Jace is sitting alone inside a viewing lounge within the stadium.

Jace: *sighs* This sucks…

A flashback begins. Jace is seated in front of Ewing’s desk with Adrian, Walker, and Fatal at his sides.

Ewing: Jace… obviously, you know why I’ve called you here today.

Jace: Yes… I do, sir.

Ewing: You broke the rules clearly established to protect you and your classmates, causing a brainwashing virus to enter the school. Unfortunately, there isn’t much-

Jace: Before you go on, sir, can I say something?

Ewing: Go ahead.

Jace: I’m sorry, Mr. Walker. I let my frustrations from the Prison exercise get the better of me, and I made a mistake that I’ll never live down. Instead of learning from my errors, I ran away… I failed you as my teacher.

Walker places his hand on Jace’s shoulder.

Walker: Jace, while I’m not thrilled with you right now. You didn’t fail me.

Jace: What?! But I-

Walker: After being freed from Vanguard’s control, you joined your classmates without hesitation, fought your former master, and assisted us in the rebuilding efforts. You would have genuinely failed me if you had crawled into a ball and whined about your mistakes. Part of growing up is messing up, and while you can’t avoid punishment, you can still move past this and become a stronger person.

Jace: Thank you, sir, but… I caused so much pain and suffering. I brainwashed some of my closest friends and tried to kill Hayze. How can I become a stronger person after that?

Fatal: Jace, you didn’t know any of that would happen when you abandoned the school.

Adrian: It’s clear that Vanguard had been eyeing us for some time. He didn’t target you specifically. You were just the first person he could sink his claws into. That wasn’t in your control, so don’t let it bog you down.

Fatal: If Vanguard weren’t there, you most likely would have just gone home, and that would have been it. You made a dumb choice, but don’t let the results shroud your mind. There were countless outcomes where nothing bad would have come from you leaving.

Jace goes quiet.

Walker: The number one thing we’re happy about is that you’re showing remorse. You understand that you made a mistake. It would have been different if you whined about how unlucky you were to encounter Vanguard that day. Don’t let this define you.

Jace: Okay, thank you, Mr. Walker, Ms. Fatal, and Mr. Adrian.

The teachers nod.

Ewing: Now then, let’s get to your punishment.

Jace: Yessir.

Ewing: We cannot allow you to remain a member of the Hero Course.

Jace: I understand.

Ewing: However.

Jace: Huh?

Ewing: We’re willing to allow you to remain a U.A. student as a member of the General Studies program.

Jace: R- really?

Ewing: Yes, your teachers made a compelling case.

Jace’s eyes light up.

Ewing: We’ll also allow you to stay with your current class until the end of the year. Ms. Fatal is willing to tutor you as you transition from Hero Course Academics to the regular classes taught here. In addition, you can participate in Hero Exercises, but you will not receive any grades.

Jace: Th- thank you so much!

Ewing: It’s your decision as to when you’ll inform your classmates of your impending departure, but you will not participate in the Final Exams. So, that’s a proverbial deadline for you.

Jace: I understand, but uh… why are you letting me stay in my class? It doesn’t make a lot of sense-

Walker: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, kid.

Jace: Understood.

Ewing: You are dismissed.

The flashback ends.

Jace: (I can’t believe the five months are already over. I’m still going to be a student here, but… I won’t see them as often. It’s just…)

Jace’s eyes get watery.

Kevin: Out already? Damn, no wonder you’re crying.

Jace: Huh?

Kevin has entered the room.

Jace: K- Kevin? I WASN’T CRYING!

Kevin: Yeah, and I wasn’t just farting in Alden’s simulation pod.

Jace: Wh- what?

Kevin sits down next to Jace. He’s wearing an updated version of his exoskeleton.

Jace: What brings you here?

Kevin: What, did you already forget I was in this class?

Jace: No, it’s just… I thought it would be a sore subject…

Kevin: What do you mean?

Jace: Well,… don’t you wish you were in there with them?

Kevin: Of course.

Jace: Then why come and watch? I get wanting to support everyone, but… isn’t it painful?

Kevin: A little, but I’ve come to terms with everything.

Jace: You have?

Kevin: Yeah, my choices landed me where I am. I can sit around and mope about it or accept that I’m at a different stage of my life. There’s no point in dwelling on the past; it’ll just drive you crazy. This may not have been what I envisioned for myself, but I’m happy with where I am despite that.

Jace: Not to be rude, but… how?

Kevin: Because I know whenever I come back here, my friends will welcome me with open arms.

Jace stares at Kevin.

Jace: Thanks, Kevin…

Kevin: For what? Oh shit, were you trying to cope with getting eliminated already? Sorry, you suck, bro.

Jace: What?! Fuck you!

The glass inside each room becomes clear again.

Blair: Hayze! What does the clue say?

Hayze shows Blair the clue.

Blair: Huh? What does that mean?

Hayze: Yeah… that was my reaction.

Aaron and Alexis examine their clues.

Alexis: Hm… what could this be telling us?

Aaron: Maybe it’s saying you should give me a blow job?

Alexis: Through the glass?

Aaron: … Yes.

Wes knocks on the glass.

Wes: What does it say?

Verity: What are you willing to pay to find out?

Wes: Wh- WHAT?!

Verity: Beg, bitch.

Saige waves the clue in Silver’s face.

Saige: I’m more popular than you!

Silver: You really needed a vote to figure that out?

Saige: And because that was funny, I’ll share the clue with you.

Silver: Wait, you weren’t going to already?!

Gale shows Lilith the clue.

Lilith: What does that mean?

Gale: No clue, but I’m sure your big brain will figure it out.

Lilith: Mine?

Gale: Yeah, go for it!

Lilith: Maybe we need to kiss the class!

Gale stares at Lilith.

Gale: Okay, maybe we should brainstorm a little more.

Wrath taps his foot impatiently as Sydney examines the clue.

Wrath: Well?

Sydney: Hm? Oh, I forgot you were here.

Wrath: I’m your teammate!

Sydney: That’s neat.

Wrath: *sighs* What does it say?

Sydney doesn’t answer.

Wrath: Hey! What does it say!

Sydney: It says your partner must strip naked and sing a folk song to escape the room.

Wrath stares at Sydney.

Wrath: Do you think I’m an idiot?

Sydney: Yes.

Calm sits down and meditates.

Eve: What are you doing?

Calm: Clearing my mind will make it easier to find a solution.

Eve: Well, we don’t have a clue, so that’s not great. How are we supposed to get out of here with no hints?

Calm doesn’t respond.

Eve: Hey! I’m talking to you!

Calm: My apologies, but I need to concentrate. Without a clue, we must be even more vigilant.

Eve: *sighs* You know, we’re supposed to be a team. So we can figure this out together.

Calm: It would be a wiser use of our resources to have you use your monstrous strength to break through the wall while I try to think of a way out.

Eve stares at Calm.

Eve: Oh… I see…

Calm: Hm?

Eve: You only picked me so we could be a “brains and brawn” duo, huh? Well, screw you! I’m more than my strength!

Calm: That was not my reasoning for selecting you as my partner.

Eve: Oh, yeah? Then why did you do it?

Calm: Our personalities are polar opposites, which, from my experience, is best suited for completing tasks. It enables us to work together and counter each other’s weaknesses. You are also strong and have shown you are a better strategist than most in the past. In addition, you are very compassionate and protective despite your gruff exterior. This makes you an appealing partner, as I know I can trust you even though we do not know each other well.

Eve stares at Calm, dumbfounded.

Calm: Is that answer satisfactory, or shall I go on?

Eve: Yeah… that’s uh… satisfactory.

Calm: Good. Do you have any suggestions for our escape?

Eve: Uh… no… You can keep… doing that, I guess.

Calm: I will.

Calm continues meditating.

Eve: (Well, at least I have a partner who appreciates me.)

Killian falls to his knees in defeat.

Killian: Dammit! Zero votes! What the fuck?!

Gavin: That’s what happens when you’re a goober!

Killian: WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!

Gavin: It means it might be time for you to stop being a goober!

Killian: *frustrated grunt*

Justus sits down on his ripped-apart bed.

Justus: A mouth, huh?

Ash: What do you think it means?

Justus: It must mean we have to do something to get out of here with our mouths. But what?

Ash: Maybe they hid a key in our mouths? We are technically avatars, so could one of our teeth be false?

Justus: No… that’s too easy.

Justus’ eyes widen.

Justus: Or is it?

Ash: Huh? Do you think that’s right?!

Justus: No… but you might be on the right track. I’m not sure…

Grace looks at Impulse, who is beside himself with sadness.

Grace: Come on, Pulsey! It’s time to buck up.

Impulse: *sighs* Yeah, you’re right.

Impulse stands up.

Impulse: I can’t mope forever.

Grace: I’m sure she’ll come around, but we’ve gotta worry about getting out of here.

Impulse: Yup, sure do. Sorry, I’ll try to pull myself out of this rut.

Grace: It’s okay; rejection can be hard. I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you play with my boobs when we get out of here.

Impulse: That’s okay, Grace, I’ll pass.

Grace: Pfft, your loss.

Impulse takes a deep breath.

Impulse: (I’ve tried to follow my heart since I separated from Hayze, but man, is it tough. I guess Saige just doesn’t like this part of Hayze…)

Impulse hangs his head.

Impulse: (This whole hero thing is cool, but is it too much to ask for a big titty nympho girlfriend?)

Impulse glances at Grace, who is playing with her own breasts.

Impulse: (At least I’ve been able to make one good friend. Wait a second…)

Impulse flashes back to literally 20 minutes before the exam started.

Impulse: Uh, Grace, what are you doing?

Grace is wearing a dog shock collar with a car battery jerry-rigged to it.

Grace: Experimenting. *barks*

Grace gets electrocuted and falls to the ground.

Grace: *moaning*

The flashback ends.

Impulse: Uh… say, Grace, how about I hold your hand for a few minutes after we make it out of this?

Grace: Hand fetish? Really? I mean, whatever gets your rocks off. I’m trying to cheer you up, after all.

Impulse: Alright! Let’s get out of here!

Walker leans back in his chair.

Walker: Some teams are progressing well; that’s good to see.

Houston: But nobody has come close to figuring it out yet.

Walker: No… but they’ll need good rapport if they want to pass the rest of the exam, so establishing a good working relationship now will do wonders later on.

Adrian: You saying that makes me curious why you were insistent they chose their partners. Some of the pairs are actually dating; isn’t that an unfair advantage to you?

Walker: Regardless of whether they walked into this exam with a good relationship or none at all. They’ll need to persevere through the stress of this exam together, and just because you’re on good terms doesn’t mean you can do that easily.

Isaiah and Demetri are screaming at each other.

Demetri: You didn’t get enough votes! What the fuck?!

Isaiah: I got more than you!

Demetri: YEAH! You’re the one they actually like!

Isaiah: What the fuck?! So it’s on me to get all the votes? HOW IS THAT FAIR!

Demetri: LIFE ISN’T FAIR!

Gus is napping.

Zach: Gus! Come on, man! Wake up, please!

Gus: *snores*

Adrian facepalms.

Adrian: Yeah… good point.

Hayze is in deep thought.

Blair: What are you thinking, Hayze?

Hayze: Obviously, we have to use our mouths, but how?

Blair: Maybe we need to say a secret phrase?

Hayze: Huh… yeah, that makes sense. If we get it right, then the walls must open. That’s why there is no door or obvious keyhole. Good thinking, Blair.

Blair blushes.

Blair: So, uh… what do you think the phrase is?

Hayze: The popularity vote was a metaphor for the Hero Ranking system. So… maybe we need to think of something heroes say often. *grunts* But it has to pertain to our situation.

Blair: (I’ve gotta figure this out, or at least help Hayze piece it all together.)

Silver is in deep thought.

Saige: You’ll drive yourself crazy if you keep thinking that hard.

Silver: Well, do you know how to get us out of this room? Because otherwise, we need to think hard.

Saige: Oh, don’t worry, we’ll leave here soon enough.

Silver: Hm?

Saige: They already gave us an opportunity for one clue; maybe they’ll give another? We already figured out there’s a required phrase, so another clue should be enough to get us out. Only half of the teams have clues, so there’s bound to be another chance to get more coming.

Silver: You want to chance something like that?

Saige: Do you not?

Silver: No, and besides, we have nothing else to do in this room.

Saige: We could talk.

Silver: Huh? Talk? About what?

Saige: Strategy for once we’re out.

Silver: Hm? But we don’t know anything about what will come next.

Saige: Yup, and that’s why we should prepare ourselves. For example, I don’t do well with people raising their voices to me.

Silver: That’s a lie.

Saige whimpers.

Silver: *sighs* Is this a joke to you?

Saige: No, I just have faith in myself and my teammate, so I’m not worried.

Silver: Right… and… why did you want me to pick you as my partner?

Saige: Hm? I didn’t want you to do anything.

Silver: Wh- you winked at me!

Saige: Aw… Silvy thought I was being flirtatious, so he wanted me to be his partner.

Silver: That’s not what I thought-

Saige: Don’t worry, Silvy; I understand you think I’m cute. Most people do!

Silver: *frustrated grunt*

Saige: Oh, come on! Lighten up!

Silver: Huh?

Saige: You’re so uptight. Don’t you have faith that we’re going to pass?

Silver: I- I do, it’s just-

Saige: Then get your panties out of a twist! *whispers* No wonder you only got two votes.

Silver: *sighs* I can’t believe Hayze puts up with you.

Saige: You mean Hayzey? He loves me.

Silver: I’m sure “Hayzey” does…

Saige: Don’t mock my nicknames. I only call someone “ey” when I think they’re cute.

Silver: Of course you do…

A few seconds pass.

Silver: Wait… what?!

Saige: Haha! Got you!

Silver: *frustrated grunt* Mr. Walker… Please let me out of this room.

Suddenly, the ceiling of their room starts to open.

Saige: Yay!

Silver: You’ve gotta be kidding me!

Justus sits up.

Ash: What’s up, Justus?

Justus: Mr. Walker, please let us out of this room.

Their ceiling begins opening.

Ash: Seriously?

Justus: *sighs*

Blair snaps her fingers.

Blair: What if the lesson is more straightforward than we initially thought?

Hayze: Hm?

Blair: Mr. Walker always gives us hints to solving problems. Of course, he never gives us the answer, but he’ll present us with a path to find it on our own.

Hayze: That’s true… so it’s probably not that complex of a lesson. The clue only hints at how we’re supposed to present the key but not at the key itself. So…

Hayze gets a look of realization.

Hayze: *sighs* Mr. Walker, may we please leave?

Their ceiling starts to open.

Blair: They love doing that, huh?

Hayze: Sure do…

Walker smiles.

Walker: (We give them a lot of things to think about in their exercises and exams. But in the real world, sometimes the simplest answer is the best one.)

Hayze climbs out of their room and helps Blair up. Justus and Ash and Silver and Saige climb out of theirs. Each group emerges in a different part of a junkyard surrounded by massive scrap piles. Their rooms were actually dug into the ground.

Blair: What is this?

Hayze: I don’t know, but it isn’t what I expected.

Blair: Hey! Look!

There’s a box on the ground with their names on it. They open it and find their hero costumes and equipment. Plus, a note.

Walker (Note): To complete the Final Exam, you must reach the exit portal. Once you pass through it, you will awaken from the simulation. You’re currently in the junkyard, but you’ll need to progress to the final area to find the exit. There is no limit to the number of teams that can pass the final exam. However, only 12 teams may reach the final stage.

Blair and Hayze put on their costumes.

Blair: So, we need to find the path to the final area, huh?

Hayze: Yeah, it looks like it, and I have a guess where it is.

Saige points at a beacon of light far from them in the junkyard.

Saige: I spy with my little eye, something phallic.

Silver: That must be how we reach the final stage. We have to hurry; who knows how long until the other teams will start to emerge from their starting areas.

Saige: Or maybe we were the last ones.

Silver: I doubt that.

Saige: Yeah, I’m sure Alden and Romeo will never leave.

Alden is balling on the floor.

Alden: Please, Mr. Walker! Help me!

Romeo: Mr. Houston! PLEASE!

Walker sips some tea.

Houston: Does that not count?

Walker: Not close enough.

Ash surveys the area.

Ash: Should we just head straight there?

Justus: No, crossing the junk piles could be dangerous, so we’ll have to navigate around them.

Ash: But that could be like a maze!

Justus: I think that’s the intention.

Ash: Oh, good point…

Hayze is searching around.

Blair: Looking for something, Hayze?

Hayze: One of my pieces of equipment is missing.

Blair: Huh? I thought Mr. Walker would have been thorough with that.

Hayze: Yeah, Mr. Walker.

Walker presses a button on the console.

Walker: *sighs* I hate technicalities.

Hayze’s motorcycle materializes.

Hayze: I love technicalities!

Hayze opens the front compartment and tosses Blair a helmet.

Hayze: Alright, let’s head to that pillar of light. That has to be the exit to the next area.

Blair: Okay, but… what do we do if we run across the others?

Hayze: It depends if they act hostile. We’ve got the speed to get away if they try to strike first.

Blair gets on the back of the vehicle.

Hayze: It’s not the other teams that worry me; it’s something else…

Blair: Hm? Like what?

Unknown: *howl*

Hayze: The teachers…

Hayze and Blair look up at a junk pile and see a quartet of mechanical lions emerge on top.

Blair: What the hell are those?

Hayze: Trouble, let’s go!

Hayze hops onto the motorcycle and drives. The mech-lions chase after them.

Blair: Well… they look tough, but at least we can outrun them!

Rocket salvos emerge from the mech-lions’ back.

Blair: Oh…

The lions fire a set of rockets at Hayze and Blair, barely missing them.

Hayze: If they gave us our gear, we probably have our quirks back!

Blair: Right! Laval Lambasting!

Blair fires twin lava beams at the mech-lions, melting one into a puddle.

Blair: Alright, maybe this isn’t so bad!

Suddenly, the lions’ armor is reinforced with a tungsten coating.

Blair: *sighs* Goddammit…

Hayze: We’ll have to lose them. Hang on!

Hayze drives up one of the junk piles and soars through the air. Silver and Saige spot them from afar.

Saige: We’re making a detour!

Silver: *sighs* Alright…

Hayze and Blair make a bumpy landing away from the mech-lions and come to a stop.

Hayze: You alright?

Blair: Yeah, slightly motion sick, but I’ll live…

Blair hops off the bike and pukes.

Hayze: Sorry…

Justus spots Talon flying through the air.

Justus: It looks like some teams got out of their starting area without a clue.

Ash: Oh yeah, look at him. Should we stay out of his sight?

Justus: Hm… No, let’s keep an eye on him.

Ash: Alright, but why?

Justus: If Talon keeps flying like that, he’ll quickly reach the pillar. I’m sure Mr. Walker would have added something to stop him.

Ash: Like what?

Suddenly, two mechanical pterodactyls fly after Talon.

Talon: I thought I’d have company! Bring it on!

Justus and Ash watch intently as Talon battles the mecha-dactyls.

Ash: They seem tough.

Justus: Yes, but Talon is doing a great job defending himself.

Ash: They must just be simple sentries; I’m sure they’re nothing we can’t handle-

Talon: *from afar* AHHHHHHH!

One of the birds bit off Talon’s arm.

Talon: WHAT THE FUCK?! AHHHH!

Talon plummets to the ground as the mecha-dactyls devour him. Justus and Ash watch in stunned silence.

Justus: Let’s stay hidden.

Ash: Yup.

Aaron and Alexis have emerged from their starting room.

Aaron: I’d say I can’t believe it was that easy, but this is Mr. Walker we’re talking about.

Alexis: Yeah, now we need to move quickly to that pillar.

Aaron: It looks like we’re on the outside edge of this junkyard, so let’s stay close to the boundary.

Alexis: Hm? Why?

Aaron: We’ll probably stumble across another team that just exited their room. We might be able to form an alliance.

Alexis: Or take them out.

Aaron: I love the attitude, but I don’t think we gain anything from that.

Alexis: Wow… Aaron. That’s actually a very mature way to think about it.

Aaron: Hm? What do you mean? We’re going to betray them at the last minute.

Alexis: Ah… there’s the Aaron I know.

Aaron: And love?

Alexis: Eh.

Aaron: Cold, I like it!

Alexis: Well, that’s enough chit-chat; let’s move.

Aaron: Yeah, just keep your head on a swivel. Other teams might have the same idea.

Alec and Bruno emerge from their starting room.

Alec: Well, that was stupefying…

Bruno: Just be happy we’ve emerged.

Filip: Thank god, it’s you guys!

Filip and Fabio round a corner and see Alec and Bruno.

Alec: What do you two want?

Fabio: We want to work together on this exam!

Filip: Yeah! There are no rules so we can get our whole class together!

Alec notices Fabio and Filip are wearing their costumes. He looks around the surrounding area.

Bruno: I like that idea. If there’s nothing stating we have to fight each other, we should join together!

Alec: Where did you guys get your gear?

Filip: We’ve been out for about 10 minutes now; there’s an armory just around the corner.

Fabio: We were getting set up when we heard your doors open!

Filip: Follow us!

Bruno: With pleasure.

Alec approaches Fabio.

Alec: Hey, big hair, you’ve got something on your chin. Let me get it.

Fabio: On my chin? Oh, thank you, I wouldn’t want-

Alec bites down on Fabio’s neck and rips out his jugular.

Fabio: *gargling*

Filip: What the?!

Bruno: Alec!

Fabio keels over, and his body disintegrates into digital fragments.

Filip: Wh- WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT?!

Bruno: Alec! Explain yourself!

Alec: Those little bastards were trying to trick us, Bruno!

Filip: Wh- how did you know?!

Bruno: Filip!

Alec: An “Armory?” Do you think I’m stupid? If all of our gear was there, why would Bruno and I be beside it? The teachers like to give us fair odds, and those were way too fishy!

Filip gets scared.

Alec: Show us where our gear is, or we’ll kill you!

Filip: Fat chance! You can’t take me on!

Filip attempts to encase Alec in black ice, but Bruno turns his entire body into diamond and bodyslams Filip.

Filip: *groans*

Bruno: That was very perceptive, Alec. A fine job.

Alec: You need to be less gullible. This is an exam; it’s every man for himself.

Bruno: Yes… I understand that now. We can’t trust anyone, including our friends.

Alec: Alright, now let’s get him to tell us where our stuff is.

Bruno: Right!

Alec and Bruno begin kicking the shit out of Filip.

Alec: GIVE US THE SHIT, BITCH!

Filip: AHHHHHH!

Sydney is gleefully sitting on her bed.

Sydney: I’m not the one who wrote the clue. I’m just reporting what it says to you.

Wrath: I know you’re fucking lying to me!

Sydney: Why would I do that? We’re “teammates.”

Wrath: *frustrated grunt*

Wrath punches the glass.

Wrath: Listen here, you annoying whore. I won’t be the only one of my brothers to fail this exam. So, you’re going to tell me what’s on that card, or else I’m going to punch through his glass panel, come over there, and rip it from your disgusting little hand!

Sydney: Why are you calling my hand “disgusting,” you knockoff!

Wrath: Because there’s no way you’ve got a man in your life. I bet you love klittering, don’t you?

Sydney’s face turns red. She angrily gets in Wrath’s face through the glass.

Sydney: How dare you accuse me of something so vile! I would never do anything like that!

Wrath: Well, now we know why you’re such a fucking bitch!

Sydney: *frustrated grunt* You are a vulgar neanderthal spawned from a moron!

Wrath: Oh, yeah? Well, at least Hayze is proof that I could get laid, unlike you, Venus Flytrap!

Sydney: You know what, you want the clue? Here!

Sydney slams the clue against the glass.

Sydney: The second we leave this room, I will slice your pathetic dick off!

Wrath: You sure you know what a penis looks like? I’ll give you a hint: it’s above the waist.

Sydney: JUST FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET US OUT OF THIS ROOM!

Wrath: I WILL!

Sydney and Wrath storm to opposite corners of the room and hide their faces.

Sydney and Wrath: (I think I’m in love.)

Gavin is hiding beneath his covers, Dutch Ovening himself.

Gavin: ASS GAS ASSASSINATION!

Killian: *sighs* How did I fall this far…

Gavin emerges from his bed.

Gavin: You want my two cents, ya goober?

Killian: What do I have to lose at this point…

Gavin: You’re really fucking annoying.

Killian stares at Gavin.

Killian: Wh- no, I’m not!

Gavin: Nobody likes your tough guy attack anymore. It got old a long time ago, and now that you’ve lost like 95% of your most recent battles, it makes you look like an ass.

Killian: I don’t lose that much!

Gavin: You lost to Kevin at your own game. Hayze publicly humiliated you in front of everyone. Grace smothered you to death with her vagina. Sydney emasculated you. Then, the cherry on top, Gale defiled your woman and beat your ass.

Killian goes quiet.

Gavin: You see what you’re doing right now, Killian?

Killian: Huh?

Gavin: Just shut up.

Killian: Wh- fuck you!

Gavin: There you go again! Man, you might be more annoying than me!

Killian: NO, I’M FUCKING NOT!

Gavin: Whatever you say, you goober.

Gavin returns to his Dutch Oven.

Killian: I’m not annoying… Am I?

Wes and Verity emerge from their starting room.

Wes: Oh, great, I knew I should have gotten my tetanus shot…

Verity: Don’t worry, you do.

Wes: Wh- what?

Verity: I gave you that shot in your sleep.

Wes stares at Verity with a blank expression.

Verity: Alongside a flu, rabies, and tuberculosis shot. You were very behind on your immunizations.

Wes continues staring at Verity.

Wes: I am terrified.

Verity: I apologize if you believe I invaded your privacy.

Wes: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, “BELIEVE?!” YOU DID!

Verity: That was the week you promised we’d have lunch together. I couldn’t risk anything.

Wes: I… *sighs* That’s it, I’m putting a padlock on my room.

Verity: That won’t help.

Wes: WHAT?!

Verity: Aaron exists.

Wes: *sighs* You’re right… I hate him.

Aaron: *from afar* What was that, Wes?

Wes tenses up. Aaron and Alexis are on top of a nearby junk pile.

Wes: I said you’re awesome!

Aaron: I’ll give you a five-minute head start!

Wes starts running without hesitation.

Wes: I know that expression! I’ve got a beanbag to the nuts coming!

Aaron and Alexis slide down to Verity.

Aaron: Did you guys just get out?

Verity: Yes, what is going on?

Alexis: There’s an explanation in that box over there. Go get your costume.

Verity: Right.

Aaron: And bring Wes’. After I nail him in the dick, you’ll have to change him. He constantly whines like a bitch when his nuts are swollen. He can’t do anything on his own.

Alexis: Wow, really?

Aaron: I know, right? He’s so selfish.

Gale is in deep thought.

Lilith: Any ideas?

Gale: Nope, none.

Lilith: Maybe we should try asking for help?

Gale: Pfft, like that would ever work.

Lilith: Oh… you’re right, sorry…

Gale: Well, uh, actually, I guess it’s worth a shot. (This girl is about as fragile as glass.)

Lilith: Mr. Walker, could you give us a hint?

Nothing.

Gale: Not much point in asking.

Lilith: I know, but it’s all I could think of.

Gale: I admire your tenacity, though. I mean, I wish the answer was just saying, “Please let us out,” but come on!

Their doors start opening, and Gale is dumbfounded.

Lilith: Yay!

Gale: Wh- I- Wh- (Fuck it, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.)

Houston and Adrian look at Walker.

Walker: What?

Houston: Look, I don’t like him either, but if we’re going to count that…

Walker: *sighs* Fine.

Walker presses a button. Alden and Romeo’s ceiling opens.

Alden: I DID IT!

Romeo: What?! That was clearly all me!

Alden: I’m sorry, but are you perfect? Because you don’t look like me.

Romeo: Shut up, you bitch!

Walker, Adrian, and Houston all look at each other. Then, without saying a word, they close the ceiling on Alden and Romeo.

Alden: WH- NOOOOOO!

Romeo: PLEASE!

Impulse and Grace have climbed out of their room and put on their costumes. Impulse looks distraught.

Grace: I can’t believe all we had to do was ask! Right, Pulsey? Huh? Is something wrong?

Impulse: (Dammit! That was my chance to impress her! I guess I’ll have to get us to the pillar as fast as possible!) Here, Grace, let me carry you. We’ll use lightning speed and finish this exam in no time!

Grace: I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Impulse: Huh? Why?

Grace: That note says we “complete” the exam when we reach the end; we don’t necessarily pass it. It’s probably not the best idea to rush through this.

Impulse is sweating profusely.

Impulse: Yeah! I noticed that, too! I was just testing you!

Grace: Really? Because you seemed pretty serious-

Impulse: Nope! No way! In fact, I was just about to climb that junk pile to take a look around the area!

Impulse attempts to speed up the pile.

Grace: I wouldn’t do that; it doesn’t look safe…

Impulse: What do you mean? Everything is fine!

Impulse steps on a mousetrap,

Impulse: AHHH!

Impulse trips and begins falling down the pile, hitting more mousetraps along the way.

Impulse: AHHH! WHY ARE THERE SO MANY?!

Impulse crashes down in front of Grace.

Impulse: *groans*

Grace: That looked fun! Let me try!

Grace runs to climb the junk pile as Impulse lies on the ground in pain.

Impulse: I’m about as smooth as sandpaper…

Hayze pats Blair on the back.

Hayze: Did you get it all out?

Blair: I think so… please don’t do that again.

Hayze: I’ll try…

Blair: That’s not good enough.

Hayze hops back on the motorcycle and starts typing on the dashboard.

Hayze: (There’s gotta be more to this exam than running for our lives trying to reach the center. That note was super ambiguous, so I’m not sure what criteria we need to pass-)

Mecha-Lion: *howls*

Blair and Hayze look up to see they’re surrounded on all sides by mecha-lions.

Blair: Wh- how did they do that without us noticing?!

Hayze: They’re light on their feet! That’s for sure!

Hayze forms his executioner’s blade from the shadows.

Hayze: Get ready, Blair! This time, we’ll have to fight!

Blair: But my lava is useless against them!

Hayze: Then stay behind me!

The lions slowly encroach on Blair and Hayze.

Hayze: Use your magma armor to protect yourself; I’ll handle them!

Blair: Hayze! You can’t take them on alone!

Hayze: We don’t have much choice!

One of the lions pounces toward Hayze, but he slices it in half with his sword.

Hayze: One down… a lot to go…

Suddenly, a group of mecha-lions is swept away by a wave of Silver.

Hayze and Blair: Huh?

A pink translucent EMP grenade rolls between another set of lions, detonating and disabling them.

Saige: You’re doing the damsel in distress act already, Blair?

Blair: *frustrated grunt*

Hayze and Blair look up to see Saige and Silver on top of a junk pile. They leap down and join the duo.

Saige: Sorry, Hayze, we thought you could use the help.

Blair: Why are you only apologizing to him?!

Saige: Because I wanted to make you mad.

Blair stares at Saige angrily.

Blair: (How do I respond to that…)

Silver: Are you two alright?

Hayze: Yeah, luckily, you got here just in time.

Hayze’s blade fades away.

Silver: (He trusts us completely, even lowering his guard. Why?)

Saige hugs Hayze.

Saige: I missed you, Hayzey! *whispers into his ear* Don’t worry about Silver; I’ll make sure he stays in line.

Hayze nods.

Hayze: I missed you too, Saige…

Saige: Hooray!

Blair: *sighs* So, have you guys run into anyone else?

Silver: No, we left our starting room and didn’t get far before seeing you flying through the air.

Saige: It’s okay, though; we have all the teammates I want!

Blair: Joy…

Hayze: The rules didn’t say we couldn’t work together, so let’s take advantage of that.

Silver hesitates for a moment.

Silver: Right.

Saige: Come on, Blair! Let’s scout ahead!

Blair: Wh- no!

Saige grabs Blair’s hand and drags her along.

Blair: HAYZE! HELP ME!

Silver watches with a concerned expression.

Hayze: I’m glad those two have been getting along so well.

Silver: That’s “getting along well” to you?

Hayze: Is it not?

Silver: I guess I’m trying to understand how you deal with Saige all the time…

Hayze smiles.

Hayze: Blair will never admit it, but Saige is like a sister to her at this point. They might not always see eye to eye, but Blair knows Saige is always looking out for her. That’s who Saige is… she’s got a strange personality and a big heart. You take the good with the bad at a certain point.

Silver: Right…

Hayze gets on his motorcycle.

Hayze: Ready to pass this exam, teammate?

Silver: I- Of course!

Hayze: Then let’s get it.

Walker watches the monitors intently.

Walker: 12 teams have exited the starting area, and two students have already been eliminated. I’d say it’s time for us to “move things up a notch.”

At the center of the junkyard lies a massive pile of scrap that begins shaking.

Walker: Deploy the mecha-rex.