Hiro vs. Sloth

Students and teachers are in the stands of a vast metallic egg-shaped domed stadium, viewing large monitors, cheering participants on.

Young, energetic, female announcer: "Welcome one and all to the Path of the Shield battle challenge. It's Sloth from the Quantum Alliance vs. transfer student Hiro of no Alliance affiliation in this installment of the battle challenge, where each contestant will showcase their abilities. This course is comprised of three segments. At the end of the first two segments, a gateway awaits which will transport the contestants on to the next phase."

Hiro is at the starting line of the course featuring a maze of swinging, razor-sharp sickles.

Hiro, looking around, tapping his foot impatiently: "ok, where is my opponent?"

Announcer: "Could it be that Sloth is a no-show? We can't delay anymore. Hiro is awarded the ..."

Hiro: "No, wait. I don't want to win like that."

Announcer: "Oh, wait. What's that up above? This guy likes to travel in style folks."

Four drones can be seen lowering down from a height, carrying a four-poster bed beneath them.

Hiro, jumping up and down in excitement, sees Sloth approaching: "Yeah, yeah I'm pumped. I'm going to give it my all." 

As the bed touches down, Sloth sits up, head down and shoulders slumped, yawns, mumbles "You're such a pain. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have to be here right now", then lies back down snoring loudly. Sloth is a 15 year old, 6' 2" tall, 170 lb., lanky male. His unkempt purple hair and purple eyes mark him as a member of the Quantum Alliance. He's wearing a bath robe over his track suit, with slippers on his feet.

Hiro: "Hey come on Sloth, wake up. Let's compete!"

Sloth, mumbles: "Sharp sickles, too dangerous", sighs as a snot bubble emerges from his nose.

Announcer: "Well of course it's dangerous folks, but it's all part of the challenge, and also very entertaining for the rest of us. In all likelihood the school would intercede on your behalf to avert your imminent demise, but there's always the possibility of an accident. Furthermore, if you demonstrate that you're unfit to compete in the challenges, then you will be deemed unworthy of attending this school. During this race you need to be aware of your surroundings and use your Alliance abilities to progress. Prepare yourselves, the countdown starts now."

Giant color lit auto race style poles on either side of them start to count down from 3, 2, 1. As the start horn sounds, Hiro is off. He takes several steps and looks back to see Sloth still snoring in bed.

Hiro, stopping: "Acck! Come on, wake up! It's no fun to complete this by myself!"

Sloth rolls out of bed, hits the ground, and continues rolling towards and through the starting line. 

Hiro, incredulous, watches as Sloth rolls by: "Hey, wait for me!"

Even though asleep, Sloth is able to anticipate both the swinging scythes and the flame geysers – stopping at times, sitting up, curling into a fetal position, changing angle, breathing in, stretching his arms and shoulders at other times, or stopping to yawn to avoid them. 

Hiro weaves his way through the swinging scythes – stumbling, doing cartwheels, dives and other acrobatics to avoid certain death. Sloth sees Hiro racing out in front of him within his dream vision. A small smirk crosses Sloth's lips, a purple aura enveloping him as he visualizes a clock's pendulum slowing down, superimposed over Hiro's left leg. Hiro's leg slows, causing him to lose balance, flying headfirst at one of the swinging pendulums. Within Hiro's eyes there is the image of playing cards being dealt – as the second card turns over, Hiro gets black jack, and the pendulum in front of him stops swinging. Unfortunately for Hiro, his momentum carries him headfirst into the side of the now motionless scythe, knocking him down. 

Hiro: "Ow ow ow. No fair, I know you did that somehow Sloth." 

Just then, red hot flames start to jet out from the ground causing Hiro to do a series of back flips to evade them. Before he knows it, he is back at the start of the obstacle course, while Sloth is nearing its end. 

Announcer: "Hiro just runs headfirst into danger. Could it be he doesn't have any Alliance abilities ... or common sense?"

Hiro: "Alright then, I'll try the quantum skills Master Chao taught me". 

Hiro gathers himself up, closes his eyes, takes a breath, puts palms together on his chest, visualizes the quantum infinity insignia, and then the course (in monochromatic purple) including the unseen mechanisms driving the obstacles. Almost imperceptibly, his cap seems to glow, emitting static electricity. 

Hiro, opens his eyes and starts off: "ok, here I go!" 

This time Hiro's approach is more refined, sensing obstacles before encountering them. 

Hiro, as he progresses: "I'm too far behind, it won't be enough. Well, two can play at that game." 

He reaches out and brushes one of the scythes as he passes by it. An energy pulse is transmitted through the mechanisms, and the last scythe blocking Sloth's path starts to swing at high frequency. Sloth raises his head and coughs, the air waves approaching the now impossible to see, blur of air that is the swinging scythe in front of him. As the cough impacts with the scythe, there is a screeching sound of crashing metal gears, as all the scythes tumble to the ground, with puffs of smoke gasping from the flame throwers. Sloth crosses the grey, haziness of the first gate just ahead of Hiro.

Hiro: "Darn!"

Announcer: "And there you have it. Sloth leads after the first leg of this exciting battle!"

As they pass through the gate, first Sloth, and then Hiro appear above and then plop into the midst of two separate gaggles of beautiful, green haired, bikini clad gals who are lounging on ornate, plushy pillows atop Arabian blankets. Sloth just melts into the pillows and starts snoring, oblivious to the cooing and touching of the girls. Hiro's face goes bright red and he gets a nosebleed, passing out. Suddenly, the girls start transforming.

Announcer: "Oh no, who could have predicted these lovely ladies are actually soul sucking sirens? Looks like our contestants are out cold and unable to defend themselves. This could be curtains for them."

The sirens begin chanting their high pitched, drowsy sea song, baring fangs and claws at their prey. Within Sloth's dream, a giant tuning fork appears, emitting a low bass rumble, which gets louder and louder. The sound peaks with an earthquake like rumbling escaping from Sloth's nostrils in the form of a snore. The sirens cover their ears, and are blown upwards and outwards into the sky.

Sloth awakens, looking around: "Huh, well that was a nice nap, this blanket's contours and cushions are exceptional, wrapping me in a pocket of comfort" – he sighs contentedly.

Meanwhile, Hiro's tummy is growling, and within his dream he's reliving his meal prior to this contest. Plate after plate of food is devoured as Hiro keeps smiling on. 

Hiro: "Infinite tummy technique" as he visualizes the quantum infinity sign which separates, transforming into two heaping plates of food. 

While Hiro is dreaming, the sirens are closing in. A momentary scowl crosses his face, with his tummy gurgling even louder. Without warning, an explosive, prolonged fart erupts, relaxing the tension in Hiro's face. The siren's shocked faces turn a sickly green, and their cheeks inflate. Tears form in their eyes, followed by projectile vomit blasting them into the sky. 

Announcer: "Did we really need to see that, ladies and gentlemen?" 

As Hiro startles awake: "awwww, gross." 

He shakes off the siren vomit, looking up to see Sloth crossing into the next gate. 

Hiro: "hey, wait for me!"

Hiro steps out of the second gate just after Sloth, again. Both are clothed in swimsuits, Hiro's being colorfully boisterous, and Sloth's is purple with quarter moons across.

Announcer: "Well, someone clearly needs a bath, and we've got just the thing for you. Our final leg of this course is a water challenge. You'll need to swim across the water to the final gate on the other side."

Sloth falls backward into the water and starts to float, apparently asleep again.

Hiro: "No problem, swimming across that distance is easy", as he cannonballs in. 

Hiro starts swimming speedily toward the finish line, while Sloth can be seen flexing his toes to adjust to the current and is somehow managing to keep pace with Hiro.

Hiro: "Aaahhh, no fair, I'm doing all the work, how are you keeping up with me!?"

Announcer: "Looks like it's neck and neck so far, but it can't be that easy – I hope you like calamari!"

Suddenly a giant Kraken rears up out of the water in front of them, its tentacles flailing about above the water, it opens its beak letting out an earth-shattering roar. Both contestants stop in their tracks.

Hiro: "We're gonna have to pull out all the stops to get past that monster."

Sloth: "What a drag, expending energy is so tiresome". 

Sloth's skin starts glowing with a purple haze as he visualizes a hot-rod with a full tank of gas revving up at the start line of a drag race. Hiro's cap emits a few sparks as he visualizes the quantum symbol on a glowing reactor labeled matter/anti-matter. One of the Kraken's tentacle's sweeps toward the duo, just as they leap from the water. Both start running across the surface of the water dodging tentacle strikes. The Kraken adjusts strategy and starts spinning super-fast, creating a tsunami that moves toward the pair. Hiro leaps out of the water with a horrified expression trying to run away in mid-air, but the wave strikes the duo sending them backwards.

Hiro: "Looks like we can't get around it."

Sloth: "I was afraid of this."

Hiro: "No choice, we'll have to take it out."

Hiro and Sloth change tactics, heading straight for it, each bounding up onto its tentacles, until finally delivering a series of coordinated, simultaneous kicks to its single eye. In a visual metaphor, the two of them are dancing a waltz together, wearing tuxedos, with perfect footwork, and Hiro blushing. The kinetic energy of their combined kicks builds up, culminating with the Kraken exploding into cooked calamari rings, which start raining down from the sky.

Announcer: "Well, that fish is fried" – spectators groan.

Sloth and Hiro perform air acrobatics as they land together, and sprint toward the finish line. Hiro grabs calamari out of the air, gobbling them up as he runs. Hiro is a step behind as Sloth breaks through the finish line, materializing back in the stadium to the raucous cheers of the audience. Sloth immediately falls, first to his knees, then face down as he begins to snore.

Announcer: "Looks like our winner is out cold."

Hiro, stamping his foot: "Darn, darn, darn. I wanted to win!"

Commander appears: "Well done both of you. Quantum is Sloth's Alliance, so finishing so close behind him is respectable."

Hiro: "Next time, next time Sloth, I'm gonna win!"

Sloth smiles, while in his dream he thinks "He didn't have to wait for me at the starting line – this kid might be alright."

Hiro vs. Terridus 

Teachers and students are back in the stadium to view the next battle challenge on giant monitors.

Announcer: "Welcome one and all to the Path of the Shield battle challenge. It's Terridus from the Magic Alliance vs. transfer student Hiro of no Alliance affiliation in this installment of the battle challenge, where each contestant will showcase their abilities. This course is comprised of three segments. At the end of the first two segments, a gateway awaits which will transport the contestants on to the next phase."

Terridus is at the competition's start gate within a forest, surrounded by squirrels and rabbits. Age 14, with light complexion, she is 5' 6" and weighs 95 lbs. Wearing an over-sized t-shirt emblazoned with an anime logo, torn jeans, and sneakers, her pink hair and pink eyes peak out from under a wide brimmed hat, marking her as a member of the Magic Alliance. She'd be described as cute, although she projects a desire to be inconspicuous by making herself as small as possible to avoid being noticed.

Terridus, speaking to the forest animals: "hey you cuties, will you be rooting for me?"

Hiro walks up: "Hi, I'm Hiro, nice to meet you. I like your furry friends." 

Terridus squats down forming a ball, and buries her head in her lap, quivering. 

Terridus, mumbles: "H H H Hello."

Hiro: "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Looks like we'll be competing against each other. What's your name?"

Terridus: "I'm T T T Terridus, from the Magic Alliance." 

She peaks up at Hiro and then ducks her head down again quickly.

Announcer: "Contestants, for the first segment of this competition, you'll make your way through the marked path within the forest."

Hiro, shouts suspiciously at the announcer: "That sounds too easy."

Announcer: "Well of course it's not that easy. During this competition you need to be aware of your surroundings and use your Alliance abilities to move forward, that is if you have any. Prepare yourselves. And the countdown starts now."

Giant color lit auto race style poles on either side of them start to count down from 3, 2, 1.

As the start horn sounds, Terridus is still trying to make herself into a tight ball, so she won't be noticed. Hiro leaps forward but stops when he sees Terridus hasn't started.

Hiro: "Hey, come on. Let's go, the race has started."

Terridus: "N N N No, that's ok, you go on without me. This forest is scary."

Announcer: "Perhaps a little incentive is in order."  

The rabbits and squirrels start to grow in size, their eyes turn red, their teeth and claws lengthen and sharpen, as a dark miasma clings to them. 

Announcer: "You'll be interested to know their claws and teeth are poisonous."

Hiro shouts: "Terridus, look up. Hurry, they'll surround you!"

Terridus looks up to see the creatures surrounding her. As she shrieks, her hair spikes up, she jumps straight into the air, her legs spin in mid-air and she speeds past Hiro, through the starting post, and into the forest.

Hiro: "Hey, wait for me. Why am I always saying that?" 

Hiro kicks it into high gear on the twisting dirt path through the forest, with the rabid creatures nipping at his heels. Hiro's eyes reflect a pair of rolling dice that come up as 4-3 for a winning seven. A shearing sound is heard as a tree starts falling in his path. Hiro leaps onto the falling trunk while it is still in mid-air, bounding over it. The ferocious furries aren't as fortunate, with a crash and squishing, splattering sounds behind him. Hiro's athleticism allows him to catch up to Terridus, who is still screeching at the top of her lungs.

Hiro: "Hey, I think we have some breathing room, they're not behind us anymore." 

Terridus' head pivots left and right, she stops screaming, bends over and starts panting heavily trying to catch her breath.

Hiro: "Why didn't you use your magic?"

Terridus: "Why didn't you use yours?"

Hiro: "I'm not a member of the Magic Alliance, so magic is harder for me. Plus, there wasn't much time."

Terridus: "You seemed to shake them off somehow."

Hiro: "That's just my bad luck; a tree fell down and nearly crushed me. Stuff like that just happens to me."

A rustle is heard back in the forest, and both of them gaze that way.

Hiro: "Looks like they're back."

Terridus tries to rise but when she puts pressure on her left ankle she staggers.

Terridus: "Owww, my ankle."

Hiro looks to see the critters emerging behind them.

Hiro, as he bends down and points to his back: "Quick, get on". 

She stares back at him uncertainly and then at the approaching critters. 

Hiro: "Hurry!" 

Terridus is hyperventilating as she climbs onto him, piggyback style. Hiro races off kicking up a cloud of dust. 

Hiro: "The gate is just ahead", and they both go through it together.

Announcer: "That's something you don't see every day, looks like it's a tie? (questioningly) going through the first gate."

As they pass through the gate, they emerge in midair at a dizzying height, falling through a purple sky with 3 moons. Hiro and Terridus are in close proximity, with parachutes strapped to their backs.

Announcer: "A piece of advice, you may want to pull your parachute rip chords before you get too close to the ground."

Close up of Terridus shows her eyes are tightly closed. 

Hiro, maneuvers closer to her yelling: "Pull your rip-chord!"

Terridus opens her eyes, looks at Hiro, and nods in assent. They pull their rip chords simultaneously, but their chutes just separate from their bodies and fly off. Hiro's eyes go wide, and his mouth opens in shock, while Terridus' lips begin to quiver, and she starts crying.

Announcer: "Oopsie, that wasn't supposed to happen. On to plan B, there's an inflated target pad down below, if you can maneuver to land on it, it may break your fall. Ummm, maybe."

Hiro: "Here, hold my hand, I'll try to guide us to the target", he extends his hand and Terridus reaches out to him as she stops crying and blushes.

Hiro envisions the magic pentagram in his head as his cap seems to glow pink and spark: "Wings"

Pink wings sprout out from Hiro's back slowing their descent, although maybe not enough.

Terridus: "Why are you helping me instead of trying to win?"

Hiro, smiling: "Being a good friend is more important than winning."

Terridus: "Are we friends?"

Hiro: "I hope so. Look, we're almost there, we're going to make it."

Announcer: "Even with those wings they're still moving way too quickly, let's hope they don't bounce too hard." 

Crowd in stadium cheers, watching the giant monitors depict the action.

Hiro and Terridus speed toward the target pad, and then ... pass right through it.

Announcer: "Ohh, turns out that target pad was actually the second gate. Congratulations, you've made it this far. These are the rules of the final challenge — each of you is in a soundproof, unbreakable glass chamber containing a time bomb. You will have 30 seconds to answer 3 questions correctly to complete this challenge and be safely on your way. If you're stuck, just say "pass" to move on to the next question. Let's see what you're made of—hopefully figuratively, not literally. Time starts ... now." 

There is a large LED timer above each of them counting down.

Hiro, thinking: "I hope Terridus will be ok. Heck, I hope I'll be ok."

Terridus, thinking: "I don't need magic for this, so I should be ok."

Within each chamber, the first question rings out: "What has many keys, but can't even open a single door?"

Hiro and Terridus, both their faces light up: "Easy. A piano!"

"Correct" is heard in each chamber, with timers at 25 seconds.

Announcer: "One down, two to go, and plenty of time left on the clock."

Next question: "I have two hands, but I cannot scratch myself. What am I?"

Hiro thinking: "I need to calm down and center myself." 

Hiro closes his eyes, his thoughts drifting to his quantum lessons with Master Chao. 

Hiro thinking: "Be aware of your yourself and your surroundings, time, space, and other dimensions ... time time", as he visualizes a clock. 

Hiro: "That's it, a clock!" 

"Correct" is heard in Hiro's Chamber, his timer is at 15 seconds.

Shift to Terridus, with an anxious look on her face, thinking "itchy itchy" as she starts to scratch herself front and back. Her eyes catch the clock ticking down overhead and she shouts: "Pass", with 15 seconds left on her clock.

Next question: "I am as light as a feather, yet no one can hold me for long. What am I?"

Shift to Hiro: "arrgh (strained look on his face), how can it be so light and no one can hold it? Wait, maybe it's ... fire!"

"Incorrect" is heard in Hiro's chamber, 7 seconds left on the clock.

Shift to Terridus thinking to herself, "ok, calm down Terridus, breathe, breathe". Her eyes light up: "That's it, breath!"

"Correct" is heard in Terridus' chamber, 7 seconds left on the clock.

Next Question:" What has six faces, but does not wear makeup, has twenty-one eyes, but cannot see? What is it?"

Hiro: "Ack, I don't know, there isn't enough time left."

Terridus: "Huh, what?" looks up at the clock as the last few seconds are running out

Announcer: "This could get messy ladies and gentlemen."

Dice are seen rolling in Hiro's eyes, landing on 5 and 2. The bomb mechanism starts to make whirring, screeching sounds. Terridus starts to shake uncontrollably and then freezes up completely. Her eyes close, then open gazing upwards as she murmurs an incantation, emitting a pink aura. Meanwhile, the mechanism in Hiro's chamber starts to smoke and fizzle, with the timer blanking out. 

The bomb within Terridus' chamber materializes high in the air above the stadium crowd, detonating with a violent explosion. Terridus passes out, slumping to the floor.

Announcer, with blackened face, singed eyelashes and eyebrows from the explosion: "and the answer is a die, as in dice. Uh, what just happened?"

As the chambers around the contestants are lifted away, Hiro runs to Terridus. Hiro takes one of her hands in his with a concerned look.

Hiro: "Terridus, wake up. Are you alright?" Terridus starts to stir, then opens her eyes looking at Hiro.

Terridus: "Hiro, I knew you'd save me."

Hiro: "But I didn't, my timer went haywire, and then there was an explosion above the stadium."

Terridus: "I'm going to take a nap now, nighty night," as her eyes close.

Announcer: "We have a ruling by the judges. Since Terridus overcame her time bomb using magic, whereas Hiro's bomb mechanism malfunctioned, he is disqualified from the competition. Terridus is the victor." 

Crowd cheers.

Hiro: "I lost again. I have to try harder next time!"

Hiro vs. Parvul

Teachers and students are back in the stadium to view the next battle challenge on giant monitors.

Announcer: "Welcome one and all to the Path of the Shield battle challenge. It's Parvul from the Technology Alliance vs. transfer student Hiro of no alliance affiliation in this installment of the battle challenge, where each contestant will showcase their abilities. This course is comprised of three segments. At the end of the first two segments, a gateway awaits which will transport the contestants on to the next phase."

At 5'2", weighing 80 lbs., Parvul, lollipop in mouth, looks younger than her 12 years of age. Her cute, big eyes are silver metallic, just like her ponytailed hair, marking her as a member of the Technology Alliance. Her advanced tech body suit envelops her from the neck down, sinuously flowing with her every movement.

Parvul and Hiro are both at the starting gate within the spectator dome.

Parvul, taking lollipop out of mouth: "Probability of Hiro's defeat, 100%" as she sticks out her tongue at him and pulls one lower eye lid down with her finger, "nyaahh."

Hiro: "Hi, I'm Hiro little girl, nice to meet you. Do you know where Parvul is?"

Parvul, face getting red: "I'm Parvul, and I'm not a little girl, I just look young. Now apologize. You made me sad, you poopoo head!"

Hiro, bowing: "Sorry, sorry, sorry. I sometimes open my mouth and say dumb stuff before I think. Please forgive me."

Parvul: "Hmmmpffff. Well ok, just this one time." She looks away from him. "Just so you know, I'm a lot smarter than you."

Hiro's jaw drops open.

Announcer (before Hiro can respond): "This chit chat is great and all, but let's get started. During this race you need to be aware of your surroundings and use your Alliance abilities to move forward, except for Hiro since he doesn't have an Alliance. And the countdown starts now."

Giant color lit auto race style poles on either side of them start to count down from 3, 2, 1.

As the start horn sounds, both contestants vault toward the start gate. Parvul emits a silver metallic aura with her tech suit providing a significant boost as it transforms around her legs giving her additional power. As she passes through the gate, she reappears inside of a jet-wing which is racing through a steep, orange rock canyon. Hiro appears behind her as they both zig zag through the course. 

Hiro: "Amazing. Woohoo!" 

Parvul, looking back: "So, he's keeping pace with me, huh? Time to upgrade this jalopy". 

Her suit extends metallic tentacles piercing into the jet pack, upgrading the engine. 

Parvul, looking back: "nyahh, nyahh, nyahh, nyahh, nyahh", as she starts pulling ahead.

Hiro: "Hey, is that even fair?"

Announcer: "She is allowed to use her Alliance ability. And we're allowed to turn up the pressure."

Multiple machine gun mounted jet-wings drop down from above to pursue them. Hiro and Parvul perform evasive maneuvers as bullet rounds whiz by them.

Parvul: "Probability they I take you flies out, 100%." 

Her jet-wing sprouts laser canons on each wing, and then she performs a 360-degree loop, circling back behind her pursuers. 

Parvul: "Laser cannons fire!" 

2 of her 4 pursuers explode, although the other two break away.

Hiro: "I don't have any weapons to fight back!" 

Hiro, thinking: "We're in the air, so I can try the wind magic that Master Laetus taught me." 

Hiro visualizes the magic emblem as he murmurs an incantation. In response, a gust of wind sends one of his pursuers careening into another, with a satisfying 'Boom.'

Hiro: "Woah, that really came in handy, but there are still two of them pursuing me."

Hiro: "Console, patch me into Parvul. Parvul, it's Hiro, are you there?"

Parvul: "Where else would I be, silly?"

Hiro: "Do you trust me?"

Parvul: "Why should I trust you? We're competing and besides, we just met."

Hiro: "Well, I have an idea. If we work together, we can take out the remaining enemies."

Parvul, rolling her eyes: "Go ahead, I'm listening."

Hiro: "Turn back around and head straight for me."

Parvul: "What!?"

Hiro: "At the last second, I'll nose up and you nose down."

Parvul: "I see, like a game of chicken." 

Jet-wings around her are closing in again, and her jet-wing is being rattled. 

Parvul, thinking: "It looks like the remaining two jet-wings have adapted, so this just got harder."

Parvul: "I can do the precise calculations to maximize our chance of success, so I will tell you when to break away. You better not get me killed, you dumdum."

Parvul rolls back in Hiro's direction.

Hiro: "Thanks for trusting me"

Parvul: "I don't trust you; I just did the math."

Tension can be seen on both their faces, as they race towards each other with the jet wings in close pursuit. 

Parvul: "Now!"

Hiro pulls up as Parvul noses down, and the enemy jet wings collide into each other – Blam!

Hiro: "Woohoo! That was awesome Parvul ... Parvul?"

Hiro looks around and then sees Parvul's jet-wing trailing smoke leading to its impact and explosion with the ground.

Hiro, distraught: "Parvul! Nooooo!" 

Announcer: "That was a spectacular crash. It looks like we're down to one contestant. Well, that's how the cookie crumbles."

Hiro continues on toward the gate, tears streaming down his cheek, although he is expressionless and numb.

Suddenly, something streaks up to his side. As Hiro looks over, he's shocked and elated to see Parvul flying next to him, without a jet wing.

Parvul, smirking: "I didn't know you cared Hiro."

Hiro: "But how?"

Parvul: "Easy, my body tech just adapted itself for flight. Come on slow poke, see if you can keep up."

Announcer: "Gotta admit, I didn't see that coming. The race is on."

Hiro smiles, trailing after Parvul as she passes through the gate.

Announcer: "The second leg of this competition is a motocross race on this off-road, wilderness track. Follow the markers to stay on course."

Parvul and Hiro are now dressed in black leather and helmet, riding motocross bikes. Parvul maintains a slight lead over Hiro, bounding up and down hills, through sharp turns with jungle surrounding them.

Hiro: "I'm surprised you can ride a motorcycle."

Parvul: "Why, because I'm a girl?"

Hiro: "No, because you're ..."

Parvul, angry: "Grrrrr, because what, I'm so young!?"

Hiro, drawing it out: "Well ..."

Parvul: "How about you, how do you know how to ride a motorcycle or a jet wing for that matter?"

Hiro, proud: "I've had some terrific personal tutors, we covered a lot of ground."

Announcer: "Before you two get too cozy, we've invited some other guests to join you."

Velociraptors emerge from the jungle onto the course.

Parvul, looking back: "Trying to eat me? Bad dinosaurs."

Hiro: "They're trying to eat me too you know."

Parvul: "Why would they eat a tough piece of meat like you, when they can have an exquisite, tasty morsel like me instead?"

Velociraptors are nipping at Hiro, as he tries to kick them away. Some shoot past him to pursue Parvul.

Hiro: "Tell that to them." 

Hiro, thinking: "They're living creatures, so maybe I can try one of Master Dulcia's mind techniques on them."

Hiro swings his bike toward an attacking velociraptor, envisions the Psychic emblem and brushes its head with his hand. As the velociraptor looks across at him, it suddenly sees a T-Rex in Hiro's place. Getting spooked, the velociraptor twists around, crashing into the other velociraptors around it, creating a dinosaur pile up.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Announcer: "What just happened? Our poor little Dinos got themselves all tangled up."

Meanwhile, Parvul's modified her motocross bike with rear flamethrowers, cooking one of her pursuers. 

Announcer: "Flamethrower vs. Velociraptor. Flamethrower 1, Velociraptor 0"

As Hiro passes by, he somehow has a fork in his hand and grabs a chunk of cooked meat, stuffing it into his mouth.

Hiro, smiling: "Yummy" 

Looking back, Parvul looks grossed out.

The two remaining velociraptors turn their attention to Hiro and are now on either side of him. As they converge on him, a roulette wheel is reflected in Hiro's eyes, coming up double zero. Hiro's front tire gets caught on a branch in the road and sends him flying into the air, and onto the back of Parvul's bike with a thud. Hiro reflexively puts his arms around Parvul, who slowly turns her head to see Hiro behind her, turning her face a bright red.

Parvul: "Get off me you pervert!"

Hiro: "Sorry, it was an accident, the gate is just ahead."

Announcer: "Hiro's literally fallen for the girl."

Their bike races through the next gate.

Hiro and Parvul are on opposite sides of an arena, with three 8-foot-tall humanoid robots facing each of them. All robots have a shield for defense. On offense, one robot has a sword, one has a mace, and the other has a battle axe.

Announcer: "Congratulations, you've both survived — so far anyway (hushed voice) — to face the final challenge. Now all you have to do is make it past these bloodthirsty war robots to reach the final gate at the center of the stadium."

There is a stand of weapons near the contestants. Hiro chooses a shield and broad sword, while Parvul selects a mace.

Hiro, thinking: "Time to put some of Uncle's training to use."

Hiro runs at the nearest robot, ducking below its sword as it swings it at him, rolls underneath its legs, and strikes the back of the robot's right knee, sending it down on that knee.

Robot, in a metallic voice: "Insubordination"

Hiro starts hacking at it in a quick flurry from behind, but his sword is harmlessly bouncing off. Hiro closes his eyes, envisions the militant faith symbol, and breaths in saying "Strengthen" — his body pumps up and his cap seems to send out red sparks. Unlike before, Hiro's sword impacts are now booming and cutting into the robot as it emits sparks, flailing its arms, until its lights go out. Hiro's physique returns to normal.

Meanwhile, Parvul's facing off against the robot with the mace.

Robot: "Ha, you are too little, my mace is bigger. I will squash you like a bug."

Parvul: "No, mine is bigger." 

Parvul emits a silver metallic aura as she integrates with her mace, increasing it to a ridiculously massive size. She then jumps into the air, swinging her mace overhead to bring it crashing down on top of the robot's head, shattering it into pieces.

Announcer: "Our contestants make quick work of the first robot they've faced, but there's still more to come."

Remaining robots converge on their opponents.

Robots: "Combo attack."

Robots start simultaneously striking at Hiro, beating him back as he tries to parry with his sword and shield.

Hiro, thinking to himself: "Time to try one of Master Ali's techniques. I won't have much time, and my tech ability is limited, so I have to keep it simple."

As the two robot's weapons make contact with Hiro's sword and shield, Hiro visualizes the tech emblem and sends out a command through the metal. 

Hiro: "Release."

An electrical pulse runs through Hiro's weapons into the robots, who freeze up, dropping their shields and weapons. Unfortunately, they immediately recover, side stepping to grab Hiro's wrists, twisting them until he drops his weapons.

Hiro, grimacing in pain as the robots twist his wrists: "Aaaaah!" 

Pulling in opposite directions on each of Hiro's arms, the robots lift him off the ground. 

Announcer, causing the audience to groan: "That's stretching things a bit."

Meanwhile, Parvul is spinning her mace above her head keeping her attackers at bay.

Parvul, thinking: "If I swing at one, the other will attack."

Robots: "Adapting tactics."

The robots toss their weapons at Parvul, who jumps back to evade. They then do a combined pose, bending inward toward each other with fingertips and tops of their heads touching, and their outside legs lifted up. A blue energy pulse emanates out of this configuration toward Parvul. Upon impact, her body suit transforms from its metallic silver luster to a dull grey. Her mace returns to its normal size, falling to the ground, since she no longer has the strength to lift it. 

Parvul, thinking: "Must be some type of EM pulse. I don't have time to reboot," as the robots begin converging on her she backs away.

Parvul, crying out: "I want my mommy."

Announcer: "Things are not looking good for our dynamic duo."

Hiro looks over and sees Parvul backed into a corner. As he's being stretched in opposite directions by his 2 robot opponents, Hiro screams in pain. 

Hiro: "Noooooo!"

Hiro's chaos ability kicks in, his eyes reflecting a multitude of flipped coins all of which land on heads. Suddenly, his robot opponents' heads snap back and their eyes start flashing.

Robots: "Error, error. System crash."

As their grip on Hiro loosens, he drops to the ground, reclaiming his sword and shield as he rolls toward Parvul. Hiro ambushes Parvul's enemy robots from behind, drawing their attention away from her.

Hiro: "I won't be able to hold out for much longer", as he parries and dodges their blows.

Parvul: "I've managed to get some of my systems back online. I will try to help." A silvery liquid tendril extends from Parvul's suit and makes its way to Hiro's sword, fusing with it. Hiro envisions the Technology emblem, transforming his sword to a glowing silver. Swinging his sword, he makes contact with the first robot's sword, cleaving it in two, then continues on to cleave the robot in two as well.

Second Robot: "mmmm, perhaps this was all a misunderstanding, can't we all try to get along"?

Parvul: "Trying to kill people isn't nice, you're a bad robot. Get him Hiro." 

The robot raises his shield up, but Hiro's sword cuts right through it, and the robot as well.

Parvul's body suit comes back online, and she races ahead toward the final gate. 

Parvul, smiling: "Good work Hiro, way to show those naughty robots who's the boss."

Hiro: "Hey, wait for me."

Parvul and then Hiro pass through the gate and reappear in the stadium to the cheers of the audience.

Announcer: "And the winner is Parvul!"

Parvul is beaming as Hiro tilts his head upward sighing: "I lost again."

Parvul, thinking: "He's not too bad for a big lunkhead." 

Hiro vs. Artifice

Teachers and students are back in the stadium to view the next battle challenge on giant monitors.

Announcer: "Welcome one and all to the Path of the Shield battle challenge. It's Artifice from the Psychic Alliance vs. transfer student Hiro of no Alliance affiliation in this installment of the battle challenge, where each contestant will showcase their abilities. This course is comprised of three segments. At the end of the first two segments, a gateway awaits which will transport the contestant on to the next phase."

Artifice is a light complexioned, 16 years of age, 5' 6" tall female weighing 95 lbs. She dresses in a sleeveless pinstripe grey suit and wears black plastic rim glasses, giving her the appearance of a librarian. Although tattoos aren't typically associated with librarians, one-inch images of a book are festooned on the sides of both her arms between shoulder and elbow. She is an attractive, slim, modest bosomed member of the Magic Alliance – blue hair and blue eyes.

Artifice and Hiro are both at the starting gate within the spectator dome.

Hiro, beaming: "It's a pleasure to meet you Artifice."

Artifice, walks up close and gets in Hiro's face as if examining him: "So what are you about? You lost your first three challenges, but you did manage to stay alive and complete them, even though you're not an Alliance member."

Hiro, leaning back, with nervous laughter: "Just lucky I guess."

Artifice, making a wry face: "'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you', that's a quote from Maya Angelou."

Hiro: "That's ... deep."

Announcer: "Time to get started folks. During this race you need to be aware of your surroundings and use your Alliance abilities, except for a certain someone, to move forward. And the countdown begins."

Giant color lit auto race style poles on either side of them start to count down from 3, 2, 1.

As the start horn sounds, both contestants sprint toward the start gate, in step with each other. They pass through the gate and appear at one end of a small pond, with footpads trailing away towards the opposite side.

Announcer: "ok, get started. Isn't it obvious? You need to make your way to the opposite side."

Hiro and Artifice start out across the pond.

Announcer: "Maybe I should mention, those shiny things you see darting through the water are hungry."

Both Hiro and Artifice stop and look down to see the creatures beneath them. Hiro's expression becomes more determined, but Artifice's composure evaporates and her face pales.

Announcer: "I wouldn't stop to take a break if I were you, those foot pads are getting smaller with each passing second."

Artifice, regains her composure, thinking: "Remember what Angie Thomas wrote, 'Brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you go on even though you're scared'".

Both of them start moving forward. Hiro takes a step onto a footpad, which gives way. He's about to plunge into the water, but manages to recover by turning a cartwheel into a handstand onto the closest footpad.

Announcer: "Oh no, Hiro stepped on a defective footpad. We'll have some strong words for the manufacturer."

Contestants are nearing the other side, but the footpads are noticeably smaller and there's some balancing on one foot required now. As Hiro pauses, a slot machine is reflected in his eyes – the slot lever is pulled and 3 'Jackpot' signs come up followed by a clang of sounds and lights. At just that moment a fish jumps out of the water, intercepting a bullet that would have struck Hiro. Closing her eyes, invisible blue tendrils spread out around Artifice until she senses the mental image of a distant sniper, outlined in red. A blue aura emanates from her as she forms a path in her mind's eye connecting her to the sniper. A click is heard, transforming the image of the sniper from red to blue.

Sniper's eyes gloss over, in a monotone: "My sister, I must protect you", as he starts firing into the water killing fish after deadly fish.

Sniper: "You're safe now, sister."

Announcer: "That's what I'd expect from one of the top Psychic Alliance students, but who invited that sniper to the party? Did you kids do something to piss someone off?"

Artifice raises her chin triumphantly: "I just saved your bacon Hiro, the least you can do is carry me the rest of the way."

Hiro: "How did you do that?"

Artifice: "I'll explain it to you sometime. Maybe. Now, be a good boy and do your part."

Hiro, resignedly: "I guess it's only fair."

He jumps down into the water, walks over to Artifice, who extends her arms out to show him what to do. Hiro does as instructed, Artifice jumping into his arms.

Artifice, thinking to herself: "I could get used to this." 

Artifice, blushing, aloud: "Just don't get any ideas you pervert."

Hiro: "Hey, this was your idea!"

As Hiro and Artifice pass through the gate, they appear in a white room on opposite sides of a white table.

Announcer: "The game is two truths and a lie. Each of you gets a turn to make statements and identify your opponent's facts vs. fiction. You get one point for each correct answer. Whoever wins gets a 20 second head start on the final round. Artifice will go first."

Artifice takes a breath as her expression goes blank, and she speaks in a monotone: 

1.    "Government assassins murdered my parents

2.    My mentor, Master Dulcia, murdered my parents

3.    I murdered my parents"

Hiro is taken aback: "How terrible, your parents were murdered!" 

Artifice does not react.

Announcer: "If contestant Hiro does not provide his classifications promptly, he will lose this round. Please proceed."

Hiro thinking: "The most believable is that the government would be responsible, although I can't imagine why. I know Master Dulcia, and I can't to believe she would do such a thing, although she can be very scary. I just met Artifice, but there's no way she could kill her own parents."

Announcer: "Your response?"

Hiro, sighs: "statements 1 and 2 are true, statement 3 is the lie."

Artifice: "Government assassins murdered my parents. Although Master Dulcia blames herself, she was not present, so did not murder them. I however, was present and was too weak to defend them, so I bear responsibility for their deaths."

Hiro, protesting: "That doesn't make you a murderer, you were just a child."

Announcer: "We're not here to determine absolute truths, this is Artifice's truth. One point is awarded to Hiro. Contestant Hiro, present your statements."

Hiro:

1.    "Things tend to go wrong whenever I'm around

2.    Master Dulcia told me you are her finest student

3.    I have brown hair"

Artifice thinking: "I can see that he has brown hair under that ridiculous cap he's wearing – what is he trying to pull? Is he so vain that he dyed it? I can believe that he has some type of inferiority complex and blames himself for coincidental events. Master Dulcia is always criticizing me, so it's hard to believe she would say something like that, and besides how would he even know her? Best to use my ability on Hiro and not leave this to chance."

Artifice closes her eyes and focuses on Hiro, trying to penetrate his mind. Artifice emits a blue aura, generating a current that enters Hiro's mind. Simultaneously, the scene of fallen dominoes reverse cascading into one another to stand upright once again is reflected on the surface of Hiro's eyes. Abruptly, the blue current surges back to its origin, rebuffing Artifice's progress.

Artifice, recoiling: "Ouchie. Ouchie." 

She casts Hiro a pained expression, rubbing her forehead. 

Artifice: "What is it with you?"

Hiro: "Me? Huh? I didn't do anything."

Announcer: "Contestant Artifice, provide your classifications."

Artifice, scowling: "Statements 1 and 3 are true, statement 2 is the lie."

Hiro: "I am a jinx, and Master Dulcia did say that about you. My hair ... just looks brown."

Artifice, leaning into Hiro: "How do you know Master Dulcia?"

Hiro: "You're not her only student; she's one of my teachers too."

Announcer: "One point is awarded to Artifice. We have a tie. Please proceed on to the final challenge."

Artifice and Hiro both make a dash for the gate. Each emerges in separate locations in the middle of a forest clearing, wearing military fatigues.

Announcer: "For this final segment, you'll be playing 'Capture the Flag'. Hiro is the red team, and Artifice is the blue team. You and your 10 troops are equipped with rifles, and you'll be able to direct them via voice command. Whoever captures the enemy flag and returns it to their home base, placing it next to their flag, is the victor. Your bullet proof vest should protect you, mostly, from any fatal shots. Incapacitated soldiers will be teleported off the battlefield to our medical unit. There will be a counter showing number of soldiers left on each team. If either of you is incapacitated during this battle, you lose."

Hiro, thinking: "Even though my psychic abilities are weaker than Artifice, I have to use what Master Dulcia taught me to create a mental barrier within my troops to prevent Artifice from taking control of them." Hiro visualizes the psychic emblem, a monotone blue emblem of an eye, and mentally connects with his troops, placing a locked chain gate at the entrance to their minds.

Artifice, thinking: "Based on last round, a direct psychic attack on Hiro won't work, but his troops are fair game. Let's see." 

She reaches out to the troops and sees the gates blocking access to their minds. 

Artifice, thinking: "Hmmm, nice work Hiro, I see Master Dulcia's influence on you. I could bulldoze through all of those gates, but that would be rather indelicate and might take too much time."

Artifice, motivating her troops: "As Tolstoy said, 'Man cannot possess anything as long as he fears death. But to him who does not fear it, everything belongs. If there was no suffering, man would not know his limits, would not know himself.'  Let's see what we can learn about ourselves in this battle, and let's win."

In response, her troops let out a cheer.

Hiro, speaking to his troops: "um, I've never led a team before, but I've trained very hard every day of my life. One thing I've learned is whatever you do, give it your all."

Troops nod in assent.

Artifice and Hiro, both thinking: "I'll stay back to guard the flag, and put everyone else on offense. There's a choke point in the middle of the map. We have to get there first."

Both aloud: "All troops move out and capture the enemy flag!" 

Their soldiers shout out as they run onto the battlefield.

Announcer: "It's a mad dash across the battlefield. They'll be facing some rough terrain along the way."

Soldiers from both sides are jumping over pits and fallen trees, crawling under brush, bounding through treetops, swimming through murky water, climbing cliffs, and trying to overcome quicksand. Three soldiers from each team succumb to these obstacles along the way. Battle counters reflect this, going from 10 down to 7 on each side.

Announcer, update 1: "Both sides have made steady progress, converging at the center of the battlefield, where they are taking fire, pinning each other down."

Both battle counters tick down lower at pace with each other as soldiers fall.

Announcer, update 2: "We have extensive injuries on both sides now. Wait, what's this, a red team member is making his way past the blue defenders, even as soldiers from both teams eliminate each other." 

Battle counter goes down to 0 for blue with 1 remaining for red team. Sometime later, the remaining Red soldier approaches the Blue flag. Artifice is guarding it, and they begin firing at each other.

Announcer: "Looks like Artifice isn't a very good shot. She's pinned down and her return fire leaves something to be desired. Oh, looks like she's down, although she's managed to crawl back for cover. Hiro's Red soldier has grabbed the blue flag and started to make his way back to his home base. Appears to be all over, now we just have to wait for the inevitable."

Carrying the Blue flag, Red soldier approaches Hiro who is waiting at the base of the Red flag. Just then, Artifice leaps out from bush cover, placing herself between Hiro's Red soldier and the Red team victory point. Artifice and the enemy are at an impasse, each pointing their rifles at the other.

Hiro: "Artifice don't, at this range the vest may not save you — let it go."

Artifice, looking desperate and frazzled: "I won't lose to you Hiro, I won't!" 

Hiro, looking concerned: "Alright then. Soldier, stand down". 

But the soldier ignores Hiro's command, raising his rifle to aim directly at Artifice's head. 

Hiro, more urgently: "Soldier, stand down!" 

As the soldier appears to tighten his finger on the trigger, Hiro launches himself in front of Artifice. Hiro collapses to the ground as the bullet pierces his chest, eliciting a gasp from the viewing audience.

Announcer, subdued: "Artifice wins."

Sometime later, Hiro is lying unconscious in a hospital bed, with Artifice by his side.

Artifice: "Seems you really did have bad luck this time. What were you thinking throwing yourself in front of that soldier like that? Fortunately, the best medical and magical experts were able to save you, although you'll need a little time to recover."

Artifice replays in her mind the events leading up to this point.

Artifice, thinking: "Based on last round, a direct psychic attack on Hiro won't work, but his troops are fair game. Let's see." 

She reaches out to the troops' minds and sees the gates Hiro set up. 

Artifice, thinking: "Hmm, nice work Hiro, I see Master Dulcia's influence on you. I could bulldoze through all of those gates, but that would be rather indelicate and might take too much time." 

Artifice, continuing: "Perhaps something more subtle and focused." 

Removing herself from 9 of the men's minds, she intensifies her efforts toward the remaining one. 

Artifice, back in the present at Hiro's side: "Betrayal is a consistent theme in literature. That soldier was only making a convincing show of shooting me. Based on my orders, he was going to miss, and then I was going to turn the tables on you. It would have been a wonderful story for the audience, but you had to one up me. Still, it's hard to resist someone who risks their life for you." 

Artifice leans in as if to kiss Hiro ... 

Hiro vs. Acies:

Teachers and students are back in the stadium to view the next battle challenge on giant monitors. Hiro is waiting at the starting gate within the spectator dome.

Announcer: "Here comes our other contestant, Acies, from the Militant Faith Alliance. It appears he brought some friends along with him, although they look a bit rough around the edges."

Acies makes his entrance with several street thugs chasing him into the arena. Although only 15 years of age, Acies has a commanding presence at 6'2" tall, with a thick muscular build and heavy physique. He has a dark complexion and is above average in appearance. His red wrestler's leotard matches the color of his hair and eyes, which identify him as a member of the Militant Faith Alliance.

Thug1: "Lookee here fellas, we gots ourselves an audience."

Thug2: "You thought we weren't gonna chase you all the way into this arena, tough guy?"

Acies: "No, I was counting on you following me. This will be much more fun with an audience."

Thug3: "Well, you shoulda thought a dat before interferin in our business. Wait, what?"

Thug4: "har har, you saying ya wanna tangle with the Face Punch gang?"

Acies: "look fellas, I'm in a bit of a hurry here. Can we fight now?"

Thug5: "you heard em gents, let's pile on!!!"

The five thugs surround Acies, circling around him chanting in unison, with alternating air punches: "Face Punch! Face Punch!"

Hiro has been observing and starts to move toward Acies, but catches Acies subtle smile and head shake 'no', so he freezes in place. Acies then does a 'T' pose, looking up to the sky. The Face Punch gang moves in for the kill.

Acies, as he leaps straight up 10 meters into the air: "Startled mouse leaping over angry broom!"

Acies, as he reaches the peak of his leap: "Purple elephant falling from green sky."

Instead of converging on Acies as intended, the Face Punch gang crashes into each other, then look up to see Acies falling toward them feet first.

Face Punch gang, looking up: "Uh oh"

Acies slams down into them with a boom, forming a giant dust cloud. After a few seconds, Acies walks out of the dust cloud towards the starting point where Hiro is still waiting. As the dust clears, the Face Punch gang is lying on the ground, bruised, dirty, and incapacitated.

Announcer: "You have to admit, Acies certainly knows how to make an entrance."

Acies to Hiro: "Thanks for the assist, that takes some courage — jumping into a 5 on 1 fight isn't very good odds."

Hiro: "But you didn't need my help."

Acies: "Your heart is in the right place. You don't have to worry about me, the Lord has my back. The Lord always has my back." 

Announcer: "Welcome one and all to the Path of the Shield battle challenge. It's Acies from the Militant Faith Alliance vs. transfer student Hiro of no Alliance affiliation in this installment of the battle challenge, where each contestant will showcase their abilities. This course is comprised of three segments. At the end of the first two segments, a gateway awaits which will transport the contestant on to the next phase. For the first segment, we're sending you back to medieval times where you'll have to storm a heavily fortified castle to make it to the gate contained within the interior."

Announcer: "Time to get started folks. And the countdown begins."

Giant color lit auto race style pole on either side of them start to count down from 3, 2, 1.

As the start horn sounds, both contestants sprint from the starting line toward the start gate, with Acies in the lead. Passing through the gate, they materialize on opposite sides of a castle surrounded by a moat, triggering alert gongs from within the castle. Acies and Hiro are clothed in period appropriate attire, although Hiro has been put into women's garb.

Announcer: "Looks like a glitch at the costume department, although Hiro does look cute."

Hiro looks down at himself, his shoulders slumping.

Acies, laughing as he looks over at Hiro: "I don't care what clothes you put us in, I'm taking this castle by storm."

Acies starts to sprint towards the castle and is greeted with volleys of arrows. Leaping into the air, he snatches several, sending them back to strike the castle defenders.

Still standing there, Hiro thinks: "I can't compete with Acies' physicality, but one of the techniques uncle taught me will help narrow the gap."

Hiro closes his eyes, takes a breath, envisions the Militant Faith bladed crucifix emblem and whispers: "Agility." 

Hiro proceeds to dodge all arrows coming his way with acrobatic finesse — abrupt stops, leaps into the air, even cartwheels — all the way to the moat's edge.

Announcer: "Talk about hopping to it."

Acies gets to the moat's edge, where alligators are streaming through the water.

Acies: "I could leap over this moat, but that wouldn't be any fun." 

Acies, pointing to a monstrous gator: "You look like the top gator. Poppa needs a new set of luggage." 

Diving in straight at the largest alligator, a wrestling match ensues, with Acies and the Gator twirling and thrashing under water.

Hiro, back at the moat's edge, thinking: "I don't like my odds ... probability and timing." 

Hiro closes his eyes, envisions the Quantum infinity emblem, and enters the Quantum realm where he visualizes possible futures. 

Hiro, finding a successful outcome: "That's it." 

Hiro, opening his eyes: "3 ... 2 ... 1."

Hiro leaps out over the moat, and just as he is about to fall into the water an alligator surfaces. Hiro springs off that alligator and continues to repeat this several times in a zig zag pattern until he lands at the base of the castle wall.

Meanwhile, Acies explodes out of the water swinging the monster alligator by the tail.

Acies: "Playboy alligator meets girlfriend alligator's dad."

Acies releases the alligator, launching it into the castle wall, where it splatters. Nearby alligators scatter, leaving the scene as soon as possible, while Acies does a leisurely back stroke to the other side of the moat.

Announcer: "See ya later alligator." Crowd groans.

Acies, thinking: "I had my fun, time to pick up the pace a little". 

Acies, aloud: "Strength."

A red haze envelops his body, as he starts climbing up the side of the wall. Acies doesn't bother finding hand and foot holds, since his fingers and feet are piercing into the mortar of the castle wall itself. From above, defenders start raining boulders down on him, but he swats them away like pesty flies.

Acies: "It'll take more than a few pebbles to slow me down." 

Acies makes it to the top of the wall, does a back flip, and lands smoothly on his feet.  The defenders glance his way prior to bolting in terror.

Hiro is at the base of the castle wall, thinking to himself: "Now what? Climbing will be tough enough, but boulders?" 

Hiro notices a glimmer of light moving down his arm sleave and focuses on it. 

Hiro, thinking: "Could it be?" 

Concentrating on the glimmer, he envisions the Technology circuit board emblem, his cap emitting faint sparks. Data flows through electronic circuitry as the glimmer expands, splitting onto the surfaces of his hands and bottom of his shoes. 

Hiro, remembering when that piece of Parvul's suit splits off to aid him: "Thank you for sharing a part of your tech suit Parvul." 

Hiro starts climbing up the castle wall, with his hands and feet sticking to it. 

Announcer: "Hiro's climbing up the wall, how's he doing that? He's kinda like a spider-m... —no, I won't go there."

As boulders rain down on him, he's able to evade, but still remain connected to the wall with at least one limb at all times. He continues to progress until he's finally standing on the balustrade, just as the radiance of the technology glimmer fades, coalescing into the shape of a mole on his arm.

Hiro: "Out of juice, huh? Well, thanks for getting me this far."

Castle defenders are looking angrily on at him. 

Hiro, thinking: "Since I'm dressed the part, time for one of Master Dulcia's seduction illusions — never thought I would use this one." 

Hiro focuses for a second on the Psychic emblem, transforming into a beautiful young lady in the minds of the defenders. The castle defender's expressions transform from anger to adoration.

Castle defender 1: "Let me escort your grace to the gate."

Castle defender 2: "No, I will escort the lady to the gate."

Castle defender 3, confronting the other two: "Over my dead body."

Castle defenders start tussling over who will assist Hiro, so Hiro slinks away.

Announcer, who is out of range of Hiro's psychic technique: "Errr, what just happened?"

First Acies, and then Hiro appear at the central gate.

Acies, snickering: "Is that you Hiro? Oh my, you're looking lovelier than ever, but you're still not my type."

Hiro flustered: "Dissipate", transforming appearance back to normal.

Acies, extending a hand in the direction of the gate: "Shall we?", and they walk through the gate side by side.

The pair materialize dressed in school uniforms, each sitting at small desks within a classroom. Acies looks especially ridiculous squeezed into his seat.

Announcer: "Since you can't muscle your way through every obstacle in life, it's time for a math quiz. The winner will get a 30 second head start on the next challenge. First person to hit the buzzer on their desk gets to answer the question. The first contestant to answer three questions correctly wins."

Acies looks worried and is staring down at his desk.

Hiro, looking concerned: "What's wrong, it's just math, nothing to be afraid of."

Acies looks sideways at Hiro, gritting his teeth and emits a low growl.

Announcer: "First question, if you're really hungry and like pizza, what would you rather have?

a)    Four sixths of the pizza

b)    Five eighths of the pizza

c)    Two fourths of the pizza

Acies starts mumbling to himself incoherently.

Hiro buzzes in: "a, four sixths"

Announcer: "That's correct, one for Hiro. Next question. If you need to purchase fence for the perimeter of a rectangular property having 10-meter length and 5-meter width, how much fence do you need to purchase?"

Hiro buzzes in: "30 meters"

Announcer: "That's correct, Hiro now has 2 correct answers. Next question, currency A dollar is worth 80% of currency B dollar. If someone owes you 10 currency A dollars, but can only pay you in currency B dollars, how many currency B dollars should they pay you?"

Acies head just falls forward, hitting the table, splitting it in two.

After some thought, Hiro hits his buzzer: "8 currency B dollars"

Announcer: "Correct, please proceed to the gate Hiro." Announcer smirking, "guess we found Acies' soft spot."

Hiro materializes atop a hover board, dressed in skateboarding gear, helmet and all.

Announcer: "You have a 30 second head start to reach the gate at the bottom of the mountain Hiro, even you should be able to win this one."

Hiro starts down the mountain, riding along a dirt trail, dealing with obstacles along the way — a sharp turn almost drives him off a cliff side, he averts wiping out when braking to avoid a deer, he hits the landing after an unexpectedly steep vertical drop — but still has a sizable lead.

Acies appears at the top of the mountain, also in skateboarding gear, and can see Hiro's lead displayed on a holographic map.

Acies, thinking to himself: "Looks like it will take a miracle for me to catch up to him." 

Acies bows his head and puts his hands together in prayer.

Announcer: "uhhhh, looks like Acies is (questioning inflection) praying? Does he really have time for that now?"

The earth starts to rumble, and the ground starts to shake.

Acies: "I better get ready for this. Defensive hardening!" 

He's enveloped by a red haze as his skin hardens. The ground Acies is on starts shaking violently, as the mountain becomes an erupting volcano.  Acies, along with a large chunk of earth is shot up into the air on a jet of molten lava.

Announcer: "That looks like a real blast, but can even Acies survive an erupting volcano?"

Acies surveys the ground below as he is lifted into the air.

Acies: "There! Flying squirrel leaping at evasive acorn." 

He launches his hover board off his flying island, coming down right beside Hiro. Acies smiles and waves at him, as the violent impact of the landing bounces him several meters into the lead. Hiro's eyes bulge out and his draw drops in exaggerated cartoon fashion. Hiro tries to recover, but it's too late. Acies cruises through the final gate, and into the arena to the cheers of the crowd, where he basks in the glory. Hiro follows dejectedly behind him.

Announcer: "Hiro's managed to lose again."

Hiro: "That was a crazy coincidence, how did you even survive it?"

Acies, with outstretched arms: "Coincidence? Blasphemer! That's the power of God's miracles."

Hiro, with fists clenched and an eager expression: "Well, I'm still not giving up, I'll try harder next time!"

Acies: "I'm hungry, is it lunch time yet?"

Hiro vs. Potesta:

Teachers and students are back in the stadium to view the next battle challenge on giant monitors. A young woman exudes haughty impatience as she awaits her opponent at the starting gate. At 16 years of age she strikes an imposing, slender figure at 5' 10" tall, wearing expensive, fashionable clothing, including high black boots, and gold bordered black cape. Possessing lovely shoulder length black hair with matching eye color, symmetrical, unblemished facial features, and ample bosom, she would be considered beautiful, but for her intimidating demeanor — not surprising for an Order Alliance member.

Potesta, turning her head to the side: "Hmmpf, where is that loser?"

Hiro running up to the starting gate: "You take that back. I am not a loser!"

Potesta: "What do you call 0 wins and 5 losses? After I defeat you today, you won't be accepted into the Path of the Shield school. 'Acta non verba', it's Latin for 'actions not words'."

Hiro: "Now you've got me all worked up. I'll show you!"

Potesta: "Don't get yourself into a tizzy 'home schooled'."

Hiro: "Argghh, that's not my name. My name is Hiro."

Potesta: "Have it your way Zero." 

Hiro starts jumping up and down and shaking his fists above his head in annoyance.

Announcer: "Enough chit chat, let's get started. Welcome one and all to the Path of the Shield battle challenge. It's Potesta from the Order Alliance vs. transfer student Hiro of no Alliance affiliation in this installment of the battle challenge, where each contestant will showcase their abilities. This course is comprised of three segments. At the end of the first two segments, a gateway awaits which will transport the contestant on to the next phase. This first segment will not be time based, but rather pass/fail, and you'll get a chance to clown around. Let's begin."

Giant color lit auto race style poles on either side of them start to count down from 3, 2, 1.

As they pass through the gate, each of them materializes in a tight, dark space.

Hiro: "Hey, what's going on here? I can't see a thing."

There are sounds of a match being lit, followed by a fuse.

Announcer: "Get ready to have a blast!"

As the perspective shifts outside of Hiro's narrow space, we see that Hiro and Potesta are inside of black iron canons, with their fuses burning down. Announcer is there in person, dressed as ringmaster. Spotlights are focusing in on the contestants. Hiro and Potesta, dressed in circus attire, are shot out of their respective canons. Hiro is flailing around, trying to run on air, while Potesta takes it all in stride, appearing to do a high dive through the air.

Announcer: "Heads up, you need to bounce off the target trampoline and grab the overhead trapeze to move forward in this course."

Potesta does a midair forward somersault, landing on the trampoline feet first, bouncing up to clasp the overhead trapeze. Hiro does a belly bomb onto the trampoline, spins upward out of control, and lands with his waist on the trapeze bar. He catches sight of the ground below and scrambles to right himself. A series of trapezes stretch out before them.

As they make their way from one trapeze to the next, Hiro calls out: "Do you smell popcorn?"

Butter is dripping onto the trapeze bar causing Hiro to grasp at it with alternating hands as each one slips in turn. Potesta's approach is to use the butter to do a spinning loop on her trapeze bar. Fortunately, the final trapeze platform is just ahead as Potesta does an elegant dismount, while Hiro swings, landing unceremoniously on his butt.

Hiro, rubbing his butt: "Owww!"

Announcer: "Hiro isn't very graceful, but he's managing to keep up with Potesta. Time for both of you to come back down to earth."

Each of them grabs a waiting balance poll, making their way down the tightrope to the ground, Hiro wobbling along the way.

Announcer: "Next part of this circus challenge is knife throwing."

Hiro: "Who are we throwing knives at?"

Announcer: "No one. Please stand against the wall within the marked outline. This is a test of nerves, if you can't handle it, you will be disqualified."

Hiro: "Then where are the knife throwers?"

Announcer: "I guess they're too far away for you to see, but they're out there." 

Hiro's jaw drops and his eyes bulge, Potesta remains stoic, yawning.

Announcer: "It's time, put your blindfolds on."

Hiro: "But we don't have any blindfolds."

Announcer: "Actually, the blind folds aren't for you, they're for the knife throwers."

Hiro, shouting defiantly: "That's fine, I'm up to the challenge!"

Announcer: "Potesta seems to be taking this in stride."

Potesta: "'Dulce periculum', danger is sweet". Her eyes narrow and she smiles in anticipation.

Announcer: "Stay still now, you wouldn't want to lose any body parts."

Hiro: "Start the countdown already", as he says 'countdown', knives start to encircle both him and Potesta.

Potesta, as the last knife sinks in around her: "Easy peasy."

Hiro: "Yeah, lemon squeezy."

Audience roars in appreciation. Hiro's eyes reflect a roulette wheel, with the ball settling in on double zero. Hiro sneezes, folding over just as a knife plunks into the wood where his chest just was.

Hiro: "Hey, no fair!"

Announcer: "Sorrry, but I don't think that was one of ours". 

Potesta looks over at Hiro, narrowing her eyes.

Announcer: "uhhhh, nothing to see here, moving right along. Next act, tame the lion. Please enter your cage."

Hiro and Potesta enter, with the door swinging closed behind them. Each cage has a chair with a whip on it. Hiro picks up the chair in his left hand and the whip in his right hand. Potesta picks up the whip, then sits down on the chair. A gate on the far side of each cage opens letting a roaring lion strut in.

Potesta's lion paces back and forth, growling in close proximity to her.

Potesta, with a cross expression on her face, "Shhush, you're so noisy you overgrown pussycat. And stop all that pacing — it looks ridiculous."

Potesta's lion: "Hiss!"

Potesta, crossly: "Don't make me get up out of my seat, cause if I do, I'm opening up a big can of whoop-ass on you." 

Potesta starts to rise out of her seat, glaring at the lion. In response, it makes a whining sound, putting its head down on the ground in between its paws.

Potesta, relaxing: "That's better, you big pussy cat. B-bye."

Intimidated, the lion retreats backwards out of the cage. Potesta rises and exits too.

Hiro's lion faces him, roaring.

Hiro, pleadingly: "Nice kitty?"

Hiro takes a step back, but his leg gets tangled in the whip, causing him to fall forward as he tries to extricate himself. His momentum carries him forward, so he braces himself with the chair, launching himself over it. He comes down, colliding heads with the lion, then lands on the lion's back. Both Hiro and the lion are momentarily stunned. When the lion realizes that Hiro is on its back, it starts sprinting around the cage frantically trying to shake him off, but Hiro maintains his hold on the lion's mane. After several circuits of the cage, the lion is exhausted, collapsing to the ground. Hiro, dizzy, his head spinning, steps off the lion, pats it on the head, then exits the cage.

Announcer: "You've both been very entertaining, so now it's time for you to be entertained. Please have a seat and relax."

Hiro and Potesta take seats facing a small stage, as a magician walks out levitating an attractive woman with a gag in her mouth who appears to be struggling against her shackled limbs. 

Hiro: "Hey, what's this about? I signed up for this, but you can't drag an innocent woman into it!"

Magician snaps his fingers and metal cuffs extend out from Hiro's seat securing his arms and legs. Hiro starts bucking back and forth to no avail.

Hiro, panicking: "Potesta, I can't get out. Do something, help her."

Potesta with hand on her chin and elbow resting on chair arm: "I think not."

The woman is lowered into a box with her head and feet protruding from each end. Magician does some flourishing gestures, snaps his fingers and a hack saw appears in his hands. The magician starts sawing as the woman thrashes about, writhing in agony.

Hiro: "Potesta!"

Potesta: "'Acta deos numquam mortalia fallunt'. Mortal actions never deceive the gods."

Hiro: "Now's not the time for your silly sayings."

Potesta, head to the side: "Hmmpffff. It's exactly the time. If you'd only listen to me."

The woman's movements cease, and the magician separates the two halves of the box, with a red liquid dripping from either side.

Hiro, agitated: "You monster!" 

Hiro most forcefully rocks backward, shattering the chair on impact with the ground. Scrambling back up, Hiro sprints toward the stage. 

Announcer: "If you interrupt the performance, you'll be disqualified."

Hiro: "I can't just stand by and watch."

Just as he reaches the stage, the magician puts the 2 halves of the box together again. As Hiro leaps onto the stage the top of the box opens, the woman opens her eyes, sits up, and pulls the gag out of her mouth. The audience cheers, and Potesta starts laughing uncontrollably, falling out of her seat. Hiro just stands on the stage with his mouth open, looking foolish. The damsel in distress winks at him and smiles as the magician rolls her off the stage.

Potesta, still laughing: "You're so dumb, it's too precious. I even tried to tell you!"

Announcer (as ring master still): "Wonderful performances from both our contestants, onto the next round."

Hiro and Potesta proceed to walk through the gate, Hiro looking sheepish. Each materializes on the decks of their own 1700's era wooden frigates, with Hiro dressed as a pirate captain flying the skull and crossbones, and Potesta dressed as a British naval officer flying the British flag.

Announcer: "For this second challenge, each of you will command your own frigate. The goal is simple — make it through to the central gate avoiding rock outcrops and whirlpools along the way or sink your opponent's vessel. Be advised, the special nature of this waterway will manifest and magnify your personal proclivities."

A holographic map of the waterways appears, showing that it is a simple circular maze with two identical halves and entrances on each side. Rock outcrops and whirlpools are marked out.

Potesta, to crew: "Get us to our target destination with as much prudent haste as this vessel can muster. Start continuous fire once those pirates are within range."

Hiro: "Why am I the bad guy? Alright fellow pirates let's do this. Make for the central gate." 

As the vessels start out, the wind on Potesta's side starts to fade and the whirlpools settle down. The opposite occurs on Hiro's side, with storm clouds gathering overhead, wind intensifying, water getting choppy, and surrounding whirlpools speeding up as they expand.

Hiro's vessel starts racing through the waterway, seemingly on the brink of disaster, barely skirting rock outcrops and whirlpools: 

1.    His ship appears to be heading inexorably toward several jagged rocks. Reflected in Hiro's eyes, a bullet is placed in a revolver chamber that starts spinning next to Hiro's head. The trigger is pulled, and the gun does not fire. A sudden gale arises, narrowly blowing the frigate clear, its bow (front) grinding against the rocks as it averts disaster.

2.    Hiro's frigate is caught on the outskirts of a whirlpool, spiraling around as it is drawn in. The roulette wheel in Hiro's eyes starts spinning, settling on triple 0. A massive whale surfaces just under the frigate, sending it flying clear of the whirlpool.

Potesta, thinking: "This won't do, we're dead in the water". 

She sits down crossing her legs. A black aura emanates from her as she envisions the circular map as a puzzle, but with the central piece missing. She then pictures her frigate riding the surface of the missing map piece as it is drawn in, filling the central gap. A strong current arises, propelling Potesta's frigate seamlessly towards the central gate. 

Hiro approaches the center gate, with Potesta's frigate still some distance away. Reflected in Hiro's eyes: lottery balls are selected, matching a purchased ticket. A wasp starts attacking Hiro, who raises his right arm, swiping at it. The crew takes this as the signal to attack and fires a broadside in Potesta's direction. Simultaneously canons fire from Potesta's vessel. Miraculously, Hiro's return barrage intercepts the incoming cannon balls, saving them from destruction as they pass through the gate.

Announcer: "Potesta's perfect navigation is no match for Hiro's reckless breakneck speed as Hiro passes through the gate first. Hiro will have a few precious moments to prepare himself for Potesta's arrival on the other side of that gate."

Potesta scowls as she watches Hiro pass through the gate.

On the other side of the gate, Hiro finds himself adorned in multi-hued dragon battle armor (including magnificent helm), riding what else — a flying multi-hued dragon. Hiro pulls up on the reins, viewing the gate he just passed through.

Hiro, thinking: "It feels like this dragon and I are connected somehow", as the dragon turns around to acknowledge him with a nod of its head.

Hiro, aloud: "What shall I call you, rainbow dragon?" 

The dragon snorts derisively, shaking its head.

Hiro: "Ok, then, how about Chaos Dragon?" 

Dragon looks back at him calmly. "I'll take that for a yes, Chaos Dragon it is."

Hiro looks at a spot above the gate and commands his dragon: "Attack". The dragon unleashes a fire blast precisely hitting that spot. 

Hiro, thinking: "I can wait here, and ambush Potesta the moment she emerges from the gate, but I can't take the chance of harming her."

Hiro, aloud to the dragon: "Let's fly", and they race off. 

Hiro is reveling in his winged ride, with a huge smile on his face as his dragon does steep dives, climbs, barrel rolls and a 360-degree loop.

Potesta emerges from the gate a short time later, similarly garbed except that her armor and dragon are all black. 

Potesta, just as she emerges: "Protect!", and the black dragon obediently wraps its wings around her.

Potesta, seeing through the dragon's eyes, thinks: "There's no one around, he's left already. It was the perfect ambush opportunity. Why didn't he take it?"

Announcer: "Looks like Potesta is surprised by the lack of surprise as she emerges from the gate."

Potesta, aloud: "Pursue them Black Dragon!", and they race off.

Potesta, thinking: "They've got too big a lead." Potesta puts her hand on her dragon, closes her eyes and visualizes its internal energy flows, her black aura emanating once again. 

Potesta, aloud: "Enhance." 

The energy flows within the dragon are intensified and sped up, resulting in a huge increase in the dragon's speed. Potesta smiles as they shoot forward.

Hiro: "What am I sensing?"

A fighter jet passes in front of his dragon making it wobble in the turbulence. 

Hiro: "I knew this was too easy. Faster Chaos Dragon." 

His dragon obeys, and they put some distance between the fighter jet. However, the enemy jet fires its machine gun at them. 

Hiro: "Evade!" 

The dragon starts evasive maneuvers, but the jet is still trailing after them. As some of the bullets hit the dragon's hide it grunts, but its scales are able to deflect them.

Hiro: "Hang in there boy, good thing your scales are so tough. We're not able to shake him, so we have to try something". 

Hiro envisions the Psychic Alliance symbol in his head and traces a neural link route back to the fighter pilot. 

Hiro: "Got you." 

Hiro projects an image of a brick wall in front of the approaching jet. Seeing a wall appear out of nowhere the pilot freaks out, pulling back with full strength on the stick, screaming in terror as he approaches the illusory wall. G-forces being too great, the pilot barely maintains consciousness as his jet tumbles away.

Announcer: "I wonder what got into that pilot. Perhaps he remembered a prior engagement."

Hiro: "Map." 

A holographic map appears showing they are approaching the final gate.

Hiro: "Almost there."

Potesta hears the roar of a fighter jet and looks over her left shoulder.

Potesta: "'Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc' — we gladly feast on those who would subdue us. Go get him Black Dragon."

A determined look crosses Potesta's face as she pulls up on the reins of her dragon and does a 360 loop to come up behind the enemy jet. Black dragon comes in underneath it, using its talons to latch on to the jet. Its tail twines around the tail of the plane immobilizing the control surfaces (elevator and rudder). Black Dragon starts spinning the jet round and round, pulling them into a death spiral with the ground. He releases the jet, pulling up just before impact, with the jet exploding on impact with the ground. They then continue their pursuit of Hiro, but see him approaching the final gate, even as they close distance between them.

Potesta: "We're too far away, only one chance. Fireball!"

The fireball streaks forward, exploding just in front of the gate. Chaos dragon emerges from a cloud of smoke and is seen dropping down from the sky, riderless. A look of satisfaction crosses Potesta's face.

Potesta: "Let's go win this. Take us through the gate Black Dragon."

As Potesta passes through the gate, she appears in the center of the stadium dressed as she first arrived, greeted by the sound of cheers. She notices smoke up in the air and traces it back down to the ground, where Hiro is sitting, dazed and charred, a dopey grin on his face. 

Potesta becomes enraged, accusatorily: "You! What kind of trick is this? How are you here? I blasted you before you made it through the gate. There was nothing left."

Hiro, still delirious: "heehee, you almost had me, but ..."

Replaying events from Hiro's perspective, as they approach the final gate, Chaos dragon snorts and looks back to get Hiro's attention. Hiro instantly responds, by envisioning the magic pentagram.

Hiro: "I hope this is enough. Elemental magic — water."

A water shield forms just as the fireball hits. Even so, the shock stuns and halts Chaos dragon's progress, propelling Hiro out of his saddle and through the gate.

Announcer: "And with that win, Hiro qualifies for acceptance into The Path of the Shield School, congratulations."

Hiro, to Potesta: "I have to give you credit, you're a tough opponent."

Potesta, stomping her foot and turning away: "Hmmpfff," then stalks off, face scrunched with fists clenched at her side.