6:44 am. Instinctively, Colette's eyes shot open before her alarm could wake her up. Daisy's reaction to her morning routine had now conditioned Colette and as she turned her alarm off she glanced over to Daisy's bed. To her surprise, Daisy wasn't even in the room. She had gotten back in the room after Colette had turned the light off, and it wasn't like her to wake up on time for anything so far. She must really be taking this exam seriously, Colette thought to herself as she looked through her clothes for something athletic.
After building a mound of loosely folded sweaters and jeans, Colette decided on a pair of comfortable leggings with a loose-fitting camp tee she got one summer during high school. She spun around in front of the mirror a bit, unhappy with the aesthetic, and tied a thin jacket around her waist. Finally, she pulled her braids back with a floral headband to help keep her hair out of her eyes now that she'd have to go a bit without her glasses.
Colette fished around in her tote bag for a moment before pulling out a granola bar triumphantly. She snacked on it slowly, swiping through her phone pointlessly. The staff had told them they were working on getting internet to the building over the weekend, while all the students were gone, to make up for the lack of service in the area.
Home, Colette thought idly. The vision of her going home to see her family this weekend made Colette proud that she had made it her. She could feel her cheeks grow warm as they began to glow a faint red. Mom's probably worried sick about me not responding yet, Colette thought, but they warned her about service this first week. She smiled as she thought about how excited her brother would be now that she was actually training to be a hero.
Having finished her breakfast, Colette left her room to fill her water bottle, pulling up a few saved images of warmups she had. A few students she hadn't talked to yet were stretching in the lounge, and through the windows she could see that the snow was continuing to fall. Colette squinted, holding her head away from the phone to view the poses better. She returned to her room and sat down on the floor, taking a sip from her water bottle. The chilled water made her lips tingle but felt satisfying.
Colette's arms shook as she reached for her feet, flexing her toes back in pain trying to get them to reach. She could feel her knees trying to bend to close that gap, and Colette caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, one hand stretching towards her feet as she held her phone way above her head, craning her neck to try and read while she warmed up. Colette burst out laughing at the image and let her body sink to the floor, breathing slowly.
This is just a preliminary exam, she reminded herself. She looked across the room to see Daisy's scattered weights, and cast her gaze back at herself in the mirror. I can't worry about winning considering the competition, Colette thought as she sat herself back up, I just have to show what I'm capable of. Colette took a deep breath, and continued her stretching with determination.
A few hours later, Colette got up from her bed following her post-stretch resting. Due to the demanding nature of the exams, classes following the first day had been cancelled, which also gave time for the professors to adjust the curriculum. Colette had half an hour to get to the gymnasium before the matches began and she emptied her water bottle for the third time as she threw her sneakers on.
Her first match was against D, someone she hadn't seen really do anything so far, making it hard for her to strategize. His Quirk would be really strong if everyone had costumes and equipment, but as it stood she couldn't see any advantage he had. She thought back to the previous evening when he told her that he had a plan. In the lounge, Colette's friends were waiting for her.
"Good morning, friend!" Naturally the first to greet her was Virginia. "I hope that you have rested well for today!" Colette gave a nervous smile back to her friend, anxious for the exam to come. Her brain was fogged over by the thought of fighting any of her classmates, drowning out the conversation her friends had around her on their way to the gym.
If I have to fight Daisy, I'll be destroyed, or Faith for that matter. How could I handle fighting my friends, like Rusty or Virginia, who have only been nice to me? Thoughts raced through Colette's head like cars on a track, repeating themselves as they accelerated. Everything came to a break when a hand grabbed Colette's shoulder.
"You alright?" Colette looked up to see Rusty standing directly in front of her. Had she really been that out of it that she couldn't notice? "Don't you worry a thing about Daisy, I'll clobber her for ya!" Colette gave an unconvincing half smile back, the whole group looking at her now. She didn't believe Rusty stood a chance.
Even if you do beat her, then you'll just beat me next, Colette thought to herself bitterly, remembering how quick he was to rush away after helping her on the first exam. Colette could tell she was bringing everyone around her down, and sheepishly she rubbed her arm.
"I'm fine, just nervous," Colette bluffed to try and take the attention off her, "I don't have much experience in fights is all." While her companions didn't seem convinced, they decided to leave the topic alone, continuing on to the gym while slowly resuming their conversations.
All the students had been seated on the gymnasium bleachers, raised well above the floor where the fighting would occur. In the old commentary box close to the ground the exam proctors, Armoraider and Miss Solar, sat for analysis of the fights and to call the battles when needed.
"Attention, future heroes!" Solar's voice boomed over the gym's intercom. "I'm overjoyed to see that everyone has made it to the exam station, and on time for that matter! Some of you may have questions about how the tournament will proceed. For explanation, I turn to my colleague Armoraider, if you would." After the sound of the other microphone clicking on and some shuffling of papers, Armoraider gave out a gruff description of the rules.
"First rule, don't kill each other. Each combatant's job is to make the opponent forfeit. Second rule, if a fight gets too violent Miss Solar or I will call the fight to prevent injury. Third, Miss Solar will get the students before their fight." After these three rules, there was an awkward silence before Solar's microphone kicked back on.
"I'd like to expand upon the point of this exam before we begin. While every student's goal is to win and prove they are capable in a fight, Armoraider and I aren't just looking for victories. We will be considering each individual student's approach to a fight. What tactics you use, how well you can analyze your opponent, and the fighting spirit each one of you brings to combat will all be considered along with the outcome of the battles. I will also remind everyone that these exams won't affect your class grades, we just need a pedagogical baseline for our classes. WIth that said-" Miss Solar was interrupted from her monologue by Armoraider.
"First fight will be between D and Colette." Colette recoiled after hearing her name, knowing she was up first. Virginia turned to her with a smile on her face.
"Colette, do not worry! You will do great!" Colette gave another weak smile, unable to see a bright side to this exam for her. Sensing the dread off her friend, Virginia's face grew determined. "If the exam brings us to face each other, I am sure the fight will be fun!" Some of the day's miasma lifted from Virginia's words, but before Colette could respond Miss Solar had approached her.
"Come along, Colette, D, time for the exam." Colette got up, as did her opponent a few seats down from them. "I appreciate you two sitting next to each other, helps speed this process along," Solar told the two as she led them from the bleachers to the floor. "Now, I trust this won't be an issue for you two but keep the fights clean, okay?" Colette's heart pounded in her chest as her first real fight of her life was about to begin. D finally spoke up.
"Villains won't keep a fight clean, though, will they?" D's tone came off as belligerent towards his professor, yet still apathetic. "A villain will use every option at their disposal, so a clean fight won't train us for anything meaningful."
"An astute observation, D, however," Miss Solar held a single finger up for her miniature lecture, "even against the toughest odds, a pro hero must stick to the rules laid out for them. Now," Solar held a hand forward, "head forward to start the exam. If you wish to discuss this matter later you can visit my office for a one-on-one talk. Best of luck to both of you, and show us what you're made of! Armoraider will start the fight once I've returned to the box." As Solar left the two, D's question had left Colette even more nervous. What did he have planned for this fight?
"May the best hero win," D told Colette in an almost mocking tone as the two went to their opposite sides of the ring. A few moments later, which felt like an eternity to Colette, the intercom turned back on.
"Both combatants have taken their spots," Armoraider began abruptly. "Begin." Unsure of how to start a fight, Colette uneasily lifted her fists in front of her face, waiting for D to make the first move. D took a few exaggerated steps towards Colette, his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans. Why jeans to a fight? Colette questioned to herself, unless he has something in his pockets? Colette steeled herself as D walked menacingly forward, stooped over with his hair obscuring his face. As he got to the middle of the arena, Colette's opponent suddenly stopped, standing motionless for a few moments. D peered up at Colette over the top of his glasses, a confident grin spreading across his face.
"I surrender!" D's hands shot from his pockets straight into the air above him. "I've been bested by the almighty Colette, the battle is lost!" D looked directly to the side facing the professors as he spoke this, barely acknowledging his opponent. He spoke with an impressive bravado given the situation. Colette found herself upset as her fists dropped slightly.
"Are…" Colette began to speak, struggling to express herself, "are you mocking me?" Colette knew she shouldn't let it get to her, given that the thought of fighting her classmates made her knees weak. Still, she found her heart skewered by a feeling of betrayal and disrespect. Colette had prepared herself all morning for this, and D robbed the experience of her first combat from her for the theatrics of his forfeit. D looked over his shoulder at her.
"No, see, you've got it all wrong," D lowered one hand as he explained himself to her, keeping his other hand in the air for his surrender. "This isn't anything between us, it's just this is a pointless exam. I'm refusing to participate in it because it's unfair to people with Quirks like ours." He gestured between himself and Colette as he said this. "We can't stand up to people like Daisy or Faith in combat. That's just the facts."
"Just because you're scared to fight doesn't mean I can't," Colette said with an amount of anger that surprised even her. She couldn't even come up with a good ending to her thought, just finding herself hurt by his words. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence as neither fighter knew what to say, the intercom broke the tension.
"Well, that was, uh, certainly a civil first fight for the exam!" Miss Solar's voice betrayed the fact that she had no idea how to handle a situation like this. "Yes, well, sometimes in hero work, it's important to know one's limits in combat, and cutting your losses for another day can prove-"
"D forfeits the match, Colette will move on to the next round." Armoraider cut Miss Solar off mid-sentence, mercifully ending her attempt to turn the discomfort into a lesson for the students.
"Yes, of course," Miss Solar cleared her throat before continuing. "Congratulations to Colette for moving forward, best of luck for D in the future. I'll be down shortly to escort you back to the bleachers." Solar left the commentary box and headed down to the floor to retrieve the students.
"Next combatants will be Zeke and Daisy." Armoraider alerted the next two with the reserved stoicism he was known for. "Please wait for Miss Solar to bring you down." As Miss Solar escorted the duo, she gave them generally supporting remarks, but neither youth said anything as they were brought back to their seats. As soon as Miss Solar had pulled Rusty away and began heading over to where Daisy had isolated herself, D turned to Colette.
"You have to understand, I know the kind of devastation a strong villain can bring in a fight. I'm not saying you can't fight, but you'll have to back down at some point. I'm choosing to do that here and now, my Quirk is perfect for a supporting pro, not for villain suppression." As D rambled on, defending his actions to Colette, she just looked at him, dejected.
"Please, D, please let Colette rest for her next fight," Virginia, who was seated between the two, spoke up in an earnest attempt to defuse the situation. D shrugged, slumping back in his seat as he scoffed. Virginia put a hand on Colette's shoulder and smiled. Colette managed a weak smile back before looking down at her still clenched fists.
"Alright, both of you. Please don't let the outcome of the last fight deter you from trying your best," Miss Solar told Daisy and Zeke on the gym floor. Daisy's general disinterest was matched by the carefree nature of her opponent, who was wearing a baggy shirt and basketball shorts. "Remember the spirit of sportsmanship and being a hero, I want a clean fight out there."
"Oh, I'll try," Zeke quipped back with a wide grin as he stretched his arms behind himself. Daisy glared at him, wondering what tricks were going through her opponent's mind. As the two head out to their respective corners, Daisy cracked her knuckles before stretching her arms.
The other students haven't been showing off their Quirks as much yet, Daisy thought to herself, eyeing her foe down. Zeke was doing some loose stretches on the other side of the floor. They probably think they've got the edge on me, like they know what I can do.
"Begin." Armoraider's single word set the fight into motion. WIthout hesitation, Daisy began sprinting straight for Zeke who simply looked back at her with a smile as he raised his hands.
If I don't know what he can do I just have to take him out before he can do anything, Daisy thought to herself. I'll break through everyone in my way and prove I deserve to be here. Daisy's left arm went stiff, and she winced at the pins and needles she got as it crystallized from her elbow down to her closed fist, ready to knock Zeke out of the competition. As she approached, Zeke pointed his hands forward and Daisy found herself blown backwards by a dark cloud rushing from her opponent.
Daisy caught herself from falling completely with her hardened arm, pivoting around it to stay on her feet. At first she couldn't tell what Zeke had conjured but she quickly felt irritation deep in her lungs. Barely staying upright, Daisy found herself coughing uncontrollably for a few seconds. She looked back up at Zeke through tears in her eyes as that dark cloud swirled around him. As Daisy's nose began to run she swiped at it with her forearm. Of course it had to be dust.
ZEKE GILES
QUIRK: DUST
Zeke's Quirk allows him to control the dust around him with incredible prowess! This also works on other particles as well, like sand or flour!
"I figured my Quirk would throw you off but it looks like you've got some serious allergies too!" Zeke taunted Daisy with a smile, raising a hand as dust swirled up and around his fingers. As Daisy got back up and prepared to rush Zeke down again, she was struck once more, this time from behind. She threw her elbow over her face as the force of the dust knocked her forward.
No good, Daisy thought to herself, struggling to hear her own thoughts over her allergies. I can't get to him like this- Her thoughts were interrupted as another cloud of dust came soaring towards her head, forcing her to close her eyes. With her feet planted, she managed to keep herself upright this time, but there was no way to approach him while staying this defensive.
"Flashy Quirks are great and all, but at the end of the day it's about versatility," Zeke gloated, enjoying the upper hand. "A powerful Quirk is only good if you can land it, and that's where I have you beat!" He prepared another cloud for a strike to emphasize and as it came flying at Daisy she leapt out of the way, landing hard on her side. Zeke pulled his hand back and the dust returned, tearing past Daisy and rolling her across the floor. Even covering her face, the dust was still finding its way into Daisy, continuing to aggravate her allergies. With a break between Zeke's attacks, Daisy managed to stand herself back off, sneezing painfully as she did so.
I can't keep playing defensive, his range is too much for that, Daisy thought as she shivered. She watched Zeke carefully, gritting her teeth, as he spun his hand around and dust accreted around it. That's it, that's my opening.
"With every moment that passes you get weaker and I've yet to take a single hit, you should forfeit now before the professors call the fight off for you." Zeke punctuated his sentence by aiming his fingers forward, the dust leaping from him towards Daisy. To Zeke's surprise, Daisy leapt into action and charged directly at Zeke and his oncoming attack. "What-!" Zeke stuttered and jumped to the side, frantically spinning his hand to reclaim some dust.
Daisy could barely see or hear anything as she rushed forward, and as Daisy broke through the dust attack her crystallized face had a permanent grimace chiseled into it. Now! Daisy's face returned to normal as she gasped for air, but without a moment of hesitation she turned her sights to the retreating Zeke as her arm turned to diamond. She threw a heavy punch straight towards him, barely missing as he fell over and launched another dust attack at her. Daisy's arm lost its luster as her Quirk moved back to her face quickly, allowing the dust to pass over her harmlessly. Daisy lifted a leg, which turned to diamond as her face reverted. Daisy only said two words before dropping her leg into Zeke's back.
"Shut up!" The impact dropped Zeke to the ground, where Daisy had him pinned under foot. Zeke struggled for a moment, trying to pull himself out from under her to no avail. Finally, Zeke surrendered the fight.
"Zeke forfeits, Daisy will continue on." Despite her victory, Daisy's lungs were screaming and her eyes were full of tears. She'd expected a challenge when she was admitted to this school, but her first proper fight already had her on her toes. Miss Solar walked down to retrieve them.
"Excellent job on your victory, Daisy. I'm pleased to see you taking the curriculum more seriously now." Solar placed a powerful hand on each student's shoulder, and Daisy found herself too winded to respond meaningfully. "Zeke, you may have lost but you can still take this as a positive experience for learning moving forward," Zeke had a defeated, but genuine, smile as Solar critiqued him. "For instance, focus on analyzing your opponent rather than taunting them, don't distract yourself-" Daisy interrupted Miss Solar as she caught her breath.
"He wasn't taunting me," Daisy said, taking another deep breath before continuing. "He was stalling. His attacks, they take time to come off. If he'd shut his mouth during the match it would have been obvious. He talks between attacks to distract from his hand motions." Daisy went to head back up to the bleachers, only to be pulled back by her professor.
"Well, you've got a sharper eye for your classmates than you'd like everyone to believe, wouldn't you?" Solar turned her incandescent head towards Zeke. "Is this true?" Zeke gave a casual shrug and nodded his head.
"I can only control dust, not make it, so it takes some time to actually bring it to me." Zeke looked past Miss Solar and over to Daisy, whose back was still turned to them. "No hard feelings about anything I said during the fight, okay? You're wicked strong and I shouldn't have underestimated you."
"Whatever, can I go back to my seat now?" Daisy didn't wait for a response before climbing up the stairs. She passed her brashness off as her usual ambivalence, but in reality she was exhausted from the fight and needed to rest.
"Next fight will be between Al and Auden." Colette watched her roommate return to her solitary seating as Armoraider announced the next two students. Even from a distance Colette could tell that the fight had taken a lot out of her.
"Y'see that? She acts tough, but even in her first fight she's struggling," Rusty told his friends. "And 'sides, she'll be all tuckered out by the time our fight rolls around, then BAM!" Rusty slammed his fist into his claw for emphasis, "I'll be movin' on to the next round!" While Virginia laughed, Colette found herself unconvinced as she stared across the bleachers at Daisy, stretching in her seat as she watched the gymnasium floor intently.
There, the two competitors had stood across the floor from each other. One was the drawing boy that Colette recognized from the first exam, who glided across the ravine. His modest physique was made even less assuming by his opponent, a refrigerator of a man who had removed his shirt for the fight.
"I think you're just telling yourself this to make you feel better about your fight," D replied, voicing his lack of faith in Rusty's abilities. "The only reason Daisy had any problem in that fight is because of Zeke's range, if she can't get in close to you, she can't win. And unless you've been holding out on us on your abilities…?"
"Naw, but, like, I'm real tough though!" Rusty said bashfully before striking his armored skin with his hand to show. "I can go mano y mano with her just fine!" His emphasis sounded painfully out of place for him as he enunciated the Spanish. D placed a finger to the bridge of his glasses as he looked Rusty up and down.
"Last time I checked, diamond was harder than lobster, am I wrong?" D shot back.
The two of them were so deep in conversation they hadn't even heard Armoraider announce the fight, or perhaps they didn't care. The fight looked to be utterly one-sided even before Quirks. Colette watched as the smaller student, Auden, immediately dropped to the floor and pulled a pencil from behind his ear. He kept an eye on his opponent, Al, who was currently also hunched over on the floor, seemingly in pain. Furiously, Auden began scribbling on the floor with the pencil, difficult to see against the dark tiles.
Meanwhile, on the other side Al had begun growing in size, and sprouting dark grey hair all across his body. His face had gone bestial, a cross between a wolf and a bear, which became noticeable as his head snapped up to stare at Auden. Interestingly, Al's back half seemed mostly unchanged, with his most dramatic transformation being from the waist-up. With a chilling howl, Al charged at Auden on all fours, his now giant claws scratching against the gym floor. Within a moment Al was directly in front of Auden, bringing a crushing claw down. Auden leapt to the side, grabbing something off the floor.
ALBERT EISENSCHMIDT
QUIRK: LYCANTHROPE
Al's Quirk gives him the ability to transform into a monstrous beast! The size and power of the transformation depends on the moon's phase! Unfortunately, his intelligence suffers with the moon phase as well.
Auden recovered as Al pivoted to face him, and it was clear that he was now holding a crude sword made from the very floor of the gym. Auden swung the sword around dramatically, throwing out a single two-handed slash before bringing the weapon back up in a defensive stance.
AUDEN CASTLE
QUIRK: ILLUSTRATOR
Auden can illustrate objects into reality using his Quirk! The object is made of whatever Auden draws on, and the quality of the picture affects the quality of the object.
Al whirled around with great ferocity, the sword barely missing his massive torso. With a snarl, he managed to force Auden back even further, and as the smaller of the two students dodged backwards he took a second two-handed swipe at Al. While Al's fur was nicked by the attack, he looked entirely unphased, and with a single backhanded strike sent the sword flying from Auden's hands. Auden fell back onto the floor following the attack, getting up with his hands raised and surrendering.
"Auden forfeits, Al will continue on." It had been a fast battle, given how intimidating Al's Quirk was, and Colette watched the victor shake Auden's hand as Miss Solar walked onto the floor to collect them. Across the bleachers, Daisy shifted as the fight came to an end.
"Aw shoot, that Quirk kicks ass!" Rusty was clearly impressed by Al's abilities. "Did y'all see how big he got?" Rusty was waving his hands aggressively as he raved on about Al. "And the way he shook his enemy's hand afterwards," Rusty put his claw to his chest with an exaggerated emotional look. "So heroic!"
"Sure he's big, but that's a one-note Quirk, even if that note is exceptionally strong." Naturally, D had something contrarian to say back. "The other Quirk, Auden's, seems much more impressive. Making weapons out of the floor? With the proper prep he would be unstoppable, he only lost because they started the fight at the same time." As her friends bickered, Colette wondered if she was watching these fights wrong. She wasn't getting any tactical take-away, she felt, instead just realizing how impressive all her classmates' abilities were.
"Next, Virginia and Tessa." D and Rusty put their bickering on hold as the group turned towards Virginia.
"Show 'em who's boss!" shouted Rusty, lifting a fist in the air. As Miss Solar returned to the group once more, Virginia turned to her friends with a beaming smile, her hands pressed together.
"Wish me good luck, everyone!" As Solar took Virginia over to get Tessa, Colette felt her spirits lifted slightly by her friend's positivity. She wasn't as cynical as D, or as competitive as Rusty. Virginia didn't leave her frightened in the same way Daisy or Al did, and as she skipped down to the floor of the gym she looked like she was just ready to have fun.
As Miss Solar left the two to head out to the gymnasium floor, Virginia stared up at her friends, primarily Colette who had been crestfallen for most of the week since they had arrived. Virginia couldn't stand to see her friends upset, so she knew she had to give an inspiring performance. Colette continued to look worried as Virginia took to her side of the floor, so she gave Colette a thumbs up with both hands raised high in the air. Virginia's competitor, Tessa, was a girl with gaudily colored hair and loose clothes. She scratched her head and smiled coyly at Virginia.
"So, only a few days and you've already got a crush, huh?" Tessa teased Virginia, who opened her mouth to respond but was cut off. "So, who is? Lobster, glasses, or the creep?" Virginia tried once more to respond, only to be interrupted yet again. "I"m just messing with ya, relax!" Virginia found herself flustered, though she wasn't sure if it was from the constant interruptions or if there was some truth in what her opponent said.
That is her plan! Virginia thought to herself. She is trying to distract me from the fight. I have to focus so that I may beat her and help cheer-
"Begin." Armoraider's droning voice broke Virginia's train of thought, and before she could make a move of her own Tessa had leapt forward with a wild expression on her face. Virginia brought her arms up in front of her face, preparing to block whatever attack Tessa through at her. Her hands sparked as she leapt, bringing them straight down on the gym floor. A wave of electricity crawled quickly along the floor around Tessa, striking Virginia before she could react.
TESSA NICHOLSON
QUIRK: SHOCKWAVE
Whenever Tessa strikes a surface with her hands, she can generate an electrical shockwave. The harder the impact the farther the shockwave will travel!
Virginia stumbled backwards from the shock, reeling as her fur was scorched by the move and her skin began to tingle unbearably. She'd never been electrocuted before, and her muscles tightened immediately, locking her from moving out of danger no matter how much her mind pleaded with her body. A saccharine smell alarmed Virginia as she stared helplessly at Tessa. Her opponent was now bearing down on her again, palms lit with the sparks from her Quirk. From the corner of her eyes, Virginia spotted Colette, who was now on the edge of her seat watching the fight.
No, Virginia thought to herself with a newfound clarity, focusing her attention entirely on Tessa. Her body was still entirely locked up from the blow, but her mind was forming a plan regardless. This is my fight, she thought to herself as she managed to take the reins of one part of her body. I will not just impress Colette, I will prove to every student and professor that I should be at this school. As Tessa's open palms flew towards Virginia, she used all her strength to fully reveal her Quirk. A massive set of moth-like wings unfolded from her back, covered in a bright green pigment matching her fur. The small audience gave gasps at the first sight of these wings, which had managed to unfold to a size even greater than Virginia herself. Colette's mouth was left open, her anxiety for her friend instantly melting to amazement. Even D looked at a loss for words.
Tessa seemed to find herself shocked by the sudden display as well, though she hesitated only for a moment before sending her hands square against Virginia. More electrical pulses surged through Virginia's body, numbing her wholly. The impact also sent Virginia back, falling from her feet as students gasped, Colette chief among them. Even after the impact Virginia continued to dazzle her peers as a flurry of sparkling scales burst from her wings as she fell backwards, coating her opponent. Virginia laid on the gymnasium floor, trembling as she struggled to regain control of her body, while Tessa found her own limbs growing weaker and weaker.
VIRGINIA MYERS
QUIRK: MOTH
Virginia's Quirk grants her some truly incredible moth-like abilities. Her compound eyes give her excellent vision, her beautiful wings allow her flight through the air, and the scales her wings create can produce potent effects!
The crowd was silent as they watched the two combatants struggle to maintain their composure. Virginia had managed to wedge her hands beneath her body, shaking as she lifted herself from the gym floor. Opposite to her, Tessa seemed to be going through the reverse process. She wiped at her eyes with her forearm as her knees trembled from the toxic scales, punctuated by a flurry of sneezes. Colette watched on from the stands among her peers, silently cheering her friend on. Colette's support became audible as Virginia finally got back to her feet, giving a timid clap with a whisper of yes!
Virginia shook her head and took a few labored steps towards her opponent. Tessa quit rubbing her face, her eyes now filled with irritating tears. Still shaking, Tessa put her arms up, ready to defend herself. Every trace of her carefree nature was now absent from Tessa's face as Virginia's pace quickened. Both battered combatants were eager for the end of the fight, but neither were willing to give in. Virginia bore down on Tessa who threw out an electrified palm in response, eyes closed as she braced herself for a counter.
Tessa's attack struck nothing but air, and as she opened her eyes from the surprise she joined her awestruck classmates as Virginia cut through the air on her wings. Tessa dropped her hands in resignation, unable to hit her opponent as long as she stayed in the air. Virginia looped around the gymnasium gracefully before fluttering in place above Tessa. Before Virginia could release another poisonous payload, Tessa lifted her hands above her head.
"Alright, I surrender," Tessa said between heavy breaths, though there was an underlying tone of relief in her voice. Virginia landed carefully on her feet next to Tessa, legs shaking, before taking a deep breath and falling onto her back in exhaustion. Tessa dropped down onto her butt as she regained her breath and dried her eyes. "Good work," she congratulated Virginia plainly. From her prone position, Virginia held up her hand, thumb extended.
"Thank you, Tessa. You were a commendable combatant as well!" Virginia tried to maintain her upbeat voice but her gasping lungs made it difficult. As sore as she was, Virginia felt a surge of joy move through her body as the few dozen students in the room applauded for the victory. Virginia applied to the school so that she might assist other heroes, seeing herself as a supporting role. However, here, in the spotlight, Virginia felt a renewed passion to become a hero. Virginia found herself gleefully laughing as Miss Solar and Armoraider came out onto the floor to help the two students back up.
"That was amazing! Who knew she had that in her?" Up in the bleachers, Starr raved on about her roommate's performance. "We've been sleeping in the same room and she kept this a secret from me?"
"Man, how come she gets them pretty wings and I'm stuck looking like someone ran a penny through a… through a…" Everyone turned to look at Rusty as he struggled with his metaphor. Embarrassed by the attention he was now receiving, he scratched the back of his head. "I don't know, man, like a penny-eating machine or something. I'm stuck as a seafood dinner and she gets to fly around as a fairy, I'm jealous." Everyone started laughing. "Hey, what's wrong with wantin' to be a fairy?"
Colette felt her admiration for Virginia stirring inside as she and her friends celebrated Virginia's victory. But do I really like her, Virginia began internally questioning herself, or is it just because she was nice to me? Before Colette could further her questioning, Miss Solar's voice boomed over the intercom.
"And with the conclusion to that thrilling bout, we will move onto our next pairing! Please come down to the floor, uh…" The sound of shuffling paper could be heard before Armoraider's gruff voice came back over the speaker.
"Faith, Eppler, you're next."