Hayze and Fatal are training on a small mountain surrounded by a forest.
Hayze (Naratting): It’s been almost two months since I took my final crack at the H.A.E.
Hayze sprints up an incline, carrying a large rock. His eyes are red, and he’s drenched in sweat.
Hayze (Naratting): I passed with flying colors… finally. But there was no time to celebrate.
Hayze reaches the same plateau as Fatal and tosses her the large rock. Hayze is visibly more muscular than he was before.
Hayze (Naratting): That was merely the first hurdle. I still need to pass the entrance exam, which requires more than just a little fireball.
Fatal pats Hayze on the back as he catches his breath.
Fatal: 10 seconds.
Hayze: Got it.
Hayze takes a deep breath and stands up straight.
Hayze (Naratting): Ms. Fatal has rigorously trained me since we met. She’s taught me the fundamentals of energy control and guided me to create my first attacks. She’s helped me improve so much in such a short time, but there’s still a ways for me to go.
Fatal throws the rock in the air.
Fatal: (Let’s see how far he’s come!)
Hayze puts his hands together and creates a fireball between them.
Hayze (Naratting): If I want to pass the entrance exam… I need to be on more than my A-Game.
Hayze launches the fireball at the rock, incinerating it. Fatal smiles.
Fatal: Next!
Fatal rips a boulder from the ground and tosses it at Hayze. Hayze immediately forms three small orbs of fire between his fingers.
Hayze: Heat Grenades!
Hayze chucks the orbs at the boulder. They explode on impact, destroying it.
Fatal: Good work; when we started this training, you barely put a dent in these stones. Your hard work is paying off.
Hayze is breathing heavily as he sits down on the ground. His eyes revert to normal.
Fatal: (That was roughly 20 minutes again. Seven weeks ago, the transformation would last about 10 minutes. It’s an upgrade, but it’ll be difficult for him to keep up with his peers. Couple his time limit with a roughly half-hour cool-down to power up again, and he still has some significant hurdles to overcome. I won’t be only pessimistic, though. He’s come farther than I ever would have thought. He’s got a strong spirit.)
Fatal walks over to Hayze.
Fatal: With the entrance exam tomorrow, this will be my last time training you. You’ve come far, but now you have to take your destiny into your own hands.
Hayze: Well, thank you for all your help. I’m very grateful.
Fatal: Don’t mention it. I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you. So, it’s the least I could do.
Hayze: Do you think I’m ready?
Fatal: I don’t know, that’s up to you. The entrance exam isn’t built so that the strongest will pass. There are more elements to it. Gen.H Academy wants the best students and the most well-rounded class it can create. That being said, they won’t take any weaklings, and there was only so much I could do. You’re going to need to be smart during the exam. You’re not ready for sustained combat.
Hayze: I’ve tried my best to keep my trademark active for as long as possible, but my body hasn’t adapted to the power yet…
Fatal: With due time, remember to be good at something you have been bad at first.
Hayze: Yeah… I know. But… I’ve only got one shot at this exam. If I fail, I’ll have to give up on my dream, and this training will have been for nothing.
Fatal looks at Hayze with empathy.
Fatal: It took me years to master my Project H trademark. There’s only so much you can do with the time you have. You’ve been working hard; you’re as prepared as you possibly can be. Don’t get in your head and start thinking about what happens if you fail; instead, focus on how you will pass. Yes, you only get one shot, but if you let that weigh you down, you’ll never succeed.
Hayze: R- right.
Fatal pats Hayze on the back.
Fatal: I’ll cya around. I’ve got a meeting with my sister soon. Good luck tomorrow, Hayze. You’ve got this.
Hayze: Thank you, Ms. Fatal.
Fatal departs.
Hayze: (I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. She was there for me but didn’t hold my hand. All of my growth these last two months was on me.)
Hayze lies down on the ground.
Hayze: (Who would have thought I’d be here, one day away from the entrance exam that could put me into Gen.H Academy and one step closer to being a professional hero. When I got the letter saying I passed the H.A.E., it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, like I could finally spread my wings and start flying towards the destination I couldn’t reach. I refuse to go home empty-handed tomorrow; I will pass no matter what!)
Fatal walks down the halls of Gen.H Academy.
Fatal: (I still can’t believe she did it…)
A flashback begins. Fatal and Dr. Moore are inside the latter’s lab.
Fatal: What’s up, Kelsey? Why’d you say there was an emergency?
Moore: Well… I kind of… uh... um…
Dr. Moore twiddles her thumbs.
Fatal: You used the serum again.
Moore: I used the serum again…
Fatal: *deep breath* What the fuck?! Why would you do that?!
Fatal starts pacing frantically.
Moore: It was a spur of the moment! He wanted to be a hero and hit all the criteria I’d been looking for!
Fatal: Oh, so you were looking?! How can you be so irresponsible?!
Moore: I’m sorry, Rachel! I just did what I thought was right! I never planned on using the serum again, but he had a trademark that lowers the risk of injury, and-
Fatal: Wait, wait, wait! Hold up! He already had a trademark?! Why the hell does he deserve another one?!
Moore: You don’t understand the situation!
Fatal: He had a trademark! That’s the situation! Let me guess, it wasn’t good enough for him?! Well, tough shit, that’s the hand he got dealt. He shouldn’t get another one!
Moore: Oh, you want to talk about bad hands? You were powerless!
Fatal: That’s different!
Moore: How? You wanted to be a hero, but your physical limitations made that impossible. It’s the same exact thing!
Fatal: So, he has two trademarks; he’s a privileged idiot now, thanks to you! You called me here so I can train him like you wanted me to train your last experiment, right? You can’t just keep trying to throw these projects on me! Especially one who doesn’t deserve the power he was given!
Moore: Rachel, I’m not saying what I did was right, but can you trust me when I say this kid deserved the serum?!
Fatal: No! The serum was designed to give powerless individuals a trademark! He doesn’t fit that criteria!
Moore: It’s called “Project H: The Hero Serum.” It was created for you, but that doesn’t mean you’re the only one it should be used on! You wanted to be a hero but couldn’t, so I gave you a chance!
Fatal: Yeah! And I deserved that chance!
Moore: Don’t act like you were a little angel! I was 14 years old when you were born, and you were 4 when I went off to college. I barely saw you, but when Mom and Dad called me to tell me you were trademarkless, I was heartbroken. You’re my little sister, and being away was hard enough when you were so young. That’s when I dedicated my work to finding a way to give you a trademark, and in those 6 years, you went to elementary school and caused trouble every day! You didn’t understand what it meant to have a trademark; you just wanted one to be like everyone else. It wasn’t until after the experiment, hell, maybe even until you were in high school, that you realized what it meant to be a hero. This kid has failed the H.A.E. NINE TIMES, but he always passed the hero morals part of the test. Trust me when I say he better understands what it means to be a hero than you ever did when I gave you that power that you’re so proud of. I gave the serum to someone who deserves a chance because that’s what I want my work to be about.
Fatal is taken aback by Dr. Moore’s words.
Fatal: I... *sighs* How do you know for sure? It’s just a test, Kelsey.
Moore: I didn’t just pick him for that reason. I only wanted to meet him, but then I saw him in action. A man tried to rob the store we were in, and without hesitation, he put his life on the line to protect that shop, knowing he didn’t stand a chance in the fight. I could tell at that moment that he was special and could be great if he wasn't being held back by his own body. You’ll know what I mean if you meet him… Please, Rachel. He needs your help.
Fatal stares at Dr. Moore.
Fatal: Fine, I’ll meet him.
Moore: Thank you.
Fatal: But I hope you understand that regardless of how deserving this kid is… There are going to be consequences for your actions.
Moore: I’m well aware…
Fatal: *sighs*
The flashback ends.
Fatal: (You were right, and I was wrong, Kelsey. I just hope it won’t be all for naught.)
Fatal arrives at her sister’s lab and enters.
Fatal: Hey, sis.
Moore: Oh, hey, Rachel! How did today’s training session go?
Fatal: It went well; he’s improved a lot.
Moore: That’s good to hear, especially with tomorrow's entrance exams.
Fatal: Well, he still has a long way to go before he’s worth anything in a fight, but I didn’t tell him that.
Moore: That’s good. We need his confidence to be high.
Fatal: Yeah… We do.
Awkward silence.
Moore: So… We should talk about what comes next. Regardless of whether he is accepted into Gen.H… He’ll still have the new trademark.
Fatal: Yeah… I know. I assume you didn’t tell him about the side effects?
Moore: No… I couldn’t.
Fatal: Because you were afraid he’d back out?
Moore: Rachel, you’ve been around him long enough to know he wouldn’t have backed down.
Fatal: Well, then, why didn’t you tell him?
Dr. Moore is quiet for a moment.
Moore: I want him to at least enjoy having this new exciting trademark for a little while… Before his head gets turned upside down.
Fatal: Kelsey… If his theory about having multiple elements is true… Then you know what that means…
Moore: We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Fatal bites her tongue.
Fatal: Fine… I’ll trust your judgment.
Moore: You haven’t done that in a long time.
Fatal takes a deep breath.
Fatal: You were right about him… I’m sorry.
Dr. Moore is shocked.
Moore: Uh… I- It’s alright. I understood where you were coming from.
Fatal starts to leave.
Fatal: Also… Thank you for everything you’ve given me…
Fatal departs, leaving Moore in surprise.
Moore: (That was… unexpected.)
That night, Hayze sits in his backyard, staring at the stars.
Hayze: (“Gen.H Academy wants the best students and the most well-rounded class it can create.” I know I’m one of them.)
Hayze breathes in the night air.
Hayze: (It’s nice to relax and take a breather after spending the whole summer training for the exam. Ms. Fatal is right… I’ve done all I can to prepare. Dr. Moore believed in me; that’s why she gave me the serum. She knew I could make it into Gen.H with a better trademark, so all I have to do is be myself and do my best.)
Hayze lies down on the grass, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath.
Hayze: (All I need is to stay zen and get a good night’s sleep-)
Suddenly, Hayze starts struggling to breathe. His eyes dart open, revealing they’ve turned blue.
Hayze: (Wh- what the hell?!)
Hayze grabs his neck as he gasps for air.
Hayze: *choking* (Why can’t I breathe?!)
Hayze feels something strange on his neck.
Hayze: (What the hell is that?!)
Hayze stands up and staggers toward his house.
Hayze: *choking*
Hayze gets inside his house, tripping and falling onto the floor.
Hayze: (WHAT’S HAPPENING?!)
Hayze struggles to his feet and flounders to the bathroom, eventually seeing himself in the mirror.
Hayze: (Are those…)
Hayze has a set of gills on his neck.
Hayze: (Gills?!)
Hayze notices his blue eyes.
Hayze: (I was right! I do have multiple elements! And this must be…)
Hayze turns on the sink and puts his gills under the stream.
Hayze: *large gasp* Holy shit!
Hayze removes his head from the water and catches his breath.
Hayze: (I don’t need to keep them constantly submerged… I must be hydrated enough, but I don’t know how long that will last.)
Hayze tries to anger himself.
Hayze: (Huh? I can’t seem to switch to my fire form… Maybe that’s another limiter my body’s placed on my trademark to protect me, or perhaps I can’t quickly switch between the elements. Oh, well, I can figure that out later.)
Hayze closes his eyes and deactivates the trademark, breathing in the air.
Hayze: (How did that happen? What emotion was I…) *gasps* Tranquility! (Damn… I need to keep a lid on that one. That’d be an embarrassing way to flunk out of the entrance exam.)
Hayze exits the bathroom.
Hayze: (I also need to be careful with controlling my emotions from now on. I don’t want to accidentally activate another element. Especially if I’m stuck with whatever I end up with.)
The next day, Hayze approaches Gen.H Academy alongside hundreds of other applicants. Several lines lead to check-in desks with workers at computers.
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Hayze: (Gen.H only accepts 40 hero course students each year. 6 of those slots are reserved for specially selected students. So, in this crowd of hundreds of examinees… I’m fighting to be in the Top 34. My odds aren’t exactly good, but I need to conquer them. This is my dream, and I won’t let it die today.)
Hayze waits patiently in line to check in, eventually reaching the front.
Woman: Name, please.
Hayze: Ayden Hayze.
The woman types away on a computer.
Woman: Alright, you’re checked in. Here’s your badge.
The woman hands Hayze a small square device with a blank screen.
Hayze: What’s this for?
Woman: You’ll see soon.
Hayze: Okay…
Hayze enters the building with the other applicants and follows the crowd into a large auditorium.
Hayze: (Holy cow… This is insane!)
As everyone gets settled, Bradley Hunt walks onto the stage with a microphone, and a screen lowers behind him.
Hunt: Welcome all of you to Gen.H Academy’s Entrance Examination. We’re happy to have all of you here today, and as you can see, the crop of applicants we have this year is relatively high. To be exact, there are 469 of you here.
Applicant: *from afar* Nice.
Hunt: Get him out.
Applicant: *from afar* WHAT?!
The applicant is dragged out of the auditorium.
Applicant: *from afar* NOOOOOOO!
Hunt: *clears throat* 468… Based on that number, you probably understand our need for a preliminary test to “thin the herd.” Every up-and-coming hero’s dream is to attend Gen.H Academy, so of the thousands of applications we receive, we must only select the best candidates. That’s the purpose of the Hero Aptitude Exam. It’s designed so you can only fail if you raise a red flag. It doesn't matter whether that pertains to your physical condition, moral compass, or trademark. If you can’t pass all three tests, then you aren’t Gen.H Academy material. I’m telling you all of this so that you understand that passing the H.A.E. isn’t an accomplishment. All you’ve done so far is prove you have minimum qualifications. If you’re walking into this exam thinking you’re hot stuff, then I’ll happily prepare your letter of your failure right now.
The whole crowd gets tense.
Hayze: (Mr. Hunt has a knack for this stuff…)
Hunt: The training wheels are off now, kids. This test is the real deal, the moment you prove you deserve to be a Gen.H student. There are no lucky breaks or free passes. For all but 34 of you… Your dreams die here.
The room is dead silent.
Hunt: Now that I’m done intimidating you, I’ll explain how the Entrance Exam works. First, you’ll be placed in teams of 3.
Applicants in the crowd start whispering among themselves.
Hayze: (Teams? How’s that going to work?)
Hunt: You and your group will be tasked with defusing a sensitive situation that a group of heroes might face. The scenario is the exact same for all teams. You’ll have a proctor to monitor and score you based on your performance. I’ll tell you some rules now: you have 1 hour to complete the exam to the best of your ability; you will not know the criteria you’re being evaluated on. Once the exam begins, you can ask your proctor two questions if you're stuck or confused. They can decline to answer a question if they deem it inappropriate or the answer would help too much; after all, it’s your problem to solve. Now, here is who you’ll be up against in this exam.
Another hero walks on stage.
Multi: Hello all! I’m the Multiplication Hero: Multi! My trademark allows me to multiply myself almost infinitely; the catch is that for every clone I make, my original version loses a single IQ point, and if you hit me just once, then bam, all the clones disappear.
Hunt: It’s a trademark with an evident weakness, but you won’t be fighting the real Multi; his clones will be used as villains for this exam; they can be killed with no harm to Multi at all. Now, you were all given a badge when you checked in. Please inspect it.
Everyone holds their badge in their hand.
Hunt: Your teams will now be randomly assigned.
The screen powers on and begins shuffling through random letters. Hayze’s stops on “K5.”
Hunt: There are six testing facilities with state-of-the-art training simulation equipment. The number indicates your assigned facility, and the letter identifies your group. Exit the building and head to the right. Follow the signs, and you’ll get where you need to go. Good luck to you all.
Everyone stands up and starts to exit the auditorium.
Hayze: (I wonder who my teammates will be.)
Facility 5 is a dome-shaped building with a sizable fake city inside it. The 26 teams assigned to the structure disperse into the city.
Hayze: (K… K… Here we go!)
Hayze arrives at an alley where his group is set to meet and sees a familiar face.
Ashley: Oh, hey, it’s you! Hayze, right?
Hayze: Yeah! Wow… This is a coincidence! It’s nice to see you again, Ashley.
Ashley: Yeah, it’s crazy! It looks like the 10th time was the charm, huh?
Hayze: Heh… It sure was. I’m glad to see you made it to this phase, too.
Ashley: It took some effort, but I finally got a passing grade.
Hayze: And now we just need one for this exam.
Ashley: Yeah, I’m a little nervous… I wonder who our final teammate is.
Hayze: It looks like he’s here.
Their last member arrives. His arms, from his elbows down, are made of a metallic alloy.
Aaron: Hey, I’m Aaron! Nice to meet you guys!
Ashley: Nice to meet you, too; I’m Ashley.
Hayze: And I’m Hayze. It’s a pleasure.
Aaron: Boy, talk about a wild crowd back there, huh?
Ashley: Yeah… I expected a lot of people, but I guess I wasn’t ready for it.
Aaron: Don’t worry. All that matters now is this team! What do you guys say we go lock up three of those 34 slots?
Aaron walks toward the proctor.
Ashley: Heh… He’s confident.
Hayze: Well, it’s the right attitude to have. We can’t worry about how the other teams are doing. We just have to do our best here.
Ashley: Right!
Aaron, Ashley, and Hayze approach the proctor.
Proctor: Welcome. Around the corner of this alleyway is a building 30 stories tall. Inside, at least one villain has taken at least one hostage. The police have been unable to negotiate with the enemy. And they can’t enter the building for “some reason.” You don’t know where in the building the hostage or hostages are. Your goal is to diffuse the situation as if you were professional heroes. You have one hour until the officers capitulate to the demands of your adversary.
The proctor reaches into his pocket and pulls out a trio of small mechanical balls. They start floating around.
Proctor: I won’t follow you around myself. These cameras will keep an eye on you so we can evaluate your performance. If you want to use either of your questions, just look into the camera and speak. We can hear and talk to you through them.
Aaron: Got it.
Proctor: Also, keep in mind that you can get hurt during this exam. Multi will fight you if the situation arises, and the exam could get dangerous. We have medical heroes on standby and will step in if you are in a “fatal” position. But remember that if that does happen, the exam will continue as if you are deceased, and it’ll be up to your teammates to complete the mission. Understand?
The three applicants nod.
Proctor: Now, do you have any general questions about the exam? You can’t ask me about the scenario.
Hayze: Will we be evaluated individually?
Proctor: Only if you complete the exam in the allotted time. Your performance will then be judged against every other passing student. None, one, two, or all of you could become Gen.H Academy students at that point.
Ashley: Why were the groups selected at random?
Proctor: Because when you’re in the field… You don’t get to choose your teammates. You all have one common goal; That’s all you need to be a team.
Ashley: Got it.
Aaron: Are there actual police for us to talk to?
Proctor: Yes, there are Multi clones out in front of the building. However, even though it’s unrealistic, the officers won’t give you any information about the situation. We want to test how well you can gather intel on your own.
Aaron: I can understand that.
Proctor: If that’s all, then let’s get started.
He pulls out his stopwatch.
Proctor: We’ll start when you’re all ready.
Aaron: You know I am!
Ashley: I’m as ready as I can be.
Hayze smiles, and his heart starts beating faster.
Hayze: (This is it… Everything I’ve worked for my whole life rides on this exam. I know I should be nervous or scared… But this is all I’ve ever wanted. It may just be a simulation, but this is my chance to prove I’m a hero! I can’t help but be excited.)
Hayze’s eyes change to yellow.
Hayze: Let’s get this started!
Proctor: Alright, you have one hour.
The proctor clicks the stopwatch and walks off.
Hayze: We should start by familiarizing ourselves with each other’s trademarks.
Aaron: Definitely, my trademark is called “Armed.” It allows me to mold my forearms and hands into various weapons ranging from guns to tools such as a blow torch, as long as I understand its schematic design. The only drawback is that overuse will cause my hands to overheat, and I’ll be useless.
Ashley: My trademark is Astral Projection. My spirit can leave my body and travel independently, leaving my body unconscious, but my spirit is invisible to everyone. I can take over people’s bodies in my astral form, but the control weakens the farther I am from my body.
Hayze: My-
Aaron and Ashley look at Hayze with confusion.
Aaron: Uh… Am I crazy, or did your eyes change color?
Ashley: No, they’re definitely different.
Hayze: W- wait, what?
Aaron: Your eyes are yellow now, dude.
Hayze freaks out internally.
Hayze: (OH, COME ON!)
Ashley: Is that related to your trademark?
Hayze: Uh… yeah… I can shift between a handful of elemental powers.
Aaron: Oh, that’s cool! Which one is this?
Awkward silence.
Hayze: (How do I tell them I have no idea?! I’ve never used this power before, and if I deactivate it, I won’t be able to use my trademark for 30 minutes! AND HOW DO I EXPLAIN THAT?!) Uh… Light?
Aaron and Ashley stare at Hayze.
Aaron: What?
Ashley: Are… Are you not sure?
Hayze: I- Uh- Look, I don’t have much experience using my trademark, yet so… I’m still experimenting…
Aaron: How is that possible?!
Hayze: Well, you see… I didn’t realize I had this trademark until a couple of months ago…
Ashley: Seriously?
Hayze: Yeah… It also lets me heal faster than usual, so I thought that was my trademark for my whole life.
Aaron is trying not to look visibly displeased.
Ashley: (I see now why he failed the trademark portion of the H.A.E. so many times. But I won’t judge a book by its cover!)
Aaron: (Seriously? What the hell? How did this guy get into this exam?! I can’t believe I got dead weight as a teammate. It looks like I’ll have to take charge if we want any chance of passing this exam.) We’re wasting time! We should look around and see what’s ahead!
Hayze: Yeah… Let’s see what we’re up against. (I’ve gotta figure out what this yellow element can do… And fast!)
The three look around the corner of the alley and see a large building with Multi’s clones dressed as police officers in front of it.
Aaron: Alright, it looks exactly like the proctor said. No surprises.
Ashley: That’s good.
Hayze scans the situation intensely.
Ashley: We can’t go in through the front entrance. If the villains are on the first floor, everything will go bad immediately. We need to find another way in and work from there.
Aaron sees a window washer scaffold near the top of the building.
Aaron: Don’t worry, I can handle that. Ready, Hayze?
Hayze doesn’t respond.
Aaron: Uh… Is he ignoring me?
Ashley: Hayze? Is everything alright?
Hayze: Hm? Oh, sorry… I got a little distracted there.
Aaron: Hey, keep your eyes on the ball, man! We need to move!
Hayze: Not yet.
Aaron: Huh? Why not?! We only have an hour! We can’t spend the whole time standing here!
Ashley: Wait, Aaron, let’s hear him out. What are you thinking, Hayze?
Aaron: *groans*
Hayze: Look at the end of the police line.
Aaron and Ashley: Hm?
A black truck with the words “BOMB SQUAD” on the side is mixed into the crime scene.
Hayze: That’s a bomb squad car.
Ashley: So, there’s a bomb inside?
Hayze: Without a doubt. That’s why the proctor said the police couldn’t enter the building.
Aaron: There’s a chance it could be a hoax, though. The villains could be bluffing.
Hayze: I doubt it.
Aaron: What? How do you know?
“Proctor: The police have been unable to negotiate with the enemy… You have one hour until the officers capitulate to the demands of your adversary.“
Hayze: The police haven’t established contact with the villains yet. Therefore, they couldn’t have made a false threat. If that vehicle is outside, then they know there’s a bomb inside.
Ashley: That makes sense… Good thinking, Hayze!
Aaron: Yeah… Nice work.
Hayze: Oh… It was nothing.
Aaron: (Nothing, my ass! We’d be screwed if this guy wasn’t so observant!) Alright, then, let’s get inside and save the day!
Aaron’s left hand transforms into a grappling hook launcher; he fires it up at the scaffold.
Aaron: Ashley, hold onto my right side, and Hayze, climb onto my back!
Ashley: Right!
Hayze: Got it!
Aaron reels in the hook, bringing the trio onto the scaffolding.
Hayze: What’s the plan now?
Aaron: I’ll use a blowtorch and carve out the glass, then we can go in.
Ashley: Wait!
Aaron: Huh?
Hayze: What’s up, Ashley?
Ashley: Let me scout ahead first!
Ashley uses her trademark and enters her astral form. She phases into the building; Aaron catches her unconscious body.
Aaron: Huh, that’s useful.
Hayze: Yeah, we’ll hang out here until she returns.
Aaron: Mhm.
A few minutes pass, but unbeknownst to Hayze and Aaron, one of the ropes holding the scaffolding up starts to give away.
Aaron: Hey, do you mind explaining to me how your trademark-
The rope snaps, causing one corner of the scaffold to dangle.
Aaron and Hayze: Woah!
Aaron grabs the railing, holding onto Ashley’s unconscious body. Hayze, however, falls off the scaffold, cutting his arm on the railing in the process.
Hayze: AHHHHH!
Aaron: Hayze!
Hayze looks down at the ground below.
Hayze: (If I don’t save myself, the exam will end for me, and I’ll lose everything!)
Hayze looks at his hands.
Hayze: (Come on, mystery trademark! Help me out!)
Hayze’s hands start to pulsate with lightning.
Hayze: (Electricity! What can I do with this?!)
Hayze notices a fire hydrant below him.
Hayze: (It’s a long shot, but it might be my only shot!) Lightning attack!
Hayze fires a lightning bolt that completely misses the fire hydrant, striking the sidewalk.
Hayze: (Oh god… It’s all over!)
Ashley returns to her body.
Ashley: What’s going on?!
Aaron: Oh, thank god! Grab onto the railing!
Ashley does so, freeing Aaron’s other hand.
Aaron: I’ve got you, Hayze!
Aaron transforms his arm into a grappling hook again, firing it at Hayze’s leg. The hook wraps around Hayze’s leg, saving him.
Hayze: Holy shit…
Aaron starts reeling Hayze back up.
Hayze: (That’s not gonna look in the evaluation…)
Hayze notices the cut on his arm is healing slowly.
Hayze: (Huh… It seems like my healing is weaker when using an elemental power.)
Aaron finishes reeling Hayze back up, allowing him to grab onto the scaffolding again.
Hayze: Thanks, Aaron…
Aaron: No problem, man… We’re a team, and we can’t afford to lose anyone.
Hayze: Yeah…
Hayze looks at the electricity coursing through his hands.
Hayze: (I used the exact same method Ms. Fatal showed me with my fire trademark. How did I miss?)
Ashley: What the heck happened?!
Hayze: The people who made this exam made this scaffold with a twist.
Aaron: Yeah, so I’m not staying out any longer!
Aaron turns his hand into a blowtorch and starts burning a hole in the window.
Aaron: By the way, man. I know you probably didn’t have a lot of options, but if you’re that inexperienced with your lightning element, then I’d shelf it.
Hayze: *sighs* Yeah… You’re right.
Hayze’s eyes revert to normal.
Hayze: I just don’t understand how my aim was so awful. I’m usually pretty good with that. Archery is even one of my hobbies.
Aaron: Were you aiming right at the hydrant?
Hayze: Y- yeah?
Aaron: Have you ever seen a lightning bolt go straight?
Aaron finishes burning a hole in the glass and hops into the building.
Hayze: Huh…
The trio find themselves in a dark hallway.
Aaron: What did you see while you were scouting, Ashley?
Ashley: They’re on this floor. Three villains and nine hostages.
Hayze: Wow, seriously? Great work.
Aaron: Yeah, this might be easier than we thought!
Ashley: Well… The way they’re set up is… weird.
Aaron: What do you mean?
Ashley: Here… Follow me.
Hayze: Okay then…
Ashley leads them to a room. The door has a small window.
Ashley: Look inside.
Aaron: I got it.
Aaron changes his arm into a CornerShot shotgun. He looks through the scope and into the room.
Aaron: Yeah… that is... definitely interesting. You said there were three of them and nine hostages. Well, then, why is there one in this room alone with seven of the hostages?
Ashley: The other two are in rooms alone with a single hostage each. They’re all armed, but I don’t get it. Why are they aligned like that?
Hayze: Here, let me see.
Hayze peers through the scope of Aaron’s gun.
Hayze: I see…
Ashley: What?
Aaron: What is it?
Hayze: Aaron, look at the thing on the guy’s upper arm.
Aaron looks through and gets a better look at the Multi clone. He has a small heartbeat monitor attached to his upper arm, and two lights are glowing on his vest.
Aaron: Oh shit… is that what I think it is?
Ashley: What, what is it?
Hayze: It’s called a Dead Man’s Trigger. It’s a detonator attached to a heartbeat monitor; if the monitor ever hits 0 BPM, it triggers a bomb.
Ashley: But if it hits 0… then that means…
Hayze: Hence the name. It’s the ultimate failsafe. He more than likely has a cyanide tablet false tooth, so if things go wrong… boom.
Ashley: So, can we go after the other two then?
Hayze: Were the other two holding anything or doing something that was pressure-sensitive?
Ashley: Well… now that you mention it, they both were holding down buttons.
Aaron: So that’s what those lights are for.
Ashley: What?
Hayze: It’s all one giant trap. If you take down either of the solo villains, the one with the trigger will know because a light on his vest will turn off, and he’ll kill all of his hostages. We can also assume that they’re doing check-ins every couple of minutes via walkie-talkie, so if you somehow took one of them out and kept their finger on their button, he’ll know when they don’t check in. Finally, if you try to take down the one with the trigger, he’ll know the jig is up and just kill himself, and the whole building will blow.
Ashley: Wow, that’s… Wow… What do we do?
Hayze: We’re stuck; no matter who you go after first… somebody's gonna die.