Chapter 45: The Fires of Tokyo
"Where are we going little one?"
"Nowhere in particular." Akina answered with a smile as she walked alongside her Quirk. "I just wanted to explore our new home."
"New home…" Kaishin rolled the words around his mouth before giving Akina an inquisitive look. "So you're determined to stay?"
Akina nodded. "Mom is here and Nezu said that we can join the heroics program." She shrugged. "I don't see any reason not to stay."
"Staying means that the cultists will know where we are."
"How?" Akina cocked an eyebrow as she stared down at Kaishin. "Mom said that nobody who saw us lived outside of that Bishop bastard who told us he was leaving. Everyone else…" Her eyes grew distant. "...died."
"We did what we had to little one." Kaishin bumped his head into Akina's hand, forcing her to pet him. "Mom said that we're going to meet with a therapist soon. They're going to help."
"I know." Akina whispered as she came to a stop, her hand running through Kaishin's mane. "I just can't help but feel like I've done something wrong."
"What we did we did in self defense." Kaishin grumbled as he let Akina continue her ministrations.
Akina stared at Kaishin for a long moment before slowly nodding her head and continuing on at a sedate pace. The pair wandered in silence for a few minutes before Kaishin spoke.
"So where are we going?" The edges of Kaishin's muzzle pulled up as he gave Akina his best smile. "And don't say we're wandering to wander. You have a destination in mind but are lost."
Akina shot Kaishin a betrayed look before she hung her head. "Ok look I wanted to find the cafeteria but…" She waved her hand to encompass the area around them. "This campus is too damn big."
"Oh it takes some getting time to get use to."
Startled, Akina let out a shocked shout while pressing a hand to her heart while all four of Kaishin's paws left the ground before he quickly sank into a crouch, ready to act.
Himiko's eyes danced playfully as she watched the pair before cheerfully calling out. "Good morning."
"Good morning?" Akina repeated, more than a little confused while at the same time Kaishin involuntarily growled out.
"How did you sneak up on me?"
Himiko smirked, unphased by Kaishin's ability to speak. "Trade secret I'm afraid. Now I couldn't help but overhear that you were a bit lost on this lovely but massive campus of ours." She flashed the pair a grin. "Would you like some help?"
"Sur-" Akina started before she was cut off by a rumble from Kaishin. "Er, I mean who are you?"
"I'm Himiko." Himiko answered as she held her hand out.
"Tsutsumi Akina." Akaina replied as she carefully took the other woman's hand and shook it. She nodded at Kaishin. "And this is Kaishin."
Himiko let go of Akina's hand and gave Kaishin a small bow. "A pleasure." Standing upright she shot the Quirk a wink. "Never thought I would meet a second sentient Quirk."
Shocked, Kaishin sat back on his haunches and blinked. "You know another sentient Quirk?"
Himiko nodded. "I do. His name is Dark Shadow and he's a classmate of mine." She glanced over at Akina. "But he's a bit more attached to Fumikage than you two are."
"Attached?" Akina asked, her eyes almost as wide as Kaishin's at the revelation that there were others like them.
"Dark Shadow has a sort of physical connection to Fumikage." Himiko motioned to the space between Akina and Kaishin. "Imagine a rope or something tying the two of you together."
Akina and Kaishin shared a quick look before the pair nodded. "We don't have anything physical but we can't really separate from each other."
"The best we can manage is five meters." Kaishin added.
"Well that's better than nothing." Himiko shrugged before looking past the pair and toward the campus behind them. "Soooo. Breakfast?"
Again Akina and Kaishin looked at each other before the former nodded. "We'd appreciate any help."
"Then follow me." Himiko replied before turning on her heel and walking in the opposite direction the pair had been going.
"I wasn't even going the right way?" Akina's shoulders sagged as she and Kaishin quickly moved to catch up with Himiko. The trio walked in silence for a moment before Akina let out a soft cough. "So what's it like on campus?"
"It's interesting. U.A. really tries to live up to the motto of Plus Ultra, just look at the sports festival." Himiko answered as she continued to lead them down a new path. "I can honestly say that my three years here have been the best of my life."
"Three?" Akina shared a look with Kaishin. "I don't mean to be rude but you don't look like a third year."
Himiko giggled as she gave Akina an appreciative smile. "I think I'll take that as a compliment." She giggled once more before her smile faltered slightly. "I'm a first year. I've just been a ward of U.A. for two years."
"A ward?" Kaishin asked as he tipped his head to the side. "How does that work?"
Himiko stared at Kaishin for a moment before slowly shaking her head. "My genetic donors forced me to suppress my Quirk because I wasn't normal enough for them." A scowl carved across her face for a second before it vanished. "My Quirk backlashed and I attacked someone making the authorities look into my situation. When they found out what they were doing the charges were dropped and I was assigned to U.A. as a ward. They told me it was 'in an effort to help me avoid a career of villainy'." Himiko snorted. "As if I wanted to be starved into becoming a villain."
Kaishin and Akina were quiet as the pair stared at Himiko with sympathetic looks.
"It might not be the same but we know a little bit about people judging you for your Quirk." Akina reached over and rubbed Kaishin behind his ears.
"A little?" Kaishin snorted as he leaned into Akina's hand, though his eyes darted over to Himiko. "Little one we were literally kidnapped because of our bond."
Shocked, Akina opened her mouth to respond only to be cut off as Himiko nodded along with what Kaishin was saying.
"I saw you two arrive the other night." She gave the pair a sad smile. "You two looked like you'd been through hell."
"It was…" Akina sighed under her breath before looking back up at Himiko. "How'd you see us arrive? Nobody else was there."
"I was in Nezu's office." Himiko answered. "I think he-"
The shrill sound of an alarm cut Himiko off before it was quickly followed by three blasts of a horn.
"What's that? Are we under attack?" Kaishin quickly moved to stand protectively around Akina.
Himiko shook her head as she stared at the area around them, a look of horror slowly forming. "No, that alarm means a major attack somewhere else in Japan." She turned to look in the general direction of the staff buildings. "The three horns mean that all teachers with a heroics license need to drop what they're doing and get to the debriefing room."
"So what does it mean?"
"I don't know." Himiko looked back at the pair, flashing them a fanged grin as she did so. "But why don't we go and find out?"
++++++++++++++++++++
"Alright, set a few ground rules before we meet my contact." Rumi stopped walking as the trio reached a rundown alley. Turning toward Izuku and Ochako she gave the pair a pointed look. "First, let me do the talking. Second, he's not the type of person heroes normally meet with so you won't say a word of what you hear while we are in there to anyone else."
Rumi smirked. "Finally despite our history if the dumbass does something you have my permission to use whatever you need to either win or get the fuck out." She raised an eyebrow. "Understand?"
Both Izuku and Ochako nodded their heads with the latter of the two adding. "We got it."
Rumi stared at the couple for a moment longer before nodding her head and grunting. "Good." Without another word she turned on her heel and entered the alley, Izuku and Ochako moving quickly to keep up.
The group was quiet as they made their way deeper into the alley, the buildings on either side casting long shadows that made it appear longer than it was. They passed trash, rusted bicycles and other refuse before Rumi came to a halt next to a corroded metal door.
"Remember the rules and follow my lead." Rumi muttered to the pair before she strode up to the door. She only hesitated a second before bringing her foot up and kicking it down, the piercing sound of metal caving in filling the alley. The door, fully removed from its hinges, sailed into the building with Rumi trailing right after it.
Ochako and Izuku could only watch as their mentor strode into the building as if she owned the place shouting. "Rapper where the fuck are you?"
Sharing a look and a shrug the pair quickly moved to follow. Entering the room they found it in a similar state to the alley outside, covered in junk and poorly lit. Scanning the area they quickly spotted Rumi standing toe to toe with a man nearly twice her size. Wearing black combat pants and a sleeveless camo shirt he cut an intimidating figure that was only added to by the sneer on his face.
"Tiger Bunny I didn't think you would show." Kendo looked past Rumi and toward the pair of interns. "And you brought some kids with you?"
"Yeah and they could probably kick your ass." Rumi snorted as she nodded to the couple in question.
"Could they now?" Kendo gave the pair and looked at them with new eyes. "And when can I put this theory to the test? Overhaul may have promised me a fight but I'm still fucking waiting for something to happen."
"You're not here to fight my kits." Rumi growled as she glared up at Kendo causing the man to chuckle.
"I fight whomever I want to fight." Kendo stared down at Rumi. "If you don't want me to fight them then how about a rematch?"
"Are you that eager for me to put your ass in the dirt for a third time?" Rumi snarked, a cocky grin taking over. "Just remember what happened last time you challenged me."
Kendo's eyes went hard for a second before he threw his head back and filled the room with a booming laugh. "You're never going to let me live that down."
Rumi let out a laugh of her own. "I broke both of your arms. I don't think I should ever let you live that down." She snorted. "You're just lucky that we actually had a medic on hand that time."
"Smartest decision the King ever made hiring her." Kendo's body still shook slightly as his fit of laughter subsided. Looking over Rumi, he stared at Izuku and Ochako once more before giving the pair a small nod. "Well if you're training with her then I can honestly say that I look forward to fighting you at some point." He turned back toward Rumi. "Do you want them hearing Court business?"
"Court?" Ochako mouthed to Izuku who just shrugged in response.
"They're my kits and the sooner they realize that not everything is black and white the better." Rumi turned to look at Izuku and Ochako before waving them forward to stand next to her. She gave them a nod as they stood next to each other and to her right. "Remember rule number two?"
Both Izuku and Ochako nodded as they gave Rumi expectant looks.
Sparing them one last glance, Rumi turned back to Kendo. "So whatcha got?"
"Two things this time." Kendo grunted as he leaned against a nearby wall, crossing his arms as he did so. "First it sounds like Nemoto had a meeting with a dead woman last night."
"A dead woman?" Izuku, shocked, blurted out, earning a glare from Rumi.
Uncaring, Kendo nodded at Izuku. "Yeah, a dead woman. Or more accurately a woman that everyone thinks is dead."
Intrigued, Rumi motioned for Kendo to continue. "Who?"
Kendo fixed Rumi with a pointed look. "The other bullets were talking about how he was going to meet Lady Nagant."
Rumi's eyes widened slightly as she processed what Kendo had said. "Lady Nagant…" She shook her head. "Ignoring that she's supposed to be dead, do you know what she wanted?"
"Something about lacking memories and thinking that Confession might help." Kendo shrugged. "I wasn't paying attention to the details." He waved off Rumi's next comment. "The other thing is more important though. Overhaul moved the operation to be based out of Tokyo."
A shiver of anticipation washed over Rumi as she stared up at Kendo. "Did he? Where is he now?"
"No clue." Kendo ignored Rumi's scowl as he continued. "I know he's set up multiple safe houses in the area and that the largest one is a few blocks from here."
"Have you been in it yet?" Rumi asked before spotting the confused looks Izuku and Ochako were giving her. She turned toward the pair. "Later." She looked back at Kendo, waiting for his answer.
Kendo shook his head. "Not yet but I expect that I will soon. Rumor has it that's where he's moved his pet project."
Rumi thumped her foot as she crossed her arms and thought for a moment. Finally she looked back at Kendo. "Did you find out what he was up to?"
"No but I know it involves Quirks somehow. Something about removing them." Kendo shrugged. "You know I don't care for the sciency crap."
"Yes but we need to-"
An explosion detonated nearby, rocking the building they were in.
"What the fuck was that?" Kendo and Rumi said at the same time while Izuku and Ochako sprinted out the door and into the alley.
++++++++++++++++++++
"You know this is easier than I imagined it would be." Setsuna said before a yawn sneaked its way out causing her to give Haruo a sheepish grin. "Still tired as hell though."
"I'm not a morning person either." Haruo laughed as he waved toward a group of businessmen who were entering a subway station. "All we can do is make it look like we're fully awake."
"I think I can do that." Setsuna laughed as she shook her head in an effort to wake herself up. "When you told me it was the most vulnerable I was thinking that it would be a lot harder."
"It can be." Haruo waved for Setsuna to follow him as he started moving once more. "Most of the time it's just keeping the peace. Letting people know we're here but sometimes a villain gets the bright idea to act and that's when we're needed."
"Makes sense." Setsuna sighed as the pair came to a stop. "After the morning rush are we able to-"
Setsuna found herself cut off as an explosion detonated in the distance. The jovial comradery that the pair had been enjoying a second ago vanished as Haruo's eyes hardened and he nodded toward the plume of smoke.
"I''l take the lead." He looked down at Setsuna. "Tear-ana-Saur I want you to-"
Like his intern before him, Haruo didn't get to finish his statement as a second explosion rocked the two story building across the street. Dread filled the pair as they watched the structure sway from side to side a second before it started to collapse in on itself.
A plume of dust and debris washed over the street, forcing the pair to cover their eyes. By the time they had opened them once more the whole building was nothing more than a pile of rubble.
"I'll lift and you search." Haruo called to Setsuna as he took off toward the demolished structure. Setsuna only hesitated a second before she ran after him, her body already splitting into separate parts.
Separated arms helped civilians who had fallen to the shockwave back to their feet while her legs provided a way for people to help themselves back to their feet. Her torso and head remained connected as she floated forward to stand next to Haruo.
"I can feel someone moving under there." Haruo took a step forward and into the debris field. "Separate an ear to listen for them while I move the rubble. The last thing we want is to crush someone we're trying to save."
"You got it." Setsuna replied as one of her ears separated itself from her head and moved toward the ground next to Haruo. Her eyes closed, she listened to the area for a moment before giving Haruo a nod. "I'm not hearing anyone under that piece."
Haruo gave Setsuna a nod before he reached down and hauled a three meter section of concrete and rebar up and out of the way. He turned back toward his intern. "Now?"
"I think I hear something." Setsuna answered, her eyes still closed. "There's a shifting and… wait someone is digging."
"Digging?" Haruo took a step back as he stared down at the rubble. "It's a good sign that someone can make their own way out. Hopefully they-"
Haruo stopped speaking as the ruble shifted once more and a massive black fist breached the surface. The pair took a step forward only to stop, their words of assistance dying on their tongues, as the fist quickly became an arm and a second later the hulking body of an ape-like creature forced its way into the open. Standing nearly as tall as Haruo, the creature's body would have resembled an upright gorilla except for the pure white eyes, sharpened teeth and exposed brain.
"What the fuck is that?!" Setsuna shouted as she stared in horror at the monster in front of her.
The creature removed Haruo's chance to respond as it beat a hand against its chest and charged forward with a ground shaking roar.
Without missing a beat Haruo let out an ear-piercing cry of his own before charging to meet the threat, his clawed hands extending out to his side while his tail whipped through the air behind him.
Stunned, Setsuna's jaw detached itself from her face as she watched the two titans clash, the air around them vibrating as they met each other blow for blow. She stayed that way for a long second before a different sound filled her still removed ear.
The sound of ruble shifting once more.
Setsuna looked away from the unfolding battle only to see another pair of hands break through the rubble. Instead of black these were a vibrant tan color and ended in drills.
Sparing one last glance toward the scattering civilians behind her, Setsuna set her jaw back in place as she moved forward toward the new threat.
++++++++++++++++++++
"This way. Keep moving this way." Mezo called out with both his permanent mouth as well as those he summoned. "Please head away from the docks." An ear and a mouth moved to address Kugo. "Anything?"
"No." Kugo growled in frustration. "The HPSC and HeroNet seem to be down at the moment." He looked over his shoulder toward the twisted wreck of metal the warehouse they had been heading toward had become. "Regular internet and cell service is up but that's not going to be efficient enough to help us summon my sidekicks."
Before Mezo could respond the sound of two more explosions filled the air and with them a pair of warehouses on opposite sides of the dock started to collapse.
"What is happening…" Mezo muttered darkly to himself as his eyes, permanent and summoned, went wide as a set of ears caught a sound from behind him. Turning around Mezo felt his heart start to race as two sets of hands broke through the collapsed warehouse. "Gang Orca!"
Spinning around, Kugo watched as two creatures hauled themselves up and into the light of day. Different in coloration the shorter of the two had bright teal skin and hands that ended in hooked blades while the taller of the pair had pitch black skin and no obvious Quirk.
Seeing their full forms, and spotting the exposed brains, Mezo muttered under his breath. "Nomu…"
"Nomu?" Kugo glared across at the creatures. "Tentacole I give you permission to use your Quirk to defend others and yourself."
"Sir." Mezo replied with a nod of his head as his tentacles started to form a multitude of fists as the pair took advantage of the Nomu's delayed reaction and charged forward.
Separating, Kugo closed in on the taller Nomu, bringing his fist back as he approached, ready to level his opponent in one punch. He was less than a meter away when the creature's mouth split into a toothy grin as its body shifted and two dozen bone-like spikes shot out of its chest toward Kugo.
Despite the close distance, Kugo managed to see the attack coming and reeled back in time to activate his hypersonic waves, reducing the spikes to shards and dust. A frustrated chirp escaped Kugo as he attempted to close the distance once more only to be stopped as rib cage structures formed all along the creature.
The monster's grin remained in place as the rib cages twisted around and attacked Kugo once more. Having seen the bones twist around Kugo was more than ready for the attack. Settling his stance and, with a quick glance to ensure that Mezo wasn't close, he let out bellow and unleashed his hypersonic waves at full force.
The incoming attack faltered as once more the bone creations were reduced to dust but this time the creature reeled back in pain as well. Seizing the advantage, Kugo sprinted forward and into the Nomu's personal space.
His fist was centimeters from the Nomu's skin when a its eyes regained focus and a second rib cage formed, absorbing the attack. Refusing to give it time to fully recover, Kugo let out another fully powered hypersonic wave.
At this close of range the effect was as instant as it was devastating. Bones, both summoned and internal, were reduced to powder while internal organs exploded under the sudden fluctuation in pressure.
It was into this boneless state that Kugo's fist connected, rupturing the creature and spilling its blackened blood onto the crushed ruins beneath their feet.
Kugo watched, in horror, as the tattered remains of the creature started to knit themselves back together as veins and bones shifted to reconnect and reform. Shaking himself from simply watching the macabre sight, Kugo leaned down and blasted the creature with his Quirk one last time.
As Kugo released the last of his waves all that remained of the Nomu was a puddle of liquified organs and bone, the Nomu's Super Regeneration finally giving out.
"Shit." Kugo sighed as he stood upright once more, running a hand along his head and dorsal fin as he did so.
++++++++++++++++++++
Mezo watched as Kugo charged the pitch black Nomu, a sense of worry washing over him before the sound of something cutting through the air forced his attention to shift. Ducking out of the way, he watched as the hooked blade of the teal Nomu passed within a few centimeters of his face.
Abruptly refocused to the fight on his own hands Mezo placed his trust in his mentor and moved to engage the teal Nomu. Blank faced, the creature stared dumbly at Mezo while its body moved. Twisting around Mezo's punches, its arms attacked him once more, the twin blades whistling through the air in deadly arcs.
Weaving around the attacks, Mezo lashed out with a series of bullet-like punches causing the creature's attacks to falter slightly.
Moving with his advantage, Mezo transformed a fist back into a tentacle and wrapped it around the creature's ankle. His muscles surged as he heaved it back, dragging the Nomu with him. Dangling the creature in the air he held it as far from his torso as he could as two more tentacles wormed themselves up the Nomu's arms, locking them into place.
"Now wha- AHGGG." Mezo screamed in pain as blades appeared along the Nomu's arms, slicing clean through the tentacles holding it. Reeling in pain, Mezo stumbled back a step as he recalled his summoned arms to him, freeing the creature.
Face still emotionless, the Nomu jumped back to its feet and quickly closed the small gap that Mezo had created between the pair. Its blade arms sang through the air once more as it resumed the deadly dance that the two had been engaging in moments before.
Mezo saw what was coming and, despite the pain, dodged out of the way. His tentacles quickly formed into hands as they helped catch his body as he threw it to the side.
Now on the backfoot, Mezo continued to avoid the Nomu's attacks all while his mind was spinning. I can't keep this up. I need to find a way to actually hurt this thing before it manages to get lucky. A tentacle turned hand caught him as he stumbled under one of the blades. What if I…
With boldness born of desperation Mezo sent all of the arms on his left side forward while bringing those on his right back and behind him. Tentacles and hands swung around at the Nomu forcing the creature to hesitate before it swung its blades around once more.
Gleaming metal easily cut through flesh and bone as one by one the ends of each tentacle or hand were separated. Mezo bit back a scream of pain as the arms along his left side suffered under the creature's defense, all while he molded his right side into a single mass.
All too soon the arms on Mezo's left side were cut away and the Nomu stood in front of him. Covered in both its and Mezo's blood, the Nomu cut a terrifying figure as it stalked forward toward the heroics student once more.
Blades at the ready, the Nomu started to move forward.
"ENOUGH!" Mezo's voice bellowed as he swung his right side forward, the amalgamation of hands and tentacles forming a single massive fist.
Having already started forward there was no time for the Nomu to block or dodge the incoming attack. Rage and pain carried Mezo's fist into the creature's body, filling the air with the sound of snapping bones a second before the Nomu was sent flying.
Panting, Mezo lowered the arms on his right side, allowing them to return to their previous state, as he stared over at the teal Nomu's stationary form. Taking a wary step forward he waited for the monster to reconstitute itself and rise to fight once more.
It never did.
"Thank fuck." Mezo sighed as a pressure wave washed over him, dragging his attention over to Kugo and the Nomu he was fighting. He turned just in time to see Kugo knock the creature to the ground before delivering the final blow.
A tense feeling of relief washed over Mezo as he stumbled over to his mentor.
Sensing Mezo's presence Kugo lowered his hand from his dorsal fin and fixed the younger man with a concerned look. "How are you Shoji?"
"Tired." Mezo bluntly replied as he came to a stop next to the pro hero who noticed the lack of arms along his intern's left side.
"What happened?!" Kugo took a step forward to duck and place an arm to support Mezo.
"The Nomu cut them off." Mezo calmly replied before seeing the worried look Kugo was giving him. "It hurts when they're cut but they grow back quickly." He nodded toward his missing arms where, already, new limbs seemed to be forming.
"If you're sure…" Kugo hesitantly replied as he carefully watched Mezo. "There's no shame in taking time to recover."
Mezo nodded his head once before shaking it. "We're needed elsewhere." He motioned toward the wreckage of the other warehouses. "We don't know how many other Nomu there are."
Kugo followed Mezo's motion and quickly spotted Quirks being activated up and down the docks. Turning back to Mezo he placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Fine but the second you feel like you can't continue you stop and pull back." His eyes turned hard. "Got it?"
"Yes sensei."
++++++++++++++++++++
Hitoshi groaned as someone shook him.
"Get up."
"My alarm hasn't gone off. Leave me alone." Hitoshi grumbled as he attempted to roll over to face the wall only to be stopped by the same hands that shook him.
"Mockingbird get up." Shota's voice booked no argument as he shook Hitoshi once more.
Hearing his hero name, Hitoshi's eyes flew open to see Shota standing over him already wearing his full costume. "What's going on?"
"Tokyo is under attack." Shota calmly responded. Despite his tone, however, there were traces of worry and concern in his eyes.
Worry and concern that Hitoshi was soon showing on his own face. "Tokyo? Attacked?" Bolting upright he stared at the pro hero, his jaw going slack. "What happened?"
"I'm not sure. The HPSC hasn't sent anything out and the HeroNet appears to be down." Shota took a step back to allow Hitoshi the space to stand. "Everything I know is from what I've seen online from civilians or what Nezu has been sending to me."
"And what do we know?" Hitoshi asked as he got out of bed and started toward the dresser in the corner.
"An indeterminable amount of Nomu are attacking the city after a series of explosions happened."
Hitoshi felt himself break out in a cold sweat as he turned back toward Shota. "Where in Tokyo?"
"Everywhere." Shota whispered as he started toward the door. "Meet me downstairs, we need to be ready to move." Without another word Shota left the room, leaving Hitoshi behind to change.
Everywhere… Hitoshi stared blankly into space for a long second before shaking his head and regaining his focus. It's a few hours to Tokyo but if we leave soon… Quickly donning his costume Hitoshi sprinted from the room, the last dregs of sleep having been burnt from his system.
Entering the lower section of the apartment that the pair were calling home for the week, Hitoshi spotted Shota staring at his phone.
"When are we leaving?"
Snapped out of his memories and worry, Shota turned and gave Hitoshi a curious look. "Who said we're leaving?"
"You did?" Hitoshi answered, equally confused. "You said we needed to be ready to move."
"And I never said where we were moving to." Shota answered as he motioned for Hitoshi to take the seat across from him. Hitoshi stared at the pro hero for a long moment before doing so.
Only once they were both seated Shota started to speak. "We can't get to Tokyo in time to help with the current crisis and even if we could, the pair of us wouldn't be an asset." He held up a hand to cut Hitoshi's protest off. "Brainwash requires a response which Nomu can't give. As for Erasure it might be able to remove Quirks but if these Nomu are like the one at the USJ that won't matter."
Hitoshi stared at Shota for a long moment before slowly nodding his head. "Fine, so then what are we doing?"
"We're going to protect the doctor." Shota bluntly replied before elaborating at Hitoshi's confused look. "We can't help Tokyo but we can protect the reason we are in Osaka." Still seeing confusion, Shota sighed. "If all eyes and able bodies are making their way toward Tokyo…" He made a continue motion with his hand.
A light of understanding illuminated itself in Hitoshi's eyes. "Then someone might take advantage while everyone is distracted."
"Exactly." Shota gave Hitoshi a quick smile. "So we need to get to the doctor on the off chance the reason we're watching over him makes a move."
Hitoshi nodded a few times before giving Shota a concerned look. "What about Tokyo?"
Shota sighed once more. "Even if we could help it's three hours by train but all trains into the city have stopped. We have no real way to get there."
"So we just…" Hitoshi trailed off.
"So we just trust the heroes that are there to do their job." Shota responded as he pushed his chair back and stood. "We've been training all week in being an underground hero and now's the time to put it into practice."
++++++++++++++++++++
Not good. Neito let out a startled shout as he ducked under yet another blast of impossibly sharp wind. NOT GOOD!
Twisting to the side he ran a hand along the collection of rings that adorned the side of his belt, each one giving off a unique energy. Finding the one he wanted, he quickly twisted the ring around and activated his Quirk.
Neito felt a familiar wash of power dance under his skin as Copy came to life and an understanding of his borrowed Quirk sprang to the forefront of his mind. Smirking, he watched as the winged Nomu swooped back around for another pass.
"Come on…" Netio's eyes never left his target as he raised his palms. "Come on…"
He wasn't left waiting for long as the Nomu closed the distance between them once more. Seeing the compression of the creature's hollow arms, Netio pivoted to the right just as another blade of wind cut through where he had been standing less than a second ago. Still moving, he continued to dodge out of the way as the monster swooped in in an attempt to cut him with its taloned feet.
"Gotcha." Neito's smirk grew as he unleashed a cloud of spores from Kinoko's Mushroom directly into the Nomu's face. He didn't waste any time in triggering them, suddenly filling the Nou's body with fungi, sending the creature crashing to the ground.
"Rings with hair." Neito let out a slightly unhinged chuckle as his adrenaline high started to fall. "I'm actually going to have to thank Midoriya if I make it out of this." Shaking his head, Neito looked around the destroyed street he found himself standing in. Large chunks of the pavement having been gouged out by the flying Nomu's Quirk. "And to think I just wanted breakfast."
Cautiously he started to move toward the fallen Nomu, ready to jump back at a moment's notice. Reaching the creature, he shuttered slightly at the sight of its blue skin, dead eyes and exposed brain. "Well if 1-A fought something like this then they really are nothing but braggarts." He shoved the creature with his hand. "I think this should be enough proof about 1-B's-"
The piercing groan of concrete breaking filled the air half a second before a sweltering wave of heat stopped Neito's declaration dead in its tracks. Looking over his shoulder the heroics student felt a cold wave of dread wash over him as he stared at what was causing the commotion.
A great slug-like monstrosity seemingly composed of still molten lava had crawled out of a hole in the ground and was slowly making its way down the street. Waves of heat washed out from the creature's body as it continued forward, cracking the concrete and causing the metal in its immediate vicinity to start to sag.
I just wanted breakfast! Neito shouted to himself before squaring his shoulders and staring down the monster. I can't get into close combat with this thing so that rules out like half of what I have. Shiozaki's vines would burn and so would Komori's mushrooms. His eyes shifted away from the Nomu and toward the area around him. I need water of some kind…
Spotting a fire hydrant, Neito sprinted toward his new target while his left hand felt around his belt. Having reached his target, his hands grew the moment his finger ran along the orange lock of hair.
Despite its lack of speed the Nomu was not slow and a vague memory of what its opponent was doing stirred in its mutated mind. Reaching into its own skin it removed a chunk of molten flesh and hurled it toward the blonde heroics student.
Distracted as he was, Neito failed to notice the incoming attack as he focused on grabbing the fire hydrant in front of him. A sixth sense finally triggered, causing him to look up just as the molten mass was about to reach him.
"SHI-"
Both Neito and the molten attack were cut off as a controlled wave of water washed over the pair. Turning toward the source of the water, Neito found himself looking at a couple in matching red uniforms topped by white helmets with snorkels.
"Are you ok?" The man asked as they reached him.
"I-I'm good." Neito stuttered in reply before noticing that the Nomu had attacked a second time. "LOOK OUT!"
Reacting as only long time partners could, the man raised his hand to unleash a torrent of water while the woman twisted her hands around like a conductor. Instantly the water went from an uncontrolled deluge to a vertical wall a half meter thick.
The trio held their breath as the massive molten mass made contact with the wall, only letting out the breath as it made contact and boiled away.
"Well that worked." The woman laughed as she started forward toward the Nomu, her hands bringing the wall of water with her.
"Don't worry son we got this." The man shot Neito a wink as he too started forward.
Neito could only watch, transfixed, as the couple played a deadly dance with the molten Nomu. Each would take their turn approaching only to back away as the creatures turned to face them. All the while wave after wave of water washed over the creature causing it's once molten skin to slowly harden. Hope and relief started to replace the dread and fear that Neito had been feeling.
At least they've got this one handled.
Naturally it was that exact moment the Nomu threw its head back and, with a blood curdling roar, reignited its body hotter than it had been before.
Neito's eyes blew wide as he watched the reinvigorated monster start forward once more. Yeah that figures.
Still defiant, Nomu glared down at the two heroes that had been harassing it before it began to violently shake itself. Globs of molten material were sent flying in all directions, overwhelming the couple.
Neito watched in horror as one glob arced its way over the walls of water the duo were creating, descending directly toward the couple.
"Watch out!" Neito shouted as he waved his hand through the air, desperate to do anything to help those that had already helped him but knowing he didn't have a Quirk to do so.
So when a blade of wind shot out of his hand and carved the molten attack in two Neito could only look down at his hand in shock. Ignoring the thanks that the pair of heroes sent his way when they realized what he had just done.
He was still looking at his hand as if he had never seen it before when the Nomu finally collapsed, its last ditch ignition costing it its life. Neito ignored it all as his gaze moved from his hand to the first Nomu that he had felled.
These things are HUMAN?!?
++++++++++++++++++++
"One more down." Eijiro panted under his breath as he stared at the collapsed Nomu in front of him, letting Hardening drop as he did so. Turning, Eijiro saw that both Momo and Taishiro were no longer with him. His brow furrowed as he looked up and down the street, just in time to see yet another plume of smoke kick into the air. "Well that's not good."
Eijiro sprinted down the street as fast as he could, only coming to a stop as he rounded the corner to find himself starting at an intersection that had more in common with a battlefield than a stoplight.
Shit…
The thought came unbidden as he watched Tamaki in his hybrid form fend off a pair of Nomu. Vibrant red and yellow the monsters appeared to have some form of lightning and fire Quirk. Unlike the other Nomu he had encountered, these two appeared to move in sync with one another. In the brief moment Eijiro watched he saw them almost perfectly trade off from offense to defense, all the while keeping Taishiro on the back foot.
"Right…" Eijiro muttered under his breath as he punched his fists together and activated Hardening. Sprinting forward his lips curled back into a snarl as he bought his right fist forward.
"RED GAUNTLET!"
Despite Eijiro calling out his ultimate move, the red Nomu failed to react in time, earning a reinforced fist into the gut for its mistake. Seizing on his advantage, Eijiro leaned further into his punch. His left arm snaked around the creature and grabbed the back of its head, bringing it down on his reinforced knee with a sickening crack.
The red Nomu teetered in place for a moment before it collapsed to the ground, the already dim light fading from its pure white eyes.
"One down. One to-"
"On your right, Red Riot!" Tamaki shouted in warning, causing Eijiro to pivot in time to cross his arms and block the yellow Nomu's incoming fist.
Snarling, Eijiro pushed back against the almost overpowering weight while the concrete beneath his feet cracked. Deadlocked as they were, all Eijiro could do was glare at his opponent while the Nomu stared blankly back at him.
"RED RIOT, DUCK!" Eijiro reacted immediately, caught off guard by the harshness of Tamaki's normally soft spoken voice. Falling backwards, he let the Nomu win their contest a second before a dozen octopus tentacles wrapped around the creature, crushing it.
"That was so manly Suneater!" Eijiro called over his shoulder as he spared on last glance at the Nomu's remains. Why aren't they as tough as the one at the USJ? Shaking his head, he sprinted away from the fallen Nomu and toward yet another plume of smoke.
I hope Yaomomo is doing ok.
++++++++++++++++++++
Momo felt her muscles lock as she watched her death close in on her. The flying Nomu had appeared out of seemingly nowhere and had immediately descended on her with outstretched claws. Her heartbeat nearly stopped as she watched the few meters that separated them quickly turn to less than one.
Her heart stopped as the talons closed in on her only to feel her body be thrown to the side at the last moment.
"I don't think so." Taishiro growled as his body intercepted the incoming attack, the Nomu's talons sinking harmlessly into his body. Despite the lack of reaction, verbal or otherwise, to its predicament the Nomu's wings began to flap helplessly as it attempted to free itself from Taishiro's Fat Absorption.
Taishiro's customary smile was long gone as he stared down at the trapped creature. Reaching out with both hands he seized the Nomu by the wings and, with a sickening crack, tore them from the creature's body.
Taishiro glared down at the now unmoving Nomu as he forced it out of his body. "Undead abomination."
Momo stared at her mentor, a state of shock threatening to overwhelm her. "U-undead?"
"I didn't feel a pulse when it was trapped in me and yet it was moving and organic." Taishiro explained as he stepped over the fallen Nomu and crouched down next to Momo. "How are you doing Creati?"
"I froze up." Momo shook her head slightly. "I saw it coming but my mind couldn't decide on what I needed to protect myself so instead I did nothing."
"But you still held your ground." Taishiro softly replied with a small smile. "While we've worked on much this week I never thought you would have to use it in a practical setting so soon." He reached into a pouch at the back of his belt and pulled out a pair of nutrient bars. "Here take this."
"I have my own."
"I know but you're going to need more." Taishiro nodded toward the civilians around them. "We don't know how long it'll take for emergency services to get here so I want you to start producing bandages and other medical supplies."
"But I-" Momo's protest was cut off as Taishiro raised a hand.
"Creati I'm not taking you out of the fight because you froze up." He gave her a soft look. "You're the only one out here that can make what these people need." Standing he placed a hand on her shoulder. "This section seems clear for the moment. Help the civilians while I go and find Red Riot and Suneater."
Momo stared up at Taishiro for a long moment before nodding her head, a look of determination forming. "Yes sensei."
Taishiro gave her one last smile. "Keep an eye out." With that he turned on his heel and sprinted down the street and toward the sound of fighting.
Momo watched him go for a second before turning away and jogging over to a small group of civilians that appeared to be guarding the entrance to what looked to be a hotel.
A visible wave of relief washed over the group as they saw her approach.
"Finally a hero."
"She was with Fat Gum I think."
"Do you know what's going on?"
"What are those things?"
"Are there more of you?"
Momo held her hands up as the torrent of questions washed over her. "One at a time please. My name is Creati and I'm here to help." She gave them all a quick smile. "Is anyone hurt?"
The half dozen civilians all shook their heads before one of them added.
"Just scrapes and bruises but there are a few people who need help inside."
"Where are they?" Momo asked as she looked past the group and toward the inside of the hotel. "What do they need?"
The apparent leader of the group stared at Momo for a second before answering. "Bandages, I know one of them will need a split for their leg, gauze won't hurt, some of…" He trailed off as Momo produced the items he was listing off while he was listing them off.
"Some of?" Momo prompted as she coiled the gauze that was spitting out of her wrist into a roll.
"Some of them just need something for the pain…" The man finished lamely as he stared in awe at Momo. "Can you make medical supplies?"
"And other things." Momo answered as she produced a small pill bottle. "These are painkillers." She added as she held the bottle in question out to the man.
The group stared at the sudden supply in shock while the man took the offered bottle. "Thank you…"
"Did you need my help to-" Momo started before a scream cut her off.
"MONSTER!"
Turning as one, Momo and the civilians saw a dark green Nomu with bird-like wings chasing after a young girl.
Momo's eyes widened and, acting on instinct, she spun around and toward the creature. The light of Creation quickly flared to life a half second before the barrel of a cannon that had formed in Momo's chest went off.
The deafening boom was quickly overtaken by the Nomu's pained shrieks as Momo's aim proved true and a five point five kilogram cannonball punched into the monster. The creature's screams were cut off as it crashed face first into the concrete.
Ignoring the group behind her, Momo forced the cannon to finish before sprinting across the street and toward the girl. Coming to a stop she kneeled down in front of her.
"Are you ok?"
In lieu of a response the girl threw his arms around Momo's neck and pulled her into a hug. Momo could feel the child's tears on her neck as they muttered softly. "You saved me."
"I'm just glad I was here to help." Momo answered as she returned the hug.
++++++++++++++++++++
"I can't thank all of you enough for what you've done for our family." Tenya dipped his head into a bow while the others at the table looked on, amused.
"All we did was provide support gear for someone to test." Melissa smiled at Tensei while the members of 1-H nodded along.
"I want to know how that baby performs." Mei pointed an aggressive finger at Tensei from the other side of the table.
"And since you're on campus now you have no reason to avoid giving her data." Rui laughed, causing the pro hero to smile.
"Well when you put it like that." Tensei's laugh deepened as he gave Mei a nod. "I'll endeavor to keep you up to date with any issues my leg is giving me."
"Not just issues! I want ideas, thoughts, and ways to improve it!" Mei suddenly turned to address Mellissa. "MEL! What if we make Izuku battle boots out of nanobots? Do you think we could incorporate the hover technology? What about a collapsible feature into his pants? Or over regular boots?"
Caught off guard, Melissa sat back in her seat and stared at Mei for a long moment. "How did we get to Midoriya?" Mel?
"How are you not used to this after a week?" Taji teased with a chuckle.
"Because it's only been a week and we've had more than a month." Maina answered, a small grin forming.
"It's not that I'm not used to it. It's more that-" Melissa was cut off as every phone at the table went off at the same time, giving out a single alert chime. Devices were fished from pockets or retrieved from the table's surface only to fall out of limp fingers.
"Tokyo is under attack?"
The shock and apprehension in Tenya's voice only caused the group to doubt what they had just read, with more than one member rereading the alert.
"My dad needs to know!" Melissa jumped from her chair, knocking it to the ground, and ran from the room, the rest of the group soon following suit.
"Tokyo is under attack." Tenya numbly repeated as he remained sitting while everyone else left.
++++++++++++++++++++
"DAD!" Melissa shouted as she all but kicked down the door to her father's lab. "Dad Tokyo is…" She trailed off as she entered the room to see Toshinori and David staring blankly at a projection on the back wall. The live news feed showing what information it could as to the situation on the ground in Tokyo.
"As you can see behind me the rampage of what we are being told are called Nomu has been as indiscriminate as it has been bloody. While accurate assessments are not available at this time it is believed that there are at least eight locations across the city that have been attacked by these creatures. It is still unknown who or what is behind this attack but what is known is that the HPSC has yet to release a statement and the renowned HeroNet has been silent all morning. Rescue efforts are ad hoc at best with any heroes on the ground being left to fend for themselves in the chaos."
"We have also received reports that civilian groups have started working together to defend themselves and their homes against these Nomu. To those brave souls defending their lives and livelihoods I would like to remind them that it is the official position of the Japanese government and the HPSC that Quirk usage be restricted to self defense only."
The reporter turned to look behind her, her vantage point providing an obstructed view of downtown.
"For the moment we here at Tokyo News feel confident that we are safe and unless that situation changes we will keep both our nation and the world updated as to the situation here on the ground."
"Gods… isn't that close to where Uraraka and Izuku were going to be?" Maina whispered as she looked on, horrified at the scene in front of her.
"Kendo and Shoji are in the city this week as well." Rui quietly added.
"Shoji is by the docks and is reported as being injured but still fighting." Mei's normally exuberant voice had gone cold as she stared at the phone in her hand, her eyes darting across the screen as fast as she could. "The HPSC is down but the public forums are still active." She sprinted across the room and took a seat at a nearby computer. "I already have an algorithm created to track the crew so I just need to upload it here and we can see if people have spotted them."
"What about the other heroics students?" Yuuko asked as she took a seat at the computer opposite to Mei. "I know that those four weren't the only ones."
"Get me names and I can add them as well." Mei answered as she plugged her phone into the computer and started to transfer the files she needed.
"We should have them saved in their profiles on the U.A. servers." Rui replied as they pulled out their phone once more and started searching. "We have a strong connection here so I can pull them up and get us names."
Maina and Taji watched their classmates work for a moment before turning back toward the news feed.
"All Might should be there, right?" Taji asked as he looked over at Toshinori and David, neither of whom had so much as moved since the group had entered.
"He never takes any interns so logic would dictate that he would be at Might Tower." Maina added a faint note of hope in her voice.
Absorbed as they were in watching the destruction unfold, the pair missed the look of horror that washed over Tensei's and Melissa's face as each of them in turn looked toward Toshinori.
"All Might won't be there…" Toshinori's voice was barely above a whisper but the room came to a standstill as all eyes turned toward him.
"Toshi…" David started only to be cut off as his lifelong friend shook his head.
"I should be there David… My city is burning and I'm not there." Toshinori's voice broke as he spoke. "My successor is in that mess and I'm here."
"Your…" Yuuko started before her eyes blew wide. "Wait! So-"
"YOU'RE ALL MIGHT?!?" Taji shouted as he stared at the wizzend man in horror. "When Uraraka told us that she…"
"Holy shit it makes sense now." Rui stared at Toshinori, the light of revelation in their eyes. "She said that All Might passed on his power and I was wondering why but if you're…" Realizing what they were about to say, Rui forced their mouth closed.
"Injured?" Toshinori finished, his look of horror having yet to vanish. "Yes my injury is why I looked for a successor." He looked back toward the screen. "And now I can only hope she makes it out of this alive."
++++++++++++++++++++
Emily's breakfast lay forgotten in front of her as she stared at the television on the other side of the room. Unmoving, she watched in horror as yet another building collapsed into rubble as a trio of Nomu waded out of the wreckage.
"What's happening…" Emily whispered under her breath as worried thoughts of her friends began to filter through her mind.
So absorbed in her viewing, Emly missed Dannon as he re-entered the room and approached her.
"Polaris."
The sound of her hero name caused Emily to finally turn away from the unfolding carnage. "Yes?"
"Suit up." Dannon nodded toward the door. "We need to leave in five minutes."
"We need to…" The gears in Emily's brain screamed as she tried to process what Dannon was telling her. Her eyes lit up in recognition a moment before a cold fury took their place. "You want us to patrol?"
"That's no-"
Emily cut Dannon off as she continued. "Tokyo is burning and you want to, what, go searching for the Hero Killer?"
An uncomfortable silence filled the room as the pro hero and his intern.
"Last time I checked I was still in charge and you were still my intern." Dannon stared impassively at Emily as his tone hardened. "So when I tell you to go get ready to leave in five minutes I expect you to do so. Regardless of what's happening in Tokyo, the rest of the country still needs help and we are meant to be the ones to give it."
Emily started to protest once more before stopping and slowly nodding her head. Standing, she began to make her way toward the changing rooms before Dannon's voice brought her to a stop.
"Polaris."
Turning around she saw Dannon giving her a concerned look before he nodded toward the door. "If you had let me finish you'd know that we're headed to the airport. Endeavor's put the call out to any hero not from Hosu. He's found a plane to take us to Tokyo."
Emily stared at Dannon for a long second before turning and sprinting toward the changing rooms.