to be trifled with!
Fang writhes in pain on the ground.
Fang: Well… that’ll leave some internal bleeding.
Fang coughs up blood.
Fang: *grunts*
A flashback begins. Imperia and Fang are standing atop a Hong Kong skyscraper, staring at a massive protest. The streets are filled with waves of people.
Fang: Do… Do we have to?
Imperia: Yes, we are heroes of China, so we must do our job.
Fang: But I agree with the protestors…
Imperia: Me too… but we must protect the peace and serve our country. We have our orders, and we must follow them.
Fang: I refuse.
Imperia places her hand on Fang’s shoulder.
Imperia: Don’t throw away your career, not over this.
Fang: But this isn’t right! These people are fighting for their freedom! They didn’t ask to be a part of China again!
Imperia: No, they did not, but this isn’t the way to solve things, Fang.
Fang: What?
Imperia: This is just a battle, and victory is not achieved by walking away. The fight for liberty is not easy, and it’s certainly not pretty. But if you leave now, you will never win.
Fang: Wh- what do you mean?
Imperia: Our final goal is freedom for Hong Kong, not to protect these protestors. We wish we could have both, but we cannot ignore our dreams.
Fang: Do you really believe one hero can make a difference?
Imperia: That does not matter. The only question that matters is… do you?
Fang goes quiet.
Imperia: I’ll be below.
Imperia exits the rooftop.
Fang: (I didn’t become a hero so I could help the oppressive ways of China… but what choice do I have? Can one hero really be the difference? If I walk away… will anything change? But if I stay… I will have to fight my own people.)
Fang looks down at the swarms of protestors as they’re violently confronted by the China Police Force and heroes.
Fang: (What does being a hero mean to me? What’s my final goal?)
Fang clenches her fist.
Fang: (All I know is I want to stay a hero… so I have to go down there and help control the protestors. Even if I don’t like it.)
Fang goes to leave the roof.
Fang: (I hope someday… I can experience what it’s like to be a hero where my country doesn’t look down upon me.)
The flashback ends. Silvus turns his attention to Hayze.
Silvus: Once I get rid of you, the dominos will fall!
Silvus punches Hayze in the chest, cracking multiple of his ribs.
Hayze: *pained grunts*
Silvus: Don’t even try to fake me out and use your shadow paralysis. I’m prepared to stop that feeble attempt.
Hayze: Oh… I’m not faking, but I’ll still try!
Hayze’s shadow extends toward Silvus’.
Silvus: Not happening!
Silvus leaps back and fires a barrage of silver bullets at Hayze, knocking him down motionless and ending his attack.
Silvus: (He might be down, but I need to be sure, or else-)
Fang: Face of Sorrow!
Fang’s eyes water and turn pure blue.
Fang: Woe is me… it brings me much pain to attack you.
Silvus: (What does this Asura Form do?)
Fang starts dancing strangely.
Silvus: Huh?
Fang: Face my sorrow! Disarming Dance!
Silvus feels a strange pulsation throughout his body.
Silvus: W- what is this?
Fang: My disarming dance causes everyone within a 30-meter radius to weaken… oh… how sad…
Silvus: Weaken? What do you-
Silvus can feel his metallic skin softening.
Silvus: What the hell?!
Fang: You’re no match for my power… surrender now and spare yourself the depression of defeat…
Silvus: Never!
Silvus charges toward Fang.
Silvus: All I have to do is knock you down, and my power will return to normal!
Fang: That’s an unfortunate theory… too bad you won’t be able to test it.
Silvus: Huh?
Suddenly, a shadow bolt pierces Silvus’ back and bursts through his chest.
Silvus: AHHHHHHHHH!
Silvus keels over.
Silvus: H- how… he couldn’t have gotten to his crossbow in his state…
Fang reverts to normal.
Fang: He didn’t.
Silvus: Huh?
Silvus looks over his shoulder and sees Hayze fired his shadow crossbow using a shadow hand.
Silvus: Clever…
Silvus passes out.
Yul: Team A wins!
Everyone in the stands (besides Lara) gives a round of applause.
Ash: Great match!
Eve: That Fang girl is tough!
Gus: And freaky…
Fang looks at her classmates.
Fang: (So, this is what cheering feels like…)
A flashback begins. Fang enters Imperia’s office.
Fang: You wanted to see me, ma’am?
Imperia: Yes… take a seat.
Fang sits down across from Imperia as she’s handed a folder.
Fang: What’s this?
Imperia: A parting gift.
Fang: P- parting! What do you-
Imperia: Just open it.
Fang opens the folder; there are plane tickets from China to Nashville.
Fang: Wh- what’s this?
Imperia: I have to confess to a misdeed… I forged your paperwork and applied for U.A. in America.
Fang: Wh- huh!
Imperia: The most famous hero institute in the United States is accepting international students for next year, and you were chosen to be one of them.
Fang: I- I was?
Imperia: You’re the best hero prospect China has to offer. Of course, they did.
Fang stares at the tickets.
Fang: Why… Why should I go to America? What’s there for me?
Imperia: When we met two years ago, I said I wanted to show the rest of this country that female heroes aren’t to be underestimated. This is our chance to do it. You’ll be the first Chinese student to graduate there, and you’ll be able to learn many lessons and bring them back here.
Fang: But… I want to graduate in Hong Kong. I want to prove to the Mainland that our heroes are just as good as theirs!
Imperia stands up, walks to Fang, and places her hand on her shoulder.
Imperia: Unfortunately, that won’t happen if you stay here.
Fang: Huh? Why?
Imperia: Because you need to be more than just a great hero. You need to be the best hero.
Fang: I- I do?
Imperia: Remember that final goal we talked about? Mine is to see Hong Kong and China united as one, not at each other’s throats. To do that, we need a symbol. Someone who everyone can look up to and be inspired by. A person whose words carry more weight than our national leaders. I believe if you go to America and rise up their hero ranks… you can be that person, Fang.
Fang: Y- you do?
Imperia: Of course, I’ve always believed in you, Fang. But I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want to. If you disagree with me… you can back out of traveling to America.
Fang stares at Imperia.
Fang: (My whole life… I was bullied and looked down upon for my strange abilities… and gender. I dreamed of being a hero like my parents were, but I never had a goal. I want to be a role model for every little girl who looks weird or different from everyone else. Just because we’re from Hong Kong doesn’t mean we’re worth less than anyone else. We didn’t choose to be born into this strange situation and a culture that treats one gender as inferior. I want to break the mold and end this cycle of pain. If I can be the symbol that unifies our country and ends the stigma towards women heroes… I will put every ounce of effort in my body into becoming just that! I was born with all of this talent, and it’s time for me to put it to good use.) I’ll go.
Imperia: You will!
Fang: Yes, and I will make the most of my time in America.
Imperia: Woohoo!
The flashback ends with Imperia and Fang hugging.
Fang: (No challenge will stop me.)
Fang approaches Hayze as he’s placed on a stretcher.
Fang: Good work, teammate.
Hayze smiles and coughs up blood.
Hayze: I should be saying that to you… it was your great plan that won us the match.
Fang: I couldn’t have done it without you.
Wes: What about me…
Fang: You helped too, Wes!
Wes: *groans*
Silvus, Fang, Wes, and Hayze exit the arena for Recovery Girl’s office.
Yul: Alright, let’s move on to our final group!
Blair is examined by Recovery Girl.
Recovery Girl: You’re all set, Blair. You healed well.
Blair: It helped that only half of the injuries were mine.
Recovery Girl: That’s true. Sorry to rush you out, but another set of patients is arriving soon.
Blair: Oh, don’t worry. I understand.
Blair exits Recovery Girl’s office.
Blair: Alright, Saige, how are you gonna harass me now-
Blair turns to see her Father, Blast, and not Saige.
Blair: Wh- D- Dad?
Blast: Hello, sweety. It’s been a while.
Blair grinds her teeth.
Blair: I’m used to you being gone for long periods of time! What I’m not used to is you turning up out of the blue as MY PRINCIPAL!
Blast: Let’s not do this here. Come to my office.
Blair: *sighs* Fine…
Blast and Blair head to Ewing’s former office and take their seats.
Blast: I understand why you’re upset, and I apologize. But with everything you’ve gone through in two years here, I couldn’t stand idly by anymore, especially with Aster gone.
Blair: So, you’re here to protect me? I can take care of myself, Dad!
Blast: I’m aware, but that doesn’t mean I won’t worry. I also want to protect all of the students at this school, not just you.
Blair: Sure…
Blast: I don’t care if you don’t believe me. It’s the truth, and have the utmost faith in your abilities, Blair. I was offered the job because the Hero Association felt I was most suited for it. I couldn’t let my relationship with you complicate an obvious choice.
Awkward silence.
Blast: I met your son.
Blair’s face turns red.
Blair: M- Mom told you the whole story, right?
Blast: Of course, I was curious how I had a 16-year-old grandson when my daughter is only 19 herself.
Blair: Good, then we’re on the same page.
Blast: Do you love him?
Blair: Blaze? Of course, he’s my son! Even if he’s from another timeline, he’s-
Blast: Not him, his father.
Blair gets quiet.
Blair: Yes, I love Hayze.
Blast and Blair stare at each other.
Blast: Good.
Blair: Is- is that it?
Blast: Blair, you’re an adult and can make your own choices. So, I’ll give you one. Do you want to hear my opinion or not?
Blair hesitates.
Blair: Yeah… I do…
Blast takes a deep breath.
Blast: I’m going to give you my advice, Blair. You have every right to ignore it, and I will not get angry or blame you if you do… You should break up with him.
Blair: No.
Blast: Will you hear me out on why?
Blair looks away.
Blair: *sighs* Only because you’re my dad.
Blast: Do you want to live in his shadow?
Blair: W- what?
Blast: Hayze. He’s bound to become a Top 5 hero upon graduation. Hell, he’s one of the most well-known heroes, and he’s still a student. Do you want to spend your entire career as “Hayze’s girlfriend?”
Blair stares at her father.
Blast: I think Hayze is a great man, and I would be proud to call him my son-in-law someday. However, I want what’s best for you. You dream of becoming the top female hero, ultimately, correct?
Blair: Y- yeah…
Blast: How are you supposed to do that when you’re shackled to your boyfriend as his inferior?
Blair: I…
Blast: Think about your dream, Blair. If you don’t break away from him now… you may never achieve it. And even if you do, will it be the same when most of the people cheering for you don’t know your name?
Blair grows quiet.
Blair: What if Hayze is my dream? What if a life with him is more important to me than my career?
Blast: Then, I’d support you and condone any decision you make. But, if you ever wonder what could have been. Don’t cry to me.
Blair: We love each other, Dad…
Blast: Just because two people love each other doesn’t mean they’re meant to be together.
Silence.
Blair: I couldn’t betray him like that…
Blast: You wouldn’t be betraying him. You’d be doing what’s best for yourself and potentially for him.
Blair: Wh- what do you mean by that?
Blast: When I was given the keys to this school, so to speak. I was informed of “Tempest.”
Blair: Yeah… and?
Blast: Tempest was an unstoppable warrior, stronger than even Vanguard himself. But he was incredibly unstable, and his formation meant the death of Hayze and all of his counterparts.
Blair: Mhm…
Blast: Tempest’s creation was brought on by Hayze’s extreme anxiety about losing his friends, correct?
Blair: Yes, but Hayze’s gotten over that. He’s accepted that his friends may die, and he can’t freak out… for everyone’s sake. Tempest isn’t a problem anymore!
Blast goes quiet for a few moments.
Blast: What do you think would happen if Hayze lost someone he loves?
Blair’s eyes widen.
Blair: I- I- I…
Blast stands up and looks out his office window.
Blast: Again, Blair. I’m only giving you my advice. I will support whatever decision you make, but I believe breaking up for Hayze is best… for both of you.
Blair is in stunned silence.
Blast: I know it’s a cliche, but…
Blast walks over to Blair and rubs her shoulder.
Blast: If you love something… set it free…
Blair: No… You make a good point, Dad, but… I won’t run from this problem.
Blast: *nasal grunt* If you say so. I’m just worried.
Blair: I know… I am, too.