Aaron: Damn, I see why this test is so difficult. No wonder they only accept 34. I’m surprised that many even pass.
Hayze: Yeah, this is a highly advanced formation we’re looking at. If I had to guess, many applicants fail simply because they can’t comprehend it.
Ashley: I’m not even sure where we should begin.
Aaron: No matter which one we attack first, there’s no way to stop the others from killing their hostages. Coming up with a strategy could take a while, but unfortunately, we have a time limit.
Hayze: I’d say we have about 40ish minutes left.
Ashley: We’ll have to decide soon if we want to complete the test in a reasonable amount of time.
Aaron: Maybe I could injure the main one with a shot to the knee. As long as he’s alive, we’re okay, right?
Hayze: I’d be floored if he didn’t have any easy way to kill himself and detonate the bomb.
Ashley: Then why don’t we go find the bomb? It’s probably on a lower floor, so the building will collapse if it goes off.
Aaron: There’s one problem with that…
Ashley: Hm? What is it?
Aaron: Do you know how to defuse a bomb?
Ashley: Oh…
Hayze: Also, I guarantee the wiring would be so sophisticated that the slim few applicants who could defuse it would risk everything trying to do so. It’s clear the way to pass this exam is by using our resources to break this seemingly unbreakable formation.
Aaron: Well, I have no ideas. This isn’t exactly my expertise.
Ashley: Me neither…
Hayze: (Every puzzle has a solution, Ayden… Think! Obviously, the answer requires us to strike all three villains simultaneously, but how? Even if we succeed, there’s still a chance we’ll lose everything with the bomb. So, that makes me believe the right move is going for the one with the detonator. But that could cause us to save 7 hostages and lose 2.) *frustrated grunt* (No, I won’t settle for losing any of them!)
Aaron and Ashley notice Hayze is in deep thought.
Aaron: He’s in his own little world…
Ashley: Hayze, are you alright?
Hayze lets out a long exhale.
Hayze: I’m sorry… This puzzle is just so complex. I’m trying my hardest to think of our best options.
Ashley: Well, there’s no need to do all the solving in your head!
Aaron: Yeah, man, we’re a team. Talk us through what you’re thinking.
Hayze is taken aback.
Hayze: (That’s right… I’m not just fighting for my dream… I’m also fighting for theirs.)
Hayze takes a deep breath.
Hayze: Right. The problem is that we need to find the flaw in this formation. There has to be one; otherwise, the exam would be impossible. I firmly believe it has to do with the detonator villain…
Ashley: Why’s that?
Hayze: Their formation can be visualized as a “V.” The two solo villains have no way of knowing if the other one is down until their routine check-in. If we isolate and cut off their common line of communication, we can defeat them easily.
Ashley: So, we should attack him first.
Aaron: It can’t be that simple, right?
Hayze: No, because we have no way of defusing the bomb or disconnecting the detonator. Even if we found a way to incapacitate him, there’s no way we could stop the bomb fast enough to save the other two hostages.
Aaron: Then we should go for the other two, right? We'll have plenty of time if we can take them out and keep their buttons pressed!
Hayze: But that’s a near-impossible task for us. The answer has to be either attacking the detonator villain first or all of them at once somehow.
Hayze goes quiet.
Ashley: There are so many options… I wish we could know which one is the right one.
Hayze’s eyes widen.
Aaron: *chuckles* Should we ask the proctor?
Ashley: Heh… I wish he would give us the correct answer…
Hayze: *under his breath* What if they’re all correct…
Ashley: Hm?
Aaron: What’d you say, Hayze?
Hayze: What if every option we’ve presented so far is correct… We just need to combine them together!
Ashley: What are you getting at Hayze?
Hayze: We need to make two first moves… Attacking them simultaneously and individually. That’s the solution.
Aaron: How can we make multiple first moves?
Hayze: By skipping their turn.
Aaron and Ashley: Huh?
Hayze: I have a plan that might work. It’ll require some setup, but if we execute it properly… We’ll save all the hostages.
Aaron: Well, then, let’s hear it!
Hayze: The only problem is my plan doesn’t have a solution to the bomb issue. We can secure the hostages, but we’ll still have that hurdle.
Aaron: Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it!
Ashley: Yeah, if we can get that far, I’m sure we can come up with a solution together!
Hayze smiles.
Hayze: Alright, then here’s the plan, team.
Inside one of the rooms, the Multi Clone (#1) with the dead man’s trigger stands in front of his seven hostages (also Multi Clones). He holds just a pistol; his watch starts to beep. His walkie-talkie goes off.
Clone #2: * walkie-talkie* Checking In.
Clone #3: *walkie-talkie* Checking In.
Clone #1: *talking into walkie-talkie* Good, 24 minutes left. We’re almost two-thirds of the way done.
Clone #1 reaches to reset his watch when Ashley’s astral form suddenly appears through the wall behind him and enters his body.
Clone #1 (Ashley): *groans* Okay, I’m in. Now, let’s do this first.
Ashley uses Clone #1’s tongue to feel for loose teeth in his mouth. Eventually, she finds the tooth, carefully knocks it out of place, and spits it out.
Clone #1 (Ashley): (Now he can’t take himself out.)
Ashley reaches for the walkie-talkie.
Clone #1 (Ashley): *into walkie-talkie* Alright, it’s time for the check-in.
Clone #2 is visibly confused while standing with his lone hostage.
Clone #2: *into walkie-talkie* W- what? We- we just did one.
Clone #3: *walkie-talkie* Yeah, what’s going on?
Aaron is sitting outside Clone #2’s room, while Hayze stands outside Clone #3’s room.
Clone #2: *Into walkie-talkie* If you don’t answer me, I’m going to shoot my hostage!
Aaron: (There’s the signal!)
Aaron transforms his arm into an M16 and rushes into the room of Clone #2.
Aaron: Surprise!
Aaron shoots the pistol out of Clone #2’s hand while he’s distracted with the walkie-talkie.
Clone #2: What the-
Aaron then charges Clone #2 and knocks him out in one punch.
Aaron: Gotcha!
Aaron grabs the clone’s button and presses it down.
Aaron: All set.
Hayze takes a deep breath.
Hayze: (I’ve only ever used my trademark to its maximum time limit, trying to extend it. Maybe I can power up again sooner because I deactivated it early and barely used it. It’s been about 20 minutes, I’d say…)
Hayze closes his eyes, and after a few moments, his fire form activates.
Hayze: (Perfect!)
Hayze hears Aaron’s gunshot.
Hayze: (Go time!)
Hayze creates a fireball in his hands and bursts into Clone #3’s room.
Hayze: Take this!
Clone #3: Wh- what?!
The fireball slams into Clone #3’s stomach, sending him flying into the wall with his stomach scorched.
Clone #3: *groans*
Hayze walks up to the clone and chops the back of his neck, knocking him out.
Hayze: Phew… (I need to keep learning more about this new trademark and adapting quickly.)
Hayze powers down; he grabs the clone’s button and presses it down.
Hayze: (Luckily, with my theory correct, I know how we can finish this exam.)
A bead of sweat rolls down Clone #1’s face.
Clone #1 (Ashley): (Come on, guys! You can do it!)
The walkie-talkie goes off.
Aaron: *walkie-talkie* All clear here.
Hayze: *walkie-talkie* Same for me.
Clone #1 (Ashley): *into walkie-talkie* Good. I’ll get ready to release him.
Ashley turns on the safety on Clone #1’s gun.
Hayze: *walkie-talkie* Don’t forget to set his watch back to when you first took over his body. It’ll look like no time has passed that way.
Clone #1 (Ashley): *into walkie-talkie* Don’t worry, I’ve got it.
Ashley turns on the safety and sets the watch. She then releases her control.
Clone #1: Huh?
The clone looks around for a second.
Clone #1: That was strange. It felt like I blacked out, but the time hasn’t changed… weird. I’ll have to keep a sharper eye. I don’t know if that was one of the applicants’ moves.
Clone #1 sets the timer on his watch.
Clone #1: (These kids are taking this slower than I could have imagined; a lot of time has passed, and we haven’t seen them once. Maybe they’re panicking and can’t figure out what they should do.)
Ashley’s astral form returns to her body in the hallway as Aaron and Hayze arrive with the buttons still held down.
Ashley: How much time do you think we have left?
Aaron: Probably about 15 minutes. We spent a lot of time planning and setting up.
Hayze: It’s alright; we’re at the home stretch. We’ve got enough time left.
Ashley: With his safety on, we should be able to walk in there, catch him off guard, and take him out.
Aaron: That’s the plan.
The watch timer goes off. Clone #1 holds his walkie-talkie up, but neither clone checks in. Clone #1 smiles.
Clone #1: Heh… I guess they took out the others without releasing the buttons. Clever.
He points his gun at one of the hostages.
Clone #1: But not clever enough!
He attempts to pull the trigger, but it doesn’t work.
Clone #1: What the hell?!
He inspects his gun and sees the safety is on.
Clone #1: Huh? When did that-
Aaron, Ashley, and Hayze rush in; Clone #1 tries to quickly turn the safety off his gun, but Aaron uppercuts him.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Aaron: God, I love having metal arms.
Clone #1: *groans*
Aaron grabs Clone #1 and wrestles him to the ground, pinning his arm with the detonator to his back.
Ashley: Okay, now that we have him restrained, what’s the plan?
Aaron: Rip his arm off and hope it keeps a pulse?
Ashley: That doesn’t seem wise.
Aaron: Well, it’s the best idea I’ve got.
Clone #1: I’ve got a better idea! It’s game over for you kids!
Clone #1 tries to ingest his cyanide tablet but realizes his tooth is missing.
Clone #1: What the?! Where is it?!
Clone #1 sees the tooth on the ground.
Clone #1: When did that happen?! Did you freeze time?!
Ashley: Nope! Just you!
Clone #1: *nasal grunt* Well, good work, but if you can’t defuse this bomb in the next few minutes… It won’t matter! HAHAHAHA!
Aaron punches the clone, knocking it out.
Aaron: Man, for a hero, you sure play a good villain…
Hayze stares at the detonator for a few moments.
Ashley: What do you think, Hayze?
Aaron: Yeah, you got us this far. Any ideas?
Hayze is quiet for a moment.
Hayze: I… I might have a plan, but we’ll be cutting our time close.
Aaron: Might?
Ashley: What is it?
Hayze: All we need to do is remove the detonator from him and put it on someone else; the police can defuse the bomb more effectively if the person wearing the detonator isn’t actively trying to kill themself. I’m sure that would be enough to pass the exam.
Aaron: But if we take it off him, the heartbeat monitor will hit 0 and trigger the bomb.
Hayze: Not if we simulate a heartbeat.
Ashley: Simulate a heartbeat?
Aaron: How the hell are we gonna do that?
Hayze: A heartbeat is caused by an electrical impulse traveling through the heart, so if we simply jolt the monitor with electricity, we can trick it into thinking it’s still attached to someone. I can do this easily using my trademark.
Ashley: That’s a great idea!
Aaron: Yeah… but what’s the catch?
Ashley: Catch?
Aaron: He said, “We’ll be cutting our time close.” What does that mean?
Hayze: My trademark has a recharge period before I can activate it again, and I used it probably about 5 minutes ago.
Aaron: Wait… What?! Why didn’t you mention this sooner?
Ashley: Yeah, Hayze… I’m sorry, but that would have been nice to hear before now.
Hayze: I’m sorry, I didn’t want to bring it up until it was relevant.
Aaron: Relevant?! Is that why you made us take the extra time to set up and plan?
Hayze: Yes…
Aaron: *frustrated grunt*
Ashley: How long is the recharge period?
Hayze: Usually 30 minutes.
Ashley: But wait… There’s no way a half hour passed between your two usages of your trademark.
Hayze: Yeah, I’d say it was around 20 to 25 minutes, proving my theory that if I don’t max out its usage, I can use it again sooner. We should have enough time left for me to activate my lightning trademark one more time and finish this exam.
Aaron: You used the entrance exam as a chance to “test a theory?!”
Hayze: I didn’t plan on it, Aaron.
Aaron: What would have happened if you couldn’t use your power again? How would you have taken out the other clone? Our plan depended on that!
Hayze: I would have improvised.
Aaron: IMPROVISED?!
Hayze: Listen, I’m sorry, and I understand your frustration, but… If I had told you this when I initially proposed my plan, would that have changed anything?
Aaron: *frustrated grunt* That’s not the point!
Ashley: He’s right, Aaron.
Aaron: You’re siding with him?
Ashley: We can call it “our plan” as much as we want, but the truth is Hayze cracked this puzzle for us. A team makes up for each other’s weaknesses! We wouldn’t have made it this far without him. You and I almost missed the most critical detail right at the start, but Hayze didn’t get frustrated with us! I agree that Hayze should have told us, but I understand why he didn’t. We had our own tasks to be worried about, and we didn’t need the added stress of wondering if Hayze’s trademark would work. And if it didn’t… We could get mad at him, but it’s not like we would have devised our own plan!
Aaron stares at Ashley for a moment before taking a deep breath.
Aaron: You’re right… I’m sorry, Hayze.
Hayze: I’m sorry, too. I genuinely believed my theory was correct and wanted to spare you any stress until we reached the home stretch. All we need to do now is wait, and we’ll pass this exam.
Aaron: Right… I understand.
Ashley: How much time do we have left?
Hayze: Let’s find out.
Hayze looks at the proctor’s camera.
Hayze: How much time is remaining?
Proctor: *through speaker* Approximately 11 minutes and 26 seconds. You have one question remaining.
Aaron: So, how much recharge time does that give you?
Hayze: At maximum, 17ish minutes.
Ashley: Is that enough time?
Hayze: I believe it will be.
Aaron: Another belief, huh?
Hayze: If you’re not okay with taking this risk, I’ll try to come up with something else. We’ve got time.
Aaron laughs.
Aaron: I applied to this school to become a hero, one of the best there will ever be. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my short life, it’s that you have to take risks if you want to reach the top. If this works, we’ll pass this test with zero casualties and be one step closer to enrolling at the country's number-one hero prep school? Your plans got us this far… I’d say it’s worth it.
Hayze looks at Ashley.
Hayze: What about you?
Ashley: Honestly, I don’t feel that comfortable with it, but I didn’t expect to get this far in the first place. I needed multiple tries to pass the H.A.E., so my expectations were guarded when I arrived for this exam. However, the fact we’re this close to being among the final candidates for the academy is thrilling… If this is what it takes to finish the exam, I’m okay with it. I feel I’ve proven I deserved to be a Gen.H Student.
Hayze smiles.
Hayze: Me too.
Aaron: Then let’s… Do nothing!
The three of them wait patiently as time ticks down. Aaron looks at the proctor’s camera.
Aaron: How much time do we have left?
Proctor: *through speaker* Approximately 2 minutes and 57 seconds. You are now out of questions.
Hayze: Alright, I’m gonna start trying.
Ashley: Good luck.
Aaron: To all of us…
Hayze closes his eyes and concentrates for a moment.
Hayze: (Okay, Ayden… You can do this… Get excited; you’re about to pass the Gen.H entrance exam!)
Hayze opens his eyes to reveal that they’ve turned yellow.
Hayze: Phew…
Aaron pats Hayze on the back.
Aaron: *chuckles* So, you were as nervous as the rest of us!
Hayze: Heh… yeah, sorry…
Aaron: Don’t worry about it; it’s all gonna work out.
Hayze: Yeah, I just need one of you to volunteer to have the detonator attached to you.
Aaron: I’ll do it; it’s not like we’re dealing with a real bomb.
Hayze: Okay, then, Ashley, you take off the trigger while I stream electricity into it.
Ashley: Got it.
Hayze: (I just need to remember everything Ms. Fatal taught me about energy control. It may not have been with this element, but that’s the point of fundamentals!)
Electricity courses through Hayze’s hand.
“ Aaron: Have you ever seen a lightning bolt go straight? “ - Season 1, Episode 4
Hayze: (When Aaron mentioned that, I realized all my elements have different properties. My water trademark gave me gills, for god’s sake. The elements aren’t all one-to-one; I need to think outside the box with each of them. I don’t just control lightning with this form… I can also utilize electricity!)
Hayze streams electricity through the heartbeat monitor, Ashley carefully removes it, and they slowly move it toward Aaron’s upper arm.
Hayze: (This new ability is like this exam; it’s a puzzle, and I will do everything to solve it! I have to if I want to keep up with these two and all my other potential classmates!)
Ashley straps the trigger onto Aaron.
Hayze: You guys ready?
Ashley: Mhm.
Aaron: As I can be.
Hayze stops putting electricity into the trigger… a few moments pass, and suddenly, a smoke bomb goes off in the corner of the room.
Aaron: Damn it! I knew I should have just shot everyone!
Mr. Hunt walks out.
Hunt: Well, well, well…
Hayze: Mr. Hunt?!
Aaron: I blame Hayze for this loss!
Hunt: Congratulations, you three, you passed the entrance exam.
Aaron: I take full credit for this win!
Ashley: What are you doing here, sir?
Hunt: I’m here to give you your final evaluation.
Hayze: Huh?
Hunt: In the many years I’ve run this exam, few groups have saved not only all nine hostages but also captured all three villains. That’s not the only criteria you’re scored on, but it’s definitely not bad.
Aaron, Ashley, and Hayze smile at each other.
Hunt: You figured out the major loophole with this riddle. The villains formed a solid defense where if one prong fell, innocent civilians would die. This defense would have been impossible to stop if it were a triangle where attacking one pillar would alert the other two. But you identified their “V” alignment. If you cut off the connecting piece, the other two can’t help each other, making them easy pickings. Now, it wasn’t all perfect... You took the entire time to finish, argued at the most stressful juncture, nearly lost a team member immediately due to not checking for traps, and left the biggest problem, the dead man’s trigger, up to “chance.”
The trio nervously laughs.
Hunt: *nasal grunt* Don’t worry, there’s much to be proud of here. I’ll be honest; almost 75% of the people who take this test fail because of that trigger. Completing this exam takes a lot of brainpower, versatility, teamwork, and skill. You aren’t guaranteed to become Gen.H students, but you can walk out of this building with your heads held high. A group of judges will review your performance, and in the next few days, you’ll be informed of your status with the academy. For now, you’re free to head home.
Aaron: Thank you, sir.
Ashley: Yes, we appreciate the kind words.
Hayze: Yeah… we do.
The trio starts to leave.
Hunt: Hayze.
Hayze: Hm?
Hunt waits for Ashley and Aaron to exit.
Hunt: I see Dr. Moore made you her newest test subject.
Hayze: I… wouldn’t put it like that.
Hunt approaches Hayze.
Hunt: I asked to substitute for your proctor for your evaluation. He was kind enough to allow me to do so.
Hayze: Why?
Hunt: I don’t regret my words on the day we met. They would have wrung true had my ex-wife not interfered.
Hayze: Wait… “ex-wife?” You were married to Dr. Moore?!
Hunt: Yes… Why else would I know about the serum?
Hayze: Huh… Good point…
Hunt: She was… Too much for me, but we’re still friends. In fact, I’m how she found you.
Hayze: I figured…
Hunt: Like I said… I don’t regret my words, but I will tell you one thing.
Hunt places his hand on Hayze’s shoulder.
Hunt: What Kelsey did… She shouldn’t have done it. So, promise me… You won’t waste this chance she’s given you.
Hayze: Never.
Hunt: Good…
Hunt starts to leave.
Hunt: “That would be giving up, and I don’t do that.”
Hayze: Huh?
Hunt: Next time we meet… Be sure you still live by that mantra.
Hayze: I will, sir.
Hunt: Then, I don’t need to wish you luck.
Hunt departs.
Hayze: Thank you… Mr. Hunt.
Hayze exits the building and finds Ashley and Aaron waiting for him.
Ashley: Hey, Hayze!
Aaron: It’s about time!
Hayze: You guys waited for me?
Ashley: Of course, we wanted to say goodbye!
Aaron: Why’d Mr. Hunt keep you longer?
Hayze: Oh… We’ve met before… He just wanted to say some things to me.
Aaron: Huh… Got it.
Aaron, Ashley, and Hayze exit the facility and walk to Gen.H's front gates.
Ashley: We made a great team today!
Aaron: Yeah, we sure did. We all contributed equally.
Ashley: Really? I thought I could have done more.
Aaron: No way! Your trademark was the key to us breaking their formation!
Hayze: We couldn’t have passed without you.
Ashley: Wow… Thanks guys!
The trio exits the school.
Ashley: Well, I hope to see you on the first day of school!
Hayze: Cya, Ashley!
Aaron: Bye!
Ashley leaves.
Hayze: I guess I’ll be heading out too; it was nice meeting you, Aaron.
Hayze starts to leave.
Aaron: Hayze, one second. I want to apologize.
Hayze: Hm? For what?
Aaron: When you said you were inexperienced with your trademark, I underestimated you. I thought you would be deadweight. I was wrong, and I’m sorry about that.
Hayze: Don’t worry, I’m used to it. Well, being doubted, that is. And you did have to save me from falling to my “death.”
Aaron: That doesn’t make it right; you devised the plan that’ll get us into Gen.H Academy.
Hayze: You’re sure we made it?
Aaron: Of course we did! We were awesome!
Hayze: Heh… yeah!
Aaron: *nasal grunt* And I could have checked for that trap, too. It’s not your fault your trademark couldn’t stop the fall. I consider myself a leader, but you took charge there, and I won’t forget that. Don’t get too used to it, though.
Hayze: Huh?
Aaron: We’re going to be classmates at Gen.H, but that also means we’ll be rivals. Someday, we will face off against each other, and it’ll be a great battle, but trust me, I’ll win.
Aaron walks off. Hayze smiles.
Hayze: *yells* Hey, Aaron!
Aaron: Hm?
Hayze: *yells* You’ll regret that speech when you lose!
Aaron smiles and flips off Hayze. The pair go their separate ways.
Hayze: (I hope we end up being classmates together.)
A few days later, Hayze walks up to his mailbox and sees a letter from Gen.H Academy.
Hayze: *gulps*
Hayze brings it inside and lays it down on the table.
Hayze: (Aaron thought I’d make it in for sure, but I made some mistakes and errors during the exam… What if I didn’t do enough? The school would still be taking a risk by enrolling someone with so little experience.)
A few moments pass as Hayze stares at the letter.
Hayze: (Screw it.)
Hayze opens it, and a holographic video message plays. Fatal appears in the video.
Fatal (Video): Well, wouldn’t you know, Hayze, you got this far. Are you ready to go a little farther? I’ll cut right to the good news; congratulations… You’ve been accepted into Gen.H Academy’s Hero Course as a part of class Alpha-1.
Hayze: Wow, that’s-
Fatal (Video): Don’t interrupt me! *chuckles* Now that you’re weirded out because I predicted that. It’s time we talk about your performance in the entrance exam; you took a leadership role in your group and devised a solid plan that allowed you to save every single hostage; that is impressive. As a group, you got 10 points for each hostage you saved and 10 points for not blowing the building up, for a total of 100 points. You also got 25 extra points for not killing any villains, but you lost 5 points for taking the whole hour and another 10 for cutting it so close with the detonator. Therefore, your individual grade started with 110 points. You earned 10 points for being your team’s leader but lost 5 points for your communication faux pas and the other 5 for missing the scaffold trap. Furthermore, your trademark’s weakness cost you another 20 points; your team had to lean right up against the time limit because of you. That left you with 90 points, but your proctor gave you high praises for the way you guys were able to rally together and get behind your plan so quickly, so you got 12 bonus points and finished with a 102; I look forward to seeing you during your first day at Gen.H Academy! Your uniform will arrive in the mail within the next few days! Have a good day, and great work!
The message ends. Hayze is silent for a few seconds.
Hayze: (Well… it happened… I’m actually a student at Gen.H Academy and will probably be the weakest in my class. A few months ago, I never thought this would be possible, but here I am, and I can’t wait to get to work; I will be a hero, and nothing's gonna stop me!)