Three ambulances are parked at the front entrance of the mall. Police are holding back a crowd of people from getting too close. Hayze and Saige arrive confused.

Hayze: What’s going on here?

Saige: It looks like there was an accident or something.

A random member of the crowd turns to Hayze and Saige.

Random Crowd Member: Three perverts got caught trying to steal underwear from some girls.

Hayze: Oh really...

Random Crowd Member: Yeah, they were found in the women’s room brutally beaten. Little bastards got what was coming to them.

Saige looks gleeful.

Hayze: Didn’t you say you were rooting for them?

Saige: Yeah, but I didn’t want it to be easy, so I tipped off the girls that they might want to watch out for them.

Hayze stares at Saige for a moment.

Hayze: Are you evil?

Saige: No, I just love fun!

The crowd starts booing.

Hayze: What’s going on?

Saige: Looks like they’re bringing them out.

Demetri, Alden, and Isaiah are wheeled out on stretchers; they’re covered in blood. Demetri’s legs and arms look like zig-zags, Isaiah’s feet are backward, and his visor is shattered, Alden is missing his kneecaps, his arms are broken, and all of his teeth have been ripped out. All three have ice packs on their genitals. They are lifted into the ambulances while being shrouded in boos.

Hayze: Jesus Christ, the girls did a number on them…

Saige: *giggles* I bet most of that was Blair and Eve.

Hayze: You think that’s funny?

Saige: Is it not?

Hayze: Okay, it kind of is.

Hayze and Saige enter the mall.

Hayze: Alright, I walked you here, now I’m gonna head home and study.

Saige: Oh, come on! Don’t leave me here alone! What if the girls are already gone? I don’t want to walk around here alone!

Hayze: (She’s up to something…)

Saige: Pleaaaase!

Hayze: *sighs* Fine.

Saige: Yay!

Hayze and Saige start walking through the mall together, but, unbeknownst to them, they’re being watched by a hooded figure from a few floors up.

Figure: *grunts*

Adrian is standing on the roof of U.A., looking out at the horizon.

Adrian: (It’s been too long since Ivan’s last move… something big is coming, I can feel it in my bones.)

Walker enters the roof.

Walker: I thought I’d find you up here.

Adrian: Oh, hey, Damien.

Walker leans on the railing next to Adrian.

Walker: I can tell that you’ve got something on your mind.

Adrian: *sighs* It’s Ivan; he’s been quiet. He allowed us to become aware of his existence, and then he hasn’t done anything since.

Walker: That’s the game that Ivan plays.

Adrian: I know.

Walker: Everything he does is calculated, it’s a trait of his that I admire, but it always drove me crazy.

Adrian: What do you think he’s up to then?

Walker: He let us become aware of himself so that the public would start to fear him, and now his silence has given ample time for that fear to marinate. He’s going to do something big… soon.

Adrian: My thoughts exactly… security will be bumped up for the final exams, right?

Walker: Yes, tenfold.

Adrian: Good, that seems like his best opportunity.

Walker: I agree. I only wish we could know what his intentions are.

Adrian doesn’t react.

Adrian: Yeah, me too…

Walker: If we knew what he was after, we could potentially talk him down.

Adrian: I think he might be too far gone for that…

Walker: You think so?

Adrian: He’s brainwashing an army of troubled youths into doing his dirty work and purging their minds if they get arrested. That doesn’t sound like a man that can be talked off the ledge to me.

Walker: Hm... maybe you’re right…

The two are silent for a few moments.

Walker: So, have you talked to Rachel recently?

Adrian: *long sigh* No, she’s pretty much avoided me since she got back.

Walker: That was… months ago.

Adrian: I know, right…

Walker: … Well, good luck with that.

Adrian: Thanks… you always know how to cheer me up, Damien…

Walker: You’re welcome.

Walker starts to leave.

Adrian: Before you go, I have to ask you something.

Walker stops and turns to Adrian.

Walker: What is it?

Adrian: With the new way we’re doing the hero course’s final exams, how many of your students do you think will actually pass?

Walker thinks for a moment.

Walker: Honestly, I could see every single one of them failing.

Adrian is surprised.

Adrian: What? You really think all 21 of them could fail?

Walker: Yes, but that’s why I wanted the exams changed this year. This is a different crop of students than the school is used to. They’ve already experienced fighting real villains, internships, and life or death situations. Our routine exams weren’t going to be enough to properly assess them. This new model presents a path for every student to fail, but it also gives an avenue for every one of them to pass. How they perform during these exams will show us what kind of hero prospects we’re truly dealing with and who among them are carving their paths toward being pros. I don’t know how many will pass or fail, but I know one thing.

Adrian: And what’s that?

Walker: They’ll give it all they’ve got.

On the top floor of the mall, the girls are all walking together.

Lilith: This has been a lot of fun. I love shopping!

Ash: Yeah, me too!

Karma: It’s nice that we don’t have to worry about those guys following us anymore.

Alexis: True, and I don’t think we’ll be seeing them for a while; that’s the worst beating they’ve ever gotten.

Blair and Eve: Serves them right.

Lilith notices something over the railing.

Lilith: Huh?

Karma: What’s up, Lilith? Do you see a store you want to go to?

Lilith: No, I think I see Saige and Hayze down there.

Blair runs over to the railing.

Blair: YOU SEE WHAT!

The other girls look over the railing as well. They see Hayze leaning against a railing on the bottom floor as Saige walks off.

Eve: She blew us off to hang with that guy? Gross.

Alexis: Hayze is going for the exchange student, huh? I guess he must like anime.

Lilith: You think they’re on a date or something?

Karma: Well, Saige knew we’d be at the mall today, so why wouldn’t she tell us that’s why she couldn’t come?

Ash: I don’t know…

Alexis: I have one guess.

Lilith: What do you think, Bla-

Blair is gone.

Lilith: Um, where did Blair go?

Alexis: She fell into Saige’s trap.

Karma: That girl is some kind of diabolical genius, isn’t she.

Eve: Whatever, she can catch up later; let’s keep going.

Eve, Alexis, and Karma start walking away.

Lilith: Wait, you guys are leaving?

Alexis: We can see Blair embarrass herself whenever. Besides, I’m hungry; we’re gonna go get a bite to eat.

Eve, Alexis, and Karma leave.

Lilith: They do kind of have a point.

Ash: Maybe, but I’m curious to see what happens.

Hayze is patiently waiting for Saige.

Hayze: (I wonder where these girls are? We’ve been walking around for a while now.)

Hayze hears a commotion going on to his right. He turns his head to see Blair racing towards him, kicking up dust.

Hayze: (How is she leaving a dust trail inside?)

Blair comes to an abrupt halt right next to Hayze.

Blair: Hi Hayze! How are you doing today?

Hayze: (She just went from looking like a tornado to acting all sweet in like 0.2 seconds…) Hi, Blair. I’m good… how are you?

Blair: Oh, I’m just great! Have you seen slut around anywhere?

Hayze: D- do you mean Saige?

Blair: That’s what I said.

Hayze is silent for a moment.

Hayze: She went to the bathroom.

Blair: Good, good, come on, let’s go to the other end of the mall!

Hayze: Uh sure, but Saige asked me to wait for-

Blair grabs Hayze’s hand and drags him away as fast as she can.

Hayze: Okay… I guess we’re going this way!

Ash and Lilith watch as Blair vacates the area as fast as possible.

Lilith: Blair is an interesting girl.

Ash: She’s bold. I'll give her that.

Eve, Karma, and Alexis are seated at the food court. Alexis is texting on her phone.

Karma: Are you texting the girls where we are?

Alexis: Yeah, and I’m texting Aaron.

Eve: Why Aaron?

Alexis: He asked me to remind him to beat up Wes every once in a while.

Karma: That guy has some weird priorities.

Alexis: Yeah, but that’s kind of what I like about him: he’s got more determination in his pursuit to make endless fun of Wes than I do towards becoming a hero.

Eve: Interesting analysis…

Alexis: What can I say? I’m not a very ambitious girl, so I’m into ambitious guys.

Karma: I guess that’s fair, but you really aren’t determined towards becoming a hero?

Alexis: Oh, let me rephrase that. I’m determined to become a hero, but I’m not out here to become the strongest one ever, you know? I want a simple career, nothing special but not downright dull. I’m just trying to find a nice median between a peaceful and exciting life, that’s all.

Karma: I guess that’s a different perspective than I’m used to. What about you, Eve?

Eve: Huh? I don’t know, I’ve wanted to be a hero since I was a little girl, so I guess I’m just trying to live my childhood dream. But, then again, it is most people’s dream when they’re a kid. So, I think I’m just thankful to be fortunate enough to be living mine. Nothing special here; I can’t give you a sob story like Aaron.

Alexis: Oh, that’s right, his dad is dead, that’s a plus.

Eve and Karma look at Alexis with disgusted looks on their faces.

Alexis: What? Meeting parents sucks.

Lilith and Ash walk through the mall as Lilith’s phone goes off. She takes it out and looks at it.

Lilith: It’s a text from Alexis.

Ash: Did she say where they are?

Lilith: Uh… no… it says “beat up wes.”

Ash: Huh...

Blair and Hayze reach the other side of the mall. Blair catches her breath after the long run while Hayze dusts himself off.

Blair: (Okay, Blair, that was a little weird, but now you can hang out with Hayze, see a little weirdness is good, I’m sure he’s okay with it.)

Hayze: What the hell was that?

Blair: (HE’S NOT!) Um… I… uh… I just wanted to get a quick run in, you know?… because I need to train for the Final Exams!

Hayze: Then why did you drag me along?

Blair: Resistance training?

Hayze stares at Blair.

Hayze: Oh okay, a bit unorthodox, but no harm, no foul.

Blair: (It’s usually annoying that he’s oblivious to me, but in this case, I’ll take it.)

Hayze: Well, I was only here to escort Saige to you guys, so I guess I’m gonna head home.

Blair: Wait, no! You shouldn’t leave!

Hayze: Uh… why?

Blair: We could um… (Come on Blair, think! What’s something Hayze likes to do?)

Blair lights up with an idea.

Blair: Name attacks!

Hayze stares at Blair.

Hayze: Like?

Blair: Laval Lambasting?

Hayze: I like it.

Blair: (Hook line and sinker!)

The two walk together through the mall.

Hayze: Torrential Tides.

Blair: Mantle Melting?

Hayze: Kinetic Kindling.

Blair: Magma Magus?

Hayze: Skydive Scorcher.

Blair: Alden Absolute Annihilation.

Hayze: Save that one.

Blair: Oh I am.

Hayze: Zap Zenith.

Blair: Blackout Blitzkrieg?

Hayze: I’m taking that one.

Blair: That’s fine; I don’t have any moves that fit it.

Hayze: Okay, then what move of yours doesn’t have a name? We can come with something.

Blair: Well, I’ve been working on a move where I create a ton of lava balls and then rain them down upon my opponent.

Hayze: Lava Launcher?

Blair: Uh… Ballistic Blairstrike?

Hayze stares at Blair for a moment.

Hayze: Fuck, that’s good…

Blair laughs.

Blair: (You know what? I’m glad I went all psychobitch there for a few minutes because this is nice… and fun… hanging out with a guy who actually likes me for who I am... it’s refreshing… and-)

Hayze: GET DOWN!

Hayze leaps onto Blair and pushes her to the ground. A sword whizzes over their heads and slices into the floor. Mall goers start screaming in fear as panic ensues; people are running for their lives.

Hayze: Blair? Are you alright?

Blair is shaking in fear, blushing.

Blair: I- I- I-

Hayze: (I’m gonna take that as a no…)

Hayze looks back at the sword; his eyes widen.

Hayze: (I know that blade…)

The hooded figure leaps down next to the sword. Hayze stands up and faces them.

Figure: Hello, Hayze.

Hayze: Long time no see, Ivy.

The figure pulls back their hood to reveal that they are, in fact, Ivy wearing her mask.

Hayze: What are you doing here?

Ivy: Simple. I’m here to kill you.

Hayze: Okay, well… that’s straight to the point… but how did you find me here?

Ivy: The Iota Movement has its ways.

Hayze: (Iota Movement?)

Ivy: Now, I’m going to kill you.

Hayze looks down at Blair, who is still in shock.

Hayze: Then why did you throw your sword at Blair?

Ivy: She was in my way, and I was getting impatient.

Hayze: You seem more decisive in your opinion of me than the last time we met.

Ivy: That’s because I realized what you were trying to do: manipulate me into questioning the only person in my life that has ever treated me like a human being, and I’m here to get my revenge on you for that!

Hayze: I wasn’t manipulating you!

Ivy: Yes, you were! Don’t lie to me!

Hayze is taken aback by Ivy’s tone.

Hayze: (Last time she let me live because she was intrigued with me, but I don’t think she is anymore..)

Hayze surveys the area. He sees people running away, no police, and no heroes are in sight.

Hayze: (We’re not supposed to use our quirks in battle off school grounds, but if she’s really going to kill me…)

Hayze reaches in his pocket and pulls out his gauntlet; he attaches it to his left arm. He presses the yellow button on the gauntlet, dispensing his sword hilts. He swings the handles to extend their blades, wielding one in each hand. Finally, his irises change colors to yellow.

Hayze: (I guess I have no choice!)

Ivy rips her sword out of the ground.

Ivy: I’m going to finish what I started. You will not be allowed to leave here alive! I must rectify my previous failure and end your life; I will not fail my Master again!

Hayze: Then let me ask you a question: Do you actually like killing? Or do you only do it because Iota tells you to?

Ivy: Don’t talk to me!

Ivy charges at Hayze. Hayze uses his mouth to carry one of his swords and then his free hand to grab Blair; an electrical aura surrounds his legs. He quickly sprints away, dodging Ivy’s charge leaving a static trail in his path.

Ivy: Don’t run from me!

Hayze sits Blair down at a wall.

Hayze: Blair? Are you okay?

Blair: *under her breath* I almost died… and you- you-

Hayze: I know, it’s okay, you didn’t.

Blair is shaking.

Hayze: (She’s in shock… one more second, and that sword would have plunged through her like a knife through butter.)

Hayze starts getting pulled in the opposite direction.

Hayze: Oh shit!

Hayze looks back to see Ivy using her quirk to pull him in; she readies her blade.

Hayze: (This is how EMD died, but not how I will!)

Hayze swings his swords at Ivy, sending two electrical impulses at her.

Hayze: Lightning Lances!

Ivy breaks her hold over Hayze to dodge his attack. Hayze lands on the ground, feet first.

Hayze: I’m a lot stronger than when we last fought, don’t think you can quickly eviscerate me like that!

Ivy sheathes her sword.

Hayze: (What?)

Ivy cracks her knuckles.

Ivy: I’ve decided instead of cutting your head off, I’m going to rip it off!

Ivy points her hand at Hayze.

Ivy: Pull!

Hayze starts getting sucked into the gravitational pull, but he uses his lightning speed to break free.

Ivy: *frustrated grunt*

Hayze: It took me a while to figure out why you and your friends were so hasty to kill EMD, but then I realized that it’s because a fast opponent is your greatest weakness! If you can’t get a hold of me, you can’t hit me.

Ivy: If only you knew how wrong you were.

Hayze examines Ivy for a few seconds.

Hayze: (Her quirk is powerful… but with my speed, I should be able to overpower her, it’s not gonna be easy, I know that, but I need to take her down quickly.)

Hayze uses his lightning speed and starts circling around Ivy. He’s moving so fast that it appears as though an electrical ring has formed around her. Ivy doesn’t react.

Hayze: (She isn’t reacting… she has to be planning something… Fuck it, I have to go on the offensive while I have the chance!)

Hayze breaks the circle and sprints directly at Ivy. He readies his blades for a strike.

Hayze: Take thi-

Ivy points her hand right in Hayze’s face. Surprising Hayze,

Hayze: (What?)

Ivy: Push.

Hayze gets sent flying through the air, losing hold of his swords.

Hayze: (I knew her reaction time was fast, but I didn’t think it would be faster than me!)

Ivy points her hand at Hayze in mid-air.

Ivy: Pull.

Hayze starts getting pulled toward Ivy.

Hayze: (Fuck! Without my swords, I can’t break her gravitational pull!)

Ivy unsheathes her sword.

Ivy: Now die!

Hayze braces for impact, but Ivy’s pull suddenly breaks, and he starts falling.

Hayze: (Huh?)

Hayze smacks into the floor.

Hayze: *groans*

Hayze sees Ivy holding her head and has fallen to her knees.

Ivy: *grunts*

Hayze: What?

Lilith: Hayze!

Hayze looks up and sees Lilith flying through the air holding an unconscious Ash; she lands next to him.

Hayze: Lilith?

Lilith: Sorry, we thought you could use the help.

Hayze: Oh no, it’s appreciated. I’m just confused how you guys got here so fast.

Lilith: We were kind of already following Blair and your trail after she ran off.

Hayze: Why?

Lilith: No reason.

Hayze: Well, anyway, thanks for the assist.

Lilith: Don’t thank me, thank Ash.

Hayze looks at Ivy, who is grunting loudly and shaking her head.

Hayze: That’s not going to last long.

Lilith: We knew that, but we needed to break her pull over you. What’s she even doing here?

Hayze: She said she’s here to kill me.

Lilith: Oh, well… that’s not good.

Hayze: No, it isn’t. (Iota’s no fool, he took everything I said to her in the forest and turned it against me, he has her even deeper under his thumb.)

Blair stands up slowly.

Blair: (Come on, Blair, calm down, you need to get into this fight!)

Hayze picks up one of his swords.

Lilith: So what’s our plan?

Hayze: Stay alive until the pros show up. We have to keep her contained so nobody else can get hurt.

Lilith: That sounds easier said than done.

Hayze: Yeah, but we’ll make it work.

Hayze holds out his open palm and starts pulsating electricity throughout it.

Hayze: (I can tell reasoning with her isn’t going to work… but if we defeat her, Iota will do what he did to those other two we fought in the forest… then there’s no way to save her from him.)

Blair walks up to Hayze and Lilith.

Blair: I’m ready to fight!

Hayze: Are you sure? You were pretty shaken up back there.

Blair: I won’t be a liability again, I’m sure.

Hayze: Okay, then let’s-

Ivy’s will overpowers Ash, and her astral spirit gets bounced out of Ivy’s body and sent back to her own, where she passes out due to having fought such a powerful opponent in astral space. Ivy stands up and brushes herself off.

Ivy: Nice try, but I’m not going down that easily.

Hayze, Blair, and Lilith stand side to side. Hayze looks down at the electricity in his hand.

Hayze: (I can’t worry about Ivy right now, I need to worry about keeping everyone else safe) I’m going to need you girls to buy me some time. My attack needs to reach full power if it has any chance of taking her down.

Blair and Lilith: Got it.

Ivy charges at the three heroes. Blair points both of her hands at Ivy.

Blair: Laval Lambasting!

Blair fires two streams of lava at Ivy. Ivy responds by pointing her hand at the ground.

Ivy: Push!

Ivy launches herself into the air, dodging Blair’s attack. Lilith quickly flies up into the air and grabs Ivy’s ankle.

Lilith: I’ve got you now!

Lilith starts spinning Ivy around in a circle.

Lilith: Take this!

Lilith throws Ivy toward the floor. Blair coats her landing spot with lava.

Blair: No escape now, bitch!

Ivy: You girls underestimate me far too much!

Ivy points her hand at Lilith.

Ivy: Pull!

Lilith starts getting quickly drawn through the air toward Ivy.

Blair: (Shit! Now Lilith will fall in as well!)

Blair hardens the lava.

Ivy: (Perfect.)

Ivy points her other hand at the ground.

Ivy: Push!

Ivy launches herself at Lilith, grabs her by her wings, and uses Lilith as a cushion for her fall. Lilith collides with the volcanic rock and is knocked out. Ivy stands atop Lilith’s unconscious body, cracks her neck, and looks at Blair.

Ivy: You’re next!

Blair: *frustrated grunt*

Blair grinds her teeth.

Hayze: (This is bad. The only thing I can’t figure out is why Ivy forced Blair to harden the lava. If she had done her same plan with the lava still liquid, it would have forced Blair to be hasty in saving Lilith, potentially would have knocked them both out at once. This way, she still has to deal with Blair.)

Hayze looks down at his hand. The electricity has grown in size and reached halfway up Hayze’s forearm.

Hayze: (Just hold out a little longer Blair.)

Ivy points her hand at Blair.

Blair: (Shit, I can’t avoid this, I just have to take her attack head-on!)

Ivy: Pull.

Blair gets pulled toward Ivy.

Blair: (Full Magma Jacket!)

Blair coats her entire body in magma armor and braces for impact.

Ivy: That won’t help you!

Ivy grabs Blair’s face and slams the back of her head into the floor as hard as possible, shattering through the magma armor and knocking Blair out instantly. Ivy catches her breath as blood starts to pool from Blair’s head.

Hayze: Blair!

Ivy starts walking toward Hayze.

Ivy: Even after watching me take out those three girls in under 2 minutes, you still aren’t afraid of me! Why aren’t you afraid!

Hayze looks down at his hand.

Hayze: (Just a few more seconds...) Mind if I ask you one question?

Ivy: Don’t try your tricks on me again. I won’t fall for that twice.

Hayze: Have you ever considered that your master is the one lying? Did you at least figure out if he cares about you?

Ivy stops walking toward Hayze.

Ivy: Yes, and that is how I know you were trying to trick me!

Hayze: Okay, what did he say?

Ivy: He told me I was valuable to him.

Hayze: What? That doesn’t mean he cares about you. It just means that you’re useful to him, which, if you recall, is something I said to you last time we met.

“ Hayze: It sounds to me like he’s using you for his own gain, and once you’ve served his purpose, he’ll throw you away. “ - Chapter 36

Ivy: I… I… (NO! Don’t let him trick you again! This is why you came here, you have to kill the person trying to ruin your world!)

Ivy starts charging at Hayze.

Ivy: DIE!

Hayze raises his sword.

Hayze: I’d rather not.

Suddenly Ivy gets hit upside the head by a bean bag and is sent flying into a wall.

Hayze: Huh?

Hayze looks to his side to see Aaron and Wes have arrived.

Aaron: Back off bitch!

Wes: We’re going to get beat up so bad for joining this fight… I can feel it.

Hayze: What the hell are you two doing here?

Aaron: I got a random text from Alexis saying, “we’re at the food court” it confused me, so rather than clarify with her, I decided to investigate and come to the mall. Once we got here, we heard the commotion and started running in this direction.

Hayze: Huh, well, you’ve got good timing.

Aaron transforms his arm from a bean bag gun back to normal and cracks his knuckles.

Aaron: So, what’s the situation exactly?

Hayze: The short version: The masked girl is back and trying to kill me, and she’s already knocked out Blair, Ash, and Lilith in the process. I have an attack charged, and if I can get it off, I might be able to take her down. I just need you two to distract her.

Aaron: Why don’t I just howitzer this bitch and call it a day?

Wes: I don’t think it would be that easy.

Aaron: Why not?

Wes: I don’t know, Aaron. Maybe it’s the fact that this chick killed Mr. EMD in cold blood, or did you forget that?

Aaron: Okay… give me another reason.

Wes: You shouldn’t use the Howitzer for the same reason Lilith probably didn’t become giant: we’re not even supposed to be fighting right now. We can’t just start blowing up the damn mall!

Aaron: Okay, that’s fair. We’ll go with Hayze’s plan then.

Ivy gets up and shakes off Aaron’s previous attack.

Ivy: More weaklings to take down, huh?

Aaron: Weak! Oh ho ho, I’m gonna enjoy kicking your ass!

Wes: Don’t egg her on Aaron… please.

Aaron transforms both of his arms into M16s.

Aaron: Too late!

Aaron opens fire on Ivy. Ivy points her hand at the incoming bullets.

Ivy: Push.

The bullets are forced back at Wes, Aaron, and Hayze.

Hayze: Well, good luck distracting her boys.

Hayze uses lightning speed and runs away.

Aaron: Oh shit, I forgot she could do that.

Wes: Don’t worry, I got this!

Wes changes his body into a full mirror.

Wes: Reflection time bitch!

The barrage is reflected back at Ivy with double the strength.

Aaron: Uh… Wes?

Wes: What?

Ivy: Push.

Ivy forces the reflected bullets back at Aaron and Wes.

Wes: Oh… right… she can do that twice… and I can’t...

Aaron: *sighs* God, you’re an idiot…

Aaron puts his arms together and forms a riot shield.

Aaron: Hide behind this!

Wes: WAIT A SECOND YOU CAN MAKE A FUCKING SHEILD!

Aaron: Oh right… I forgot to tell you.

Wes: Fuck you, man!

Wes ducks behind Aaron’s shield as the double damage barrage of bullets collides with it.

Aaron: It’s too much!

Wes: Just hold on!

The barrage ends. Aaron returns his arms to normal, steam is coming from them, and they are slightly red.

Aaron: Fuck!

Wes: What! Why are your arms tapped out already!

Aaron: Because of our training from earlier. I practiced for a while and didn’t have enough time to recover before this fight.

Wes: Oh right…

Aaron: I was hoping that it wouldn’t matter, BUT SOMEONE HAD TO TRY AND BE THE HERO!

Wes: I said I’m sorry, okay!

Aaron: No, you didn’t!

Ivy: You two are pathetic.

Ivy is standing in front of Aaron and Wes.

Aaron: *sighs* Fuck you, Wes.

Ivy uppercuts Aaron in the jaw; she grabs his leg and slams him into the ground.

Aaron: *groans* I blame Wes for this…

Wes: Yup, that’s fair.

Ivy kicks Aaron in the head and knocks him out. Ivy then turns her attention to Wes.

Wes: Meep.

Wes starts running.

Wes: I knew I should have just gone home, but NOOOO I had to go to the mall with Aaron to see what Alexis is up to! FUCK ME!

Wes starts getting pulled backward.

Wes: And this is where my life ends…

Ivy grabs Wes by the neck.

Wes: *choking* You’re such a bitch…

Ivy knees Wes in the nuts.

Wes: *high pitched choking*

Ivy knees Wes in the nuts again.

Wes: *higher-pitched choking*

Hayze stands around a corner and watches Wes get his nuts pulverized.

Hayze: (Good thinking, Wes! He came up with the perfect distraction!)

An electrical aura surrounds Hayze’s legs; he cocks back his fist with the electricity flowing through it.

Hayze: I only have one chance at this…

Ivy drops Wes’ unconscious body on the ground. Hayze uses his lightning speed and starts charging at Ivy.

Hayze: Take this!

Hayze appears right next to Ivy, catching her by surprise.

Hayze: Blackout Blitzkrieg!

Hayze fires a beam of electricity at Ivy, electrocuting and sending her flying through the air. She smashes into the ground destroying the floor tiles and indenting the ground in the shape of her body; electricity continues pulsating through her. Hayze is sweating and breathing heavily after the attack, his eyes revert to normal, and he falls to his knees.

Hayze: (That should do it…)

Ivy starts standing back up. Hayze looks at her in shock.

Hayze: (What!)

Ivy: WHY AREN’T YOU AFRAID!

Hayze tries to stand up, Ivy points her hand at him.

Ivy: PUSH!

Hayze gets sent flying backward and slams his back into a wall.

Hayze: *groans* Ow…

Ivy walks over to one of Hayze’s swords and picks it up off the ground.

Ivy: I told you… I won’t fail my master again… I refuse to…

Ivy starts walking towards Hayze, who is too exhausted and injured to move.

Ivy: Don’t worry, I’m going to make this slow and painful...

Ivy points her hand behind herself.

Ivy: Push!

Ivy sends herself flying through the air towards Hayze.

Ivy: I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!

Hayze watches in fear as Ivy gets closer and closer.

Hayze: (Am… am I going to die?)

Suddenly Ivy crashes into a pink translucent wall, shocking Hayze. He looks to his right to see Saige has arrived. Ivy shakes herself off and looks up at Saige.

Ivy: Another one? Fuck!

Saige: Sorry, but Hayze’s life isn’t on the menu today. You’re going to have to order something else.

Ivy: Stay out of this, bitch!

Saige: Hm… No, I don’t think I will.

Ivy: *frustrated grunt*

Saige creates a dome around Ivy.

Ivy: What the hell!

Saige: Sorry, but I’m putting you in time out.

Ivy: Like hell you are!

Ivy starts punching the walls of the dome.

Saige: A barrier like this isn’t that hard to break through, but it takes time, and with the authorities and heroes on their way, I don’t think time is something you have to waste.

Ivy: Why you little!

Ivy starts slamming on the dome walls.

Saige: Keep trying! I’m sure you’ll get there eventually.

Ivy: Fuck you!

Iota and Zaire watch Ivy struggle inside Saige’s dome from Iota’s control room.

Iota: Alright, Zaire, I’ve seen enough. Go retrieve Ivy.

Zaire: Are you sure, Master? She hasn’t completed her mission yet.

Iota: Oh no, she has.

Zaire: W- what do you mean, Master?

Iota: I sent Ivy out there with one goal in mind: To show the world that I can strike at any time and any place. They’ll always be afraid of when my next move will arrive.

Zaire: I understand. I will retrieve Ivy now.

Ivy continues to punch the dome walls, and cracks start to form. Finally, A warp gate opens up inside it, Zaire steps out.

Saige: Oh, hi there! And who might you be?

Zaire: Ivy, you’re being recalled.

Ivy continues punching.

Zaire: That’s an order from Master, Ivy.

Ivy stops punching.

Ivy: Fine… let’s go.

Saige waves bye to Ivy and Zaire.

Saige: Let’s do this again sometime, okay?

Ivy and Zaire walk through the warp gate; it closes behind them. Saige drops the dome. She looks around at Aaron, Wes, Ash, Lilith, and Blair’s unconscious bodies.

Saige: (Boy… that girl sure did mean business.)

Saige walks over to Hayze, who is barely conscious.

Hayze: Th… thank you...

Saige: You sure got the shit beaten out of you, didn’t you?

Hayze: Yeah… I… did.

Saige: Well, let this be a lesson for you: don’t leave me alone when I asked you not to, okay?

Hayze: *smiles* Okay…

Saige: Good, now let’s get you and the others fixed up.