Blair: NOOOOO!

Alexis: (Holy crap…)

Blaze keels over.

Blaze: *groans*

Blair and Aaron rush over to Blaze.

Blair: Blaze! Blaze! Are you alright?!

Blaze coughs up blood.

Aaron: This isn’t good… that wound’s 100% fatal.

Blair: Don’t say that!

Walker staggers backward in shock, dropping Blaze’s sword.

Walker: *under his breath* What have I done?

Walker falls to his knees in anguish. Ivy safely places Wrath on the ground and turns to look at Blaze.

Ivy: Why… Why did he do that?

Wrath: The kid’s dealt with death more than any one of us. He probably didn’t want to do it again.

Ivy: But- he- he doesn’t know me…

Wrath: You know who his dad is, right?

Ivy: I…

Ivy goes quiet. Wrath glances over at Walker.

Wrath: He should have listened to me. I’d finish him off, but there’s no point; he’s broken.

Wrath approaches Blair, Aaron, and Blaze. Blair is in tears.

Blair: Wh- what do we do?

Aaron: There’s nothing we can do… not without Recovery Girl.

Wrath: Blaze, can you speak?

Blaze: I… c- can…

Wrath: Okay, tell me where Aster is.

Blaze: He’s… searching… for… Vanguard…

Wrath: So you don’t know exactly where? Hm… alright, then where is Impulse? With him?

Blaze: The… fountain…

Wrath: Gotcha.

Wrath starts walking away.

Aaron: Where are you going?

Wrath: We can save him if we get one of Blaze’s healing drugs from Aster. We need Impulse's speed to find him quickly if we don’t know exactly where he is. I’ll go to the fountain and get Impulse. You try to keep him alive as long as you can.

Aaron: I’ll go with you.

Wrath: Shut up, hero boy. I can handle this alone.

Bruno: I’ll tag along.

Bruno has returned.

Wrath: And where have you been this whole time?

Bruno: Safely placing the unconscious students away from the battle. We don’t need them getting hurt any further.

Aaron: Good work, Bruno.

Wrath: Whatever. If you wanna follow me, go ahead, but I’m not slowing down for your ass.

Wrath starts running toward the fountain, and Bruno follows.

Blair: (Please Wrath… get there in time…)

Calm, Sydney, and Saige arrive and enter the “stink” room.

Sydney: Oh god…

Sydney pukes. There’s feces all over the walls of the room.

Calm: Ash? Gavin? Are you here?

Gavin: Ass gas…

Gavin is lying on the ground with his ass in the air. Calm rushes to him.

Calm: Are you alright?

Gavin: Ass gas…

Sydney: *gags* That means yes…

Calm: Gavin, where is Ash?

Gavin points to a room corner; Ash is rocking back and forth in the fetal position, covered in poop.

Ash: *under her breath* It’s in my hair…

Saige: Sydney… mind cleaning her off?

Sydney blasts Ash with water.

Sydney: No.

Calm: Well, I’m glad you’re alright.

Saige: Physically or emotionally? Because Ash is not one of those.

Calm: Let’s head back to the conference room and-

Adrian: What are you kids doing?

Everyone turns to the doorway; Adrian is standing there.

Saige: Adrian?

Calm: If you’re here to stop us, then I’m sorry, but you’ll be disappointed in our answer.

Adrian: I’m not.

Saige, Calm, Sydney, and Ash are surprised.

Sydney: Aren’t you supposed to? You’re a pro hero, aren’t you?

Adrian: I am, but I also have a strong idea of who spearheaded this operation, right Calm?

Calm: You can tell at first glance that I’m not Hayze?

Adrian: Of course, Hayze would’ve tried to reason with me before threatening me. But that’s not logical, is it?

Calm: It’s not.

Adrian: Look, I’ve trained with Hayze for countless hours… because I knew he would try something. I just didn’t think it would be at this scale…

Saige: We’re sorry, Adrian, but we couldn’t sit idly by… we all have faith in Hayze’s plan, and we know it will work.

Sydney: I’m 50/50 on it.

Saige: The point is, we knew you’d never let us get involved, so we had to do this.

Adrian: I understand…

Saige: You’re… being awfully calm about this… why?

Adrian: Because the damage is done. Even if we shut down your plan, there’s no guarantee that Vanguard won’t kill us all. The only thing I can do is hope that you kids made the right call.

Ash: So… does that mean you’re going to help us?

Adrian: No, I can’t… I’m a pro hero, and I’d lose my license and career if I assisted you.

Sydney: So, what are you going to do then?

Adrian: Walker’s out on the prowl, and he’s furious. He told me to contact the Top 10 and get them here as fast as possible. I haven’t done that yet and can delay it a little longer.

Saige: But how will you explain that to Walker?

Adrian: That’s why I need you kids to cut the power to the school. That’ll knock out my reception, and I’ll have to travel outside campus to make the call. After that, I won’t be able to give you any extra time.

Calm: Right.

Ash: I’ll handle that. I need to get away from this room… forever.

Calm: And the rest of us will return to the conference room. Gavin, you stay here and recover.

Gavin farts.

Adrian: Good luck, guys, and I hope this works out for all of our sakes.

Saige: It will.

The group departs.

Adrian: (I was in that meeting with the Top 10… I know they don’t have a plan for defeating Vanguard, especially if Vulcan rejects fusing with Exciton. So… that means Hayze’s plan might be our best shot at ending this madness.)

Adrian flashes back to the day he met Hayze.

Adrian: (You’ve come a long way, kid… I never thought we’d end up here when I met you that day. You brought together over 40 students to risk their lives and careers to fight for you. They believe whole-heartily in their leader… ha; who does that remind me of?)

Silver approaches Justus.

Silver: Let’s see what’s stronger, your fists or my blades.

Justus: The answer is obvious.

Silver: I agree.

Justus: Good, then let me prove it to you!

Justus bursts towards Silver.

Silver: *nasal grunt* Someone hasn’t been paying attention.

Justus: Huh?

Silver leaps right over Justus.

Justus: (Since when could he leap that high?)

Silver lands behind Justus and slashes an X across Justus’ back using his wrist blades.

Justus: AHHHHHH!

Justus staggers forward and falls to his hands and knees.

Justus: You attacked before I could react… Since when were you this fast?

Silver: I’m not. You’re just not used to fighting me like this.

Justus: Like what?

Silver: Notice anything different about my attire?

Justus looks at Silver.

Justus: Your canisters…

Silver: Yup, those things weigh a ton, so they keep my mobility down and act as training weights. However, the power of my silver dust is worth that trade-off. You’ve never faced me at my natural speed.

Justus: *frustrated grunt*

Justus gets to his feet and faces Silver.

Justus: No matter, because you’ll never stop me,

Silver: (Here it comes!)

Silver looks up at the clock tower.

Justus: THE WORLD!

Time stops.

Justus: You’re proving to be the perfect adversary, Silver, but I won’t lose to you. It’s time for me to take this battle to the next level!

Justus grabs Silver and runs toward the clock tower.

Justus: (Don’t think I haven’t noticed you watching the clock. You’re trying to time my cooldown. Well, too bad… BECAUSE YOU’RE OUT OF TIME!)

Justus uses his immense strength to scale the clock tower quickly. He grabs Silver by the collar and holds him over the edge as he reaches the top.

Justus: Goodbye… Silver.

Justus tosses Silver off the building as time resumes.

Silver: Huh? AHHH!

Silver plummets to the ground.

Silver: (He knows I’m turning the tide of this battle, so he’s trying to take me out now. Well, I’m not going down this easily, Justus!)

Silver coats his entire body in liquid silver, creating an outer shell.

Justus: What?!

Silver smashes into the ground at a high velocity.

Justus: He’s dead! He has to be!

The shell cracks and Silver emerges unharmed.

Silver: *groans* I’m gonna feel that tomorrow morning…

Justus starts breathing heavily.

Justus: WHY WON’T YOU DIE!

Justus leaps off the roof and runs down the clock tower toward the ground.

Silver: I think I made him mad…

Justus jumps off the wall and lands on the ground in front of Silver.

Justus: You’ve alluded my attempts to kill you for the last time!

Silver slowly gets to his feet.

Silver: Man, Justus… What is up with you?

Justus: Nothing, I just want my victory NOW!

Silver: I didn’t know you had this kind of anger hidden inside of you… where is all of this coming from?

Justus: I’m going to introspect myself to you. My one and only goal is to be the strongest there is! So getting past you is an essential first step!

Silver: But… What about Vanguard?

Justus: Master doesn’t count; he’s above all of us. I’m speaking of being the strongest mortal!

Silver: That’s a stretch, but whatever…

Justus grinds his teeth.

Justus: I don’t care what you think! The only thing that matters to me is power!

Silver stares at Justus.

Silver: (I remember Justus being like this once before, but when…)

Silver gets a look of realization on his face.

Silver: (After Colossus humiliated him in front of our entire class. That’s it… this is Justus’ pent-up rage from his father’s death. He dreamed of one day surpassing Colossus, but that opportunity was taken from him. He must have repressed those feelings, and they’ve manifested in his Vanguard personality… as an extreme and obsessive need to be #1.)

Silver glances up at the clock tower.

Silver: (His cooldown is 4 minutes. I got a glimpse of the time right before he activated The World again. I’ve got 3 minutes left before I have to fight to survive again.)

Silver can feel his body aching.

Silver: (I’m wearing down, but I still have enough fight left in me!)

Silver bursts toward Justus.

Justus: YOU’LL NEVER BEAT ME HEAD-TO-HEAD!

Justus charges at Silver as well.

Justus: HAMMER OF JUSTICE!

Justus throws a heavy punch, but Silver blocks with his wrist blades. The impact cracks and destroys the swords.

Silver: *grunts*

Justus: Your feeble metal can’t defeat me!

Justus winds back another punch.

Justus: It’s over! Hammer of Justice: Final Order!

Justus gut-punches Silver. He pukes up blood and is sent flying backward at extreme velocity. He crashes into a streetlight and falls to the ground, face-down.

Justus: *nasal grunt*

Silver isn’t moving. Justus laughs loudly.

Justus: I should have just done that from the start! Your fragile body was no match for my natural quirk! Using The World on you was a waste of time… I’ll keep that in mind for my next opponent!

Justus stares at Silver.

Justus: (Of course, there’s a chance this is a ruse… no matter, I’ll just kill him from a distance.)

Justus picks up a nearby car.

Justus: I hope you’re not faking it, Silver, because I’m not falling for it!

Justus tosses the car, and it lands on top of Silver.

Justus: Good… it’s done.

Justus begins walking away.

Justus: (I wonder how the rest of the Vanguard is performing against this little rebellion? I’ll head to Master’s dorm and see-)

Suddenly the car Justus threw at Silver lands on top of him.

Justus: *pained grunts* What… THE HELL?!

Silver is standing, hunched over, and in visible pain.

Silver: Of all things you could have thrown at me, you chose a car? There’s just enough silver in those things for me to levitate.

Justus: *frustrated grunt*

Justus throws the car off himself and faces Silver with an agitated look. Both of them are breathing heavily and have built up many injuries.

Silver: You’re not looking too good there, Justus…

Justus notices cracked, hardened silver on Silver’s face.

Justus: (He shielded himself again just before the impact! He’s resilient, I’ll give him that, but he’s also very annoying!)

Silver: You know, I used to be a one-trick pony, but after a year and a half at this school, I’ve learned more tricks than I can count on both hands. I’m not the same fighter I was when we last faced off, so you should stop treating me like I am.

Justus is silent.

Silver: (I can’t tell if his silence is a good or bad thing…)

Silver’s legs are wobbly; he wipes blood from his face.

Silver: (That Final Order attack knocked me around pretty good; he must have caused severe internal bleeding. I have to beat Justus… and fast. I’ve done well for myself using my armor and blades, but it’s time for me to finish him off. The best way to do that is using my dust… but that’s back at the canal. I need to get back over there… but how?)

Silver’s eyes widen.

Silver: (Alright, Justus… let’s see whose World we’re really in!)

Impulse and Grace are at the fountain by the front gate. Grace is patiently sitting while Impulse is pacing.

Impulse: Someone should have found him by now.

Grace: They’re looking as fast as they can. I’m sure everything’s fine. If it weren’t, we’d be hearing a lot of explosions.

Impulse: I know… but… I could have found Vanguard by now using my speed!

Grace: Aster doesn’t want you wasting energy on that. You and I are too important.

Impulse: *grunts* I guess you’re right.

Grace laughs.

Impulse: What’s so funny?

Grace: You take after your namesake really well, that’s all.

Impulse: Yeah, well, that’s how all of us work, besides Hayze, obviously. I hate sitting here and doing nothing; I want in on the action!

Grace: Me too, but I know that will come soon.

Impulse stares at Grace.

Impulse: Just like you?

Grace: Just like me.

Impulse smiles.

Impulse: You came to this school to fight Hayze, right?

Grace: Him along with others.

Impulse: Does that mean you’d want to fight me and my…

Grace: Your what?

Impulse: I was going to call them brothers, but I don’t know if that fits.

Grace: Do you have the same parents?

Impulse: I guess so… but technically, Dr. Moore is my mother.

Grace: Eh, close enough, so I think “brothers” fits.

Impulse: Yeah, it just feels weird…

Grace: We’re all weird, Impulse!

Impulse: Good point!

Grace: To answer your question, yes, I think I’d like to fight you at some point. Hell, we can make my power-up session into a full-on brawl. Give Vanguard a show before I kick his ass.

Impulse: *nasal grunt* I don’t know, I’d definitely win, and we don’t want that.

Grace: Oh, yeah?

Impulse: Yeah!

Grace: Then let’s go! Right now!

Impulse: Weren’t you just saying we can’t-

Wrath: *from afar* Impulse!

Grace and Impulse: Huh?

Bruno and Wrath run up to them, and Grace’s eyes light up.

Grace: Bruno!

Grace leaps toward Bruno to hug him, but Bruno punches her to the ground.

Impulse and Wrath: Uh…

Bruno: If I don’t do this, she won’t stop hugging me.

Grace is rolling on the ground in euphoria.

Grace: *moans*

Wrath: Okay… gross… anyway, Impulse, we need your help.

Impulse: You found Vanguard?

Wrath: No, Blaze is dying, and he needs one of the medicine tablets.

Impulse: What?! But Aster has those!

Wrath: That’s why you need to find Aster and get him to Blaze as fast as possible. He’s at my team’s location from the plan. You need to hurry; he doesn’t have long.

Impulse: But… the plan…

Wrath: Look our… uh…

Grace: Nephew?

Wrath stares at Grace.

Wrath: *sighs* “Nephew” is dying. I don’t like the kid much, but he’s family to us, and I know you feel the same way.

Impulse: Yeah… I do…

Impulse snickers.

Wrath: What’s funny?

Impulse: I didn’t realize you were so “family-oriented,” Wrath!

Wrath blushes.

Wrath: JUST GO BEFORE I BREAK YOUR NECK!

Impulse: Wrath loves his family! Wrath loves his family!

Wrath: More like Wrath kills his family in 10 seconds.

Impulse speeds off.

Wrath: *frustrated grunt* Little pest!

Grace: Hm… I think I know a girl you might like.

Wrath: Don’t talk to me, whore.

Grace: *excited gasp* I love emotional abuse!

Wrath: *sighs* I hate it here.

Bruno: If your presence is requested, Grace, I will fill in for Impulse.

Grace: I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll need you if Wrath keeps talking like that.

Wrath: JESUS CHRIST! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!

Grace: *loud moan*

Vanguard is patiently standing at the track field.

Vanguard: (Hm… I wonder who my next challenger will be? Maybe Aster will arrive to avenge his little friend? Ooh, or could Walker or Adrian try to intervene? Oh, I’m so excited!)

Vanguard admires his rings.

Vanguard: (I wonder if a group arrives… What will I do? I know! I’ll fight the next person I lay eyes upon, whoever it is!)

Gus: AHHHHHHHHH!

Gus crashes into the track field, covered in shit.

Gus: *groans* It’s in my ears…

Vanguard stares at Gus.

Vanguard: Alright, I’m just gonna mulligan that.

Khaos, Angel, Zach, and Jace are running through the campus, with Khaos slightly ahead of the group.

Jace: So, uh… how much do we trust this guy?

Angel: Not much, but I trust Hayze, so it’s not zero.

Zach: Same with me, but if he’s on our side… man, are we in good company.

Angel: Yeah, Wes told me he killed the big guy we faced long ago… Adonis.

Jace: Him? Really? That guy was a monster.

Jace: Jeez, I really hope he doesn’t double-cross us then.

Khaos: Hey! Wing Boy!

Khaos has stopped. The others regroup with him.

Angel: Uh… yes?

Khaos: Left or Right?

Angel: Right, I think landed over-

Khaos resumes running in that direction.

Jace: Well, he’s definitely not the warm type…

Zach: He’s the incarnate of Hayze’s hate, so… I wasn’t expecting much.

Angel: Well, let’s not fall behind.

Khaos looks over his shoulder at the 3 boys following behind him.

Khaos: (As long as they aren’t slowing me down, they can stay-)

Khaos starts coughing. He covers his mouth.

Khaos: *grunts*

Khaos looks at his hand. There’s blood on it.

Khaos: *under his breath* Just great…

Hayze can see U.A. Stadium in sight.

Hayze: (Almost there…)

Hayze throttles up his motorcycle.

Hayze: (Justus and Silver never got their chance to fight in the tournament, so this seems like the best place for their rematch. I just hope I’m right and Silver’s still standing when I get there…)

Silver glances at the clock.

Justus: (He’s weakened enough… all I need to do is finish him with Colossal Justice!)

Justus approaches Silver.

Silver: Ready to finish this, Just-

Silver begins a coughing fit, causing him to fall to his knees.

Justus: Pathetic.

Silver coughs up blood on the ground.

Justus: Hm…

Justus stops walking and stares at Silver.

Justus: (Colossal Justice shouldn’t be wasted on an opponent in as sad a position as him.)

Justus glances at the clock.

Justus: (His lung is punctured, so I can finish him off the way I tried before!)

Silver wheezes.

Justus: Enjoy these breaths you’re taking. They will be your last!

Silver has a glint in his eye.

Justus: The World!

Suddenly, Silver finds himself underwater again, with his leg held down by a car door.

Silver: (He fell for it! I knew if I faked having a collapsing lung, he’d attempt to drown me again. Now that I’m back in the canal… it’s time to go swimming.)

Silver recreates his wrist blades and uses them to lift the car door and free his leg. He then begins swimming through the canal.

Silver: (Come on, where is the gondola I was on?)

Justus watches the water from a nearby rooftop.

Justus: (How did I let myself get this worked up over Silver, of all people? There are so many more powerful opponents for me to conquer! I can’t let this happen again…)

“ Colossus: So to the next generation of heroes, don’t remember me for my strength… remember me for what I represented. Don’t forget that you’re role models and inspire others to be the best they can be by simply being yourself. “ - Chapter 106

Justus: (Father, I will continue your path and represent the unstoppable might of a hero! With Silver gone, I can turn my attention to-)

Suddenly, silver dust begins to funnel into the water.

Justus: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Silver emerges from the water atop a mound of all his silver dust.

Silver: Thanks for bringing me back to my dust, old pal.

Silver levitates over to the opposite side of the roof and leaps on it.

Silver: It’s been fun, buddy, but you’re about to drop to 0-2 against me.

Justus: You won’t defeat me! I am the son of Colossus! The strongest warrior there ever was!

Silver: Emphasis on the word was.

Justus lets out a frustrated roar.

Justus: I’ve had enough of you!

Justus charges at Silver.

Silver: And I’ve got a friend to save!

Silver sends a partial amount of his dust mound at Justus. It crashes into him and sends him flying back. Silver then bursts towards him.

Silver: Blade Storm!

Silver begins slashing and slicing Justus all over his body with extreme veracity.

Justus: AHHHHHH!

Justus tumbles across the roof before narrowly stopping at the edge of the building. Silver leaps back and raises his hand in the air.

Silver: Sorry, Justus! But this is for your own good!

Silver’s massive mound of silver dust hovers above Justus.

Justus: *pained grunt* No…

Silver: It’s time for the past to repeat and for you to be set free!

Silver’s dust crashes toward Justus.

Silver: Silverclad Barrage: Avalanche!

The dust makes a devastating impact, crushing Justus beneath it. Silver falls to his hands and knees, breathing heavily and sweating profusely.

Silver: Gotcha…

Killian is sniffing around.

Killian: He’s… to the right!

Alec: Are you sure this time?

Gale: Yeah, the last thing we need right now is another wrong turn.

Killian: Hey! I’m working with a pretty faint scent right now! You should be happy I can even track him at all!

Gale: Sure… I’m so grateful.

Yul: Gale, cut the sarcasm, Killian, you’re doing fine. Just keep going.

Killian: *frustrated grunt* Whatever.

Killian continues with Tobias, Alec, and Gale following close behind. Aster and Yul are slightly behind them.

Yul: Should we be concerned that this is taking so long?

Aster: No, Vanguard isn’t the type to wreak havoc. He likes to fight his opponents one at a time and slowly diminish us. He’s taking his time, so we can afford to as well.

Yul: I agree; I just wanted to get your input.

Aster: Well, I appreciate that.

Aster goes quiet.

Yul: Are you still thinking of Tyson?

Aster: He and I had been friends since Middle School… I can’t believe he’s gone…

Yul: I didn’t know him quite as long as you did, but he was a good friend.

Aster: I know it’s always something we’re supposed to keep in the back of our minds, but… it’s not something you can ever prepare yourself for… watching a friend die.

Yul: I know… it’s a difficult feeling to accept. But we have to go on.

Aster: Don’t worry, I know… and I’m ready to give Vanguard hell when we find him.

Yul: Me too.

Suddenly, Impulse appears in front of Aster and Yul.

Aster: Huh? Impulse?

Yul: What are you doing here?

Impulse: I’m not sure of the details, but apparently, Blaze has suffered a fatal injury. Well, fatal unless you give me one of the future medicine things.

Aster: Blaze?! What?

Yul: What happened?

Impulse: Look, I’m just the messenger, and this is time-sensitive, so uh… give me?

Aster opens a compartment on his belt but hesitates.

Impulse: Uh… what are you doing?

Aster: *grunts* These are trump cards against Vanguard… I know we’re talking about Blaze’s life, but if our mission fails…

Impulse: You can’t be serious right now!

Yul puts his hand on Aster’s shoulder.

Yul: You couldn’t save Tyson, but you can save him.

Aster: I know, Yul… but what if-

Yul: Aster, I’m your friend, so trust me when I say that if you don’t do this, you’ll regret it.

Aster stares at Yul and then hands Impulse the medicine tablet.

Impulse: Thanks.

Yul: I understand where you were coming from, Aster, but now isn’t the time to be rational. We’re talking about your family.

Aster: I know… I’m just worried about what will happen to them if Vanguard wins.

Yul: We can’t think about that.

Impulse: Alright, I’m off.

Impulse zooms away.

Yul: Let’s catch up to the others.

Aster is in deep thought.

Aster: I sent Blaze there… Why would he have suffered a life-threatening injury before anyone else? Something’s off…

Yul: What do you want to do?

Aster: Tobias can handle things here. We need to see if something’s gone wrong.

Yul: Right.

Aster and Yul run after Impulse.

Killian: AH! Who farted! That’s gonna cost us 10 minutes!

Alec: Sorry…

Gus gets to his feet.

Gus: Oh god… oh god-

Gus pukes.

Gus: *sobs*

Vanguard is watching him with a blank expression.

Vanguard: I don’t even want to kill you…

Gus notices Vanguard.

Gus: Vanguard! Oh no!

Vanguard: Ugh…

Gus faces Vanguard.

Gus: I guess it’s up to me to fight you!

Vanguard: No. We’re not doing that.

Gus: This is my moment to shine!

Vanguard: You are doing the opposite of that…

Karma: *from afar* Gus!

Karma arrives.

Karma: Gus, are you-

Karma gags.

Karma: Jesus…

Gus: Karma! Help!

Karma: I… uh… I…

Karma notices Vanguard.

Karma: Oh… no…

Vanguard: Well, well, well, it looks like my second battle of the day has finally arrived.

Karma: M- me?

Karma trembles.

Vanguard: Yes, you, I’m not battling… that.

Gus: *sobs*

Vanguard: You made a great soldier for me, Karma, but you just had to leave, didn’t you?

Karma: You were controlling me! That wasn’t the real me!

Vanguard: I didn’t make you do anything you didn’t want to.

Karma: I was brought into your cult against my will!

Vanguard: That might be the case, but the conditions of your agreement with Lilith were simple: You had to join the Vanguard. You didn’t have to stay.

Karma: Huh?

Vanguard: I’m trying to build a new world, a better world, Karma. I just want to help people remove their limits and become the people they’ve always wanted to be. If you didn’t like who you were as a member of the Vanguard, then I’m sorry to break it to you, but that’s on you.

Karma: I…

Karma gets quiet.

Gus: Karma… don’t listen to him…

Karma: Huh? Gus?

Vanguard: Hm?

Gus: Everyone has things they don’t like about themselves. I wish I knew what came after “Z” in the alphabet, but that doesn’t mean I should feel bad for not knowing. We all have insecurities; the important thing is to remember that they don’t define who we are. For example, I’m not entirely happy that I’m just the lovable dumbass, but I still try to help wherever I can because I don’t let that label bog me down. So, don’t let him get in your head; he’s just trying to prey on your weaknesses!

Karma: Gus…

Vanguard: (I wouldn’t have expected him to be the secure one of the group. No matter, I don’t need mind games to defeat Karma.)

Karma clenches her fists.

Karma: (Gus is right, I’ve never been happy with my performance in the hero course, but I have to retain the confidence I once had. Those moments are behind me, all that matters now is the present, and if I want to hold Vanguard off, I can’t doubt myself.) Alright, Vanguard, I’ll fight you!

Vanguard: Good, not that you had much choice. Now let’s-

Khaos: Sinister Slash!

Khaos appears from Vanguard’s shadow and slices him in half horizontally using his executioner’s blade.

Khaos: Gotcha!

Karma: Huh?

Both halves of Vanguard’s body flop against the ground.

Zach: *from afar* Karma!

Karma turns around to see Jace, Angel, and Zach arriving. They run up to her.

Zach: Are you alright?

Karma: I’m fine; Vanguard didn’t do anything yet.

Angel: So this is where he went…

Jace: How did you end up over here?

Karma: Uh… we saw Gus go flying, so I went to check on him…

They all look at Gus and gag.

Gus: Help me…

Karma looks at Khaos; he’s smiling at Vanguard’s mutilated body.

Karma: Something seems off with Hayze…

Zach: That’s because that’s Khaos… Hayze’s evil alter-ego.

Karma: What?! Why is he-

Zach: He’s apparently trying to help us, we don’t know why, but so far, he’s holding true to that.

Khaos notices Vanguard’s lower half has begun regenerating.

Khaos: I had a feeling it wouldn’t be that easy… good!

Khaos looks at Angel.

Khaos: Hey, dumbass, why haven’t you flown off to find Aster’s team yet?

Angel: Oh, right!

Zach: We’ll hold Vanguard off; just go as fast as you can, Angel!

Jace: Yeah! Don’t worry about us!

Angel: Mhm, I’ll be back soon!

Angel takes flight painfully. Khaos watches him.

Khaos: (Now that that’s taken care of, we can-)

Vanguard’s legs regenerate, and he kicks Khaos in the stomach, knocking him away.

Zach: Khaos!

Jace: Come on, Zach!

Zach: Right!

Zach and Jace charge at Vanguard.

Karma: Wait, guys! Don’t rush in recklessly!

Vanguard smiles.

Vanguard: I can break my rules once and simultaneously take on multiple opponents. THE CHARIOT!

Vanguard uses his advanced martial arts skills to easily evade Jace and Zach’s joint strike.

Zach: Huh?!

Jace: What?!

Vanguard kicks Zach in the back of the head and karate chops Jace’s neck.

Jace and Zach: AHHHHH!

Jace and Zach fall in pain; Vanguard then looks up at Angel.

Vanguard: Sorry, but I don’t want a line forming.

Vanguard points his palm at Angel.

Vanguard: It’s time for DEATH!

Vanguard charges a death ball.

Vanguard: Death Ball!

Vanguard fires the energy ball at Angel.

Karma: *from afar* ANGEL! LOOK OUT!

Angel: Huh?

Angel looks over his shoulder and sees the death ball rapidly approaching.

Angel: Oh no!

Angel attempts to fly out of the way but can’t in time; the blast collides with his right wing, disintegrating it.

Karma, Gus, Jace, and Zach: ANGEL!

Angel: AHHHHHHH!

Angel plummets and crashes into the ground at the opposite end of the track field.

Zach: Karma… go see if he’s alright!

Karma: On it!

Karma accelerates over to Angel and checks his pulse.

Karma: *yelling* He’s alive!

Angel: *groans*

Zach, Jace, and Gus breathe sighs of relief. Vanguard shrugs.

Vanguard: Whatever, as long as he can’t fly off to warn your friends, I don’t care.

Zach: How could you do that?!

Jace: You maimed him, you bastard!

Vanguard: Don’t worry. He won’t be missing that wing for long.

Jace: Wh- why?

Vanguard smiles.

Vanguard: Because not a single one of you will be living this place alive.

Khaos: *nasal grunt* I guess you don’t know the rules of Khaos.

Khaos is back on his feet, wiping blood from his mouth.

Khaos: The only person doing the killing here… is me!

Silver slowly gets to his feet.

Silver: (Avalanche always eats up so much of my energy… couple that with my injuries, and I feel like I just got hit by a truck… it’s alright, though. I’m not essential for the rest of the plan, so Justus and I can recover for a little while before-)

Justus’ fist emerges from the dust pile, much to Silver’s shock.

Silver: Wh- what?!

Justus pulls himself out of the mound and looks at Silver angrily.

Silver: H- how?! That should have taken you out!

Justus: You may have defeated me with this attack once before! But I am not the same fighter I once was! I AM THE SON OF COLOSSUS. I AM THE STRONGEST FIGHTER THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN!

Silver trembles.

Silver: (I’m out of options! I’m too weak to fight back!)

Justus charges at Silver.

Justus: IT’S OVER! I’VE WON!

Justus charges at Silver.

Justus: COLOSSAL-

Hayze arrives on his motorcycle; he spots Justus and Silver as he drives through the Venetian streets.

Hayze: (There they are!)

Silver encases the front of his body in silver armor, just as Justus lets loose a series of intense punches.

Justus: JUSTICE!

Silver takes the attack head-on and is sent flying off the roof.

Silver: AHHHHHHHHH!

Silver crashes into the street below, barely conscious.

Silver: *groans*

Justus walks to the edge of the roof and looks down at Silver.

Justus: I’ve won…

Hayze jets onto the street and comes to a halt.

Hayze: Silver!

Justus: What perfect timing.

Hayze: Justus! What did you do?!

Justus: I defeated Silver. He was more challenging than I expected, but I’m glad I can finally remove my previous loss to him from my mind.

Hayze: *frustrated grunt*

Hayze’s eyes start to glow.

Hayze: IF HE’S DEAD, I’LL-

Silver: Hayze… I’ll be alright… but… you have to fight him…

Hayze’s eyes stop glowing.

Hayze: Silver? You’re okay!

Silver: Justus… needs your help… Hayze… save… him… you… have… to…

Silver’s eyes start to flutter.

Hayze: Silver!

Silver: Watch… the clock… he can stop… ti-

Silver passes out.

Justus: Finally… I was wondering how long he would prattle on for…

Hayze: *frustrated yell* Justus!

Justus: Hm?

Hayze: You and me! Right now!

Justus laughs.

Justus: It looks like today is my lucky day; I can finally get my rematch against you as well, Hayze. And truth be told, this victory will be far more significant to me.