Vulcan gets up from the rubble.

Vanguard: Oh, good, I was worried I had already defeated you.

Vulcan: Never!

Vulcan leaps down into the arena again.

Demetri: So… what happens… if Vanguard wins?

Everyone is quiet.

Demetri: And nobody give me that bullshit about “not thinking that way.” We can all see what direction this is headed.

Verity: Logically speaking… he’ll execute at least a few more of the Top 10. My guess is that Impact and Big Tank will be opportune targets.

Wes: Verity, what are you-

Verity: After that, who knows. I don’t think he’ll kill any of us, well, except for Hayze. He’ll be executed for orchestrating the coup that eliminated the entire Vanguard.

Zach: Damn…

Lilith: I’m scared…

Eve: Don’t worry, everyone is.

Vulcan catches his breath.

Vulcan: (Projectile-based attacks are worthless against him. As long as he has The Emperor, he’ll either neutralize or turn them against me. That means head-on strikes are the way to go, but as I saw during my first attack… he has ways of avoiding those as well with The World. And… even if I get past those two, he can use his myriad of other quirks to block me like he showed with The Devil. So defeating him will be nearly impossible unless I figure out the weakness of his abilities. Every quirk has a fault; I just have to find his.)

Vanguard: My, Vulcan, you sure are thinking a lot, but hey, I guess it must be hard to do something you’re so out of practice with.

Vulcan: Quiet, you pest. Try all you might; I won’t let you get in my head.

Vanguard: “Get in your head?”

Vanguard laughs.

Vulcan: What’s so funny?

Vanguard: That’s what you think I’m doing? Ha! That’s rich; I don’t need mind games to defeat you, Vulcan. I’m just poking fun; I don’t care if you react or not; it doesn’t matter to me. By now, I could have devastated you twice over with all of my powers. I’m just enjoying the moment.

Vulcan: *frustrated grunt*

Iota watches from the TV inside his office with Zaire.

Iota: *under his breath* Arrogant fool.

Zaire: Should we be concerned with the outcome of this battle, Master?

Iota: Hm… no, I don’t think so.

Zaire: Are you sure? Vanguard’s victory would throw the whole world into a panic.

Iota: Yes, and I’m okay with that. After all, I want more chaos.

Zaire: But I’m more referring to the fact that he seems quite threatening to our movement.

Iota: Do you doubt me, Zaire?

Zaire: No, of course not. But you must admit a person having this much power is concerning.

Iota: His power is concerning, but the man wielding it isn’t.

Zaire: How so?

Iota: I can see it in his eyes. He’s a man taking his pain out on the world, nothing more than a child in an adult’s body, and I can easily outsmart a child.

Zaire: Right, sir.

Jagger is eavesdropping through the door.

Jagger: (If Iota isn’t worried about Vanguard, neither am I. I’m not planning to diverge from him for some time. In fact, it would be awesome to wipe Iota and Vanguard out at once and collect 6 of the 10 rings for myself.)

Vanguard motions to Vulcan.

Vanguard: So, will you make the next move, or should I?

Vulcan’s eyes narrow.

Exciton: (Don’t fall for this Vulcan; he wants you to start making mistakes. This is all about humiliation for him. Fight with dignity… if you’re going to lose, don’t let it be under his terms.)

Vulcan starts oozing magma again.

Vulcan: (I’ve got one more trick up my sleeve, if this works, I can get past both the Emperor and the World simultaneously.)

Vanguard smiles.

Vanguard: (Come on, Vulcan, do what I want you to do.)

Vulcan coats his fists in magma and charges at Vanguard.

Vanguard: Really? This is it? You know what, let’s have some fun! The Devil!

Vanguard charges at Vulcan, and the two punch each other.

Vanguard: Fist of the Dragon!

Vanguard’s forearm becomes surrounded by the translucent manifestations of a Dragon. The Dragon and Vulcan’s magma-coated fist lock with one another.

Vulcan: What is this?

Vanguard: This was Battlin’ Boxer’s quirk. Remember him? Good times… but not for you!

Vanguard’s other forearm is surrounded by a Tiger manifestation.

Vanguard: Take this, Vulcan!

The dragon spits fire in Vulcan’s face as Vanguard swings with his tiger fist.

Vulcan: (He’s gotten cocky, now this is my chance!)

Vulcan spits out a loogy of magma at Vanguard’s face, blinding and stunning him momentarily.

Vanguard: AHHHH!

Vanguard staggers backward, and Vulcan punches him in the gut and then uppercuts him.

Zach: Yeah!

Isaiah: He got some hits in!

Vanguard smacks into the ground.

Vulcan: (Now to do some real damage!)

Vulcan charges up another magma blast.

Exciton: (Something’s off… Why isn’t Vanguard dodging? In fact, why did he try to fight Vulcan head-on at all?)

Vulcan fires the magma blast at Vanguard.

Vulcan: You’re going down!

Vanguard laughs.

Vanguard: Just kidding!

Vanguard teleports behind Vulcan and spin-kicks him to the ground.

Vanguard: Did you enjoy those eight seconds where you thought you were turning the tables on me?

Vulcan: Yes, but unfortunately for you, they’re still going.

Vanguard: Hm?

Vulcan presses his hands against the ground, shooting magma into the dirt. The ground shakes behind Vanguard as a geyser of lava erupts beneath.

Vulcan: Volcanic Geyser!

Vanguard: AHHHHHH!

As Vanguard’s skin melts from the lava, Vulcan tackles him to the ground, wailing on him with his magma-coated fists.

Vulcan: This is what happens when you challenge the number 1 hero!

Suddenly, Vulcan finds himself sitting against the crushed arena wall in pain.

Vulcan: Wh- what?

Vanguard is standing a few yards away from him, perfectly healthy, with a smile on his face.

Vanguard: What’s wrong, Vulcan? Having trouble remembering how you got yourself into this mess?

Vulcan gets to his feet, holding his head.

Wes: Crap! That’s The Hermit! It lets him wipe Vulcan’s memory of the last few minutes!

Verity: And it stuns Vulcan when it’s first activated.

Zach: That explains why Vulcan randomly stopped punching Vanguard while he had him pinned!

Vanguard approaches Vulcan.

Vanguard: Tell me something, Vulcan, have you ever really felt like you’re stronger than Colossus since he died? Or is the bravado all an act?

Vulcan: *frustrated grunt*

Vanguard: Don’t worry. I know I’m stronger than he was. I’m just wondering if you do too. I mean, I can’t help but feel like Iota stole my thunder before the storm even arrived.

Vulcan grinds his teeth.

Vulcan: He’s dead, so I don’t care.

Vanguard: I think you do, after all, you spent your entire life trying to become the number one hero, but you could never get past him. Then, your dream finally comes true… and it wasn’t because of anything you did. Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive that you maintained your number two status for as long as you did, but still… Does it ever keep you up at night knowing you’re a fraud?

Dead silence.

Vulcan: Whether I’m a fraudulent number one or not means nothing to me. Of course, it bothered me that Colossus blocked me from reaching the peak I had always dreamed of achieving, but you forget one key detail. He was a fraud as well.

Vanguard: *scoffs* At least he did his job well.

Vulcan: That might be true, but if there’s one thing I learned from him… it’s that being the best fighter doesn’t make you the best hero. Our job descriptions don’t say that we have to act like the “typical” hero. Model citizen with perfect morals and an undying need to serve justice. I never changed my personality to match the expectations of how a hero should act. And that’s because I wasn’t strong enough to do so. The Omega Ring may have been boosting his power, but that wasn’t the reason he was better than me. Colossus sacrificed his pride and integrity to take on a false mantle, and while I initially believed that was cowardly, I see now that it’s the hardest decision a man can make. He played a role, and while it had its perks… it also shouldered him with responsibility most people would run from, but he lived with it for two decades.

Vulcan begins oozing lava from his hands again.

Vulcan: People of the United States, I may not be the number one hero you wanted, but I’m the one you have. My role is to protect you under any and every circumstance! Vanguard may be more powerful, but I will not give up until my last breath! Mark my words; he will be defeated!

Everyone cheers for Vulcan. People in the city streets are chanting “Vulcan.”

Vulcan: You can break my bones, but you will never break my spirit! Because I carry the hopes of everyone, I’ve sworn to defend! So laugh now, Vanguard, because you won’t be doing any of that soon enough!

Vanguard continues smiling at Vulcan.

Vanguard: I love the speech, but if you think you can defeat me… well, I guess you’ll get your rematch with Colossus sooner rather than later.

Vulcan: Not after what I have in store for you!

Vanguard raises his eyebrow.

Vanguard: Go on.

Vulcan: I was saving this move to use against Colossus, but I guess you’ll make an acceptable substitute!

Vanguard: Well, why did you wait so long to say anything? Bust it out!

Vulcan: *nasal grunt* You’ll regret those words.

Vulcan runs to the opposite end of the arena and scales the wall using his magma fists to create divots. Then, he leaps on top of it and faces Vanguard’s direction.

Vulcan: Get ready, Vanguard, because you’re about to feel the neverending wrath of a volcano!

Vanguard: Well, then call me Hawaii because I’m ready!

Magma pours from Vulcan’s hands and mouth. The heat waves are visible, and the wall melts further each second.

Adrian: (The heat… it’s insane.)

Fatal: (What kind of attack is this?)

Exciton gulps.

Exciton: (This attack seems to be Vulcan’s strongest… but if it doesn’t work… then this might be the end.)

Vanguard smiles.

Vanguard: (Alright, Vulcan, let’s see what you’ve got.)

The stadium comes into sight for Impulse, Aaron, Alexis, Grace, and Blaze.

Blaze: There it is!

Aaron: Impulse. Run ahead with Grace. The rest of us will catch up.

Impulse: You sure? He’s not far behind us.

Aaron: That’s why you need to get there as fast as possible. Don’t worry about us.

Impulse: Right, come on, Grace!

Grace: Yay!

Impulse picks Grace up and speeds away.

Grace: Alright, when we get to the stadium, we’ll-

They arrive at the stadium.

Grace: Oh, right.

Impulse puts Grace down.

Impulse: Let’s get in there and put an end to Vanguard!

Grace: Right!

As Impulse and Grace walk up the steps to the entrance, Tempest emerges from the stadium's shadow.

Impulse: What?!

Grace: How did you get here so fast?!

Tempest: I was already hiding in your shadow, but I knew you’d come to the same logical conclusion I did: With the goal in sight, make it there as fast as you can. So when you used lightning speed to get here, you brought me along.

Impulse: Dang it!

Grace: It’s alright. He might actually be able to help.

Impulse: Huh? Oh, right, I was gonna start beating you anyway.

Grace: Yay!

Tempest walks down the steps.

Tempest: Impulse; it’s time. Vanguard is in there, more than likely destroying Vulcan. We can’t afford to argue about this any further.

Impulse: We have our plan, and we don’t want you to ruin it!

Tempest: Your plan won’t work, you annoying pest!

Impulse: Yup, you definitely absorbed Wrath.

Grace: If you want Impulse, you’ll have to get through both of us!

Tempest: No… I don’t think I will.

Grace: Huh?

Tempest abruptly tackles Impulse, and both of them disappear in his shadow.

Grace: Impulse!

Inside the shadow world, Impulse pushes Tempest off of himself.

Impulse: So, you brought me in here…

Tempest: Yes, I’m not concerned with anyone else besides you. I won’t rest until we’ve become one!

Impulse: Then I guess you’re not resting!

Impulse speeds towards Tempest, but Tempest dodges narrowly.

Tempest: Did you forget about your speed reduction in this world?

Impulse: *grunts* I did, but I haven’t forgotten that nobody can die here. Any soul that enters must exit, so you can’t absorb me.

Tempest: That’s right, so let’s just cut to the chase and get out of here.

Impulse: That’s fine by me.

Tempest: Oh, we’re not resurfacing here.

Tempest speeds toward Impulse, grabs him by the collar, and begins dragging him through the shadows of the stadium’s halls.

Impulse: Hey! Where are we going?!

Tempest: Someplace we won’t be disturbed!

Tempest eventually reaches a spot he likes and chucks Impulse out of the shadow world.

Impulse: Woah!

Impulse emerges in the shadow of a cloud… On the roof of the stadium.

Impulse: Up here?

Tempest emerges.

Tempest: This will be the perfect spot. The stadium has a retractable roof for rain, so nobody will realize we’re here.

Impulse: You really think you’ve won, don’t you?

Tempest: I haven’t until Vanguard is dead and everyone is safe.

Impulse: Can’t you just let us at least try the plan! You can step in if it doesn’t work! Even if Vanguard kills me, you’ll still end up being complete!

Tempest: It’s Grace’s life that would be in danger, not yours. I won’t risk her dying.

Impulse: *frustrated grunt*

Tempest: Besides, even if the plan made Grace stronger than Vanguard in raw power, how could she defeat him? The Gamma Ring will heal all of his injuries. The only way to take him down is to destroy every cell in his body. She can’t do that.

Impulse: She could weaken him to the point that someone else can!

Tempest: And what happens if everyone else is dead at that point!

Impulse: They won’t be!

Tempest: What makes you so sure of that!

Impulse: I have hope! Something that you’ve lost from absorbing the others…

Tempest: Yes, I have Calm’s logic, Gale’s ego, Wrath’s realisticness, Khaos’ passion, and of course… Hayze’s fear. All that combines into someone unwilling to risk his friend's and family’s lives on hope!

Impulse goes quiet.

Impulse: And what are you expecting to get from me? I’m the fun guy, remember? How does that factor into this equation?

Tempest: It doesn’t. I don’t need you for your personality. I need you to reach full power.

Impulse: And that’s supposed to make me want to join you!

Tempest: I don’t care if you want to join me. I’m doing what I have to do to save everyone. What you want doesn’t mean anything to me.

Impulse stands up.

Impulse: I’ll never join you! I have faith that we can defeat Vanguard without you!

Tempest: You can’t beat me, Impulse; I heard you say it yourself. Furthermore, with no exit to this roof, you can’t escape either. Nobody knows we’re up here, so you’re trapped. You only have one choice.

Impulse: No, I don’t!

Impulse zooms toward Tempest.

Impulse: Shock Stride!

Impulse attempts to kick Tempest with his electricity-boosted kick, but Tempest blocks with two shadow hands that catch the speedster’s leg.

Impulse: Huh?!

Tempest: I knew you’d lash out, so I was ready.

Impulse: *frustrated grunt*

Tempest: If you’re really going to try and fight me, then I guess I’ll counter your speed with some of my own!

Gills grow on Tempest’s neck.

Tempest: You know the rule; now my body is calibrated for moving in water. So in the air…

Tempest punches Impulse in the gut with his enhanced speed and striking power.

Tempest: My physical abilities are enhanced!

Tempest’s shadow hands release Impulse; he falls to his knees and pukes.

Tempest: Save yourself the pain and submit to me now!

Impulse: Never!

Tempest: *sighs* Fine…

Tempest takes a deep breath.

Tempest: Searing Scorch Shot!

Tempest begins breathing fire toward Impulse, but he quickly speeds away to avoid the attack.

Impulse: (If I try vibrating my molecules, I could phase through the roof… No, it’s too risky. I don’t know who’s in there. If nobody can catch me in time, I’m dead. I can’t injure him because of Hayze’s quirk, and obviously, killing him is out of the question.)

Impulse grinds his teeth.

Impulse: (He’s right, I don’t have any options.)

Impulse shakes his head frantically.

Impulse: (Stop that! That’s what he wants me to think! Come on, Impulse, think!)

An image of Grace flashes through Impulse’s mind.

Tempest: I can see you’re in deep thought, Impulse. Are you finally letting it sink in that joining me is the only move you have left?

Impulse cracks a smile.

Tempest: Huh? What’s that smile for?

Impulse: Because it’s time for me to fight true to who I am and start living up to my namesake!

Tempest: What does that m-

Impulse begins running in a circle around Tempest at high speeds.

Tempest: (What’s he up to?)

Impulse: (You’ve got Calm’s logic, so you probably came to the same conclusion that I did. Let’s see if I can make that work in my favor!)

Tempest starts channeling wind around his body.

Tempest: (I’ll use Gale Force Winds to end this!)

Impulse: That’s a great attack you have there. It would be a shame if someone outran it!

Tempest: Huh? What are you on about? (He can’t outrun Gale Force Winds. It’s a multidirectional attack. But what if he has a plan to take me down?)

Impulse sees Tempest hesitating.

Impulse: (Nice, he’s mesmerized by my illogical thinking! Now, the best thing to do would be to think out my next move carefully, but I’d rather be Impulsive!)

Impulse bursts toward Tempest, catching him off-guard.

Tempest: What?!

Impulse: Spark Shower!

Impulse’s entire body becomes surrounded with an electric glow, which begins wildly discharging in various directions; Tempest is electrocuted and sent flying.

Tempest: AHHHHHH!

Impulse speeds beside Tempest midair, grabs his face, and slams the back of his head into the roof.

Impulse: Devastating Combo!

A few seconds pass as Impulse has his hand on Tempest’s face as he lies on the ground.

Tempest: Whirlwind Wall.

Tempest sends Impulse flying across the roof with a gust of wind.

Impulse: AHHH!

Impulse slams into the roof and nearly slides off the edge.

Impulse: *groans* That was close.

Tempest: What the hell was that supposed to do?

Tempest has gotten to his feet. He wipes blood from his mouth.

Tempest: My injuries are already healing. In a few minutes, it will be as though you never attacked me at all. Did you even think before you acted?

Impulse: What’s my name?

Tempest: *frustrated grunt* I’ve inherited Wrath’s disdain for you, but I won’t let you play into it.

Impulse: Why? You’ve already played into Calm’s weakness of being too logical for his own good.

Tempest: Quiet down. I’m too powerful for minor problems like that to matter. You just put all that time and effort into trying to damage me, and it was all for naught.

Impulse gets to his feet.

Impulse: You don’t think Vanguard will try to exploit something like that? Really?

Tempest: It won’t matter because I’ll be far superior to him in strength.

Impulse: If you say so, Gale…

Tempest: Quit your incessant instigating! You’ll never defeat me!

Impulse: Maybe I won’t, but I’m enjoying this.

Tempest: “Enjoying this?” Do you think this is a game? People’s lives are on the line!

Impulse: I know, but can’t a guy have a little fun?

Aaron, Alexis, and Blaze arrive at the stadium and see Grace standing at the front entrance.

Aaron: Grace? What are you doing here? Where’s Impulse?

Grace: Tempest intercepted us and pulled him into the shadows! I don’t know where they are!

Aaron: What?!

Blaze: We have to find them, and fast!

Grace: They couldn’t have gone far. Tempest said Vanguard is in there. So he wouldn’t stray too far.

Aaron: Fuck… alright, let’s head inside and spread out. Alexis, you stay here in case he’s not in the stadium.

Alexis: Right.

Aaron: Let’s go!

Aaron, Blaze, and Grace run inside.

Vanguard: Alright, Vulcan, you have me intrigued, but you’re not going to be happy with the results of this attack.

Vulcan: (We’ll see about that.)

Everyone in the stands is sweating. The heatwaves are visible, and steam has filled various parts of the arena.

Zach: This is some freaking heat Vulcan is generating!

Isaiah: I didn’t think someone could turn up the temperature in an entire arena all by themselves!

Demetri: I’m just wondering what he’s gonna do to Vanguard with that magma!

Daniele: (Vulcan knows the only way to beat Vanguard is by disintegrating his entire body, I assume that’s what he’s prepared to do with this attack.)

Exciton gets to his feet.

Lust: Exciton, what are you doing?

Houston: You aren’t in any condition to be moving.

Exciton: I need to go down the stands and speak with the other pros. You two come with me.

Lust: Huh? Why?

Exciton: If Vulcan’s attack fails, he will be defeated; that’s inevitable. We have to jump Vanguard after that. It’s our only hope.

Houston: He’ll destroy us!

Exciton: Yeah… and?

Houston: Huh?

Exciton: What’s stopping him from doing that anyway? Because it’s not Vulcan.

Houston: *grunts*

Vulcan’s skin turns red.

Vulcan: IT’S TIME!

Everyone turns their attention to Vulcan.

Vanguard: Oh yeah? Then bring it.

Vulcan puts his hands in the air.

Vulcan: THIS IS THE END FOR YOU, VANGUARD!

Vulcan begins shooting blood-red magma from his hands and mouth into the air.

Vulcan: INFINITE INFERNAL INFURIATION!

The continuous beam surges towards Vanguard.

Vanguard: That’s it? I was expecting something that could actually provide a challenge! The World!

Time stops just as the beam is about to make contact with Vanguard.

Vanguard: Pathetic…

Vanguard begins walking towards Vulcan, who has oozed magma over his entire body.

Vanguard: You really think something like that will stop me? Seriously? Well, I guess it’s time for me to end this.

Vanguard points his hand at Vulcan.

Vanguard: (Once time resumes, I’ll blast him with a deathball. Nothing will be better than destroying their last hope during his most powerful attack.)

Time resumes and Vulcan’s magma stream blasts the ground as Vanguard begins charging a deathball.

Vanguard: This is the end for YOU, Vulcan! Death!

Vanguard fires the deathball at Vulcan.

Big Tank: Vulcan!

Exciton: (This might be it!)

The deathball blasts the lava pile, disintegrating it. The ball continues going forward, blasting a hole in the arena. Everyone is quiet.

Lust: Vulcan…

Houston: He’s gone…

Exciton: *frustrated grunt* Come on! We have to storm the arena!

Vanguard chuckles.

Vanguard: And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, with Vulcan’s untimely demise, I have become the number one hero-

Vulcan: *from afar* INFINITE INFERNAL INFURIATION!

Everyone is shocked; Vulcan has appeared on another part of the arena wall.

Vanguard: (H- How?!)

Vulcan shoots another blood-red magma from his hands and mouth into the air. It crashes down on Vanguard.

Vanguard: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

As Vanguard’s body slowly incinerates from the magma storm. Everyone’s eyes light up, and they stand up in their seats.

Everyone: He got him!

Vulcan’s attack ends; his lava oozes deep into the ground and hardens into Volcanic Rock. Vanguard is gone, and the Alpha, Delta, and Gamma Rings fall to the ground. Everyone is silent from shock.

Exciton: He’s… dead… he’s actually dead!

Vulcan laughs triumphantly.

Vulcan: That’s right! I, Vulcan, have defeated Vanguard! Just as I swore I would!

Everyone starts celebrating.

Zach: He did it!

Wes: He actually fucking did it! Holy crap!

Lust and Exciton hug.

Exciton: It’s over… Vulcan did it.

Lust: I can’t believe it… he’s finally gone.

Aaron, Grace, and Blaze arrive.

Aaron: What the hell’s going on in here?!

Zach: Vulcan just killed Vanguard, Aaron!

Aaron: What?!

Grace: Are you serious?!

Blaze: That’s awesome!

Grace: And that means we can stop Tempest!

Aaron: I can’t believe it…

Vulcan leaps down from the wall and begins walking to the rings.

Vulcan: *nasal grunt* That’s what you get for messing with me, Vanguard. You should have never challenged me to a fight. I knew you would use your World Ability to quickly dodge my first assault, so I coated my body in magma while you were distracted by it. You thought it was a shield, but it was actually a decoy. I leaped out of the magma and hid behind the wall while repositioning. Once you dropped your guard, I struck.

Vulcan reaches the rings.

Vulcan: Now, I’ll be taking these for the time being-

The Gamma Ring starts moving on its own.

Vulcan: Huh?!

A finger begins to regenerate, wearing the Gamma Ring.

Vulcan: No!

Everyone looks at Vulcan.

Vulcan: I won’t let you come back!

Vulcan attempts to blast the ring with a magma shot, but Vanguard completely regenerates before he can fire it.

Vanguard: Why, hello there.

Vulcan: *frustrated yell*

Vulcan blasts Vanguard in the chest, but the wound quickly regenerates.

Vanguard: I’m sorry, but… you know what, I’m not.

Vulcan: I- I- I-

Vanguard quickly places the Alpha and Delta rings back on his fingers. Everyone is in terrified shock, including Vulcan.

Vanguard: I must say, Vulcan, I wasn’t expecting to ever need to use “Plan Phoenix.” You’ve impressed me.

Vulcan: Pl- Plan Phoenix?

Vanguard: Yes, during my absence after initially acquiring the Delta Ring, I decided to develop contingency plans to counteract my apparent weaknesses. The first was fusing the rings to my fingers to prevent them from being stolen. Speaking of which…

Vanguard fires a mini deathball at each of his fingers, melting his skin with the metal.

Vanguard: *pained grunts* Not fun… but necessary.

Vulcan: How the hell are you alive?! I annihilated every cell in your body!

Vanguard: Yes, but I knew that would be your strategy. That’s why I concocted Plan Phoenix. The rings are indestructible. I knew they would survive any attack launched at me. So, I inserted a piece of my living tissue into the Gamma Ring’s gem. The crystallization preserved it and kept a part of me alive through your attack and with it attached to the Gamma Ring. The regeneration process could still commence.

Vulcan has no words.

Vanguard: Now, can you stay there for a moment?

Vulcan doesn’t say anything; he’s still in shock.

Vanguard: Cool, thanks.

Vanguard teleports into the stands next to Exciton, Lust, and Houston.

Vanguard: Exciton, I need your pants.

Exciton: *sighs* Are we even the same size?

Vanguard: I don’t know, but if you don’t give me them, I’ll-

Exciton: I know… you’ll kill everyone.

Exciton takes off his pants and tosses them to Vanguard, who promptly puts them on.

Vanguard: Thanks, buddy!

Exciton: *sighs*

Vanguard teleports back to Vulcan.

Vanguard: Now, then. I think it’s time for your life to come to an end.

Vulcan: I- I- I-

Vanguard punches Vulcan in the chest and then uppercuts him, sending him flying through the air.

Vanguard: You really thought you could kill me, Vulcan? YOU CAN’T KILL A GOD!

Everyone watches in horror as Vanguard begins savagely beating Vulcan.

Zach: What’s Vulcan doing?!

Isaiah: Why isn’t he fighting back?!

Exciton grinds his teeth.

Exciton: (Because there’s nothing else he can do… that was his strongest attack and the only one that could defeat Vanguard, but he’ll never allow Vulcan to use it again… it’s over.)

As Alexis waits at the front of the stadium, Ash, Sydney, and Saige arrive. Saige has Blair over her shoulder, and Sydney carries the unconscious Ivy.

Saige: Alexis!

Alexis: Saige? Are you guys alright?

Saige: We’re fine; where’s Tempest? Please don’t tell me he got Impulse and Wrath.

Alexis: He got Wrath… and I don’t know where he is now.

Blair: What?! How?!

Alexis: He dragged Impulse into the shadows and ran off. Aaron and the others are trying to find him, but we have no clue where they are.

Blair: Well, they need to find him now!

Saige: Blair, calm down!

Blair: No! If he gets Impulse, then Hayze is gone forever!

Saige: I know, but getting mad won’t solve anything!

Alexis: They’ll find him, Blair, don’t worry. We know they’re still close to the arena because Vanguard’s inside. Tempest wouldn’t have strayed far from here.

Sydney: If that’s the case, then there’s only one place he could be.

Everyone looks at Sydney.

Alexis: Huh? What do you mean?

Sydney: Impulse is the fast one, right? Well, Tempest would need to bring him to an area where he couldn’t easily run away.

Alexis: But where could-

Alexis gets a look of realization; she looks up at the stadium's roof.

Blair: We’ve gotta get up there!

Saige: I can do it-

Saige winces in pain.

Alexis: You girls are in no condition to do anything. Let’s go inside and tell the others!

Blair: Hurry!

The girls run inside.

Blair: (Come on, Impulse, stay alive.)

Impulse looks over the edge of the roof.

Tempest: If you’re thinking about jumping, don’t. You’ll never survive.

Impulse: *grunts* I guess the question is whether I’d rather be dead or a part of you.

Tempest: Don’t be a fool, Impulse.

Impulse: (I owe it to Wrath, Gale, Calm, Hayze, and Khaos to fight until the very end. The problem is that the end might actually be here. If I get absorbed, then we’re all gone for good.)

The rain subsides, and the sun shines through the clouds, illuminating the roof.

Tempest: The clouds have parted, Impulse. It’s symbolic. Join me now, and together we can save everyone from that tyrant.

The roof starts opening, allowing the sun to shine into the arena. Impulse is in deep thought.

Tempest: I’m giving you an ultimatum Impulse. Either join me or fall. You have 10 seconds. I’m done waiting to become complete.

Impulse clenches his fists.

Impulse: I choose C: fight until my very last breath!

Impulse speeds toward Tempest and tries to punch him.

Impulse: Thunder Punch!

Tempest creates Sea Skates and effortlessly pirouettes behind Impulse to avoid his attack.

Impulse: Huh?

Tempest: Typhoon Boom!

Tempest blasts Impulse’s hip with a Typhoon Boom, sending him flying into the arena.

Impulse: AHHHHHHHH!

Everyone in the arena looks up to see Impulse falling.

Vanguard: Huh?

Aaron: There’s Impulse!

Blaze: But where’s-

Suddenly, Tempest glides down to Impulse and begins punching him rapidly.

Grace: Impulse!

Vanguard: (Well, well, well.)

Vanguard tosses Vulcan aside and watches the midair beatdown.

Tempest: This is for your own good, Impulse!

Tempest punches Impulse in the head, leaving him barely conscious. He then grabs Impulse by the leg, and the two safely land together.

Zach: Uh… can someone explain to me why Hayze is fighting his counterpart?

Aaron: We’ve gotta get down there and stop him!

Aaron, Grace, and Blaze rush down the stairs toward the arena wall.

Vanguard: *yelling* Stop right there!

The trio stops.

Vanguard: If anyone else enters this arena, I will kill every single one of you, got that?

Aaron: *frustrated grunt*

Adrian: Aaron, what’s going on?

Aaron gulps.

Aaron: It’s Hayze… he’s absorbed all of his counterparts… except Impulse.

Everyone is shocked.

Fatal: What do you mean absorbed?

Grace: They’ve fused together… and if Hayze gets Impulse… it will be permanent.

Adrian: What?!

Tempest looks at Vanguard.

Tempest: I told you I’d return.

Vanguard: So, I’d assume you’ve absorbed your other three counterparts?

Tempest: Yes, Calm, Gale, and Wrath’s spirits reside within me, and together with Impulse, we’ll destroy you.

Vanguard laughs loudly.

Vanguard: I didn’t think you were serious!

Everyone watching from their TV Screens looks intrigued and concerned.

Zaire: Well, if it isn’t our old friend, Hayze.

Iota: Yes… but he seems… different…

Tempest turns his attention to Impulse.

Tempest: It’s time for you to join me.

Alexis, Saige, Blair, Sydney, and Ash enter the stands to see Tempest pick up Impulse by the collar.

Blair: No! STOP HIM!

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

Impulse: (Guys… I’m sorry… I couldn’t… keep you… alive…)

Impulse fades away, and everyone is silent.

Vanguard: Well? That’s it? I was expecting more-

Tempest: AHHHHHHHHH!

Tempest exudes a blinding and robust glow, rotating between Gray, White, Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow.

Impulse: (We.)

Calm: (Have.)

Wrath: (Finally.)

Gale: (Become.)

Hayze: (One.)

Vanguard’s eyes widen as Tempest screams at the top of his lungs.

Vanguard: (This power… What the hell?!)

After nearly a minute, the glow subsides, and Tempest goes quiet.

Vanguard: W- well?

Tempest opens his eyes; his irises rotate between the colors Gray, White, Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow. He glances at Vanguard.

Tempest: ♫ Here comes the thunder, here comes the rain, here comes the lightning. ♫

A blast of heat lightning crashes down on Tempest.

Tempest: Here comes the storm.