Author's Notes:

Hello, I've got a little bit of explaining to do, so I'll just start. You may have noticed I put my other stories on hiatus, that's because this is the second to last chapter for this story. Technically third, since there will be an epilogue. When I work on the finals for stories, I prefer to dedicate my time to the last chapter, as I make them rather lengthy. But don't worry! Because I'm not done with this story, I have much planned. So, all I ask is for you to be patient, because it will take time. Otherwise, enjoy!

"So, when's this party getting started?"

Blake asked blatantly, his usual obnoxious, cocky tone very present. The room he was in was very spacious, made to hold up to ten, but currently only had three. But unlike most of the rooms, this was made warmer and more welcoming way. Not because they discuss important things here, most of the time. But because this room was where they observed the battles below, in the battle arena, where the fun happens.

The room was quite large since it was intended to hold up to ten people, But, it didn't have that many things in it. Mostly chairs, and a table in the back, which usually had someone behind it, holding bets. But since this was a test and not the usual pseudo-gladiator battle they usually did, only Igneous, Discord, and Blake were in the room.

The other thing in the room was a refrigerator, holding alcohol and other drinks. And a white cabinet that had snacks, such as chips, jerky, sandwiches, etc. There was usually only one fight a week, so the stuff in there usually lasted a while before new snacks had to be put in.

The walls, floor, and roof were all made out of dark wood, same as the chairs and table. Making almost the entire room a dark brown, which was a neutral color for most people. The light sources consisted of a white lamp on the betting table, some ceiling lights, and the spotlights for the arena. There were two spotlights, both on the other side of a long, metallic glass window. Which is what was used to watch the battles, but since there was nothing currently happening, the room was nearly pitch black.

Blake was leaning back in a chair, his hands behind his head and his feet propped up on the table, an obnoxious smile on his face. He was wearing his usual outfit, with something new around his neck. A silver necklace with a golden heart at the end, a red jewel embedded in the center. Somehow, it felt familiar to him, but he couldn't place where. Discord was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room, near the glass window, his back facing the wall. He was wearing his usual doctor outfit, he had a laptop in his lap, not typing on the keyboard, just focusing on the screen, as if he was watching something. Igneous was laying his back against the wall across from Blake, also wearing his usual outfit, but had a black fedora on with a white bond, his eyes were closed in thought, and had his arms crossed.

"Soon, be patient. I'm as eager to see this as you are, but we don't have much time left, maybe a week, we can't afford mistakes. Besides, it's good we have this chance to talk. Things have been distant between us ever since this whole thing started. I understand why though, Blake you've been busy setting things up with The Apples since they've angsty. Discord, you've been busy with fine tuning the process to help increase the chances, which I understand takes time. And I've been distracted hunting down our silent friend. It's has been a busy and eventful summer."

Igneous said tiredly, sleep's been hard for him lately, it's been days since he slept. After this test, he had planned to let Blake and Discord run things for a bit while he took a long needed nap.

"Yeah, I'd agree on eventful, but not busy. It has been pretty crazy around here but also really fun! Torturing your daughter, dealing with The Apples, trying to find out who The Silent Killer is. Sure, it's aggravating. But it's nice to have something difficult for once!"

Blake exclaimed loudly, impatience in his voice, it's obvious he's been waiting for this for a long time, But Igneous has been waiting longer.

"Heh, I'd be lying if I said I didn't agree. Whoever this person is, they've killed dozens of criminals, including some of our guys and The Apples, have caused the city to doubt The N.Y.P.D., and is proving to be very elusive. But, I have to admit, the challenge is refreshing. After all, it's not like they're a threat to The Syndicate. They're only really a threat to our relationship with The Apples, which was unstable before. So, there's no real threat, might as well enjoy it, opportunities like this are pretty rare."

Igneous said, a smirk on his face. Blake was slightly surprised at this, Igneous seemed so relaxed, something that he usually wasn't. Discord was still looking at the screen, but it was obvious he was listening to them.

"I also agree, these last three months have been very productive. By watching the tapes of Pinkamena in the woods and being tortured, I was able to figure out the standards required for the conditions to be met, well, more like I understood them better than before. Which will help a lot in the future? And her surprising amount of durability and endurance allowed me to test the limits and requirements for the process, it's remarkable she's gone through so much and still has such willpower. It reminds me a lot of you, Igneous."

Discord spoke casually, still staring at the computer screen in front of him, but he was talking to both of them. Igneous's smile widened slightly, appreciating Discord's casualness. Blake's smile also widened, but for a different reason.

"Oh, stop it! You're making me blush! Her pain tolerance and willpower is because of me! It took a lot of creativeness to last a month, but the results were what you see. I doubt anything even really hurt her except for the transformation itself, and even then it doesn't compare to what I did to her. And her willpower was because she wanted to see me again! I've practically made her a slave to my will! She would do anything to see me."

Blake declared proudly, talking only to Discord, but also with the intention of impressing Igneous. Discord twitched, the smile left his face, turning to a more serious one.

"I...don't think that's true. At first, it may have seemed like that, but that's not what I think now. After watching some of the tapes from the cameras in the woods, it became apparent she went through some traumatic event. She went from crying after killing a fish to having a smile on her face as she brutally killed three wolves. Yeah, you torturing her might have built a pain tolerance, but I doubt it changed her otherwise. And as for her reason for having so much willpower? It's not because she wants to get back to you, I don't think she feels for you at all. Her motivation is solely her rage to kill Igneous, not because you've made some master-slave relationship with her. I doubt you've had any real effect on her, she probably just acted like she did because it would've been easier that way."

The tone in Discord's voice changed drastically, sounding almost like anger, something Igenous doesn't hear often. Blake slowly began to lean forward, the smile leaving, anger evident on his face.

"Are you questioning how good I am at my job?"

Blake spoke in a questioning tone, not even trying to mask the anger. Discord sighed, closing the laptop and gently putting it under the chair. He then pushed the glass closer to his eyes, crossed his arms, and looked at Blake, and annoyed look on his face.

"No, I'm questioning how good you think you are at your job. Yes, you've proven how good you are multiple times before, but this is different. Before you can break and repair someone, you have to recognize where they are, and you failed to do that. Your pride caused you to convince yourself that you didn't need to bother with that, that your usual way was the right one. You just did what you always did without even thinking about it, like a barbaric idiot."

Blake thrust out of his chair and quickly walks towards Discord, ending directly in front of his face.

"Not only do you insult my work, but you insult me too. You must be feeling confident, or stupid."

Blake said aggressively, looking like he was ready to hit him at any moment, Igneous was considering intervening.

"No, I just want to put your work to the test. I was hoping to wager with you."

Discord said smugly, not even flinching when Blake became more aggressive. Blake stood up in front of Discord, the look of anger on his face now had signs of curiosity.

"A bet? Huh, I never thought you were the type. Ok, fine, what do you want to be on."

Blake put his arms on his sides, bits of anger still in his voice.

"Since you seem to have so much confidence in her, I'm willing to bet she won't pass the test without transforming, which would prove what I'm doing gets better results. But, if she gets through it without needing to, then you win."

Igneous was listening intently, not curious, but confused. Discord has never been a betting man, if there was an outcome he couldn't predict and calculate, he didn't take it. Risk was something he always avoided, so if he was making a bet like this, there must have been something he wants or something someone else wanted.

Blake smiled eagerly.

"And, it won't happen, but what would you want if you win?"

Discord smile back, but he was serious.

"That necklace around your neck, I want it."

Blake had a slightly surprised look on his face, that wasn't something he was expecting.

"Why do you want it?"

Discord smiled at him smugly, knowing he was pushing the right buttons.

"I thought you weren't the type of guys to ask questions?"

Blake didn't say anything else, he just smiled, a look of annoyance in his eyes.

"Alright, and when I win? What do I get?"

He asked curiously, there were a few things he could ask for, but he wanted to hear what Discord was going to offer.

"If you win, I'm going to bring you all of my scientific tools, or gadgets, as you call them. And you can pick out three of any of them you want."

Discord said hesitantly, as he was saying goodbye to old friends. Blake seemed to get excited at that, in Discord's lab, there were things he used to set the conditions for the transformation. Blake has played with a wide variety of torture tools, but Discord likes to custom make his tools. Blakes saw a few of them, and they were something special. Some were multi purpose, others had purposes he couldn't think of, but he had a few ideas. He would kill for the opportunity to use one of those, but now Discord was offering him three to keep, that wasn't an opportunity he could afford to pass up.

"Alright, you've got yourself a deal."

Blake said cockily, an eager smile on his face and his hand stretched out towards Discord, offering a handshake. Discord smiled backed back, shaking his hand, sealing the deal. Igneous had been observing the whole thing, trying to figure out why Discord suddenly became a betting man.

Then he asked for the necklace, and it turned from curiosity, into frustration. He knows he's seen it before, but he wasn't sure when or where, and that immensely angered him.

"Hey Blake, where did you get tha-"

Suddenly, a ringing filled the room. It sounded like an alarm going off, and it was coming from Discord's pocket. Discord's face became a happy and excited one, pulling a phone out of one of the lab pockets. The phone seemed to be the source of the ringing, Discord clicked on the phone, causing the noise to stop. But the smile was still there.

"What was that, Doc?"

Blake asked curiously, but Discord only smiled in return.

"Oh, that was just my timer to let me know when it's happening."

Discord said mysteriously, almost as if to make Blake ask another question.

"When what's happening, Mr. Enigma?"

Discord smiled a little wider, Igneous smirked, he had a pretty good idea what it was.

"Pinkamena's on her way."