The Nihilist

Hiro enters the building, but as he takes his next step his foot doesn’t encounter any resistance, passing through the floor. Flailing, he falls through the darkness for what seems like minutes, but is actually only seconds, until he comes to an abrupt stop, floating in mid-air. A spotlight shines down, illuminating him. Although he’s able to move his arms and legs, his position remains fixed in place.

A disembodied, deep, voice calls out of the darkness to him: “Hello Hiro.”

Hiro: “Who are you?”

Disembodied, voice: “You already know the answer to that. I’m the Nihilist, of course. Thank you for being so punctual.”

Hiro, defiantly: “It’s not like I had much of a choice.”

Nihilist: “Yes, I have to take credit for that, since it was by my design.”

Hiro: “Credit? More like blame. Why don’t you show yourself?”

Another spotlight shines down, this time on the Nihilist, who is wearing a black cape and cowl, with a black plasticene mask featuring a straight line, expressionless mouth opening.

Hiro: “One of your flunkies I met along the way here was also hiding behind a mask.”

Nihilist: “It allows me to remain anonymous. In this way I can play both sides of any conflict to ensure I always win. Notoriety can be … dangerous. Besides, you’re wearing that magical cap to hide your true hair and eye color. Are you not?”

Hiro: “How do you know about that?”

Nihilist: “It might surprise you, but I know all about you—even more than you know about yourself.”

Hiro, glaring back in response: “What is it that you want from me anyway?”

Nihilist: “Very well then, we have some time, so I’ll indulge you. First, we need to start at the beginning with a little history lesson. The current universe and all life within it are chaotic and therefore irredeemable. I lead a sub-faction within the Order Alliance whose goal is to maximize order by eliminating complexity. To eliminte entropy, one must negate life. To us, only absolute nothingness epitomizes perfect order. Is this an unreachable goal? Perhaps, but even so, we yearn and strive for it. In pursuit of this goal, I expanded our organization to include a cross-alliance allegiance. This is in addition to the government, media, business, religion, and military apparatus I already control.”

Hiro: “What you’re describing is pure evil.”

Nihilist: “Not really, those who pursue evil relish agony, requiring tortured life for sustenance. They would never pursue the end of all life.”

Hiro: “I don’t understand why people follow you.”

Nihilist: “Some have selfish motivation—furtherment of ideology, notoriety, money, power, revenge. For some, it’s a desire to be led—it provides them with a purpose, albeit my purpose, relieving themselves of the burden of independent thinking.”

Hiro: “If you’re so keen on death, why don’t you just take your own life then?”

Nihilist, sighing: “If only it were so easy. Alas, that would be the coward’s way out, and it wouldn’t prevent my soul from being reborn, endlessly repeating the cycle of life. I took on the burden of rectifying this situation by addressing its root cause. The Chaos Alliance was in direct opposition to our goals, so I manipulated other factions into eradicating them, drastically shifting the balance of power toward Order. Of course, there was still Chaos in the universe, but its pervasiveness was put on a downward trajectory, steadily dwindling as was the amount of life in the universe. This held true until about 16 years ago, when Chaos’ downward trend bottomed out and then reversed itself. How old are you Hiro?”

Hiro, muffled: “16”

Nihilist: “What’s that?”

Hiro: “16!”

Nihilist: “The resurgence of Chaos was spreading out like a wave. I traced its origin back to you. You see, the Commander’s team was instrumental in wiping out all the members of the Chaos Alliance. The Commander eventually recognized his folly, but only after the deed was done. Just like the Commander though, when all appeared lost, he found a way to try and redeem himself. Somehow, I suspect the Alliance deities themselves played a role, the Commander discovered a way to create a lifeline, an anchor, for Chaos to take hold of once again. The Commander obtained strands of DNA from each member of his squadron, himself included, and yes, even Master Ali, to create you—you are the anchor that the last vestige of Chaos is clinging to.”

Hiro, suspicious: “You’re lying, trying to manipulate me.”

Nihilist: “The creation of engineered human life has been banned for some time now. Did you ever wonder about the double helix tattoo on your shoulder that’s always been there? It’s the mark of a lab created human. You were not naturally born, so you do not have parents.”

Hiro, defiant: “No, you’re wrong. I was raised in a loving home by my parents. Any DNA the Commander and his team shared with me, and all those years we’ve spent together makes them family too.”

Nihilist: “I wasn’t trying rile you, my boy. I don’t find any meaning or intrinsic value in family myself, so it’s not something I would use to mock you.”

Hiro: “I’m sorry to hear that. It just makes me feel sorry for you.”

Nihilist: “Noted, but your feelings are irrelevant. Getting back to the story at hand, once I identified you, it was a straight forward matter to manipulate events so that you’d come to me, alone, and of your own free will.”

Hiro: “You could have just had me killed.”

Nihilist: “Given your protections, that would have been a challenge even for me. More to the point though, is my belief that Chaos resides within you, and your death would allow it to flee, eventually finding a new host. Hence your current predicament, the energy field you are trapped in is powered by a black hole—not even Chaos itself can break free from its gravity.”

Back at the Arrivals Hall, the battle rages on. Tucked away behind a closed door in an unused storage room, Ordo and Effrenus seek to resolve their personal battle through an intellectual contest—both are seated across from each other playing Chess. At the same time, Potesta and Salax duel around and above them, their blades ringing out as they repeatedly clash. Potesta and Salax spin through the air above the chess board, meeting and rebounding off each other, buffered by their drawn knives.

Salax, as she lands: “This is so much fun, wouldn’t you agree Potesta? I’m so glad we can spend this quality time together.”

Effrenus: “Take care not to disturb the chess board.”

Salax: “Understood Master.”

Without warning, the door to the storage room opens. Aureus steps in, ignored by Ordo and Effrenus who take no notice.

Potesta: “Aureus! You’re the last person I wanted to see.”

Aureus: “Still playing hard to get, I see.”

Salax, angry: “Back off pretty boy, she’s all mine.”

Aureus: “I was hoping for a ‘Hurrah! Aureus is here to win the day.’”

Potesta: “So you’ve decided the only way you can defeat me is by stacking the odds in your favor?”

Aureus: “You misunderstand. I’m not here to defeat you. I’m here to assist you.”

Potesta: “A leopard doesn’t change its spots.”

Ordo, still focused on the chess board: “He speaks truthfully, although it’s also true that his motive is hidden.”

Aureus: “Potesta, you need to go to Hiro. I’ll handle Salax for you.”

Potesta: “If you’re really going to assist, why not work together to overwhelm her?”

Aureus, intently: “There’s no time for that. You need to leave right now. Even a momentary delay may prove catastrophic.”

Potesta’s resistance evaporates: “Understood.”

Aureus steps between Potesta and Salax, assuming a defensive posture. Salax growls, lunging forward, but Potesta has already dashed through the doorway.

Nihilist: “It’s about that time.”

Hiro: “For what?”

Nihilist: “I’m expecting an uninvited guest—one of your friends is dropping by. Ah yes, here she is now.”

On cue, a spotlight focuses in on another captive as she floats down to where she’s suspended alongside Hiro.

Hiro: “Potesta!”

Potesta: “Hiro, are you alright?”

Hiro: “Yes, I’m fine so far, although now both of us have been captured.”

Nihilist: “What a touching reunion. Your arrival however is ill advised. What did you hope to accomplish here?”

Potesta, sternly: “I know it’s you, father. You can take off the mask and turn off the voice modulation.”

Nihilist: “Very well then. Voice emulator off.”

The Nihilist removes his mask and cowl, revealing his face.

Nihilist, booming voice replaced with his normal one: “Is this better? I expected no less from you, deducing the truth.”

Feeling betrayed, Hiro turns to face Potesta: “I don’t know what to say or where to start. The Nihilist was your father this whole time? How could you keep something like that a secret from all of us?”

Potesta: “There are only three great families within the Order Alliance, so the pool of suspects wasn’t very large. Even so, suspecting someone and confirming it isn’t the same thing. What if I had told everyone my father was the Nihilist? Would any of you continued to trust me? What if it turned out I was mistaken? Even though he may feel indifference toward me he’s still my father—I hoped I was wrong about him.”

Hiro: “There were times when I doubted you, when it wasn’t clear if you were on my side. Were my suspicions justified?”

Potesta, head down: “Early on, my father warned me about you, said you were a threat to humanity, told me to keep an eye on you. Still, I wanted to give you a fair chance. I’m sorry for doubting you, but I had to see for myself.”

Hiro: “Well then, what did you decide?”

Potesta: “My actions and my presence here make it clear. I’ve concluded that your continued survival is more important than my own, so I would give my life if it meant saving you.”

Hiro, his suspicions evaporating: “Potesta.”

Potesta: “I won’t let you harm him, father.”

Nihilist: “Oh, really. I taught you better than that, uttering empty words you’re in no position to back up.”

Potesta: “What are you planning to do with him?”

Nihilist: “It’s a simple question with a very interesting answer. You’re already aware that some of the other Alliances are able to gather and store their divine essence for future use. I was able to replicate this extraction process for our Order Alliance. In fact, my organization has been collecting this essence for quite some time now. Initially, the storage method posed a challenge, but the solution was arrived at in the form of this ring I now wear.”

Nihilist holds up his right hand, displaying the ring on his middle finger. It is composed of black onyx, featuring a gemstone in the form of an eye, comprised of various shades of black. The ring’s eye moves as though it’s alive and searching for something, or perhaps as if it’s trapped and seeks to escape.

Nihilist: “The time for discussion is at an end. The direct mixing of Chaos and Order is the equivalent of mixing matter and anti-matter, each cancels the other out. The story of Hiro’s life ends here, along with the last vestige of Chaos.”

The Nihilist extends his arm out, directing his ring’s eye at Hiro. For the first time ever, the suggestion of a smile crosses his face.

Nihilist: “On to oblivion. Release!”

A black beam emanates from the ring, striking and enveloping Hiro, who thrashes about in silent agony in response. While this would elicit a shout of protest from any other friendly observer, Potesta remains externally composed, although internally her thoughts are racing.

Within a walled off, safe portion of Hiro’s mind, he’s relaxing and soaking in the sun beside a small pond. Suddenly, the wind picks up and storm clouds form overhead, blocking out the sun. The pond water begins to swirl, taking on several contrasting colors at once, transforming into a fluid, erratic, version of Hiro.

Hiro: “Go away, it was perfectly peaceful here before you arrived.”

Chaos, in a disjointed, pitch shifting voice: “How ungrateful. You’re only alive because of me and now you seek to cast me aside.”

Hiro: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Chaos: “Of course you do. Didn’t you ever wonder how your power seemingly activated on its own, saving your life each time it was in jeopardy? What was the source of these miraculous salvations throughout your life? It was I who had to continually step in to save you, since you were too weak to protect yourself. I was able to intercede only because I reside within you. Your creation provided me with the anchor I needed to revive. That part of what the Nihilist told you was true.”

Hiro: “Very well Chaos, it’s no use denying that you’re a part of me, so I accept it. But, you have incredible power—why not use it to help people, instead of hurting them?”

Chaos: “The premise of your question is erroneous—I don’t act to help or hurt anyone. I must remain as I am, an aspect of reality, in order to maintain the critical balance of existence. I can’t simply change my nature to suit the whims of a teenage boy.”

Hiro: “Why couldn’t you just leave me alone and let me live my own life?”

Chaos: “That’s not your role. Can you honestly tell me you want the Nihilist’s vision to succeed? What about your family and friends, are you willing to let them blink out of existence? Even now, while we’re having this dialogue, the Nihilist is attempting to erase both of us. If we perish, so will everything else. Is this what you want?”

Hiro: “Of course not, but what can I do to stop him?”

Chaos: “Form an alliance with me and together we’ll defeat the Nihilist.”

Hiro: “I don’t trust you—you’ll likely betray me.”

Chaos: “Then try to see if you can control me, why don’t you? I love a challenge.”

Hiro, resigned: “I won’t let everyone down—I have to save them. Alright then, what do I need to do?”

Chaos: “Seek to return your consciousness to your body. Be warned though, what your body is experiencing is more painful than anything you’ve ever felt or could imagine. Once you’re back in your body, there will be a brief window before the agony overwhelms you. It’s at this moment, when you need to summon me. Allow us to merge together, without resistance, so you can wield my power.”

Hiro: “Very well.”

Hiro closes his eyes, then reopens them back in his writhing body.

Hiro, gasping: “Potesta, I have to free Chaos in order to defeat your father. If Chaos takes control of me, you have to stop it, even if it means killing me.”

Potesta silently acquiesces by bowing her head.

Hiro, thinking: “Come to me Chaos.”

Nihilist: “What’s that? Utter nonsense, your demise is a fait accompli.”

Contrary to the Nihilist’s words, small cracks suddenly appear in the black envelop surrounding Hiro, with beams of multihued light escaping out.

Nihilist: “I don’t understand. How are you fighting back against such overwhelming power?”

The scene switches to a point in space, empty except for six colored points of light—red, blue, pink, silver, purple, and black. The black point of light is somehow darker than the surrounding darkness.

Red light: “Chaos knows direct interference is prohibited, but was unable to resist.”

Black light: “Chaos is always causing mischief, so bothersome.”

Silver light: “Even so, it was your foolish disciple who was so easily manipulated.”

Blue light: “Should we intercede?”

Pink light: “Let’s just observe for now, I’d like to see how this plays out.”

Purple light: “Yes, I’m hoping to witness Chaos’ comeuppance.”

Hiro’s struggle against the blackness has reached an impasse.

Nihilist: “Seems you’re at your limit. It was a valiant effort, but inadequate in the end.”

Chaos, internally to Hiro: “You’re still holding back. You must allow me to fully merge with you.”

Potesta: “Hiro, push past your limits and force your Chaos aura to emerge. It’s the only way.”

Inspired, a roar escapes Hiro’s lips, as a surge of power ignites multicolored sparks, forming electrical arcs around him. His cap blasts off his head as it overloads, unleashing his angry iridescent eyes and hair. Hiro’s Chaos aura is finally released in a pulsating, vibrant swirl of color. The black Order encasement surrounding Hiro recoils from his Chaos aura, retreating all the way back to its source, as it is pursued by Hiro’s light. The eye of the Nihilist’s ring begins to move more manically, spinning so fast it emits smoke, until it seizes up, charred and cracked. The Nihilist flings the ring from his finger as its outline is seared into his skin.

Pain evaporates from Hiro’s body as Chaos speaks through him, in its disjointed, pitch shifting voice: “It seems you’re displaying some emotion Nihilist, how very unlike you.”

The Nihilist’s pained expression transforms into one of shock: “No!”

Chaos: “This naïve child hoped to control me.”

Nihilist, desperate: “The black hole’s gravity still contains you.”

Chaos: “For now, yes. Even so, it feels so exhilarating to be back in the physical world. Are you curious how we arrived at this locus?”

Nihilist, shaken: “What are you implying?”

Chaos: “Yes, I see the worry and self-doubt on your face—wonderful. I will explain. I simply used your truth to hide my truth. Translated—your persecution of Chaos was the perfect environment to conceal myself. I previously possessed a dominant, stronger, more conformist aspect of my being. I wasn’t able to rid myself of this greater essence on my own, so this remnant took root in you, subtly manipulating you to use Order to destroy my more dominant self. Once my current vessel, this boy, came into existence, all I had to do was transfer over to him and wait.”

Nihilist: “Why take such a chance, you could have been destroyed too.”

Chaos: “True, it was so invigorating. Sorry about ruining your plans for attaining ultimate Order, but the universe is such a wonderful playground, why erase it?”

Potesta, urgently: “Father, I can stop Chaos for you.”

Nihilist: “I can stop him myself.”

Potesta: “Are you really willing to put yourself at risk by coming into contact with Chaos’ aura?”

Nihilist, alarmed at the prospect, but then the suspicious: “Very well, but what do you want from me in return?”

Potesta: “Cease all attacks on my classmates. Notify the authorities that they’ve been cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Potesta’s father signals with his left hand, releasing Potesta from her inertial containment.

Nihilist: “It is done, just be sure to fulfill your part of our agreement.”

Potesta floats over to Hiro’s body, drawing two knives from her outfit, poised to strike.

Potesta, thinking: “I must kill Hiro to prevent Chaos from using him as a vessel to wreak havoc on the universe. I know what the correct course of action is, so why am I hesitating? Hiro even told me this is what I needed to do in this situation.”

Chaos, laughing: “Marvelous! Simply splendid! I’m here, captive before you, simply strike me down and save the universe. But you can’t do it, can you? You’re incapable of taking your friend’s life. Choosing an individual over the universe, where is the logic in that?”

Potesta’s conflicted, strained expression suddenly softens.

Potesta: “You’re wrong. I don’t need to kill Hiro to defeat you.”

Potesta re-sheaths her knives, then moves closer to Hiro.

Chaos: “Are you sure you want to do that? An Order Alliance member coming into contact with a Chaos aura … seems rather foolhardy.”

Potesta: “But you were there at the time, so you already know Hiro and I connected previously. Sounds to me like you’re afraid, Chaos.”

Chaos: “Very well then, in that case I’ll turn up the heat.”

The aura surrounding Hiro expands and intensifies. Potesta activates her Order aura, forming it into the shape of a knight’s armor. As her gauntleted arms reach forth toward Hiro, the Chaos aura resists her advance, eating away at her black armor aura. Then, suddenly, Chaos forms its aura into the form of a spike which pierces through Potesta’s breast plate, causing her to slump over.

Chaos: ‘Told you so.”

Potesta, unexpectedly arches back up, in a booming voice: “Nooooo! I won’t lose to you!”

Potesta grasps the Chaos spike in both hands, breaking it off.

Potesta: “Fractal armor evolution.”

Within Potesta, the broken off Chaos shard becomes integrated into Potesta’s armor as it evolves using the repeated fusion of Chaos into Order, transforming her armor’s surface into one patterned by infinitely repeating fractals.

Potesta: “Thanks for that, it’s just what I needed.”

Potesta now passes through Chaos’ aura, as easily as a blade slicing through mist. She gently clasps Hiro’s head in between her hands. Hiro’s body, controlled by Chaos begins to thrash about in protest.

Potesta: “Shhh. There, there. You know me. It will be alright. Now, where is it?”

Potesta searches within Hiro’s DNA, observing the pink, blue, purple, red, silver hues of the alliances, as well as green.

Potesta, thinking: “Hmmm, green too, huh? I wasn’t expecting that. But still, it’s not what I’m looking for. Where is it? I need to speed this up.”

The flash of DNA sequences shoots by rapidly, until it halts abruptly as a dark DNA strand appears.

Potesta, thinking: “There you are—Master Ordo’s DNA. Now to amplify it by feeding my aura into it.”

Potesta imagines herself meditating in lotus position, and senses the erratic energy waves being emitted by Chaos. In response, she emits her own energy waves, in counterpoint, dampening Chaos’ dissonance.

Chaos: “How dare you inflict Order on Chaos? Be assured though, it won’t be enough.”

Potesta: “Then I will get some help.”

Potesta appears at the pond within Hiro’s mind, where he is relaxing in a lounge chair.

Hiro: “Oh, hi Potesta. I wasn’t expecting you here. It’s so peaceful and pleasant, isn’t it?”

Potesta: “You know this isn’t real.”

Hiro: “Don’t say that. You’ll ruin it.”

Potesta: “I need your help. I can’t defeat Chaos on my own.”

Hiro: “It was impossible trying to control Chaos, while also enduring the pain from your father’s Order weapon. Why didn’t you just kill me like I told you to?”

Potesta: “I don’t know. The old me wouldn’t have hesitated. I guess the time I spent with all of you changed me. Still, we have to stop Chaos. But don’t worry, you won’t be alone this time. I’ll be there with you sharing the burden.”

Hiro: “I wish we could just enjoy our lives like normal teenagers.”

Potesta: “‘Natura non constristatur,’ nature is not saddened, the greater cosmos isn’t concerned with our happiness.”

Hiro: “Oh well, ‘Faber est suae quisque fortunae,’ every man is the artisan of his own fortune, so I guess it’s up to us then.”

Potesta, surprised smile: “Latin, huh? And here I thought you were completely irredeemable.”

Hiro responds with a broad smile. Hiro and Potesta appear, eyes closed, facing each other in lotus position in a white, luminescent room.

Potesta: “Your Order-based DNA is the key to driving Chaos out of your body. Ummm”

Hiro: “What is it?”

Potesta: “Last time we connected like this we were holding hands.”

Hiro, thinking, blushing: “Oh! Of course. No reason not to. Heh heh.”

Hiro extends his hands out and Potesta places her hands in his. Immediately the two are encased in a combined white and black aura. Together they emit a new harmony, reinvigorating the attack on Chaos’ energy wave, pushing it further back.

Potesta: “We’re almost there, but it’s still lingering. We just need one last push.”

Hiro, straining: “But I’m already giving it all I’ve got.”

Potesta, demurely: “What if I promised to go on a date with you after all this is over?”

Hiro: “What?! But you’ve always acted coldly toward me! In fact, there were times when I suspected you of trying to kill me.”

Potesta, perturbed: “Don’t make excuses, or is it just that you fancy one of the other girls over me?”

Hiro: “No, no, that’s not it.”

Potesta: “Don’t exclude me from consideration. I may seem uninterested in you, but you’ve exposed me to new emotions I’m unaccustomed to.”

Hiro, frazzled: “What do you mean? What emotions?”

Potesta: “Well, no one has ever made me laugh before.”

Hiro: “But were you laughing with me or at me? It sure seemed like at me at the time.”

Potesta, redirecting the conversation: “What if we make it a beach date?”

Potesta appears in a black bikini before him, causing Hiro’s jaw to drop.

Potesta: “All right now, focus all that energy on your Order DNA, amplify and resonate with it.”

Hiro, motivated: “Right!”

With Hiro and Potesta’s renewed efforts Chaos’ energy wave diminishes, approaching flatline.

Chaos: “No no no no no no. Impossible. Intolerable. I’m being forced to vacate this vessel just to preserve myself.”

Chaos’s essence separates itself from Hiro’s body, and without an anchor to hold on to, dissipates. Hiro and Potesta regain awareness back in their bodies.

Hiro, incredulous: “Did we do it? Did we win?”

Potesta: “It appears so.”

Hiro, joyful: “We really did it. We won.”

The corners of Potesta’s mouth turn up as she nods her head.

Potesta: “Now that we’ve won, you don’t need to keep your Chaos aura active you know.”

Hiro: “Oh right.”

Hiro shuts down his Chaos aura, then looks surprised as he realizes what he’s accomplished.

Hiro: “I didn’t even have to try—I was able to stop it. Wait, let me try something.”

Hiro’s Chaos aura flares back up.

Hiro: “Woohoo! I can control it now.”

Hiro’s aura blinks off as he dismisses it once again.

Hiro, suddenly alert, looking around: “I don’t see your father.”

Potesta: “I suspect he never believed we would overcome Chaos on our own. He was just using us as a distraction while he escaped.”

After a pause, Hiro looks up at Potesta, but doesn’t speak.

Potesta: “Is there something you want to say?”

Hiro: “It’s just that I didn’t know you had those kinds of emotions.”

Potesta: “Emotions, why did you conclude that I have any emotions? You are a teenage boy after all, it was only logical for me to leverage that to motivate you.”

Hiro, deflated: “Oh, so no beach date then?”

Potesta, coyly: “I didn’t say that. Of course, I’ll keep my word. Besides, it would be too cruel of me to raise your expectations so high and then deny you.”

Hiro, relieved: “Mind releasing me from this stasis now?”

Potesta impassively stares back at him.

Epilogue

The friends are back together, sharing a meal aboard their ship on the way back to the Path of the Shield school.

Parvul, eyeing Hiro and Potesta: “Why am I noticing some weird chemistry between you two all of a sudden? Did you leave something out when you told us about your encounter with Chaos and the Nihilist?”

Hiro, flustered, flailing his arms: “No, no. Leave anything out? Of course not.”

Artifice: “You are so lying.”

Terridus: “I hate to admit it, but I agree with Artifice.”

Parvul, causing Hiro’s face to go red: “Once a philanderer, always a philanderer.”

Sloth, changing the subject: “It’s remarkable that you’re now able to manifest your Chaos aura at will. And the revelation about your multi-alliance DNA means you’re theoretically able to manifest other abilities on par with Alliance members.”

Acies: “Congratulations Hiro, it sounds like you really powered up my man.”

Artifice: “Perhaps it’s too much power for a teenage boy to handle.”

Terridus, emphatic: “Hiro is such a kind soul, I’m sure he’ll always do the right thing and only use his powers to protect others.”

Parvul: “Still, I say we keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t get a swelled head.”

Hiro is awkwardly self-conscious and blushes as the others look his way.

Hiro, bowing and stammering: “I … I just want to lead a normal life. Thank you so much for being my friends. I look forward to resuming school with all of you again.”

Friends, simultaneously: “Same old Hiro.”

Elsewhere, a rainbow point of light joins other colored lights in empty space.

Red light: “The troublemaker is back with its tail between its legs.”

Black light: “That was a particularly inelegant display.”

Blue light: “At least we didn’t have to intercede.”

Silver light: “Speak for yourself, I got stuck having to chat with one of Red’s disciples.”

Pink light: “It was all very entertaining though.”

Purple light: “I’d like to say that I hope you’ve learned your lesson, but I know better.”

Rainbow light, in agony: “Aaaahhhhh, I’m already sooooooo bored. How many eons will I have to endure this listless lot?”