"She passed out quickly," Kurt whispered.
"She did just have the time of her life," X-23 responded as she was putting a blanket over Eri. The little girl had the best day ever in her mind, so when she plopped herself on the bed after showering, Eri fell asleep in an instant. "I'm just glad we managed to make today special for her." X-23 gently placed Spot between Eri's arms. Eri reacted by shifting her body slightly and cuddling Spot gently, a soothed noise escaping her lips.
"Aye," Kurt popped his back and walked towards the restroom, "By the way, I know you hate dresses so I told the tailor to get you a tuxedo. It should be hanging in the closet."
"Thanks, Kurt." X-23 heard Kurt close the door gently, and kept her eyes on the sleeping Eri. She looked so peaceful. Today was a grand success even if that meant giving away her dignity when she sang on stage. X-23 gently stroked Eri's hair as Eri responded to the gentle touch with an inaudible mumble and placed her hand on top of X-23's. X-23 rested her hand on Eri's head for a moment before slowly pulling away. "Sleep well, Eri. I'll be back." X-23 turned around to see the Bamfs all looking up at her, "You know what to do." X-23 walked towards her closet, grabbed the tux that was hanging inside a protective layer of plastic, and went to the other restroom to get ready.
Spider-Man was standing by the doors outside of the reception hall alongside Iida. Iida was the first to arrive but stayed outside to wait for the others. When Spider-Man came through, the two greeted each other and Spider-Man commented on Iida's appearance. Iida moved to the side to let Spider-Man inside, but he declined stating he was waiting for Tsu. Now, the two wait.
"Spider-Man," Iida spoke, "If you were invited to this ball, do you believe they would have you say a few words?"
"I hope not," Spider-Man replied, "I can barely get through an interview with a journalist. I only did on camera with All Might because he did the hard work for me. All I had to say was some run of the mill heroic speech. If they do have me say a few words, then…..Iida be my right-hand man and help through everything."
Iida laughed a little, "But it would be good for you and everyone inside. All Might advocated for you as the 'next big hero,'" Iida's brows furrowed, "Though I personally believe that was the wrong move at the time since you are in school and don't have a hero's license yet." Iida inhaled sharply, "Nonetheless, you do inspire hope into people, and that is a good feeling these days where hope has seemingly vanished with All Might."
"Yeah…" Spider-Man remembered the events like they were yesterday. He didn't have any nightmares about it, but it was a hard pill to swallow knowing that he could have done something to prevent it. All Might told Spider-Man it wasn't his fault, but it is hard to see it that way when you have the power to prevent things like this from happening.
Spider-Man's thoughts were wiped as the doors opened again.
"I hope I'm not late, kero," Tsu through the doors as Spider-Man fixed his eyes on his date.
Tsu's dress was based on the medieval victorian style. The fabric was made from Chiffon, and the design was simple yet elegant as only the upper body portion of it had any design; that being flowers being pictured from thin golden stitches that went around her body. The dress had a large, square-cut at the collar that exposed more of her neck. The collar of the dress was a golden color that only went for 2 inches around the collar, and the same design was also used in the waist area.
Spider-Man snickered under his breath, "Well, hello Princess Fiona. Left the castle so soon? Didn't want to wait for the ogre and his noble donkey to come and rescue you?"
"That depends," Tsu adjusted the sleeves on her dress, "Are you the ass?"
Spider-Man chuckled, walked up to Tsu, and took her hand in his, "But seriously, you look beautiful."
"Tell me something I don't know from your perspective," Tsu teased and intertwined her fingers around his. Tsu looked behind Spider-Man and waved to Iida, "Hey, Iida."
Iida waved back, "Greetings, Tsu."
The three came together as the doors opened once more.
"Yo, Spider-Man!" Kirishima shouted and ran up to him, "How's it going, man?"
"Pretty good," Spider-Man replied and noticed Bakugo, "Looking sharp, Bakugo. That suit fits ya well. The no blazer look shows off the 'cool' vibe."
Bakugo averted his eyes elsewhere. He didn't care for Spider-Man's compliment.
Todoroki suddenly appeared from behind Bakugo, "Are you waiting for the others?"
"Not really," Spider-Man turned his head to Todoroki, "I was waiting for Tsu, but I guess I can do that. We can all go in as one big group."
Bakugo slipped his hands into his pockets, "And to think we wouldn't have known where to go if it wasn't for that doctor!"
Kirishima laughed, embarrassed by what could have happened, "I'm sorry, bro! I really thought I knew where I was going!"
"Liar!" Bakugo shouted, making Kirishima even more embarrassed.
Spider-Man smiled under the mask as the door opened once again, but he didn't get a good look at who it was as a sudden paparazzi swarmed Spider-Man.
"H-Hello, everyone!" Spider-Man shouted through a crowd of noises, "Uhhh how about we go inside!" Spider-Man said, looking towards the group, "You guys come too, please!" And with that, everyone went inside the ballroom, leaving a confused Deku behind the closed doors.
"That happened," Deku mumbled, leaning against a wall to wait for his group.
After putting on the suit, X-23 looked at herself in the mirror. The suit was as basic as it could be. A black blazer with a white shirt, black pants, and black dress shoes. Kurt told her to go on without him as he had to do something first, and X-23 did so.
While making her way to the reception hall, X-23 ran into Bakugo and Kirishima on the way but the two went to the hall on their own as Bakugo didn't want to travel with her.
It didn't matter to X-23 for she felt the same way. As the two went their own way, Bakugo was chastizing Kirishima for almost getting them lost. Kirishima was flustered and said he was glad someone named 'Dr. Conners' guided them. Something about that name struck X-23 the wrong way, but she couldn't figure out why.
X-23 pushed the thoughts out and stopped walking to take a seat at a nearby bench. Her mind was suddenly taken over by thoughts of Japan and how she will continue to hide Eri from the Yakuza. It was very kind of Mrs. Midoriya to allow Eri and herself to stay in her company, but X-23 didn't feel like it was the best move. Personally, if she had more choices, X-23 would leave Japan and find shelter elsewhere or maybe go underground. It was better than putting an innocent family in harm's way. The Midoriya's are too pure, too kind, and too nice for such evil to come wrecking their home and lives. If only this damn government wasn't watching over.
….If only father and Professor X were here. Eri would be in safer hands and surrounded by a group of loving people and be a part of a real family.
X-23 wiped her eyes as tears fell. Gosh, she misses them so much. She'll never show it, but X-23 does miss her father, her friends, and her family. Just when she thought she had a family that wouldn't leave her, the universe took them away from her, and she isn't coming back to them.
X-23 let out a silent sob and clenched her eyes tightly. She wanted to let it all out, but not right here in the open. With staggered breath and reddened eyes, X-23 got up and continued towards the reception hall, doing her best to hide her face and take control of her emotions.
Soon, having managed to calm down, X-23 arrived at the reception hall and met with Deku, Uraraka, Jiro, and Yaoyorozu.
"How did I know you'll dress in a suit for this occasion?" Jiro said to X-23.
X-23 looked at Jiro's outfit and smirked, "Awwww don't you look adorable in your punked out Barbie outfit."
Jiro's face flushed with a deep red as she looked away with a scowl and a bad need to tase X-23 with her earplugs.
"I spent a long time getting that outfit tailored the way she'll be most comfortable with, X-23," Yaoyorozu said, "Please don't ruin this for her."
"Fine, princess," X-23 rolled her eyes, "But only because I'm in a better mood now."
"Phew! We're finally here, Mineta!"
"Working as butlers better be worth it! We chose this over the money you know?!"
Everyone turned to see Kaminari and Mineta walking through the door as both boys looked right back to everyone, "Hey guys!" Kaminari ran to them with a wave, "I didn't know you were attending the event too!"
"Hey, Kaminari!" Deku greeted with a smile, "Heya, Mineta!"
"Sup!" Mineta waved back to Deku before checking out Deku's suit, "That suit, it suits you, Midoriya."
Deku smiled a little more, "Thanks."
"Did you get your suit from the child's area, Mineta?" Jiro quipped.
Mineta's smile flattened a little, "As a matter of fact, yes! I'm small, I get it!"
Kaminari got regrouped next to Mineta with a goofy smile, "C'mon Jiro, give him a break."
"Not a chance in hell," Jiro muttered.
Kaminari was looking at everyone's outfits and taking them all in, "Wow….you all look great in those! The guys and X-23 look classy while the ladies look just lovely!"
The girls, minus X-23, blushed at the compliment. In response, Jiro jabbed Kaminari with her earplugs into his to give him an electric shock.
"I gave you a compliment!" Kaminari shouted in pain,
"No you didn't," Jiro sneered.
The doors opened once more to reveal Kurt and Mina. Kurt was wearing a suit that mirrored X-23's while Mina's dress was more of a ballroom style of dress. It was fully pink with a dark pink floral pattern going from her left shoulder, down her chest to her waist and up her spine to her left shoulder. She also had thin layers of pink fabric hanging from her arms that connected to the bottom of her dress.
Kaminari and Mineta were both staring at Mina as Kurt had his arm wrapped around hers. She was simply ravishing in that outfit.
"So that's what you had to do, Kurt?" X-23 crossed her arms, "Go and pick up your girlfriend?"
Mina blushed at the question as Kurt snickered, "Not my girlfriend, Laura, but she is my guest for tonight. After I found out I could bring one guest with me, ticket or not, I decided to bring Mina because it's a ballroom and I am highly sure they'll have dancing in it."
"Hagakure agreed to be with the Bamfs and Eri, mostly so she wouldn't be alone in the room," Mina added in.
"Hmph." X-23 nudged her head towards the reception hall, "It's over there if you two want to enter. I'm gonna wait out here for Wade and the bamf."
"You do that," Kurt said as he and Mina went inside.
"Damn wasn't Mina just…." Kaminari's words trailed off as he couldn't find anything to say.
"The most beautiful woman you have ever seen?!" Mineta finished for him with a blush.
Ignoring the two idiots, X-23 looked to the rest of them, "Aren't you guys gonna enter as well?"
Deku looked to X-23, "We're waiting for Melissa."
"What about Spider-Man and Tsu?"
"They are already inside as well as Iida, Todoroki, Kirishima, and Kacchan. I had just shown up when I saw a wave of people practically force Spider-Man inside with the others following him," Deku laughed a little at the memory.
"Stupid Spider," X-23 scoffed, "This is what happens when you decide to be the center of attention."
"I'm sure he was doing his hero work without trying to be in the spotlight," Uraraka defended.
"Even in our world, he was in the media constantly, especially in The Daily Bugle," X-23 paused for a moment, "But the guy running the bugle hated Spider-Man's guts so it was stories trying to criminalize him."
"Are you serious?!" Jiro gawked, "What beef did he have with Spider-Man?!"
X-23 shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know I didn't ask him. Maybe he's jealous of him, maybe Spider-Man accidentally did him badly, I have no idea. But I do know that Spider-Man interns for his company funny enough."
"Oh, you're all still here?" Melissa ran inside the waiting room.
Never seeing Melissa, Kaminari's, and Mineta's jaws dropped to the floor. "Who is that?!" Kaminari shouted.
"I don't know but she looks like an angel!" Mineta said as both boys got on one knee.
"Crap, Mineta, I can't take this anymore! What should I do?!" Kaminari dramatically asked.
Jiro chuckled at their reactions, "Do whatever you want." They are stupid, but they can have their funny moments at times.
Taskmaster was inside the security system control as he had already taken out the guards quietly, and mercilessly. He was typing codes given to him by their insider into the mainframe so they could take control of the system and put this whole island on lockdown.
The plan was this: Make sure all the students and heroes attending tonight's event were gathered after 30 minutes of the start time. After those 30 minutes, activate the security systems and restrain all the heroes with the binds that are underneath the surface that target dangerous quirks. In addition to that, have all the bots remain on 'standby mode' with 'lethal force' active to take the entire hostage. Next, wait for the 'package' to be delivered to Wolfram at the ballroom, then finally, leave. Oh, and dispose of Spider-Man as a bonus. Maybe a few of the students too.
"And done," Taskmaster watched as the security screen began to turn red as the cameras showed hordes of security bots appearing from everywhere in a single file line with the overhead. The speakers around the island blaring a message for everyone to get to a secured location immediately or risk being arrested by the bots. Taskmaster walked away from the console with his hand held up to his ear, "Alright, Wolfram, your turn." Taskmaster lowered his hand, "Ya low-budget Magneto rip-off."
Inside the hall, Spider-Man was on a stage with a bow tie on his suit. The people had asked him to start the party with a speech. As Spider-Man was surveying the crowd he noticed his classmates as well as some familiar faces such as David, All Might, Dr. Banner, and Midnight.
Spider-Man's eyes then landed on his right-hand man, "Excuse me for a moment," Spider-Man said and stepped away from the microphone, "Iida." Spider-Man whispered loudly and crouched at the edge of the stage.
Iida stopped talking to Dr. Banner, and approached Spider-Man, "Yes, Spider-Man?"
"What do I say?! I wasn't prepared for this!" Spider-Man asked.
"Do what you did at the Sports Festival," Iida replied, "That went well for you and you didn't know about that speech either."
Spider-Man thought back to the Sports Festival. He did a fantastic job when he was chosen to do a speech from out of the blue, so he should treat this like nothing different. Maybe tone down the number of words though.
"Okay," Spider-Man walked back in front of the microphone and cleared his throat. "Well, thank you everyone for inviting me here," Spider-Man began, "I'm not one to do formal speeches, but I'll do my best-"
The large screens behind Spider-Man suddenly blared red as the word 'Emergency' was seen. Spider-Man's spider-sense flared up as the entrance doors and windows were barred with a thick wall of steel. The other doors opened to reveal armed men with masks rushing in guns aiming at civilians.
Spider-Man and the rest of the heroes tensed up as they watched the men enter the room a figure in the middle. A tall, bulky man with dark red hair and yellow eyes. Dark patches of skin covered his mouth, nose, and extended across his right eye with a scar to accompany his left cheek. Instead of the same outfit his pawns wore, he wore a large, white coat with gray cuffs and trimmings and covered his hands with brown gloves.
"Breaking news, everyone," He spoke with a deep, intimidating voice, "We have taken over the security system. And don't think of putting up a fight because if you do..." Wolfram pointed his hand towards a screen as it showed hordes of bots surrounding civilians outside, "Then the security machines will bare their fangs at all the good people on this island."
Wolfram chuckled darkly, "That's right, this whole island is a hostage to me as well as the rest of you." Spider-Man looked to Wolfram with a glare behind his mask. Wolfram began to walk towards Spider-Man with a hand over his ear, "Do it." The floorboards below began to open up small circles with holes in the middle across the room. From the holes were blue bands that attached themselves to every hero, binding them tightly as they struggled to break free.
"Oh crap!" Spider-Man yelled out as he tried to break free, "This is tight!"
"Don't move!" Wolfram yelled at Spider-Man as he got on the stage and pushed him to the ground. Spider-Man fell on his back and looked into the crowd. Every hero was tangled up other than the 1-A students. Dr. Banner was on the floor with his heart over his chest breathing ecstatically.
"Dr. Banner!" Midnight shouted as she laid on the floor tangled in the binds, "Please, calm yourself."
Dr. Banner looked to Midnight and nodded his head, trying his best to make sure he doesn't transform. Midnight wanted to release her quirk's sleep effect, but it wouldn't be fast enough to knock out the villains. Plus, every hero would also pass out, and that would mean depleted forces. Who knows how many villains are outside of this room.
"You bastards!" Bakugo shouted, nose flaring and teeth grinding, "Set them free or I'll kill you all!"
"You aren't in a position to make demands little boy, and if I were you," Wolfram then pulled out a pistol and pointed it to Spider-Man's head, making the crowd gasp and Bakugo stunned. "I wouldn't move a muscle unless you wanna see brains splattered all over the floor."
"Spider-Man!" Tsu shouted with worry.
Wolfram looked to Tsu with a grin, "Don't worry little lady, if you all do as I say, I promise he'll be left alive until this is all over."
"How do we know you'll keep your word?" Kirishima asked angrily.
"You don't," Wolfram chuckled, "But that's your best, and only, option."
Back in the outer room, the gang was all huddled up together back to back.
"Okay, what the hell was that?!" Mineta shouted, "Did the intercoms just say a bomb was found?!"
"Shit…" X-23 grumbled, "I need to get back to Eri, but finding that bomb is more important."
"I don't believe it," Melissa spoke with confusion, "I don't think the security system would go into high alert mode over a bomb."
"You saying that isn't a high priority alert?" X-23 asked.
"No, but this particular alert should only activate if a terrorist attack was going to happen," Melissa answered, "For a bomb, only a certain section of the island would shut down, not the whole place."
X-23 placed her hands on her chin, "Hmm...that doesn't seem right," X-23 then looked at everyone, "Okay, we need to go to the party. Spider-Man and the rest of the heroes are there. If what Melissa is saying is true and, hypothetically, there is a terrorist attack happening, then everyone should be on board right now."
"Agreed," Melissa walked to a door, "We'll have to take the emergency staircase to get above the ballroom and have them notice through the ceiling since the elevators and doors are closed off." Melissa opened a nearby emergency door and motioned everyone to follow her.
David Shield got next to his assistant, Samuel, as the two began to discuss, "What's going on, Samuel?" David whispered.
"Terrorist attack, sir," Samuel answered shakily, "I'm surprised anyone got through."
"But how?!" David whispered loudly, "We made sure to have a system that is as highly secured as Tartarus!"
Before Samuel could talk, Wolfram stomped his foot in front of the two, "Hey, you two! Quit your yapping!" Wolfram growled as he then noticed the badge on Samuel's shirt, "You're an assistant here?"
"Y-yes," Samuel answered.
Wolfram grinned, "Good." He grabbed Samuel by the arm, "Then you'll come with me!"
"Wait," David got up, "He's my assistant, what are you going to do with him?"
Wolfram turned his head and snickered, "My, my if it isn't David Shield. You can come along too."
"And if I don't?" David challenged.
Wolfram turned his head to David, "Then somewhere on this island, someone's screams will ring out."
David's face scrunched, "Damnit….Fine. I'll come with you."
"David!" All Might shouted.
David looked back to All Might and gave him his best smile, "Don't worry, my friend, it'll be alright." David replied, wisely not saying All Might's name to hopefully keep him safe.
With a push, David was in front of an armed goon with Samuel by his side. The two were led towards a door before vanishing from the other side.
"Crap baskets," Spider-Man mumbled, "I need to do something, but I'm trapped. If I break free, I won't be fast enough to save everyone. Even if my friends help there are too many foes to knock out." Spider-Man looked up to the ceiling above and noticed the glass dome above him, including Deku shining his phone at him. "Oh thank goodness, you're free," Spider-Man mumbled and nodded his head slowly to tell Deku he noticed him and that he knew Deku could hear him. No doubt Jiro was with him. Perfect.
Spider-Man placed his mouth next to the floor and whispered, "In case you haven't noticed, these people aren't here for the milk and cookies being served tonight. Jokes aside, villains are inside and they have taken this entire island hostage. We're all trapped, every hero in here, and our classmates aren't fast enough to deal with the armed men inside. Jiro, tell Deku to gather whoever is left and find a way to shut down the security system. I know it's against the law, but this is something I would do. Do you want to learn from me? Then do what I say and save these people. Sometimes, the law has to be bent to do the right thing." Spider-Man stopped talking and looked back at Tsu. Her face was stoic, but he could tell she was thinking a million thoughts on what to do right now.
Back to the group above, Jiro looked to Deku, who was standing next to her and gave him a distressed look, "Midoriya, this is bad."
Midoriya's face twisted into concern, "Let's get back with the others."
Everyone gathered inside the emergency staircase and listened to what Jiro had to say.
"Spider-Man and the rest of the heroes are captured, and he wants us to save everyone." Kaminari hesitated, "Just when I thought we could escape the villains for one day…"
"Can we even do this?!" Mineta shouted, "We're going to fight all the villains with no back-up?! It's terrifying enough this is all happening, but Pet-, I mean, Spider-Man is asking us to save everyone?! How are we gonna do that?!"
"By shutting down the security system," X-23 growled, "If what Spider-Man said is true, we have to find the room and restore it. It's the only way the heroes will be able to fight back."
"But is it right to bend the laws?" Yaoyorozu asked, "We are trying to become heroes, but we can't decide when the law applies and doesn't. That's anarchy."
X-23 glared at Yaoyorozu, "Given the situation we're in, I say we have full reign to do it whether Spider-Man told us to or not."
"But what does that make us as not only heroes, but as people?!" Yaoyorozu shot back, "I understand you are still adjusting to our world's laws, but they are there for a reason! We can't break them when it best suits us!"
"Then what would you have us do?!" X-23 yelled back, "Sit on our asses and do nothing?!"
"Yes!" Yaoyorozu replied, "Because the law says we have too and don't forget, there are other heroes, some of the best around the world, outside of that room. All we have to do is alert them and-"
"That'll be impossible," Melissa cut Yaoyorozu off.
"Why?" Yaoyorozu asked.
"As I said, the security was built to be equal to that of Tartarus. The place where the most dangerous villains are kept." Melissa signed, "So there is no way for us to escape the tower."
X-23 smirked, "Well now, look who just look who ran out of options."
Yaoyorozu glared at X-23, "You just love being chaotic, don't you?"
"What if I do?" X-23 took several steps towards Yaoyorozu threateningly, "You gonna do something about it?"
Deku quickly got between the two girls and pushed them away, "Girls, stop! We can't fight each other right now! We have to figure something out!"
"We are!" X-23 snapped, tired of talking, "I get it, alright?! I'm not from around here! My friends aren't from here! You have laws in place for a reason, but if we can't tell any licensed hero what the hell is going on, who's gonna save those people?!" X-23 scanned the room for answers and continued when she got none, "Spider-Man told us what to do not because he's fine with us breaking the law, but because he knows we can't call for help! You wanna be heroes?! Then act like it!" X-23 looked to Yaoyorozu, "The fact that you believe that we should all not do anything during a crisis is a slap in the face to Kurt, me, Spider-Man, and every hero who truly answers the call of duty. Kurt, my best friend, and the only person from my adoptive family in this world is down there being held at gunpoint! And your classmates are down there with him! Don't you want to save them?! Or is the law more important than guaranteeing their safety?!"
Yaoyorozu looked down with a scowl. She was lost in thought. Of course, she wanted to save her friends, but at the expense of breaking the law? What would that make her as a person and hero who would throw the rulebook away whenever it best suited her?
Jiro walked up to Yaoyorozu and placed a hand on her shoulder. Yaoyorozu looked back to Jiro, "I get it, Yaoyorozu, I do. But if I have to be honest with myself, I would break every law in Japan to make sure I get to see my friends tomorrow. It's not the logical choice, but it's what my heart is telling me to do. What does yours say?"
Yaoyorozu let out a huge breath of frustration, "It's telling me the same thing."
"Are you serious?!" Mineta cried out, "Just when you were talking about laws and stuff, now you're going against it."
"If I am a hero who follows the laws for everything, I wouldn't be a real hero," Yaoyorozu stated, "A real hero would do what is right and face the consequences later. Yes, the laws are placed to help regulate quirks, but in this situation, when we can't turn to anyone else, we must do what is right, even if the law tells us it is wrong."
X-23 grinned at Yaoyorozu's words, "Now you're getting it."
Yaoyorozu smiled back in response.
Mineta was still shaking his boots until he felt Deku's presence next to him, "Mineta, please." Deku said, "I know it's terrifying, and I know we aren't ready for something like this, but we need you too. We need everyone here. It's not about us, it's about those who need a hero more than ever right now. We're all that's left. So, please, help us. I'm not gonna force you, but I will ask you."
Mineta looked to Deku for what felt like an eternity. Mineta shut his eyes and let out an irritated yell, "Okay fine! I'll help!"
"Same here!" Uraraka pumped her fist into the air, "I was going to help regardless, but it's great to see we're all in this together!"
Kaminari laughed, "Well, I don't want to be left out so count me in too!"
"Woohoo! Let's go brand new X-Force!"
Everyone looked to their left to see Deadpool walking up the stairs with a bamf on his shoulder. "Deadpool!" X-23 shouted, "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I got lost on my way to the event, and took the stairs," Deadpool answered, "And I overheard everything. Y'all a bunch of naughty children wanting to break the law like this."
X-23 eyed the bamf, "And why are you here? Wouldn't it be a better idea to get help?"
"I tried," The bamf explained, "But that security could detect my teleportation. I almost got captured. If it wasn't for Deadpool, I would be held up somewhere."
X-23 groaned, "The more the merrier, I guess." X-23 turned to Melissa, "Melissa, where is the security room?"
"At the top of the building," Melissa answered with a flustered smile, "It's the 200th floor, and we're barely on level 5."
Everyone groans as they know this is gonna be a long way up.
X-23 opened the door and unsheathed her claws, "Well, let's get going. Time isn't on our side." Before Melissa went through the door, X-23 tugged on her shoulder, "Hold on."
"What?" Melissa asked.
"If we get attacked, get behind us," X-23 sternly stated, "Deku told me that you're quirkless, and though we may have quirks, you're the most important person right now. If you don't make it to the security system, we fail." X-23 walked in front of Melissa and took the lead, "So stay close, don't bring attention to yourself, and don't do anything stupid either."
Melissa was shocked to hear X-23 call her, in her own way, important. Melissa believed that everyone was important, including herself, but to hear that from a stranger and not her father, her mother, or any of the people she's worked with since she was little? It was wonderful and made her feel special.
Melissa nodded at X-23 with the most genuine smile she's made in the longest time, "Understood, X-23."
And with that, everyone passed the door and jogged up the stairs, aside from Deadpool, who was walking towards the door with his back slumped, "Who the hell puts the most important room at the very top of the building? That's just terrible planning, and the current situation only proves my point." Deadpool said aloud, barely beginning his path up.
Taskmaster was waiting on the rooftops away from the conflict. He brought the security system down, now it was up to the group of mercenaries they hired to finish the job. He got a call on his phone from Wolfram and the two were speaking. Taskmaster was not happy to hear his report.
"What do you mean they are not all there?" Taskmaster growled from his post.
"The systems were activated too early," Wolfram grunted, "I told you we should have waited a little longer."
"And I told you we couldn't change the plan," Taskmaster fired back, "The girl, where is the girl?"
"I don't know," Wolfram growled in annoyance and frustration, "She wasn't accounted for inside the hall."
"God damn it, Wolfram," Taskmaster shouted, "She is the key to the whole mission, and you haven't found her?!"
"I'm working on it," Wolfram replied, his voice growing angrier, "I already have two of my best men looking for her."
"Just two?" Taskmaster wasn't sure what All for One saw in this man, but he was stupid to just send two men, "There are multiple personals unaccounted for! What if they are with her? They'll be her protection! And may I remind you that those people have several units who are battle-hardened!" Taskmaster growled in anger. This man was pathetic. "If you don't capture her, I'll personally make sure you regret it."
Without giving Wolfram any time to respond, Taskmaster hung up. Taskmaster wanted to get the girl himself, but All for One specifically told him to not get involved unless someone is near him. His actions were restricted, and Taskmaster knew better than to go against All for One. All for One showed him how far his eyes can reach, and demonstrated on a poor soul how merciless he is when insubordination takes place.
Taskmaster let out a dissatisfied grumble and began his walk back inside the building, "I can't let that man just send out two people to capture a girl. She is too important." Taskmaster walked back to the security room where he found Dr. Conners overseeing everything.
"Taskmaster," Dr. Conners watched the man enter without the look of fear in his eyes anymore, "I get the feeling I know why you are here." Dr. Conners adverts his eyes to the group that is running up the stairs. He recognizes some, but not everyone.
"So you know what I am going to do then?" Taskmaster asks rhetorically, whips out his pistol, and proceeds to shoot Dr. Conners repeatedly in nonvital areas. Dr. Conners didn't even have a chance to react to nor wail in pain when he felt the dreaded sensation coursing through his body.
"Nooooo!" Dr. Conners fell onto the floor and began to compulse.
Taskmaster plops himself on the chair and waits for Dr. Conners to finish transforming, "You see, Doctor, I know you are asking why. It's simple. Doc Ock wants the Lizard to help him capture Spider-Man, not Dr. Conners. You were sent as Dr. Conners because it was easier to deal with you than with him." Taskmaster laughed, "And right now, after seeing this bastard fail too many times, I need The Lizard." Taskmaster watched the transformation unfold before his eyes.
"10th floor…20th floor…30th…40th…50th…60th…70th…who the hell….puts the security room…up 200 floors… of god damn stairs," Mineta wheezed, his knees buckling under him.
Kaminari looked down at his friend, panting as well, "Come on, Mineta…" Kaminari let out a pained laugh, "Maybe… Maybe the room is filled with supermodels." Kaminari laughed again with Mineta glaring at his friend.
"I wish," Mineta mumbled to himself before he heard a shout of surprise, "What happened?!"
"The shutter, it's closed!" Deku said through his pants.
X-23 stomped towards the shutter, "Then I'll just slice through it!" X-23 yelled out, raising her hand.
"Don't!" Melissa yelled out, "If we destroy it, then the system will react, and the villains will surely notice us."
"Then let's just go through here," Mineta walked to a door and grabbed its handle.
"No! Wait!" Melissa tried to stop Mineta, but the smaller student pulled the handle and unlocked the door; however, a red glare was seen on the handle. "Oh no…" Melissa said in slight fear, "We have to hurry."
"Damn it, Mineta," X-23 growled and took lead once more.
Mineta had a guilty look on his face, "I'm sorry, I just wanted us to get through this dead-end!"
"Doesn't matter now," X-23 replied, "We have to move faster, and watch out for enemies that could ambush us."
Everyone ran through the door and down the hallway. No doors were insight that could take them up further nor were there any doors.
"Melissa," Deadpool shouted, "Where's the nearest door?"
"Over there," Melissa pointed into the hallway towards a metal door that was seen in the distance. Suddenly, loud sounds of metal slamming together echoed throughout the hallway, "The shutters!" Melissa cried out, "They know where we are and are trying to shut us in!"
"Deadpool!" X-23 looked to her ally, "Have any explosives?"
"Of course I do!" Deadpool reached into his pockets and grabbed as many grenades as he could. The shutters were closing behind them and in front. Before the students could make it past the last block, the shutter connecting the two closed.
"Blow it up!" X-23 commanded. Deadpool activated his grenades and threw them at the metal barricade. The grenades stuck themselves onto the walls and blew up, sending scraps everywhere. A giant hole was created as X-23 jumped through and sliced through the metal door that Melissa pointed out earlier. Behind the doorway was a room filled with plants.
"What is this place?" Deku asked.
"A plant factory." Melissa responded, "They research how quirks influence plants here."
Jiro made a mad dash to get in front of everyone to stop them, "Wait!" Jiro pointed to the elevator at the other side of the room, "The elevator is coming up!"
"Jesus, how good is your eyesight? That little bar is about 10 yards away!" Deadpool said.
"Everyone hide!" Yaoyorozu commanded. Everyone got together and hid behind a wall that was surrounded by a bunch of plants.
Deadpool was in front as he poked his head out to get a view of the elevator. "I'll tell you what is happening as it happens." Everyone nodded their heads and waited.
Kaminari turned to Melissa, "Can that elevator take us to the top?"
Melissa shook her head, "Doesn't matter, only authorized personnel may use it."
"Aren't you the daughter of the person who made this island?" The bamf asked, "Why aren't you authorized?"
"Because I don't work here," Melissa answered, "I may be my father's daughter, but I don't work for him. We didn't count on this ever happening either."
The bamf lowered its ears after hearing the answer, "Always expect the unexpected." The bamf said, turning its attention back to the elevator.
Two figures emerged from the elevator.
On the left was a heavy, middle-aged man of average height, with lightly tanned skin and a round head that appeared to have no neck. He had small, black eyes that were closed and close together on his face with small eyebrows and a visibly hooked nose. His dark hair was designed uniquely. He had three very short stripes of hair separated several inches from each other that went around the back of his head like a semi-circle.
On the right was a much taller, more thin man with a strange-looking appearance. He had pale yellow skin and a face that could resemble that of a goat. He had two small triangular ears and a flat nose consisting only of nostrils, dark green hair that was shaped in a mohawk that connects around his ears along his cheekbones, and he also sported a small goatee.
Deadpool snorted quietly, "Oh my god they look so stupid," Deadpool snickered, "And it's so adorable how the smaller guy is trying to look tough with that circumcised head of his."
"Deadpool!" X-23 silently shouted, "What is happening?!"
"Circumference and his partner got off the elevator," Deadpool informed them, "And they know we are here."
"Melissa told us they would come for us," X-23 looked to everyone else. "They know we're here."
"Shit!" Mineta cursed under his breath.
"Can it," X-23 snapped, making Mineta clamp up. X-23 looked back to Deadpool then to Midoriya, "Okay, you're in charge, Midoriya. Lead the pack. Deadpool and I will stay behind and handle the two villains."
"No, go with them, X-23," Deadpool intervened, "I got them."
X-23 wasn't going to argue, "Okay then. Just don't kill them."
Deadpool grabbed the pistols from his holsters and loaded them, "Fine. But if they blast a hole in my head or shoot something up my ass, I'll blow out their knees." Deadpool pulled back the slides on each of them as they made a loud click, "Literally."
The group of students were disturbed by Deadpool's comments, especially Melissa, who was still new to Deadpool's nature. Deadpool waited for the two goons to get into the right spot before Deadpool jumped from the bushes with his pistols aimed at them, "Surprise, dickheads!" Deadpool began to fire his pistols as the two goons quickly got into cover. "Go!" Deadpool yelled out, "Find an exit and I'll cover your escape!"
Everyone got up from their position and began to look around the room. There were no doors or other elevators to go up from. X-23 grunted when she found no way up and watched Deadpool battle it out with the two goons as one of them started to fight back. The taller one's hands enlarged into large, webbed claws. He swung his left arm at Deadpool, sending a huge wave of air at him. Deadpool tried to shoot bullets through it and witnessed the bullets shatter. Deadpool jumped out of the way, barely making it as only a piece of his leg was caught in the air, scratching it up.
"Crap!" Deadpool yelled out, "Man I feel sorry for whoever asks for a haircut from you!" Deadpool looked towards the other goon, "Is that how you got your ridiculous haircut?"
"You bastard…!" The man yelled out as he hunched over. His body began to quickly expand in muscle and mass with his skin turning purple. The only clothing remaining on him was his ripped pants when the transformation was complete.
"Wow, what another rip-off," Deadpool threw his pistols away and pulled out his two katanas, "Y'all might want to hurry the hell up!"
"We're trying!" Kaminari shouted before noticing the bridge way above them, "Up there!" Kaminari pointed to the bridge in the sky, "I bet that bridge can lead us somewhere higher!"
"Yes, it can!" Melissa smiled in relief as she felt someone grab onto her hand.
"This will feel weird," The bamf said. The bamf teleported himself and Melissa onto the bridge. Melissa fell back onto her bottom as her body had goosebumps, and her stomach felt upset.
"Oh that did feel weird," Melissa groaned.
"Sorry," The bamf quickly teleported away, and one by one, everyone was brought onto the bridge.
X-23 looked down at the bottom to see Deadpool still battling against the two goons. He was struggling as the two were overpowering him. "I should help him," X-23 grabbed onto the rail and was preparing to jump, but was stopped when Uraraka grabbed her arm.
"No," Uraraka sternly said, "Deadpool said he can handle it. We have to trust him."
X-23 glanced between Uraraka and Deadpool for a moment, then released her grip on the rails, "Okay." Uraraka nodded and the two regrouped with everyone at the end of the bridge where they were back into another hallway, but this time, all the shutters were closed.
"Deadend, again," Jiro groaned.
"Is there any way we can get out of here?!" Kaminari shouted in frustration.
"Look around and see!" X-23 said as everyone got back on the bridge.
The search was quick as Deku pointed towards a small shaft near the top of the ceiling, "Look, up there! An emergency hatch!"
"That's the maintenance room for the sunlight system!" Melissa spoke, "There is an emergency ladder in there, but it's on the inside."
This time, it was Uraraka's turn to let out her irritation, "There's gotta be a way…"
Yaoyorozu looked up at the hatch with a determined look, "I got it." Yaoyorozu announced, prompting everyone to watch her. Yaoyorozu's palm glowed as a mini sticky bomb was made in her hand. With pinpoint accuracy, Yaoyorozu threw the bomb at the shaft and hit it. The bomb quickly exploded, breaking open the hatch.
X-23 was impressed by Yaoyorozu's accuracy, "Nice throw."
"Okay, now where's the ladder?" Kaminari asked.
"Someone has to be outside the space in the vent and use the outside wall to get to the top floor," Yaoyorozu stated.
"How do you know that?" Kaminari asked.
"No time for that," Yaoyorozu replied and looked at Mineta, "Mineta, you have to climb up the wall and get into the vent. You're the only one we can fit in there, and your quirk is suited for situations like this."
Mineta's mouth agape at Yaoyorozu's observations, "What?! Are you serious?! What about the ladder?!"
"You have to lower it from the inside," Yaoyorozu placed her hands together, "Please, Mineta. Right now, you're our only hope."
Mineta felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. At this very moment, it was all up to him.
"Mineta, please," Uraraka and Jiro said, "You have to do this! You're the only one who can!"
"Don't you have any idea how high we are up?!" Mineta shouted, "If the stickiness isn't there, I'll just fall to my death!"
X-23 glared at Mineta sharply, "And if you don't do this, everyone else down could die! Including our friends!"
That made Mineta feel worse. His mind was raging and was arguing with itself on what he should do. What should he do?!
"Psst, buddy," Kaminari got behind him and whispered into his ear, "If you do this, just think of what could happen next. We could all be interviewed for saving the day, and with the camera on you and you expressing how you played a pivotal part in saving the day, just think of all the hot girls that could come your way."
Saving the day it is then!
Mineta wasted no time in jumping at the wall, two purple balls in each hand, and climbing up the hole in the wall before disappearing into it.
"What did you tell him that got him so motivated?" Melissa asked.
Kaminari laughed with a very thin shade of red on his face.
Jiro facepalmed, "It was girls, wasn't it?"
"Maybe…" Kaminari replied, still laughing.
Suddenly, the bridge shook violently as everyone grabbed onto a rail. Everyone looked down to see the taller goon was targeting them.
"You kids are dead!" The goon slashed at the bridge once more, sending a sharp air at them once more.
"Everyone hold onto something!" Deku shouted as the bridge collapsed from underneath them. They all screamed as they were falling towards the ground.
"That ain't good! Hang on!" Deadpool dodged another attack from the powered-up goon and ran towards where the bridge was going to land. Deadpool jumped into the air and teleported towards everyone. "Everyone, grab onto each other, quickly! Bamf, help me get them to the ground!" Everyone did as told as Deadpool and the bamf teleported them back onto the ground.
Everyone was groggy from the sudden turn of events but were not given any more time to relax as the buffed up goon charged at them. He jumped into the air with his arms behind him.
"Scatter!" Deadpool shouted as everyone quickly got out of the way. The villain smashed his giant fists into the ground, creating a large crater into the ground and sending a shockwave around.
Melissa yelled out in pain as the shockwave sent her onto the ground.
"Melissa!" Deku yelled in concern.
"Deku, look out!" Uraraka ran towards Deku and tackled him to the floor. A wave of air flew past the two above them.
X-23 grouped up with Deadpool with a look of anger on her face, "Alright, bubs, you wanna go?" X-23 got into position as both goons grouped up as well.
"Nice shot, Nobu," The buffed up goon grunted.
"I missed them," Nobu replied, "Smash 'em, Daigo."
Daigo let out a mighty roar as he charged at Deadpool and X-23.
X-23 glanced at Deku and Uraraka, "Get Melissa to safety you two! Everyone else, back us up, but don't get caught!"
X-23 sprinted towards Daigo with a roar of her own.
Uraraka touched Melissa and lifted her onto her shoulders, "Let's go," Uraraka turned to Deku to see him running back to the fight, "Deku!" Uraraka called out to him.
"I have to help them!" Deku said and ran towards Nobu with Full Cowl on, and Jiro and Kaminari flanking him on each side.
Daigo threw a quick fist at X-23. X-23 jumped over Daigo's fist and landed on his head. X-23 slashed at his head with her claws as he yelled in pain. Daigo grabbed X-23 and slammed her onto the ground. X-23's body bounced in the air from the impact. Deadpool jumped into the fray and threw knives at Daigo. The knives bounced off Daigo's body as Daigo looked to Deadpool and was going to rush him too, but was stopped when he felt something explode on his back.
"X-23!" Yaoyorozu created another bomb in her hands and threw it at Daigo. The bomb exploded on impact, and it only made the beast even angrier.
X-23 got up and noticed Daigo was focused on Yaoyorozu, "Yaoyorozu!" X-23 motioned her hand to tell her to getaway.
Deadpool teleported in front of Daigo and kicked him in the face, but it was to no avail. Daigo swatted Deadpool across the room and rushed Yaoyorozu. The Vice President was stunned in her tracks as X-23 sprinted towards her, but was too slow to make it.
Just as Yaoyorozu was going to get run over, the bamf appeared and teleported her out of the way.
"Huh?!" Daigo was confused and looking everywhere for Yaoyorozu. This left him wide open for an attack. X-23 made her way towards Daigo and slashed her claws against his side, cutting him deep. Daigo let out a massive howl of pain and swung wildly at X-23. X-23 ducked underneath him and clawed at his arm. Daigo backed up, trying to get distance between the two but X-23 quickly closed it. X-23 jumped onto Daigo, pulled her claws back into her skin, and punched Daigo as hard as she could on his nose. Daigo reeled back and clasped onto his nose.
"Yaoyorozu!" X-23 called out.
"Already on it!" Yaoyorozu replied with a bigger bomb in her hands, "Deadpool!" Deadpool was running back into the fight and looked to Yaoyorozu with the big bomb. "I'm going to throw it at him! Shoot it when it's close enough!"
"Got it!" Deadpool pulled out another pistol and waited for Yaoyorozu. Yaoyorozu prepared herself and aimed at Daigo. She chucked the bomb as hard as she could and got enough distance for it to land in front of him. Quickly, Deadpool shot the bomb. The bomb set off an explosion big enough to singe a few plants, but not set them on fire. Daigo was flying through the air and out of his beast form. He landed on the ground with a thud, defeated.
Nobu looked to his fallen comrade with dismay, "Daigo!" Nobu had to quickly avoid the incoming attacks coming his way.
Deku was getting up close and personal with Nobu as he deduced that Nobu was more of a distance fighter than a close-quarters one. Deku was doing his best to keep Nobu on his toes with Jiro and Kaminari backing him up.
Nobu was struggling to get away from the three kids as they put up a relentless offense. With desperation sinking in, Nobu made a wild swing at Jiro.
"Look out!" Kaminari pushed Jiro out of the way and took much of the damage. The attack was wild and didn't get the proper amount of air to be lethal, but the attack still mangled Kaminari. Kaminari's clothes were ripped apart with many deep cuts appearing all over his body, blood seeping and tainting his white clothes red. Kaminari screamed in agony as his body fell to the floor.
"Kaminari!" Jiro and Deku cried out. Deku glared at Nobu and knew he had to end this quickly.
Deku charged up his fist, electricity shooting from it, and dashed up to Nobu, "Detroit...SMASH!" Deku punched Nobu as hard as he could, sending the villain in the direction of where his teammate was. Nobu's was smashed into a wall where the villain stayed plastered for a few seconds before falling onto the floor defeated.
"Kaminari!" Deku and the rest of the group ran up to their injured friend.
"Ouch…." Kaminari whimpered, "This really hurts."
"Don't talk, save your energy," Jiro was sitting on her knees, cradling his upper body in her arms.
Kaminari cracked a grin, "Jiro, I'm made of energy, my quirk is electricity. I have enough energy for days if I don't use it."
"Oh shut up, you know what I mean," Jiro giggled, "And...thanks."
"Don't mention it," Kaminari grimaced for the pain shot through his body again.
"He needs a medic," X-23 stated and looked up to see where Mineta last was. The boy had released the ladder and was climbing down rapidly. X-23 focused back on Kaminari, "We have to get him out of here. There are too many cuts for us to cover up."
Yaoyorozu knelt next to Jiro, "You're right, but I can at least slow down the flow." Yaoyorozu summoned several first aid items from her body and began to apply them to Kaminari.
"Guys," Uraraka exclaimed loudly, "We have company."
Security bots started to pour in and were making their way towards them in overwhelming numbers.
"Crap, we don't need this right now!" X-23 sneered. Her patience was running thin.
Everyone got in front of Kaminari with Mineta finally regrouping with them, "I got the ladder down, but I see we have more pressing matters." Mineta pulled out two balls from his head and was ready for action.
Deadpool looked at his belt. His teleporting device broke when Daigo swatted him away. He wasn't going to get away, but they can. "Bamf," Deadpool spoke up, "Do you know where the ladder leads too?"
"Yeah, I think I do," The bamf answered.
"Teleport Kaminari to safety. The rest of you go up the ladder." Deadpool pulled out several grenades and pulled the pins off, "I'll fight these bots for as long as I can!" Deadpool threw the grenades at them, blowing some of them away.
The group quickly made their way towards the ladder with the bamf teleporting Kaminari. The bots changed their focus from Deadpool and towards the running students as several of them passed by him. Deadpool quickly pulled out his katanas and sliced through the opening gaps in the bots to shut them off. They were overwhelming him, but Deadpool kept fighting back.
"Hurry! Move! Move! Move!" X-23 shouted as she waited for everyone to get on the ladder first. Uraraka was the last one to get on and start climbing. X-23 was about to climb but felt her body being tackled by a bot. "Son of a-!" X-23 brought her claws and sliced clean through the robot, then another one, and another. They were all charging towards her.
"X-23!" Uraraka reached her hand out to her, "Grab my hand!"
X-23 looked to Uraraka then back to the bots. X-23 managed to not get dogpiled and found a small opening. X-23 jumped onto a bot and continued to jump off of them until she was close enough to the ladder. X-23 put all her power into her legs and jumped towards Uraraka, her arm extending towards her. X-23 and Uraraka clasped hands as Uraraka pressed her fingers on X-23's arm, making her weightless.
"Hang onto my back, I'll get us both up," Uraraka said.
X-23 grabbed onto Uraraka's back and looked back down to Deadpool, "Wade!"
Deadpool jumped into the air and threw many grenades at the bots, blowing some up and he was fending the extras. "I'll be fine!" Deadpool shouted, "I'll catch up when I can!"
X-23 averted her eyes back up to the ladder, climbing through the hole and into another hallway. Yaoyorozu had finished giving Kaminari first aid as he was on his feet but was holding his stomach.
"Man, I'm lucky he was desperate," Kaminari mumbled, "If that guy put all of his power into that attack, I might have…"
"Don't," Jiro cut him off, "Don't think about that. You're here right now. That's all that matters."
Kaminari let out a big, painful sigh, "Yeah...yeah you're right." Kaminari moved his head to Melissa, "Where do we go now?"
Dr. Banner was having trouble keeping himself together. He managed to not Hulk out this long, but he felt time was running out. His heart wouldn't stop pumping at a faster rate, and it kept getting higher ever so slowly. It's like Hulk wanted to get out.
"Midnight," Dr. Banner turned to his colleague, "I can't stay like this forever. I can feel him trying to get loose."
Midnight gave Dr. Banner a pleading look, "Please. You have to fight him. You can't let him loose."
"I know…" Dr. Banner scanned everyone in the room, including the villains and their leader, "But it's so hard…"
Midnight scooched closer to Dr. Banner and managed to get into a sitting position next to him, "I believe in you, Dr. Banner. You can do it. Just fight. If not for yourself, then for Uraraka."
Dr. Banner thought back to Uraraka. She is a nice girl, one who shows the heart of a hero. They bonded when they were trying to get away from Nomu at Hosu City, and though she knows Hulk is inside him, that didn't stop her from wanting to befriend him. Right now, he has no idea where she is and can only hope she is somewhere safe.
Dr. Banner glanced at Spider-Man, the webbed-hero watching the criminals carefully. Dr. Banner knew Spider-Man could break free of those bonds if he wanted too, but if he did, someone or everyone would suffer. It wasn't worth the risk. Dr. Banner turned his attention towards the U.A students. All of them were rounded up and secured in a single corner with two guards pointing guns at them. They were prisoners and being treated as such.
Dr. Banner forced himself to look away. Seeing those kids like that was making him mad, and that is the last thing he needs to feel right now.
Dr. Banner felt Midnight's hand on top of his right hand. Despite being restrained, she was able to get a hand free and plant it on top of his. Midnight held his hand in comfort and matched that with a look of reassurance too. "They'll be okay, Dr. Banner." Midnight whispered, "Haven't you noticed that not all the students are here?"
He did. And that's why Hulk hasn't made an appearance.
"You started the security mechanisms on the 80th floor, right?" Dr. Banner heard Wolfram speak, "Then raise all the partitions on floors 100 to 130." Wolfram's voice changed from calm to annoyed, "Do what I say, you hear me? Raise the shutters."
Dr. Banner thought to himself, "Kids, X-23, Kurt, Deadpool, wherever you are, hurry. I don't know how much longer I can hold out."
Yaoyorozu had made a wagon for Kaminari to ride in since he wasn't able to keep up due to the pain. Two ropes were made that connected to the wagon to pull the disarmed student. Deku and X-23 each grabbed a rope, and pulled Kaminari along as everyone was running down the hallway.
"Guys," Jiro grunted, "Doesn't it seem weird that all the doors opened up?"
"They're leading us to a trap," X-23 replied. "They know where we are and they are trying to capture us. That's what those two idiots back there were supposed to do."
"Instead they got their butts whooped by you guys," Kaminari chuckled.
"Even so, it's still leading us in the direction we want to go," Deku pointed out. "So we'll have to play along and be ready for anything. Once we get through them, we'll reach our goal and take back the tower and I-Island."
"Right!" Everyone said as they continued down their way.
Hagakure was sitting on a lone wooden chair and tensed. The lights suddenly came on, the doors and windows were slammed shut, and the TV was only showing a 'lockdown' signal with no audio. Eri was still asleep, lucky kid, but Hagakure was on edge. If anything came this way, she and the bamfs are the only protection Eri has.
"What was supposed to be an easy babysitting night turned into a 'be prepared for villains' kind of ordeal," Hagakure said to the bamfs, who were sitting on the bed that Eri was sleeping on.
The bamfs looked at one another with a noticeable look of worry on their faces, "One of our brothers hasn't returned. We hope he is okay."
"Which one is he?" Hagakure asked.
"The one who saved everyone at Peter's house," Another bamf said.
A different bamf got off the bed and walked on the floor, "Something is happening. I wish we kept the audio on to hear what was happening, but with Eri asleep and no X-23 insight to calm her down, we felt it was best to shut it off."
Hagakure crossed her arms, "You don't think we could have put her to sleep?"
They all shook their heads, "Nein." They said altogether.
Hagakure laid back in the chair, "At least you're all honest."
Eri shuffled in her sleep. Unbeknownst to everyone, her horn was glowing a faint green at the tip.