Saige: Next up, we have Verity and Wes versus Aaron and Alexis.

Wes: NO! Goddammit…

Aaron laughs loudly.

Verity: We will defeat them.

Wes: How are you so sure?

Flashback to five minutes ago.

Verity: I’ll give you five bucks to take a dive after you finish kicking the shit out of Wes.

Aaron: Deal!

Wes stares at Verity.

Wes: Why… why I ask you… why didn’t you ask him to take a dive before that?!

Verity: Because I only have five dollars.

Wes takes a deep breath.

Wes: Fair enough.

Blair returns to Hayze’s side.

Blair: Did I miss anything?

Hayze: No, Impulse and Grace beat Justus and Ash. It wasn’t too entertaining.

Blair: Looks like we’re up after this one.

Hayze: Yeah…

Blair notices Hayze looking through the crowd.

Blair: Are you looking for someone?

Hayze: Lara took aside some strange girl I met, and now I don’t see them.

Blair: I’m sure everything is fine.

Hayze: Maybe…

Lara grinds her teeth.

Lara: (This woman’s fighting style is like nothing I’ve seen. I know exactly where she’ll strike next, but I can hardly take advantage. The pain she inflicted in her last attack was so immense that I don’t know if I can withstand many more barrages.)

Lara gulps.

Lara: (I must collect my wits… and focus. She is not a powerful opponent, but I’ve allowed her to gain the upper hand. It’s time to reset.)

Lara removes her headphones.

Amour: Hm? What, are you going to try and deafen me again? That’s not gonna work this time.

Lara: No.

Lara chucks the headphones at Amour, who simply steps aside to avoid them.

Amour: Well, that was pathetic.

Lara: My best was not good enough.

Lara bends over on the roof’s railing.

Lara: I submit to you.

Amour: Now, those are some magic words!

Amour walks toward Lara before hearing a step behind her.

Amour: (Someone’s coming!)

Amour flips around and fires a swarm of belts at the rooftop door, but nobody is there.

Amour: Hm?!

Lara grabs Amour and puts her in a chokehold.

Lara: You said you like intelligent fighters? Well, I can accommodate that and then some.

Amour: You’re not as strong as you think, Sugar.

Amour easily breaks free of the hold and throws Lara over her shoulder.

Lara: *pained grunt*

Amour: Now for my prize!

A small blade appears out of the heel of Amour’s High Heels. She stomps on Lara’s butt.

Lara: AHHHHHHH!

Hayze starts to walk away.

Hayze: Screw this… I’m checking on her.

Blair: Where are you going?

Hayze: I have to go with my gut, Blair. I’m sorry if you wanted to win the tournament-

Blair: I don’t care about that! Where are you going without me?!

Hayze smiles.

Hayze: To the roof!

Hayze and Blair exit the gym. Saige notices.

Saige: (Boy, they’re eager.)

Wes is a bloody mess on the ground.

Wes: *groans* He kicked the shit out of me…

Aaron: Literally?

Wes: No… Not yet.

Aaron: Damn, not my best work.

Wes: Why…

Aaron: You’re at a dance, Wes! Don’t be rude to Verity and act like a grumpy douche all night!

Alexis: Well said, Aaron.

Everyone cheers for Aaron and Alexis.

Wes: *groans* How am I the bad guy here?

Aaron and Alexis walk off the stage.

Verity: Congratulations, we’ve made it to the semi-finals.

Wes: Yay…

Saige: Hayze and Blair have left the dance, so we’re moving on to the Final 4!

The crowd cheers.

Saige: Silver, Impulse, and Grace, join me on stage!

Grace turns to Impulse.

Grace: Ready, Pulsey? This is your chance!

Impulse: Yeah…

Thor gets to his feet.

Thor: If you think my own quirk will be my undoing, you’re wrong!

Ozzie: I don’t think anything, mate. I know without your quirk working for you, I’m able to stampede you.

Thor rips off his suit jacket and shirt, revealing his bulging muscles.

Thor: I’ll shatter that glass monster!

Thor lunges toward the Magnidon and punches the beast but to no effect.

Thor: (What?!)

Ozzie: She’s not a monster. The Magnidon is a living, breathing dinosaur. She’s just got a glass quirk, and a prehistoric animal’s skin is much stronger than ours. So, you’re not gonna break her that easily!

Thor leaps back to build distance.

Thor: *frustrated grunt* (I must defeat him!)

Ozzie: Tell me something, mate.

Thor: Hm? What?

Ozzie: You seem to have some honor in you. You didn’t try to ambush me when I chased you, you haven’t taken any cheap shots, and you’re fighting with respect for your opponent. Those aren’t usually the attributes of a bad guy.

Thor scoffs.

Thor: “Bad guy,” huh? That’s only from your perspective. From mine, I’m fighting for a noble cause.

Ozzie: Might I ask what?

Thor closes his eyes.

Thor: My home is barren, impoverished, and falling apart. Crime is rampant… it’s no place to raise a family, but that’s where mine is… I have seven younger brothers and sisters. My mother and I are all they have.

Ozzie: What about your pop?

Thor: He died long ago in a shooting.

Thor clenches his fist.

Thor: My siblings don’t deserve to grow up in a terrible place! They belong somewhere they can be happy and enjoy life to its fullest! But that’s not the case… we barely have any money, and I can only work so hard to support them. So something needed to be done to save my family! That’s when Master Iota arrived and offered me a deal!

Thor flashes back to meeting Iota and Zaire in a Flint alleyway.

Iota: You’re willing to do anything to help your family, correct, Ian?

Thor: Of course.

Iota: Then, join me, and I’ll happily grant your wish.

Thor: How? What could you do to help us? And before you say anything, I don’t want any money.

Iota is curious.

Iota: I wasn’t going to offer any, but may I ask why?

Thor: Money corrupts people, especially those who go from nothing to fortune. I want my family to be happy, but they have to be my family.

Iota: I like you, Thor. That’s why I’m offering you the chance to bring your family everything they deserve and then some through the power of the rings.

Thor stares at Iota.

Thor: You mean the same artifacts that let you kill Colossus? How will they help me?

Iota: Not all of the rings were made for destruction. Some will allow us to make your home a better place. For example, the Alpha Ring would enable us to end political corruption, the Omega Ring would allow me to become the “hero” this city deserves, and The Theta Ring would help you devise your own plan if mine do not suffice.

Thor: Are you serious?

Iota: Yes, if you help me, Thor, I will assist you. Just look at Zaire here; he was nothing before I came into this life, and now he’s on the fast track to making this world a better place.

Thor glances at Zaire.

Thor: What about my family’s well-being right now? If I leave, they’ll be in danger and unable to support themselves.

Iota: Zaire?

Zaire approaches Thor and hands him a set of papers.

Zaire: This is a life insurance policy taken under your name.

Thor: Huh? Why would we need this?

Zaire: We’re prepared to fake your death using the quirk of an Iota Movement member named Wyatt.

Thor: Fake my death?!

Iota: Yes, the money would give your family enough to live off of while you fight for us. It wouldn’t be the scenario you warned me about.

Zaire: The only catch is that you won’t be able to see or visit them until the mission is complete.

Thor stares at the paper.

Iota: I understand if you refuse, so I won’t push you in either direct-

Thor: I’ll do it.

Thor bows down to Iota.

Thor: I’ll do anything to help my family. You can count on me, Iota. I will never betray you.

Iota smiles.

Iota: Welcome aboard.

The flashback ends.

Ozzie: You’re trusting the words of a madman? Are you serious?

Thor: It’s my only choice to give my family a better life. I couldn’t afford to refuse.

Ozzie: I don’t know, mate. Selling out your beliefs isn’t something I’d be proud of.

Thor: I didn’t sell out. Master Iota wants to improve the world, and I’m happy to help him.

Ozzie: But, how are you so sure he’ll hold up his end of your bargain?

Thor: Because I’m an optimist, I’d rather not think about what will happen if he doesn’t.

Ozzie stares at Thor.

Ozzie: Suit yourself! Go, Magnidon! Take him down!

The Magnidon charges down Thor.

Thor: (If I lose to this Aussie, my deal with Master Iota will be off! I CAN’T AFFORD TO BE DEFEATED!)

Thor grabs the Magnidon by the horns, stopping its advance.

Ozzie: Huh?!

Thor begins lifting the Magnidon over his head, eventually tossing it across the mess hall.

Ozzie: AHHHHH!

Ozzie and the Magnidon crash down, causing Ozzie immense pain from his sunburns.

Thor: I… will not… let you win.

Ozzie: *pained grunt*

Ozzie is slow to get up as Thor falls to his knees in exhaustion.

Thor: (One more hit, and he should be down for the count.)

Ozzie starts laughing.

Thor: What’s so funny?!

Ozzie: This match has been a good one, mate. I’m glad I got to fight an opponent as honorable as you.

Thor: Are you admitting defeat?

Ozzie: No, you are!

Ozzie whistles.

Thor: What are you-

Suddenly, Kali bursts through the glass window.

Thor: Is that a fucking tiger?!

Kali begins mauling Thor.

Thor: AHHHHH!

Ozzie: Checkmate, mate.

As Thor is being scratched and clawed, he aims his hand at Kali’s eyes and fires a sunbeam into them.

Kali: *pained roar*

Ozzie: Kali!

Thor gets up and leaves the mess hall as fast as he can.

Thor: (I must escape… I can’t be captured.)

Ozzie: Hey! Get back here!

Fang gets to her feet.

Fang: (This girl has some skills. If I want to take her down, I need to play this smart.)

Fang reverts to normal and takes a deep breath.

Nola: Trying to concentrate?

Fang: No, I’ve already figured out how to defeat you.

Nola: Well, we all like to dream. But I’d enjoy those breaths while you can still take them.

Fang: Huh?

Nola’s clouds turn red and shroud Fang in a thick mist.

Fang: (This again? But the mist is red this time? What does that-)

Fang gags and begins to choke.

Fang: My lungs… they feel like they’re on fire!

Nola emerges from the fog and laughs at Fang.

Nola: Welcome to my poisonous fog! Enjoy feeling your lungs slowly deplete their supply of oxygen.

Fang collapses.

Nola: I’d call you a worthy opponent, but I’m not a lair.

Fang: Funny, I could say the same thing to you.

Nola: Hm?

Fang’s eyes water and turn pure blue.

Fang: Asura Form: Face of Sorrow!

Fang forces herself to stand and starts dancing.

Nola: (How is she on her feet?!)

Nola feels a strange pulsation throughout his body.

Fang: Face my sorrow! Disarming Dance!

Nola’s poisonous fog starts to fade.

Nola: What’s going on?!

Fang: Woe is me… you’ve been caught in my Disarming Dance, so your quirk has been weakened! My lungs may be on fire, but at least it’s not a wildfire!

Fang charges at Nola and punches her in the chest with all four arms.

Nola: *pained grunt*

Nola slams into and tumbles against the ground as her fog clears completely.

Nola: How dare you?!

Fang: How dare I?! This is a fight!

Nola: You’re no match for me, so quiet down and watch me work!

Nola’s clouds surround Fang.

Fang: What’s this? You’re intentionally attacking with a weak quirk?

Nola: “Weak” is in the eye of the beholder.

The clouds change into a pink mist.

Fang: What the?!

Fang’s dance loses its effect.

Nola: My neutralizing fog dispels all active quirk abilities. Which means…

The mist changes to green.

Nola: I can destroy you with my acidic rain!

The rain burns through Fang’s clothes and scorches her skin.

Fang: AHHHHHH!

The rain ceases, leaving Fang writhing in pain on the ground in her underwear. Her skin has many burns.

Nola: Look how pathetic and weak you are. You never stood a chance against me, so I don’t know why you even made an attempt.

Fang: *pained grunt* You sure like to boast about your strength… Does someone have a complex?

Nola: *nasal grunt* If I lose this fight, I lose everything. So, I have to be confident, and I am.

Fang: What do you mean?

Nola: Do you think Master Iota will just let us be captured? No, we cannot reveal his secrets; nobody caught can stay silent forever. So, every fight is for my life.

Fang: Why would you sign on to work for a man like that? You don’t deserve to be used!

Nola: Who says I’m the one being used?

Fang: Huh?

Nola smiles.

Nola: Unlike most of my comrades, I sought out the Iota Movement. I was an ordinary girl, but that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted power and knew Master Iota could give it to me. It only took me a few short months to rise up the ladder and become one of his top lieutenants. So, I will not let you destroy everything I’ve worked for.

Fang: You joined the Iota Movement yourself?! You’re sick!

Nola: No, I’m an elite, and it’s time to prove it by finishing you off!

Nola covers herself in clouds. They form into a muscular-looking humanoid creature with one of Nola's eyes exposed at the head.

Nola: Face the Eye of the Typhoon!

Fang: *grunts* (This isn’t good!)

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Nola bursts toward Fang.

Fang: Face of Joy!

Nola punches Fang in the chest, and the cloud engulfs her with intense winds, slicing her skin. The impact sends Fang crashing into a wall.

Fang: Ow… Hehehe…

Fang coughs up blood.

Nola: You’re still conscious?!

Fang: Ha, My face of joy gives me a higher pain tolerance. It’s all I could do to withstand your strike. *pained grunt*

Nola: Whatever, you can’t stop me. You’re just delaying the inevitable.

Fang bites her lip.

Fang: (I’m gonna pass out… I can’t… hang on…)

Fang starts to black out.

Fang: (There’s gotta be a weakness to her quirk… figure it out…)

As Fang’s vision fades, she looks at Nola approaching her.

Fang: (In this form, she’s like a Natural Disaster… destructive capabilities are impeccable as she controls the very air itself.)

Fang’s eyes widen.

Fang: (Natural Disasters! That’s it!)

Fang blacks out, but she gets to her feet.

Nola: Going down standing? I can respect that.

Fang throws a tantrum, punching the walls surrounding her with each of her arms.

Nola: What are you doing?! Are you trying to simulate an earthquake?!

Fang: Yes!

Nola: Huh?

Suddenly, the ceiling above them collapses.

Nola: WHAT THE HELL?!

The ceiling crumbles down on Fang and Nola, knocking Fang out cold and leaving Nola pinned beneath some debris.

Nola: *pained grunt* Dammit…

Iota laughs.

Iota: Nola, Nola… you have much to learn.

Zaire: What do you want to do, Master?

Iota: Send Johan to help her. It’s time to extract all of them anyway.

Zaire: Right.

Iota: Vince, tell Emile and Amour to head to the rendezvous too.

Vince: Yes, Master.

Emile steps out of Daisuke’s cage.

Emile: I bet you feel stupid now.

Daisuke: It was a slight miscalculation, but every good businessman has a backup plan.

Emile: Hm?

Suddenly, a mounted machine gun turret emerges from the top of the cage and begins firing electrical blasts at Emile’s back, zapping him.

Emile: AHHHHHHH!

Emile falls to his knees in pain.

Emile: *frustrated grunt*

Daisuke: Ceasefire.

The gun turret stops.

Daisuke: I’ll make this easy for you. Give up now or face an electrical charge powerful enough to neutralize an elephant.

Emile: After I told you why I fight for Master Iota… do you really believe I’d choose anything other than the latter?!

Daisuke: Suit yourself.

The gun powers on, but Emile flips around and spits an energy blast at it, destroying the turret.

Emile: You are so cocky! You should have finished me off when-

Daisuke places his hand on Emile’s back.

Daisuke: Why would I finish you when you’re a worthwhile asset?

Emile turns around and shoots an energy blast at Daisuke, but the mogul leaps out of the way.

Emile: (Why didn’t he attack me? He just touched my back… He must have been activating his quirk.)

Daisuke pulls out his phone and dials a number.

Emile: What are you up to?

Daisuke: I’m ordering a pizza. I’m new to America, so I’m trying some new cuisine.

Emile: You’re doing what?!

Daisuke: Is there something wrong? I didn’t get a chance to eat before we left the dance, and I’m sure your friend has cleared the rest of the hors d'oeuvres by now.

Emile clenches his fist.

Emile: Are you mocking me?!

Daisuke: No, I can see your future, and I know this battle will be finished within the next few minutes.

Emile: You’re right… IT WILL!

Emile fires a barrage of energy blasts from his mouth at Daisuke.

Emile: You’re going down!

Daisuke: Unlikely.

Suddenly, a steel wall flies in from the sky and embeds in the ground in front of Daisuke.

Daisuke: Thank you, Matsui.

Emile: Wh- where did that come from?!

Daisuke: Ordering food is a code for Matsui to send me some protection. I foresaw your attack and knew I needed some assistance.

Pizza Guy: *Phone* So… does that mean you don’t want a pie?

Daisuke: No, I’d like to try some of this “Pineapple” Pizza I’ve heard so much debate about.

Emile grinds his teeth.

Emile: You are an annoying gnat!

Daisuke: No.

The steel wall rockets out of the ground and slams into Emile’s chest.

Emile: AHHH!

Daisuke: I’m Daisuke Ohtani.

Emile slams into and tumbles against the ground.

Emile: *pained grunts*

Daisuke: Your ribs are shattered. Give up, or else things will only get more painful.

Emile: NEVER!

Daisuke: That’s an unfortunate response.

Daisuke approaches Emile.

Daisuke: Pick a number from 1,000 to 10,000.

Emile: Wh- why?

Daisuke: Just do it.

Emile: Fine… 9,000.

Daisuke: Thank you.

Daisuke arrives at Emile and steps on his back, causing the Iota grunt immense pain.

Emile: AHHH!

Daisuke: I told you this would happen.

Emile: What was the fucking number for?!

Daisuke: That’s how much I’m going to tip the delivery guy. So, at least you can say you helped someone today because you definitely didn’t do that for yourself.

Emile: Why… you little…

Suddenly, an energy blast like the ones Emile fired whizzes toward Daisuke, but Daisuke dodges by leaping back.

Chuck: Emile!

Emile: Ch- chuck?

Daisuke: (This was unexpected.)

Chuck runs to Emile’s side.

Emile: What are you doing here?

Chuck: They ran out of food.

Emile: Of course…

Chuck: Also, Master Iota wants us to get out of here.

Emile: *frustrated grunt* Fine.

Daisuke: You’re not going anywhere.

Chuck: Oh, yeah? Watch us!

Chuck fires a barrage of energy blasts at the ground, creating a smokescreen that conceals himself and Emile.

Daisuke: *coughs* Matsui! Track them!

Matsui: *earpiece* I can’t see anything through the smoke, sir!

The smoke clears, and Emile and Chuck are gone.

Daisuke: *nasal grunt* A minor setback.

Amour laughs at Lara.

Amour: You scream like a real bitch, sugar. I like that.

Lara: It was a worthy sacrifice…

Amour: Hm? And why’s that?

Lara tases Amour.

Lara: So I could get this!

Amour staggers backward as she’s electrocuted.

Amour: AHHHHHHHH!

Amour falls onto the railing of the roof, writhing in pain.

Amour: You let yourself be humiliated for a shot at me? Mm… I like you.

Lara: I’ll do anything to defeat scum like you. You work for a murderous monster, and I will not let that stand.

Amour: Stand? You mean the thing you can’t do, hon?

Lara: *grunts*

Amour: I may work for Iota, but at least I’m willing to admit I’m a bad girl. How did you find out about my “friends” and me? You had to be sleuthing around somewhere you weren’t supposed to. That’s not very nice now, “Mrs. Hero.”

Lara: Good or bad means nothing to me. I do what is right.

Amour laughs.

Lara: What’s so funny?

Amour: I was only down there briefly, but that was a fun party… Judging by what you’re wearing… You were skipping it until you saw what we were up to. Why?

Lara doesn’t answer.

Amour: Can I guess?

Lara: …

Amour: Something tells me you don’t want people to like you.

Lara: Maybe I just like being alone.

Amour: Maybe that’s because you want it to be your only choice.

Lara: You can stop trying to strike a chord with me. The words of someone who dresses like a whore don’t carry much weight.

Amour smiles.

Amour: What about just a regular whore?

Lara: What?

Amour: I’ve sold my body plenty of times, and I tried to pretend I didn’t have a choice. I was doing what I had to do to survive. But you always have a choice, hon. It took until I met Master Iota that I realized I was punishing myself for nothing. I had value besides being a harlot… I just needed someone who believed that to find me.

Amour pauses.

Amour: I let terrible men do horrible things to me because I felt like I deserved it deep down. So, let me ask you this, girl. What do you think you deserve?

Lara stares at Amour, speechless.

Hayze: *from afar* Lara! Are you up here?!

Amour: Looks like that’s my cue. This was fun, and I would have loved to see how this finished, but I’m not ready to face him for real yet.

Lara: What?

Amour leaps off the roof, and a warp gate opens and intercepts her.

Lara: (She’s strange…)

Hayze and Blair burst onto the roof.

Blair: There she is!

Hayze: Lara! Are you alright?

Lara: Y- yeah… I’m fine. That girl was a member of the Iota Movement.

Blair: What?! Are you serious?! How did she-

Hayze: We’ll ask questions later, Blair. We need to help Lara first.

Blair: Right.

Hayze and Blair run to Lara’s side, but Lara raises her hand.

Lara: Stop, Hayze.

Hayze: Hm? Why, Lara? You look hurt.

Lara: I believe I might be a little exposed… I can’t tell because my posterior is numb.

Hayze: Oh- oh… I’ll… keep my distance.

Blair kneels beside Lara.

Blair: Jesus… She got you good back here… Although… I’m not seeing any other injuries?

Lara: She only hit me in the… behind.

Blair: Wait, what?

Lara: I don’t want to talk about it…

Hayze: Can you stand?

Lara: I’d rather not…

Hayze: Alright, Blair, carry her.

Blair picks up Lara.

Lara: Have the others gotten to you yet?

Hayze: Others?

Saige and Silver spin Impulse and Grace off the stage.

Grace: Pulsey, what was that?! It was like you were hardly trying!

Impulse: Sorry, Grace, I wasn’t really into this whole “event.”

Grace: *sighs* I guess that’s fine; getting thrown on my ass was fun. It really revs the engine for later, you know?

Impulse: Later? What are you bringing a guy back to your dorm?

Grace: Yeah? You.

Impulse: Wh- what?

Grace: Are you serious?! It’s homecoming. It’s basically a requisite!

Impulse: But… I didn’t think you liked me like that!

Grace stares at Impulse.

Grace: I’m a masochist, and you’re a human taser.

Impulse: Okay, I should have put two and two together on that one, but… then why do you always want to help me with Saige?

Grace: I just wanted to be a supportive friend. I didn’t think you liked me that way either.

Impulse: Well… I do. You’re fantastic, Grace.

Grace smiles and blushes.

Grace: Thanks, you too, Impulse.

Impulse: Wait, but then why did you say we were going to this as friends if you were expecting us to… you know?

Grace: Are we not friends?

Impulse stares at Grace.

Impulse: *sighs* Yes, we are, Grace.

Grace: Yay! NOW ZAP ME!

Saige stands triumphantly on stage.

Saige: Next, we have Wes and Verity versus Tara and Gavin!

Wes: *from afar* NOOOOOO!

Gale cracks his knuckles.

Gale: It’s time to end this!

Zach: I agree.

Gale begins channeling more and more air around him to the point where the air currents are visible, and his eyes turn pure green.

Eve: Gale’s not kidding. He’s going for broke.

Calm: Yes, and I’m afraid the chances of Zach surviving this onslaught are low.

Gale smiles.

Gale: You’re done!

Zach: (This is my chance to show how much I’ve grown, and I’m not talking physically this time.)

The air Gale was channeling around himself shoots out in all directions, sending Zach flying backward.

Gale: GALE FORCE WINDS!

Gale glides up to Zach and begins barraging him with a series of punches.

Gale: Tornado Tackle! Hurricane Hammer! Typhoon…

Gale palms Zach, sending him plummeting.

Gale: I WIN- HUH?!

Zach’s bone tail latched onto Gale’s ankle during the latter’s assault.

Zach: No! I do!

Zach launches Gale toward the U.A. swimming pool at a high speed.

Gale: NO! NO! NO! NO!

Gale crashes into the pool with a massive splash.

Lilith: Amazing! How smart of Zach! Gale was falling too fast to glide to safety!

Calm: Yes, he had the perfect counter for Gale’s most decisive attack.

Eve: I thought you said he didn’t stand a chance, smart guy?

Calm: I said his chances were low, not zero.

Zach falls, but he’s off course from hitting the water.

Zach: Oh no!

Daisuke catches Zach, preventing him from slamming into the ground.

Zach: Woah, thanks, man.

Daisuke: No problem.

Gale emerges from the water.

Gale: Great, I’m wet, bleeding, and most annoyingly… I lost… *sighs* I guess I’m alone tonight…

Lilith: Not exactly.

Gale: Huh?

Lilith is offering Gale her hand to help him out of the pool.

Gale: Wh- but… I lost.

Lilith: I know, but… this was really sweet. I can’t believe you care about me so much that you were willing to do all this to win me over.

Gale: Wh- I don’t care about you!

Eve: *from afar* You’re fooling nobody, idiot!

Lilith turns to Zach.

Lilith: Zach, if you don’t mind. I’d like to take Gale to the dance with me.

Daisuke: If the dance is even still going…

Zach: I don’t mind. Gale tried way harder than I did.

Gale: Fuck off!

Zach, Gale, Eve, Lilith, and Calm enter the gym.

Lilith: What’s going on?

Eve: Well, Wes is crying, so we didn’t miss much.

Saige, Silver, Verity, and Wes gather on stage.

Saige: Wow! What an incredible match between Gavin, Tara, Wes, and Verity!

Wes wipes his tears.

Wes: She took so long to disqualify them… GAVIN WAS USING HIS QUIRK THE WHOLE TIME!

Saige: I wasn’t sure if it was regular farting or not.

Wes: THE GAS WAS PINK!

Verity: All that matters is we won.

Wes: You know what that gas does to people, Verity!

Verity: It would have made you more fun?

Wes stares at Verity.

Wes: *sighs* That’s fair… That’s fair…

Saige: It’s time for the final round!

Wes: Yay… Now I get to be humiliated by Saige…

Verity: I wouldn’t count on that.

Saige: Ready to be crowned King and Queen, Silvy?

Silver: Nope.

Saige: Oh, you’re so cute when you’re kidding me!

Silver coats his leg in Silver armor and stomps on Wes’ foot.

Wes: AHHHHHH!

Silver: We’re disqualified.

Saige: Wh- n- no! We were supposed to be King and Queen!

Silver: Too bad.

Saige falls to her knees in defeat.

Silver: And your Queen and “King” are Verity and Wes.

Verity waves to the crowd as Wes writhes in pain.

Wes: I get why you had to do it… BUT WHY COULDN’T YOU HAVE HELD BACK?!

Silver: I needed to be confident we’d be disqualified.

Wes: *sighs*

Blast exits Recovery Girl’s office. Hayze and Blair are standing outside.

Hayze: How are they?

Blast: Everyone will be alright. I wish they had informed security of the situation, but it all ended up okay, and there wasn’t a crisis. So, I’ll let it slide.

Blair: Thanks for being lenient, dad.

Blast: Oh, trust me, they still got an earful from me. They didn’t have a pleasant experience.

Blair: Of course not…

Blast: I must be going. I have to call a meeting tomorrow morning so the teachers and I can discuss our next steps. So do me a favor and keep what happened tonight quiet until then.

Blair: Okay.

Hayze: We will, sir.

Blast glances at Hayze.

Blast: Actually… before I go. Hayze, may I speak to you privately for a moment?

Hayze turns pale.

Hayze: Uh… sure?

Blair: (Oh boy…)

Hayze and Blast walk down the hallway together.

Hayze: Look, sir, I-

Blast: I’ll do the talking.

Hayze: Yup, okay.

Blast: Hayze, I don’t dislike you. I think you’re a good man, and my daughter is smitten with you, so I’m happy you’ve brought more joy to her life. Thank you.

Hayze: I- y- you’re welcome?

Blast: Also, after meeting my future grandson, I can tell you’ll make a wonderful family someday. Be careful, though. Maddox women can be very… feisty. But you know that; you met Blair’s mother after all.

Hayze: Wait… that doesn’t make any sense…

Blast: What doesn’t?

Hayze: Wouldn’t Blair’s mom have had a different last name before you guys got married?

Blast: No, I took her last name.

Hayze’s jaw drops.

Hayze: Wh- what?

Blast: Like I said, Maddox women are feisty. But you’ll learn about that soon enough.

Hayze: What does that mean?

Blast: Soon enough, young man, soon enough.

Blast turns to walk away.

Blast: Oh, and I know I said I liked Blaze, but I'd also like for him to be my only grandchild for a while. *menacing tone* Do you understand me?

Hayze: Yes.

Blast leaves Hayze.

Hayze: (I’m scared.)

Hayze returns Blair.

Hayze: I can’t get a read on your dad.

Blair: Nobody can… except Mom.

Hayze: *under his breath* Oh god…

Blair grabs Hayze’s hand.

Blair: Now, come on… Let’s go back home. The night’s not over… yet.

Blair winks.

Hayze: Well, yeah, it’s only 9:46- Oh…

Blair: Just follow me, dummy.

All of the couples return to their dorms. Aaron walks Alexis to her room.

Alexis: This was fun. Thanks, Aaron.

Aaron: Oh, don’t tell me this is how the night is going to end!

Alexis: Nope, but that depends on your level of effort.

Alexis hands Aaron “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Alexis: Three chapters, and there will be a quiz. 90% or higher, and you get to do anything you want. 70% to 89% is a passing grade. And you know what happens if you get 59% or less.

Aaron gulps.

Aaron: *sighs* Fine…

Alexis: We need to keep your brain cells working. God knows how many you assassinated tonight…

Wrath and Sydney arrive at her room in silence.

Wrath: Well, good night.

Sydney: Cya.

Impulse zooms past the pair, carrying Grace. They enter Grace’s room.

Impulse: Woohoo!

Grace: Start with Blackout Blitzkrieg!

Impulse: Sounds fun!

Wrath and Sydney blush.

Wrath: *sighs* Screw it.

Sydney: What?

Wrath: Look, we both heard those recordings. We want each other, so let’s make this easy. Whatever happens in that room is never to be spoken of.

Sydney: Deal!

Wrath pulls out a coin.

Wrath: Heads, I’m on top. Tails you are.

Sydney: Deal.

Wrath flips heads.

Sydney and Wrath: YES!

Sydney and Wrath stare at each other.

Sydney: Just get in the damn room.

Ash and Justus return to Ash’s room.

Ash: I had a great time with you, Justus. Thanks for going with me.

Justus: I’m glad you did; it was my pleasure. Have a great night.

Justus starts to walk away.

Ash: Where the fuck are you going?

Justus: Wh- hm?

Ash: In my room! Now!

Justus: I- Yes, ma’am.

Ash: You are too big of a gentleman, Justus.

Justus: Sorry.

Ash: I’m getting you a book on dating.

Justus: That would help, thank you.

Eve and Calm enter her room.

Eve: Alright… let’s just get through this.

Calm: Are you not looking forward to our time together?

Eve: You look just like a guy I hate. So, this is a little weird for me.

Calm: I understand that, but I have come prepared.

Eve: What?

Calm reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out a stack of index cards.

Calm: If followed correctly, this plan will help you achieve orgasm anywhere between 10 to 15 times. Logically, it would help to start with cunnilingus as that will allow me to perform longer than-

Eve grabs Calm by the collar.

Eve: JUST START!

Calm: Understood.

Verity drags Wes into his bedroom.

Wes: *sighs* I’m not looking forward to this.

Verity: I can read your mind, Wes.

Wes is silent.

Wes: How much are you reading?

Verity pulls out a strap-on.

Verity: All of it.

Wes: Fuck…

Gale and Lilith enter her room.

Lilith: Be gentle; it’s my first time.

Gale: Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got enough experience for both of us.

Gale smiles.

Gale: Anything you want to try?

Lilith: Yeah… there’s a um… thing I want to use.

Gale: Oh, I love toys. Grab it!

Lilith goes to her closet, turning her back to Gale. He glances at her tramp stamp.

Gale: “Little Slut-” *moans loudly*

Lilith: Uh, Gale?

Hayze and Blair enter the latter’s room.

Blair: No Blaze’s this time, okay?

Hayze: I don’t think Blaze would appreciate his name being used as a synonym for “mistake.”

Blair: Just shut up and get in the room.

Hayze: Yes, ma’am!

Saige and Silver walk through the halls of their dorm together.

Saige: Ah, an entire building of women getting plowed… isn’t it beautiful?

Silver: You’re so weird…

Saige: Care to join them?

Silver: Nope.

Silver starts walking off.

Saige: Seriously?! After you robbed me of being the Queen and got you that suit?!

Silver: *sighs* Fine… As long as you don’t say another word the rest of the night…

Saige smiles and nods.

Silver: I’m gonna regret this…

Demetri and Isaiah sit on the steps to the dorm.

Demetri: Are you going in there?

Isaiah: No way… it’s too depressing.

Wes’ window opens.

Wes: ISAIAH! DEMETRI! HELP ME-

Verity covers Wes’ mouth and drags him back.

Demetri and Isaiah: Lucky bastard…

Thor, Nola, Johan, Chuck, Emile, and Amour return to Iota’s facility.

Zaire: How many did you tag?

Thor: 18.

Nola: 19.

Johan: 40.

Chuck: 4…

Emile: 13.

Amour: 17.

Zaire: 111, well done.

Iota smiles.

Iota: You all did well. Head to the infirmary, Nola, Thor, and Emile. The rest of you can relax after a successful mission.

Everyone departs, leaving just Iota, Zaire, and Vince.

Zaire: 111 hostages minimum is expemplary.

Iota: Yes, especially once you add everyone else we’ll get… when they come.

Iota grasps Daisuke’s tracker.

Iota: Buckle up. This ride’s about to get… bumpy.