It was the end of a long day at Tartarus prison, it wasn't often new prisoners arrived and with three new prisoners over only a few days, they were overwhelmed.
The latest prisoner, who's name was classified to all but the senior guards and warden, was a particularly difficult resident. Requiring quirk suppressants to contain and life support to replace the quirks that keep him alive, though the prison construction team didn't know that.
With the changing of the guard an interesting creature began making its way through the ventilation, avoiding all manner of sensors and traps. Passing several interesting prisoners the creature's handlers regretted the seriousness and urgency of their mission and wished to collect all the essence within.
All for One was calm and confident. He would let the heroes savor their petty victory as he knew that eventually he would escape. He glares sightlessly ahead of himself, wondering when that fool All Might would come to interrogate him. Unfortunately in his blind state All for One failed to notice a small armored creature crawl out of the ventilation and begin approaching the ancient villain.
Suddenly All for One feels something force its way into his mouth and he begins coughing as he struggles to remove the invading creature. After a moment he hears a terrible voice in his mind, one familiar and yet alien: "Don't resist, you'll only die tired."
The guards of Tartarus only learned something was wrong when All for One exploded and his cell's windows were coated in blood and bile.
The alarm was instantly raised to maximum and a team of monitoring heroes and armed guards were dispatched to the scene. They quickly burst through the door calling for any residents to freeze, but the only thing they found was a puddle of blood and the remains of All for One's suit.
With the prison on lockdown aid was requested to search the prison for All for One, even if they were sure he hadn't survived. As this occurred the creature made its way down to the depths of the prison and began deep tunneling to the nearest hive cluster.
On a cold dark world a small group of overlords descend and begin landing an assortment of drones, queens, and zerglings. After a long week of scouting by overseer a sheltered valley was chosen to be the first hatchery beyond the sol system. As the hatchery begins growing and queens begin spreading creep a pair of humanoids leap out of an overlord.
"How does it feel to be the first earthling to stand on a planet outside of the solar system?" Kyoka asks as she observes the barren landscape.
"I feel like I should say something special, but without an audience it would be weird." Momo responds nervously.
"The whole swarm is watching." Kyoka says.
With a squeak of nervousness Momo stands a bit straighter and looks towards the nearest overseer, "this was one small step for a zerg and one giant leap for... sentient life."
"Very original." Kyoka says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I don't know, it doesn't feel that special." Momo says, thinking of the instantaneous journey by overlord and the lack of any real preparation.
"It will catch up to you eventually." Kyoka says before gently jabbing Momo with one of her jacks. "Let's get this hive started, I want to get that small moon settled."
"What's the rush? Everyone else is headed to Alpha Centauri?" Momo asks.
"We took a risk choosing the emptier system. But if there is life out there and it attacks earth..." Kyoka says with a worried tone.
"Alpha Centauri would be an obvious next choice while no one would even bother with a dead system like this one." Momo finishes.
"Exactly, so let's get moving." Kyoka says as she moves off the creep and begins sonically scanning the area for underground resources.
Momo also began her role in the colony's development by directing a drone to evolve into a new building she had designed. While it would look rather unimpressive fully grown, resembling a massive turtle shell, it would hopefully become the backbone of all hives. Utilizing Momo's quirk on a massive scale the armored building would convert the materials digested at the hive into more useful minerals, thereby reducing the swarms need to find resources on new planets.
This Yaororo-extractor as she called it, was intended to replace the old gas extractors and mining operations that limited the swarms' growth rate. With a psionic growth boost provided by Izuku, the hatchery finished and the hive expanded.
"Why am I even looking for resources? Your new building can create anything we need." Kyoka asks after a few hours of fruitless effort.
"You might find some new gem or metal that we don't know of." Momo answers.
"It doesn't seem worth it. Just use spore crawlers when we unlock them." Kyoka says irritably.
"That would probably be a better idea." Momo agreed reluctantly, understanding Kyoka's disinterest in such a menial task.
"You know, even if we are part of the swarm, the speed of creep spread terrifies me." Kyoka says.
"Oh my." Momo says with a jump when she realizes the creep had already covered everything in sight.
"Look from the overseer, it's already miles out." Kyoka says with a smirk.
"How? We only have two fully grown buildings and a couple dozen drones?" Momo asks in shock.
"We asked the queens to spread and without the obstructions and restrictions of earth..." Kyoka responds.
"We should stop it." Momo says, "We don't want to accidentally cover something important."
"We would notice if it spread onto anything, but I do agree, imagine if we were on a hostile planet. All this creep would make us easy to find." Kyoka says.
"Indeed." Momo says slightly embarrassed.
With the lessons and ideas of the Siege Brood's colony in mind the rest of the students began preparing for their landings as their overseers finished mapping the three stars and many planets of Alpha Centauri.
"Any success Abathur?" Izuku asks a few days after the mission to Tartarus prison.
"Look." Abathur says, pulling out a yellowish blob.
"Is that essence?" Izuku asks, recognizing the basic helixes.
"Corrupted essence, foul mutations. Unrecoverable." Abathur complains.
"So All for One has the last laugh then." Izuku says with disappointment.
"Negative. Recently taken mutations still usable." Abathur says, holding out a healthy looking strand of essence.
"Ragdoll's quirk?" Izuku asks.
"Affirmative. Will continue sorting out other essence." Abathur says as he turns to get back to work.
"Can you give her it back?" Izuku asks. "Keeping a copy of course."
"Can be done, copy already taken, low value essence. Swarm hivemind superior." Abathur confirms.
"Then please do so." Izuku instructs, and before he could add an instruction to properly schedule Abathur deep tunnels.
'At least this will be a good surprise.' Izuku thinks as he leaves to monitor the swarm's exploration and growth.
It had been a long week for the Wild, Wild Pussycats and they were enjoying a well earned soak in their hot springs. This was until, in an explosion of mud and water, Abathur arrived in the women's bath.
Mandalay and Ragdoll shrieked in fear as Pixie-Bob quickly erected a shield of earth in front of them.
"Organism Ragdoll. Evolution available." Abathur says as if nothing interesting was going on.
"Is everyone safe!" Tiger shouts from the men's side.
"We're fine, it's just Abathur!" Mandalay shouts as everyone calms down.
"What evolution is so important you had to enter the women's bath?" Pixie-Bob questions aggressively.
"Mutation extracted. Available for return." Abathur responds stoically before observing the postures of the female heroes. "Aggressive response still present. Reason unknown."
"Men can't just enter the women's bath!" Pixie-Bob shouts.
"No men in bath." Abathur responds with some confusion.
"You're in the bath." Pixie-Bob says sarcastically.
"Organism Abathur, zerg evolution master, not pathetic terran." Abathur responds irritable.
"Alien or not, you are still male." Pixie-Bob says accusingly.
"Gender? Sexual reproduction not available to swarm strains. Unnecessary, inefficient." Abathur argues.
"What do you mean sex is unnecessary!?" Pixie-Bob shouts.
"Organisms undefended while mating, long gestation period weakens female, leaves vulnerable." Abathur argues.
"I disagree, it's quite pleasurable." Pixie-Bob replies.
"Pleasure irrelevant. Argument stalled, requests additional data." Abathur says.
"You are not suggesting you watch me?" Pixie-Bob asks incredulously.
"Indeed." Abathur says.
"Can you two stop for a moment!" Ragdoll shouts, "I think I was just offered my quirk back!"
"Can return." Abathur says, somehow rebounding instantly from his argument.
"Should we ask how you got it?" Mandalay asks suspiciously, "Or how you infiltrated the most secure prison on the planet?"
"Classified." Abathur responds. "Return mutation, contain information."
"Deal!" Ragdoll shouts before the others could protest.
"But first, I will never allow you to watch me have sex." Pixie-Bob says sternly.
"Will find other subjects." Abathur says before approaching Ragdoll and revealing a thin green blob.
"Is that my quirk." Ragdoll asks as she nervously eyes the glowing essence.
"Correct. Should remain compatible to individual's terran biomass, no infestation required." Abathur says.
"What are we waiting for?" Ragdoll asks impatiently.
Taking that as an invitation Abathur stretches to his full size, towering over the three heroes before leaning menacingly over Ragdoll and pushing the essence into her chest.
After a few moments of silence Ragdoll bursts into tears as information about the states of her teammates flood into her mind once more.
"It's back, it's really back." Ragdoll sobs, "I feel like I did before I began training it, but it is back."
The other female members of the Wild, Wild Pussycats engulf Ragdoll in a breathtaking hug and it would be several hours before any of the hero team's members and even Kota calmed down enough to sleep.
Abathur had, of course, left as soon as he was sure the transfer was safe and complete. He had better things to do than observe terran emotions.
"Well Tokoyami, you look exactly the same." Toru comments as the first of the new recruits exit the evolution pit a few days before the provisional hero license exam.
"Perfection is impossible to improve." Tokoyami says darkly.
"Do you even have any zerg improvements?" Momo asks.
"The ground itself is no longer an obstacle." Tokoyami says with a flourish.
"Burrow move is nice." Mina says awkwardly. "What about Dark Shadow? Do we all get one now?"
"I'm my own being apparently." Dark Shadow says as his head appears. "Can't be copied."
"Probably for the best." Momo says.
"Still disappointing." Mina whines.
"I'm sure there will be better mutations later." Kirishima says.
"Can he join my brood?" Todoroki asks. "I need an intimidation specialist and a name."
"We're in! Let's call it Shadow Brood!" Dark Shadow yells before Toyokami could protest.
"Ok." Todoroki agrees.
"Next!" Izuku shouts, trying to get this done soon, so training could begin.
Out of the evolution pit steps a girl covered in heavy carapace, only her orange hair provided any indication of the new members identity.
"Really going for the front line Brawler style aren't you Itsuka?" Momo taunts.
"I don't want to fill up in annoying abilities I need to learn, I would rather just keep on doing what I do." Itsuka answers.
"A good choice, don't focus too much on new abilities." Izuku says calmly.
"You're a perfect fit for our brood." Kirishima says, hoping for another brawler.
"I'm already joining Momo." Itsuka says, "She knows I have a brain behind all this armor."
"Indeed, Kyoka and I welcome you." Momo says.
"How does this work anyway?" Tsu asks.
"New members will be joining as leaders of sub-broods. They are restricted to unit choices made by their brood leaders and generic units. Other than that they are independent." Izuku explains.
"Do we have to train them?" Mina asks.
"Yes, and if you don't do a good job they will take your place." Momo answers firmly.
"That's fair." Itsuka says.
"Do you have any other abilities?" Kyoka asks as Itsuka joins her and Momo.
"Just extra strength, a reincarnation ability to quickly heal from major injuries and a power stockpile." Itsuka says happily. "Nothing that requires any real focus."
"Sounds nearly unstoppable though." Kyoka says.
"You're like a human sized torrasque." Momo comments.
"Kind of terrifying." Tsu says.
"Sometimes a hero just needs brute force." Itsuka says calmly.
"Next!" Izuku calls sensing an end to productive comments.
What came out of the evolution pit could only be described as someone who followed the school of superior firepower. Spine launchers of all types were attached to a light carapace, a pair of lethal spines on each arm, another four on the sides of her torso, and a pair of nonlethal spines on her head, one above each ear.
"Can we ask why you went for so many launchers?" Momo asks.
"More dakka is better dakka." Yui says emotionlessly.
"Can't argue with that!" Kirishima shouts.
"Join our brood!" Mina adds.
"Ok." Yui says.
"Can we at least learn more about her abilities?" Kyoka asks.
In response, Yui points one of her arms to a distant wall and fires a spine. As it leaves the launcher it grows to the size of a small car. The massive projectile slams into the wall with enough force to cause a crack all the way to the distant ceiling.
"That seems fair." Momo says nervously.
"Manly! We needed that kind of ranged power!" Kirishima cheers.
Yui merely walks over to her selected brood and calmly waits for the next new member.
After Izuku's call a girl skipped out of the evolution pit, she had what looked like a dress made of the soft infestor carapace and an actual mushroom growing out of her head.
"Your zerg idol is here!" Kinoko cheers as brightly colored spores float behind her providing a sort of aura.
After a short pause of shock Itsuka and Yui clap loudly, inspiring a short cheer from the group.
"It's very red." Momo comments as she studies the fly agaric color pattern on Kinoko's body and actual fly agaric on her head.
"It's so cute!" Mina finally squeals before rushing forward and hugging the surprised girl.
"I'm assuming mushroom abilities?" Kyoka asks.
"A bit, she already could create any zerg fungal ability, it's just more efficient now." Izuku explains as Kinoko was unable to answer while being squeezed and shaken by Mina.
"So she's the first real support then?" Momo asks.
"She looks like it, can we have her?" Tsu asks.
"Should I?" Kinoko asks as she is finally released from Mina's excitement.
"It would be a good choice, the Elite Forces brood could use you." Izuku says.
"Alright then! I'll show them who's the cutest and the most useful!" Kinoko cheers and moves to join Tsu and Toru.
"Next!" Izuku calls.
Before anyone could even turn their heads a man made completely out of metal leaps out of the evolution pit and begins flexing.
"Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, no real changes other than increased metal capacity for his quirk." Izuku says stoically.
"At least try to be interested!" Tetsutetsu shouts.
"Just join Eijiro and become part of the Blitz brood." Izuku says.
"We could use another manly man!" Kirishima shouts.
"Alright!" Tetsutetsu shouts before rushing forward and competing with Kirishima on who could flex in a more manly way.
"Next!" Izuku shouts, ignoring the two meatheads.
Out of the evolution pit floats a nearly transparent girl with small boney wings and long sharp claws. At times small amounts of purple lightning could be seen flowing through her veins.
"A ghost!" Mina shouts before hiding behind Kirishima.
"It's just Reiko." Itsuka says calmly.
"Oh." Mina says.
"How did you pull that off?" Momo asks as she studies Reiko's visible bones.
"Instead of using the zerg's efficient muscles to make her stronger, Reiko used it to reduce the amount needed. Combine that with a change in skin opacity and bone density and there you go, living ghost." Izuku explains, showing clear favoritism over Tetsutetsu.
"This one found great success adapting to the psionic abilities available to the greater swarm and has added a great repertoire of said abilities to her statistics. Fear my mastery of nature and telekinesis." Reiko says stoically.
"What did she say?" Mina asks.
"She's talented with psionic abilities and has a lot of them." Kyoka translates.
"Cool!" Mina says.
"Izuku said you are good at scaring people. I could use you." Todoroki says.
"I believe this is an excellent opportunity to enhance our tactical and strategic skills." Reiko agrees.
"Wonderful, before our final addition we have a few new quirks to announce as well." Izuku says. "Our friend Pony has gifted us Horn Cannon and our friend Setsuna has provided Lizard Tail Splitter."
"Horn Cannon is going on my Hunter Killers as soon as it's available." Tsu says.
"Sniping from tens of miles away? Isn't that a bit much?" Momo asks.
"You never know when it's useful." Tsu says.
"Why do I have to do this again?" Ochako asks as she walks out of the evolution pit.
"You got some significant upgrades and I want everyone to know about it." Izuku says.
"Wait, wasn't she already the strongest of us?" Kyoka asks.
"I'm the overqueen, I need to be the strongest." Ochako argues.
"Well fine, tell us what you've gotten." Kyoka says with resignation.
"I can now use my strongest combined attack without damaging myself." Ochako explains as she grows dense muscles around her arms.
'Isn't that Muscular's quirk?' Momo asks Izuku through the hivemind.
'It is.' Izuku responds.
"I can also create a blinding cloud to block enemies vision so I can get in close." Ochako says.
"Is that why you're even curvier than before?" Mina asks.
"Yes..." Ochako answers before quickly hiding behind Izuku.
"We needed internal space to grow the microbial soup required for the ability. It was either spread it out naturally like this or give her a big pouch on her back." Izuku explains.
"What about massive funbags?" Mina asks.
"She could do that, but it would be an obvious weak spot." Izuku answers without as much as a flinch.
"Aww." Mina pouts, still looking for a way to justify such things.
"Is that all?" Momo asks.
"Not quite, we have one more new member." Izuku says, "Next!"
A stoic woman glides out of the evolution pit on a floor of ice, white hair flowing behind her, there were no visible zerg mutations but the icy glow from her eyes hinted at a strong psionic presence.
"Mom?" Todoroki asks, frozen in shock.
"Yes Shoto, I am here." Rei says gently before approaching Shoto.
"It's great to see you out of that hospital." Shoto says.
"It's great to see you so happy." Rei says.
"Rei will become mom's secretary, in time she will help deal with the many administrative duties Mom currently performs." Izuku explains quietly as the two Todorokis have a moment.
AN: Two characters get a new lease on life in one chapter, how eye gougingly appalling. I know corrupting all of All for One's quirks is a bit of a cop out, but from the series it's clear normal people can't handle multiple quirks well, so something has to be going on inside of All for One, hence the twisted and dying nature of the quirks. This doesn't mean more won't be extracted later, it just means it's not an instant power spike. If you're asking why Izuku would do this, well the swarm's memories show why you really should make sure your enemies are dead when you have a chance. Mensk is a great example of this. Should have killed him during the brood war.
Also since I'm running out of things to write about after the AN I think I might start doing an entry for the different broods of Izuku's swarm, might be smoother than adding that to the main plot.
Also I made a poll a few months ago on my profile to ask how many people came to this story from each fandom, it's about what I expected, 4/5ths of you come from the My Hero Academia side. For those of you from the Starcraft side, I'm surprised that you made it this far, I really haven't bothered explaining the plot or characters that well, spending an hour to watch the first three episodes should cover all you need to know though... It has also been useful in telling me how many of you visit my profile and bother to vote (33).
P.S. I've got a long way to go as a writer... getting the dialogue to feel even remotely realistic is proving a challenge. Maybe I should stop comparing myself to others though, some people on this site have been writing for decades. Anyway, what I mean is I won't be going back and rewriting this for now. Maybe a year after I finish, or if I ever get my sister to watch My Hero Academia and then help me, she has an actual degree in this...
While there are many terrifying strains of zerg, none leave such a pervasive fear like the mutalisk. Not the most intelligent species, mutalisks tend to flock around their spires when undisturbed, drifting lazily through the air. But when they notice an enemy their ferocity and single minded aggression leaves all but the most prepared fighters torn to shreds and routed. Suicidally aggressive, mutalisks rarely last long on the battlefield, their only real counter to this is numbers as their swarms simply overwhelm any opponent to the point that casualties are no longer a consideration. Outside of their aggression, mutalisks are also known for their many subspecies, able to morph into both guardians and devours, or brood lords depending on strain. Some rare mutalisk strains can even evolve into vipers. Because of their insane aggression and lack of independent intelligence Izuku has largely ignored mutalisks while building his broods, but with the start of an interstellar expansion program, mutalisks and the many fliers of the swarm are getting a second look.