Alyandrea: “So...Brennan, and I...died? And ‘maybe’ Ian and Li Shun did too?”

Ian: “I didn’t die! Stop saying illogical things!”

Alyandrea: “Fine! Then we’ll have to ask somebody to check the CAMERA FOOTAGE!

Ian: “DO YOU SEE ANY CAMERAS STILL IN TACT?! Because in case you weren’t aware – almost the ENTIRE BUILDING was BLOWN AWAY!!!”

Alyandrea: “Then...Then! THEN We’ll ask a teacher! SOMEBODY has to have a useful power to tell us if any of that’s true!”

Ian: “FINE! GET READY TO PAY UP WHEN YOU ARE PROVED WRONG!!”

Alyandrea: “Same to you!! If I’m right, then you have to do whatever I say for a week!”

Ian: “And if I happen to be right, WHICH I AM!! Then you have to do ALL of the girls chores for a month – that INCLUDES all of Oliviera’s as well!!”

Alyandrea: “*Gasp!* There ain’t no way in HE--”

Ian: “THEN THE BET’S OFF!”

Alyandrea: “FINE THEN!”

Ian: “...No confidence…”

Aly: “What did you just say?!”

Ian: “...Nothing.”

Brennan: “…”

Li Shun: “...So...what do we do now? Just stand around here until more villains show up...or go out and find a hero?”

Alyandrea: “...Oh.”

Ian: “Right… I kinda forgot. Ha…”

Ophelia: “I...I want to find Noel. He’ll know what to do. He always had the right thing to say.”

Brennan: “...That’s because he has a stubborn personality and a big mouth.

Ophelia: “But still...he’s always right. Remember the assembly? He even told off the Kings...”

Ian: “That’s just guts! But...I agree with her sentiment. I also want to check up on him. He’s only twelve...As the oldest I’m worried.”

Brennan: “…”

Li Shun: “…”

Ian: “WHAT? I AM THE OLDEST!”

Ophelia: “*Pats shoulder* We know. We know. Don’t worry.”

Ian: “…….Besides, Rise looks strong...sort of.”

Li Shun: “THAT’S the real reason!”

Brennan: “Hahaha caught red – handed.”

Ian: “It’s NOT like that! I just think we could check on my junior in class, while ALSO gaining Rise’s protection a little. We get rid of two problems at once!”

Brennan: “Yeah alright! *Wipes tear* Hahaha. Then, let’s get going.”

Ian: “But...first, Ophelia. What exactly happened to Aria?”

Ophelia: “I...I don’t know! When I last saw her, she was in a daze. The villains were making fun of her for being shocked that she was going to die. Then I – I…

...I smashed the building…

I bet it’s probably because of my punch, somehow.”

Alyandrea: “No, Ophelia honey don’t be like that! If any-”

Ian: “Mm. Mhm. It makes sense. Your punch could’ve shocked her into unconsciousness.”

Li Shun: “Some falling debris must’ve also hit her. She’s out cold.”

Brennan: “Maybe she got scared from the bad guys instead, and just fainted?”

Ian: “...Possible. She is way too timid to confront villains…”

Alyandrea: “...Ophelia.”

Ophelia: “..Yes?”

Alyandrea: “If anybody is to blame – it isn’t you. They are the ones that attacked, and you resisted – trying to protect all of us. No matter what, don’t beat yourself up over things that don’t matter. So long as she’s breathing, then we’re alright. Things will get better!”

Ophelia: “...Okay. Thanks...”

Ian: “Ah! That’s – That’s right! ALY!”

Alyandrea: “AAH! What?! Don’t shout when you’re right behind me!”

Ian: “it-It’s just that...I was planning on checking Aria for wounds but, but it would be improper to do since I’m a boy, so...well-”

Aly: “So, since I’m a girl, you want me to do it instead. Right?”

Ian: “Yes..”

Aly: “*Glances at Ophelia* (These boys, they completely ignored Ophelia’s presence as a woman. Maybe it’s for the best. Since she IS a bit too strong for such a delicate matter.) Okay then. But what exactly am I looking for? What should I keep an eye out for, because I’m not used to...to this sort of thing...’taking care of people’. I usually settle things with my fists.”

Ian: “Just normal stuff like you would on you own skin, y’know? Discoloration of the skin, open wounds, bones sticking out-”

Brennan: “Wait, wait, wait one second! That last one doesn’t sound like something I would normally check for! I’d be in too much freaking pain if I had a bone sticking out!”

Ian: “MMMM! I’m no doctor OKAY?!?! We just have to check if she has all her pieces put together properly!”

Ophelia: “...Pieces..?”

Brennan: “...She’s not a robot, Ian.”

Ian: “I know that, stupid. I have SOME experience with nursing others. I’m just not a professional on the subject. I’d even prefer archaeology and astronomy over anything related to blood. *Shudders*”

Alyandrea: “...Haah. Okay, Ian. I guess that I’ll-”

*Vwish!*

Ian: “…..”

Li Shun: “Huh? Where--”

Ophelia: “Where – where are we?”

Alyandrea: “This feeling…”

Ian: “Oh no!! did the villains capture us with some strange reality warping device?! Or was it teleportation??”

Brennan: “This is a...*trembles* a forest..?”

Ophelia: “Where is Ari—”

Mr. Abrams: “I’m holding Aria. How are you all feeling?”

The lazy – yet – comforting look on his face felt like an immense breath of fresh air for the 5 battered teens. Without anybody noticing, tears began falling from each of their cheeks and their bodies trembled. Brennan promptly forgot his worries about being in the forest – and they each ran to Mr. Abrams as fast as their legs would allow.

...Not Ophelia, though. She didn’t have such luxury, due to her strength. Her emotions welled up deep inside, but she had little choice other than to bottle them back up, and follow the others briskly. Her temperament was being tested right now, and she felt like she was hastily losing ground.

Aly: “Uuuw...*Sniff* Uwaaah! Mr. *Sniff* Mr. Abrams! It was… It was so scary...”

Li Shun: “I...I tried hard to protect everyone. Very Hard…! But… *Sniff* But...But...They were so strong! So scary...and I didn’t… I’m not a hero, so-”

Brennan: “Mr. Abrams...*Sniff* My...my power is so useless… I’M useless! I * I don’t deserve to be here...I don’t!”

Ophelia: “…”

Ian: “I...I’m sorry. Désolé. *Sniff* I can’t do anything useful...even though I’m the oldest…”

Mr. Abrams: “Don’t worry. Nobody expects a bunch of non-combatants to fight villains. You did fine, it is I, on behalf of the entire school, who must apologize to you *Bows*”

Ian: “…”

Brennan: “Oh, right. I almost forgot.”

Aly: “*Groans* We’re only non-combatants.”

Ophelia: “*Looks around* Mr. Abrams? Where’s – Where’s Noe--”

Li Shun: “Ha...ahaha… Of course. Why would anybody take my...no, OUR brave feats seriously when we aren’t real heroes…”

Mr. Abrams: “You did well Shun.(Even though I only saw you exploding)”

Li Shun: “*Sniff* Thanks..”

Brennan: “Mr. Abrams, I died! My body just exploded!”

Ian: “Oh God, this again.”

Aly: “I...I also died...according to him, I mean. I-I’m not saying I’m crazy or anything…!”

Li Shun: “Mr. Abrams PLEASE tell them they’re crazy. If I died – then how come I’m alive? They don’t have an ANSWER to that question!”

Ophelia: “...Mr. Abrams. They all...”

Mr. Abrams: “Yeah. I saw. Thankfully, somehow, you all came back to life.”

Ian: “How do you know!?!”

Mr. Abrams: “Because I watched you die.”

Ian: “...What?”

Li Shun: “...Huh? What did you say?”

Alyandrea: “YOU WATCHED US DIE?!”

Mr. Abrams: “Not you. You and Leos were already dead. Oh! And don’t misunderstand me, I just got to the scene. I saw you all die the second before I could react. I would never abandon you all, in such a manner.”

Alyandrea: “…”

Brennan: “...Oh God. Oh God, I told you. I told you! That means I...”

Li Shun: “Then...I..’died’…?!”

Ian: “...I thought it was possible, but…”

Alyandrea: “You LIAR! I said it was possible NOT you! You argued the OPPOSITE!”

Ian: “Mmmmm! It – it’s TRUE! I had a feeling! Besides, if you were REALLY confident that you were right, then why did YOU call off the deal instead of me?!”

Aly: “I…..Not being confident DOESN’T mean I didn’t believe it was possible! I just had my doubts!”

Ian: “SAME for me!! I also had my doubts!”

Alyandrea: “Rrr – If you weren’t so fragile looking…! You make me wanna punch you!”

Ian: “MEEP! B-Bully...!”

Mr. Abrams: “Oh, right. I still need to bring the other two.”

*Vwoosh!*

A body so cold to the touch – unmoving, and missing its pulse. What appeared in front of the students, was a lifeless Oliviera.

Aly: “Oliviera!”

Brennan: “*Checks pulse*

...She’s cold...She’s--”

Ian: “*Checks Pulse*

...Oliviera….*Sniff* I’m - I’m sorry for being rude! I’m...I’m sorry for calling you bad things behind your back, like ugly, or fat, or obnoxious or – or- *Sniff* I’m...I’m so sorry.”

Ophelia: “Villains...they did this..!”

Li Shun: “Oliviera...You…

...You were right, Oliviera. In the end, this place...it IS awful...”

Alyandrea: “Oliviera...I’m so sorry girl...*Sni-Sniff!*”

Leos: “She...She had her head cracked by a metal hammer. I heard the crack…”

Li Shun: “Leos! You’re okay! Thank God.”

Brennan: “How are you feeling?”

Leos: “How would YOU feel if your head was ripped off of your neck?? I’ll tell you - it DOESN’T FEEL GOOD! I...I remember everything too – Oliviera had her head smashed, and now I’m...”

Ian: “...Oliviera…”

Ophelia: “Oliv--”

*GROOOWWLLL*

Ophelia: “…”

Li Shun: “…”

Brennan: “…”

Alyandrea: “…”

Ian: “...What was that?”

Oliviera: “…”

Mr. Abrams: “...You can get up now, Oliviera.”

Oliviera: “...Are...Are the villains gone?”

Mr. Abrams: “Stop playing dead and stand up. You’re safe now.”

---