On top of the train car, Jay stands facing a tall, sickly man with flames swirling around him.
Tall man:
Ugh, Mercutio had one job! But I guess I was right to come up here and catch anyone who tried to escape.
Jay:
Who are you supposed to be? Are you working with Mercutio?
The tall man begins speaking in a snarky, almost mocking tone.
Tall man:
Oh no sir, I'm not with the only other Manifesto user! That's totally not why I was criticizing him earlier–*cough! cough!*
Oh, I really hate this job…the air doesn't sit right with me here…
Jay:
Uh, are you alright? You seem pretty sick…
I'll just arrest you and get you some medicine or something…
Tall man:
Don't give me any pity! I'm stronger than you'll ever be!
That's why I was handpicked for this mission!
I just need to stop people like you from interfering, and I can have whatever I want!
Jay:
What's that supposed to mean?
Tall man:
Of course you haven't met him…my boss has such immense power, that he could grant me my wildest dreams!
There are no limits to what's possible with his power, if you had any common sense, you would have sided with him already!
Jay:
What's that supposed to–
Tall man:
You asked me my name, you can call me Octavius.
I hope you can put up a good fight!
Octavius leaps at Jay, as it cuts back to Prince and Mercutio in the arena. Prince has begun putting pressure on Mercutio, who is barely fending him off.
Prince:
What's the matter?!
Was all that big talk earlier just for show?!
Mercutio:
Hah…hah…don't you know…?
As Prince goes in for another punch, Mercutio pivots out of the way, throwing Prince off balance.
Mercutio:
The audience loves to cheer for an underdog!
Skewer emerges and punches Prince in the stomach, causing him to fall to the ground.
Prince:
(Fuck! Where was he hiding that strength?!)
(That hurt way more than I thought it would!)
(I thought the only threat his Manifesto posed was its ability, but it's almost as strong as I am!)
(He's…strong…)
Mercutio:
What's the matter? Done already?
I guess Skewer's just too strong for you, but you'd better get up!
Prince:
(He's strong…)
A smile slowly begins to twist onto Prince's face. Prince tries to get up, but is kicked back down by Mercutio.
Mercutio:
I have to say, you make for a good villain!
That creepy smile of yours, even when you're becoming a bloody pulp will definitely make the audience cheer for me to win!
Prince:
Sorry, I'm just having too much fun to stop!
Mercutio:
What's that supposed to mean–!!
Before Mercutio can finish speaking, his voice is amplified several times, causing him and everyone in the arena to cover their ears to try and recover from the shock and pain. Price slowly forces himself back onto his feet, as he begins to crack his knuckles, a large, horrifying smile spread across his face.
Prince:
Since you're strong, that means I don't have to hold back, right?!
Mercutio staggers around, before turning his attention back to Prince, and barely manages to avoid a direct hit, but Giuoco Piano emerges and sucker punches Mercutio.
Mercutio:
(What's this kid's deal?!)
(There's something seriously wrong with him!)
You're going to regret trying to outshine me, brat!
Prince:
Trying? I thought I was doing a pretty good job at beating you!
Mercutio:
Don't make me laugh, background characters like you exist to make stars like me shine even brighter!
As Mercutio taunts, the lights around Prince begin to shine brightly, stunning Prince for a second. Mercutio takes advantage of this momentary lapse to try and regain the upper hand in the fight. Prince smiles before pivoting and redirecting Mercutio's momentum to flip him over.
Prince:
Really? I even stole this pivot idea from you!
This seems a lot more boring than I thought it was gonna be…
Why don't we just hurry up and end this?
Mercutio:
My thoughts exactly…
Prince and Mercutio both back away from one another, before the air around them begins to change. Suddenly, both of their Manifesto's fiercely clash in the centre of the arena.
Prince: Mercutio:
Giuoco Piano!!! Skewer!!!
The two Manifesto's are evenly matched, as neither can gain the upperhand. However, as Giuoco Piano begins to overwhelm Skewer, the room goes dark.
Prince:
What the–?!
Skewer manages to land a clean blow on Giuoco Piano, sending it back, and causing two of Prince's teeth to fall out.
Prince:
You're gonna regret that…
(I say that, but the fact hasn't changed that I can't see a thing in here!)
(This is definitely his Manifesto's ability.)
Skewer continues to land hits on Prince, as he remains still, concentrating on something.
Mercutio:
Is this how it ends, boy?!
I guess my Manifesto's ability was just too much for you!
Prince:
(That's it, just keep yelling.)
(Luckily for me, Giuoco Piano is perfect for fighting something like this!)
(I just need to wait him out, then once I have the layout of the room figured out again, I'll beat him!)
Mercutio:
You've been doing great at keeping the audience interested!
But nothing good lasts forever, so why don't we bring the curtain down on this show of ours?!
As Skewer lands one final attack, something seems to connect in Prince's brain, as he begins to smile at the sound of Skewer's fists meeting Giuoco Piano's body.
Prince:
Thanks for the help finding you!
Giuoco Piano and Prince wind up for one last big punch. Both of their fists connect with Mercutio and Skewer, releasing a booming sound that fills the whole room. Skewer vanishes, as Mercutio falls down in pain. The ring the two fought in disappears, as the train's interior reverts to normal.
Prince:
That fight was tougher than usual. Thanks again, Mercutio!
I should probably go check up on Jay now–
Oh wait, where did my teeth go!?
I don't feel like I should leave them around!
Passenger:
Excuse me, sir. Thank you for saving us, is there any way we could repay you?
Prince flashes them a toothy grin…minus two teeth.
Prince:
It was nothing!
But if you really want to help, I have an idea, but it's a little weird…
(I'll be up there to help you soon, Jay!)
(Just give me a minute!)
Meanwhile–during Prince and Mercutio's fight–on top of the train, Jay and Octavius are locked in combat. Jay continues to try and close in on Octavius, however, he is stopped each time by the flaming orbs, as they dance gracefully through the air. With each hit that the flames redirect, the brighter they burn, and their colour begins to shift slowly.
Jay:
(Tsk, these flames are really annoying me!)
(Is this all his Manifesto does? No, there has to be more to it!)
(Just what is he planning–)
Octavius snaps his fingers, as the flaming orbs quickly gather and form a circle around Jay.
Octavius:
Fianchetto, flare.
Suddenly, the orbs all release a large burst of energy, leaving Jay with little time to react. Octavius lies down once again and continues watching Mercutio's broadcast.
Octavius:
Tsk, Mercutio's going to ruin everything!
I should have just come alone, it would have made my life so much easier.
I guess I should head down to help him.
Octavius picks himself back up and begins walking away from where the explosion occurred. Octavius slowly moves across the roof of the train, but is grabbed by a large, soft, hand. Before he even has time to turn and see what had happened, Jay lands a clean punch on Octavius.
Octavius:
You…!
Jay:
Ugh…(I barely managed to survive that…)
(I'm glad Fool's Gambit was able to reach me in time.)
(But something felt weird about that fire…)
Octavius holds the spot that Jay had hit, as he begins to tremble in rage.
Octavius:
You…
I can't believe the audacity!
How dare you touch me with your filthy hands!
Do you even comprehend how much bacteria's living on your hand?!
This is why I hate brawls, such disgusting business…
Fire is so much more soothing…burning away the impurities, killing off the harmful bacteria.
No mess, no filthy germs, only a clean and easy path to victory.
Fianchetto…
I hope you're prepared for the consequences of your actions!
Jay feels a large wave of unease wash over him, as the flames begin to burn brighter. The orbs align themselves, and the flames connect to create the body of the Manifesto. Contracting and expanding, the flames continue to burn brighter and whip violently in all directions as if they are trying to find a certain position. Jay looks back, and sees that the flaming orbs have now taken on the appearance of a monstrous fox. Fianchetto wraps itself around Octavius, as Fool's Gambit returns to Jay to protect him.
Jay:
(Is he about to get serious with his Manifesto?!)
(Something was weird about that fire earlier, I should stay on guard!)
(Just like I was taught, always be cautious when dealing with Manifestos!)
Octavius:
Fianchetto…
The Manifesto begins to glow, as it points its tail towards Jay and Fool's Gambit.
Jay:
(Is this the same attack as last time?!) (What should I do?) (Should I take the hit again?) (No, this is stranger.) (I should dodge!) (Stop overthinking it!) (Take the hit!) (Dodge!) (Take the hit!) (Dodge!)(Take the hit!) (Dodge!)(Take the hit!) (Dodge!)(Take the hit!) (Dodge!)(Take the hit!) (Dodge!)(Take the hit!) (Do–)
Jay looks up and sees the Manifesto glowing white.
Octavius:
…Flare!
Jay closes his eyes, accepting his fate.
Jay:
(Oh, I guess this is it…)
(You know, I wish I could have done more…)
(I wonder what Mr. Spectre would have done?)
Jay reflects back to his childhood, as he gets hit by James and stumbles backwards.
Past Jay:
Ow! Mr. Spectre, you're going too tough on me!
Past James:
C'mon Jay, I know you have it in you!
You're Manifesto is perfect for defending yourself and others.
Honestly, you're probably one of the strongest students here.
Your only problem is you get in your own head too much!
Past Jay:
My own head?
Past kid 1:
Mr. Spectre! Mr. Spectre! Who are the other strongest?
Past Kid 2:
Obviously me!
Past Kid 3:
No, it's me! For sure!
Past Woman:
Geez, James. Look what you started!
Past James:
Oh come on, I didn't mean it!
I was just trying to motivate him!
Past James and the woman continue to bicker as the children gather around James. Past Jay giggles, as it cuts back to the present. Before Fianchetto's attack can land, Jay ducks out of the way. The metal of the train where the attack lands glows red hot.
Jay:
(Mr. Spectre was right, I get too into my own head!)
(I need to take a lesson from…Prince of all people, and get serious about this fight!)
Prince sneezes inside the train, as him and a group of old people search for his teeth.
Prince:
Is someone talking about me?
Octavius:
Tsk, missed again!
Make this easier and just surrender already!
Jay:
Sorry, I can't do that, I have too much at stake to back down here!