Disclaimer: I don't own Tiger & Bunny in any way, shape, or form. I just like to play with the characters, settings, and plots.
Author's Warning: This is a dark fic involving torture, blood, and injury, which has now started and will continue; if you don't like, don't read.
Nathan let out a soft sigh as they waited outside the door to the emergency wing of the hospital. Everyone was at least in one place, no one was missing, and no one was dead. Yet.
We haven't had so many Heroes hospitalized for a while. And even with the whole Jake fiasco, that was done one at a time. This... this was five in one fell swoop. I would almost be impressed if it didn't involve my friends.
"I'm sorry. I should have been there."
Ivan, his eyes red and raw, barely flicked in their direction. He'd been semi-sleeping in the chair, leaning against the wall in a way that would give anyone else a horrible crick in the neck.
Maybe being a shapeshifter means he can just shift those problems away?
"It's good... you weren't," came the yawning reply. "We needed you here more than there." Ivan scrubbed the side of his mouth, wiping away the drool that had gathered. "Did I miss anything?"
"Nothing," sighed Karina, staring at a book on her lap. In the past few hours she hadn't turned more than a couple of pages. Judging by the cover Nathan had caught a glimpse of, it was a romance between a single father and a young heroine.
If you know how to look, she's always wearing her heart on her sleeve.
"I shouldn't have let Pao-Lin get into that cage," muttered Ivan, rubbing his face. "That was my fault."
"She was right though." Karina's grimace gave the impression each word caused physical pain as it left her lips. "It unlocked Kotetsu's collar."
But at what a cost. Pao-Lin's being treated for burns consistent with lightning strikes. Kotetsu's still in emergency surgery to repair that last rip near his heart, and then they'll need to get all of the others. Keith's having his bones snapped back into place so they can look at his lung, and both Barnaby and Antonio are being treated to cleanse their systems of toxins.
Nathan shook their head. They didn't need to dwell on how still Pao-Lin had been, her petite body looking even smaller on the gurney... the complete opposite of Antonio, who had been trashing in convulsions when he'd been brought in, body flushed and pouring with sweat. Keith as least had been awake, but unable to breathe in anything more than shallow huffs, which didn't lend to talking very well. Barnaby had been unconscious, an angry red rash along most of his upper body, and Kotetsu... Kotetsu had been a horrid mix of bone white and blood black.
Easily explained by the fact that his chest had been ripped open deep enough to expose the rib cage. What was she trying to find in there?
"I'm going to get some coffee." Karina stood up, tossing the book back onto the chair. "I can't sit here any longer. Does anyone want anything?"
"I'll come too." Ivan stretched. "Maybe get a snack or some cafeteria food. Nathan?"
"Karina knows what I like."
The ice manipulator nodded.
"One triple threat coming up."
"Thanks sweetie. I'll stay here, and message you if there's any news."
The two younger Heroes left, walking down the hallway and chatting with each other; Nathan let out another long sigh, rubbing a hand over their face.
"I'd almost rather be the one in the hospital instead of the one waiting."
They cocked an eyebrow at the door, but it didn't budge. There was a light over it to show that an operation was in progress.
"Come on. That was perfect timing for someone to show up and say they'll all be okay."
The door still didn't move. It stayed shut. Silent.
"Very well. Let's at least be productive while waiting." Nathan grabbed their pink phone and sent out a quick email to Poseidon Line regarding John's walkies, and then several separate ones asking the companies to send an extra set of clothing for their downed Heroes.
I'm putting it off though. Courage, Nathan.
Nathan brought up LINE, and with a slight hesitation, opened their chat with K3.
Kaede? Are you free?
hey! 2 mins.
Nathan's heart sped up.
Two minutes can feel like such an eternity.
They waited though, wondering if she was chatting with a classmate or making excuses to the instructor.
chat? type?
Nathan hit the call button, taking deep breaths to calm themselves as the dial tone rang.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Everything's okay right now," they said, taking care to enunciate each word. "But there was trouble-"
"Who's hurt?" she asked quickly.
I forget how quick that brain of hers can be, especially when it involves us.
"Neither Ivan nor Karina."
And wasn't that a bitch to say? Two out of eight weren't injured by, from Ivan's reports, a petite, fairy-looking woman with a big bushel of hair. Well, three since she didn't get to me either.
"Dad?"
"Currently in surgery, but the chances are better than we thought at first."
Nathan winced at the sucked in breath they heard over the phone.
"Barnaby?"
"Recovering from toxins, along with Antonio. They're both sleeping."
"...Keith?"
"Surgery. They're worried about..." Nathan cut themselves off.
She doesn't need to know that he punctured a lung.
"Pao-Lin?"
"Dealing with being electrocuted."
Kaede snorted.
"What? How did she have problems with that?"
"They were stripped of their powers earlier." Nathan closed their eyes, trying not to remember the screams that had carried over the phone, supplemented by a lurching feeling in their chest when Karina had carried the phone over to the cage. "You remember those lovely, stylish collars, right? Apparently the plans weren't kept as secret as we would have liked."
There was silence for a few seconds as she took that in.
"And you?"
Nathan moved to the window, looking out into city.
I miss the stars.
"Recovering actually. My injury was earlier today, and not from someone who has an instinctual gift for giving pain. I'm just finishing up my stint where the doctors can see if there are any complications."
"It was... it was bad this time, wasn't it?" Kaede asked, her voice soft. Almost as if she knew the answer, but didn't want to hear it.
The same answer I don't want to give.
"Not as bad as it could have been," Nathan said instead, trying inject a bit of optimism.
Although if we'd been any later, or even if I hadn't been at the hospital and able to grab doctors quickly, we would most likely be planning a few funerals by now.
"I'll be up there as soon as I can." They could hear a sharp clang in the background, followed by a soft curse, then someone asking if she was okay.
Still at school then. She's such as hard worker... I wonder if she gets it from her mother, or if she channels the exuberance that her father shows daily.
"Kaede. Your dad won't be up for visitors until tomorrow, and Barnaby's not so bad that they're going to let you ignore visiting hours."
There was a huff from the other side, and Nathan had to smile.
"I could borrow my friend's invisibility power and sneak in there."
I can see you doing exactly that, so let's send a little logic your way.
"And the moment that you touch either of your fathers it'll go away. Seriously. Take the night to pack for a few days, and come up here tomorrow. I'm sure Barnaby will be happy to see you, and Kotetsu should also be up by then."
"Nathan..." there was a long, drawn out sigh. "Thanks. For letting me hear it from you, and not Lloyds."
That pompous blowhard is not the person I'd ever want to hear any type of news from, good or bad.
"Anytime."
Though I'd like to keep these conversations to a minimum in the future.
"Take care, and I'll see you tomorrow." Nathan hit the end button and stared at their phone for a few seconds. "I truly loathe making those phone calls."
But as the most senior Hero with their brain still functioning on a somewhat normal level, it's my duty.
They stood up, looking in the small window to the room in front of them. Barnaby was lying still on the left bed, sleeping through whatever he'd been given for that rash to settle down, but Antonio was wide awake, twisting and turning on the bed. Nathan let himself into the room, and Antonio startled at the sound of the door. With a small wince, he shifted on the bed to give up some space.
"How are you feeling?" Nathan asked softly, sitting down at the edge.
We almost lost you. I almost lost you.
"Fine," he rasped, a hand moving up to massage his throat.
"Hmm..." Nathan smiled softly as they poured a glass of water, then stuck a straw in it before moving closer. "Somehow, I don't believe it."
They were quiet as Antonio latched onto the straw, sucking up about half of the cup before letting the tool go with a sigh. His voice was still hoarse, but it was a kinder, gentler rasp.
"What happened?"
Nathan shook their head.
"You'll either hear it from everyone once they wake up, or I'll tell you later on, when you've gotten a bit more rest. For the moment, Keith and Kotetsu are in surgery, Barnaby is sleeping his injuries off, and Pao-Lin's being treated for severe electrical burns."
Antonio frowned, but didn't have the energy to maintain it.
"Tried to... keep her from... seein'."
"I think it worked too." Nathan paused. "For the most part. It was when the others had gotten there to rescue you that she helped us out, and was injured in the process."
"Dammit."
Nathan nodded.
Agreed. I know she's as much as a Hero as we are, but she seems so young sometimes. I guess most of them do at our age.
"What do you remember, exactly?"
Or maybe the question should be, how much do you remember?
Antonio paused, a hard look coming into his eyes as he went back through his own memories.
"Went to the zoo. There was gas... in the tiger exhibit. Woke up powerless. In a cage. Some woman-" he broke of coughing, his body curling in over itself. Nathan leaned forward and rubbed their back.
"She did something to me," he finally managed to spit out, glancing at his right hand. "Using her power."
He's looking worse than before Nathan noted, taking in their friend's shaking hands and paler face. He needs to rest.
"Relax," They said soothingly. "Everyone made it out. I just wanted to confirm with the details that I was able to glean from Keith before his surgery."
"We got played," said Antonio, his voice bleak. "She knew... just how to push Kotetsu's buttons. Kotetsu!" He began to trash, trying to get up from the hospital bed even as the monitors started to emit shrill warning beeps and rhythms.
"Antonio!" Nathan's sharp voice had to be louder to go over the alarms. A glance to the other side of the room showed that Barnaby was sleeping through the commotion thankfully. "Do you want the doctors in here?!"
"I need... help him!"
"You can help everyone by staying still," said Nathan. "Less doctors in here means more doctors helping them; you know as well as I do that this part of the wing is always understaffed."
And bless every single one of the hardworking people that stick around here.
They could feel the tense body in their grip relax. Inch by inch, he drew back to leaning against the back of the hospital bed, and his breathing became a little smoother.
Better, but not great.
"Antonio?" asked Nathan, their sharp eyes noting when muscles relaxed and the tension seemed to bled away.
"Sorry," came a familiar rumble. "My head... I thought I was still back there."
"You were hit with something hard, it's understandable that your mind is wandering." Nathan stood up and went over to the window. "Honestly... I'm not sure what we're going to do."
"Huh?"
Nathan spun around, sitting on the sill and crossing their legs. Then their arms. Pursed their lips.
"She got away."
The words took a few seconds to settle, then Antonio let out a groan, closing his eyes.
"Of course she fuckin' did."
Nathan went to say something else, but was interrupted by a soft knock at the door.
"Sorry to disturb you Rock Bison, but I was told Fire Emblem was with you."
Antonio looked to his friend, who sighed and nodded.
Can't stop the rest of the world from running, even if I wanted to.
"They're in here," he said, his voice cutting out a bit at the end.
"Thank you." The door opened, and Judge Petrov walked into the room holding an armful of folders and papers.
"Isn't it late enough to leave the paperwork alone?" Nathan joked even as they reached out.
Unlike Kotetsu, I know putting it off doesn't magically make it disappear.
"Alas, you know as well as I do that paperwork never ends, it merely breeds the next generation. Since you, Blue Rose, and Origami Cyclone are the only ones not impaired at the moment, I thought I would ask you three to be the ones to start. Afterwards, I'll take statements from the others."
Nathan nodded, looking over the colored files.
"Blue Rose and Origami Cyclone are getting some food and drinks right now; I'll give these to them later."
"Thank you." There was a slight pause, and Nathan noticed that even though the man had turned to face the door, Judge Petrov had yet to go.
There's something else on his mind.
"Do you feel as if this person will be a danger to others?"
Antonio snorted.
"I think Wild Tiger, Dragon Kid, Barnaby, Antonio, and Sky High could answer that better for you than I could," said Nathan, their voice low and cold. The judge sighed.
"That wasn't what I mean and you know that. Currently, half of the city's Heroes are out of commission. I need to decide now if the police can capture this criminal without... " his voice trailed off. "Fire Emblem. If you can give me an excuse, such that this woman would only attack a certain type of person, I wouldn't have to ask non-NEXT guards to hunt them down."
"She isn't," rasped Antonio, shaking his head.
"Have a drink," said Nathan automatically, giving the glass back. "And say that again."
"She won't. Her power... needs specific NEXT."
What does he know that I don't?
"Explain, please," ordered Yuri, taking a step closer to the bed. Nathan moved so that they were between the bed-bound hero and the official from the Justice courts.
I'm not sure why, but I don't trust him. There's something that feels... off, every time I talk with him.
"Trixie... she's NEXT."
Nathan and Yuri nodded together.
A Trixie that looks like a Pixie - that'll be easy to remember.
"Zoopery."
Well, it's not everyday that I learn a new word.
Nathan snagged their phone out of their pocket and typed the word in.
"Well?" asked Yuri.
"Experimentation on zoo anima..." Nathan stopped talking, their eyes widening as they stared at Antonio in disbelief. "Is that why she went after Tiger?"
Antonio nodded, grimacing at the movement.
"She wanted Kotetsu's passion."
"Which would explain the chest surgery he's currently going through," murmured Yuri.
How did he get that information? They haven't even told me how Kotetsu's doing...
Nathan drummed their fingers on the side of their arm.
"So we have a psychotic NEXT running around free."
"Seems like a normal day in Stern Bild." Judge Petrov gave a wintry smile. "We do have Lunatic after all."
"I think," wheezed Antonio, "I prefer Lunatic."
Nathan didn't say anything, turning to look out the window again. Off in the distance there were storm clouds rolling in, dark masses that seemed to making a beeline for the hospital.
"Do you think she's going to try coming here?"
Yuri shrugged.
"How would I know a criminal's thoughts?"
"Because you deal with them every day?" came a comment from the door. "Here's your coffee Fire Emblem."
Nathan reached out and took the hot cup. Karina flicked her eyes to Yuri, then raised an eyebrow.
"Judge Petrov was just here to drop off paperwork."
Karina wasn't satisfied.
"And? That can't be the only reason."
I bet my favorite feather boa that you either listened outside the door for a bit, or Ivan eavesdropped and shared the information. The hot pink one with sequins.
"I was also trying to suss out the possibility of capturing this woman before she hurts anyone else." There was a pause. "Or even if they wish to hurt anyone else."
Nathan narrowed their eyes as a thought came bubbling up.
Ugh. I don't like it, but it's probably what he's thinking. The man's sneaky enough.
"You want to make the hospital a trap."
Yuri nodded.
"And use Kotetsu as the bait."
Immediately Karina and Ivan broke out in arguments against the idea, both of them directing their anger at the judge. Wild Tiger was too hurt, too vulnerable, too... Nathan watched, listening as both of their thoughts were methodically and coolly shot down, one by one.
He doesn't look like he's going to budge though.
Nathan turned around when their heard a cough.
"We... need to," said Antonio, his eyes locked onto Nathan's. "She's dangerous."
"And it would be better to already be in the hospital," added Yuri. "In case there is a need for treatment or doctors."
Is there something he knows that we don't?
"Would you tell me the truth?" asked Nathan, putting their hands on their hips. "If I asked what you're holding back?"
Yuri smiled.
"I would. I'm not holding anything back on this though; she's a dangerous criminal that needs to be captured - Lunatic doesn't attack innocent citizens."
"To be fair, none of us Heroes are 'innocent citizens'," Nathan felt obliged to point out. "However, your point is taken."
Ivan shot Nathan a sick look of betrayal, but was kept from saying anything by Karina's hand on his shoulder.
Good to know she'll back him up.
"Even if," continued the fire wielder, "Lunatic was willing to kill a man who tried to stop a murder, a child who accidentally had his hand on the gun when it went off during a struggle."
Nathan observed the tailored suit, a black briefcase held by the left hand, hair falling in waves on both sides of pale green eyes.
Interesting. You didn't move a muscle, but I expected you to show a little sympathy as the judge you are. You might warrant an investigation.
"I guess," they finished, stressing the word, "it's much better that he still be around to set people on fire instead of this... woman, torturing people."
There were a few seconds of blessed silence after their little tirade ended. Ivan shifted slight enough Nathan wasn't sure if the movement was for comfort or out of anxiousness. Yuri was still a statue, only the rise and fall of his Adam's apple showing life, and Karina, ever the firecracker, was putting her hands on her hips, scowling.
"Are you joking? Please tell me you are."
"No. We do need to make sure that she's off the streets, and unfortunately, that way will be by providing her access to what she wanted in the first place - Kotetsu."Ma
"But he's already so injured, I don't think he can-"
"Blue Rose."
I know what happened earlier was terrifying, but...
"We can't allow her to get away." Nathan walked over to the younger Hero and put a hand on her shoulder. "And it goes beyond saying that of course, we can't allow Kotetsu to be hurt any more than he already has been."
Or any of the others.
"It'll be up to us three to make sure that-"
"Four."
All of them turned to look at Judge Petrov.
"No," Nation said flatly, their voice dropping down several octaves. "We already know that she's a NEXT, and you don't have any powers to protect yourself from her. You're not going to be in here with us when she comes."
"I can provide a distraction, or I can even handcuff her - I've had experience enough to do that."
"You're going to be a liability," said Karina, looking him up and down. "One more person we need to watch out for."
Yuri smiled.
And if that isn't wrong, I don't know what is. Maybe that's why he never smiles
"There's no need to worry about me, I give you my promise. However, after she took down five Heroes today, I don't think you should turn away my generous offer."
"He's right," rasped Antonio. "We can't."
And I can feel a burden settling even firmer on my shoulders worried Nathan. Still... he is used to dealing with criminals...
"Fine," they said, giving a sharp nod even as they laid a finger against a cheek, one nail tapping gently as a focus. "You will be allowed to join us, but if we give an order, you will obey immediately, no matter who it's from. I have enough to do without needing to explain to Kotetsu why a civilian got hurt for his sake."
Yuri nodded.
"I'll return ready... shall we say midnight? That's when the witching hour begins, after all."
"Fire Emblem, are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Ivan, his pale eyes a little too wide.
Good as in utterly terrifying? Then yes.
"No. There's too much that can go wrong to say that this is good, or even okay." Nathan strode across the room and checked on Barnaby. "On the other hand, I agree that this needs to end, and if it has to end here with others involved, then so be it."
Karina sighed, her head leaning back so that she was staring at the ceiling.
"This is not going to work," she said to no one in particular. "It's not going to work and we're going to be regretting it later... but fine. What's the plan?"
"We give Wild Tiger a room of his own," said Nathan, imaging the scenario. "And we'll put everyone else together, so she'll only have two choices. It's likely that she'll want to continue with her chosen victim."
"That makes sense," added Judge Petrov. "Most criminals act in the same way."
"We'll be with the others in the room next door, ready and waiting for her to come in."
"How is she going to know to come here though?" asked Ivan, leaning against the wall. "If we put this information out on the internet, then everyone will know that Wild Tiger's hurt. Lunatic may even try to come and get him for protecting me and Edward, and there are other people who hold a grudge."
"Or would use this as an opportunity to attack NEXT in general," added Karina.
"Easy..."
The four of them turned around to look at Antonio.
"Equipment... back in the room..." He struggle to speak, then pressed his fingers against hollow of his throat. Whatever it did, it allowed him to speak almost normally. "She'll go back."
"And that's where we can plant something that lets her know Wild Tiger's still alive."
"She might even have cameras up and running," suggested Ivan. "Since she had all of that other electronic equipment."
"If so...she could be watching us from the moment we go back in."
"Even earlier if they have the equipment surrounding the outside of the place too."
Antonio let out a weak chuckle.
"What's on your mind?" asked Nathan, shooting him a quick look.
"Barnaby's birthday."
When we did that awful play-acting.
Nathan laughed at that.
"I should give you a kiss for that one. Perfect. Blue Rose, Origami Cyclone. The two of you get ready to go back, I want you geared up and ready for anything. Ask Saito-san if he has a gadget to help defend against gas attacks, since she used it before. In the meantime, I'll write up a little script for you to follow, mostly talking about how concerned you are about Wild Tiger, and how you're happy that he's safe in the hospital. We'll drop the room number as well in case she doesn't get the hint."
"And if she's not watching, or in there?" asked Judge Petrov. "What then?"
"Then we have another day to plan something else," said Nathan, turning to them. "But I have a feeling that they'll be sneaking in here tonight, ready to finish the job."
Midnight is going to be... interesting. I wonder if I could sweet talk one of the off duty doctors into staying with us, just in case.
"Do we tell the others about this?" asked Karina, her eyes flickering over to Barnaby.
"Well, Rock Bison already knows."
"You know Barnaby's going to be pissed."
Nathan nodded.
"True. But if he doesn't know, then he can't get himself into trouble too." They clapped their hands together, gently and firmly. "Rock Bison, I trust that if they need to know, you'll tell the others."
Emphasis on "if."
Antonio nodded, his eyes already starting to drift closed.
Good. He needs to sleep too.
"Alright, let's get going people." Nathan started to shoo the others towards the door. "We have a lot to do before midnight, even more to do before then, and not much time."
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