10/26/13

The recent battle against Jake seemed like a distant, surreal memory, although it had only occurred about a week ago. It all started out as relatively normal day- there weren't any crazy NEXT users running amok, no bank robberies on the loose- it was more or less peaceful. Kotetsu had been enthusiastically working on his chest presses instead of paperwork as usual in the hero gym whilst Barnaby - the more responsible of the two - flipped through his pocket-sized planner, recording various events they would need to attend to as well as planning efficiently so that no times would clash. Their popularity climbed at an alarmingly fast pace, getting them called in for more photoshoots and interviews than the norm.

The tranquil silence was interrupted by the familiar wailing siren. Immediately, a voice picked up onto the intercom. "Bonjour, Heroes," Agnes' smoky voice echoed throughout the room. On cue, everyone's attention focused undividedly on her. "Your assistance is required. There is a high-profile break-in at Sternbild City's Kings Zoo on 111th Street, and evidence pertains that there are NEXT users involved in a possible animal trafficking heist. Report to the scene at once."

Kotetsu jumped off the equipment with boyish excitement and bounded up to Barnaby, who stood up to place the planner into his locker. "Well, let's go Bunny!" he announced with his usual goofy lopsided grin, an "of course old man" chuckled in the background. The two trekked their way to Saito's changing room, where they shed their civilian clothes, replacing them with sleek tight-fitting bodysuits, then entering the rotating chamber where suits were donned upon them, the various pieces of armor attaching itself to bodies in a flashy manner. Outside, their chasers waited for them in the fading sunlight - conjoined at the sides as the engine purred with life. Apollon Media's partnered duo strode out of the building, and in a streak of green and pink disappeared into the bustling city.

The roar of the helicopter could be heard overhead as the HeroTV helicopter hovered above Kings Zoo, spotlight sweeping across the area in search of the criminals. The visitors were fleeing for the exits because apparently the animal traffickers thought it was a good idea to cast the animals on the loose. Elephants reared and plowed through the walkways, destroying the zoo's facilities. Large cats growled and snarled at each other as they were herded into the back of armored cages. In the midst of this havoc stood the hijackers, four men dressed in the stereotype black outfit. As the descent to anarchy played out, the ever present voice of the commentator played out. "Currently, the smugglers have broken into our city's own Kings Zoo and are wreaking havoc everywhere. The police have started to evacuate all the civilians from the area and have barricaded the exits. Who will come to save the day and what fate will befall those poor animals?!"

The HeroTV helicopter hovered over the scene as one of the men started to glow blue and sent the zoo's rhinoceros plowing through a row of gift stands, scattering souvenirs all over the floor. A sudden shriek drew the attention towards a woman who was standing on top of one of the vending machines with a pack of wolves snarling and snapping at her feet. In a flash of pink, the woman disappeared and was whisked away to safety. She stopped and blinked up at her savior who was none other than Barnaby Brooks Jr. "Are you alright, Miss?" he inquired gently, faceplate lifted to reveal piercing green eyes and flowy blonde locks, concern crossing his features. The woman nodded furiously in silent awe; a blush sported across her face and she watched as the man leapt away back to the chaotic scene where his partner, Wild Tiger, has just arrived, crashing through the remaining standing souvenir stalls. On a nearby TV the rescue scene came into play. "Oh! What is this? It appears that Sternbild's crime busting duo has arrived! It looks like Barnaby has just swooped it to save the damsel in distress!" The screen cut to the stats of Barnaby and Wild Tiger, and they were given points to be the first to arrive at the scene.

"Oi, Old Man, are you already starting your destruction streak already?" Barnaby's voice called, his voice muffled by the visor.

"Quiet, Bunny," Kotetsu grumbled, voice also muffled. "Besides, what's a little damage when you're saving lives!" Damage fines that were all filled out by Barnaby of course, so there was no harm done. Minus the amount of times Lloyds always lectured Kotetsu on the ever increasing fines. He lept forward towards the smugglers. "Let's let out a wild roarrrrrrrr-aaah!"

The rhinoceros's horn caught Tiger's suit and sent his flying into the air, crashing into one of the exhibit's watery enclosure with a loud splash. He sat up in the water mush and whipped away the mud that trailed slightly off his suit. He let out a groan as he jumped up the exhibit fence and back towards the fray, turning to witness Rock Bison body slam the Rhino and shove it back towards its pen. Sky High followed by picking up one of the smugglers and lifting him high into the air. "Oh! Looks like the others have started to arrive! Sky High has managed to capture of the the criminals!" The screen displayed the points being awarded.

Kotetsu grumbled as he heaved himself over the fence and onto the ground on the other side. A growl made him stiffen and he turned very slowly to see an adult lion staring him down. He gulped as he stared back at it. "Ooooh what is this? It looks like Wild Tiger is facing off against Kings Zoo's top male lion! Is this the greatest cat fight of the century? Who will win?" Kotetsu cracked his knuckles, this is going to be a piece of cake. "Hold it Tiger!" Agnes's voice crackled through through the headset. "Don't you dare injure that lion! Destroying stands is one thing, paying medical bills for zoo animals is another!"

Kotetsu stared, baffled at the lion. "Eh?" The lion let out a fierce roar and pounced towards him. Kotetsu dodged it and it sailed over him. "What am I suppose to then? First you tell me to fight, then you tell me don't fight!" He demanded as the lion turned around for another round, lips pulled back and teeth bared for all to see. "Woah!" He staggered to his left as he was charged at once more, quickly regaining his balance.

"Don't fight it; just figure out a way to capture it! Safely," she growled out in reminder, her voice ringing threateningly in his ears.

"Geez, what a pain," Kotetsu grumbled to himself, glancing around to see what items were nearby that could aid in safely rounding up the lion. He activated his Hundred Power - his suit glowing a fluorescent green in response - and grabbed the chain link fence and with inhuman speed, circled it around the lion, who let out a roar in confusion. He then grabbed one of the remaining metal bars and twisted it to keep the whole makeshift cage in its place. The Hero TV helicopter circled overhead and focused on the scene, and Kotetsu's capture was being replayed. "Wow! Look at that! Wild Tiger has managed to catch the lion using the resources around him! Way to go!" The points tally appeared, the successful capture racking up some points.

Kotetsu brushed off his hands, grinning proudly at his work. Sure he might have caused a teensy bit of property damage - he wasn't called the Crusher of Justice for nothing - but he managed to capture the lion without the dread of paperwork and vet fees. A streak of movement caught his attention in the corner of his eye. He turned sharply to see that one of the NEXT users was slinking around the edge of the Reptile House. He turned and then bulleted after him. "You there! Stop!" He caught the man in a flying tackle that sent them crashing through the wall and into the heart of the Reptile Building.

Barnaby was rounding up the pack of wolves back into their enclosure when he saw his partner tackle one of the men into the Reptile Building. He sighed at the thought of all the damage paperwork that he would need to fill out. After safely sealing the exit to the pen, he hopped his way towards the building, avoiding any rubble to disturb it further. When he entered, he heard some shouting. "Hey stop it! I am only trying to help out!" Kotetsu's voice, Barnaby's mind registered.

"Get away from me! Don't try to stop our plan!" The smuggler's voice snarled out. Barnaby turned around the corner to see the smuggler engulf himself in the NEXT blue glow and shoot a beam of light to the python just behind Kotetsu. It would have worked, if Kotetsu didn't move into the way. Kotetsu stood rigid as the beam engulfed him in the pale blue glow. Barnaby decided this was the time to act and jumped forward, kicking the unexpected smuggler right in the solar plexus. The results were not what he expected: the connection shattered and Kotetsu was sent flying through the air and hit the side of the building with a loud thud.

Barnaby then turned to pin the man in the classic Criminal Hold. He turned his head towards his partner who remained kind of crumpled and was now strangely curled up. "Oi, Old Man, are you just going to sleep there all day?" A strange whine came from Kotetsu. Barnaby stared in confusion. Was he sick? He dragged the reluctant smuggler with him as he walked over towards his fallen partner and nudged him with his foot. Kotetsu made a bit of a twitch. "Old Man? Kotetsu?" He stooped down to lift the face plate. Amber-brown eyes glared at him, ivory fangs were bared and a snarl erupted. Barnaby jumped back, reeling in shock. Kotetsu was no longer in the suit; in his place was an adult male tiger.

.~.~.~.

"Hi! Barnaby here. It appears that Kotetsu may have turned into a tiger from that NEXT power backlash. To make it worse, it seems that nobody could understand him at all! What am I suppose to say to everybody else about this? Stayed tuned for next time in New Body, New Mind! See ya~"

1) Kings Zoo: A parallel to NYC's Queens Zoo

Hey there, and thanks for reading! Operation Tigtetsu is brought to you as a collab by AnimeAddicter101 and Winterferns. ^_^

WF: Ciao guys, Winter here, I want to thank you guys for reading this! I honestly completely blame Anime for getting me into this anime. _ Turning me into some obsessed fangirl. Then I in turn infected my sister.

AA: Haha, I have no shame in admitting I started the chain of Tiger&Bunny obsessions. 8D Anyway, just as Winter said, thanks for reading! Stay tuned for our next update, which hopefully will be weekly~ Ah, and this is our first T&B fic, so do pardon any mistakes we make.

WF: And don't forget to review~ (AA: And maybe favorite?) We FanFic writers live off of the reviews given by the viewers.

AA: Questions, comments and critiques are always appreciated~ Peace out!

WF: And flames will be ignored. Ciao for now~

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