CHAPTER 3: Mindscape

A tall and elegant woman with short, silver-streaked hair, stood from her seat onto the podium. Her presence demanded attention and they gave it. She adjusted the microphone, surveying the crowd before speaking.

"For those who don't know me," she began, her voice smooth and confident, "I am Scarlett Bernadette Dumont." Her name carried weight, and she knew it. 

In her stunning grey dress with golden flower patterns, Scarlett was one of the Four and the leader of Regens House. Jace lingered for a moment in her deep ocean eyes as she continued, her tone both inviting and authoritative.

"We'll be unveiling a revolutionary procedure for this year's candidates and unlike previously, we won't be using the mundane needle test. You'll be stepping into the mindscape.... a shared mental simulation designed to stimulate not only your mutant genes but also test your limits. Both physically and mentally...."

The hall stirred as whispers broke out. 

"A mindscape? How exciting."

"Why did they change it?"

Scarlett smiled, sensing the mixture of excitement and anxiety. "....And to make it more interesting you'll be paired randomly with someone from a different House. Forcing you to rely on your partner to survive the trials. Cooperation is key but so is competition. Only by defeating an opposing pair will the trials end. And...," she added with a smirk, "there's a surprise later you do not want to miss."

Scarlett stepped back to her chair and Arlon stepped back in.

"Give it up for Mrs. Dumont, wonder what she has in store for us. But for now, here are the pairings for this year's procedure...."

A blue screen appeared in front of him, and he read the names, his tone measured.

“Frank Castle and Jake Peralta from Founder and Elite houses…” 

“Elsa Revel and Chance Pinkman from Elite and Regens…”

“Jackson Peralta and Phoebe Thunder from Elite and Glades…”

The murmurs grew louder with every name. The candidates exchanged glances, some with approval, others with obvious frustration. The decision to mix the houses was proving to be challenging in more was than one.

“....Rin Shigaraki and Rita Showerhandle from Regens and Glades…”

The crowd stirred as Rin gave a crooked grin. Shigaraki was a name too familiar with the audience, being recognized as some of the powerful among Regens. Rita on the hand, towered over her, making it look like she could bench press her. 

“Oliver Obed and Adelle Amani from Regens and Founders…”

Jace's stomach dropped as Oilver stared at him, with a menacing grin like he was promising to break him in half. Adele, his partner, folded her arms calmly. As one of the few who lived in Founders but was not born to any of the founding seven families, her talent was undeniable. This was a duo no one wanted to face.

 “.....Hector Cruz and Damian Wallace from Regens and Elite…”

Hector gave a mock bow, his curly hair bouncing as he grinned at Jace. “I’ll try not to embarrass you Damian,” he joked. 

Damian, quiet and brooding, just rolled his eyes.

“Brock Leonard and Felicity Fournier from Glades and Elite…”

Brock, a hulking figure with a scar running across his cheek, cracked his knuckles, while Felicity just smiled, an innocent smile, and said, "Look forward to being your partner."

“And finally,” Arlon concluded, “Michael Griffin and Jace Jamerson from Founder and Regens houses.”

Jace's heart skipped a beat. A mixture of relief and apprehension. The mindscape wouldn't be easy but there's no one he would rather take the challenge with.

Arlon looked at Michael. “Prepare yourselves, candidates. The procedure begins.... NOW.”

JRRMP

JRRMP

Four chairs emerged from the floor, fitted with tubed wires that pulsed like a heartbeat. The operatives from Taskforce X moved with precision in front of them. One by one they strapped the first pair, Brock and Felicity fitting the wires into the nape of their necks with precision. Then, I did the same with the second pair. They were instantly plunged into the mindscape.

Displays floated all throughout the hall, showing what was happening in the mindscape. Basically, it was like the other candidates were watching a film while Brock and Felicity defeated their paired opponents. When they were done, the words, MUTANT TRACE flashed above both their names, meaning they had the mutant gene.

The hall erupted in applause and Arlon's voice echoed congratulating them.

"An excellent demonstration of teamwork. Let's see if the rest of you can match their skill."

One by one, more pairs entered the mindscape. Some had the mutant trace while others didn't,  reflecting NEGATIVE TRACE  above their names in red. Moods shifted from cheers of triumph to murmurs of sympathy and hype as more showcased their skills.

Soon, it was time for Jace and Michael. And their opponents? Oliver and Adelle.

"Relax, Jace. It's just a simulation, nothing we haven't done before."

"Yeah, we got this." Jace nodded, wiping his sweaty hands on his grey shirt.

They approached the chairs, the Taskforce X operatives wasting no time strapping them in. Jace could feel the humming of the wire as it dug into his spine, making vibrations through his entire body. His vision flashed white.

When he opened his eyes, he was standing in an open field under a swirling sky. Ahead of them was a massive stone fortress, its walls alive with shifting symbols in the air. The air cracked with weird energy and the distant sound of percussive drums that echoed ominously.

Though they couldn't see each other yet, Oliver and Adelle were on the sides, already strategizing.

Arlon's voice returned, reverberating in their minds like two overlapping voices.

"Candidates. Your task is to retrieve the relic within the fortress. The first team to secure it wins. Beware, the course is designed with you in mind, testing your fears and weaknesses."

Michael grinned. “Let’s show them what we’ve got.”