Ch: 5 Lights, cameras, action oh my!

(Shinso's pov - Commission HQ)

The vending machine whirred softly as it processed my juice request all the while my mind drifted to the day's events of my can of juice hitting the bottom of the vending machine, I bent to pick it up. the fight with Muscular and the other villains still fresh in the minds of the Commission who were working tirelessly on the announcement of the capture of two most wanted villians. Bakugo even congratulated me in his own demeaning way, but all I could think about was how the agents berated and demanded Midoriya leave the scene once hearing that he was quirkless, how for just a moment I felt twelve again as the whole class told me to leave because they wanted nothing to do with a future villain like me, how I used to pray and wish for all might to come in and stop the punches and kicks from my bullies. How when I finally gathered the courage to step in Midoriya just looked at me and smiled, telling me that he was going to look into a hunch he had and for me to meet with Creati and Froppy, that we'll meet up later.

The concentration shattering clank of my juice hitting the bottom of the machine brought me back from my mental wandering. I bent down grabbing the can opening it as I made my way intoI sighed as I opened it, contemplating the events that took place in the past few minutes. Honestly, I was unsure whether I was more upset over how Midoriya was dismissed by Commision agents at our arrival or by the lack of surprise on his end after basically being told to piss off. the Commission lounge. Sterile white lights filled the area as overhead TV was playing one of the local news channels, and various heroes sat and mingled while on break or simply waiting for their next mission. Looking around, I noticed Tsuyu waving me over with her oversized hand, inviting me to sit with her and Yaoyorozu, both of whom were still in their hero costumes. I made my way over and took my seat across from Tsuyu, adjacent to Yaoyorozu. Each one of us had a drink in hand and in better circumstances this might have been a nice get-together. A beat passed and the silence was broken as Tsuyu looked over at me., "Heard about the fight, Shinso. You really should be more careful. Who knows what might have happened to you and Midoriya, kero." Always blunt and straight to the point. I rubbed the back of my neck, a sheepish expression making its way to my face. She broke eye contact with me in favor of opening her jello cup and gulped down a small spoonful of the treat.

Yaoyorozu nodded while sipping on what I guessed was one of those fancy, rich-people teas, considering it was in what looked like a very expensive piece of china. "Although, I do have to congratulate you and Midoriya on your successful apprehension of those villains. I heard it made Endeavor very happy." Another beat passed. Her smile faded a bit and she scanned the room, as if looking for someone. "Where is the detective? I thought we were supposed to compare our results."

I rubbed the back of my neck before taking another sip. "He went to go look into a lead, said it shouldn't take him all that long." Liar.

"Kero, I hope he has better luck than we did."

Yaoyorozu nodded as she drank a bit more of her tea. I looked down as well, my mind wandering once more. How many times did people hear 'quirkless' and just dismiss him I wondered? How many times did he get beat like I did, how many people told him to die or go away. I remembered how upset he got when I kept pushing him to tell me his quirk, the sheer frustration and sadness in his voice shook me a bit now. I should apologize, although getting my car window busted and radio stolen might make us square. I heard myself chuckle at the memory prompting the two across from me to give me curious looks as I shook my head. "Sorry just remembered something funny. So how did your interviews go anyway? Find something interesting?"

Tsuyu shrugged, prodding her jello with her spoon before scooping some up. "Nothing we didn't already know. The bugs came from League, kero, members or initiates. If nothing else, whatever is going on is at least coordinated."

Yaoyorozu nodded, raising her teacup to her mouth once more. "The earliest we found out about it was about a month ago, the latest being last week, each one a different villain doing a different crime. Probably to try and keep us from detecting a pattern."

I nodded while sipping my juice. "Makes sense.tAbsent nods in agreement. "Still doesn't tell us why they took Hatsume or where."

"Kero,well Midoriya did say he thinks it's because they needed her for a plan, we just need to figure it out,Kero."

It's nnoas simple as that. Without Shigaraki, the League has been almost impossible to predict." I agreed. As much of a monster Shigara,i is, or at least, was, he was predictable and childish, but kept the League in line for the most part. However, by now it was more like a horde of dogs each chasing the same bone but too feral to work together in a group. I raised my can to take another sip before Turing towards the tv I caught something outtathe corner of my eye,the announcement on the news regarding the government inquiry into the Commission in regards to the active suppression of knowledge pertaining to Mineta's various crimes and Chiako's unlawful imprisonment in Tartarus without trial was playing. Focus wavering, my mind began to drift.

Did Midoriya know this would happen when he took the photos and released them? All the protests and trials and hearings? The placating false apologies of the Commission towards the victims and the half hearted promises to never let it happen again? He probably did, took it into consideration. I hope so. I wonder if he's worried about a reprisal from the Commission, though according to the rumors, it wouldn't be the first. I heard a gasp from Yaoyorozu and my eyes refocused on the screen. The Commission hearing was now full of villains and in the center of the room, in his bright orange coat and black top hat, his ever present mask on stood arms stretched out as he bowed and spoke.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I have the deepest honor of being your host for today's performance! To those at home; don't touch that dial, you wouldn't want to miss tonight's scandalous finale!" As he spoke, one of the villains brought a large spherical object and placed it behind him. At the press of a button bright lights activated and 'Armed' was plain for all to see. "It'll be quite explosive!"

The heroes around me rushed to put on costumes or grab gear, but my mind was reeling. The entirety of the Commission's leadership was in one spot, this was a worst case scenario. In one shot the League could get rid of most of Japan's and Commission's leadership with the push of a single button. The emergency alarm rang out assembling all available hero's to their response teams. All thoughts of Mei left my mind, as the three of us scrambled to the exit. Until I felt a vibration on my leg. Pulling out my phone, I saw that it was Midoriya calling me. I quickly answered and asked, "Are you seeing the news?"

"Yup, are you still at the Commission HQ?"

"I'm heading out with Creati and Froppy, we'll be joining the response team."

"Might I suggest a different location?"

"Midoriya, the villains have taken some of the most powerful people in Japan hostage. I don't have time for this." As I was about to hang up I heard him yell out from the phone.

"Shinso, wait! When a magician is trying to keep your focus on his right do you know what that means?"

"Midoriya, I really don't care right now."

"It means there's something in his left he doesn't want you to see! Shinso, if I'm right then we'll be able to stop the actual plan the villains have, but I can't do it alone. Do you trust me?"

I blinked. That was an odd question all things considered. I mean, I had instinctively joined him in a fight against Muscular not too long ago. And I also trust that he has good intentions. clenched d my fist and took a deep breath before pressing the phone back to my ear and answering. "If I lose my registration you owe me."

I could hear the relief in his voice. "And if I'm right, then you, Creati, and Froppy would have saved the entire Commission. Meet me at the Commission archive center as soon as you can, bring who you can as well." And with that, he hung up.

I looked up at Tsuyu and Yaoyorozu, who were staring at me in confusion until Yaoyorozu spoke. "Midoriya spoke to you, then?"

I nodded. "He thinks something big is about to happen at the archives, you're both welcome to join me. He even said he'd prefer it if you're both there."

They looked at each other debating for a moment."Kero, are you sure about this, Shinso?"

I nodded. "He's yet to steer me wrong in any case."

"Then let's waste no time, it sounded urgent." And with that, we took off in a blind sprint towards the archives, desperately hoping that Midoriya could once more prepare a flawless case.

Notes:

I'd like to thank Deeya, Dylpickle and Anonymous for beta reading couldn't have done it without you!