Hiro Cheers On His New Classmates (1 of 2)

Hiro arrives in an air car at a sports field featuring a raised central platform area, encompassed by six, 10-meter diameter circles. Each circle is sunken and spaced 50 meters apart, blocking each from view of the others. He lands near one of the two groups of people on the field and disembarks. There are 2 rows of individuals, and he is surprised to see all his instructors present in the first row.

Hiro, surprised and excited: "Master Chao, Master Laetus, Master Dulcia, Master Ali, Master Ordo, and Un... ummm Commander. What are all of you doing here?!"

Commander, matter of factly: "We're your instructors and this is your first day of class, why shouldn't we be here?"

Hiro, accusatorily: "But why didn't you tell me?"

Dulcia and Laetus move in a flash to either side of Hiro, and strike aggressive poses.

Dulcia, singing forcefully: "Impertinence, how dare you question the Commander?"

Laetus: "As distasteful as it is, I must agree with Dulcia, this just won't do."

Commander, chastising: "Dulcia, Laetus, I can handle a new student without your assistance."

Dulcia and Laetus, admonished: "Yes sir", as they slump back to their original spots in the row.

Commander: "To answer your question Hiro, it would have been premature to get into these details prior to your admission. Based on the way your first 5 matches went, it wasn't clear you would gain admittance."

Hiro, head down: "Awwww." 

Hiro then reverses his downcast mood, lifts his head up, and gets excited again.

Hiro: "This is incredible, so exciting!"

Commander: "Now, to meet your new classmates."

The instructors row parts and the second row steps up to reveal the battle challenge opponents Hiro recently faced.

Hiro: "Wow, this just keeps getting better." Hiro is rocking/dancing from side to side with a toothy grin. "Acies, Sloth, Terridus, Artifice, Parvul, Potesta!"

Potesta, turns her head to the side in disgust: "Hmmmpfff."

Sloth continues to snore, head down. Acies has a predatory, broad grin on his face. Terridus and Parvul blush. Artifice stares straight into his eyes.

Commander: "You'll have time to get re-acquainted later. Hiro, you've arrived at an opportune time. Our class, Omega, is going up against a rival class, Gamma, in six simultaneous, head-to-head Alliance contests. But before we proceed, Terridus, can you explain to Hiro what the Path of the Shield means to you?"

Terridus: "It's a pledge by Alliance members to work together to defend those in need of protection."

Commander: "Well said Terridus. Now, let's begin. The rules are simple – get your opponent outside of your circle perimeter. Students, please accompany your instructors to your assigned arena. Hiro, you can observe through monitors at the raised area at the center of the arenas."

Commander/Acies, Chao/Sloth, Laetus/Terridus, Dulcia/Artifice, Ali/Parvul, Ordo/Potesta proceed to their respective arenas, where a corresponding Alliance teacher/student pair await them. In all six battle arenas, the rival teachers and students aggressively stand toe to toe, staring each other down with electricity flowing between their eyes.

Acies vs. Atlas

Commander's Militant Faith rival Lucius stands before him. Atlas stands before Acies. Both Lucius and Atlas are taller and heavier than their respective rivals.

Commander, stoic: "May the light of the Lord shine down on you both."

Lucius, smiling: "And also on you. I've gotten even stronger since the last time we sparred."

Commander: "You always relied too much on your strength, and not enough on your technique."

Lucius: "Interesting theory, would you like to spar now and put it to the test?"

Commander: "I'll remind you that we're here for our student's sake, not to satisfy our own egos."

Lucius: "Words, excuses, whatever. At least it will be entertaining watching Atlas teach his younger brother Acies another lesson in humility."

Commander: "As the Lord intends, so shall it be."

Atlas to Acies, smiling: "Brother"

Acies to Atlas, scowling: "Brother"

Atlas: "Now, now, don't be like that."

Acies: "You should have tried being a real brother, and protected your younger siblings instead of bullying them."

Atlas: "It's not my fault you're weak."

Acies starts forward at his brother, but Commander puts a hand on his shoulder.

Commander: "Let's save it for the ring."

Acies and Atlas enter the circle, moving to opposite sides. 

Commander raises his right arm, and then brings it down: "Begin!"

Acies looks determined/serious, while Atlas is still grinning broadly. They initially pace each other around the circle, but then they both move at seemingly the same time toward each other, their right fists connecting with each other, pushing them both backwards, where they resume pacing.

Acies, thinking: "I initiated that attack, but it's like he read my mind, meeting me head on with the same attack. Let's try again."

This time Acies does a flying double kick, with the same result – Atlas counters with an offsetting flying double kick.

Acies, thinking: "It's as I suspected, he's matching me move for move."

Atlas: "This is good sport, matching you move for move. Of course, I can overwhelm you any time I choose."

Acies, thinking: "Keep your head in the game, the Commander taught you that psychological attacks are part of the battle. Stay cool."

Acies and Atlas: "Speed."

Both of them emit a red aura, and begin circling each other at a blurring speed.

Acies, thinking: "Although he appears to be mimicking me perfectly there's an almost imperceptible delay in his response."

Acies: "Strength", and moves in toward the center of the circle and clenches hands with Atlas who has also powered up his strength, so that they are both locked in a power struggle.

Atlas: "How long do you think you can keep this up?"

Acies: "As long as I need to."

However, despite his efforts, Acies slowly loses ground and is eventually pushed back to the edge of the circle.

Hiro, aloud, to all his classmates: "After battling each of you, I know you can win this. I believe in you. Remember how you made it this far!"

Acies flashback 1 

Acies is 7 years old, walking home from school with his older sister, when some bullies who are standing ahead of them start teasing his sister. 

Bully 1: "Hey miss smarty pants, miss teacher's pet."

Bully 2: "Why do you have to keep showing off in class?"

Bully 3: "If you're so smart, why don't you do all our class assignments from now on?"

Acies: "Leave my sister Pieta alone."

Pieta: "Come on Acies, they're not worth it. Let's go."

Pieta grabs Acies' wrist and tries to get around the bullies, but they block her way.

Bully 1: "Where do you think you're going? Maybe we should teach your brother a lesson."

Just then a red blur appears, stopping abruptly, revealing itself to be Atlas. His red aura fades.

Atlas: "My my, what do we have here?"

The bullies' faces pale.

Bully 2: "H-hey Atlas, what are you doing here?"

Atlas: "Can't a guy check in on his siblings?"

Bully 3, terrified: "You're their big brother?"

Atlas: "Sure am, but don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to interfere with whatever you guys were about. Please continue."

Bully 1, having trouble breathing: "That's ok, we were just leaving."

Atlas, coldly: "I don't think you understand. I know your routine. Shake down the weak guy, right? Well, here's your choice, you either finish off what you started or I'm gonna finish you off."

Bully 2: "B-but he's your brother."

Atlas: "I don't hear him complaining (although there are tears welling in Acies eyes). He knows the deal – I won't step in. Three of you guys is probably over kill though, so one should suffice."

No movement from the 3 bullies.

Atlas: "Now!"

Bully 1 and bully 3 push bully 2 into Acies. Acies shoves him back. Bully 2 pushes Acies to the ground and stops. 

Atlas shakes his head: "When you start something, you gotta finish the job."

Bully 2 jumps on Acies, and starts pummeling him.

Atlas: "That's better."

Pieta: "No big brother, please help him."

Atlas: "tsk, tsk, Acies. Aren't you tired of being so weak that your sister has to save you? At this point, I'd be surprised if your Militant Faith abilities ever manifest."

Atlas walks away, and bully 2 gets up and slinks away in the opposite direction with his friends.

Acies, who is worse for wear, gets up, dusting himself off. 

Pieta runs up to him and hugs him: "Brother, are you alright?"

Acies manages a smile: "Yes, I'm ok. You'll see, I will get stronger."

Acies flashback 2 

Acies is 13 years old, garbed and fighting as a gladiator in an arena, equipped with a sword and shield. His opponent is armed with a short pole tipped with blades on either end – Acies has the upper hand.

Acies, thinking: "I've got this." 

Ring Announcer: "A wealthy benefactor has made a generous donation, and requested a rule change. This match is now to the death ... and there are two new combatants."

One of the new combatants is bald, wearing iron gloves, which he keeps clapping together. The other has a long, braided pony tail, brandishing nunchucks, which she is flourishing around her head and body. These new entrants approach, making it clear they are solely focused on Acies. The audience roars as they attack from all sides, Acies barely staying out of their reach, continually driving him back until he is cornered against the arena wall. His shield battered, he starts to take damage, evidenced by growing numbers of cuts and bruises. Acies takes a blow from the iron fist, shattering his shield and numbing his left arm, which now hangs lifeless. Next, his sword is wrapped by the nunchucks, and stripped from his right hand, followed by the 2-handed sword coming in to slash his right arm.

Acies envisions his brother Atlas standing over him:

Atlas, sneering: "You'll never change, once a weakling, always a weakling."

Acies smiles, "I must get stronger, I will get stronger, to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Lord, hear my prayer!"

A red glow envelops Acies with a crackling energy, as a gale force wind blasts around him, lifting him off the ground. His hair and eyes flash, turning a crimson red, as a booming roar escapes him: "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

His three opponents jump up through the air to deliver a simultaneous attack, but are blown violently backwards, crumpling to the ground.

Acies appears to be out of control with rage, when a hooded figure leaps out of the stands, into the arena. Acies starts attacking the hooded figure, but the hooded figure dodges easily. 

This goes on for a bit, and then, hooded figure: "Looks like you've used up a lot of your excess energy. Acies, you're still in there, right? Come back to me child. Your sister is looking forward to seeing you. Don't you want to go home and see her?"

Acies, pauses, seems confused: "Sister?"

Hooded figure: "That's right."

Acies, trying to clear his head: "Are you the one who sent those other fighters into the arena?"

Hooded figure: "No, that's not my style. Although I have a suspicion who was behind it."

Acies, calm now: "Who are you?"

Hooded figure: "Most people call me the Commander. Nice to meet you. I'm hoping you'll allow me to train you."

Acies, reverently: "The Commander? Yes, of course. Please let me be your student." 

Acies' smile returns, as he puts his hands together in prayer. His red aura fades, but his hair and eyes are now crimson red.

Acies' red aura intensifies and he stops Atlas' advance. Atlas presses harder, but to no avail.

Acies: "Tell me brother, was it you or master Lucius who arranged for those additional fighters to enter the gladiator arena against me that day?"

Atlas: "Me or Master Lucius, what difference does it make?"

Acies: "And what if they had killed me?"

Atlas: "Again, what difference does it make if you were too weak to win?"

Enraged Acies starts pushing Atlas back one step at a time.

Atlas, growing concerned: "Where is all this power coming from? You're not stronger than me, you can't win."

Acies continues his slow, steady push until Atlas is standing outside of the circle, shocked and defeated. Atlas' defeat coincides with the conclusion of the other matches.

Sloth vs. Ilaria

Chao stands before a very serious female member of the Quantum Alliance. Attractive, simply dressed wearing white pants and a matching white top – she scowls at Chao.

Sloth is sitting cross legged before a teenage member of Quantum who is dressed in the same white garments as her master.

Ilaria: "Greetings, I am Ilaria, student of Master Tranquillus."

Chao, with a leering grin: "Greetings, I'm master Chao. Nice to meet a couple of lovely ladies such as yourselves."

Tranquillus' chin raises slightly, and she narrows her eyes looking down.

Ilaria: "My master says you are a pervert."

Chao, taken aback: "Say what now?"

Ilaria: "Furthermore, if you try anything with either of us, she will put you on the path of eternal agony."

Chao: "Huh, what? I didn't hear her say a word. Why doesn't she speak up for herself?"

Ilaria: "She is speaking, you just aren't listening. At least your pupil is enlightened, taking the time to meditate."

Chao: "Meditating? Bah, he's asleep." 

Chao hits Sloth on top of the head, causing Sloth to blink his eyes open awake.

Sloth: "Huh, what?"

Chao: "Wake up you lazy good-for-nothing. We need to teach these ladies a lesson."

Sloth, slowly glances over at Master Chao: "And by we, I guess you mean me? What a drag."

Chao: "Who else? The young generation today – unbelievable."

Ilaria, looking at Sloth: "Now that you're awake, aren't you going to introduce yourself? I'm ..."

Sloth: "Ilaria, yes I know."

Ilaria: "How do you know my name? You were asleep when I introduced myself."

Sloth: "hhmmm, I was asleep. What kind of mattress do you like?"

Ilaria, waving off Sloth with both hands: "Ack, another pervert!"

Sloth: "No, it's just that I appreciate a good mattress ... never mind," shoulders slumping.

Chao: "Let's get this show on the road, we haven't got all day."

Ilaria proceeds to her side of the circle, but Sloth still hasn't roused himself.

Chao: "Do I have to do everything around here?"

Master Chao raises his arms up, elbows bent to form a triangle with his fingertips touching at the top of his head, briefly glowing purple. Sloth phases out of where he is standing, and appears at his designated starting spot within the circle.

Ilaria: "Master Tranquillus asks if that pose was really necessary."

Chao: "Of course it wasn't really necessary, I just thought it would look cool."

Tranquillus, Ilaria, and even Sloth roll their eyes.

Chao, snaps his fingers, ending in a gun gesture pointing at each contestant: "Begin!"

Sloth and Ilaria, simultaneously: "Interdimensional space-time rift". 

They both phase out of view and appear in the monotone purple of the quantum realm. Sloth is on one of the various beds floating around him, dressed in pajamas and a night cap, while Ilaria is dressed like one of the floating toy plushies she is surrounded by.

Ilaria: "Wow, you really are a pervert!"

Sloth, blushing: "I told you before ... oh never mind. Aren't you too old to be playing with plushies? Although they are kind of cuddly."

Ilaria: "My youthful heart will crush your lecherous one. Increase mass. Multiply. Spatial skip. Entangle."

Ilaria's plushies grow in size, increase in numbers, and start randomly phasing in and out of existence. An ephemeral, wispy web extends out from Ilaria connecting to the plushies.

Sloth: "What a bother. Protect. Attract. Accommodate." 

The beds move to form a defensive barrier around Sloth. Cooing and smiling, the plushies are drawn toward the beds, which expand to accommodate the plushies' volume. 

Ilaria: "You've just bought yourself some time, but I will overwhelm you in the end."

The truth of Ilaria's words is demonstrated as some of the plushies get through the bed barrier, buffeting Sloth.

Sloth: "It's a good thing these plushies are soft, but all that energy still packs a punch. I won't get any rest like this."

Ilaria: "Let's end this. Cohesion."

The plushies are now sticking to Sloth, encapsulating him.

Hiro, aloud, to all his classmates: "After battling each of you, I know you can win this. I believe in you. Remember how you made it this far!"

Sloth Flashback 1

Sloth is 5 years old, approaching a group of his classmates who are playing.

Sloth: "Can I play too?"

Classmate 1: "No, you're a weirdo."

Classmate 2: "Why are your hair and eyes purple? No one else's are purple."

Sloth: "I can't help it. I was just born this way."

Classmate 1: "Let's go," and they walk away from Sloth.

Sloth foresees a hit ball from a nearby group of children flying over to hit classmate 2.

Sloth: "Watch out that ball is going to hit you!"

Classmate 2, looking around: "What ball? There's no ball. You're crazy." 

As he turns away a ball flies over, striking him in the back of his head, and he collapses to the ground.

Classmate 3: "You're a witch. You did that to him. I'm telling the teacher."

Sloth: "No, it wasn't me, I tried to warn you. I'm not a witch. I don't know anything about magic."

Sloth, thinking: "Why bother trying? It just makes things worse." 

Sloth Flashback 2

Sloth is 10. At school, during recess in a school yard, he's admiring a girl from a distance.

Sloth is 12. At school, during recess in the library, he's admiring same girl from behind a book shelf.

Sloth is 14. At school, during recess in an outdoor sports area, he's admiring same girl from the bleachers.

Sloth, thinking: "That's it, I'm going to talk to her."

As Sloth approaches, the girl looks up and smiles: "Hello."

Sloth smiles at her acknowledgement, but before he can reply an infinite number of future possibilities play out before him, paralyzing him.

Girl, looking concerned: "Are you ok, maybe you should rest?"

Sloth, in a daze: "Yes, you're right, I'm tired. Time for a nap." He lies down, falling asleep on the spot.

When he awakens, the girl is gone, and Master Chao sits before him.

Sloth: "Who are you?"

Master Chao: "I'm Master Chao, I will be your new instructor." 

Master Chao, impatiently after waiting for a response: "Well, are you going to introduce yourself?"

Sloth: "New instructor, ok, whatever. I'm ... You can call me Sloth."

Master Chao, crinkling his brow: "I'm going to seal away some of your power for now, until you can learn to control it."

Sloth, apathetic: "As long as you're doing the work."

Master Chao: "Hmmpf, that's some attitude to have for a young fella such as yourself."

Master Chao focuses, emitting a purple aura and Sloth's image fades, replaced by multiple overlapping energy masses, each in Sloth's image. 

Master Chao, straining: "Restrict," and the number of energy masses reduces down to seven.

Master Chao, breathing heavily: "One more thing, I hope you'll never need to, but if you find yourself in a desperate situation just focus, and say 'Release' to tap into your reserve power."

Sloth, now encapsulated by plushies, except for his mouth: "Release."

Sloth starts to glow purple, as endless possibilities unfold around him.

Sloth: "There. Reinforce. Project."

A vision of Sloth and Ilaria post nuptials, approaching their wedding bed materializes, with both Sloth and Ilaria caught up in the passion of the moment.

Vision Ilaria: "Oh darling, you're still such a pervert."

Vision Sloth: "But it's our wedding night," then blushes realizing Ilaria is teasing him as she starts to giggle, falling back onto the bed.

Back in the real realm, Ilaria has fallen backwards out of the circle, a smile on her face.

Ilaria's defeat coincides with the conclusion of the other matches.

Terridus vs. Subdolous

Terridus is slinking away, teeth chattering when Laetus loops around her. Terridus digs in her heels, but Laetus pushes her along.

Laetus: "Come now Terridus dear. I saw what you were able to accomplish at that battle challenge against Hiro."

Terridus: "I don't remember doing anything to win."

Laetus: "You have so much potential, we just have to find a way to unlock it."

Terridus: "B-b-but I don't want to unlock it."

Laetus: "tsk tsk. That boy Hiro is kind of cute, don't you want to impress him? Aahh, I see you're blushing, well that's some progress anyway." 

Terridus abruptly stops digging in her heels, and her face goes a bright red.

Laetus: "Come along now", as she takes Terridus by the hand and walks her over to the competition circle.

Laetus' counterpart, Comminisco, and Terridus' counterpart Subdolous are waiting for them. Comminisco is a male in his 40s, overly and colorfully dressed, with clashing stripes, flower patterns, and even feathers. Subdolous is female, dressed in jeans patterned with exclamation points contrasting with her question mark patterned blouse.

Comminisco: "ah, there you are Laetus, so wonderful to see you and your young apprentice. Geometry! It saved my life! Did I ever tell you about the time geometry saved my life? It was back when I was a mere child. I saw a stray puppy and instantly fell in love with it. As I trailed after it in the market-place I became lost. I then came upon the wondrous odor of fresh baked bread, following the scent till I came upon a bakery. My mother was inside, so I wasn't lost after all. Can you believe it?"

Laetus: "Comminisco, you're still a weirdo."

Laetus materializes a frying pan and hits him over the head with it, just as Comminisco materializes a pillow on top of his head, softening the impact.

Comminisco: "I can't help it if you are unenlightened in the wonders of geometry."

Laetus: "And of course your quaint story had nothing whatsoever to do with geometry."

Comminisco: "The geometry of that pillow I materialized most certainly did save my life!"

At that moment, Subdolous vanishes, then materializes on her back in between Terridus' legs.

Subdolous: "Hi there, I'm Subdolous."

Terridus' hair stands on end as she jumps several feet straight into the air in surprise.

After landing, Terridus: "I d d don't like surprises."

Subdolous, now appearing behind her, face above her right shoulder: "I like you, you're funny."

Terridus: "Ahhhhh! Stop sneaking up on me."

Laetus: "Enough of this silliness. Let's begin, shall we?"

Subdolous takes the hint, and materializes at her spot within the circle. Terridus is still quaking in fear so Laetus points at her, twirls her finger a few times, then points to a spot within the circle where Terridus materializes.

Laetus looks toward Comminisco.

Comminisco, sniffing with his nose up in the air: "Very well, begin."

As Terridus continues to sit there hunched in a ball, quivering with her eyes closed, Subdolous chants an incantation, culminating with "Haunted House." A mist forms and solidifies around them in the shape of, what else, a haunted house.

Terridus, to herself: "It feels like something is going on, should I open my eyes? But I'm afraid ... maybe just a quick peek."

As her eyes peak open, the room comes into focus, to reveal she is in a room full of torture equipment – rack, iron maiden, guillotine, bed of nails, etc.

Terridus: "AAAAAHHHHH!", as she runs screaming from the room and into an adjoining room.

Terridus, gasping for breath, as she looks out over a plain, unfurnished room: "That's better."

But then she hears a creak, and as she looks up, sees corpses hanging from ropes covering the ceiling. Terridus, arms up screaming in terror, dashes out of the room and into the hallway where she stops in front of a door. Hearing steps coming down the darkened, misty hallway, Terridus glances that way with dread foreboding, her lips quivering.

A spooky voice moans: "I want my ..."

Subdolous appears as the source of the voice, and she finishes with "mommy", bursting out in raucous laughter.

Subdolous: "You're way too funny. I am so loving this. Well, no use losing your head over it," as she lifts her head off her body and her disembodied head starts laughing at her own joke.

Terridus: "Stop it. Go away. Leave me alone!", as she grips her head between her hands.

Subdolous: "Why are you so afraid of everything?"

Hiro, aloud, to all his classmates: "After battling each of you, I know you can win this. I believe in you. Remember how you made it this far!"

Terridus Flashback 1

Chandeliers, paintings, and gold leaf adorn the foyer of Terridus' elaborate family home. Terridus at 7 years old with ginger hair and green eyes walks in to see her three older, elegantly dressed sisters, who all have the pink hair and eyes of Magic Alliance members. Terridus ducks her head down trying to make it past them unnoticed.

Older sister 1, imperiously: "And where do you think you're going Terridus? How did your magic lessons go today?" Then to herself in a softer voice: "As if we don't already know."

Older sister 2, disdainfully: "Were you able to get a spell to work yet? Are you still last in your class?"

Older sister 3, haughtily: "All of our abilities manifested at a younger age than you are now. Do you think yours ever will?"

Terridus, head downcast: "I keep practicing the incantations, but they won't work for me."

Older sister 1: "Our Superus family magic bloodline is extremely powerful. Poor dear, are you sure you're related to us?"

Older sister 2, shaking her head: "Even a commoner with no magic bloodline should be able to manage a simple spell, but you can't even do that."

Older sister 3: "Perhaps you should go to bed without supper again tonight."

Tears well up in Terridus' eyes.

Terridus Flashback 2

Terridus, 10 years old, is walking along a garden trail when some of the town boys – their ordinary hair and eye color designating them non-Magic Alliance – block her way.

Bully 1: "Hello little princess of the Superus magic royal family."

Bully 2: "Yeah, your sisters like to lord it over everyone else because of their magic, but you can't cast spells, can you?"

Bully 3: "It's only fair if we get some payback against you then."

Terridus, quivering: "What are you going to do?"

Bully 1: "Our magic isn't that strong, but if we combine, especially against someone like you ..."

The three bullies, now surrounding Terridus, start chanting, causing pink light to form around Terridus in the shape of a vice.

Bully 2: "We've tried this on forest animals, and it makes them pop like a bug."

Terridus: "Noooooo, leave me alone," as the vice starts to squeeze, pinning her arms in close to her body.

Bully 3, mockingly: "Don't worry, you won't feel anything soon."

Terridus, panting: "It's getting harder to breathe", as her eyes start fluttering, then close.

Within Terridus' mind, she is lying on the floor while another Terridus, but with pink eyes and pink hair, stands above her. 

Pink Terridus, determined: "I refuse to let my life end like this – lightning." 

A wave of pink lightning strikes Ginger Terridus shocking her awake. Back in the physical world, Terridus is surrounded by pink electricity that intensifies, roiling with pink storm clouds. 

Bully 1, sounding desperate: "What's happening? I'm losing my grip on the vice magic." 

Bully 2: "I'm scared."

Bully 3: "She's just a little ..."

The sound of his last word is drowned out as an outward blast from Terridus propels them into nearby trees. They hit, landing with a thud.

As the storm clears, Terridus emerges with pink hair and pink eyes, her magical ability manifested at last.

Terridus, seeing the aftermath of her ability's manifestation, trembles with fear: "What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?"

Just then the air in front of Terridus seems to bend and Laetus appears in front of her.

Laetus: "My my, what a spectacular display of magic. That's some calling card you have there kiddo, although it looks like you can't really hear me right now. Don't worry, we'll work together to help you come to terms with your ability. When the time is right, you'll start taking control of it."

Back in the present

Terridus, shouting: "I'm not afraid of everything, I'm afraid of myself! Let's see what you're afraid of. Reveal!"

A coffin appears before them.

Subdolous, suddenly terrified: "No"

Terridus: "Open"

The coffin opens.

Subdolous starts to back away.

Terridus: "Animate". 

The coffin grows legs and arms and starts pursuing Subdolous, who runs screaming through the wall of the haunted house, continuing out of the circle, shattering her haunted house spell.

Terridus, victorious: "I did it. I didn't black out this time, and I remember everything."