Silver returns all of his dust to the canisters.

Silver: So, how are we going to do this?

Wes: Huh? What do you mean?

Calm: He’s referring to the fact that this is a free-for-all, but that’s likely not how this will shake out.

Romeo: Haha! Shake!

Romeo trips and falls on his face.

Romeo: Ow…

Calm: The logical move is for us to work together to defeat a common enemy and turn on each other afterward.

Wes: Okay… so Silver’s our common enemy? That’s fine by me.

Silver: *nasal grunt*

Calm: It depends. Blaze could work with him to defeat us so we could be their common enemy.

Wes: If that’s the case, I don’t think I want to work with you…

Calm: And we haven’t even factored Gavin or Gus in yet.

Gus is writhing in pain on the ground.

Gus: Just… give me a minute… *groans*

Calm: … And we haven’t even factored Gavin in yet.

Gavin laughs.

Gavin: Little did you know, I’M YOUR COMMON ENEMY!

Gavin bends his knees.

Gavin: I’ll fill this whole area with ass gas! Then, I’ll send you all packing!

Wes looks panicked.

Wes: AH! I DON’T WANT THAT!

Calm: (This area is airtight; if he lets loose, we could all be finished!)

Gavin: ASS GAS ASSASSINATION-

Silver: Quicksilver prison!

Suddenly, Silver uses three canisters of silver dust, surrounding Gavin in a dome.

Gavin: *muffled* Oh no!

The muffled sound of a monstrous fart can be heard inside the dome.

Wes: Thanks, Silver…

Silver: You’re welcome, but now you must face a predicament.

Wes: Huh?

Blaze: If we force Silver to move his feet, Gavin will be freed and fry us with his ass gas.

Wes: Oh… right, shit.

Calm: So, we must be cautious with our next move.

Blaze looks around at his competition.

Blaze: (Great, so if I attack Silver, I’ll be attacking myself, but what should I do then? He’s the biggest threat here, and defeating him will… I have to take him down. But how?)

Silver: (Good, now that I’ve blocked them from ganging up on me, I can start picking them off one by one.)

Silver streams another pile of dust from a canister.

Silver: (So, let’s start with the weakest link!)

Silver sends the dust flying towards Romeo.

Wes: What? Why him?

Calm: Because nobody will try to protect him.

Romeo smiles at the wave of dust.

Silver: Dust Demolisher!

Romeo: Hi, Mr. Dust!

Romeo starts spinning like a ballerina and pirouettes around the dust, dodging it.

Silver, Blaze, Calm, and Wes: Huh?!

Romeo: Yeah! They call me the prettiest girl at the ball!

Romeo charges at Silver.

Romeo: AND NOW I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY FOR THAT! AHHHHHHH!

Wes: Oh no! Silver!

Silver blocks with a shield of dust using his final two canisters.

Wes: Oh… right…

Calm: You forgot about that?

Wes: Hey, I forget about my own abilities, sue me.

Romeo punches the wall of dust; his fist and forearm are absorbed by it.

Romeo: Huh?

Silver: I guess it’s time for us to cut the fat from this competition!

Silver repels Romeo with his dust, sending him flying through the air.

Romeo: AHHHHH!

Silver: One down!

Just before Romeo flies off the edge, Blaze intercepts and catches him.

Silver: What?!

Calm: Huh?

Wes: Blaze?

Romeo: Thank you, shiny man!

Blaze places Romeo on the ground.

Silver: Why did you do that?

Blaze: I have my reasons.

Wes looks at Calm.

Wes: /Any ideas?/

Calm: Hm… (Blaze is planning something, but why would he want to keep Romeo? Perhaps the reason I cannot interpret his logic… is because there is none.)

Silver smiles.

Silver: Like father, like son.

Blaze: If you think like that, you’ll end up defeated.

Silver: What does that mean?

Blaze: You’ll find out.

Wes’ eyes narrow.

Wes: (Blaze is right next to the edge… if I shoot him… I can take him out!)

Wes reaches for his Beretta, but it's gone.

Wes: Huh?

Calm checks the ammo in Wes’s gun.

Calm: Only five rounds?

Wes: Wh- WHY DID YOU TAKE MY GUN?!

Calm: You’re not to be trusted.

Wes: Okay… that’s fair.

Calm tucks the gun in the back of his pants.

Calm: (I’m not sure what move I should make. It seems my only choice is to attack Blaze, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Hmm… I guess I could go for option C.)

Calm javelin tosses his Trident through the air.

Silver: Huh?

Blaze: (What’s Calm doing?)

The trident slices through the air towards Gus.

Blaze: Gus! Lookout!

Gus: Huh? AHHHHH!

Suddenly, the trident is caught in midair by Silver’s dust.

Gus: Th- thanks, Silver!

Blaze: *grunts*

Silver: (If Blaze is looking to recruit allies, so will I.)

Silver tosses Calm’s trident aside.

Silver: You’re welcome, Gus.

Calm levitates his trident back to his hand.

Wes: So, uh… what was the point of that?

Calm: To add a new element to the game.

Gus gets to his feet, shaking,

Gus: (They’re wasting no time! I thought they’d try to take each other out before going for me! I need to get out of here!)

Gus exhales a massive cloud of smoke, engulfing himself and most of the area.

Silver: *coughing* Gus?! What the hell?!

Gus ducks beneath a pile of coins.

Blaze: (Now’s my chance!)

Blaze charges at Silver, pulling out his obsidian blade.

Blaze: Take this!

Silver: Huh?!

Blaze attempts to slash Silver, but he blocks using his forearm coated with a silver alloy.

Silver: You’ll have to do better than that, Hayze Jr!

Blaze: Calm! Fire your trident at the sound of my voice!

Calm: Huh?

Wes: Sh- should you do it? That will free Gavin if it works!

Calm: Hm…

Blaze: Just do it!

Without hesitation, Calm chucks his trident at the sound of Blaze’s voice.

Silver: (Dammit!)

Silver and Blaze leap back as the trident slices into the ground between them. This action frees Gavin.

Gavin: HELL YEAH! IT’S ASS GAS TIME!

Blaze: Romeo! Charm Gavin!

Romeo: No! I don’t swing that way!

Blaze: Gavin’s a girl!

Romeo: Oh, well, why didn’t you say so!

Romeo blows a kiss in the direction of Gavin’s voice.

Gavin: ASS GAS-

Gavin gets hit by the kiss, and his eyes change to hearts.

Gavin: I love my Romeo!

The smoke clears.

Blaze: Yes!

Silver: *frustrated grunt* … Well played.

Wes: Awesome! With Gavin incapacitated, we can fight Silver without any problems.

Calm: Not exactly.

Wes: Huh?

Calm: All Silver needs to do to reset the process is hit Romeo just once.

Wes: Oh… right… Forgot about that…

Silver: Yup, and once Gavin finishes pummeling Romeo, I’ll be good to put you all in your place.

Blaze: Then I guess I’ll just have to defeat you before then!

Silver: I’d love to see you try.

Blaze: Then watch me.

Gale cracks his knuckles.

Gale: Alright, boys, let’s get this dance started.

Aaron: With pleasure!

Aaron transforms his right arm into a crossbow.

Gale: Bolts, huh? That’s not like you. *nasal grunt* Got something planned?

Aaron: You’ll see.

Aaron glances at Justus and Tobias.

Aaron: You two better stay out of my line of fire. We’re working together, but I won’t avoid collateral damage.

Justus: Alright.

Tobias: You two fight him together. I’ll stay back and observe for now.

Gale: Ooh, someone’s scared!

Tobias: I’ve defeated you before.

Gale: I think I’d remember that.

Tobias ignores Gale.

Aaron: Man, wasn’t the alliance your idea? Now you’re getting cold feet on helping each other?

Tobias: Who said I’m not helping you?

Aaron stares at Tobias.

Aaron: I think I liked you better when you were just some asshole.

Tobias: That’s fine.

Justus: It’s okay, Aaron. Let’s just fight Gale together.

Aaron: You got it.

Gale: Bring it, bitches!

Justus: With pleasure.

Justus chucks his shield at Gale.

Gale: Seriously? What do you take me for?

Gale creates a Typhoon Boom in his right hand and catches the shield.

Gale: Reverse Revenge!

Gale sends the shield hurling towards Justus, who repels it with a swipe of his arm.

Justus: A fool.

Gale: Huh?

Aaron fires a bolt at it as the shield flies through the air. The arrow bounces off the shield and redirects to Gale, piercing his thigh.

Gale: AHHHH! BITCH!

Aaron: How do you like that?

Gale: Not at all!

Justus: Good, then let’s see if you like this.

Justus uses his rocket boots to burst toward Gale.

Gale: Oh, you think that by limiting my mobility, I’ll be easy prey? Well, you should know better than that!

Milliseconds before Justus’ fist makes contact with Gale’s face, he increases the air resistance around his body, enabling him to dodge the attack.

Gale: I thought you learned your lesson the last time we fought!

Justus: I did.

Gale: Huh?

Aaron fires another bolt into Gale’s upper left arm.

Gale: AHHHH!

Gale falls to his knees in pain.

Aaron: Easily distracted, much?

Gale: *pained grunt* I’m gonna enjoy turning the tables on you clowns.

Justus: I doubt that.

Gale: You’re right. I’m gonna be indifferent because they never should have been on your side in the first place!

Zach watches intently behind the coins.

Zach: (Gale’s gonna get destroyed fighting Aaron and Justus 2-on-1. That’s basically easy mode for guys that powerful. I want to help even the odds, but what are the chances they’ll kick my ass? I’ve lost to Aaron multiple times, and Justus is way stronger than him. Could Gale and I really stand a chance together?)

Zach clenches his fist.

Tobias: (His angst is growing. Either he’ll stay back there forever or make his move soon.)

Tobias grips his cane tightly.

Tobias: (Whichever he decides, I’ll send him flying off this area.)

Gale stands back up.

Gale: Alright, kids… you want the smoke? Well, I’ll make you regret coaxing this flame!

Gale begins channeling more and more air around him to the point where the air currents are visible. The winds hit Aaron and Justus with intensity.

Aaron: *grunts* Going for an ultimate, huh? Well, that won’t defeat me!

Gale: We’ll see about that.

Gale’s eyes turn pure green. Then, the wind’s intensity picks up and bashes into Tobias.

Tobias: (He has to be panicking. Why use an attack this intense so early in the battle? Surely he can’t believe this will defeat all of us.)

The air channeling around Gale shoots out in all directions. This knocks Aaron and Justus off their feet, sending them flying through the air.

Gale: (I’ll take gun boy down first!)

Gale bursts toward Aaron.

Gale: Let’s see how you like it!

Gale rips the bolt out of his arm and stabs it into Aaron’s stomach area.

Gale: And then this! Typhoon Boom!

Gale slams Aaron in the chest with a Typhoon Boom, sending him flying towards the edge of the Earth Area.

Justus: Aaron!

Aaron careens off the area but quickly transforms his arm into a grappling hook and shoots it into the edge, stopping his fall.

Aaron: Nice try… but I don’t go down that easy.

Gale’s attack ceases. He lands on the ground and falls to his hands and knees. Justus smashes into the wall of the area.

Tobias: (An effective move, but it's left him vulnerable.)

Zach: (Gale’s screwed once Justus gets back up! It’s now or never.)

Zach starts to move, and Tobias readies his cane.

Zach: (Wait a second…)

Zach stops.

Tobias: Hm?

Zach: (Tobias… he’s got enhanced hearing. Does he know I’m here? Could that be why he’s been standing aside? If that’s the case…)

Zach extends his claws.

Tobias: (So, he is ready to attack.)

Tobias hears the sound of bone cracking.

Tobias: (Huh?)

He turns to face Zach.

Tobias: (What’s he doing back there?)

He hears a bone snap.

Zach: AHHHHH!

Justus and Gale: Huh?

Zach leaps on top of the coin pile; the middle claw on his right hand is missing the tip.

Justus: Zach? You’re here?

Zach: Yeah! And I’m not backing down from a challenge! Gale, I’m here to help!

Gale: Who are you again?

Zach: Good joke, buddy, but now isn’t the time for humor!

Gale: I wanna say you’re… Jake?

Tobias: (What’s his angle? Why leap out now and like this?)

Zach charges toward Tobias, screeching.

Zach: AHHHHHHH!

Tobias: (Foolish move.)

Tobias prepares to bat Zach down when suddenly something pierces his shoulder.

Tobias: AH! What the hell?

Zach lunges at Tobias, but he quickly dodges to avoid the attack.

Zach: Dang! I was hoping I’d get the follow-up attack, too!

Tobias rips the object from his shoulder.

Tobias: What is this?

Tobias feels the object: It’s the piece of Zach’s missing claw.

Tobias: Huh?

Zach: I knew you were listening closely! I broke that claw off… painfully, knowing the sound would confuse you. Then, I screamed when I charged so you wouldn’t hear the bone flying through the air at you.

Tobias: *frustrated grunt* Clever.

Aaron finishes climbing back onto the area.

Aaron: Hm? When did Zach get here? Wait a second, was he hiding, waiting for us to take each other out? That’s the exact reason I joined the alliance! Hey, Tobias! He’s mine!

Tobias: You already picked your prey.

Aaron: Yeah? And now I want more!

Tobias: *nasal grunt*

Zach: That’s fine! I’ll happily take both of you on!

Tobias: Don’t get cocky, your trick worked, but that won’t happen again.

Zach: We’ll see about that!

Bruno cracks his neck.

Bruno: Tell me, Alec, how will you draw my blood when I’m made of pure diamond?

Alec: I’ll probably try shoving my boot up your ass and seeing if the tip is red after.

Bruno: Very funny. Wrath, stay back. I’ll take point.

Wrath: WE ARE NOT A TEAM!

Alexis taps on Alec’s shoulder.

Alec: What is it, hot stuff?

Alexis: If we’re going to work together, you need to follow my orders, got it?

Alec: What do I get in exchange?

Alexis: Nothing.

Alec: You drive a soft bargain. Fine, what are you thinking, boss?

Alexis: Bruno is a perfect counter to you and Wrath to me. If we’re going to have a shot of beating them, we have to fight each other’s opposite.

Alec: Okay, I’ll target Wrath, no problem.

Alexis: Just follow my lead first.

Wrath is throwing fireballs at Bruno, to no effect.

Bruno: I don’t think this distraction is working, Wrath.

Wrath: JESUS FUCK, SHUT UP!

Alexis begins channeling a swarm of origami birds in the air.

Alec: Huh?

Wrath: What the fuck is she doing?

The birds set ablaze and form a phoenix at the top of the area. Bruno and Wrath look up at the attack and stare at it.

Bruno: (Why?)

Wrath starts laughing.

Wrath: You’re seriously using that move? He’s immune to fire, and I control it! What kind of moron are you-

Alec’s scythe slashes Wrath’s cheek.

Alexis: The type that distracted you.

Bruno: Wrath!

Wrath: *pained grunt* BITCH!

Alec reels in his scythe.

Alec: Nice thinking. An attack so confusing it caught them off guard.

Alexis: You’re welcome.

Wrath wipes the blood off his cheek.

Wrath: So what! I can still take control of your attack and use it against you!

Wrath turns the phoenix around.

Bruno: Wrath! Wait!

Alec ingests Wrath’s blood, and a strange sensation goes over Wrath’s body, but he ignores it.

Wrath: Furious Dance: Phoenix Formation!

The phoenix descends down toward Alexis.

Wrath: HAHA! You're about to be the wasp that stung itself!

Alexis braces for impact, but Alec leaps in front of her.

Wrath: SHIT!

Alec: What were you saying, Mr. Wasp?

Bruno: Don’t worry, Wrath!

Bruno charges in and intercepts the attack, blocking Alec and Alexis.

Alexis, Alec, and Wrath: Huh?

The flames of the phoenix do nothing to Bruno’s diamond skin.

Kevin: Damn… now that’s mind fucky. Wrath reversed Alexis’ attack, but Alec tried reflecting it on Wrath, but then Bruno blocked for everyone, nullifying it outright. Neat.

The attack subsides, and Bruno is left with his back steaming.

Bruno: You need to be careful, Wrath… Alec will do anything to inflict his pain upon you.

Wrath: *frustrated grunt*

Alec: So what? The phoenix may have done nothing, but I can still do this!

Alec pulls out a dagger and attempts to stab his leg, but Bruno punches him quickly, sending Alec tumbling against the ground.

Wrath: AHHHH!

Wrath falls on his ass, holding his nose in pain.

Wrath: You piece of shit! What the hell?!

Bruno: That’s better than a stab wound, my friend!

Wrath: WE’RE NOT FRIENDS!

Bruno: I don’t think you’ll deceive them at this point, Wrath. It’s time to-

Bruno begins getting wrapped up in various papers.

Bruno: What the hell?

Alexis: You shouldn’t have lowered your guard. Now I’ve got you.

Bruno laughs.

Bruno: I just withstood your strongest attack. What makes you believe this paper will restrain me?

Alexis: Who said anything about restraining?

Bruno: Huh?

Alexis leaps back.

Alexis: Detonate!

The papers blow up in a massive explosion, sending Bruno crashing against the area’s wall. His skin is cracked in various spots.

Bruno: *groans*

Wrath: Bruno!

Alexis: I thought you weren’t friends? Why so concerned?

Wrath: Shut up! I’m just making sure I still have a meatshield!

Alexis: Sure…

Wrath ignites a pair of amaryllis fireballs in his hands.

Wrath: You think a few explosions scare me? I’ll show you. I’m going to burn every paper you have to bits!

Kevin: Ooh, that’s exciting!

Wrath: AND ARE WE EVER GOING TO ADDRESS HIM!

Grace bursts toward the trio of girls.

Grace: Eeny, meeny, miny, you!

Grace attempts to punch Blair, but she blocks by coating the impact area with volcanic rock. However, the punch’s force is strong enough to send her slamming into the area wall.

Blair: AH!

Ash: Blair!

Ash attempts to astral project into Grace’s body, but she quickly backflips away.

Grace: Come on, White! You know I’m not that stupid!

Ash returns to her body.

Ash: Sorry… I tried…

Saige: It’s okay.

Saige creates a sniper rifle and loads one of her memory erasure darts.

Saige: Let’s see if a little memory modification will slow her down.

Saige takes aim at Grace.

Grace: Ooh, a needle? YAY!

Saige fires the shot into Grace’s arm.

Grace: Huh?

Ash: How much will she forget?

Saige: Well, if she doesn’t remember the battle royale is going on, we can trick her into-

Grace: Oh, look! A fight!

Grace charges at Saige and punches her in the chest, sending her crashing into the wall next to Blair.

Blair: Ha!

Saige: *pained grunts* I guess you can’t make someone forget they love combat…

Ash: Saige!

Grace gets right behind Ash.

Grace: Hi, White!

Ash: AHHHH!

Ash attempts to punch Grace, but she blocks and grips Ash’s wrist.

Grace: If I feel your body go limp for even a second, I’ll rip your arm out of its socket!

Ash: *pained grunt*

Saige: Blair… help, Ash…

Blair: What about you?

Saige: I don’t have armor, do I? I’m gonna need a minute…

Blair: Right… sorry.

Blair charges toward Ash and Grace.

Blair: (What do I do? If I hit her, she’ll only get stronger!)

Grace continues pressuring Ash’s wrist.

Ash: *pained grunt* (I can’t let her bully me like this! I have to fight back!)

Ash reaches for her hand.

Grace: Ooh, what’s this?

Ash places her hands together.

Ash: Astral Minefield!

Suddenly, an explosion goes off, and Ash and Grace are sent flying in opposite directions.

Grace: *moans*

Blair: Ash!

Impulse gets to his feet and sees Ash flying through the air.

Impulse: I got you!

Impulse speeds to the edge and intercepts Ash, stopping her fall.

Ash: *pained grunt* Thanks.

Impulse: No problem.

Grace gets to her feet, ignoring her injuries.

Grace: NOW THAT WAS A RUSH!

Grace notices Blair.

Grace: And I’m ready for more!

Grace charges toward Blair.

Grace: Give me all you’ve got, T.T!

Blair: (I only have one option!)

Blair coats her entire body in a suit of magma armor.

Blair: Full Magma Jacket!

Grace: Ooh!

Blair bear hugs Grace, restraining her.

Grace: That wasn’t a punch!

Blair: Yeah, that was never my intention!

Blair slowly trudges toward the edge of the area.

Grace: What are you doing?

Blair: I’m going to throw you out of here. You’re too strong now that you’re charged up. This is the only way!

Grace: So, am I strong enough to shatter volcanic rock?

Blair: Huh?

Grace begins forcing herself free of Blair’s hold.

Blair: (Shit!)

Impulse places Ash on the ground.

Impulse: (Shit! It’s my fault Grace is this strong! I’ve gotta do something to stop her!)

Impulse looks up at the area's top and spots a coin dispenser.

Impulse: (I’ve got it!)

Impulse uses lightning speed to run along the area's walls until he reaches the dispenser.

Saige: (Huh? What’s Impulse doing?)

Impulse reaches the coin dispenser and pulls out his power drill.

Impulse: I can bring the lightning, but we need some rain!

Impulse drills open the coin dispenser, causing large coins to shower the Dream Area.

Saige: Huh?

Grace is about to break free of Blair’s hold.

Grace: Nothing can hold me back! We’re going to keep fighting T.T., and when this is over-

Grace gets knocked in the head by a coin.

Grace: Duh…

Grace breaks free and falls to the ground in pain.

Grace: Ow…

Impulse: That’ll make her stronger, but a concussion is a good trade for us!

Blair’s armor shields her from the coin shower but erodes, and she falls to her knees.

Blair: (This… is going to be tough…)

Eve stands up in her seat.

Eve: Kick her ass, Blair and Ash!

Demetri: Jeez, calm down. They’re not even winning…

Eve: Shut up, bitch.

Demetri: Hey!

Eve: Hey, what?

Demetri goes quiet.

Eve: That’s what I thought.

Jace: Things have been super intense so far. Every fight is a brawl.

Isaiah: I know. It almost makes me happy I’m not in there. I’d already be in the water.

Demetri: Really? I’m the opposite.

Isaiah: To which part? Because you’d definitely be soaking wet by now.

Demetri: Shut up.

Hayze is breathing heavily.

Sydney: You have a limited amount of oxygen in that bubble. If you’re going to do something, you’d better do it soon.

Sydney extends her forearm blades.

Sydney: Or else I’ll rip you apart.

Hayze: You’re right.

Hayze creates a crossbow from the shadows and takes aim at Sydney.

Hayze: So, let’s not waste any time.

Hayze fires a shadow bolt at Sydney, but she quickly dodges with high-speed swimming.

Hayze: (She’s like a shark in the water, but faster. I guess I can’t let her get a taste of my blood.)

Sydney swims past Hayze’s shadow bubble, slicing a small hole that briefly allows water to enter, but it quickly seals again.

Sydney: (Well, would you look at that? Maybe I can still drown him after all!)

Hayze: (Trying to take her down with a bolt isn’t going get me anywhere. She’s just too fast. Think, Hayze.)

Ivy looks concerned.

Walker: What’s wrong?

Ivy: Hayze is in trouble.

Walker chuckles.

Ivy: Wh- huh?

Walker: Hayze is fine.

Hayze watches helplessly as Sydney continuously swims past his shadow bubble, slowly slicing more holes and filling his air pocket.

Hayze: (At this rate, I’ll be out of air in less than a minute.)

Hayze goes into deep thought.

Hayze: (Sydney’s quirk forces her to continuously concentrate on filling this area with water. That has to be draining her energy, but is holding out and hoping for her to exhaust really the best plan I have?)

The water has reached Hayze’s waist.

Hayze: (No, the only way to make her drop this flood… is to take away her advantage.)

Hayze takes a deep breath.

Hayze: (I’m not much of a swimmer, but I think I can go about a minute.)

Hayze leaps out of his shadow bubble into the water.

Ivy: (What’s Hayze doing? He’s easy pickings for her now.)

Sydney swiftly swims toward Hayze.

Sydney: I see you came to your senses!

As Sydney is about to slice Hayze, he materializes his executioner’s blade and grabs the hilt. The immense weight of the sword pulls him down like an anchor, allowing him to dodge Sydney’s strike.

Sydney: Huh?

The blade stabs into the area floor.

Sydney: What was the point of that!

Sydney starts swimming towards Hayze again. He smiles.

Hayze: (Now I have a shadow to work with.)

Hayze sinks into the sword’s shadow.

Sydney: No! *frustrated grunt*

Sydney swims up.

Lilith: Wait… I don’t get it. Why isn’t she ripping Hayze’s sword from the ground?

Isaiah: Yeah, if the shadow is gone, he can’t resurface in that area again.

Verity: Who says she wants that?

Isaiah: Huh?

Jace: What do you mean? If she’s alone in that area this early on, she’ll put herself at a major advantage.

Isaiah: Yeah, she could win this thing!

Verity: It would require her to let Hayze go.

Jace: Okay, but he’s super tough! Why would she-

Eve: She doesn’t care about winning the Battle Royale anymore, Jace. The only thing that matters to her… is beating him, which I respect.

Hayze floats around in the shadow world.

Hayze: (She’s waiting for me… she knows I must come out of that shadow.)

Hayze looks around at his other exits.

Hayze: (I could join Blair or Blaze’s fights, but… I promised Sydney a rematch someday. I can’t back down. So, what can I do to stop her oceanic onslaught?)

Hayze’s eyes widen, and he looks down.

Hayze: (That’s it…)

The crowd members get restless.

Crowd Member 1: What the hell is Hayze doing? Why’s he hiding from that girl?

Crowd Member 2: Yeah, didn’t he beat her ass two years ago? What the hell?!

Crowd Member 3: Come on, fight!

The crowd starts booing.

Ivy: They’re seriously turning on him already?

Walker: That’s how people operate. They have a very “what have you done for me lately” attitude, but don’t worry… they’ll change their tunes soon.

Ivy: You’re that certain Hayze will turn this around?

Walker: There’s never been a reason to doubt.

Sydney floats in the water, patiently waiting for Hayze’s return.

Sydney: (You can only hide for so long!)

Suddenly, a pair of shadow hands emerge from the arena edge and attempt to grab Sydney.

Sydney: What?!

Sydney uses her speed to dodge.

Jace: What the hell?!

Isaiah: Sweet, Hayze is on the offensive!

Eve: Yeah… but how?

Isaiah: Hm? What do you mean?

Eve: From my understanding, Hayze can’t attack the outside world when he is inside the shadows.

Lilith: Wait… so that means Hayze resurfaced somewhere?

Jace: Yeah… but where?

Hayze is standing upside down beneath the edge of the Nightmare area, watching the waterfall through the coin dispenser at the bottom of the machine.

Hayze: You can play in the water, Sydney.

Hayze has two shadow hands holding him in place.

Hayze: I’ll chill in the shadows.