Chapter 47: Reclamation of Tokyo
"You can still see the battle raging on behind me as our valiant heroes do their best to hold off this Nomu threat. Nobody knows where they came from but one thing for certain is that this was a well coordinated and planned attack on our nation's capital. It is unknown at this time what the death toll will be but I can confidently say that without the brave men and women who've answered the call in their city's time of need it would be much greater." The reporter looked at something close to her cameraman and off screen. "I've just received reports that a sudden influx of heroes from Tokyo's neighboring cities have started to make their way here in order to stand alongside their colleagues. We have also confirmed that while All Might is still missing in action the number two hero, Endeavor, has rallied others to enter the city alongside him."
The reporter stole a glance over her shoulder as a shutter wracked her body. "I for one am glad that more assistance is on the way."
Rikiya couldn't keep his smile off his face as he watched the dozens of screens in front of him. Some were public broadcasts, others were social media livestreams and yet more were private cameras that had been set up for the attack.
"Grand Commander if I may?"
The voice of one of his captains caused Rikiya to turn away from the ongoing show to give the man a nod. "Yes?"
Mokurai looked past Rikiya before asking. "How did you know that All Might wouldn't be in the city?"
"I didn't." Rikiya admitted without even the slightest amount of shame in his voice. "We actually planned on him being in the city during the internship week. But everything is working out so much better with him being absent." He turned away from Mokurai to gesture toward one of the MLA's private feeds. "We had five Nomu that I would put on par with the one that was meant to bring him low at the USJ involved in this attack. Without him here it's been a desperate struggle by those who are there to even keep them at bay."
Rikiya gave his subordinate a confident smile before turning and marching over to where Tomoyasu was stationed, a half dozen laptops arrayed around him.
"I see." Mokurai muttered as he watched Rikiya walk away. He hesitated a moment before an unexpected sob caught his attention. Turning from Rikiya, he looked over and saw Haruki on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
She wasn't alone as Chitose sat close enough to the woman to place a comforting hand on her back but not so close to be trapped in any sudden emotional embrace.
"I feel for Athena. Losing a daughter like that."
Mokurai turned once more to see that Kouji had joined him. "What happened?"
"Curious received a report from Trumpet that her daughter left campus today to take care of some early birthday shopping for her mother. It seems like she wanted to get something from the fashion district and…" Kouji trailed off as he nodded toward one of the screens that showed the remains of a burnt out street.
"Shit…" Mokurai muttered as he glanced back toward Haruki. "And that was Haruki's district too…"
"Yeah…" Kouji shook his head sadly before placing a hand on the other man's shoulder. "But all we can do is keep moving forward. Treat her as a martyr to the cause."
Mokurai was silent for a moment before nodding his head a few times. "We will remember her."
Silence followed his statement as Rikiya's voice rang out over the speakers, being broadcast to all bases where people knew about this attack.
"My friends today was the first strike in the liberation of Japan's Meta abilities. We have seen how ineffective the heroes' response has been. Tokyo is still burning. Monsters are still rampaging down the streets of the capital city. This is an injustice that can not be allowed to remain." Rikiya paused. "The time is now, brothers and sisters, to rise up and save our city. To use the powers that we were given and deserve the right to wield in defense of ourselves and our loved ones. In defense of our homes and businesses. Rise up my friends and take back our city!"
Rikiya watched as dozens of hidden cells started to move at the same time as his loyal followers started to pour out into the streets of Tokyo. The fires of revolution had been lit in their hearts and it was time for them to spread it to a city in need.
It would take time for them to reach the whole of the city but that was just more time for people there to be mad at the lack of response. Time for his Nomu to do their work.
++++++++++++++++++++
Chaos.
That was the only work bouncing around Nemuri's mind as she and her fellow U.A. teachers stepped out of the tunnel Nezu had led them to less than an hour ago. None of them had even heard a rumor about a high speed rail that connected the campus to the capital and yet it existed.
Nemuri quickly tied her hair back as she moved to take her place next to Sekijiro, turning toward Nezu as she did so. "Do we know what we're dealing with?"
"I've had Ectoplasm send clones out into the city to help where he can while Snipe is going to take up a defensive position to cover us while we work alongside Recovery Girl and establish a base here." Nezu nodded toward a small plaza not too far from them. "From here we will strike out into the city and provide what assistance we can to both the civilians as well as our beleaguered colleagues."
"We might need to do something about all the civvies that are fighting back?" Hizashi nodded toward a group of ten people all in normal clothing that appeared to be moving about in a pack. "I know we're lacking information but it doesn't look like they're just defending themselves."
"Part of our license is to stop vigilantism…" Ken trailed off as he looked toward his colleagues.
"Cementoss is correct that it is part of our license to intercept and stop any vigilante activity when and where we see it." Nezu paused for a second as he stared at the civilian group. "But Quirk laws will take a backseat for us today as there is an ongoing battle that takes precedence. If we see them once the fight is over maybe a stern conversation might be needed but for now we leave them be."
"And if they get in the way?" Anan asked, her face hidden behind her iconic space helmet.
"Then we kindly remind them that we are professionals and will handle the situation around us. If they still refuse then take the proper steps to deescalate the situation." Nezu answered right before he scrambled up Ryo's arm, settling in on the man's shoulder. "We discussed our distributions on the way over so let's get to work."
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"It seems mostly settled down here." Nemuri said as she stared at the area around them. "I don't see any of the Nomu either."
"They might have gotten lucky then." Sekijiro replied as he motioned toward the torn concrete and damaged buildings that surrounded them. "None of these buildings collapsed and I don't see any fire damage."
"Unlike other places." Nemuri nodded toward the smoke filled skyline. "I've seen quite a few paintings from the Dawn of Quirks that are early comparable to this."
"Cities on fire and the people unable to do anything to stop it." Sekijiro added with a nod. "I can't say I expected something like this in my lifetime. I thought we'd finally moved past all of this."
"History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme." Nemuri muttered under her breath before spotting a small gathering of three people, two women and a man, standing in a loose formation outside what would have once been a subway entrance. "Over here Vlad."
Turning, Sekijiro spotted the same group and gave Nemuri a nod before starting toward them. He raised a hand in greeting as the pair got closer. "Is everyone alright over here?"
The man chuckled as he held up a roughly bandaged arm. "We've been better."
"Are there others?" Nemuri asked as she came to a stop next to Sekijiro.
"There's about twenty people below." The taller of the two women commented as she nodded toward the stairs next to them. "Some of them need medical attention but most are just a little beat up."
"We're just the fools that volunteered to check and see if the coast was clear yet." The second woman added. "We'd just started debating if we should risk moving people but…"
"We didn't know where to take anyone." The man finished as he gave the two pro heroes an appreciative smile. "There were a few other heroes here earlier but they just ignored us and continued into the city. Seemed like they knew where the Nomu were active and wanted in on the action." He shook his head in disgust.
"I can assure you that we won't be doing the same." Nemuri flashed the man a smile before reaching up and pressing the com in her ear. "Ectoplasm we have wounded at my location. They took shelter in the subway."
"Copy. Sending clones now. You, Vlad and the clones will escort them to the forward base. Recovery Girl is already getting ready to receive more patients."
Snipe's voice cut in just as Nemuri started to reply. "Belay that order. Lookin like a few of them varmints have wings and are on their way toward us. Keep those clones comin but wait till I tell ya to mozy on out of there."
"Copy." Nemuri replied as she and Sekijiro shared a quick look, the latter of the pair turning back to address the group in front of them.
"We've got people on the way now to help move the wounded to a forward camp that we set up. Once they get here we're going to have to-" The sound of three gunshots cut Sekijiro off before a gruff chuckle filled his ear.
"Like shootin fish in a barrel. Coast is clear."
Sekijiro glared in the general direction that the shots had come from before turning back to the group. "As I was saying once our help gets here we're going to escort all of you to the safe zone and make sure everyone gets patched up."
A visible wave of relief washed over the trio before the taller woman replied. "Sounds good to me."
The man shared a quick look with his companions before starting toward the stairs. "I'll head down and tell the others. They'll need to know to be ready."
As Sekijiro joined the man and the pair disappeared underground, Nemuri turned toward the two women. "What happened to the Nomu in this area?"
"Nomu?" The first woman asked while the second shook her head.
"Do you mean those monsters with the exposed brains?"
"Yes." Nemuri answered as she scanned the area just behind the pair. "Something clearly happened here but I don't see any of them around."
The women shared a look before one of them answered. "I don't know what happened to them but a pair just sort of appeared in the middle of the street and started heading west toward the middle of the city."
Nemuri raised an eyebrow, shocked at their answer. "They just left on their own?"
"Yeah." The second woman replied. "Honestly it was kinda weird. They showed up out of nowhere and started attacking everyone and everything until about a minute later they took off."
"They still attacked people and damaged things as they left though." The first woman added a moment before a half dozen of Ectoplasm's clones appeared on the other side of the street. "Um…"
"Don't worry this is just my colleague's Quirk." Nemuri gave the pair a reassuring smile as she turned around to address the approaching clones. "Vlad King is with a wounded civilian below and there are others as well."
"Then we better get started." The lead clone answered as the pack started down the stairs, leaving Nemuri alone with the two women once more.
"Alright once everyone is up here we're going to-" Nemuri was cut off as her phone exploded with notifications. "What?" Reaching into a hidden pocket along the side of her skintight costume, she pulled out her cell phone and read the message.
"All personnel alert. The HPSC has issued a stage seven alert for the city of Tokyo. All available heroes must make their way to Tokyo."
Nemuri stared at the screen for a long second as a flurry of conflicting emotions went to war inside her until only a single thought remained.
What took them so long?
++++++++++++++++++++
Side by side, Ochako and Izuku raced forward, ready to take on this new threat. A quick glance was all they shared before Izuku stuck his hand out and Ochako gave him a quick high five, removing his gravity.
Darting ahead, Ochako's aurora grew brighter and started to move in waves as she dug deeper into One for All, desperate to get between the rampaging Nomu and the little girl it was chasing. Terror gripped her as she watched the centermost mouth open and a red glow start to form within.
I don't think so. Well honed instinct had Ochako raising her right arm while at the same time her left pulled the lever on her gauntlet before the thought had even finished passing through her mind. Though the crack of the rubber bullets shooting through the air was lost among the noise of the battlefield their effect was obvious.
Tightly clustered, all five of the bullets sailed through the air and directly into the Nomu's mouth causing the creature to close its central mouth and reel back a step. The stumble combined with the abrupt cancellation of its Quirk proved to be catastrophic as the fireball it had been preparing rebounded back onto itself. Smoke poured from the central mouth causing the Nomu to shuffle back yet another step.
Seizing on the advantage that Ochako had provided, Izuku dove forward and scooped the little girl into the crook of his right arm before sticking his staff out with his left. His momentum combined with his lack of gravity turned his forward lunge into a backward shove, moving the pair clear of the monster.
Izuku curled his body around the little girl in his arms as they sailed through the air, only stopping as his feet hit the opposite building. The pair didn't remain stationary, however, as his lack of gravity still tried to pull him skyward. Shifting the little girl slightly, Izuku reached down and grabbed hold of a nearby windowsill and, with a grunt of exertion, pulled the pair back to the ground.
Righting himself, Izuku had barely resumed a normal standing position before gravity suddenly returned, causing him to fall the last few centimeters. A grunt escaped him as he bent his knees into the unexpected landing before glancing at Ochako. Seeing that she had the Nomu on the backfoot still, he quickly sprinted around a corner before setting the little girl down.
Or he attempted to.
Tiny hands clung to Izuku's torn costume, stopping the little girl from leaving his arms. "D-don't let me go. The monsters… the masks… P-p-please don't let me go."
The desperation in her voice caused Izuku to fully stop. Looking down he finally took a look at the little girl in his arms and felt his battle lust quickly being replaced by a cold fury.
Dressed in a dirty hospital gown, the little girl's arms and legs were fully covered in bandages while her long white hair was a tangled mess. Tear-filled and desperate red eyes looked up at Izuku a moment before she buried her face into his chest, turning to the right so the single horn on her head wasn't stabbing into him.
Despite feeling the desperate urge to get back to help Ochako fight their newest Nomu threat, Izuku knew that he was needed here for the moment.
"Shhh it's ok." Izuku whispered as he gently started to rub the little girl's back. "Nothings going to happen to you because I am here." He gave her a beaming smile. "My name's Analyst but my friends call me Izuku." He smiled down at her. "What's your name?"
"E-Eri." Eri responded as her balled hands slowly started to relax.
"It's nice to meet you Eri." Izuku answered as he gave her a warm smile. "What were you doing out here?"
A shiver ran down Eri's body. "Th-that monster broke into the masked man's lab a-and…."
"And you ran." Izuku quietly finished for her as he continued to gently rub Eri's back, watching as her hands slowly loosened. "Eri, I need to set you down."
"NO!" Eri screamed as her hands immediately resumed their death grip on Izuku's costume. "Th-the birdmen will find me! They'll force me to go back!"
Birdmen? Izuku stopped himself from shaking his head as he stared down at Eri. "I need to go back and help Uravity fight off that monster." A roar of wind echoed out from the other street as if to punctuate his point. Glancing around he spotted a small alley that looked as if the little girl in his arms could barely fit inside it.
Darting across the street, Izuku came to a stop near it and lowered himself into a crouch. "Are any of the birdmen smaller than you?"
"N-no…" Eri quietly answered as her eyes shifted between Izuku and the alley.
"So can I trust you to wait for me here until Uravity and I have dealt with the bad guy?" Izuku asked, raising his voice slightly to speak over the ongoing battle behind them.
Eri's bottom lip wavered slightly as she stared up at Izuku but after a long second it turned into a determined frown and she nodded her head.
Giving her yet another smile, Izuku sank to a knee and gently attempted to set her down. This time, however, Eri let go of his costume and allowed herself to be placed feet first on the pavement.
A loud crack from around the corner caused Izuku to wince but he ignored it as he placed a hand on Eri's head and gently ruffled her hair. "Remember the plan, little unicorn?"
"Hide and wait for you to come back." Eri replied with a glint of determination working its way into her ruby eyes.
"Good." Standing upright, Izuku watched as Eri wiggled her way into the narrow alley before turning and sprinting back toward Ochako. He ran a hand along his belt to activate his battle boots while at the same time swinging his staff into a ready position once more.
Taking to the air, Izuku rounded the corner just in time to see a barefoot, burnt and battered Ochako standing defiantly against the first Nomu while, unseen by her, a second dove in from above.
"OCHAKO!"
++++++++++++++++++++
Her eyes locked onto the smoke spewing Nomu, Ochako watched out of the corner of her eye as a blur of green and black shot forward and scooped up the little girl. Now I just need to buy Izu more time.
Ochako ignored the pain in her muscles as she fought to maintain her current level of One for All as she dashed toward the Nomu. Closing the short distance that had separated them, she saw that the creature was still recovering from its failed Quirk usage. Taking advantage of its distraction she slipped under a flailing arm to deliver an open palmed strike to the monster's side. The attack delivered, Ochako pushed herself off the Nomu and, twisting in the air, delivered a sideways kick to the exact same spot she had hit before.
Lacking gravity, the Nomu was sent flying by the kick, only to regain its balance mid flight and level itself off as a series of mouths on its legs and back let out gusts of wind.
"Fuck." Ochako hissed as she watched the Nomu not only orient itself but start to maneuver with its lost gravity. Not wanting to give it an advantage she pressed her hands together. "Release."
If the sudden resumption of gravity impacted the Nomu it didn't show it as the moment its weight returned the mouths stopped blowing wind and it settled on the ground once more. Beady black eyes locked onto Ochako and, with a wordless roar from the other mouths, a pair on its shoulders belched forth a twin torrent of water.
Ochako moved instantly, her right hand brushing against her waist while at the same time she jumped into the air, angling away from the Nomu. Shooting through the air, she reached the building on the opposite side of the street. She tucked herself into a ball as her heels absorbed the impact before channeling One for All into her legs and pushing off, cracking the concrete in the process.
Taking off like a rocket, Ochako bounced from one side of the street to the other before the Nomu had a chance to react. Focused on her target, she twisted in the air to turn her face first attack into a savage kick.
"LUNA FALL!"
The momentum of her twist combined with her enhanced strength saw both the Nomu's skull as well as her right boot shatter. The momentum of the attack, combined with the sudden lack of weight on her right leg, caused Ochako to roll over top of the creature.
Seeing the ground coming, Ochako pressed her hands together, returning her gravity, before leaning into a roll to break her fall. A gasp of pain escaped her as she collided with the asphalt but the moment she could she jumped out of her roll and was on her feet once more.
Ochako ignored the now lopsided position as she lowered herself into a combat stance. "Come on ya bastard." Ochako growled as she watched the Nomu's body stitch itself back together. "Jus ya and me."
Bellowing as if to agree, the mouths on the Nomu's shins opened and wide spikes of earth shot out, racing toward Ochako.
"Full of tricks aren't ya." Ochako raised a fist and punched the air in front of her, causing the earth spikes to break against the wall of air she caused. Where are ya Izu… Ochako's eyes darted away from the monster for a moment as she sought out her partner. Not seeing him, she reached deeper into One for All.
Violet flames started to flicker to life in her eyes as the aurora that surrounded her moved at an ever increasing speed, the pink, violet and black all blurring together. Power coiled down her torso and into her legs as Ochako darted forward.
The Nomu, seeing her coming, raised its hands toward Ochako and activated yet another part of its Quirk.
Seeing the raised hands but pressing on regardless, Ochako continued forward and under the monster's arms a half second before the mouths there started to drag everything around them toward them.
Feeling the pull on the back of her costume, Ochako turned her attack into a lunge as she dove between the Nomu's legs. Popping up on the other side she punched the monster in the back of the knees as hard as she could.
Two sickening snaps filled the air and the Nomu started to waver for a half second before it started to topple over. It would never reach the ground, however, as the regenerative process completed itself, turning a fall into a stumble forward.
Spinning with an unexpected speed, the monster stared down Ochako as the large mouth on its stomach opened once more and a column of fire burst forth.
Caught off guard and off balance, Ochako narrowly avoided the center of the attack but found her left arm trapped in the flames. A cry of pain slipped its way past her throat as she threw herself fully to the side. Quickly engaging the seals on her gauntlet, she dropped the now melted piece of equipment to the ground.
Ochako watched as the monster closed its central mouth and quickly fired a burst of air downward with the ones on its back and legs, twisting the creature around to face her. One for All flared further to life and her brown eyes were fully consumed by violet flames as the pair of mouths on the creature's shoulders opened and, once more, a torrent of water shot through the air toward her.
Leaping away from the attack, Ochako stared down at her opponent as she hovered in the air for a second, having removed her gravity. There's a pattern… Glaring down at the beast she watched as it fired spikes of earth out its shins at nothing before turning both of its hands skyward and toward her.
Fire, wind, water, earth and… The vacuum-like suction started to be emitted from the Nomu's hands, causing the weightless Ochako to start toward the monster once more. …and void. Great, it has control of the elements.
Still being sucked in and with her left gauntlet gone, and her remaining bullets with it, Ochako was left with only one option to stop the monster's pull. Wiggling her left leg she lined up her foot and kicked her damaged boot toward the Nomu.
The pink and white boot shot ahead of Ochako and, heel first, collided with the Nomu's right hand. Despite the reinforced material crumpling like a crushed soda can the moment it reached the mouth on the creature's hand, it winced and the void-like inhalation stopped.
Suddenly bereft of a forward pull, Ochako brought her hands together and canceled her Quirk. Biting the inside of her cheek, she fought back the waves of pain that washed over her body as she stared down the monster in front of her.
Shifting her stance, she began to ready herself only for a shout from behind to startle her.
"OCHAKO!"
Turning, Ochako saw Izuku sprinting toward her but looking at something above her head. Trusting him, and moving on instinct, she threw herself to the side just in time to see a pair of razor sharp talons slash through the air where she had been standing.
The relief she felt was short lived, however, as the first Nomu's center mouth opened while at the same time the flying Nomu spun around to try and claw at her once more.
Caught between the two monsters and knowing that she would be unable to move in time, fear turned to terror.
And a thick smoke started to pour out of her pores.
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"Gods, I hope that was the last of them." Kugo grumbled as he removed his fist from the collapsed Nomu in front of him.
"They seem weaker than the ones we fought at the start of all of this." Mezo commented as he recalled his tentacles, converting most of them back into eyes and ears.
"Yes but we're starting to make mistakes." Kugo countered as he nodded toward the hastily bandaged gash on Mezo's side. "I'm going to try calling my sidekicks again." As he spoke Kugo reached up and pressed the com on his head. "This is Gang Orca calling to members of The Pod. Can anyone hear me?"
Silence filled the air between the pro hero and his intern as they both desperately waited for a response.
"Damn it I was-" Kugo started before, with a crackle of static, a series of voices responded. Mezo felt a wave of relief wash over him as his enhanced hearing heard all seven of Kugo's sidekicks check-in. All of them reporting that their current locations were devoid of Nomu and all asking where their boss was currently holed up.
Mezo tuned Kugo's response out as his phone started to explode with notifications. Digging out the device, he held it up so the pro hero could see. "The HeroNet is back."
Kugo gave his intern a short nod before motioning toward the building behind the pair. "I can watch out here. Go wait with the civilians. Make sure they don't get any ideas."
"Yes sir." Mezo answered as he marched toward the sturdy concrete building that the pair had been using to shelter anyone they had come across. A trio of tentacles quickly started scrolling through his phone as he walked. A smile graced his lips as he read about a safe haven being protected by Battle Fist and Whirl-Chan near Ryukyu's Dragon's Roost. It was quickly replaced by a worried frown as a video of Ochako and Izuku fighting against a towering Nomu took the report's place.
The news feed continued to scroll past, giving him information about how Fat Gum and his interns were holding out as well as the news that Hawks and various other heroes had apparently started to arrive.
His focus shifted, however, as he strode through the open side door and was immediately inundated by voices.
"The HeroNet is back!"
"Are there more heroes on their way?"
"What about the port? Are we going to retake it?"
"I saw a post about civilians reclaiming parts of the city. Are you here to let us do the same?"
"My boat is still out there, I just know it! That's our livelihood out there. We have a right to defend it."
Mezo took an involuntary step back as the rush of people started forward, only to find himself forced to stop as Kugo placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder.
Towering over the already tall Mezo, Kugo fixed the civilians in front of him with a hard look. "Making demands of Tentacole is not going to help anyone." He stepped fully into the building, leading Mezo by the shoulder and causing the crowd to take a step back for themselves. "I don't know what's happening in other parts of the city but I can tell you what's going to be happening here."
Kugo let go of Mezo as he took up position near the still closed larger bay doors. "I've managed to get into contact with my sidekicks as well as the other heroes that are based in and around the docks. We've all agreed to escort any civilians we find toward the main port of entry as it is the most central and defensible location in the area." He paused to look at a few of the more aggressive looking civilians. "Additionally members of the navy have started to land across the port and are putting an end to the last of the monsters that are roaming about."
Kugo motioned toward the door behind him. "We are going to be traveling as a group in order to make it to the port of entry in as safe a manner as possible. Should we come across a Nomu you are to stand back and let Tentacole and myself handle it. If, and I mean if, you are directly threatened you are then allowed to use your Quirk to defend yourself. ONLY to defend yourself."
"Now we're going to head out. Gather whatever things you have with you." Kugo reached over and pressed the giant red button next to him, causing the doors to slowly open. Watching as the civilians started to move away to gather their things, he turned toward Mezo. "Tentacole you're going to be bringing up the rear of our formation."
"Yes sir." Mezo responded as he took a step to the side, making sure that he wasn't blocking the door in any way.
Kugo gave him a quick smile before pulling out a small radio and handing it over to the younger man. "I also need you to reach out to the Oki Mariner and let her know where we're heading. Her crew is going to be entering the port alongside a detachment of the navy. However as she is the only hero vessel with them they're going to want direct communication with us."
"I can do that." Mezo smiled to himself as he took the radio from Kugo as the pro hero started toward the front of the group, leaving him behind.
Still off to the side, Mezo watched with his primary eyes as the civilians started to file out of the building while an ear, mouth and tentacle formed behind him to man the radio. "Tentacole to Oki Mariner. Come in Oki Mariner."
There was a hiss of static before a familiar voice responded.
"This is the Oki Mariner, kero, what's your status Tentacole?"
Mezo watched as the last of the civilians walked past him before falling in behind the group. His summoned appendages handling his response. "Gang Orca and myself have started the civilian evac from our location. Destination the main port of entry."
"Copy that Tentacole. We're less than five minutes out from the port, kero." Tsuyu paused and the line returned to static before she spoke once more. "How are you holding up?"
"It's been rough." Mezo admitted with a sigh. "I'll be honest, I've been more worried about the others than myself."
"Try being stuck on a ship, kero. Now that the HeroNet is back I'm glad to finally get some news." Tsuyu hesitated once more. "Apparently Polaris and others from Hosu dropped into the city not too long ago."
Ah. Mezo shook his head slightly "I'm sure she'll be fine Ts- Froppy."
"I know, kero, but I can still worry." A voice in the background garbled on Tsuyu's end as they spoke to her. "Captain says that's enough catching up. Call us if you need us. Froppy out."
"Safe sailing Froppy." Mezo responded as his summoned appendages returned to their default state and placed the radio in his pocket.
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Still nothing. Shota sighed internally as he watched the shadow of the doctor move within the building. "Mockingbird. What time does our target get lunch?"
"Early. About ten thirty." Hitoshi answered immediately from his crouched position next to Shota.
"Good." Shota replied as he turned his arm toward Hitoshi, the watch face now facing his intern. "And what time is it?"
"Ten twenty eight." Hitoshi read while absentmindedly coiling his capture scarf around his arm. "Do you think that's when we need to be ready?"
Shota nodded his head once. "Yes. There's a national emergency going on and, unlike the rest of the nation, this man is doing whatever his work is instead of watching the television." He turned his head slightly so that he could look at both Hitoshi as well as the building. "What does that tell you?"
"That he's either apathetic or his work requires constant work and he can't take time away." Hitoshi was quiet for a moment. "We know he lives and works here so whomever is a threat to him will have to break in. Maybe when his guard is down but the building's alarms won't be set."
"So?" Shota prompted.
"So we need to be ready to move."
Shota gave his intern the smallest of smiles. "Correct." He turned back toward the building as the silent alarm he had set up around the building went off, the light on the windowsill turning from a solid green to a blinking red. Looking around he quickly spotted what had set off his sensors. "Eyes up Mockingbird we have company."
Suddenly alert, Hitoshi followed Shota's gaze to see a trio of men with beak masks skulking in an alley close to the building and moving closer. "When do we move?"
"As soon as they do something that justifies us taking them down." Shota's voice was strained as he stared down at the three men. "So far all they are guilty of is lingering around a place of business and isn't that exactly what we're doing?"
"We can still get closer?" Despite being a statement, Hitoshi's tone made it clear that he was really asking.
"That would be illogical. If we move now we risk them spotting us." Shota answered, his eyes having never left the three men he spotted what he was looking for. "Besides I think we're going to be able to do something better than just moving."
The pair watched as the leader of the small group reached into a pocket and pulled out a rope of some kind. Stepping forward, he draped it in a route doorway shape on the wall closest to the group and, with a flash, a door appeared.
Interesting Quirk. Shota shook his head slightly as he spotted Hitoshi starting to move. "I know it may seem illogical but we need to wait until-" He stopped speaking as the two other men started toward the glowing doorway. "That."
Hitoshi suddenly found himself left behind as Shota threw himself out of the window and toward the streets below. Watching how at the last second his mentor threw his capture scarf around a lamppost, turning his fall into a swing.
And here I thought one of my first lessons this week was that underground heroes weren't flashy.
The heroics student stood there for a second as Shota closed in on their prey before shaking his head and jumping out the window as well.
And landing on the fire escape located beneath it.
Sprinting toward the end of his current level Hitoshi warped his hands around the ladder that would bring him to the first floor and slid down. An involuntary grunt escaped him the moment his combat boots hit the ground, not even hesitating a moment before taking off across the street and toward the ongoing fight.
The term fight was being generous though as Shota was already pulling the last of the villains out of the house they had attempted to break into, his scarf mummifying the man.
Stepping forward, Hitoshi shook his head slowly and let out a tired sigh as he stared at the Erasure Hero. He opened his mouth to comment before seeing one of the villains starting to stir and changing his target.
"Hey bird beak."
Twitching, the villain glared up at Histoshi as he pushed himself upright. "You're goin-" The man stopped speaking and his body stopped moving as Brainwash took over.
Hitoshi gave him a tired look before waving his hand and rolling his eyes. "Go back to sleep and stay that way for a while." Instantly the villain slumped back to the ground, unconscious.
Ignoring the now sleeping villain, Hitoshi walked over to where Shota was placing Quirk suppression handcuffs on the other two villains.
"You need to move fast to save lives." Shota shot Hitoshi with a pointed look. "We had to wait for them to use their Quirk to arrest them. Taking the ladder and running across the street cost you time and in that time they could have taken the doctor hostage and then what would you do?"
Used to Shota's remarks by, now Hitoshi stared tiredly at the man. "I would be able to save him by talking to his captor and Brainwashing them. Something I wouldn't be able to do if I broke my neck jumping out of a second story window."
"And if they know about your Quirk?" Shota countered, agitation slipping into his voice.
"Then they would know something that they shouldn't and I would think of a new plan." Hitoshi replied, having grown tired of Shota's obsession with worst case scenarios.
"And-"
"You need to stop projecting your own self guilt onto this young man."
Turning back toward the glowing doorway that had formed in the wall, the two heroes saw a tanned man with sandy blonde hair staring at them. Calm brown eyes looked between mentor and intern before settling on Shota and continuing in heavily accented Japanese.
"I don't know what caused you to feel so guilty that it is your primary emotion but I highly doubt that this young man here was the reason." The man raised an eyebrow. "And given that your secondary emotion is caring I find myself confused by your approach."
Shota couldn't help but glare at the other man. "And how would you know that?"
"My Quirk obviously." The man chuckled to himself once before turning toward Hitoshi. "Self-doubt. All too common in the younger generation." He shook his head sadly before giving Hitoshi a warm smile. "I'm only guessing but that doubt stems from how people see your Quirk or some other aspect about yourself that you can't change. Try focusing on the present and what you yourself can do instead of what others have or may think."
Shocked, Hitoshi stared blankly at the man as he stepped through the doorway and into the alley with the pair of heroes. He looked at each of the villains on the ground in turn before slowly shaking his head.
"Greed and pride." He turned toward Shota once more, sticking his hand out. "It's nice to finally meet my mysterious protection detail."
Shota raised an eyebrow. "You knew we were here?"
"In the general sense. I didn't know specifically where you were at but knew that I had eyes looking out for me." The man's hand remained outstretched for a moment longer before Shota shook it. "Aiden Weaver, psychological specialist, at your service."
"Eraserhead." Shota bluntly responded as he stared warily at Aiden. "I wasn't told that I was watching a shrink."
"Though I'm sure you've been told how much you need one." Aiden replied, his friendly tone turning slightly frosty before he let go of Shota's hand and turned to face Hitoshi. "Aiden Weaver."
"Mockingbird." Hitoshi replied, choosing to follow Shota's lead about his name as he shook the other man's hand. "If you don't mind me asking where are you from?"
Aiden gave Hitoshi a look of mock hurt. "What? I thought that my Japanese was quite sufficient."
Hitoshi fought back the smile that was forming at the man's antics. "Family name and then given name." He paused. "Also your given name is Aiden."
"Fair enough." Aiden laughed. "I'm Australian but was brought here for a special project. One which I can't talk about." He looked over at Shota. "I take it you will be here until my project is done while Mockingbird will be leaving us soon?"
"That's right." Shota answered as he continued to assess the foreign man in front of him. "His internship week ends tomorrow though he might head back sooner given everything that's happened today."
Aiden's face fell. "Yes I can imagine." He gave the pair a sympathetic look. "I wish I could say that my door was open to help yourselves or your colleagues after today's events but sadly my project takes precedence."
"If it was assigned by the Dean then I can't help but agree with that." Shota replied as he bent down and threw one of the captured villains over his shoulder. "Well Dr. Weaver, we will leave you to your work."
"Of course." Aiden looked at the pair once more before turning and heading back through the created doorway. "Oh and please take this down if you can. I rather like this wall as a wall." Without another word he disappeared into the house, leaving behind two very confused heroes.
"That was…" Hitoshi started before trailing off as Shota reached toward the rope and pulled on it, causing the doorway to vanish.
"That was on par for someone that Nezu may hire." Shota filled in as he spared the building one last glance. Though what is the Dean working on that requires a professional like him. Better yet.
Who?
++++++++++++++++++++
Emily's laser shot over Pony's shoulder before burning its way into the Nomu's arm.
"[Thanks!]" Pony shouted as she took a leaping step backward, firing a pair of horns at her opponent as she did so.
"[No problem.]" Emily responded as she sent a pair of Light Arrows after Pony's horns. The keratin projectiles buried themselves into the Nomu's chest, only to be pushed even deeper as Emily's attack struck home as well.
The monster was forced back a step and directly into Dark Shadow's waiting claws.
"I have you now!" Dark Shadow cackled as he tore into the Nomu. Deep gouges were torn into the creature as the sentient Quirk made quick work of the creature, his red eyes gleaming.
"Yo shadow bro seems to be enjoying this a little too much." Tetsutetsu looked over at Fumikage. "Everything ok with him?"
"He rarely gets a chance to unleash his inner darkness and has chosen to revel in putting the crimes of man down for good." Fumikage reverently responded as he watched Dark Shadow toss the now torn Nomu carcass to the side.
"I'm just glad he's on our side." Yosetsu whistled as he too joined the group. "Has anyone seen Frostfire?"
"He left with some of the other heroes." Emily responded as she looked over to where Dannon and Syouji were standing. "Do we know if X-Less and Four Kind want us to stay here?"
"Four Kind said that we need to hold the runway as more planes with heroes are set to arrive." Tetsutetsu replied as he looked over to his mentor. "Apparently everyone is coming in."
"Makes sense." Pony responded as she scuffed a hoof on the ground. "Coral King told me that supplies are going to be routed through here as well."
"We're going to need them." Emily muttered as she stared out at the smoke filled skyline.
"I'm worried about how bad it got downtown." Yosetsu shifted where he stood. "All everyone on the HeroNet is talking about is where help is needed or how badass some of the heroes were. And most of those calls for help were from downtown."
"At least we found out that our friends are ok." Pony sighed in relief before nervously nibbling on her lower lip. "I think the only ones we didn't see on the Net were Shoji and Fukidashi right?"
"I know Shoji was going to be on the docks so there won't be a lot of people around to cover what's happening there." Emily gave her nervous classmate a smile. "I'm sure he'll be fine."
"And Fukidashi too." Dark Shadow added as he floated back toward the group. "Sorry about that I just… I saw a chance to let loose."
"Hey no judgment here shadow bro! It was super manly to see you go to town on that monster." Tetsutetsu gave Dark Shadow a wide grin. "But if you want to go all out maybe train with me and Kirishima? I've been dying to know how many hits I can take from your claws."
"Please do it after we make it out of this alive." Emily interjected but turned to give Tetsutetsu a wink. "And after I test my new laser on you. I want to know just how much Steel can take."
"Oh you're on!" Tetsutetsu laughed.
++++++++++++++++++++
Mirai growled in frustration as he sent another hyper-density seal toward the Nomu blocking his path. How the hell is this happening? I need to get across this damn city in time. He ducked under the Nomu's fist only to break its arm with another thrown seal. I thought it was going to be a small-scale attack with them caught in the center of it. He growled once more as he delivered the final blow to his opponent.
"I should have brought Bubble Girl or Lemillion with me…" His voice trailed off as he approached another junction to see Fat Gum fighting off four Nomu with three of his interns at his side. "Better take another route."
Turning back, Mirai quickly retracted his steps before turning down a different street.
I just need to make sure I get there in time. It's the only way I can convince them that they're wrong.
++++++++++++++++++++
"Clear." Hisashi, rifle still at the ready, waved his squad forward, his eyes constantly looking around him for possible threats. Quickly shuffling past their commanding officer, Wildfire Squad moved along the edge of the street in a tight wedge formation.
Turning the corner they found themselves standing on a destroyed thoroughfare, vendor carts overturned or crushed into scrap, storefronts damaged and broken pavement all around them. The parties responsible for the destruction became obvious as the group proceeded forward and spotted six Nomu corpses where they laid in twisted heaps of flesh and bone.
Pan let out a low whistle as he spotted the bodies. "Looks like we missed the party."
"I don't see any civilians among the dead." Zephyr added as their eyes swept up and down the street.
"Heroes must have been here then." Siren commented as she strode over to the closest Nomu and nudged it with the barrel of her gun. "Blunt force trauma took them down."
"Not this one." Hisashi countered, causing the rest of the squad to regroup on him. "Looks like something or someone with rather large teeth took care of it."
Cosmos shook his head as he stared at the massive bite marks that dotted the Nomu's skin. "Not sure I want to meet whatever did that."
"If it makes you feel any better it wouldn't have been a Nomu." Zephyr nodded toward another of the corpses. "Reports are that they work together like a pack. Nothing that's been gathered says anything about a Nomu turning on the others."
"That's a small comfort." Cosmos muttered under his breath.
Hisashi grunted as he stood upright and readied himself once more. "Alright enough talking we need to keep moving." Seeing his squad nod in agreement the six SFHG members formed up once more and proceeded down the street.
They had moved no more than a meter when a strong gust of wind blew out from one of the nearby streets, knocking back the few cars and bikes that remained.
"I think I found where the fighting is at." Pan quipped as he and the rest of the squad took off at a sprint. The sound of fighting reached them while they moved causing Hisashi to begin to issue commands.
"We're going to have a hero on location so check your fire. We won't know what we're up against or how that hero is doing until we turn that corner so be prepared to act in a support capacity."
Moving as one, the squad turned the corner to see a battered young woman in a white and pink costume staring down a Nomu with multiple mouths. Weapons at the ready, the squad quickly sighted in on the monster.
Cosmos' call of, "Above her!", was quickly drowned out as Hisiashi heard an all too familiar voice shout out an almost equally familiar name.
"OCHAKO!"
It was only the years of hard won combat experience that stopped Hisashi from hesitating. "Phoenix get her out of there. NOW!"
A flash of fire consumed his squad-mate who appeared next to Ochako a second before the talons and flames could claim her and a half second before the area was suddenly consumed by smoke.
++++++++++++++++++++
Izuku felt his heart stop as he watched as certain doom closed in on the woman he loved. His feet continued to carry him forward as, regardless of whatever danger he might be approaching, he knew he needed to reach Ochako in time.
His steps faltered, however, as a woman appeared next to Ochako in a burst of flames right before a billowing cloud of smoke consumed both women and the whole area around them. In less than a second, the clear air was gone and in its place what appeared to be the night sky had appeared. Navy bordering on black and dotted with white stars, the smokescreen blocked Izuku's vision and left him guessing.
"OCHAKO!" Izuku shouted once more as he forced himself to stop just outside the cloud. The unexpected crack of gunfire filled the air around him causing him to dive to the ground. If I can't see them then they can't see me.
Not wanting to be shot, Izuku quickly rolled to the side and ran toward the opposite side of the street where the Nomu and Ochako had been fighting. He took a deep breath as he stared ahead at the obstructing smoke and, fixing his rebreather into place, placed a hand on the building next to him.
I need to get to the other side.
Stealing his resolve, Izuku let his fingertips follow the building as he sprinted forward and into the sightless battle at hand.
++++++++++++++++++++
"The fuck?!" Pan shouted as he lowered his gun the moment the squad lost sight of Phoenix and the heroine that had been attacked.
Hisashi, on the other hand, still refused to hesitate and took a step to the side, his weapon still raised. "She got in and she-"
A flash of fire cut Hisashi off as Phoenix suddenly appeared where he had been standing, an unconscious Ochako appearing alongside her.
"Can get out." Hisashi finished as he spared his squad-mate and his son's girlfriend a glance. Phoenix was untouched but Ochako's costume was torn, her boots were missing, her left arm was clearly burned and there was a line of three parallel cuts along her shoulder. He watched as Phoenix pulled out her emergency medical kit and started working on the unconscious woman.
Knowing that there wasn't anything else he could do, Hisashi turned back toward his squad as he lowered the lens on his headset to cover his right eye. "Switch to thermal vision." He paused a second to allow the squad to follow his order before swinging his gun up and sighting in on the larger of the two heat signatures. "You see the targets. Weapons free."
The sharp staccato bark of gunfire filled the street as the five unoccupied members of Squad Wildfire vented their anger with pinpoint accuracy. Shot after shot was consumed by the smoke without even so much as a bullet trail being left behind. Their automatic fire quickly brought the two figures low and they watched as the two forms slumped to the ground.
"Third target. Far wall." Siren's voice caused Hisashi to turn his attention toward this new heat signature only for him to raise a fist. "Hold your fire."
"Sir?" Pan asked as he trained his weapon toward the new heat signature.
"I said hold Pan." Hisashi snapped as he nodded toward Ochako. "I know this hero and she has a partner. He was the one that shouted her name right before Phoenix flashed in to save her."
"Sir." Pan repeated, this time without the questioning tone in his voice, as he lowered his weapon. Silence overtook the squad as they all watched the figure quickly make its way through the smoke, weapons held ready to swing into position.
Another moment passed before, stumbling slightly at the sudden influx of light, a young man dressed in a black costume with green accents and with a head of bushy green hair emerged. His gaze passed over the armed and armored group that were looking in his direction as he locked onto Ochako's still form.
"Ochako!" Izuku shouted as he sprinted forward, coming to a kneeling stop next to her. "I'm here love." He whispered as he gently brushed her hair off her face. Seeing her injuries he reached into the pouch at his side and pulled out a gummy. His hand stilled as he looked up and finally acknowledged the woman crouching across from him. "What did you give her already?"
"A medical spray on the cuts and some burn paste." Phoenix responded as she stared at Izuku, shocked by the hardness in the younger man's tone.
"Good." Izuku muttered as he slipped the gummy past Ochako's lips and into her mouth.
Unsure as to what was going on, Phoenix could only stare in wonder as the wounds along Ochako's body started to close up on their own. "What was that?"
"One of Recovery Girl's gummies." Izuku responded as he shifted Ochako into a sitting position, just in time for her eyes to flutter open. He gave her a smile as she glanced around and locked onto his face. "Hey Chako."
"Hi." Ochako whispered as she continued to stare. "I think I unlocked another Quirk."
An involuntary chuckle escaped Izuku. "I think so." He gave a small nod in the direction of the still existing Smokescreen. "We might need you to get rid of it though."
"Right." Ochako grimaced as she forced her arms up and her hands together. "Release."
Almost immediately the smoke started to thin out, clearing the way forward and revealing the bullet torn bodies of the two Nomu. Izuku ignored the smoke vanishing as he turned his attention back toward the once more unconscious Ochako.
Gently laying her down, he turned toward the squad of military personnel in front of him. "Thank you for-" He stopped as he spotted a familiar man with black hair and gray eyes. "Dad?!"
The rest of Squad Wildfire turned as one away from Izuku to face their commanding officer, only to see him awkwardly scratch at the back of his head. "Um hi son."
Izuku stared at his father for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh and standing upright. The rest of the squad parted like the sea as he moved toward his father.
"Look Izuku I know that this is a shock and your mother and I wanted to tell you before now but after all of the years of-" Hisashi found himself cut off as Izuku stuck a hand out in a professional manner.
"I want to thank you and your squad, Wildfire, for saving Uravity today." A playful but relieved light danced in Izuku's eyes as he kept his hand out, waiting for Hisashi to make a move.
Hisashi, for his part, couldn't stop his jaw from hanging open as he limply took Izuku's hand and shook it. "I-I'm just glad we were here in time to help." He cocked his head to the side. "How long have you known?"
"Years." Izuku smirked a half second before he pulled his father into a hug, made awkward by both of their gear. "I've known for years."
++++++++++++++++++++
"And there goes the last of our kin."
Hood cocked his head to the side as he stared at her. "There are others."
"No." Woman shook her head. "The others are chaff. Nothing more than distractions for ourselves and the others."
"What should we do?" Robot asked as he took a step away from the edge and toward the center of the roof. "What are our plans now? We lack a master to guide us."
"We don't need a master." Woman snapped as she glared at Robot. "The Demon is dead and the MLA is incompetent." She waved a hand out toward the devastation below them. "Seventy of our lesser kin and seven of our siblings and what do they have to show for it? Some broken buildings and meaningless civilian lives lost."
"Their goal might be something else." Hood offered as he joined the others.
"Something else but we weren't meant to live to see whatever it is." Woman bit out as she turned her back on her two companions. "I don't know about the pair of you but I would rather maintain my intelligence and the Demon's gifts than be drugged to die like a mindless wretch." She shot a glare in the direction of the fallen many mouthed Nomu.
"So then what do you suggest? We leave here and go live out our lives on some deserted island somewhere?" Robot asked with more than a little sarcasm. "Waste away these powers and this chance?"
"Of course not." Woman answered as she looked over her shoulder, giving the two other Nomu a predatory grin. "I think we need to make our own lesser kin. Make our own army but with us leading it this time."
"And where do you propose we do that?" Robot tilted his head to the side. "Where could we possibly go?"
"Why where my original form grew up of course." Woman laughed as she jumped across the roof, leaving the others behind.
"She's mad." Robot muttered under his breath before following after her.
Now alone, Hood walked over to the edge of the roof and glared down at the pack of humans grouped together below him. Gathered around his drugged and slain brother. Shooting them one last glare he turned on his heel to follow his remaining kin as they sought their own fates.
Unbidden, a song he had heard long ago, as a young boy, came to mind. Forcing a smile to his face and a crazed giggle from his throat.
"They had strings, but you can see. There are no strings on me."