Mrs Qhuma: Oh, you’re back! I didn’t even hear you come in last night!

Paprika: Thaaats because you were asleep. Good morning mom.

Mrs Qhuma: Good morning! So, how did things go with the trial.

Paprika: I…

A frown forms on Mrs Qhuma’s face.

Mrs Qhuma: Aw, honey.

Paprika runs over to hug her.

Paprika: I got in!

A look of relief washes over her face.

Mrs Qhuma: You scared me!

Paprika: Come on, did you really think i wouldn’t make it!

Mrs Qhuma: Of course i thought you’d make it! Now. As a celebration..

Paprika: Thanks mom, but i haven’t made it just yet. There’s still the whole race this afternoon on broadcast.

Mrs Qhuma: Well… i know, but this is still an achievement! Oh, and by the way, i made pancakes.

Paprika: Thanks, mom.

They both sit down to eat.

Paprika: Hey, what time will dad be back from work?

Mrs Qhuma: Oh, im not sure honey. But im sure he won’t take too long.

Paprika: Alright, I just want both of you to see me on live.

Mrs Qhuma: Don’t worry, i’ll make sure he’s there.

A few hours pass. Paprika is getting ready to leave.

Paprika: Alright mom, i’m going now!

Mrs Qhuma: Okay dear! 

She rushes up to hug her.

Mrs Qhuma: Make us proud.

Paprika: I will, mom. I will.

She turns around and exits the house, turning her head once more and waving bye at her mother before leaving. The front door closes.

Paprika heads over to the location where the final challenge will take place.

Paprika sees Caelus and jogs over to him confidently. He almost immediately notices her and snaps his head around. 

Caelus: Look who it is. I was just thinking about you.

Paprika: You were… thinking about me?

Caelus: Not like that! You know, like-

Paprika: Im joking, dude. Anyway, are we the first two here?

Caelus: Nah, i saw Lee and a few others go in there earlier.

Paprika: Ughhhh.

Caelus: What?

Paprika: Sorry, the thought of Alex showing up and being annoying again just crossed my mind.

Caelus: Ha!

A few minutes pass, and the next person to arrive is Alex.

Caelus: Speak of the devil.

Paprika: He’s the devil alright.

Alex catches a glimpse of Paprika and Caelus, and smirks smugly. Saying nothing as he walks past them.

Paprika: What, you too good to say anything now?

Alex: Yes, actually. Also, i dont need to insult you, because i’m already going to destroy you in the final challenge.

Alex enters the room.

Caelus: I’m getting real tired of him.

More time passes, and the last two qualifiers arrive. They, along with Paprika and Caelus, all enter the room in front of them, to prepare for the ultimate round.

Ray: Man, i’m nervous as hell right now.

Tanya: You should be! You’re the first person im going to eliminate.

Ray: Uh… sure?

A large screen on the wall at the end of the room lights up, with the word “PAIRS” at the top.

Announcer Voice: Welcome qualifiers, to the final round. This round will be shown to the public on live television, and the four competitors from each sector who become official AegiCorp members will be revealed shortly afterwards. For this challenge, you are required to get into teams of two. Once you have chosen a partner, please press the buttons below this screen to lock in the pairings. 

Paprika: Alright! Let’s go put our names in.

Caelus: You love being first to everything, i guess.

They both walk over to the menu, and press their respective buttons, locking in their placement as the first pair. The screen shows images of Paprika and Caelus under-neath the “PAIRS” text.

Tanya: Hey you, karate boy! You seem strong, why don’t we team up! 

Lee: ..My fighting style is actually one i developed on my own, not karate, it’s called-

Tanya: Whatever! Just be my partner!

Lee: I appreciate your offer, however i do not think our abilities will be synergistically compatible with eachother.

Tanya: What… does that even mean!?

Lee: I apologise.

Lee walks away from Tanya, approaching Darcy. Marciano walks over to Alex, who stares at him with a slightly confused look on his face.

Marciano: Alex. I believe it would be the best possible outcome if we teamed up.

Alex: Why should i team up with you? I think it would be better to eliminate my greatest competition.

Marciano turns to look at Paprika and Caelus.

Alex: Well… my other greatest competition. You.

Marciano: That may be true, but look around. There aren’t many great potential allies left. You don’t want to be stuck with one of them, do you?

Alex: …Fine. But only because you’re strong.

The both of them walk over to the menu, and lock in their placement. Darcy and Lee follow suit.

Tanya: …Are you kidding me… Im stuck with this guy?

Ray: Hey! I should be the one complaining you know. You’re pretty rude!

Tanya: Whaaaateeeever.

Tanya notices a large, partially glowing device on Ray’s back.

Tanya: Hey wait, what’s that thing on your back?

Ray: Why do you suddenly wanna talk to me now?

Tanya: Just tell me what it is!

Ray: Okay. It’s a hoverboard. I made it myself and definitely didn’t steal any parts to make it.

Tanya: Hm. If you weren’t super weak, I’d say that’s kinda cool, or something.

Ray: I’m not super weak!

Tanya: Of course, you’re right you aren’t super weak…

Ray: Thank you!

Tanya: You’re mega weak!

Ray: Hey!

Darcy: Can you two stop flirting and lock in your placement already?

Tanya: I am not!-

Darcy: Seriously, hurry up.

Tanya angrily shuffled over to the menu, dragging Ray with her, and locking in their placement.

AV: All placements have been locked in, please proceed to the next room, where the final challenge will commence.

All of them go through the door, stepping into a large track arena, littered with obstacles, deactivated robots and gorges. They start to see qualifiers from other sectors, who have menacing looks on their faces.

Caelus: Woah, these guys look tough.

He turns his head to see Paprika, looking nervous. 

Caelus: You alright?

Paprika: Oh. Yeah, i’m just expecting someone.

Caelus: Ah, i see.

Another door opens. Out from it come a few people who Paprika doesn’t recognise. A blonde haired boy comes out of the room, standing next to Caspian, who looks confident. Paprika rushes over to meet him. Caspian notices her running towards him and does the same.

Paprika: Cas!

Caspian: Oh, Rika!

Paprika: It’s so good to see you.

Caspian: You’re acting like we haven’t seen each other in what, a year?

Paprika: Yeah, i know, i just-

Caspian: You thought i wasn’t gonna make it, didn’t you?

Paprika: No!

Caspian: Haha, yeah ok.

Caelus appears behind Paprika, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Caelus: So this is the person you were expecting?

Paprika: Yeah. Caspian this is Caelus. Caelus, Cas.

Caspian: Hm. Nice to meet you. Except we’re probably gonna be fighting eachother soon, so… not.. nice to meet you?

Caelus: Ha. Not nice to meet you too.

A black haired girl with purple streaks and an extreme amount of piercings walks over to Caspian, nudging him.

Girl: Caspian, we’re starting, come on.

Caspian: Right. See you around Rika!

Caspian turns around to head over to his sector’s side of the start line. The girl follows slowly, staring at Caelus. They lock eyes. He holds his hand up slightly to wave. 

She smiles and waves back. Paprika smirks at him. 

Paprika: Come on, we should go too. 

Caelus: R-right.

They both stand at their side of the start line. Several other pairs line up on either side of them. 

AV: Greetings competitors. Filming will begin shortly. Please make sure you and your partner are stationed at the correct position. 

Paprika: Feeling nervous?

Caelus: No.

Paprika: Good, neither am I. We got this.

AV: Cameras activating in 10….9…8…7…

Alex: Make sure you leave Paprika to me. Got that?

Marciano: If that will lead us to victory.

AV: 6….5….4….

Blonde Boy: Feel like our chances of winning are high?

Purple Highlights Girl: Uhhhh… somewhat.

Boy: Hey, try not to get distracted.

Her eyes are still glued to Caelus.

Girl: Yeah, right, you’re right. 

She snaps her head to turn forward.

AV: 3……2…..1.

The numerous cameras positioned around the track all begin filming, as well as several cameras held by agents.

Paprika’s mother sits on the couch, waiting patiently for the recording to begin.

Voice: This production will begin shortly.

Mrs Qhuma: It’s starting!

Mr Qhuma: Im coming!

Mr Qhuma rushes down the stairs, throwing himself onto the couch. The video recording begins, displaying the massive track to the viewers.

Mrs Qhuma: Where is she?

Mr Qhuma moves closer to the screen, squinting his eyes. He points his finger at the screen.

Mr Qhuma: Look, there!

Mrs Qhuma: Where!?

She presses her face against the screen.

Mrs Qhuma: Oh, i see her!

Mr Qhuma: Our little girl is on the big screens. Can you imagine that!

All the competitors are lined up, stretching for the challenge.

AV: Welcome, viewers, to this year’s annual AegiCorp trial finale! Here’s how things will work. There are eight competitors from five different sectors, who are all competing in pairs. They will all partake in a race, where they will face obstacles, as well as eachother. The first pair from each sector to make it to the end of the race, will be guaranteed a spot as an AegiCorp agent. After that, only two other competitors from each sector will be allowed spots, which will be determined based on not only where they place, but performance. Currently, the top competitors from each sector are…

The room is silent.

AV: In Sector 1, Shirona Gaijin. 

the screens on the track show images of a white haired girl with an absurdly large ahoge and large eyes with white star pupils.

In Sector 2, Kai Umiya. 

the screens show images of the blonde boy who Paprika saw with Caspian earlier.

In Sector 3, Rheie Callisto. 

the screens show images of a rose-skinned girl with curly pink hair, heart shaped eyes and large hoop earings, smiling cluelessly

In Sector 4, Brenn Dargath. 

the screens show images of a brown haired young man with an unusually sharp jaw, wearing a baseball cap and staring intently at the camera

In Sector 5, Marciano Fuego. 

the screens show images of Marciano after his win against Paprika. His reddish brownish hair covering one of his bright golden eyes, which contrasts his brown skin.

Good luck to all who will be competing.

AV: Now, the challenge will commence, in 5…..4…..3…..2…..1. Go!

A loud bang goes off. Signaling the start of the challenge. Competitors eyes fill with determination and passion. The final trial begins.