Hayze and Vanguard stare at each other.

Vanguard: So, you want to fight me? Look around, Hayze. I have plenty of examples to prove why that’s a terrible decision.

Hayze: I don’t want to fight you now.

Vanguard: Hm? Then when?

Hayze: After I absorb my four remaining counterparts, I’ll have enough power to destroy you.

Vanguard: *sighs* This again? You don’t stand a chance against me, regardless.

Hayze: Would you like to prove that to me, or are you afraid?

Vanguard grinds his teeth.

Vanguard: A god fears nothing!

Hayze: Then here’s the deal, I’ll find my missing pieces and return to give you the challenge you deserve. In exchange, you spare my remaining friends from death.

Vanguard: Hm… only for now, but I’ll agree to your terms.

Hayze: Good, I will be back.

Hayze sinks into his shadow and disappears.

Vanguard: *nasal grunt* Fool.

Suddenly, the wind starts to kick up on the track field; Vanguard looks up and sees a helicopter descending.

Exciton: Vanguard! It’s time for our rematch!

Vanguard: Oh, great, another appetizer.

Killian, Alec, Tobias, and Gale stare at the sky above the track field.

Killian: So, Gale, is it? You’re saying that was the ultimate move of Hayze’s evil alter-ego?

Alec: It seems like poor judgment on his part to let that maniac free.

Tobias: We shouldn’t question Hayze until we know all the details.

Killian: Ah, shut up.

Alec: Yeah, I thought you hated that guy; since when did you start following his every word?

Tobias: I-

Gale falls to his knees, screaming. His eyes are glowing green.

Killian: Uh… what’s wrong with him?

Tobias: Gale? Are you alright?

Gale stops screaming and is silent and still.

Alec: This is weird…

Tobias: Gale?

Gale stands up.

Gale: It’s finally time for us to unite and become one.

Killian: Huh?

Alec: What are you talking about?

Gale looks in the direction of the main campus building.

Gale: Calm should be there; I’ll find and absorb him.

Gale starts walking away.

Killian: Hey, asshole! Where are you going?!

Alec: Yeah! That Raven was probably over where Vanguard is! We’ve gotta go there!

Gale: I don’t care; I must absorb my brothers and become one.

Alec: Okay, this guy is really fucking weird, and that’s coming from me.

Tobias: Gale, stop! That’s an order!

Gale: I don’t take orders from you.

Tobias: *frustrated grunt*

Killian: Who cares! We don’t need him!

Alec: Yeah, he wasn’t a part of our team in the first place! I say let him go!

Tobias runs in front of Gale.

Tobias: Gale, stop right now, or I will retaliate.

Gale: Get out of my way!

Tobias: No, something is wrong with you, and It’d be careless of me if I let you walk away.

Gale creates a Typhoon Boom in his hand.

Gale: If you don’t get out of my way, I’ll have to destroy you!

Gale lunges at Tobias.

Gale: Typhoon Boom!

Tobias blocks the attack with his cane, but he’s sent flying through the air.

Killian: Woah!

Alec: Hey! Why did you do that?!

Gale: Nothing will stop me from becoming one!

Killian: Tobias is one of us!

Alec: Yeah, so if you’re fighting him, you can count us in too!

Gale: *frustrated grunt* Fine, I can easily defeat all three of you!

Alec readies his scythe, and Killian gets on all fours.

Killian: Bring it, bitch!

Calm stands up.

Calm: It’s finally time for us to unite and become one.

Sydney: What’s he on about?

Saige: I’m not sure… Calm, are you alright?

Calm starts walking away.

Saige: Calm?

Ash rounds the corner of the hallway and sees Calm walking towards her.

Ash: Oh, hey, Hay- I mean, Calm… sorry, I’m still getting used to that.

Calm walks past her.

Ash: Huh?

Saige gulps.

Saige: I think that thing Calm warned us about happened…

Sydney: Hm? He was being serious?

Saige: Yes, and we can’t let Calm go.

Saige runs in front of Calm and blocks his path.

Calm: Get out of my way.

Saige: No, Calm! You don’t want to be absorbed! Remember?

Calm grabs his head.

Calm: No… I don’t.

Sydney: It was that easy? Really?

Ash: Um… what’s going on?

Calm’s eyes stop glowing.

Saige: You’re back!

Calm: Yes… as Hayze’s logical side, it’s easy for me to break through the urge to unite, but I can’t say the same for my brothers.

Saige: You think Impulse, Gale, and Wrath are going wild right now too?

Calm: Yes… I do.

Calm starts walking away.

Saige: Now, where are you going?

Calm: My priorities have shifted; I must battle Hayze and defeat him. Only then will his rage be quelled.

Saige: Battle Hayze? But… shouldn’t you try to hide?

Calm: Yes, Yes, I should.

Calm starts running.

Saige: Calm! Wait!

Sydney: I say good riddance.

Saige: I’m going after him.

Sydney: What? Why? We have a job to do.

Saige: Stopping Hayze from erasing his own existence is more important to me.

Sydney: More important than the fate of the world?

Saige: Yes.

Saige runs after Calm.

Sydney: *scoffs*

Ash: I’m going too.

Sydney: What? So you’re just going to leave me here to guard this room alone?

Ash: You are the greatest, aren’t you?

Ash chases after Saige.

Sydney: You’re lucky that was funny, or I’d hurt you.

Sydney glances at the conference room; the teachers are struggling with their restraints.

Sydney: Whatever.

Sydney chases after them as well.

Calm: (By every account, what I am doing is… illogical. I can sense that Khaos has perished… more than likely alongside others. That’s what triggered Hayze to enter Exodus Mode… there’s likely no way to talk him down. The best decision would be to hide and allow the others to defeat Hayze, but there’s something inside me… it’s compelling me to fight for my life. Is this what it’s like to have emotions cloud your judgment? I’m unsure, but I know for certain that I never expected to be given the freedom to be my own man, and now that I have it, I’ll do anything to keep it. If I defeat Hayze, everything will be alright. I just have to hope my brothers don’t come in contact with one another.)

Impulse stands up.

Impulse: It’s finally time for us to unite and become one.

Aaron: Uh… guys… I don’t think that’s a good thing.

Blair: No! If Impulse is saying that… then that means…

Wrath: *from afar* Hey! Impulse!

Impulse looks to his side and sees Wrath walking towards him.

Wrath: What do you say we finally settle our rivalry… once and for all.

Impulse smiles.

Impulse: Gladly.

Impulse approaches Wrath.

Aaron: We should be putting a stop to that, right?

Impulse and Wrath face off.

Wrath: I’ve always wanted to beat your annoying ass senseless, and now I finally get the chance! And the best part? When I win, I’ll absorb you and gain your powers!

Impulse: The only one getting absorbed here is you, Wrath!

Wrath: *nasal grunt* We’ll see about that!

Impulse: Have you not noticed it’s raining? You don’t stand a chance against me!

Wrath: Oh really? Well, watch this!

Wrath begins igniting flames beneath his skin.

Wrath: It’s good that Adrian came up with this move because now I have enough firepower to wipe you out!

Impulse: Ha! You’re not the only one with an ultimate move created by Adrian.

Impulse materializes a Shock Saber and points it upward.

Wrath: Oh, I’m not scared of that.

Aaron trembles.

Aaron: (Why am I shaking? You know what you have to do, Aaron! Go in there and break this up… so why can’t I do it!)

Ivy: I don’t like the looks of this.

Alexis: Yeah, it seems like they’re about to start this fight at their maximum.

Blaze sits up.

Blair: Be careful, Blaze!

Blaze: Don’t worry about me, Mom.

Blair: *excited gasp* (Mom!)

Blaze: *sighs* (I don’t know what’s going on… dad got locked away inside the Sigma Ring in my time, so these two personalities have been suppressed by Khaos ever since. I don’t know what they’re capable of.)

Walker: (If what Impulse said is true… then many lives are in danger if we allow this fight to happen.)

Walker tries to stand up.

Alexis: Woah, Mr. Walker, you’re in no condition to be standing, let alone fighting.

Walker: We have to stop them.

Alexis: I don’t know if we can… Aaron, Blair, and Ivy are the only ones who can fight, but these guys are incarnates of Hayze… and none of them can beat him.

Aaron’s eyes widen.

Aaron: (Is that why I’m afraid? Oh come on, that’s pussyshit, Aaron! Man up and fight!)

Just as Aaron is about to take a step forward…

Bruno: *from afar* Cease this nonsense!

Bruno and Grace arrive.

Alexis: Bruno and Grace?

Grace: Impulse! What are you doing?!

Impulse: That’s not your concern; I’m simply trying to gain more power.

Grace: More power?

Bruno: Wrath! Why are you trying to fight your brother!

Wrath: The same reason, except I’ll do a better job.

Impulse: *scoffs* Unlikely.

Bruno and Grace join the others.

Bruno: What is this?

Alexis: Short version: Hayze has entered a form that allows him and his other personalities to absorb one another until only one is left. At which point, they’ll have combined into a single new person, and the component parts will be gone.

Grace: Are you serious?

Alexis: Yeah… unfortunately.

Bruno: Well, then why are you lot just sitting here? We need to put a stop to this!

Alexis: We know but-

Bruno approaches Impulse and Wrath.

Bruno: You two, cease this meaningless battle at once!

Impulse and Wrath turn their attention to Bruno, glance at each other, and smile.

Impulse: Okay…

Wrath: We’ll just fight you instead!

Bruno: What?! I-

Impulse is struck with lightning, coating him with a blue-lightning aura as fire emits from Wrath’s pores.

Wrath: Inferno Overdrive!

Impulse: Supercharged Surge!

Bruno: What are you do-

In the blink of an eye, Impulse knees Bruno in the stomach, electrocuting him.

Bruno: *pained grunt*

Everyone is shocked.

Wrath: Say nighty night!

Wrath speeds over to Bruno and uppercuts him with flaming knuckles.

Bruno: AHHHHH!

Bruno gets sent flying through the air until he smashes into the ground, creating a crater. He’s out cold.

Grace: Bruno!

Wrath: Let that be a lesson to you all, don’t interfere with our fight.

Impulse: Or you’ll be sent home in a body bag.

Wrath: Now, where were we?

Wrath and Impulse begin exchanging blows at high speed.

Aaron: Grace, check on Bruno and make sure he’s alright.

Grace: Got it.

Grace runs to Bruno.

Ivy: What should we do?

Aaron: I don’t know…

Tobias gets to his feet.

Tobias: (That glow… I’ve seen it once before.)

Tobias flashes back to his fight against Hayze during the Licensing Exam.

Tobias: (I may not know Hayze well, but I’m aware that under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have tried to kill me that day. Something is amiss, and we can’t allow Hayze’s counterpart to leave our sight.)

Killian and Alec smile.

Killian: You’re in for it now, buddy.

Alec: Yeah, Killian and I make up a devastating combo. Once I get your blood, it’s game over.

Killian readies his claws.

Killian: And wouldn’t you know it? I just happen to be really good at drawing blood.

Gale: You two don’t stand a chance against me. I'd back off if you want your spinal cords to remain intact.

Killian and Alec laugh.

Killian: You have no idea who you’re messing with!

Killian charges at Gale.

Killian: All Four Strike: 1,000 Claws!

Gale: Whirlwind Wall!

Killian: Huh?

Gale launches a gust of wind in every direction around him, sending Killian flying and tumbling against the ground.

Alec: How stupid are you? That was about as obvious as the end of 2012!

Gale: Nice one-liner. Wanna see mine?

Alec: What the hell does that m-

Gale creates another razor wind ball in his hand and chucks it at Alec. It collides with his chest, slicing him in many places and causing him to fall to the ground.

Alec: *groans*

Killian: Ha! Who’s stupid now?

Alec: Still you!

Alec chucks his scythe at Gale, lassoing the rope around his waist and restraining his arms.

Alec: *nasal grunt* You really thought I go down that easily with my damage absorption quirk? Dumbass.

Gale has a sinister smile.

Alec: Uh… what’s that for?

Killian: I think you’re about to find out…

Gale uses the wind around his body to spin rapidly, causing Alec to revolve around him.

Alec: AHHHHH! What the hell?!

Gale: I bet you wish that rope wasn’t connected to you now, huh?

Tobias listens intently.

Tobias: (I was under the assumption that this version of Hayze was arrogant and egotistical, but he’s played Alec like a fiddle. Just like Hayze would…)

Wind continues to build around Gale, forming a tornado.

Gale: (He’s only got two options… either cut the line… or…)

Alec revolves around the tornado at a high velocity.

Alec: (He’s expecting me to cut myself loose. Well, I’ll do just the opposite! He’ll never see that coming!)

Alec uses his rope system to pull himself toward Gale, readying his dagger.

Alec: (You’re going down!)

Alec enters the tornado, only for Gale to use the razor winds to slice the rope.

Alec: What the hell?!

Alec starts getting tossed around by the tornado.

Alec: AHHHH!

Gale: As I told you before, you don’t stand a chance.

Gale flies toward Alec and punches him in the chest.

Alec: *pained grunt*

Gale: Tornado Tackle!

Alec is sent flying from the vortex and smashes into the ground.

Alec: *groans*

Killian: So… Who’s stupid now?

Alec: Fuck you!

The tornado subsides, and Killian and Alec get to their feet.

Alec: Alright, maybe we underestimated you.

Killian: Yeah… after all, you are a part of Hayze, and we’ve all lost to him.

Alec: I haven’t.

Killian: Really? That feels like it should have happened by now.

Alec: Fuck off!

Gale: You two are pathetic jokes.

Alec: Killian is, but I’m not!

Killian: *frustrated grunt* I’m no joke!

Gale: Listen, I don’t have time for this. My destiny awaits. I will absorb my brothers and become the most unstoppable force this world has ever seen, and I won’t let you two idiots delay that any further.

Killian: Oh yeah? We’ll show you!

Alec: Yeah! We’ve beaten far stronger opponents than a piece of Hayze!

Gale: I’m not a piece of Hayze; I’m a piece of the ultimate fighter…

Killian: What’s this guy talking about?

Alec: I don’t know, and I don’t care.

Tobias places his ear to the ground.

Tobias: (Aster and Yul are close to returning… good, I’ll need their help defeating Gale. I’m sorry, Alec and Killian, you two are powerful, but it seems you’re fighting a force unlike any other. And I need to witness your defeat if I want to stop it.)

Gale glances at Tobias.

Gale: (He wants to see how I go about dispatching these two before getting involved. If I was more clever, I’d wait for these two to turn on each other…)

Alec: Alright, follow my lead.

Killian: Your lead? I’m the real fighter here! My speed will destroy him!

Alec: I don’t care! My power is the one that will finish him off!

Killian: You like finishing dudes off, don’t you!

Alec: Watch it, you bipedal dog!

Killian: Shut it, you bipedal bitch!

Gale smirks.

Gale: (But I’ll take them out using my newest ultimate move.) If you two don’t mind pausing your domestic spout, I’d like to make a proposal.

Alec: Domestic Spout?!

Killian: Fuck you!

Gale: I’ll give you one free hit each, but after that… I’ll destroy you.

Alec: Hey! Don’t get cocky with us!

Killian: /Alec, let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth here./

Alec: Huh?

Killian: /I don’t care if he’s patronizing us; we can annihilate him here and now./

Alec smiles.

Alec: /Yeah… you’re right!/

Killian: We’ll take your deal!

Gale: Then go ahead and take your shots.

Alec pulls out a sickle, and Killian enters his Werewolf form.

Alec and Killian: Oh, we will!

Tobias: (What’s his plan here? He can’t honestly be allowing them to attack him freely.)

Killian bursts towards Gale with extreme speed.

Killian: Werewolf Fang Fist!

Killian uppercuts him in the Gale, sending him flying upward.

Gale: *pained grunt*

Alec throws his sickle at Gale; it slashes into his upper thigh.

Alec: Ha! We’ve got you now!

Killian: Yeah! Once you land on the ground, I’ll use my speed to retrieve that sickle, and you’ll be done!

Gale smiles.

Gale: Who said I’ll be landing?

Alec, Killian, and Tobias: Huh?

Gale continues rising higher in the air.

Killian: Uh… should we be worried about that?

Alec: I thought he couldn’t fly!

Tobias: (He can if someone throws him into the air… this was his plan all along!)

Gale reaches a high altitude and looks down at Alec and Killian.

Gale: It’s time for me to show you why I’ll soon be the strongest warrior alive!

Gale surrounds his body with the wind until the air currents become visible and pulsate a green aura.

Gale: With enough wind speed, you can make the air sharper than a blade! And now you two will feel the rage of the atmosphere itself!

Gale begins spinning, surrounding himself in his air currents.

Alec: To answer your question from earlier… maybe.

Killian: *grunts* I’m not scared! Bring it on!

Alec: Yeah… you know what… Fuck you! We can handle your attack!

Gale: I doubt that.

Gale begins descending towards Alec and Killian like a jet falling from the sky.

Gale: This battle is over! Spinstorm Sky Strike!

Gale zooms into Killian, colliding with his chest and cracking his entire rib cage as the intense winds slice and slash his skin inflicting many nasty gashes. The impact sends Killian flying into Alec at an extreme velocity.

Alec and Killian: AHHHHHHHH!

The two crash into a tree and are knocked unconscious. Tobias trembles.

Tobias: (I may be blind… but I could sense the pure power of that onslaught…)

Gale lands on the ground and turns to Tobias.

Gale: So… are you next?

Tobias: *frustrated grunt*

Calm exits the school.

Calm: (I can sense him… he’s close.)

Saige, Sydney, and Ash exit the school.

Calm: What are you three doing here?

Saige: You can’t fight Hayze alone. Together we can beat him.

Calm: That might not be the case…

Saige: Huh?

Ash: What do you mean?

Sydney: If I recall correctly, he doesn’t have access to any of his elemental powers right now. He’s pathetic on his own, so defeating him should be simple without those.

Calm: He has one power… and it’s the only one he needs to be a threat.

Saige: You mean…

Calm: Hayze’s intelligence has combined with Khaos’ ruthlessness. Bringing forth a warrior with a dark killer instinct that can outthink any opponent.

Ash and Saige look worried.

Sydney: Well, then, I guess we’ll have to prove you wrong. No opponent is perfect, and we’ll just have to overpower him.

Calm: That’s far easier said than done…

Hayze: You’re right, Calm.

Everyone turns to see Hayze emerging from the shadow of a tree.

Hayze: Calm, it’s time for us to unite.

Calm: I refuse.

Hayze: That’s disappointing.

Saige: Hayze! Stop this now!

Hayze ignores Saige.

Saige: Wh- Hayze?

Calm: That’s not Hayze, Saige.

Saige: What?

Calm: He’s being controlled by our incomplete fused form.

Sydney: Run that one by me again?

Calm: Hayze and Khaos’ spirits have intertwined and become the person before us. Referring to him as Hayze is nothing more than a formality.

Saige: But… does that mean Hayze is already gone?

Calm: No, the process can be reversed… but only if we stop him here and now.

Hayze: Why don’t you want to reunite, Calm? Don’t you understand how powerful we could become together?

Calm: Yes, but I prefer being my own person.

Hayze: That’s a shame. Hayze and Khaos didn’t feel that way.

Calm: Hayze didn’t make that choice, and I assume neither did Khaos before he perished.

Saige: Wait, Khaos is gone?

Hayze: He lives on inside me just like Calm will soon enough.

Sydney: You know, just to make this less confusing. Can you come up with another name?

Hayze: You can call me Tempest… because a storm is coming.

Sydney: Lame.

Tempest: I don’t want to hurt any of you, but I am the only one capable of defeating Vanguard. To do that, I must achieve my maximum power. So Calm, join me, or else I’ll force you.

Calm: We don’t need you to defeat Vanguard. We have our own plan.

Tempest: Does it involve the deaths of Tyson, Angel, and Karma? Because they’ve all perished already, and more deaths are coming.

Ash: Wait… Angel and Karma… are gone?

Tempest: Yes… Hayze saw their bodies and realized what he needed to do to end this violence. You say you don’t need me to defeat Vanguard, but the architect of your grand plan didn’t believe in that… so why should you?

Everyone is quiet.

Calm: Because I know the only reason Hayze’s faith faltered was that he was afraid of losing the closest thing he’s had to a family since his real one perished. I am Hayze’s logic. Thus, the same emotions that clouded his judgment do not affect me. We shall prevail without you.

Tempest: Well, I disagree. You will fail.

Calm: Says who?

Calm forms his sea skates. Tempest conjures Khaos’ executioner’s blade.

Calm: Liquid Bullets!

Calm begins redirecting raindrops like a barrage of bullets at Tempest, who blocks all of them with his broad sword.

Tempest: I guess we’ll have to do this the hard way!

Calm: Saige and Ash, Hayze may not be in control of his body, but Tempest has all of his memories. So there’s a chance he might hold back against you; try to take advantage of that.

Sydney: And what about me?

Calm is quiet.

Sydney: Well?!

Calm: Uh… he finds you attractive, so… work with that?

Sydney: Fuck you!

Tempest sinks into the ground.

Tempest: Shadow Sneak.

The group stands back to back.

Calm: In the rain, my abilities are enhanced, so we’ll have-

Tempest’s hand appears in Calm’s shadow, dragging him into the dark void.

Saige: Calm!

Tempest starts beating Calm in the dark void.

Tempest: Give it up, Calm! Your existence is actively hurting this world’s chance of survival!

Calm catches Tempest’s fist.

Calm: Even if that’s true, I won’t allow myself to be eradicated for no reason!

Calm punches Tempest in the jaw.

Tempest: That doesn’t even make sense!

Tempest punches Calm in the stomach.

Calm: *pained grunt* I believe we can defeat Vanguard without you!

Calm punches Tempest.

Tempest: *pained grunt* Well, you’re wrong!

Calm and Tempest lock hands in combat.

Tempest: Don’t you understand? You’re just a piece of me; that’s all you’ve ever been. Everything has been building up to the moment when we become whole again. Hayze always wanted to save everyone, and now WE can… together! This is what our lives have been building to Calm! Don’t deny your destiny!

Calm: Logic dictates that destiny is nothing more than a delusion created by people who are insecure about their own existence. I am confident in that regard, I want to be alive, and I want to be myself, Calm. Therefore, I will fight until my last breath to secure my life!

Tempest: Logic dictates that your blind faith in your “classmates” is a foolish endeavor. There’s only one surefire way to save this world: having you join me! So stop fighting the very thing that drives who you are!

Calm goes quiet.

Calm: You’re right. I am being illogical.

Calm punches Tempest in the face.

Calm: But I believe this is what’s called “growing as a person!”

Tempest wipes blood from his mouth.

Tempest: Fine… that was your last chance!

Tempest speeds toward Calm and kicks him hard in the chest.

Calm: AHHH!

Calm gets sent flying through his own shadow back into the real world. He smacks and tumbles against the ground.

Saige: Calm!

Tempest emerges from Calm’s shadow and looks down upon him.

Tempest: We will beat Vanguard, whether you like it or not. Now, it’s time to-

Tempest gets hit in the back by a surge of water, sending him crashing into a tree.

Tempest: *gargling*

Saige runs to Calm and helps him up with Ash.

Saige: What happened in there?

Calm: Exactly what you would expect. He wants to save everyone… just like his component part.

Saige: We have to stop him.

Calm: Yes, and I have an idea. Ash, you’ll need to take over his body.

Ash: I know the answer to this question is probably “I have no idea,” but can I even do that when he’s in this state?

Calm: I have no idea, but it’s our only choice.

Sydney continues pelting Tempest with water.

Sydney: I don’t know; I’m enjoying this quite a bit.

Tempest sinks into the shadows again.

Sydney: Oh right, well, it was fun while it lasted.

Tempest appears in Sydney’s shadow with his executioner’s blade.

Saige: Sydney! Watch out!

Tempest attempts to slab Sydney with the broad side of his sword but gets blocked by a wall of water.

Sydney: I don’t know if you’ve forgotten who I am, but allow me to reacquaint myself.

The wall of water blasts Tempest and sends him flying.

Sydney: I’m that bitch that nearly drowned your girlfriend.

Tempest smacks against the ground and smiles.

Tempest: Oh, I didn’t forget.

Sydney: Hm?

Sydney suddenly is unable to move.

Sydney: What?! You bastard!

Tempest: First move is always a fake, remember that?

Sydney: I wish I didn’t have to.

Tempest’s shadow has extended to Sydney’s.

Calm: /Ash, stay back./

Calm uses his sea skates to jet toward Tempest. While Saige creates a sniper rifle.

Saige: (It’s a simple plan. If he dodges one of us, the other will hit him, but if he dodges both of us, Sydney will be freed. We’re in a no-lose situation.)

Calm attempts to kick Tempest in the head, but a set of shadow hands appear from the ground and catch his leg.

Calm: What?!

Saige: (Shit!)

Saige fires a bullet at Tempest’s ankle, but a shadow hand appears from the ground and catches it.

Sydney: Great work, everyone…

Tempest laughs.

Tempest: Hayze only ever fought twice using Khaos’ abilities, so I can understand Saige being caught off guard, but you, Calm? Really?

Calm: Well, you know the rule.

Calm channels as much water as possible from the ground and rain.

Calm: Torrential Tribute!

Calm blasts Tempest with an incredible burst of water.

Tempest: *gargles*

Tempest slams against the school.

Tempest: I didn’t want to have to do this, Calm, but you leave me no choice!

The shadow hands restraining Calm’s leg break it.

Calm: AHHHHHHH!

Calm’s attack ends, releasing Tempest.

Tempest: Dammit…

Tempest releases Calm. He falls to the ground writhing in pain. His shadow paralysis on Sydney also ends.

Sydney: It’s about time.

Saige runs to Calm’s aid.

Saige: Are you alright?

Calm: No, but you should not worry about me. He won’t take long to recover.

Tempest gets to his feet.

Tempest: (Vanguard will grow impatient if I do not return with haste. I must absorb Calm and move on to the others. I apologize, Saige, Sydney, and Ash, but it’s time for you to be taken care of.) Shadow Sneak!

Tempest sinks into the ground.

Calm: Keep an eye out. His optimal target is you, Saige.

Saige: Yeah… but doesn’t that mean I’m not?

Calm: Hm?

Saige: He knows you’ll always think logically, which is smart but also predictable… so his best target would be the one you believe is least optimal.

Calm: But… that would mean… Ash! Look out!

Ash: Huh?

Tempest emerges from Ash’s shadow and attempts to punch her.

Tempest: (I’ve got you!)

Suddenly, an explosion goes off, sending Tempest and Ash flying away from one another.

Ash and Tempest: AHHHHH!

Saige: She set up an Astral Minefield!

Calm: Good thinking, Ash. Sydney, this is your time to strike.

Sydney: I can see that, jackass.

Sydney creates a water vortex.

Sydney: Well, I always wanted a chance to crush Hayze again. I wanted it under different circumstances, but this will have to do!

Tempest slides to a halt on his knees.

Tempest: Stop fighting! We need to defeat Vanguard!

Saige: We will! With Hayze, Calm, Gale, Impulse, and Wrath! Not you!

Tempest: I’m sorry you feel that way.

Sydney fires her vortex of water as a continuous beam at Tempest.

Sydney: Tsunami Cannon!

Tempest forms a pair of massive shadow hands that block the Tsunami Cannon.

Sydney: FUCK!

Behind the cover of his shadows, Tempest creates Khaos’ crossbow.

Tempest: (I must be quick but careful. I can’t afford to hit their vital areas.)

Tempest sinks into the shadows.

Saige: I don’t understand. Calm, he’s only the fused version of Hayze and Khaos right now, so why is he so different?

Calm: Because most of his personality is currently Khaos. If he absorbs me, he’ll take on my characteristics as well. He’ll morph over time as he grows more powerful, but one thing will stay the same: The six of us are nothing more than puzzle pieces to him.

Saige: That’s so cruel…

Calm: Not really… how would you feel if you were split into six people? Would you be okay staying that way and viewing their lives as equal to your own?

Saige: I… I don’t know.

Calm: Precisely… it’s hard to judge his unique situation.

Saige: Still, we can’t let him complete his goal.

Calm: Of course not; I like existing.

The front of Tempest’s crossbow piques out of Saige’s shadow.

Saige: Well, we’re going to do everything in our power to-

Tempest fires a bolt into Saige’s leg.

Saige: AHHHHH!

Calm: Saige!

Sydney: What?! He’s over there?

Saige falls over in pain as Tempest leaps out of her shadow.

Tempest: I’m sorry, Saige.

Saige: *pained grunt* Hayze?

Tempest: Hayze is gone. I’m-

Suddenly, Tempest falls to his knees in pain, holding his head.

Tempest: *grunting*

Saige: Huh?

Calm: Good work, Ash!

Ash is lying unconscious beneath a tree.

Saige: She did it! Nice!

Calm: Sydney, bring Ash’s body closer to increase her control!

Sydney: *under her breath* You really love barking orders, don’t you?

Sydney walks over to Ash’s body and picks her up.

Saige: Do you think she can stop him?

Calm: We have to hope…

Inside Tempest’s mind, Ash finds herself in a circular room with six pillars: White, Gray, Green, Yellow, Blue, and Red, with the White and Gray ones lit.

Ash: (This is… different.)

Ash looks around the room momentarily before Hayze appears in front of her.

Ash: Who is this?

Hayze: It’s me, Ash.

Ash: Hayze? Really!

Hayze: I’m sorry I was never able to be a good friend to you. You were one of… if not my first real friend. I took that for granted… and I’ll always regret it.

Ash: It’s okay. Friendship is a two-way street. You’ve had a lot going on mentally and physically since we first met… I should have been there for you. So, I’m sorry, and… wait a second…

Hayze: Hm?

Ash: You spoke in past tense… like our friendship is over.

Hayze: It isn’t, Ash, but my life is.

Ash: What?!

Hayze: Vanguard must be stopped… and if I have to be erased to make it happen… then so be it.

Ash: Hayze! We don’t want you to be gone! We believe in your plan and in YOU! Why don’t you?

Hayze goes quiet.

Hayze: Because my plan’s already gotten 4 good people killed, and if I hadn’t shown up when I did… that number would be higher. I won’t let more of you die because I’m too selfish to make the sacrifice that needs to be made.

Ash: Hayze! When we agreed to your plan, we knew the risk we were taking. You didn’t seriously think we would all live through this mission, right?

Hayze doesn’t answer.

Ash: You… you did?

Hayze: I always wanted to be the hero that saves everyone, but when push comes to shove… I can’t. It’s time for me to finally practice what I preach… and become someone who can.

Ash: But Hayze, you-

Suddenly, a dark hand emerges from Ash’s shadow and grasps her.

Ash: *grunts* Hayze! What are you doing?!

Hayze: I’m sorry, Ash, but this is what has to happen so that everyone can live.

Ash: Hayze! No!

Hayze uses the dark hand to throw Ash against the side of the room. Knocking her out cold in the real world.

Tempest: Pesky girl… Hayze used to love that trick.

Saige: Oh no!

Calm: It didn’t work!

Tempest punches Calm in the face, knocking him down in pain.

Tempest: Don’t try to stand up, Saige. I don’t want to-

Saige creates a shotgun and aims it at Tempest.

Saige: Give Hayze back!

Saige fires the gun, but a group of small shadow hands appear from the ground and grab each shot midair.

Saige: What the-

Tempest knees Saige in the head, knocking her out cold.

Sydney: Tsunami Cannon!

Sydney fires another water blast at Tempest. He uses Shadow Sneak to ride underneath the water’s shadow until he emerges behind Sydney.

Tempest: Nice ass.

Sydney: Wh-

Tempest bashes Sydney in the head with a Shadow Staff, knocking her out cold.

Tempest: I didn’t want to do that.

Tempest walks towards Calm.

Tempest: Look at what you made me do; Calm. Do you think I like hurting my friends?

Calm: You mean “our” friends.

Tempest: No, because you’re about to be where you belong… part of me.

Calm attempts to stand up.

Tempest: Don’t struggle.

Calm: I refuse to go down without a fight!

Calm stands on his broken leg and attempts to punch Tempest, but Tempest grabs Calm by the neck and hoists him up.

Tempest: I’m sorry, but this is what has to be done.

Calm begins to fade away, with his soul slowly being absorbed by Tempest.

Calm: (I failed… to my brothers, Impulse, Gale, and Wrath… please fight for… all… of… us…)

Calm fades away. Tempest’s eyes begin pulsating Gray, White, and Blue.

Tempest: Logic dictates that Impulse and Wrath will more than likely seek each other out for combat. I will absorb the winner of that battle. Which means all I have to do is find Gale.

Tempest spots Gale using Spinstorm Sky Strike in the air.

Tempest: Well, that was easy.