Wes takes a deep breath.

Verity: Trying to calm yourself down already? Are you that anxious?

Wes: Hey! I’ve gotten my ass kicked plenty of times to know that anything can happen in a fight! I’m just mentally preparing myself for the pain!

Verity: That’s for the best.

Verity pulls out a pistol and shoots Wes in the foot.

Wes: AH! YOU BITCH!

Verity: It’s a good thing you prepared, right?

Wes: WHEN DID YOU GET A-

Wes realizes she’s holding his gun.

Wes: FUCK!

Verity: I grabbed it when-

Wes: I KNOW WHEN YOU GRABBED IT!

Wes falls to his knees, holding his foot in pain.

Wes: I don’t get it…

Verity: Get what? I shot you; that’s pretty straightforward.

Wes: You had the element of surprise… Why didn’t you kill me?

Verity: Because I don’t want to.

Wes: What? But you…

Verity: I what?

Wes: You… you pushed me out the window! You were trying to kill me! I got lucky that Demetri and Isaiah broke my fall!

Verity: I wasn’t trying to kill you. I knew you would survive.

Wes: Huh? How?

Verity: The same reason I knew I’d arrive at this spot before you.

Wes: That’s not helpful…

Verity: It isn’t supposed to be.

Wes: *grunts* (Alright, we’re going in circles. It’s time for me to-)

Suddenly, Wes finds himself standing in a different spot. The dormitory is now to his side instead of in front of him.

Wes: What the hell? How did I get over here?

Wes notices he’s in mirror form.

Wes: (When did I activate my quirk?)

Verity is nowhere to be seen.

Wes: What’s going on?!

Verity: We’re fighting? Don’t you remember?

Wes: Huh?

Verity pushes Wes from behind. He slams into the ground, and the skin on his front torso shatters.

Wes: AHHHHHHH!

Verity: Or do I need to jog your memory?

Wes: Wh- what are you talking about?

A flashback begins.

Wes: *grunts* (Alright, we’re going in circles. It’s time for me to take action!)

Wes lunges toward Verity, but she dodges.

Verity: I knew you were going to do that.

Verity aims the Beretta at Wes.

Wes: Yeah? Well, I knew you were going to do that!

Wes preemptively began transforming his body into a mirror. The process completes just as Verity is about to pull the trigger.

Verity: I guess we’re at a standstill.

Wes: I guess so. (I can’t take the risk of her firing into my mirrors, at this range, the shot could injure her severely.)

Wes leaps back to build up distance. The dorm is now to his side.

Verity: Oh, now you’re concerned for me?

Wes: Hey! I saved you during the Showcase!

Verity: Yes, but you didn’t like that I was around you…

Wes: Wh- I- Well…

Verity: I thought so.

Verity charges at Wes.

Wes: (What’s she doing? I bet she’s going to try and crack my mirrors. Well, that’s alright, I’ll just-)

Verity: The Hermit.

Wes feels a strange force come over his body.

Wes: What… the hell?

Verity leaps over Wes and gets behind him.

Wes: What the hell? How did I get over here?

The flashback ends.

Wes: No way… I’d remember that!

Verity: Oh really? Then how do you explain that?

Wes: Huh?

Verity points to the ground. There’s a blood trail leading to where Wes was standing.

Wes: (What?!)

Verity: That blood came from your foot. So clearly, you moved of your own accord.

Wes: (She wiped my memories…)

Wes struggles through the many pains in his body, gets to his feet, and faces Verity.

Wes: So… this is your Vanguard quirk, huh? It’s very-

Suddenly, Wes is sitting against a tree; his back is now smashed.

Wes: AHHHH!

Verity walks over to him.

Verity: Would you like me to explain how you ended up here?

Wes: No… I’m good…

Wes notices a gunshot wound in Verity’s upper right arm.

Wes: (I must have gotten the gun back from her… and hit her in the arm…)

Wes spots the gun lying beside him.

Verity: You should be careful, Wes. Memories aren’t something you want to lose so easily.

Wes: (I don’t understand what she’s getting at… she said she wasn’t trying to kill me, so is she getting some sort of thrill out of injuring me? That’s not like her…)

Wes struggles to his feet.

Verity: You want to continue?

Wes: Of course! It’s my fault you’re in this mess, so it’s my responsibility to get you out of it!

Verity: I see, so you’re only trying to help me to validate yourself?

Wes: Wh- no… I-

Verity: It’ll make you feel better about yourself that you helped me? Well, then, I don’t want your help.

Wes: Verity… I-

Verity: You never cared about me in the slightest…

Wes: Huh?

Verity: Yet I continued to feel infatuated. What a fool I was.

Wes: That’s not true! I-

Verity: You what? You were pretending when you said you didn’t want to be around me?

Wes: *grunts* Yeah! I was! And you know that! You can read minds!

Verity: That’s true, but your words are much more impactful than your thoughts.

Wes: I…

Verity: Since joining the Vanguard, I’ve realized how much of a moron I was for continuing to pursue someone who cared so little for my feelings. It took brainwashing for me to come to my senses.

Wes: Wait a second… you’re aware you’re being controlled?

Verity: Yes, it’s very obvious.

Wes: Then… then why don’t you break free!

Verity: Because then I’d return to being the dumb girl that cared about a jerk like you.

Wes is speechless.

Verity: Oh look, I finally shut you up.

Wes clenches his fists and grinds his teeth.

Wes: Look, I’m sorry! I may not be much, but I’m man enough to admit when I’ve been a piece of shit. You’re overbearing, and I both like and hate that about you, but that doesn’t mean I should have treated you so poorly.

Verity: That’s nice, but an apology doesn’t mean anything to me. You’re Wes; you never change. Instead, you keep going in circles, repeatedly forcing yourself to learn the same lessons.

Wes: That was true… but it’s not anymore!

Wes picks up the gun and aims it at Verity.

Verity: Hm, so you’re ready to fire?

Wes: I’ve done it once before.

Verity: Then go ahead and do it… pull the trigger.

Wes aims at Verity’s leg but hesitates to pull the trigger.

Verity: What are you waiting for?

Wes: *grunts* (Come on, Wes! You shot her once! Why can’t you do it now!)

Verity lunges toward Wes and punches him in the chest.

Wes: AHHHHHHHH!

Wes drops the gun.

Verity: You weren’t the one who shot my arm.

Wes: Huh? Then who?

Verity: I did it.

Wes: Wh- what?

Verity: I wanted to lull you into believing you had the courage to shoot me, so I could land a decisive attack.

Wes collapses.

Wes: *pained grunt* (Everything hurts…)

Verity steps on Wes’ back.

Verity: I suppose you’re under the assumption that I’ll assimilate you into the Vanguard once I’ve defeated you. Well, that’s not the case.

Wes: What? But isn’t that what you’re supposed to-

Verity applies more pressure to Wes’ back with her foot.

Wes: *pained grunt*

Verity: If you joined the Vanguard, you’d become the ideal version of yourself, but I don’t want that. You don’t deserve the easy path to happiness. You never put the effort in, so why should you be given a golden road to follow?

Wes: (She’s right… how many times do I have to hear the same speech before I finally do something to change myself?)

“ Saige: Stubbornness is cute when you’ve got accomplishments doing things the way you always have, but you’ve accomplished nothing. Unless you think a tie is something. “ - Chapter 70

“ Aaron: I’d say I hope this helps, but knowing you, you’ll probably say, “Aaron’s a jerk and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” So, next time you run off like that, don’t expect anyone, especially not me, to come after you. “ - Chapter 165

Wes: (Even when I overcome the odds and power through a battle, I regress to the same behaviors. I’ve never been able to handle criticism, but that HAS TO change! I can bring Verity back from the Vanguard by showing her I’ve taken that lesson to heart.)

Wes glances at his wrist.

Verity: Well, I guess I’ll end this and leave you here to drown in your sorrow.

Wes: That’s not happening!

Wes fires his wrist grappling hook at a tree branch and propels himself forward, away from Verity’s harm. His mirrored body is slowly recovering and reverting to normal.

Wes: Ha! I’m not done yet!

Verity: I didn’t see that one coming…

Wes: I got you then! Take that!

Verity: No… I just… I didn’t think you still had those.

Wes: Wh- why not?

Verity: Because you didn’t use them when I threw you out the window…

Wes stares blankly at Verity.

Wes: FUCK!

Verity: Always the fool…

Wes: Oh yeah? I’ll show you I’ve changed!

Verity: *under her breath* Not changed enough to remember your quirk and gadgets…

Wes: HEY!

Verity: Hey, what?

Wes: I have no follow-up!

Verity: Of course…

Wes: I do have an objective! To bring you back from the Vanguard, and I won’t give up! Unfortunately, that’s something I’ve gotten too used to doing, so it’s time for me to stick to my word and stay strong.

Verity: We’ll see about that.

Wes closes his eyes.

Wes: (She’s gonna try and wipe my memory again… hell, I could forget what I’m thinking right now at any second. But… maybe I can use that to my advantage. Her quirks kind of contradict. If I can’t remember my plan, she can’t read my mind for it… hm…)

Wes opens his eyes to see Verity charging toward him.

Wes: (Shit!)

Verity attempts to punch Wes, but he dodges and uses his grappling hook to fly onto a tree branch.

Wes: (Think, Wes, there’s gotta be something I can do-)

Wes notices the gun on the ground.

Wes: (There’s an idea.)

After a few seconds, Wes hops down from the branch.

Verity: So, you’ve decided to join me on the ground?

Wes: Yup, I don’t want to hide anymore. I’ll face you head-on and-

Wes suddenly finds himself on the ground with a broken nose; the skin outside of his left forearm has reverted to normal.

Wes: *groans*

Verity: Want a recap?

Wes: You know what… sure…

Verity: I pretended to be back to my “usual” self and tricked you again.

Wes: Goddammit…

Verity: Yes, I didn’t think you could be that stupid.

Wes glances at his broken forearm.

Wes: (Maybe I’m not…)

Verity: Hm? What are you talking about?

Wes shows Verity his forearm; the cracks in the glass form the word “TREE.”

Wes: It looks like my plan all came together!

Verity: (What?)

Verity looks up at the tree Wes was in earlier.

Verity: (What did he do?)

Wes: Made you look!

Verity: Huh?

Verity looks back at Wes. He’s retrieved the gun and has taken aim at Verity.

Verity: You couldn’t pull the trigger before; what makes you think you can now?

Wes: I’m not going to!

Verity: Then what are you-

Wes throws the gun at Verity, it hits her in the face, but she hardly reacts.

Verity: Ow.

Wes: That… seemed a lot better in my head…

Verity: Really?

Wes: Alright, Plan B!

Verity: You had a second plan, and throwing the gun beat it?

Wes picks up the gun.

Verity: This again?

Wes: I’ll show you I’ve changed!

Wes shoots himself in his other foot and falls in pain.

Wes: AHHH!

Verity: Wh- what?

Wes: Ha! You still care about me! So you have to be concerned that I just shot myself!

Verity: I- I shot you earlier…

Wes: FUCK! Alright, Plan C-

Verity: Wes, stop.

Wes: Never! I have to prove that I’ve changed-

Verity: You’ve proven that.

Wes: Huh?

Verity: Your pathetic efforts have shown me that you care about bettering yourself and making up for your mistakes.

Wes: Do you have to phrase it like that…

Verity: Although I’m aware you won’t change the core aspects of your personality, and nor should you, I can tell that my assimilation into the Vanguard really affected you, and I’m touched to see that.

Wes: Y- You’re welcome?

Verity: I can see I was wrong, so I will relinquish my position in the Vanguard.

Wes stares blankly at Verity.

Wes: Okay, I’m happy I got the result, but I hoped it would be more badass.

Verity falls over.

Verity: Ow, I’ve been defeated.

Wes: *sighs* That’s the best It’s gonna get, isn’t it?

Verity: Yes.

Wes: I’ll take it!

Verity stands up.

Verity: I do have one condition.

Wes: I’m scared.

Verity: I request 5 unsolicited compliments a week,

Wes: Oh, come on…

Verity: 7.

Wes: 4!

Verity: 8.

Wes: Fuck…

Verity: 11.

Wes: What?!

Verity: 5.

Wes: Okay…

Verity helps Wes to his feet.

Wes: Ow…

Verity: By the way, your classmates didn’t fare well against Justus.

Wes: Huh?

Wes notices Jace and Lilith lying out cold outside the dorm.

Wes: Jace! Lilith!

Verity helps Wes walk over to the two unconscious students as Zach exits the building.

Zach: Wes? Verity?

Wes: Don’t worry. She’s back to normal. What happened?

Zach: Well, you see-

Hayze arrives on his motorcycle and slides to a halt.

Zach: Hayze!

Hayze: Are you guys alright?

Wes: I’ve been better…

Hayze: Verity?

Verity: I’m not in the Vanguard anymore.

Hayze: That’s good; what about everyone else?

Zach: I’ll give you the rundown.

Angel is flying through the air and spots the group in front of the Vanguard dorm.

Angel: (Oh good, if they’re outside talking, then everything must have gone well.)

Gus: AHHHHHHHHH!

Gus flies past Angel.

Angel: Gus?

Gus crashes down on the track field.

Angel: Ah, man… I hope he’s alright. I’ll check on him after delivering this message to Hayze’s team.

Zach finishes explaining everything to Hayze, Wes, and Verity.

Wes: So, you’re saying Justus and Silver are facing off right now?

Zach: Yeah… Justus knocked everyone else around. Eve and Isetri are recovering, and I was about to bring Jace and Lilith inside.

Hayze: That’s good; make sure they’re all okay. That includes you, Wes. Verity, help Zach keep an eye on them.

Verity: Okay.

Zach: And what about you, Hayze?

Hayze: I’m gonna go give Silver some backup.

Zach: But… you don’t know where they are.

Hayze: I have a good idea…

Angel lands next to them.

Zach: Angel!

Hayze: What are you doing here?

Angel: Aster sent me here to tell you that Vanguard’s on the move.

Zach: He is?

Wes: That doesn’t sound good…

Hayze: Yeah, but Aster’s tracking him down, right?

Angel: Well… yeah.

Hayze: Then we have nothing to worry about; the plan isn’t contingent on Vanguard being in the dorm. As long as Grace gets powered up, everything will be fine.

Wes: I wish I had your confidence.

Angel: I guess you’re right… How's everything here?

Zach: A few hiccups, but otherwise, we’re all okay.

Angel: That’s good to hear, I’d love to stay and hear about everything that happened, but I’ve gotta go.

Hayze: Why?

Angel: I saw Gus flying through the air a few minutes ago; it’s like he got launched or something. I need to make sure he’s alright.

Hayze: What?! Gus wasn’t supposed to be fighting anyone!

Angel: Well… he was covered in um… feces.

Hayze: Crap… something must have happened to Gavin… and if that’s the case…

Wes and Zach gulp.

Wes: It’s gonna feel like the first day of school again…

Zach: Yeah… I don’t want to feel Mr. Walker’s wrath…

Hayze: Zach, go with Angel. If Gus is alright, have him tell you exactly what happened at the school. If Gavin’s compromised, you have to go there immediately.

Zach: Okay… I’m not sure I’ll be able to do much against a group of teachers, but I won’t back down!

Hayze: (If the teachers are free, then the Top 10 could be showing up soon… and if that happens before Aster’s team finishes off Vanguard, then everything will have been for nothing…)

Hayze clenches his fist and grinds his teeth.

Khaos: (Then maybe you need some help.)

Hayze: (Khaos?)

Khaos: (Surprised? What, did you forget I exist?)

Hayze: (No, it’s just… I haven’t heard from you since…)

Khaos: (Since I saved all those heroes in the Vampire Queen’s facility? I know…)

Hayze: (I don’t understand… Why did you do it? And why have you been dormant since then?)

Khaos is quiet.

Khaos: (That’s not something I want to discuss.)

Hayze: (Then why are you communicating with me now?)

Khaos: (Because you need someone who can keep those teachers of yours in check. I can do that.)

Hayze: (What? You want to help us?)

Khaos: (I consider it helping myself. I see what you’re doing with our brothers, and I want that same freedom. Even if it means fighting with you pathetic losers.)

Hayze hesitates.

Khaos: (What’s wrong? Are you afraid?)

Hayze: (Should I not be? You’re the embodiment of my hatred. The last time you were free, you killed Dr. Moore and could have done much more!)

Khaos: (I understand your skepticism, but there’s something you don’t realize.)

Hayze: (And that is?)

Khaos: (That ring fragment you absorbed into your bloodstream didn’t give you these new powers for free. You can’t control me. If I want out, I can get out.)

Hayze: (You think I believe that?! Then why are you asking permission?)

Khaos: (Because I’ll still be bound by the Rules of Khaos. I can only kill and/or severely injure people you hate, and only one person on this campus fits that bill. Hell, even if I try to leave, I’ll only be able to quench my bloodthirst on a handful of villains. I’m asking “permission” because I don’t want you to attack me. See what I’m saying?)

Hayze goes into deep thought.

Angel: Alright, Zach, let’s get going.

Zach: Right!

Angel: It’s probably easier if we walk. My wing isn’t in the best condition.

Zach: Gotcha.

Hayze: Wait, guys…

Zach: Huh?

Angel: What is it, Hayze?

Hayze: You’ve got one more joining you.

Hayze's body emits a blue aura.

Hayze: (If you try anything… I swear you’ll have something else to kill.)

Khaos appears.

Khaos: Hahaha! Fresh air!

Zach, Angel, and Wes are shocked.

Wes: Uh… Hayze? Is that who I think it is?

Hayze: Yeah… it is…

Zach: Sh- should we be running?

Khaos: Calm down, spaz. I’m here to help you out.

Zach: Y- you are?

Angel: Why don’t I trust that…

Khaos: Alright, Wings, point us in the right direction.

Angel: Uh… that way?

Khaos: Good, let’s not waste any time.

Khaos begins walking in the direction Gus landed. Angel and Zach look back at Hayze.

Angel: Are you sure about this, Hayze?

Hayze: If anything goes wrong, take him out.

Zach: Right. Come on, Angel, let’s go.

Angel and Zach begin following Khaos.

Jace: Wait!

Jace has woken up and gotten to his feet.

Jace: I’m coming too!

Angel: Jace?

Zach: Are you sure, dude? You look like you’re in bad shape.

Jace: I’m the one who started the Vanguard, so I can’t lie here while you guys are off doing your part to end it. I won’t be convinced otherwise!

Zach: Okay… as long as you’re alright.

Jace: I am.

Khaos: *from afar* COME ON, GOOF TROOP! I DON’T HAVE ALL DAY!

Zach: We’re on our way!

Zach, Jace, and Angel follow after Khaos.

Hayze: Verity and Wes, take care of everyone else. I’m counting on you guys.

Verity: We won’t let you down.

Wes: Good luck, Hayze.

Hayze: Thanks.

Hayze drives off.

Hayze: (Silver… I hope you can take down Justus yourself, but if you can’t… just hold out long enough for me to get there.)

Silver sends a wave of his silver dust toward Justus.

Justus: *nasal grunt* You must be kidding?

Justus disappears.

Silver: (He’s gone… and I haven’t moved at all. My theory on Justus’ new ability is slowly confirming itself. I just need a few more details, and I think I know how to get them.)

Silver recalls his dust back to the canisters.

Silver: I know you’re still here. What’s the point in challenging me if you’re just going to hide like a coward? Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

No response.

Silver: (He’s waiting for the perfect moment to strike… he probably thinks I’m going to use Avalanche or Serrated Shuriken to force him out, but I know against an opponent like Justus… I need to do something different.)

Silver removes his belt and drops his six dust canisters. Justus is watching from a nearby rooftop.

Justus: (Hm? What’s he doing?)

Silver leaps into the canal and begins swimming.

Justus: (What?!)

Silver swims close to the floor of the canal.

Silver: (Okay, Justus, it’s time to show me your hand.)

Suddenly, Silver finds himself standing on the side of the canal.

Silver: (Perfect.)

Justus is standing across from him, soaking wet.

Justus: To call me a coward for “running” and then do the same yourself? What a hypocrite you are, Silver.

Silver: It’s called strategy.

Justus: Hm?

Silver: I’ve almost got your mystery power figured out.

Silver points at the ground. There’s a large number of water droplets leading up to Justus.

Silver: You were dripping water.

Justus: Of course, I had to pull you out of that canal. Otherwise, this battle wouldn’t have been fun.

Silver: That’s not what I’m getting at. I’ve been convinced you’ve been using super-speed to move people and objects around… but that’s clearly not the case.

Justus: How so?

Silver: Look at the amount of drops you left on the ground. If you were moving at an extreme speed, there’s no way that much water could have fallen.

Justus: *grunts*

Silver: Furthermore, when looking at the ground leading up to me, it’s the same amount of water. But that doesn’t make any sense. If you were carrying me, then there should be at least double. So, I wasn’t dripping water, but you were.

Justus: *frustrated grunt* Just get to the point already!

Silver: You aren’t moving faster… Instead, for a short time, nobody is moving at all… except you. I guess I shouldn’t say “short time”... the truth is you’re stopping time!

Justus is quiet for a few moments.

Justus: Very clever, Silver. But that won’t help you.

Silver: Why not?

Justus: Because nobody can stop THE WORLD!

Time comes to a halt.

Justus: I should have known you’d be the one to figure out the secret of my new quirk.

Justus walks towards Silver, who’s completely frozen.

Justus: With the power of The World, I can stop the flow of time for everyone and everything besides myself for 2 minutes. This may seem like a lot, but I’m sure you’ve also noticed my “weakness” of sorts. I cannot directly harm anyone in this form, so if I want to injure them, I must get… creative.

Justus spots a boat in one of the canals and notices its anchor on the bow.

Justus: Like this, for example.

Justus leaps onto the boat and grabs the anchor.

Justus: Anything in contact with me also resumes its flow of time. It was wise of you to notice this. I hadn’t even thought of using water droplets to decipher my power. You’re an incredible opponent… and that’s why I have to defeat you!

Justus leaps back to Silver and ties the anchor chain to his ankle. He then kicks Silvers into the water.

Justus: Have a nice swim, Silver!

Time resumes. Silver finds himself underwater.

Silver: (He stopped time again! But why did he throw me back into the water?)

Silver tries to swim up, but he can’t. He looks down to see the anchor he’s been tied to.

Silver: (Shit! That’s why! I’ve gotta break free!)

Silver forms a massive silver wrist blade and attempts to cut through the chain.

Silver: (Come on! Come on!)

Justus watches the bubbles in the water with a smile on his face.

Justus: Looks like you weren’t much of a challenge, Silver. How sad, but at the end of the day, I’ve defeated you. Looks like your first victory was nothing more than a fluke.

Silver is slowly losing more and more air.

Silver: (Dammit! This isn’t working! I’ve gotta do something else!)

Silver looks around and notices a hole in the canal wall.

Silver: (That must lead to the sewer. But… is the chain long enough for me to swim free? Well, I guess I’ll find out.)

Silver swims through the hole.

Silver: (Please work!)

Silver emerges from the water inside the sewer.

Silver: (It won’t be long until he realizes I’m not drowning. I’ve gotta figure out how to get this anchor off me.)

Justus continues staring at the calm water.

Justus: Looks like it’s all over for you, Silver, but I must be sure.

Justus looks up at a clock tower reigning high above the city.

Justus: No matter. I don’t need The World to confirm a body.

Justus dives into the water.

Justus: (Now, let’s see- Huh?! He’s gone!)

Justus spots the chain leading into the sewer.

Justus: (Damn you!)

Silver attempts to climb out of the water, but the chain is too short.

Silver: *frustrated grunt* (This isn’t good, I need to-)

Justus drags Silver into the water and punches him in the stomach.

Silver: *pained grunt*

Justus: (You’re never leaving the water again!)

Justus grabs Silver by the neck and begins choking him, pinning him against the bottom of the sewer canal.

Silver: (I won’t die here!)

Silver grabs his ankle chain and wraps it around Justus’ neck.

Silver: (If you want to kill me, you’ll have to kill yourself!)

Silver pulls on the chain, tightening it around Justus’ neck. Both of them are turning purple.

Justus: *choking* (Fuck!)

Justus grabs the chain and breaks it. He then releases Silver and swims to the surface for air.

Justus: *frustrated grunt* I’ll get you for that!

Justus looks around the sewer; Silver didn’t resurface with him.

Justus: What!?

Silver emerges from the water in the canal.

Silver: Jesus… Christ…

Silver swims to the side and climbs out of the water.

Silver: (Justus is playing for keeps; if I’m not careful, he’ll be the only one walking away from this fight.)

Silver wanders onto the Venetian streets.

Silver: (The one question I have is why he didn’t use The World there? He’s arrogant in this form, but he tried to drown me once before with it. Why not then?)

Silver looks up at the clock tower.

Silver: (Hm…)

Suddenly, Justus' shield hits Silver in the back of the head.

Silver: AHHH!

Justus: It looks like someone’s getting careless.

Silver gets to his feet and faces Justus.

Silver: Yeah… I got caught up in my thoughts there, but trust me, that won’t happen again.

Justus: No, it won’t. Because I’m ending this battle right now!

Silver looks up at the clock.

Justus: THE WORLD!

Time freezes.

Justus: Let’s see… What could I try now?

Justus spots a fire hydrant.

Justus: This should be fun.

Time resumes.

Silver: (It happened again! Where is he-)

Silver gets blasted by a stream of water, sending him crashing through a building.

Silver: AHHHH!

Silver slams into a wall and falls to the ground holding his shoulder.

Silver: *pained grunt* (I think it’s dislocated… fuck.)

Justus enters the building.

Justus: Feeling waterlogged?

Silver painfully gets to his feet.

Silver: (This is my chance, it’s my time to fight!)

Silver creates wrist, elbow, and shoulder blade blades from his liquid silver.

Justus: Oh, Silver, you’re in no condition to-

Silver lunges towards Justus.

Justus: (Huh?!)

Silver: (I have no time to waste!) Blade Storm!

Silver begins slicing Justus all over.

Justus: *grunts* Dammit!

Silver finishes his assault by kicking Justus in the chest, sending him flying out of the building and tumbling against the ground.

Silver: Take that!

Justus: You didn’t have any fear when you attacked… I could have stopped you with The World!

Silver: No, you couldn’t have.

Justus: What?!

Silver: Come on, Justus, you really thought I wouldn’t notice you weren’t spamming your time-stopping ability? You’re on a strict cooldown, and once I figure it out, I’ll make The World useless just like I did there.

Justus: (I thought if I gave off the impression I was toying with him, he would overlook a potential cooldown.)

Justus stands up.

Justus: Fine, then I guess it’s time for me to use my true ability to bring you to your knees.

Silver: It’s about time; I was starting to think you got soft.

Justus: No, I wanted to devastate you with the power of The World, but I see now that I underestimated you.

Silver: How?

Justus: Hm?

Silver: We’ve fought before. You know what I’m capable of and vice versa. So how the hell could you underestimate me?

Justus laughs.

Justus: Because I’m better than you, Silver. I always have been. You revealed your father’s struggle to overcome my father in our last fight. Don’t you know what that means? Your bloodline is inferior to mine! So, of course, I underestimated the spawn of a second-rate hero like your father!

Silver: I beat you once before, and I’ll do it again!

Justus: That’s only because my father was still alive.

Silver: What?!

Justus: You saw my fight against Saige… I tapped into my father’s strength. His death opened the mental restraints I had on my latent abilities. As a result, I’m more powerful than ever before while you’re still the same pathetic fool.

Silver: I’ve grown too, you know! I’ve expanded my arsenal and developed new techniques!

Justus: And did they help you when you watched Black Hollow die?

Silver clenches his fist.

Justus: Did I hit a nerve?

Silver: Justus, you’re my friend, and this isn’t the real you. I know you didn’t join the Vanguard for selfish reasons, and I’ll do everything I can to defeat and return you to normal.

Silver grabs his dislocated arm.

Silver: You’ve lost your way… and I will help you find it once again!

Silver pops his arm back into place.

Silver: AHHHHHHHHHH!

Justus grinds his teeth.

Silver: Because I am a hero! And heroes always have their friend’s backs!

Justus stares at Silver.

Justus: Cute speech, but I don’t care. The only thing that concerns me is destroying you… so I can finally prove once, and for all that I am the greatest student this school has ever seen! You’re the one blemish on my record, Silver! And It’s time for me to remove you!

Silver: Then bring. It. On.

Walker catches his breath.

Ivy: (His hatred for me is so powerful he’s willing to fight through any amount of pain to get even one step closer to my downfall. This is what I deserve… I wasn’t concerned for the people I hurt and how my actions affected others. I want to be better, but I understand I’ll never be able to undo my horrible deeds.)

Wrath stands up.

Wrath: Alright, it’s time for me to level this guy.

Ivy: I wouldn’t try that, Wrath.

Wrath: Fuck you. I’ll do what I want!

Ivy: You might want to take a rest. You’ve been knocked around a lot.

Wrath: I can rest when I’m dead.

Wrath starts walking towards Walker.

Aaron: He’s really going back at it?

Alexis: This’ll be interesting.

Blair: Wrath! Just back down! You can’t beat him!

Wrath: *frustrated grunt* Don’t tell me what I can’t do!

Blair is taken aback.

Wrath: Now, such up, bitches! I’m going to fight whether you like it or not!

Walker: How foolish can one be.

Wrath: Say what you want, but I don’t back down from any challenge.

Walker: I’m not even concerned with you.

Wrath: What did you say?!

Walker: My fight is with the murderous psycho over there.

Wrath: Murderous psycho? What the fuck are you then?

Walker: Hm?

Wrath: You just tried to murder her for no reason. Pretty fucking hypocritical if you ask me!

Everyone is surprised.

Walker: What did you just say?!

Wrath: You may just be meeting me for the first time, but I’ve had to sit through your long-winded teachings plenty of times, and you’re breaking every single lesson you taught your students in one go! You’re letting your emotions get the better of you, fighting for the wrong cause and acting like a self-righteous bastard while doing it! Should I go on?

Walker: *frustrated grunt* “WRONG CAUSE?!” SHE MURDERED A MAN IN COLD BLOOD!

Walker’s students are shocked by his tone.

Wrath: So what?

Walker: ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

Wrath: I don’t care where you came from or how you’ve gotten from there to here. All I care about is what’s happening right in front of me.

Wrath points at Ivy.

Wrath: This girl is fighting to save the world from a maniac. She’s putting her own life on the line. A life she only recently was given. She could have left, and nobody would have batted an eye, but she stuck around because she knew she could use her power for good. I never agreed with Hayze’s opinion of her, but I’m not stubborn enough to pretend he was wrong. I understand you’re infuriated with her, but that doesn’t give you the right to be her judge, jury, and executioner. Look at your students! You’re a role model to them, and you’re destroying your image over petty revenge. You’re pathetic, and nothing pisses me off more than a self-righteous hypocrite. So I won’t back down. I’ll fight with all of my anger!

Everyone is stunned.

Blair: Wrath…

Wrath: Shut up. I’m only calling it like I see it.

Walker stares at Wrath.

Walker: Congratulations, you’ve gotten my attention, and you will regret that.

Walker opens a portal beneath Wrath.

Wrath: You think that will work?! Boost!

Wrath blasts himself into the air.

Walker: No, I didn’t.

Wrath: Huh?

Walker runs and leaps into the portal himself. He promptly reappears beside Wrath and bashes him over the head with Blaze’s sword.

Wrath: AHHHH!

Wrath careens headfirst toward the ground.

Ivy: (I have to help him!)

Ivy points her palm at Wrath.

Ivy: Pull!

Wrath’s descent ends, and he’s slowly levitated towards Ivy.

Walker: (Perfect.)

Walker disappears and reappears behind Ivy with the sword ready.

Walker: (This is for you, EMD!)

Blaze notices Walker.

Blaze: (No! She’s defenseless! I have to stop him!)

Blaze starts running.

Blair: Blaze!

Aaron: Where’s he going?

Walker: Die!

Ivy: Huh?!

Walker swings his sword at Ivy, but Blaze leaps in front of the attack. The sword slices into his stomach, shocking everyone.

Blair: BLAZE!