Jay:
Are you sure about this plan of yours?
Prince:
It's probably our best bet, but if you have any other ideas, I'm open to feedback. We just need to keep it short, before Mercutio over there makes his way over here.
Jay:
Considering he was able to see me before, I think it's safe to assume that he's able to see us from anywhere within this space. So, how do we find him without him noticing us?
Prince:
We'll have to be careful, and make sure that we both do our jobs as well as possible.
Jay:
So, what do you have in mind?
Prince smiles at Jay's question
Prince:
Like I said earlier, when we got on the train, Mercutio wasn't alone. He was talking to someone, and it sounded as if the two of them were both in on this plan. So, we need to make sure we stop both Mercutio and his partner.
Jay:
How will we find both of them?
Prince:
Well, there's two of them, and two of us. So we're going to need to split up.
Jay:
Are you sure? Wouldn't it be better if we focussed all of our efforts on one of them and overwhelm them with numbers?
Prince:
No, I think the reason we can't find Mercutio's partner is because he's hiding somewhere, probably watching Mercutio's broadcast in case anything happens here.
Jay:
Right, in case other Manifesto users were on board and attacked Mercutio, if they were together, they could both be taken out at once. If I were them, I would also split up our forces, especially since Mercutio's Skewer will let his partner watch the broadcast and see when he gets into a fight…
Prince:
Exactly, that's why we need to hit both of them at the same time. We can't let one of them go and give backup to the other.
Jay:
Sounds good, you go search for Mercutio's partner, while I'll–
Prince:
Wait, I think I should go after Mercutio instead.
Jay:
Why? You're the only one who knows what Mercutio's partner looks like.
Prince:
I'm also the only one with any chance of fighting Mercutio, remember how you attacked that image of him? My Giuoco Piano will let me figure out where he is by using the sounds he produces. If in our fight, he uses his ability to take away my vision, I'll still be able to keep fighting him. Besides, we don't know what kind of Manifesto the other guy has, so Fool's Gambit is probably better, since any physical attacks won't work.
Jay:
Alright, but how will I recognize him?
Prince:
Honestly, he's very hard to miss. He's tall, sickly, and seems kinda loud.
Jay:
Gee, great description.
Prince:
Sorry, I only heard his voice, and caught a glimpse of him, so I couldn't tell you anything else!
Jay:
In that case, let's get moving. We need to stop them as soon as we can!
Prince:
Meet you back here when we're done!
The two nod at each other before running in different directions. As Prince and Jay run, they feel as though the end of the room never gets closer. They stop, and look around them, to see if they have even moved from the same spot, before moving back towards each other.
Prince:
There might be a slight flaw with my plan…we don't actually know how to get out of here, or where we even are…
Jay looks around himself again, deep in thought, before turning towards Prince.
Jay:
I might have an idea…Prince, could you use your Manifesto to try and detect the "sounds" of the room?
Prince:
What does that mean?
Jay:
Could you try something like what bats do, echolocation? Y'know, create a sound, and bounce it off the walls to get a sense of the exits to the space?
Prince:
I could try, I've never tried bouncing sounds off of objects before…
Prince takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes, as his Manifesto emerges. He snaps his fingers, and Giuoco Piano follows the sound, until Prince feels it bouncing off of the walls of the space. Prince's face contorts in confusion, as he snaps his fingers again, trying to confirm the layout of the room.
Jay:
What's wrong? What's that face for?
Prince:
It's just…weird…this whole place that is. It looks so massive, but in reality, the sounds I'm hearing are making this place seem very familiar…
Jay:
What does that mean?
Prince:
Could you step back a bit? I need to check something…
Jay looks at Prince and slowly backs away from him, as Prince snaps his fingers one last time before stepping forward. He stops, and Giuoco Piano fires off a rapid punch into the empty space in front of him. However, when Giuoco Piano punches the air, both Prince and Jay can hear the sound of glass shattering, and feel the wind blowing in from outside.
Jay:
Woah! What just happened?
Prince:
Well, when I was using Giuoco Piano to try and bounce sounds around the space, I found something strange…The echoes being made sounded exactly like the ones from the train! So, to test my theory, I decided to aim for something I knew was around me…
Jay:
That window you were looking out of! You had mentioned how you focussed on the scenery earlier, and I guess it worked out for us! Wait, if we're really just on the train then…
Jay calls forth his Manifesto, and has it stretch its arms until they both hit a wall
Jay:
It worked! With this, I'll be able to find my way through the train without getting lost!
Prince:
Alright, since now we can both find our way through the train, let's get going!
Jay:
I'm going to head towards the front of the train, I'll keep tabs on you by watching the broadcast, so if you need backup, just say the word and I'll come over!
Prince smiles warmly towards Jay. This was different from when he smiled during their fight, or from when he was boarding a train for the first time. To Jay, it felt as though this was the first time he was seeing Prince smile from the heart.
Prince:
Thank you, and the same goes for you. If you yell, I'll hear you and come running over to help! What good are friends who don't have each other's back?
Jay:
Good luck, I'll see you when it's over!
Jay makes his way towards the front of the train while Prince turns and looks at the broadcasted image of Mercutio.
Prince:
I hope you'll put up a good fight, Mercutio!
We cut to Mercutio as he's in the process of attacking another passenger in the train car.
Mercutio:
Man, this is embarrassing! You're all horrible at this! Having an underdog can make for a good show, but the audience will only root for you if they think you have a chance of winning. Why am I even bothering with any of you?
Skewer picks up a passenger by the throat, as the passenger tries desperately to free themself
Mercutio:
Whatever, it's not worth it…I'll just move onto the next group now–
Mercutio drops the passenger, before moving towards the exit of the train car. However, suddenly, a large figure emerges from seemingly thin air and punches Mercutio in the jaw.
Prince:
I'm glad you talk so much, it made finding you so much easier!
Mercutio holds his jaw in shock and looks up to see the person who punched him.
Mercutio:
Who are you…? How…dare you!?
Mercutio rises to his feet in fury and Skewer launches an attack against Prince. However, Prince manages to dodge and punches Mercutio in his stomach.
Prince:
?
Mercutio:
*Cough!* You…how are you so used to fighting?
Prince:
Well, back home, when people made fun of my mom, I normally got into fights like this. I could care less what they think about me, but…
Mercutio looks in shock as Giuoco Piano emerges from behind Prince, and straightens out the metal pipe from when he first used Skewer.
Prince:
…There's no way I would let them get away with insulting Mom!
Mercutio:
I see…to think there was another Manifesto user on board this train! I was just getting bored with this game show style! Ladies and gentlemen, forgive me for the change in your regularly scheduled programming! Instead of our Trivia show using live volunteers, we're going to broadcast a good old fashioned fight! This calls for a change of scenery!
Mercutio's face shifts into an ugly grin, as the whole area around him and Prince shifts into a large arena, with the passengers being put into seats, able to see Prince and Mercutio in the centre.
Prince:
(Woah, what just happened? How did he bring everyone here–No, don't let him trick you!)
(He can affect what we see! Just assume that's what's going on! Deep breaths, Spectre…just feel around using Giuoco Piano…)
Prince takes a deep breath, and uses his Manifesto like echo location again to sense his surroundings.
Prince:
(Alright, stay calm, we're still in the train car! Nothing's changed…)
Prince and Giuoco Piano crouch down slightly and put up their fists. Mercutio seemingly pulls out a microphone from nowhere, and his clothes have changed to a boxer's outfit.
Mercutio:
Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to rumble!?
In the right corner, we have the mysterious boy in yellow and momma's boy, who lets his fists do the talking for him, everybody, give him a round of applause!
Skewer slightly uncovers its eyes as large applause signs light up around the arena. The audience, terrified, began to applaud loudly and frantically.
Prince:
What in the world is this? And what do you mean by "momma's boy"?!
Mercutio:
In the left hand corner, your reigning champion, and host of this arena, it's the wild fighter from out west, the rough and tumble rancher, it's Mercutio!!!
The captives begin wildly applauding again as spotlights suddenly focus on Mercutio and Prince. Prince is failing to hide his anger, as he looks around at the captives and feels his blood begin to boil.
Prince:
Having fun, are we?!
Prince lunges at Mercutio who manages to dodge, but Giuoco Piano quickly emerges and catches Mercutio off guard. Giuoco Piano's elbow connects with Mercutio's jaw, causing him to recoil in pain again.
Mercutio:
Ow! Really? Did you have to go for the face again? You do realize that in show business, this face is the moneymaker, right?!
Prince:
Are you meant to be some big celebrity then?
Sorry if I'm not that interested, I've always preferred the radio.
Mercutio:
Tsk, I expected you to have better taste! Just watch, in a few years, television will become the biggest media empire in the world!
You can enjoy your radio while you can, but I'm going to make my way to California and become a big star!
Prince:
And that dream of yours starts with taking a whole train hostage and torturing them?
Mercutio:
Of course!
That man promised me I could have anything I wanted, as long as I followed his orders!
Prince:
And you trusted some random guy you've never met?
Mercutio:
Oh believe me, that man is far more powerful than the rest of us.
He's in a league of his own, I bet with his power, he'd even be a match for The King!
Prince flinches at these words, before resuming his fighting stance. A wide smile begins to form on Prince's face as he begins to quiver slightly.
Prince:
Well then, I guess I need to beat you quickly so I can meet this mysterious man!
Mercutio folds his arms as Skewer emerges, and a grin forms across his face. It is more subdued than Prince's, however he is clearly enjoying the idea of broadcasting his fight.
Mercutio:
You know, despite what you said about liking radio, I have a feeling killing you would make for excellent television!
Meanwhile, outside the train on the roof, the tall man from earlier is lying down and watching Mercutio's broadcast.
Sickly man:
Ugh, that guy really is an idiot! If it wasn't for the mission, I never would have agreed to work with an attention whore like that!
He really should have just ended this all quickly! I'm getting bored just waiting!
Jay:
Maybe I could help with that…
The sickly man bolts up, and sees Jay climbing his way up onto the roof.
Sickly man:
I can't believe he missed another one!
Fine, I guess I'll use you as my punching bag and let off some steam.
Jay:
I'd like to see you try!
Small flaming orbs begin to encircle the sickly man as Fool's Gambit emerges from behind Jay. The two are staring each other down, as Prince and Mercutio are doing the same inside of the train.