Page 1
Setting. A dark narrow hallway is displayed. Further down, on the left of the dark hall is another hall. A green light emits from the hall to the left.
Getting closer to the hallway to the left, the green light gets brighter.
A left turn to the next hall reveals that the green light is coming from a distant room.
A closer look shows a silhouette standing in front of something strange.
Silhouette dude: "It'll take quite some time before completion. But I'm a patient man. Still…"
Page 2
A closer look displays a man. The man wears a mask with a red X across the middle. He crosses his arms as he observes the thing in front of him.
Masked dude: "I didn't expect you to make this much progress so quickly."
*FLASHBACK*: In this flashback to a familiar scene of a silhouette picking something up from the ground. The setting is at night in an abandoned neighborhood. The flashback is from the last page of Chapter 22: Part 3.
Silhouette: "Ah. A fine specimen indeed."
The man walks away.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
In the room with the masked man, the man walks away to the frame of the door, then turns around.
Masked man: "I'll let you grow in peace. You'll have a big role to play in the future. Good night, my little angel."
The man walks away, leaving the room into the dark, narrow hall.
The room itself is mostly empty, aside from some very thick tube wires near the door frame. The wires go all around the room.
Page 3
Following the wires, they lead to whatever the masked man was facing. The wires connect to the bottom of a round machine, about 2 feet tall.
Looking up from the bottom of the machine, the machine transitions to a thick glass. The thick glass is round like a cylinder with what appears to be water inside. The green light is coming from the bottom of the machine. Bubbles rise from the bottom as well.
What the man was looking at is a single pod, about 9 feet tall, filled up to the top with what looks like water, including the machine at the bottom.
Floating in the middle of the pod is a round, mis-shaped head. The left half of the face looks normal, though the right half of the face is missing part of the upper lip and skin from the jaw, exposing a mouth full of baby teeth.
Page 4
Date: October 8.
4.5 months later.
Setting: Site 7.
Unit 17 and 16 are packing luggage into cars in the front of the building. It's a bright cloudy morning.
Wendy (narrating):The day has finally come. We're preparing for the flight out west. The Assessment Games start tomorrow. And of course, it's just like Master Forte to procrastinate.
Forte is yelling as everyone packs their things.
Forte: "C'mon, c'mon. We gotta go! The Games are tomorrow, and I still don't have the hotels booked!"
Chase: "Ugh, this is why you do things ahead of time."
Wendy (Narrating): I've never been out west before. And apparently, neither has Elliot.
Elliot's in the background shoving a winter coat in his bag.
Terry: "You know we're going to a warmer area, right?"
Elliot: "Ay, you never know."
Wendy (Narrating): And I wonder if Devlon has ever traveled on a plane.
Devlon is seen next to Elliot with a box of mangoes.
Elliot: "Bruh, you can't just take food on a plane."
Devlon: "What? But Jasmine said airports have Mango Mondays and…JASMINE!"
Page 5
Setting: Maple City.
The city looks just as normal as usual. People are out driving, shopping, or just doing their thing. A couple military bots here and there, but no danger in sight.
Wendy (narrating):Aside from a couple hiccups, we haven't seen the faceless in a couple months. So the city and other areas have been pretty quiet. Their abrupt inactivity seems odd, but no news is good news, I suppose.
Setting shifts to Stomp Boulevard where Dante is seen carrying cases of water on his shoulder. He's next to Stone, who appears to be analyzing the sidewalk of the neighborhood.
Wendy (narrating):The Dragons have been doing their own thing.
Dante: "Take a break for now. You've been working all day."
Stone: "Lemme just fix this tiny lump in the path. I want the streets and sidewalks to be perfect."
Wendy (narrating): Franciscus gave an announcement, granting them permission to improve that abandoned neighborhood as a safe place for estranged Irregulars. Good for them.
Page 6
Setting: In the sky. Everyone's on the plane, including Kei, Nana, and Iris.
Wendy (narrating):And Iris was granted a lot of free time, lately. I'm glad she has Nana. It was nice for Forte to pull some strings to have her and Kei tag along.
Iris teleports from window to window.
Iris: "See that? We're looking down at CLOUDS! See bro?"
Chase: "Yeah, we're pretty high up, sis."
Iris: "Chase isn't too excited. What about you, big bro? Um, Devlon?"
Devlon is resting.
Devlon: "Mmm? Yeah. I'm just tired…zzz"
Chase: "He needs rest. He's been drained since we took off. Something about high altitudes or something."
Iris: "Oh, I see. But…what about that?"
Iris points to a dark rain cloud above Devlon's head.
Chase: "I…have no idea what that's about."
Devlon (talking in his sleep): "zzz…Mango Mondays…was a lie..zzz…curse you, Jasmine…zzz"
Wendy (narrating): 3 hours until we land and make our way to Site 201.
Page 7
3.5 hours later…
Setting: West Airport
Though indoors, it's a cloudy day with heavy rain. The airport itself is large like your typical airport, though it isn't crowded. As a matter of fact, there are only a few people in the airport, from what the gang can see.
Forte: "Alright, folks. Grab your luggage and follow me."
Kei looks around in wonder.
Nana: "This place is so big! Iris, we can play a big game of Hide and Seek here!"
Iris: "You're RIGHT! I wonder if Father Franciscus can set that up for us!"
Kei: "Where is everybody?"
Wendy: "That is kinda strange. I thought the airport would be crowded."
Forte: "Well, in your typical airport, yes. But West airport is special."
Elliot: "Can't wait to see how special Site 201 is."
Close up on Forte as he closes his eyes, chuckling.
Forte: "Funny you mention that, Elliot."
Page 8
Full screen of the airport. The airport has many stands for restaurants, restrooms, activity centers, etc. Ahead of the gang is a glass window that shows an entire other building attached to the airport.
Forte: "This airport is Site 201. Or part of it, anyway."
Elliot: "Say what?!"
Forte: "West Airport is privately owned by Site 201."
Wendy: "The entire airport?!"
Forte: "Yep. The next section is the main entrance and hotel area. We'll hit the hotels to drop your things off, then a quick tour of the areas where you'll be competing."
Page 9
Forte stands in front of a steel double door.
Forte: "But first, I'm gonna have you guys step in here."
The door opens to reveal an all-white room that resembles the simulation room in Site 7.
Terry: "Ah, I remember this room."
Elliot: "Wait, we're about to do a simulation? Right now? Lemme eat, first!"
Chase: "That's not what this is, Elliot."
Wendy: "Anyone care to explain?"
Elliot: "Right. Cuz I'm not gonna go into a white room just because you told me to. Did that with a white van once and almost died."
Forte: "This room is known as the Purification Room. It's where visitors and officers pass through before entering the hotels, training areas, and main event areas."
Wendy: "So everyone has to come through this entrance before getting anywhere in Site 201?"
Forte: "Hahaha. That would be inconvenient. There's a Purification Room on each side of Site 201. There are multiple entrances, including the airport entrance."
Elliot: "So, just step in?"
Forte: "Precisely."
Page 10
Wendy walks toward the room first, but Forte reaches out to stop her.
Forte: "Oh, not you, Wendy. This one is just for the irregulars."
Wendy: "Oh. Why's that?"
Forte: "Something about cleansing oneself after missions and not bringing in energies from the outside after high stress Special Ops missions."
Wendy: "Oh…so it's a cultural thing?"
Forte: "I doubt it. Remember what I said; they're just stuck up. I think they just want a fancy cultural explanation as a euphemism for 'don't bring germs in from your mission.'"
Terry: "But Wendy's gonna be on missions with us, too. Why exclude the human?"
Forte nudges Wendy.
Forte: "Beats me. Maybe that'll change after Wendy, our first human on the force, makes an impression."
Elliot walks into the room first.
Elliot: "Whatever. I'm just ready to put my luggage away so we can eat. C'mon."
Page 11
The gang stands inside the room. More specifically, Terry (hands in his pocket), Jasmine (arms crossed and rolling her eyes), Chase (looking down at Iris), Iris (holding onto Chase), Elliot (looking up, not knowing what to expect), and Devlon (looking down and waiting).
As they stand, their clothes and hair raise as if being blown upwards by wind. Sprinkles of water rise around Jasmine.
Chase's eyes blow a bright red. The light shines through his shades.
Light flames rise from Terry's body.
Iris holds on to Chase even tighter, though she's now on the other side of Chase.
Iris: "What's happening, big bro?"
Chase: "Don't worry, Iris. This'll only last a second or two."
Devlon and Elliot each have an aura around them. Devlon's is green. Elliot's is light blue.
And just like that, it ended as fast as it started. They're all back to normal.
The door opens.
Page 12
The gang of Irregulars walk out of the door to meet Wendy, Forte, Nana, and Kei.
Jasmine: "Yeah, I can never get used to that. Good thing it's only once a year."
Forte: "How would you all feel about bringing this to Site 7?"
Terry: "Don't even kid like that."
Wendy: "Well? How was it?"
Elliot walks out, stretching.
Elliot: "Weird. Feels like I just dried off from a shower. Like I'm relieved of something. But I'm also feeling a bit of adrenaline."
Off screen voice: "That feeling is your radiant power activating. And the relief is from the impurities of the outside."
Everyone turns around to see Franciscus.
Elliot: "The heck is he doing here?"
Franciscus: "I facilitate the Assessment Games. But for now, I'm here to take you up to your rooms."
Elliot: "Ain't no way I'm gonna tell my room number to a creep like you!"
Franciscus: "As rude as ever, I see. But I'm the one who paid for your stay. So unless you want to sleep in the airport tonight, I suggest you refrain from using that mouth of yours and follow me."
Page 13
A door opens. The door leads to a room. The room itself is very large. Straight ahead from the door is a large living room. The living room has a mounted TV on the wall to the right, a reclining couch across from it, another couch, and a fireplace straight ahead at the end.
Elliot: "Ain't no way this is one hotel room! It's huge!"
Franciscus: "This is just the living room. To the left is the kitchen. To the right is the bathroom and bedrooms."
Elliot runs to the TV, leaving a trail of dust behind him. Under the TV is a game console.
Elliot: "Yoooo! They have the Super X-Station Genesis Dream Cube! Unit 17, Unite! We bout to game hardtonight!"
Jasmine leans over to Wendy's ear.
Jasmine: "Isn't he just the cutest thing when he's excited?"
Wendy: "I don't think I've ever seen him this excited."
Forte waves over at Elliot.
Forte: "There will be plenty of time for that, ya know. This is Unit 17's room. You should unload your stuff and call dibs on the bedding."
Split panel between Devlon, Wendy, and Elliot. They're eyeing each other. It's as if they're prepared to fight to the death.
Page 14
Wendy looks at Elliot, who's still under the TV. Then she looks over at Devlon, who's right beside her. Devlon is avoiding eye contact with her, but his nervous facial expression makes it obvious that he's about to make a run for it.
Wendy:Devlon's the fastest in the group. There's no way I could beat him to the bedroom. Unless…
Wendy crouches down, holding her abdomen. Devlon rushes over to her with a hand on her back.
Wendy: "Oooh, my abdomen."
Devlon: "Wendy? Hey, what's wrong?"
Wendy: "Suddenly, I…"
Wendy elbows Devlon in the gut and makes a run for it.
Jasmine: "Oh this is interesting. Who's gonna get first dibs?"
Wendy dashes to the right down a hall. There's light coming from a doorway on the left.
Wendy: "That must be the bedroom!"
Still running, she takes a peep behind her. Devlon is pursuing her in the distance.
Wendy:MAN, he's fast!
Next panel shows Devlon still running, but he yanks his blade out.
Wendy: "GYAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" WHY IS HIS SWORD OUT! IT'S JUST A BED!
Page 15
Wendy makes it to the bathroom, which is connected to the master bedroom. Wendy makes a run for the bedroom ahead of her.
Devlon jets in front of her, sword ready, bringing Wendy to a halt. She's on guard.
Wendy:Why is he doing this? It's just a bed!
Devlon: "I hope you're ready."
Wendy: "You want to fight over a bed? I didn't know it meant that much to you."
Devlon raises an eyebrow. His battle face shifts to a look of confusion.
Devlon: "Bed? I thought you were testing our abilities when you elbowed me."
Wendy: "What? No, that was to get a head start on you!"
Devlon: "So…this isn't a sparring session?"
Wendy: "Sparri-NO! Why is everything a training session with you? I just want first pick on the bed!"
Off screen voice: "Wait, that's it?"
Page 16
Wendy turns around to see Elliot standing in the doorway of the master bedroom.
Elliot: "Go ahead and pick your bed, girl."
Wendy: "How'd you get to the bedroom?" Did he acquire super speed in training?
Elliot: "There was a door on the wall. I was curious. Led to this room."
Elliot walks out of the room near Wendy and Devlon.
Elliot: Is that why you took off running? Girl, I'm gonna be gaming all night I'll probably crash in the living room."
Devlon: "Is that what this is? Why didn't you just ask, Wendy? I don't care which bed or couch I get. I'm even fine with the floor."
Wendy looks a little embarrassed, her cheeks turning red.
Wendy: "Oh, uh. I guess I could have just asked, hehehe."
Terry walks in.
Terry: "You guys ready yet? Your little battle took so long we already unloaded. We gotta head down to the lobby for registration."
Wendy: "What? Shouldn't that have been done online weeks ago?"
Terry gives Wendy a plain, emotionless stare.
Terry: "Master Forte was left in charge."
Wendy walks back toward the hall.
Wendy: "You're right. Unit 17, let's go before it's too late."
Page 17
Unit 16 and 17 make their way to the registration area along with Forte. The large lobby is filled with other individuals eating and drinking at tables. In the center is a desk with a receptionist. The number 201 is printed on the large marble floor.
Forte: "Alright, cool. The registration lady is still there."
The rest of the gang: "YOU WEREN'T EVEN SURE IF REGISTRATION WAS STILL OPEN!?"
Forte speaks with the front desk lady while the rest of the gang observes the lobby.
Front Desk Lady: "You're just in time. You're all set. Welcome, visitors from Site 7."
Random close ups from the various individuals who were once eating, drinking, and laughing. They're all giving dirty looks in the gang's direction. They do not look happy at all. One of them looks Wendy up and down.
Wendy: "Um…why do they all look like they want to kill us after hearing we're from Site 7?"