>>3100401
Your facets ache. Your inclusions hum. Your eyes throb with agonizing pulses of inner light. You feel your faults creak slightly as the crush of bone presses on you. David's voice pops into your commlink.

"Lustrous, I need you to get down here as soon as possible. We still have another safe to open."
You manage to work an arm free and use it to smash open the faux-ribcage that imprisons you. "I'll be on that as soon as I can get these two to stop!"
"Totenkopf" chuckles. "Not gonna happen, Captain Crystal."
"Not until you and your villainous cohorts are behind bars- where you belong!"

It's pretty clear Apollo has an excess of enthusiasm for his role. Sadly, his pulses of light have literally and metaphorically backed you into a corner, where Totenkopf had pinned you.
You hear the tear of metal on metal, and Rebecca's sadistic giggles in the distance. "Lighthouse" spins about.
"No! Totenkopf, we have to stop her!"
"You can do that. I'm having too much fun with Gem-Boy here."

>Rush Totenkopf while he's reparteeing
>Attack Lighthouse while he's distracted
>Run for the drop-through to the lower level
>Ask Rebecca for support

>>3100466
>Attack Lighthouse while he's distracted

>>3100466
>Attack Lighthouse while he's distracted
If he manages to get to Rebecca, she'll be hard pressed to retaliate since Lighthouse's flashes will blind her.

>>3100466
>Attack Lighthouse while he's distracted
We have an advantage against Lighthouse, and we can use his quirk against him.

>>3100702
>>3100703
>>3100708
"My code-name is MISTER LUSTROUS, thank you!" You bull-rush Lighthouse, your front gleaming and flawless.

>Roll 1d100. 60 or under passes, need two out of three.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>3101112
Lighthouse? More like, Lights Out!

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>3101112

>>3101355
Critical success baby

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3101112
Time to bring the Luster

>>3101201
>>3101355
>>3101398
>3/3 succeeded
>2/3 criticals via dubs
oh yes

>>3101398
>>3101355
You slam Apollo against the wall and hit him in the face; the mask splinters and he drops prone. Maybe a bit excessive, but it got the job done. You turn to Ryan.
"You should probably save those hostages now. Apollo will be very cross if you don't."
You think Ryan sneers at you from behind his external skull. "He can stay mad. You know, you're actually pretty tough, when you're ready to fight. Like a diamond, maybe. Did you know that if you hit a diamond in just the right place, it'll fracture into pieces?"
You hear that awful cracking, wet sound Ryan's body makes when he uses his Quirk. His finger-bones on each hand swell. On the right hand, they elongate, flatten, and finally fuse into one nasty spur. The left hand's bones just swell and cluster, knuckle and palm bones subsuming everything flexible-and are those TEETH studding points of the resulting bludgeon?
"Wanna test that out?"

>Fight
>Run for the basement

>>3101463
Lights out for Lighthouse

>>3101811
Fight! If we run he'll just attack us as we try to escape. Plus, we're probably the only one on our team that can take him on in a purely physical confrontation.

>>3101811
You're taking a losing bet, bonehead

>>3101817
>>3101811
>Fight

>>3101811
>>Fight

>>3101811
>fight
>”Rebecca, come “Watch” me beat this fool!”

>>3101874
This is meant to imply have her assist with here quirk.

>>3101874
very nice, supporting this too

>>3101874
Supporting. That'll definitely help.

>>3101874
>>3101877

good idea, supporting

Rolled 85, 79, 58 = 222 (3d100)

>>3101874
>>3101879
>>3101884
>>3102369
"Rebecca, come watch me beat this fool!"
"Totenkopf" barks in laughter. "Going to try and jinx me, huh? Good luck with that.
You fall into a boxing stance. "We'll see." You can feel Rebecca's eyes boring into the two of you behind her mask.

Roll 1d100. Must beat the MIDDLE of the above rolls.

>>3102658
And, as usual, best of three.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>3102658
Time to show this punk how polished we are!

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3102658
You are already dead, bonehead

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>3102658
looks like you're boned

>>3102708
hmm

>>3102708
More like “Bone” me daddy! Lol!

Rolled 44, 6, 5 = 55 (3d100)

>>3102686
>>3102708
>>3102670
Crit success and fail cancel out, leaving ordinary success.
You go for the first, obvious target; "Totenkopf"'s chest. It ripples and bulges as you swing, and you hit reinforced rib-cage, but Ryan stumbles over a loose piece of drywall and falls on his back. You notice that his hands are now exposed, and with that, his Quirk's weak point presents itself to you.
"Rebecca! Get behind Ryan and start punching!"
The look in Ryan's eyes says you're right.
Roll 1d100 against the middle of the above three. Best of three.

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>3102986
>a fucking 6

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>3102986
Here goes nothing! Wish us luck!

>>3103025
God dammit dude.

>>3103025
Crit fail! Well crap! Kek

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>3102986

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>3102986
no pressure
jesus thats a low roll to beat

>>3103034
We had it too until critfail.

So unless the qm gives us a benny for me sorta kinda calling the match up, we are boned.

>>3103025
You move in to start swinging-
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Your body shudders like a leaf in the wind. You can feel your grains pushing against each other along your fault lines. Through the haze of agony, you can see a looming shadow at the end of the hall, behind Rebecca's felled body. You're scared that if you so much as breathe too hard, you body might start cracking.
>Surrender for now
>Run (this is risky)
>Fight (this is VERY risky)

>>3103081
>>Run (this is risky)

>>3103081
>Run
Try to lose him through the holes we knocked through the floors and walls. He'll be too big to fit through them quickly enough to catch up.

>>3103081
this >>3103254

>>3103084
>>3103254
>>3103926
To Hell with this: you have a job to do! You force yourself to move towards the hole in the nearest wall.

>Roll: 55 or under succeeds, need two out of three.

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>3104484

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>3104484

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>3104484

>>3104492
>>3104501
>>3104521
noice

>>3104492
>>3104501
You stumble, deaf and reeling, to the hole and drop through. Agony blooms along your knees- you definitely cracked something along a stress point. As you shuffle into the basement, you see David staring at you through his featureless crimson ballistic mask...


Lustrous looks at you through unfocused emerald lenses- you can see small fracture lines on his surface, and when he walks, you can hear an awful grinding. You can't imagine what he feels like.
"Are you good to open the safe?"
He slowly nods as he walks over and slams his palm down on the hinges, bending them out of shape.
"Quick... Billy's up there..."
Keane looks at you. "I can't really make sense of, uh, Lustrous's vitals, but I don't think he's doing good. Maybe we should call the teachers in and get him some help?"

>Run for the door
>Call the exercise off to get Lustrous medical help

>>3105345
>Call the exercise off to get Lustrous medical help

>>3105345
>>Call the exercise off to get Lustrous medical help

>>3105345
>>Call the exercise off to get Lustrous medical help

>>3105345
>Call the exercise off to get Lustrous medical help


Kinda absurd one critfail did this when getting a proper harmonic frequency to shatter most crystals is hard to do.

>>3105345
>call off the exercise
Can't be helped. Safety here comes first

>>3105576
on top of one of our allies being instantly downed, to boot

>>3105591
Yup.

>>3105576
It was the fall that did it; when Joshua gets hard, he becomes like a diamond; he has large cleavage planes.

>>3105379
>>3105449
>>3105560
>>3105576
>>3105583
"You're right, we need to help him."
Joshua raises a hand. "No... no... I'm fine. Just need to rest."
You hear a rumble from upstairs, and Rebecca hoarsely cackles over the line. "Billy's under a pile of rubble now~ Better hurry, though, don't know how long I can hold Ryan o-pff!"
Judging by the last syllable, Rebecca has less time than she thought.
>If you're sure...
>I'm the leader, I'm calling it

>>3105601
>>If you're sure...
>Go up to reinforce Rebecca, leave Joshua here under orders not to do anything unless he's FULLY confident it won't harm him. No bullshit.

>>3105601

>>3105628
This.

>>3105601
"Joshua, are you *absolutely* sure? This had better not be some sort of misplaced bravado. If I let the match go on while you have a serious injury, we both could end up kicked out (we don't actually know that, but I'm guessing here). Me for endangering a team mate needlessly, and you for medical reasons. I don't think either of us want that, so I need you to be honest with me."

>>3105652
Dude, the first two sentences seem like enough. Unless you feel David likes the sound of his own voice!

>>3105601
>>3105628
Support these options!

>>3105628
Supporting

>>3105601
>I'm the leader, I'm calling it
SAFETY FIRST

https://theweek.com/articles/458986/scientists-accidentally-discover-metal-that-heals-itself
God damn, Joshua is going to be one hell of a hero if he ever masters his quirk.
Being able to alter his crystalline structure is a ridiculously versatile and powerful quirk, you just have to be knowledgeable about what the different configurations do. Well, that and have enough skill with the quirk to actually change yourself to those configs.

>>3105601
>I'm the leader, I'm calling it

>>3105628
>>3105633
>>3106014
>>3106160
"If you're sure..."
"Positive." Joshua winces as he leans against a nearby wall. "I'll just ask Ms. Santini for some medical caulk."
You pass the key-cards off to Keane. "Use your Quirk to make sure everything's clear and go for the safe. Joshua, just... stay here. Don't do [i[anything[/i] dangerous. I'm going up to help Rebecca."
You sprint up the stairs and eye the walls. Let's see... you weigh about 165 lbs with all equipment, the walls are concrete... you'll have to kick off at the right angle...

Roll 1d100. 50 or lower passes, need one out of three.

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>3107828

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>3107828

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>3107828

>>3107828

>>3107834
You take a running jump at the wall, kick off, and grab a hold of a relatively smooth edge of the hole. One strong pull, and you're back up on the second floor.
You can see Totenkopf from here; a kneeling figure with three hideous spinal growths bristling from the torso to Rebecca; one constricting each arm while the third wraps around her eyes and neck.
"Surrender, Nemesis. All you have to do is say 'I give up'."

You pull your baton. One shot is all you'll have before he notices... but it should be all it takes.

Roll. 45 or lower passes, need one out of three.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>3107852

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>3107852

>>3107854
Your baton hits with a satisfying THUD against the back of Totenkopf's neck; as he spasms down to the floor, he releases Rebecca and you cuff him with his own manacles. Rebecca hacks into the ground.
"What... is WRONG with you?"

>He did what he had to, Rebecca
>Like you wouldn't do the same if you could
>She couldn't talk, Ryan
>(hit him)

>>3107867
>>She couldn't talk, Ryan

>>3107867
>She couldn't talk, Ryan

>>3107867
>She couldn't talk, Ryan

>>3107867
In character, I know David wouldn't miss a chance to be a big damn hero, but out of character I know these two sadists were made for each other

>>3107872
>>3107874
>>3107883
"Ryan, she couldn't talk. How was she supposed to surrender?"
Ryan shakes his head. "Oh, she could talk. I wasn't squeezing that hard. Just enough that her blood would start rushing to her head, make it harder to think about how to escape."
Rebecca shakes her head. "You are sick, Ryan."
"Am I? The way I hurt people heals. The way you hurt people doesn't."
"Shut. Up."
Keane's voice crackles through the radio. "Got the package. Oakley... she's standing down. I think she knows she's lost."
Argus's voice crackles out. "Heroes forfeit. Medical teams, please report to the training site."

Fortunately, it looks like Joshua's injuries aren't going to put him out of the final round. While Ms. Santini heads out with construction drones to re-build the damaged sections of the hotel, your team settles into the break room.
"That was a bit more of a test, wouldn't you say? We got a chance to really see how we did under pressure." Keane starts making notes on his slate. "We'll be at a major disadvantage for the final round, however; Carrefour's team fought us before, and they'll be gunning for us."
"So we'll just have to show them our teamwork, yeah?"
"Indeed. Your enthusiasm is only matched by your power of stating the obvious." Joshua shifts his feet in the pool of mineral water they're soaking in.

Talk to...
>Joshua, about his injuries
>Rebecca, about what Ryan said
>Joanna, about Joan
>Keane, about the next match

>>3107913
Sweet jesus, there's another round after this? God daaaaamn, this test arc has taken forever. I just wanna get on with other stuff at this point.
Anyways, my vote is for
>Joshua, about his injuries

>>3107917
This round WILL be short, don't worry.

>>3107913
>Joshua, about his injuries
>Rebecca, about what Ryan said
>Keane, about the next match
>>3107917
I'll agree that this section seems to have dragged on somewhat, and I think having these matches be primarily write ins contributed heavily to that. I believe I mentioned it to the QM before (thought I might be mistaken), that players often flounder without a bit more structure and direction. Nonetheless, I do feel that the best thing to come out of this was the alternate viewpoints. Gives us a taste of what other characters are thinking and feeling.

>>3107913
>Rebecca about what Ryan said
Hope we see her luck altering ability play out next round.

>>3107923
Well that's not ominous

>>3107913
>>3107924
This

>>3107924
I want to learn more about the teachers and the class set-up

>>3107913
>Joanna, about Joan

>>3108589
This. Let's sort that out before it comes back to bite us.

>>3107913
Supporting >>3107924

>>3107917
>>3107924
>>3107984
"Joshua, how are you holding up?"
Joshua winces slightly. "I'll be fine once my body finishes absorbing the mineral suspension. I won't be at the top of my game, but unless I have to deal with something like Strigoi and a one-story fall at the same time again, I'll be able to work."
"Good, good. You guys should start planning out our final exercise."
You look at Rebecca. "Do you mind talking with me in private?"

Rebecca takes off her snarling demon's-mask in the back room and fastens her "blindfold" back on.
"...Thanks for saving me."
"We're on a team, Rebecca; that's what teams do."
"So, what do you want?"
You pull up your ballistic mask. "What Ryan said- about you hurting people in ways that can't heal- what did he mean?"
Rebecca shakes her head. "I don't want to talk about it. Especially not with someone who uses people."

>I don't want to use people
>We need to be open if we're going to work together
>You owe me
>Fine, keep your secrets

>>3109015
>Rebecca, I think you know that even though I've made mistakes, I've never claimed I'm perfect and I really mean well. Just because someone messes up doesn't mean they're a bad person.

>>3109015

>>3109050
This.

>>3109015
Supporting >>3109050

>>3109015
>I've never meant to use people, and I'm sorry if I have

>>3109050
This

>>3109050
>>3109099
>>3109110
>>3109162
"Rebecca, I've never claimed to be perfect, and I do mean well-"
"Oh, that makes it all okay then, doesn't it?! You meant well when you used Joan's emotional openness as a weapon against her."
"Just because someone makes a mistake doesn't make them evil-"
"Oh, really?! It's funny how everyone ELSE gets to use that excuse, but-"
Rebecca stops, suddenly. "But what do you care? I'm just the creepy girl with the powers~ Let's not make this anything else."

>You can drop the act
>Did you hurt your parents?
>I misjudged you on our first day

>>3109358
>You're not just "the creepy girl with the powers" You're Rebecca, my teammate and friend, alright?

>>3109358
>You can drop the act
>Who did you hurt?

>>3109358
this, let's go full shonen protag and heal a creepy bitch with the power of not taking a hint
>>3109367

>>3109358
>You can drop the act

If our protagonist was a D&D character what would their alignment be?

>>3109367
Supporting
Also, how long have been at the school so far, to be sure. About a month?

>>3109392
Yeah, a bit more than a month.
>>3109367
>>3109378
>>3109392
"You're not just 'the creepy girl with the powers'. You're my teammate and friend-"
Rebecca stops. "You don't mean that. You just want me to tell you about-about that stuff. This is the most time we've spent together out of class."
"That's true, but I'd like to get to know you, Rebecca. You can't just push everyone away and be upset when people aren't close to you."
Rebecca falls silent, "staring" at the ground.
"...My Quirk manifested when I was at preschool. It had one of those-those spinning things, like a merry-go-round, but people ride on it? I was watching the kids on it, when suddenly my eyes started aching, and then-"
Rebecca's voice catches. She swallows, and continues. "My 'best friend' at the time was on it, and she ended up going to the hospital. Broken ribs. She never spoke to me again after that. Would always run away when she saw me. My parents tried to help me, but everyone else... It's just easier to be okay with being hated."

>I'm so sorry that happened
>It wasn't your fault
>You don't have to be hated
>They'll love you as a Hero

>>3109738
>I can only imagine what it must've felt like to see someone you cared about get hurt like that. But it wasn't your fault, there's no way a little girl could've predicted something like that.

>>3109738
>>3109747
Maybe put a hand on her shoulder too? I forgot to add that in.

>>3109738
>They'll love you as a Hero
"Everyone has trouble with their quirks when they first manifest. If they could see how reliable you've been in these exercises, and how hard you're working towards mastering those powers, they'd see you like I see you."

>>3109747
>>3109773
I like this

>>3109747
Supporting

>>3109747
>>3109809
Both of these are good.

>>3109747
>>3109849
>>3110288
>>3110422
You put a hand on her shoulder- and feel her flinch slightly under it. You take it off, feeling awkward.
"Rebecca, I can't imagine what it must have felt like to see a close friend get hurt like that, but it's not your fault-"
"No, my Quirk did-"
"-because you COULDN'T HAVE KNOWN that your Quirk would manifest itself then, or that it would be something like that."
Rebecca closes her mouth. You just stand there for a minute, neither of you sure what to say.
Keane opens the door. "Time to get things rolling, boss. Match is on."
You nod. "Got it." You strap your mask on. "So, where are they?"
"You won't believe this; they're all in the lobby. Don't seem to be moving. They're all in good health, though. So, what's the play?"

>Infiltrate from the roof
>Frontal assault
>Go through the back
>Negotiate to get more information

>>3111121
>Negotiate to get more information

>>3111121
>>Negotiate to get more information

>>3111121
>Negotiate

>>3111171
>>3111262
>>3111418
"We need to get more information. Keep an eye on them while I negotiate. If you think anything is about to happen, let me know, in person."

You approach the front of the hotel- and are met halfway through with a horrible screaming in your earpiece. You have just enough time to see Vincent's cybered-up suit knock out a window before you start getting pelted by a storm of rubber shot from his wrist-guns. You scramble for cover.

Roll 1d100; 30 or lower succeeds. Best out of three.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>3111655
let's try this again.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>3111655
Here we go.

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>3111655

File: CE0D8ABA-CCF5-46CC-AE55-5(...).gif (1.87 MB, 500x370)

1.87 MB GIF

>>3111668
>>3111697
>>3111699
Fuck

>fail
wew

>>3111699
You barely make it back to cover in time. Your back is bruised, even through your body armor, and your ear is ringing. A quick look at your team shows they aren't doing very well either.
Vincent's voice crackles through, distorted and distant.
"Let me make this clear: if we see you again, all the hostages die. If you try to enter the building, all the hostages die. If you fail to comply with our demands, all the hostages die. We will release half of the hostages in exchange for your leader, unarmed and unmasked. If you try to negotiate these terms, the hostages die."

"they're being rather stupid, aren't they? Making it so all-or-nothing; there's no way they'll give up their only leverage like that. It's a bluff."
"I'm not so sure about that, Joshua. This doesn't seem like a bluff... it's too obvious."
"What if it's one of those double-bluffs where they're bluffing that they're bluffing? Or maybe they're bluffing that they're bluffing that they're bluffing..."
"We should just go in the back anyways. They're going to kill the hostages no matter what we do. That's what I would do."

>Surrender yourself
>Go in anyways

>>3112008
>Surrender yourself
I don't think they're bluffing. We both have a good idea of what the other is capable of and I don't think they're going to give us a chance to form a plan. We'll have to wing it, have Rebecca and Joanna create as much chaos as possible if things go really south.

>>3112008
>Surrender yourself

>>3112008
Gon in anyways

>>3112008
>>Go in anyways


Half of nothing is still nothing.

>>3112008
>Go in anyways

>>3112008
>>Surrender yourself

>>3112008
This is why it's a short round they're are going to kill all of them anyway

>>3112862
That's why we should try harder anyway.

Next vote decides, open to re-votes.

>>3113272
>>Go in anyways

>>3113280
"We have no guarantees here, and too much to lose if we give in. For all we know, they've killed all the hostages already. We aren't going to play games with them."
"So... full frontal assault?"
"Seems like the only practical option; anything else would give them time to run." You turn to Rebecca. "Do you mind taking a look at the door?"
"I thought you'd never ask~"

Joshua's bull-rush through the door reduces it to a cloud of flinders, and Lapse's flashbang follows right afterwards. The rest of you move in once the grenade detonates.
A dozen hostages lie about the room; most are alive, but a few have been physically ripped to shreds by the seven-foot tall, six-eyed ogre-beast in the middle of the room. A painfully stretched suit marks this as John, who's Quirk appears to have been REALLY acting up today. He's half-crumpled on the floor, bellowing. Hector is still reeling from the flashbang, arms flailing defensively. Vincent, unsuprisingly, seems unaffected; through the clearing dust, you see him turn to the nearest hostage and pummel it in the head with its wrist-guns, apparently registering a kill.
"Keane! Where the Hell's Carrefour and Melepone?"
"They're in the banquet hall- I think they're trying to get away! We have bigger problems, though- I don't think Proteus is going to be down for long!"

>Choose who goes after Carrefour and who stays and fights

>>3113320
Joanna, Keane, go after them

>>3113361
Supporting

>>3113361
Makes sense. Supporting.

>>3113361
>>3113436
>>3113697
"Lapse, Overwatch- go after them!"
"Got it!" Keane and Joanna sprint towards the banquet hall as John rises up to his feet; you swear that his first step causes a small tremor. Hector stabilizes and cracks his knuckles. Vincent executes another hostage in the confusion.
Fighting all three at once would be a tall order; it'd be best to have each one of your Heroes pair up with a Villain.

>Choose who focuses who

>>3114841
Have Rebecca focus on Default, her Quirk will hopefully play havoc with his over engineered suit. Have Lustrous take on Disciplina, while we face on Proteus head on. I doubt we'll be able to defeat him, but our quirk should allow us to better delay him than our teammates.

>>3114884
Support

>>3114884
This. Six eyes sounds like a lot of weak points for our projectiles

>>3114841
Supporting >>3114884

>>3114884
Supporting. We'll probably get OHKO'd but that's okay.

>>3114884
>>3115157
>>3115205
>>3115639
>>3115749
"Nemesis, get Default! Lustrous, handle Disciplina!"
"Are you sure you can handle Proteus?"
You pull a few weighted balls from your pockets. "...Maybe?"
"Oh, THAT'S great!"
John glares down at you, teeth bared. "DON'T MAKE ME HURT YOU."
You briefly consider taking him up on his offer; you've always tried to avoid getting into fights above your weight class, and right now John's looking like an NFL linebacker. Still, too late to back out. You calculate the spin and throwing rate you'd need to really give his eyes a good swatting...

Roll 1d100. 45 or lower succeeds, need two out of three.

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>3115753
yeah I cannot see this ending well

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3115753
Balls to the face!

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>3115753

>>3115776
>>3115793
>>3115828
Huh we made it.

>>3115793
Dubs is a critical success right?

>>3115894
Yes

>>3115793
Your rubber balls pelt him hard in all six eyes, and he reels back onto his ass. It's time to press the advantage- Maybe you can force these flex-cuffs onto his meaty wrists!

Roll 1d100. 20 or lower succeeds, need one success.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3116492

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>3116492

>>3116512
also besides the crit system being wonkey, we crit succeeded hitting this guy in the eyes, did that do nothing?

>>3116514
need an 11 to pass.

>>3116515
Now that I'm actually sitting down to examine it, yeah, it IS kind of wonky
The lower the DC, the more possible a critfail is, making it much much harder to succeed at all
The higher the DC, the more possible a crit is, making it much much easier to crit
And on a DC this low it's INCREDIBLY difficult, because the odds of getting a failure with dubs is a lot higher

>>3116521
Ifeel like the crit being double is deliberate for that reason, it just irks me.

Regardless it feels like our crit this do nothing while fails fuck us over.

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>3116492

>>3116521
>>3116515
I agree that the dub crits are kinda odd, but so far they haven't fucked us over in an irreparable way. Yet.

>>3116547
astronomical roll there, brother
I just hope that having 2 incredibly low rolls will have SOME effect here, that critfail is near impossible to beat

>>3116515
It knocked him on his ass and gave you the chance to take him down in the first place.
>>3116512
>>3116514
>>3116547
You go for John's wrists- and one of his hands comes swinging around like the hammer of the gods. You swear you hear something crack as you slam into the opposite wall, and when you get back up, your legs twitch and spasm. Every inch of you is searing. One more blow like that, and you won't just be out of the exercise-you might be laid up in traction. John rubs his eyes with one hand as he sits back up. "COME ON, MAN. IT'S TOO LATE ANYWAYS, JUST GIVE UP!"
"No one's making you hit me, John-wait, what?"
"THE OTHERS ALREADY HAVE THE OBJECTIVE. THEY'RE RUNNING WITH IT NOW. HE WAS PLANNING TO HAVE YOU BOX HIM FOR IT, BUT THEN YOU BUST IN. SHAME, I THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COOL."

>Try to abandon the fight and support Keane
>Keep fighting
>Surrender and eliminate the risk of anyone getting injured

Told you this one would be quick.

>>3116595
>HE WAS PLANNING TO HAVE YOU BOX HIM FOR IT, BUT THEN YOU BUST IN
Goddammit
>Keep fighting

>>3116595
>>Keep fighting
>Yeah it woulda been, but I can't trust a villain when he has no proof the hostages are alive!

>>3116595
>>Try to abandon the fight and support Keane

>>3116595
>It knocked him on his ass and gave you the chance to take him down in the first place.


So in other words, we needed a crit pass to even pass at all? oh that is wonderful.

>>3116610
Even with your talents, you're still not in the "take down a literal ogre-man using raw skill on your own" territory.

>>3116595
>Keep fighting

>>3116619
So this entire battle was useless, and the dc was fake? why not just write us out autolosing then?

>>3116630
Because you still had a slim chance of succeeding that you almost met.

>>3116632
no. I mean the 65 dc was fake

We needed a CRIT to do anything on it. two passes and a crit to not get one shot btfo and have a follow up afterwards.

>>3116639
45

>>3116606
>>3116603
>>3116626
"Sounds like a shame... but if wishes were horses-"
You have a plan. You can't overwhelm John with sheer force, but... your little scuffle has him right under the chandelier. If he can punch you like that based on sheer muscle force, he won't be PERMANENTLY injured by this, will he?

Roll. 35 or under passes, best out of three. No tricks, no gimmicks.

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>3116654

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>3116654
We dead

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>3116654

>>3116656
>>3116658
>>3116659
We have made many mistakes

>>3116656
As you throw the knife, a hot blossom of pain flowers in your back and your hand twitches. Your knife shaves the paint off of the chandelier's cable- but doesn't hit it. As John starts to advance on you, you realize this is the end of the line. You pushed yourself too hard, too fast, you took too many unnecessary risks, used people, and this is all one big karmic punishment coming down on your-
The buzzer goes off. "The villains have escaped with the objective. Scenario over. All students please report to the waiting rooms for your final debriefs."
You hear Rebecca sigh. "Aww..." John drops out of his fighting stance and goes over to the smoking white statue across from Rebecca to pull Vincent out.

Fortunately, there are some painkillers available in the medical tent. After taking them, you head into the waiting room. Everyone else is there, idly chatting among themselves before the debrief. You can spot a few faces; now might be a good time to settle any issues that came up during the exercises:

-Most of your team are seated roughly together; Joshua, Rebecca, and Keane are busy reviewing something on Keane's holo.
-Joanna's seated off to the side, where she seems to be... staring at someone.
-Following her gaze brings you to Joan, who's busy talking with Henrietta, Hector, and Vincent about something.
-Duke, Ryan, and Peter are seated near the back, where they appear to be... playing poker?


>Sit with your team
>Sit with Joanna
>Sit with Joan's group
>Sit with Duke's group
>See what other people are doing
>Sit by yourself

>>3117419
>Sit with Joanna

Following can be ignored unless other like it.
“She’s(Joan) amazing isn’t she?”
“I didn’t mean to play with you or her emotions. But I’m guessing you’ve wanted to tell someone how you’ve felt, but were afraid how they'd react. Thank you for giving me that chance, even if she doesn’t remember it. I don’t know if I’m ready to say those things again, but if you like her too, you need to have the courage to tell her.”

>>3117419
>Sit with your team

>>3117419
>Sit with Joanna

>>3117419
support this >>3117468

>>3117419
>Sit with Joanna
Clear the air with her.

>>3117468
Wow, okay. I like this

>>3117468
>>3117503
>>3117518
>>3117685
You take a seat next to her. Her head suddenly snaps to you, and she gives you a guilty smile.
"O-oh, hey, David! I was just uh, you know, thinking about stuff and-"
You hold up your hand. "No, it's fine. She really is amazing, isn't she?"
"I, uh, who, exactly?"
"Joanna. You don't have to hide how you feel about her. I know."
Joanna's smile crumples in on itself. "Oh."
"Listen, I didn't know at the time that you felt like that. Uh, I mean, with that, you've got to know how being afraid of how someone will react to a confession and stuff feels. Thanks for giving me the chance to say that, even if she doesn't remember it. I'm, uh, not sure if I can say that stuff to her again, but, uh, if you like her, you need to tell her."
Joanna shakes her head. "I can't, David."
"Why not?"
"Because I saw the way she reacted to you telling her that stuff. If she reacts like that to a guy, she's not going to be interested."
She sighs. "Don't worry; I'm used to it. I just thought..."

>She could be bi
>I don't think it's fair to either of you to keep that a secret
>You'll find someone someday
>You really think she likes me?

>>3117902
>>She could be bi
>>This could get reaaal freaky
Let's make this awkward as hell

>>3117902
>She could be bi
Don't let assumptions like "she might not be into that" stop you. Worst case, she says no and that's that. It isn't the end of the world.

>>3117902

>You never know, go ahead and give it a shot. You can't go through life being afraid of rejection, it will just lead to a life of disappointment and loneliness. You know what they say, "Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll hit a star."

I think i missed something. what is this about Joanna being bi?

>>3117902
Since I have nothing else to do but wait
>I don't think it's fair to either of you to keep that a secret

>>3118088
Joanna is a lesbian. Joan reacted to David confessing his feelings for her in a way that suggests she's interested in men. The "she could be bi" line is referencing Joan.

>>3118113
What thread was that? I think I might know what you're talking about was it when we were getting into the bomb town, also why did you have to name 2 of the girls similarly i get them mixed up a lot.

>>3118123
I think it was just last thread. Rebecca had to tell us because we (by which I mean I) thought the way she had been acting pointed towards her liking David, not Joan.

>>3117902
>She could be bi
>I don't think it's fair to either of you to keep that a secret

>>3118151
Can I get a link to that thread this series is a little hard to find in the archive

>>3117902
>She could be bi
>I don't think it's fair to either of you to keep that a secret

>>3118401
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/3070994/#3070994

Hope this picks back up looks like op is busy

>>3117920
>>3117974
>>3118286
>>3118460
"You know, she could be bisexual or something. You still have a chance."
"Yeah, but what if she, y'know, isn't? I mean, you're a guy, so you've got to understand how awkward it is to go 'Hey, we should go out', and then the girl's like, 'I'm sorry, but we should just be friends'. And that's just if you're a guy! It's worse if you're a girl, because there's, like, this whole other layer of awkwardness."
"I still think you should be honest with her; it's not fair to either of you for you to keep your feelings secret."
"Would you be saying that if I was a guy?!"

Before you can respond, the door opens and Argus and Paracelsus enter the room.
"Settle down, y'all! Now, y'all really showed some promise out there; really put me through my paces with fixin' stuff up. Ah'm glad to say all'a'y'all got a passin' grade."
"As you know, the passing score qualifies you to take part in the inter-regional Heroic Trials that begin next month. Tryouts will start next week, so anyone interested in competing should sign up before the end of the week. Now, please change back into your civilian clothes and line up in an orderly fashion to re-embark on the bus."
Vincent's hand shoots up. "What about our team scores?"
"Those're being kept private for now, but as I just said, every one of you scored enough points to qualify."
You turn back to Joanna, only to find that she's already snaked off to the changing rooms. You sigh and head back to change yourself.

After changing, you take a look around for Joanna in the line to get on the bus. Suddenly, a finger jams into your back, and you turn around to a face full of frizzy hair.
"Nice going, man. You really did give me a challenge."

>Wish I could say the same, Henrietta
>Same to you
>You going to try out?
>What was Joan talking to you about?

>>3119292
>>You going to try out?

>>3119292
>Same to you
>What was Joan talking to you about?

>>3119292
>>Wish I could say the same, Henrietta
But in a fun way, and then
>What was Joan talking to you about?

>>3119292
>Same to you
>You going to try out?

>>3119292
Heroic trials neat also I am wishing for a prom arc or homecoming
>same to you
>have you seen joanna i need to talk to her. wait maybe a girl is better to talk to her about this then I am.

>>3119292
>What was Joan talking to you about?

>>3119292
>Wish I could say the same, Henrietta
say this with a smug but obviously playfully teasing grin
also:
>You going to try out?
>What was Joan talking to you about?

Sorry for the absence! My computer needed repairs. I'll answer everything to try and make up for it.

>>3119300
>>3119538
>>3120765
>>3119302
>>3119328
>>3119922
>>3120765
"Same to you, Henri. Nice work."
"Ah, it was my team. I barely got to see you guys in the field."
"Don't sell yourself short; you made the plan, right?"
"I mean, I [i]guess...[/i]" Henrietta scratches the back of her head and shrugs, smirking.
"Hey, what was Joan talking with you about?"
"Oh, she just wanted to hear about how our teams did, what we thought was the hardest part for each of us. She'll probably try and track one of your guys down for a talk, too." Henri locks eyes with you. "I bet she's planning for the tryouts."
"Speaking of the tryouts, are you?..."
"Are you kidding me? That's the best of the best. I bet I barely qualified for the tryouts. Nah, I'm fine being on the bench."

>You had the best plan
>I'm going to try out- you should to
>I think you're the best of the best
>And let Joan show you up?
>If you're sure...

>>3123160
>>And let Joan show you up?

>>3123160
>And let Joan show you up?
>You're the best of the best

>>3123160
>>I'm going to try out- you should to
>>I think you're the best of the best
Even if you aren't the best right now, you should aspire to be. Giving up because you think you might fail is no way for a hero to think.

>>3123160
>I'll answer everything
Will that rioter/terrorist with the heat/cold based quirk who was mentioned in the first thread ever make an appearance again?

>>3123160
>And let Joan show you up?
>I'm going to try out- you should too

>>3123160
>I'm going to try you out-I mean, I'm going to try out. You should too!

>>3123832
Quite possibly.

>>3123264
>>3123490
>>3123617
>>3125454
>>3125501
"And let Joan show you up like that?"
Henrietta snorts. "Dude, are you high? Joan's in a whole different league than ALL OF US. I'm pretty sure her on her worst day could be me on my best without blinking."
"Look- I'm going to try out, and I really think you should too."
A sly grin appears on Henri's face. "Is that an actual suggestion, or just an excuse to spend some time with me?"
"I-"
"Relax, I'm just joshing you. MAYBE I'll try out. Maybe I'll just cheer you on."
You all pile into the bus, too tired to speak. Your training exercise is finally over.

New thread tomorrow afternoon EST. It'll focus on the teachers and daily life in Skyrock.

>>3126379
thank goodness
this training exercise lasted a lot longer than it ought to have
especially with a rematch at the end against someone we already fought against in that very exercise. that just seemed particularly out of place. fighting against every other team at least once is a stretch but still understandable.

>>3126379
My previous assessment did not factor in Christmas, like an idiot. Thread will return the 28th. Merry Christmas to all you anons!

>>3129922
Merry Christmas

>>3126379
Can't wait

>no archive link
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=American+hero+academia

>>3136913

>>3136917
Yay thank you!