Ad Astra-24:

Seven Days 7-Shadows of the Dark:

Ochaco reflects on her friendship with Izuku as the two started attending U.A. High School together, even during the practical exam that would decide whether they would able to attend the highly esteemed Academia. Even though U.A. has suffered damages to it's reputation thanks to the League of Villains' attacks...Ochaco still thinks highly of the school itself. In fact, she loves it. The lessons, the teachers, the fellow students...everything that there was to offer. But more so, above all other things...

She loves her classmates in Class 1-A. Having formed close bonds with everyone in the group, even those whom seem the most unlikeable of peoples-I.E. both Bakugo and Mineta. But...there is one particular individual amongst her classmates...whom she aims to stand on equal footing with. He is unaware of how Ochaco feels about him...but she had decided that it was for the best to keep her feelings a secret. Not wanting to get in the way of this certain person's aspirations towards becoming a true Hero. At least...that was how she originally felt anyways.

Ever since the Joint Training with Class 1-B, she has started to feel...differently. As though her Heart had grown a few more inches wide and was unable to be contained inside Ochaco herself. Fearing what this had meant for both the certain person's dreams...and her own dreams, Ochaco starts to question her resolve. Wondering if having these kinds of feelings...were unbecoming of a Hero within the makings. Suddenly...Ochaco becomes alerted, hearing footsteps approaching. Ending the stargazing and getting off the park bench, she wonders if it was a teacher that learned of her breaking curfew...however.

(Music Cue-Martyr from Naruto: Shippuden.)

It was worse...something MUCH worse. Someone had indeed found Ochaco but it wasn't the teachers...it was the Seven Darks. Both Corkscrew and Quantum, members of the Armament brigade belonging to the group. Corkscrew mocks Ochaco, saying that a young lady shouldn't be so out at this late a time without someone to protect her...lest weird folk started swarming around the area. Ochaco puts up her guard, demanding whom the two really were. Quantum reveals that both he and Corkscrew are "Shadows", members of the Seven Darks that are assigned with infiltration tasks and similar ilk.

Ochaco starts to become fearful, wondering if they were members of the Seven Darks. Corkscrew laughs at the idea, saying that they were on a whole other level compared "to those bunch of chums". Corkscrew spoke with a heavy british sounding accent and Quantum mocked him for saying chums instead of "chumps" like he was aiming towards. Corkscrew engages in a small argument with Quantum and tells him to mind his own business about Corkscrew's accent. Ochaco tries to take what she sees as an opening and run...only for one of Corkscrew's eyes to trail her and suddenly...shoot screw like bullets right at Ochaco to keep her from escaping.

Corkscrew warns Ochaco not to so rudely run away when both he and Quantum had business to discuss with her. Mic begins a Quirk explanation again, explaining Corkscrew's Quirk and even his real identity. His real name is "Henry McAlister" and his Quirk is called "Nuts and Bolts". He can store up to 50 screw like needles within his body and then fire them from either his fingertips or toenails. Henry was originally supposed to become the heir to the McAlister family fortune, until his lack of learning the proper values of both money and peoples led to an argument with his father. Hating his father for simply lecturing him...Henry killed his father and stole his fortune afterwards. As the McAlister family were then led to ruin by Henry's actions and unable to pay their debts towards others...

Henry is the exact opposite of Ochaco whoms lives for her family and wants to do everything she humanly can in order to help them. That is her primary reason to becoming a Pro Hero...a love for others. Unlike Henry whom only displays a love for himself and himself alone. After stopping Ochaco's movements with his screws against the ground, Corkscrew reveals that Ochaco is the "holy one" that the Archenemy is seeking. Ochaco doesn't understand a single thing that he says until Quantum offers to clarify things. He reveals that both he and Corkscrew were sent by their leader in search of a holy one they will guide them to Ad Astra-the name of the plan to journey across the stars.

Unfortunately, a viable Quirk user was not born yet that could meet the plan's objectives...that is...until Ochaco had appeared. Because she possesses a Zero Gravity Quirk that the Archenemy believes will help him...he has started calling the one whom he has been looking for the "chosen holy one". The one that will initiate Ad Astra and leave this world of Quirks, Heroes and Villains all behind. Still not being able to understand, Ochaco could only see this pair of "wackos" to be Villains and tries to again escape. This time using her Quirk though unfortunately, Quantum then uses his own Quirk to stop her...by looping gravity.

Mic reveals both Quantum's actual name and Quirk respectively, he is known as "Sadka Hanuman" and he possesses the Quirk of "Loophole". He can bend space around him as though he were looping it and with the exception of other people, he is also able to bend himself and resemble thin line paper. Hanuman was once a praised scientist in his line of work a few years back until he was caught having stolen other scientists' findings and theories. He was banished from the scientific community, never to return.

After dispelling his loop on gravity and causing Ochaco to fall back towards the ground. Quantum demands that Ochaco go with the pair before the Heroes on campus could find them. Ochaco stands her ground, absolutely refusing. She states that she is and always will be a Hero, not some crazed person's holy one or whatever. Seeing that negotiations have failed...Quantum orders Corkscrew to capture Ochaco before Dogma learns of their actions in disobeying his and Necronomicon's orders. Although hating been bossed around...Corkscrew agrees with his partner, knowing that they had to act now or suffer the consequences. Unable to fight back, Ochaco tries to scream for help until Corkscrew covers her mouth, refusing to let call for aid.

She tries to fight back but her efforts are towards no avail. Small tears start to form from her eyelids, trying to think of her classmates and friends. Asui, Todoroki, Bakugo, Iida being notable examples in her mind. Last and not least...Izuku of course. Just when it had seemed that all hope was lost for Ochaco...suddenly. A massive silhouette launches itself in-between both her and the duo of Villains. The silhouette asks if Ochaco is alright...with Ochaco recognising the silhouette. Standing out from the dark of the night and into the light of a lamp post...is Fumikage Tokoyami. Having used his Dark Shadow just now whilst wearing a new special type of cloak to keep the sentient Quirk under control within darkness in order to save Ochaco from both Corkscrew and Quantum...

(Music Cue-Vita from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.)

Ochaco is more then glad to see Tokoyami having arrived but asks what was he doing here. He reveals that he was returning from a Hero agency run by Hawks that he spent the whole day with whilst everyone else were doing their own things about trying to find something "ordinary". Having just now returned to the borders of U.A. did he see Ochaco in trouble and rushed in to save her like any other Hero would. Ochaco thanks both Tokoyami and his Dark Shadow for the support but then warns the former about the Quirks that both Corkscrew and Quantum possess.

He got somewhat of a good look at what the Quirks were when the Villains were trying to rough up Ochaco and warns them to back off if they knew what was good for themselves. Quantum warns Tokoyami not to be so arrogant for a student Hero in training, trying to use his Loophole and bend the spaces around Dark Shadow. However, Ochaco quickly uses her Zero Gravity Quirk and manages to lift Tokoyami up in the air before the Loophole could take effect against him. Both Ochaco and Tokoyami realise and then believe that if he can fight Corkscrew then she can Quantum.

Quantum's Quirk is gravity based, the same as Ochaco's. Therefore...if she can get close and touch him, she can dispel his Loophole. Though Corkscrew likely won't standby and let that happen, so Tokoyami must keep the Villain at bay with Dark Shadow before both Ochaco and Tokoyami can gang up on Corkscrew once she deals with Quantum. Having outright stated their battle plan, Corkscrew wonders just how far can this makeshift team of student Heroes get before they will be ultimately defeated...

Tokoyami refuses to be defeated, as he states his faith and trust in Ochaco's abilities and Character. Seeing her as a strong young woman that stood up to the tenacity of Bakugo during the Sports Festival without any fear whatsoever after all. Surprised but smiling from Tokoyami's belief in her, Ochaco absolutely refuses to let him down. The same as Izuku when he carried the thoughts of his teammates behind him during the cavalry battle of the festval. Ochaco and Tokoyami make sure of themselves to keep the battle contained at the community park and not spread any futher from it's location. To ensure the safety of civilian houses just beyond the boundaries of U.A.

Corkscrew was left with 48 screws inside his body and so he has to make sure to put them towards proper usage. Firing three at Tokoyami still floating in the air, he tries to pin the "birdbrain" downwards. Tokoyami uses Dark Shadow to carry his body to the side, avoiding two of the needles but barely avoiding the last one across Tokoyami's arm. Ochaco intends to keep Tokoyami floating until reach Quantum just close enough that she can deactivate her zero gravity control. Tokoyami lunges with his DS against Corkscrew, intending to force the opponent whatever nuts and bolts he has left stored away within his body.

Tokoyami had correctly assumed that Corkscrew's body could only carry screws, needles, nuts and bolts in him. But that he cannot produce them from within...a limitation of his Quirk. 45 needles left, Corkscrew hides behind the park bench and replies that Tokoyami is correct. However...that doesn't mean to say that he cannot ENLARGE the size of the screws! one needle is sent directly at Tokoyami, nearly hitting the mark upon his face. Dodging once more, this time to the opposite side. Tokoyami questions how Corkscrew can magnify the sizes of the nuts and bolts within him...

Whilst it's true that Corkscrew can only store, not create screws...he has learned a move that helps him create an advantage. By eating away his gastric innards, Corkscrew can transform the sizes of his stored needles much larger then they were originally supposed to be. However, he leaves his body collapsing on himself at times and technically...he has no digestion system at all. The difference between Corkscrew and All Might, whom suffered a wound to his own digestive system however...is that Corkscrew literally has nothing remaining within his body. Whereas All Might had gotten away with the wound that AFO caused him in their previous battle...

To support Corkscrew's immune system, he has replaced parts of his inner body with fake organs that can produce gastric properties for the screws to both absorb and become enlarged from. Using the McAlister fortune, Henry had bought advanced medicine and technology to support both his Quirk..and his very life. Tokoyami calls Corkscrew insane to the lengths that he would merely go towards, just in order to power his Quirk. Ochaco during her fight against Quantum is shown holding her hands together. This is done to make sure Tokoyami stays afloat, otherwise he will lose his advantage in the fight against his own opponent.

Because they had the same type of Quirk, namely gravity based ones. Ochaco could sense and read the movements of both what would happen and where would Quantum strike next. Quantum creates small pocket attacks with his Loophole called "Reality Mines". Using these attacks can he create implosions within the space matter that bend everything out of order and quite literally too. Small implosion Reality Mines are called the "Topsy-Turvy"...whereas big Reality Mines are called the "Helter-Skelter". Quantum has always lamented the fact that his gravity Quirk was deemed unsuitable in order for the Archenemy to use in his Ad Astra plan.

In truth, Quantum is rather quite jealous of Ochaco but also realises the fact that she is a high school student...so there is not much to be jealous of. Quantum considers the students of U.A. all whiny brats whom don't know how good life can be if they didn't sign up to become Heroes in training. Having basically thrown away their futures, he calls them fools that avert their eyes to "true peace". For by becoming just like the Heroes that the U.A. students themselves idolise so much...they are now prejudice as well.

Heroes like both Endeavour and Miruko for prime examples don't seek to do things purely out of Heroism, they just like to put down people whom would speak their pieces. Quantum believes that they only wanted their Hero licences so that they could legally hunt down and destroy those whom would change the status quo of the Heroes' world. Which is why Quantum strongly relates to the goals that the Hero Killer Stain set for himself. He was planning to make it his life's work to put the conceited and corrupt Heroes in their places and make sure people could speak their minds in a both fair and just manner...

Unfortunately, Stain's supposed capture at Hosu City by Endeavour had only gained support and favour for the latter. Wanting to believe that the Archenemy's Ad Astra will change everything. Quantum is willing to become a loyal fanatic that licks the boots of his master if it means Heroes will no longer be able to serve as judge, jury and executioner against the unjustified citizens that suffer from Hero martial law. Although Ochaco cannot deny that some Pro Heroes are just like what Quantum has described...

She would prefer and like to believe in the goodness of others, willing to give them a chance above everything else. Therefore...whilst Quantum was monologuing, he became distracted. Ochaco was now close enough to let go...and allow Tokoyami a safe landing on the ground, in order for releasing her Quirk and try to touch Quantum. As he becomes fearful of this occurrance...suddenly...Ochaco is shot in the abdomen by a screw!

Corkscrew shot one at her whilst keeping Tokoyami facing him, Quantum criticises Corkscrew for what he had done, even though his actions were able to save Quantum at that moment. Ochaco feels the pain in her abdomen before falling onto the ground covered by park sand. Tokoyami, seeing his comrade and friend having fallen rushes to her aid. He covers Ochaco with his body and in turn uses Dark Shadow to cover the both of them, as Corkscrew and Quantum now stand side by side. Corkscrew mentions that the pair of student Heroes didn't have any hope left at this point, even if Tokoyami was using his Dark Shadow to form a guard against the Villainous duo.

Tokoyami admits that he was out of options whilst tending to Ochaco, only able to keep her safe with DS at this point. Corkscrew slowly closes in, intending to kill Tokoyami and capture Ochaco. Quantum reminds Corkscrew that Ochaco MUST be brought back alive, otherwise the whole point of the Seven Darks' existence will be for naught. Although annoyed by Quantum, Corkscrew acknowledges that he is right...before standing right in front of Dark Shadow. Tokoyami kneeling on the ground in order to cover the injured Ochaco...Corkscrew intends to impale a loose metal nail from his body right DS' head and in turn Tokoyami's.

As Ochaco started slightly coughing up blood...Corkscrew asks Tokoyami if he had any last words. Ochaco thinks of Izuku...wondering where he was and what he is doing right about now. Although she thinks that being saved by him wasn't such a bad idea to her personally...Ochaco still remembers the argument they had back at Hatsume's lab. So instead...she decided to do the next best thing: smile like a true Hero in the face of danger...

Everyone present is shocked by the smile...but Corkscrew remains undeterred and prepares to finish Tokoyami off. As Tokoyami braces himself and Ochaco continues to smile, despite knowing what was about to transpire...suddenly. A familiar voice could be heard from above, shouting...

(Music Cue-Battle of Deku from My Hero Academia.)

..."DELAWARE...SMASH!"...

Creating a highly pressurised attack, Corkscrew senses and manages to dodge the attack in time. Demanding to know just whom it was that made that attack...standing amist a cloud of park sand dust...is seen a silhouette. Standing in front of both Tokoyami and Ochaco, the silhouette applauds the former for holding out as long as he could and for protecting Ochaco. Ochaco herself then tries to look up, recognising the voice of the one whom has arrived and had protected her and Tokoyami. Tokoyami sighs and replies that his timing couldn't have been any better...

Arriving on the scene...was the aspiring Hero...and secret apprentice of All Might. Seat Number.18 Student of Class 1-A...Hero name: Deku. Real name: Izuku Midoriya! seen wearing the outfit he had for the cultural festival not long ago, during his fight against Gentle Criminal. His Hero gloves made by Hatsume also shown...Izuku stands firm and wipes away the cloud dust, raising and extending his arm out in front of Tokoyami. Standing in-between him and the Villains, stating with silence as though Izuku was never going to let them pass.

Izuku is shown with angry veins across his face, seeing the damage that both Corkscrew and Quantum had done to his friends. Especially Ochaco...the one whom Izuku has come to save. Ochaco calls out Izuku's name but is unable to be heard, her injury had made her voice go slightly silent. She had never thought...that Izuku would come to save her, considering the argument they had earlier in the day. Izuku says to Ochaco to hang tight...because...he needed to discuss something urgently with her. Raising his fists and showing a combination of an angry and smiling face...Izuku stares down the Seven Darks, absolutely refusing...to let them...take Ochaco!

To be Continued.