Aaron fires a Howitzer Burst, annihilating a quartet of Clones.
Aaron: Booyah!
A Clone lunges toward Aaron from behind.
Clone: DIE!
Aaron: Huh?!
Big Tank: Death Cannon!
Big Tank blasts the Clone with his forearm cannons, burning two massive holes through its chest and killing it.
Aaron: Thanks…
Big Tank: Don’t get overzealous, Howitzer! It doesn’t matter how high your kill count is if you’re a part of theirs.
Aaron: Right, sir, sorry.
Big Tank: Don’t apologize! Just fight!
Wrath melts a clone with Helix Hellfire as Sydney drowns a group of Clones inside Water Prisons.
Wrath: Pfft, you’re too slow. Kill ‘em faster!
Sydney: I like to make my prey suffer. Besides, it doesn’t matter how long they live if they’re immobilized.
Wrath: Whatever you say-
Sydney: Look out!
A Clone grabs Wrath by the neck.
Wrath: *choking*
Sydney: Let him go!
Sydney attempts to create a Tsunami Cannon but can feel her Water Prisons weakening.
Sydney: (If I kill that one, I’ll free the others!)
Bruno puts the Clone holding Wrath in a full nelson, freeing Wrath.
Bruno: I’ve got you, Wrath!
Bruno lifts the Clone over his back, tossing it against the ground, cracking its skull, and killing it. Wrath catches his breath.
Bruno: You need to be more careful. These things will kill you without hesitation!
Wrath: Shut up! I know! *sighs* But thanks.
Lady Liberty smashes a Clone’s skull with her hammer as Houston decapitates one by booster-punching its neck.
Lady Liberty: If they were ready for us, they must have also prepared for the other teams.
Houston: Yes, but with our communications down, we have no way of knowing if anyone made it inside.
Blader: Zulu Team might be alone in there!
Big Tank blasts a group of Clones.
Big Tank: If that possibility exists, we must get a team in there.
Aaron: I volunteer, sir!
Big Tank: Lady Liberty, you’re heading inside. Take Howitzer, Lake Lass, Wrath, and Fight Me.
Lady Liberty: Fight you? What?
Big Tank: No, that’s her name.
Grace is getting pummeled by a trio of Clones.
Grace: YES! YES! YES!
Grace absolutely eviscerates the Clones with a single punch each.
Grace: FIGHT ME!
Lady Liberty is dumbfounded.
Big Tank: Have her lead the way.
Lady Liberty: Follow Fight Me inside!
Aaron, Wrath, and Sydney: Right!
Grace: Aw… ish.
Grace leads Aaron, Lady Liberty, Sydney, and Wrath inside the facility, punching her way through the Clones exiting.
Big Tank: Be careful in there!
Grace: *from afar* NO!
Luke grinds his teeth.
Luke: What the fuck are you saying?
Hayze: You know exactly what I mean, Luke! I would never have started hanging out with you if I knew the truth!
Luke: You’re a liar, and you know it!
Hayze: *frustrated grunt*
Silver: Hayze, what was “the truth?”
Hayze hesitates.
Hayze: Whenever Luke saved the day, he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
The flashback of Luke saving a girl from hitting her head after her chair broke replays.
Hayze (Naratting): We all chopped it up to Luke being destined to be a hero. Almost like he had a sixth sense for danger.
Luke notices the student taking her seat. He raises his hand.
Teacher: Yes, Luke?
Luke: Teacher, may I go to the bathroom?
Luke stands up and starts walking to the exit. Conveniently placing him behind the girl.
Luke: *nasal grunt*
The girl’s chair breaks, and she starts to fall.
Girl: AHHHH!
Luke: I’ve got you!
Luke lunges toward the girl and catches her.
Luke: Are you okay?
Girl: Y- yeah!
Teacher: *breathes a sigh of relief* Good catch, Luke!
Hayze stares at Luke with a questioning expression.
Hayze (Naratting): It was like he knew that would happen… because he did.
At recess, Hayze and Luke meet at the swing set.
Hayze: Luke, can I ask you a question?
Luke: Hm, go ahead, Hayze!
Hayze: Did… you know Amanda’s chair was going to break?
Luke goes silent.
Hayze: I mean… the timing… It was almost perfect. It’s like-
Luke: Yeah, I did.
Hayze is shocked.
Hayze: Wh- huh?! How!
Luke: Remember during lunch when I told the teachers I cut my hand on my lunchbox's zipper and went to the nurse’s office?
Hayze: Y- yeah?
Luke: That’s when I did it… I broke her chair.
Hayze stares at Luke in shock.
Luke: So… are you gonna rat me out?
The flashback ends.
Luke: And you didn’t. Even after finding out my secret, you stayed loyal. So, tell me, Hayze, how do you explain that?! You claim you wouldn’t have stayed my friend had you known, but you did! You liar!
Hayze clenches his fist.
Hayze: I…
Silver: That’s a dumb question.
Hayze: Huh?
Luke: What?! Shut the hell up!
Silver: You’re asking a person who was mired by loneliness why they didn’t want to abandon their only “friend.” The answer is obvious.
Luke grinds his teeth.
Luke: JUST AS OBVIOUS AS YOUR DEATH AT MY HANDS!
Luke’s dragon heads begin charging.
Luke: DEATH TRIDENT!
Hayze: Silver!
Silver opens two canisters and uses the dust to absorb the energy blasts. Half of his dust is destroyed.
Silver: It seems I hit a nerve.
Luke: Change of plans! This one dies first!
Silver: Why? Because I wasn’t willing to listen to your pathetic sob story?
Luke: You don’t understand what I’ve been through to get to this moment, AND I WILL NOT LET YOU TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME!
Luke’s shoulders open, firing four metal ropes at Silver. Wrapping up his arms and legs.
Silver: *grunts*
Luke: Say goodbye! Doom Dicer!
The saw blade at the center of Luke’s chest begins spinning as Silver is pulled toward him.
Hayze: I’ve got you, Silver!
Hayze creates his executioner’s blade, but it immediately disintegrates.
Hayze: Huh?!
Luke: What, did you think that was a one-time thing?
Luke absorbs Hayze’s shadows.
Luke: I was built to kill you, Hayze… literally.
Hayze: *grunts*
Fang grows her second pair of arms and draws her four swords.
Fang: Don’t worry, I’ll save him!
Fang slices at the metal ropes, but nothing happens.
Fang: What?!
Luke: Ha! We planned for that!
Fang: What about this?
Fang ignites her swords, melting through the ropes and releasing Silver.
Luke: Well, no- Fuck you!
Ivy: Push!
Ivy uses her push force to send Luke flying off his motorcycle. He crashes against the roof’s edge.
Luke: *frustrated grunt*
Silver: Hayze, don’t worry about this guy. He may be able to absorb your attacks, but not ours.
Hayze: Thanks, but I should clean up my own mess.
Silver: Maybe, but that’s what friends are for.
Luke gets to his feet.
Luke: *under his breath* They seem to forget that I wanted them to follow me.
Silver creates his wrist blades.
Hayze: Silver, I know what you’re saying, but trust me, I’m the only one who can take him.
Silver: He caught me off-guard once. It won’t happen again.
Hayze: Silver, you don’t understand!
Fang: Hayze, I’m not following. We can’t let you face him alone if he counters your quirk.
Hayze: Luke and I were in the same boat when we met. We couldn’t rely on our quirks if we wanted to become heroes.
Silver’s eyes widen.
Silver: Wait… are you saying?
Hayze: Luke’s the one that taught me everything I know about strategy. Don’t let his angry demeanor fool you; he’s plotting something.
Silver: If that’s the case…
Silver unleashes his final four dust canisters.
Silver: We have no choice but to take him out right now.
Hayze: Silver! Don’t!
Silver's dust starts forming into a massive shuriken above him. The shuriken spins at a lightning-fast speed to the point where it looks like a flying disc.
Silver: Do you trust me, Hayze?
Hayze hesitates.
Hayze: Yeah, I do.
Silver: Then stand back and watch!
Silver launches his shuriken at Luke.
Silver: This is the end for you! Serrated Shuriken of Destruction!
The shuriken slices toward Luke.
Silver: Goodbye.
Luke chuckles.
Luke: You should have listened to Hayze, you fool!
Luke’s dragon heads open their mouths and begin sucking up the silver dust like a vacuum.
Fang: He can absorb more than just Hayze’s shadows!
Ivy: He was faking us out!
Luke snickers.
Luke: 3rd rule of strategy, always have an ace in the hole.
The serrated shuriken is fully absorbed. Luke laughs triumphantly.
Luke: Now I’ve crippled one of your best fighters! You don’t-
Suddenly, a large metal shuriken stabs into Luke’s mechanical chest.
Luke: *grunts*
Silver: 1st rule of strategy, the first move is always a fake.
Luke falls to his knees as sparks fly from his chest.
Luke: H- how? You used all of your silver!
Silver: I kept a small amount in reserve to form my Shadow Windmill. I knew you’d have something in your back pocket to avoid my ultimate attack, so I kept my own ace in the hole.
Fang: Nice work, Silver!
Hayze: (I guess this time I’m the one who underestimated him.)
Luke grinds his teeth.
Luke: If you think I will be taken down by such a simple attack… You’re dead wrong!
Silver: Hm?
Luke rips the Shadow Windmill shuriken from his chest.
Luke: Hyrdus, initiate, FABRAS.
Hayze and Silver: What?!
Two drones deploy from Luke’s back and begin 3D printing repairs to his damaged components.
Fang: He’s… healing?
Silver: That’s the same way Kevin repairs his exo-suit!
Hayze: That explains why they stole it!
Luke: That’s right! With the power of Gundum’s FABRAS System, I am the perfect killing machine!
Luke’s dragon heads begin charging energy bursts. Silver glances at Hayze.
Silver: Sorry, I guess I should have listened.
Hayze: Nobody could have predicted this, Silver. Don’t blame yourself.
Ivy: What do we do now without Silver’s dust shield?
Fang: One shot from those cannons will kill us instantly. And my Disarming Dance won’t work since his quirk is mechanical.
Lara: Don’t worry, I’ve got this.
Luke’s dragon cannons point to the sky and fire their laser blasts.
Luke: What the?!
Lara: I may be unable to shut down your systems, but I can still manipulate them.
Hayze: Nice work, Lara!
Luke clenches his fists.
Luke: (Dammit! I’ll never get to Hayze now! I need to fight him when she’s not around, and there’s only one way to ensure that.)
Luke grinds his teeth.
Luke: (Even if I hate the idea…)
Luke returns to his motorcycle and drives back inside the facility.
Hayze: Luke! Where do you think you’re going?!
Luke: Follow me and find out!
Luke exits down the rooftop stairs.
Ivy: What do we do?
Hayze: I’m not letting him get away.
Silver: Hayze, he’s obviously leading you into a trap!
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Hayze: Yeah, he is.
Silver: Then why?
Hayze doesn’t respond or look at Silver.
Silver: You didn’t finish the story. How did you “ruin” his life?
Hayze: I need to see this through to the end, guys. Don’t follow me if you don’t want to, but I have to do this.
Hayze chases after Luke.
Silver: I’m not letting him go alone, are you girls?
Fang: Nope, I’m coming too.
Ivy: Me too.
Lara: You need me to neutralize him, so I have no choice.
Silver: Alright, then let’s go!
Iota smiles as he watches the various groups of heroes traverse his facility.
Zaire: Everything is proceeding well.
Iota: It sure is, Zaire.
Zaire: Shall we begin to dismantle the rest of the groups?
Iota: Yes, but we should thin the herd before sending our troops in. I have faith in Jagger, Thor, and the others, but we shouldn’t give them too many opponents. Look at Luke, after all.
Zaire: Right, Wyatt, Signal, you know what to do.
Signal and Wyatt: Yessir.
Lionel leads Alexis, Eve, Ozzie, Justus, Ash, and Bubbleman down a facility hallway.
Lionel: Stay behind me. This place is treacherous.
Ash: Right, Lionel!
Alexis notices Ozzie’s searching gaze.
Alexis: Are you okay, Ozzie?
Ozzie: I’m alright, but this place sure isn’t.
Eve: You can say that again; it’s giving me the creeps.
Ozzie: Not that. How many blokes did you lot say were in this “Movement?”
Lionel: At a minimum, two hundred.
Ozzie: Well, for a place that’s sure to have a lot of foot traffic, I’m not seeing much sign of life.
Justus: Wait, what do you mean by that, Ozzie?
Ozzie: There aren’t any footprints or markings that someone’s been through here. Let alone a whole bunch of people.
Lionel stops.
Lionel: Are you saying what I think you’re saying?
Ozzie: Unless the Iota Movement are a bunch of clean freaks. I’d say we’re walking through an unused hallway.
Eve: But that doesn’t make any sense. This factory is enormous but not big enough that hundreds of people could avoid a single hallway.
Ozzie: They could if there’s more to this place than meets the eye.
Eve: Huh?
Alexis: I think he’s saying there could be a basement… and a big one at that.
Ozzie: A sublevel of sorts. We need to find an elevator.
Eve: An elevator? But where are we supposed to find one of those?
Bubbleman: I’ve got an idea!
Everyone looks at Bubbleman.
Eve: Let’s hear it, Bubbleguy.
Bubbleman: It’s BubbleMAN, Jesus!
Ozzie: There’s no time to waste on semantics, Bubblemate.
Bubbleman: THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY ON PURPOSE!
Lionel: Bubbleman! Speak!
Bubbleman: Elevators are usually placed at the center of the building. So, all we have to do is move there!
Ozzie: I like the logic, but this is a villain’s hideout. There aren’t any building codes he has to follow.
Lionel: I agree. There has to be a better way.
Bubbleman grinds his teeth.
Bubbleman: Lionel! What the hell, man?! These guys are just students, and I’m a full-fledged hero! Back me up!
Lionel: I’m not going to agree with you just for that.
Bubbleman: Oh, come on! Like, these kids are going to come up with a better plan!
Ozzie reaches into his backpack and pulls out a handheld seismometer.
Ozzie: This puppy will let us track vibrations in the ground. If there’s an elevator on the move, we’ll find it.
Alexis: Nice, Ozzie!
Lionel: Yes, I’m impressed, Mr. Mesozoic.
Bubbleman: WHY DO YOU EVEN HAVE THAT?!
Ozzie tips his hat.
Ozzie: An expert tracker always comes prepared. This device can help me find larger animals whose footsteps cause vibrations.
Bubbleman: *frustrated grunt*
Lionel: Lead the way, but stay close to me.
Ozzie: Understood.
The whole group follows Ozzie and Lionel, except Bubbleman.
Bubbleman: (I can’t believe, I, a bonafide C-Rank hero, is getting stepped over by some U.A. brats! THEY DON’T KNOW HARD BEING A HERO IS! I’M THE BEST CROSSING GUARD THEY’VE EVER SEEN!)
Bubbleman looks in the opposite direction.
Bubbleman: I’ll show them!
Bubbleman runs off. Ash notices this.
Ash: Bubbleman! Where are you going?!
Lionel: What the hell! Get back here!
Lionel chases after Bubbleman, and the rest of the group follows.
Bubbleman: Don’t worry! I’ll find that elevator!
Bubbleman turns a corner, and suddenly, a trap door opens in front of Bubbleman, and he falls in.
Bubbleman: Wh- AHHHHHH!
Lionel: Bubbleman!
Lionel turns the corner and falls in as well.
Lionel: AHHH!
Justus and Ash follow suit.
Justus and Ash: AHHHH!
Alexis and Eve turn the corner and start falling.
Alexis and Eve: Huh?!
Ozzie grabs them and pulls them up.
Ozzie: Are you two alright?
Alexis: Yeah… thanks, Oz.
Eve: I hate Iota!
Ozzie looks down the hole.
Ozzie: It looks like we found our way down.
The trap door closes.
Ozzie: Or not.
Alexis: Want me to blast it open? Or have Eve rip it open.
Eve: Hey, I’m not that strong…
Alexis: Sure you aren’t, gorilla arms.
Eve: WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!
Ozzie: No, if it were that easy, they wouldn’t have closed the door. I’m sure that’s a lot of metal separating us from that shaft. Best for us not to waste your paper.
Eve: So, we’re just going to leave them and move on?
Ozzie: Trust me, I don’t like it either, but this is what a commanding officer would tell us to do. We just have to hope those four are alright on their lonesome.
Alexis: Yeah… I hope so.
Bubbleman, Lionel, Justus, and Ash fall down the long, dark shaft.
Bubbleman: I’M SO SORRY!
Lionel: Now isn’t the time for an apology! We have to focus on survival!
Justus: I can’t see anything!
Ash: Should I use my astral form to scout below, Lionel?
Lionel: No, we need you alert in case of a rapid landing!
Bubbleman: Hey! I see something!
There’s a bright green light at the bottom of the shaft.
Bubbleman: Looks like we’re gonna be okay!
Bubbleman lands in the light; it’s an acid vat.
Bubbleman: AHHHHHHHHH!
Bubbleman melts to death.
Lionel: GRAB HOLD OF THE WALLS!
Lionel extends his razor-sharp claws and latches onto the wall, eventually grinding to a halt.
Lionel: Phew…
Justus punches the wall, embedding his fist and stopping his fall. He grabs Ash’s hand, saving her.
Ash: Thanks!
Justus: Don’t mention it. I won’t let anything happen to you on my watch.
Ash smiles.
Lionel: Are you two alright?!
Justus: We’re fine!
Ash: Poor Bubbleman…
Justus: There’s no time to mourn. We have to find a way out of this pit.
Lionel notices a grate about 20 meters above Justus and Ash.
Lionel: There! I see a ventilation shaft!
Justus: Why is that there?
Ash: Yeah, we were supposed to die.
Lionel: It looks large enough for us to fit inside, so it’s probably for maintenance. Start climbing!
Justus: Right!
Yul and Double Dude lead Gus, Daisuke, and Zach down a hallway.
Double Dude: I don’t like the looks of this.
Yul: Neither do I… it’s too quiet. Daisuke, have you had any visions?
Daisuke is in a trance.
Yul: Daisuke!
Daisuke: Hm? Sorry, none that would help us.
Double Dude: Well, that’s fun.
Yul’s ears perk up.
Yul: Everyone, be quiet.
The group becomes silent; they hear the faint sound of voices.
Double Dude: *whispers* I hear two, minimum.
Yul: *whispers* Me too.
They hide at the edge of the hallway as two Iota grunts pass.
I-Grunt #1: Did you hear Derek asked Shelby out?
I-Grunt #2: I did! Can you believe it? He finally grew some nuts.
I-Grunt #1: Yeah, but get this! I heard some of the girls talking; they’re gonna prank the shit out of him.
I-Grunt #2: Get out!
I-Grunt #1: I know, right!
I-Grunt #2: I can’t wait to see that!
I-Grunt #1: Me too! You’d have to kill me to keep me from-
Double Dude sneaks behind Iota Grunt 1 and snaps his neck.
I-Grunt #2: WOAH! WHAT THE FU-
Suddenly, a ghost appears from Double Dude’s body and restrains the second grunt, covering his mouth.
I-Grunt #2: *muffled*
Double Dude: Now, listen here; you have two choices: Listen to my every word or join your friend. You have five seconds to answer.
The ghost removes his hand from the grunt’s move.
I-Grunt #2: I’LL HELP YOU! I’LL HELP YOU!
Double Dude: Good man.
Yul approaches the grunt.
Yul: Don’t think we’ll play nice because we’re heroes. You work for the greatest terrorist on this Earth. So, we’re willing to get violent if we have to.
Yul reaches into his satchel and pulls out a dagger and a heat pack.
Yul: Now, tell me where the rest of your colleagues are, or I’ll-
Zach: Uh, Yul?
Yul: Yes, Zach?
Zach: I don’t think threats are necessary.
Gus: He already pissed himself.
Yul looks down at the grunt’s soaked pants.
Yul: Oh.
I-Grunt #2: Please don’t hurt me! I bruise easily!
Yul: Answer my question.
I-Grunt #2: They’re underground! That’s where most of the action happens around here!
Double Dude: Then why were you two up here?
I-Grunt #2: We were fixing a broken lightbulb! Jim didn’t deserve to die for that…
Yul: *sighs* Well, maybe next time, don’t work for a supervillain. How do we get underground?
I-Grunt #2: There’s a cargo elevator not far from here! I’ll lead you!
Yul: Alright, but tell me your quirk first.
I-Grunt #2: I already did!
Everyone stares at the grunt.
Yul: You… bruise easy?
I-Grunt #2: YES!
Yul: Why are you working for Iota?
I-Grunt #2: Why do you think we’re on lightbulb-changing duty?
Yul: Fair point.
Zach: Wait, then what was your buddy’s quirk?
I-Grunt #2: He had a fragile neck!
Silence.
Yul: Alright, Double Dude, lead the way with our prisoner.
Double Dude: Right.
Daisuke: Yul, before we continue, we should acknowledge the possibility we’re being led into a trap.
I-Grunt #2: I’m not leading you anywhere bad! PLEASE DON’T HURT ME!
Zach: Yeah, Dais, I don’t think he’s-
Daisuke gives Zach a stern look.
Zach: Actually, you might be right.
Yul: What do you propose then, Daisuke?
Daisuke: Two of us should stay behind briefly and then trail you. That way, if there’s a trap, we won’t all be snared.
Double Dude: I like the idea.
Yul: Okay, we can do that.
Daisuke: I’ll stay behind with Zach.
Zach: Yeah… sounds fun.
Yul: Alright, I’ll carve a marking in the wall occasionally. Stay here for 3 minutes, then start following our trail.
Zach and Daisuke nod.
Yul: Let’s go, Gus and Double Dude.
Gus: Alright, see you soon, guys!
Yul, Double Dude, the Iota Grunt, and Gus depart.
Zach: You had a vision, didn’t you? What did you see?
Daisuke: I saw you… diving into lava… with Iota.
Zach: That’s awesome!
Daisuke: Zach… if you go through with this, you’ll die… painfully.
Zach: Whatever I have to do to save the world… I’ll do it, just like Jake.
Daisuke: Alright.
Zach: But… Why did we need to separate from them?
Daisuke: This vision came to me in pieces. I saw your death, the two of us squaring off against Iota, and how we got downstairs.
Zach: How?
Daisuke taps on the wall, and an elevator opens.
Zach: Wh- Daisuke! That means the others are walking into a trap!
Daisuke: The vision only showed us two using this elevator; if we want it to happen as planned, we have to follow it to a tee. I know we’re putting them in danger, but Yul and Double Dude are more experienced than us. They can handle themselves and protect Gus.
Zach: Alright, I hope you’re right.
Daisuke: If you don’t like this, we can skip this vision and help them. We can wait for the next one.
Zach: No, let’s go.
Zach and Daisuke enter the elevator.
Zach: (Guys, don’t worry. Iota’s going down.)
Iota sighs.
Iota: I thought we put out a memo for everyone to stay in the sublevel.
Signal: It looks like those two were already on the upper level when we put out the announcement, Master.
Iota: *sighs* No matter.
Zaire: Do you want me to take care of those two, Master?
Iota: No, I have someone else in mind for them. But, it is about time we started putting up some more resistance. Dispatch Jagger, Mara, Thor, Amour, and the twins.
Zaire: Do you have particular opponents in mind for them?
Iota: I’ll leave it up to you.
Zaire: Understood.
Zaire exits the control room via a warp gate.
Iota: Vince.
Vince: Yes, Master?
Iota: It’s time.
Vince: Are you sure, sir? The battle has barely just begun.
Iota: Oh, I’m sure.
Vince: Understood. I’ll make the preparations.
Vince exits the control room.
Iota: Ah… it’s been too long since I stepped foot on a battlefield.
Iota eyes Daisuke and Zach on the monitors.
Iota: They’ll be a good warm-up.
Fearmonger disables a tripwire trap so Adrian, Wes, Killian, Tobias, and Alec can continue through the facility.
Fearmonger: These guys aren’t playing nice.
Adrian: Yeah, this is a lot of traps for a place people are supposedly living in.
Fearmonger: It makes you wonder if we’re missing something. I did find it interesting that Iota chose a building where we could find the schematics so easily.
Killian: What are you getting at, Fearmonger?
Fearmonger: There might be an underground section to this place.
Adrian: That seems like a fair assumption at this point. Iota obviously knows we’re here but hasn’t done anything about us.
Alec: Well, then, where do we go? I’m not seeing any stairs!
Tobias kneels down.
Wes: Uh… what’s he doing?
Killian: Listening, you dolt.
Alec: Yeah, Tobias’ hearing is better than any of us. He might be able to hear something.
Tobias listens closely.
Tobias: There’s an elevator nearby.
Adrian: How nearby?
Tobias points at the wall panel next to them. Killian taps on it, opening the elevator.
Fearmonger: Well, that’s convenient.
Adrian: Yeah, let’s-
Suddenly, a blast door falls. Separating Fearmonger and Adrian from the others.
Adrian: Woah! What the hell?!
Fearmonger: It looks like Iota didn’t like what we were doing.
Adrian: We’ve gotta get through this wall.
Fearmonger: Easier said than done. Even one of Big Tank’s Death Cannons couldn’t break through this. We’ll have to go around.
Adrian: Dammit! I just hope those kids don’t take that elevator without us!
Alec and Killian enter the elevator.
Alec: Well, that sucks, but let’s take this elevator without them.
Wes: Are you sure that’s a good idea, guys?
Killian: Pfft, wimp.
Wes: I’m not a wimp! Tobias, you’re smart. You aren’t joining them, are you?
Tobias is already in the elevator.
Tobias: Oh, look, the elevator buttons have braille translations.
Alec: Wow, who would have thought Iota was inclusive.
Killian: I know. It's strange for a supervillain.
Wes: What the fuck, guys?! We shouldn’t go down there alone!
Tobias: We have a job to do, Wes. We don’t know how long it will take Adrian and Fearmonger to return to us, so we have to make a decision.
Alec: And we might as well go with the more fun choice.
Wes: *sighs* I guess you guys are right.
Wes enters the elevator.
Tobias: Should we go to Sublevel 1 or the Mezzanine?
Killian: Whichever is lower.
Tobias: The button’s not working.
Alec: It looks like you need a room key to operate it.
Wes: What the fuck? This isn’t a hotel, guys!
Tobias: Should we go to the lobby and ask the front desk?
Killian: I say we just punch it until it works.
Alec: Yeah, but the staff might get pissed.
Wes: WHAT STAFF?
Tobias: Oh, never mind, it’s working. It looks like you don’t need a key to go to the spa.
Wes: WHAT?!
Aster, Gale, Blaze, Saige, and Blair are walking through the facility.
Saige: Look at us. We’re having a nice family walk.
Blair: You are not a part of my family.
Saige: Blaze, remind me again what you called me in the future?
Blaze: *sighs* Aunt Saige…
Saige: I’d say I qualify.
Blair: No! You don’t! That was only because Hayze and I were dead, and THIS ISN’T EVEN THE SAME TIMELINE!
As Blair and Saige bicker, Gale whispers to Aster.
Gale: Should we, uh… break that up?
Aster: Eh, it’s okay. Plus, I’d prefer not to talk about the gigantic entangling branch that is our family tree at this point.
Gale: Wait, so are we technically brother-in-laws?
Aster: Gale, I have no fucking idea.
Gale: Good, me neither.
Aster: All I know is I have a nephew from the future, and my sister is in love with a guy with four alternate personalities who are technically two years old.
Gale: Huh… neat.
The group reaches a fork in the road.
Blaze: Which way are you thinking, Aster?
Aster: Let's split up.
Blair: Are you sure that’s a good idea?
Aster: Not really, but moving in smaller groups is probably wiser. This place is littered with traps.
Blair: I guess, but how should we split up?
Aster and Gale are walking down the left hallway.
Blair: Wait, Aster! NO!
Saige grabs Blair’s wrist.
Saige: Come on, Blair-Blair! We’re going on an adventure!
Blair: *groans*
Saige, Blair, and Blaze head down the other hallway.
Blaze: (I should stay close to Mom… especially with “him” around.)
Iota enters Vince’s lab.
Iota: Are you ready?
Vince: Almost, Master. Take a seat.
Iota sits in a chair as Vince extracts a small fragment of the Iota, Sigma, and Omega rings.
Iota: You’re certain of the effects this procedure will have, correct?
Vince: Yes. From what we’ve observed. Hayze has gained permanent access to the Sigma Ring’s power, albeit a small portion. He can give life to his alternate selves, but their power is unchecked, and he has no control over them. My hypothesis is that by injecting the fragment of these three rings into your bloodstream, you’ll be given enhanced strength and slight telekinetic abilities. I can’t guarantee they’ll be easy to control, however.
Iota: That’s fine. I’m perfectly capable of learning to control newfound power. And what will the Sigma Ring give me?
Vince: I have no idea. Hayze is a unique case, so knowing what will happen is difficult. If you’d like, I’ll skip that one.
Iota: No… I want all the power possible.
Vince: Understood.
Vince crushes the three fragments into dust and pours the contents into a syringe filled with Iota’s blood.
Vince: Ready, Master?
Iota: Always.
Vince injects Iota with the syringe.
Iota: AHHHHHHH!
Iota's body emits a pink aura, then a red aura, and finally a blue one.
Iota: Ah… I’m ready.
Suddenly, white steam emits from Iota’s ears and fills the room.
Iota: Hm? What’s this?
Vince: I’m… not sure…
The steam thickens.
Iota: (What the hell?)
Iota sees visions of his life in the steam. He sees his younger self jumping for joy, watching Colossus, and then a flash of his time with Adrian, Walker, and Fatal.
Iota: Vince? Vince!
The steam clears the room.
Vince: Uh… yes, Master Iota?
Iota: Did… did you see anything in that steam?
Vince: No, sir… Did you?
Iota hesitates.
Iota: No, I didn’t.
Iota stands up.
Iota: It must have been a side effect of the procedure. It’s nothing to be concerned with. Besides…
Iota flexes his metal hands.
Iota: I’ve got more important matters to attend to.