Flare and Focus: (in unison, shocked) What in the —?!

  (The grenades blow up, trapping the duo and their surroundings in a massive smokescreen. This single move sends the entire Lantern Jubilee into disarray, with the festivities placed into a sudden halt as the townsfolk notice what just happened. Before they know it, it’s none other than the Ironclad Response Unit storming the town, their soldiers dead set on capturing Flare and Focus above all else. Upon seeing the IRU soldiers begin their attack and immediately recognizing them, Mr. Gallagher grimaces and signals the kids to follow him as he runs off elsewhere, to their shock and fear.)

  Boy 1D: (shocked and fearfully) Mr. Shay?! What’s going on?! Who are those people?!

  Mr. Gallagher: (grimacing) It’s not safe in here, wee ones! Follow me!

  (The townspeople glance around in shock and horror as everything descends into chaos in only a matter of seconds, with the IRU soldiers relentlessly breaking through with their weapons. Meanwhile, as Flare and Focus attempt to navigate the smokescreen, they too notice the IRU soldiers sweeping the area, gritting their teeth at that. Before Flare can react, a pair of chains is wrapped around her, and it’s none other than Gauntlet dashing between the duo using his air shoes, one of his gauntlets having launched that chain. As he skips past them and dashes off, he drags Flare along, to Focus’s shock.)

  Focus: Flare!

  (Focus runs after Gauntlet in an attempt to break Flare free from his chains, but he’s halted by several scatter rounds that slow him down, as well as several other frag grenades that send him skidding back and force him to confront the IRU soldiers through gritted teeth, who surround him and aim their weapons at him.)

  IRU Soldier 1A: (firmly) Agent Focus, consider this your final warning. Stand down… or else we’ll make you.

  Focus: (unbothered) That’s big talk, alright. (adapting his blue aura) Think you can back it up?

  (The IRU soldier narrows his eyes at him and signals the other soldiers to open fire, but before they even receive that order and place their fingers on the trigger, Focus lunges at one of them and kicks him in the face, sending him crashing into a bazaar. The other soldiers glance at Focus in shock and immediately open fire at him, but he easefully dodges their plasma blasts. However, he’s forced to block a plasma blast himself, which sends him skidding back. He grits his teeth, as if the blast unexpectedly dealt even the slightest damage to him.)

  Focus: (thinking to himself, gritting his teeth) Okay, so their weapons are much more powerful than the usual sort of firearms, though less fatal in the traditional sense. Note to self: avoid whenever possible. (while dodging several plasma blasts, firmly) Flare can take care of herself for the meantime. Right now, the people of this town are in danger. I might as well do something about all those soldiers.

  (Focus stands firm on his feet then leans away from a couple other blasts before lunging at another soldier for a punch. Meanwhile, Flare is still getting dragged along by none other than Gauntlet, the chains coming from one of his gauntlets wrapped around her. As they head out of the town and into the jungle, Flare propels herself backwards through gritted teeth using the flames underneath her legs, stopping Gauntlet’s advance, who’s forced to set her free and reel the chains back in.)

  Flare: (gritting his teeth) Alright, Biggie Hands, now who the hell are you?!

  Gauntlet: (annoyed) Biggie Hands?! Oh, dear, who taught you how to make slurs?!

  Flare: (unamused) Sounds like you just don’t have a comeback. (exasperated) And you still haven’t answered my question!

  Gauntlet: (shrugging) You may refer to me as Gauntlet for now. Nothing personal, Beacon, but I’m tasked to capture you and the other freak of nature, so… you know how it is.

  Flare: (shrugging as well) Nah, it’s fine. Let’s face it, who isn’t after me at this point? (faintly smirking) So what’s your Surge anyway? Or is that pair of oversized gloves and shoes the best you’ve got?

  Gauntlet: (grinning) Surge? Nah, I’m way past your that.

  Flare: (snickering) So you say.

  Gauntlet: Come see for yourself.

  (Gauntlet takes a fighting stance as Flare grins and lunges at him. To her shock, he uses a grappling hook coming from his gauntlets at a pair of trees, lifting himself upwards, all with incredible speed and precision. He acrobatically lands at a branch, and Flare propels herself at him for a blow, only to be sent skidding back when Gauntlet launches one of his gauntlets at her fist. She propels herself upwards once again to set foot on a branch, only for Gauntlet’s other gauntlet to send her skidding back once again.)

  Flare: (gritting his teeth) So your fancy gloves can fight better than you? That’s cute.

  Gauntlet: (unamused) They’re gauntlets.

  (The two gauntlets then chase after Flare as she jumps from branch to branch, launching energy blasts at her that she quickly cancels out with her own fireballs. She’s then forced to block a blow from one of the gauntlets and kick the other out of the way, only for Gauntlet to propel himself at her with his air shoes, with his gauntlets finding their way back to his hands. Immediately after he puts his gauntlets back on, he launches another energy blast at Flare, who cancels it out as she lunges at him and lands a punch at his face. Despite losing his balance, he manages to land a roundhouse kick at her face, sending her flying. He then grapples to a pair of trees to launch himself at Flare once again, seeing her prepare several fireballs.)

  Flare: Stand still and take this!

  (She launches that barrage of fireballs right at Gauntlet, who eloquently grapples on to a tree and swings away from Flare’s fiery projectiles. He uses a pair of whip katars coming from his gauntlets and slices off several branches around Flare, catching her off guard as she jumps off a branch, then he strikes her with the whip katar and sends her flying. He also uses several ropes coming out of his two gauntlets to launch the branches at Flare, who sends them away with a burst of fire, only for Gauntlet to keep going, throwing those branches back along with some other more, eventually forcing Flare to propel herself out of the way. He lands back on the ground, while Flare pants in exhaustion and retakes her fighting stance.)

  Gauntlet: (nonchalantly) Some people just don’t have it the easy way, you see. I didn’t make it in time for Aegis’s Surge bulk sale, and trust me, I was really bitter about it back in the day. Why did I have only three months to develop a Surge before I turn twenty and end up missing out on the new hot topic? Of course I couldn’t develop my own Surge in such a time frame, so I ended up joining the IRU instead.

  (As Flare lunges at him once again, he grapples to two trees and propels himself back up, all while reminiscing his upbringing: the moment Commander Cromwell coldly dismissed him, the way he left the Aegis training ground with a bitter scowl, and then back at Commander Locke’s office, who extended his hand to the younger Gauntlet for a handshake.)

  Commander Locke (flashback): (firmly, offering a handshake) You have shown skill beyond extraordinary in your trials. I know you’re the type of person who’d get a job done without fail given the means, though Aegis couldn’t see that. Join the Ironclad Defense Unit, Mason Harrow. I’d use someone of your caliber.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  (Ever since then, Gauntlet has been training intensively for ten years now, honing his skills and physical capabilities to the best he can reach, even without a Surge. He went through many grueling trials that tested his reflexes against several plasma blasts in a closed room until he evolved, earning the pair of prized gauntlets that define him now, and he used them to the fullest. With such a wide range of options at his disposal, he took on countless assignments, raided several bases, captured numerous high-value targets, all done without fail to the point that it was mere child’s play for him. It all led to this moment… and his greatest challenge yet, and so far, it’s Flare who’s on the ropes, struggling to catch up to Gauntlet, who strikes her with a whip katar and sends her plummeting into the ground.)

  Gauntlet: (sneering) It felt like a downgrade at first, taking on assignments far below my standard and climbing the ranks bit by bit, but then I realized… that it’s you Surge users who are far behind. You’re erratic, uncontrollable. You think that your flashy powers are an insta-fix to any situation, though in actuality, it’s mere eye-candy to conceal your insignificance and amateurish ability. And yet, despite this glaring ineptitude, freaks of nature such as yourself always get the nod ahead of us. Infuriating, isn’t it?

  Flare: (unamused) When did I ask?

  (Gauntlet rolls his eyes with an unbothered expression then launches one of his gauntlets at Flare, forcing her to block it and get sent skidding back. He then lunges at her and grabs her by the neck, slamming her into a tree. Flare grits her teeth as the gauntlet starts glowing with red energy outlines, struggling to break free from Gauntlet’s grasp. After the gauntlet stops glowing, he launches a blast through it and sends Flare crashing through a tree. As she gets back up and grits her teeth, she lunges at Gauntlet once again, but when she attempts to propel herself with the flames underneath her legs, she’s shocked to find out that she can’t emit those flames anymore.)

  Flare: (shocked) What the — ?!

  (Before she gets to comprehend what just happened, Gauntlet strikes her with a whip katar, sending her crashing through several other trees. She starts panting in exhaustion as she gets up, glancing at her palms and trying to form her flames once again, managing only a spark that quickly fades afterwards, then she glances at Gauntlet in shock, whose smirk slightly widens.)

  (Meanwhile, back at Larkspur, the Ironclad Response Unit soldiers continue their attack, causing noticeable damage to the town during their onslaught. As Mr. Gallagher and the kids try to head somewhere safe away from the IRU soldiers, the former comes across three old women — previously acting as the judges of the communal cooking contest — and encourages them to follow him. However, as they try to make it past the mess and ruin left behind, the IRU soldiers finally catch up to them and surround them, the soldiers particularly after Shay.)

  IRU Soldier 1B: (sternly) Seanán Gallagher, is that it? You’re under arrest for aiding and harboring high value targets.

  Mr. Gallagher: (gritting his teeth) Don’t be blame’in me now. I found those two far more reliable than ye’ll ever be. If it’s them ye be after, then leave those folks be. They’ve no part in this.

  IRU Soldier 1B: (scowling) I beg to differ, Mr. Gallagher. You all knew who those two were, and yet you took them in. Everyone here will pay for their insubordination.

  (Mr. Gallagher grimaces and steps in front of the kids and the old women to shield them as the IRU soldiers aim their weapons at the group. However, Focus arrives to the rescue, kicking one of the soldiers in the face and sending him flying, then he eloquently lands on his feet.)

  Focus: (firmly) Stay back.

  (Mr. Gallagher nods and gets the others out of the way, worried that they’ll get caught in the crossfire. Several soldiers place their fingers on the trigger to fire at them, but before they do so, Focus kicks their weapons away in quick succession then punches one of them in the gut, sending him flying. He then kicks another soldier in the face and jumps off of him, landing a single powerful blow at each of the other soldiers around at high speed. As Focus lands on his feet once again, he simply adjusts his hair with an unbothered expression as the soldiers fall on the ground. Mr. Gallagher and the other bystanders glance at Focus in awe, impressed by his sheer combat ability.)

  Boy 1E: (in awe) He’s so cool!

  (Several other IRU soldiers arrive at the scene, only for Focus to immediately dash at them, punching two soldiers in the gut while turning to dodge a couple of plasma blasts. While doing so, his back turned to a duo of soldiers, he jumps at them and elbows the two of them in the face then — after acrobatically dodging several other plasma blasts — slides down underneath a soldier and then reappears behind him, kicking him in the back. As he deals with the rest of the soldiers, one of the soldiers gets back up on his feet and grabs his weapon once again, aiming it at an unwitting Focus, who — after dealing with all the other soldiers around him — finally notices that single soldier aiming at him, finding himself in a position where it’s too late for him to successfully dodge. However, just before he pulls the trigger, a plasma blast arrives from behind Focus — just barely making contact with his head — strikes the soldier’s helmet and knocks him unconscious, to the latter’s surprise. He turns back and finds none other than Shay holding that weapon.)

  Focus: (surprised) Mr. Gallagher.

  Mr. Gallagher: (faintly smirking) Don’t be surprised, lad. I used t’ take a wee bit o’ shootin’ practice back in the day.

  Focus: I see. In any case, I’m certain there are still a couple of soldiers around. Mr. Gallagher, I need you to take the other residents somewhere safe. I’ll make sure to deal with this quickly and catch up with Flare.

  Mr. Gallagher: (subtly worried) Wait, where is she now?

  Focus: (firmly, getting ready to head off) That’s what I’ll find out soon enough.

  Old Woman 1A: Hey, just wait up, young man!

  Focus: (abandoning his posture, surprised) What is it?

  Old Woman 1B: (approaching him, warmly smiling) You see, we were actually done reviewing all of the contestants for that cooking contest a while ago, and… we settled on you.

  (The old woman grabs his palm and gives him his prize: a small, red ribbon with golden decorations and a silky texture. Focus glances at it with a stunned, soft look then glances back at the old woman, whose warm smile barely wavers.)

  Focus: (softly) If you’re trying to repay me, then you really don’t need to — .

  Old Woman 1B: (warmly) I mean it. I remember very few meals as well as yours. You know, you really are a natural at this.

  (Focus’s pupils widen at this, still in awe, and then he glances once again at the ribbon, firmly wrapping it around his neck. Mr. Gallagher softly smiles upon seeing Focus wearing that ribbon, and so do the other kids. Focus firmly nods at the group then heads off to deal with the other IRU soldiers roaming the area. Meanwhile, back at the forest outside Larkspur, Flare grits her teeth as she keeps on trying to form flames from her palms, only managing a few insignificant sparks.)

  Flare: (gritting her teeth, frustrated) Come on! Why isn’t my fire firing?!

  Gauntlet: (chuckling a bit) Isn’t it obvious? (his gauntlets momentarily glowing with fiery outlines) Take a closer look.

  Flare: (shocked) But… there’s no way that — !

  Gauntlet: (smirking) You better believe it. After all, you can’t use your Surge anymore, can you? Those little babies absorbed it.

  Flare: (exasperated) No fair! You give me back my power right this instant! It’s not my fault you don’t have any!

  Gauntlet: So reliant on your powers, aren’t you? That’s what most fail to see.

  (Gauntlet dashes at Flare at high speed with his air shoes, who barely dodges his advance, only for him to strike her with his whip katars and launch her into a tree. Before she could regain her footing, he launches one of his gauntlets at her, sending her crashing through the tree, and then using his other gauntlet, he launches a coil and wraps it around her leg then throws her away. As she regains her footing, she tiredly lunges at Gauntlet in a desperate attempt for a blow, but he easily holds her fist, his smirk widening.)

  Gauntlet: (grinning) I never enjoyed any of my missions, to be honest, but this one is different, I must say. It’s in this battle that I prove what I’ve always known, that when judged by the same standards as ours, you Surge users can’t measure up.

  (Flare attempts a kick with her fist held down, but Gauntlet lands a blast at her gut, sending her skidding back. Before she gets to regain her balance, Gauntlet lunges at her once again, swinging his fist and landing a powerful, energized punch at her gut, sending her flying and crashing through several trees. She rolls on the ground and stands on one knee while panting in exhaustion, seeing Gauntlet approaching, his grin replaced with a nonchalant and unbothered expression. He shrinks his gauntlets and instead pulls out a plasma gun.)

  Gauntlet: (nonchalantly) I guess I softened you up well enough. It’s high time I finish this.

  (Gauntlet charges up his plasma gun and aims it at Flare, looking nonchalant and yet sharp, while Flare pants in exhaustion then grits her teeth and clenches her fists. The Ironclad Defense Unit’s attack is going quite well, just as initially planned. Mr. Gallagher escorts as many townsfolk as he can possibly find in an attempt to get them somewhere safe away from the crossfire, all while the IRU soldiers are all around the town, leaving behind a mess that thoroughly ruins the festive setting. Commander Locke sits comfortably in his office twiddling his thumbs, waiting for good news. With Flare’s Fire Surge now deactivated, does she stand a chance against Gauntlet? If not, will Focus make it to her in time?)