Light/Hikari Residence - Lan Hikari
The mood in the house was… dark.
Lan may only be 13, but he could tell that much. Cousin Rock was gone, and everyone seemed down about that.
That's normal, you know!
"I know, but that doesn't mean that everyone should just be sitting in their own misery. There's still a chance that he'll come back."
If he comes back, from what Wily was saying, it sounds like he'd be here to shoot someone.
"He just said 'Don't call this number again,' Hub. That doesn't mean that Rock's a villain."
"Lan?" Roll pops her head through the doorframe. "Is someone else here?"
"Huh? No, it's just me!"
Oh, right. Roll and Blues were home.
Hate to say it, but I'll be staying quiet until they leave.
Yeah, that'd be for the best.
LAN HIKARI!
QUIRK: NAVI! HIS TWIN BROTHER'S CONSCIOUSNESS MANIFESTS ITSELF AS A PROJECTION, ALLOWING HIM TO ENTER A VIRTUAL WORLD!
Remember to do your homework, alright?
"You had to say that, didn't you?"
Well, you would've forgotten if I didn't.
"..."
Well, there's that.
Astil's Aromatics - Parker
"Você pode ser capaz de tomar Agulheiros para mim, minha querida?"
"Ok!"
Since school was off for the day, Parker was resigned to helping out his mother in the flower shop. He grabs a packet of Pincushion seeds, and passes them over to his mother before getting back to what he was doing - watching the door to see if anyone came in that day.
As usual, no one's showing up. He takes his eyes off the door to rearrange the display under the counter.
The moment he does so, the bell rings. Looks like someone's here.
"Parker?"
Parker jolts back up into a standing position (accidentally crashing his head on the top of the display case along the way), to find Iida, Ochaco, and Izuku. Odd, he didn't think he had told them where he worked.
Still, they're here, so they're probably looking for flowers. At least he doesn't need to put on his customer service voice this time. "Welcome to Astil's Aromatics, how can I help you today?"
"Oh, it is you!" Ochaco remarks. Izuku was wandering around the shop, not really saying anything. Parker can't help but wonder what that's about.
"We were looking for some flowers for Rock's family." Iida explains. "Is there a specific type for this sort of situation?"
Parker thinks for a moment. "There's… Not really one that covers 'missing kid,' but Gladioli mean strength and courage, so I guess that could work for what happened."
Iida nods, and Parker looks over to his mother, grabbing the flowers from the display shelf. "Uma dúzia de gladíolos! And that will be… 5239 yen."
Iida nods, taking a few bills out of his wallet. Parker takes them, handing the bouquet over. "Here you are. Will that be all?"
"That should be enough, yes." Iida nods to Parker as Ochaco takes the flowers. "When might you be getting off today?"
"Eh, whenever I can, really. I really just help out, I'm not actually employed here. Why, something happening later?"
"Not really." Ochaco shrugs, taking a closer look at the flowers. "Just thought you may want to hang out."
"Sounds good with me. Give me a second."
Parker turns back to his mother, though before he manages to even ask, she nods his way. Hey, she's learning what they're saying, that's good!
"Alright, let's get going. Where to?"
Utapau Construction - Albert Wily
"This is the spot."
Wily and Quint had decided to take a day to practice with Sakugarne. After all, it's not like the kid's used one of these things, and it would be bad for the mission if he were to knock himself out with this thing. It's no ordinary pogo stick, after all, and Rock hadn't even used one of those.
More importantly, he read the data on what happened to the hypnotized agent Colonel. He knows what a knock to the head could do to someone. It happened to himself, too. If Rock is going to come back, it'd be best if it was with someone who wouldn't act hostile as soon as he appeared.
"Let's not use the drill function just yet. For now, just practice staying on Sakugarne. Short hops first."
"You've given me a toy to take on hero society?" Quint rolls his eyes. "You've gotta be kidding."
"Don't discount my genius, Quint. Now get on the toy."
The green-clad boy sighs, getting his footing on Sakugarne. He makes one hop. Then another. Perfect, he's a natural at this.
"Alright, now a larger one. Pull the triggers on the handles, and it'll push you higher."
Quint takes a moment to test this out, but this moment proved to be just what he needed to lose his footing. He falls to the ground, Sakugarne falling next to him. Wily can't help but chuckle ever so slightly. "Not the easiest toy to get the hang of, now is it?" He offers a hand up, which Quint gladly takes, a hand over his eye. "Ugh, that hurt more than I thought it would…"
He suddenly screams, dropping to one knee. Wily instinctively rushes to the kid's side, resting a hand on his shoulder. Quint looks up, a confused look in his eyes. "Uncle… Wily?"
Wily stares into the boy's eyes, as his fears were confirmed. Regal's Quirk wasn't strong enough… If this alone was able to bring back the real Rock, it could mean disaster for the others in Nebula.
Of course, it would also mean Rock could be rescued…
Wily rubs the boy's shoulder, hoping to keep him calm. "I'm sorry about this, Rock…"
"Sorry for what? Where are we? And what's with this outfit?" Rock looks at his armor, the brilliant emerald color reflecting the sunlight. Before Wily could answer, however, Rock grunts in pain, holding his head in his hand. He lifts his head, though the warmth of Rock's eyes are gone. Quint squints at Wily. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
"... I had a feeling, but I needed to test it out first. Sakugarne is yours to keep, just make sure you get the hang of it. You've got a mission with Blizzard tomorrow. There's a bank in ACDC town, and we need funds. I think you know what I'm getting at."
Quint nods without a word, which chills Wily even more than Blizzard could ever hope to.
Bakugo Residence - Bakugo Katsuki
There was little Bakugo could do about what happened at USJ. He knows this.
So why doesn't his brain acknowledge this fact? What is causing this gnawing guilt? There's no reason for that.
Ugh, damn it! Doesn't matter if he couldn't do anything, he should've! What kind of hero just lets a kid get snatched up by a bunch of extras?
A series of small explosions manifest in his hands. Damn it, his glass is broken. It's not the first time this has happened, but he still needs to keep his cool.
… Actually, no. He doesn't. He's furious at this. They think they can just take one of U.A's students? One of his classmates? Not on his watch.
He storms out of his room. Good, his mother's away, he doesn't want to deal with her attitude. He closes the front door behind him. Park shouldn't be too far from here, he can let off some steam there.
"Kid."
He doesn't bother listening to whoever just spoke. Knowing this place, it wouldn't be directed at him.
"Over here, I want to talk for a bit."
Still, he doesn't respond, though he's less sure if he's actually talking to someone else, he should've found who he was looking for otherwise.
"Bakugo Katsuki!"
"Damn it, what do you want?"
He turns around, though he's confused as to what this guy is doing here. Isn't that one of the second years?
"Going somewhere?" The second year adjusts his sunglasses. He's trying way too hard to look cool.
"What's it to you? The hell are you, anyway?"
"Name's Blues, Blues Light. I've seen you around U.A. You're not half bad, but you definitely could use some work."
"What's that supposed to mean? No one asked you, Extra."
Blues smirks. "And that attitude, to boot. You really are a piece of work."
Bakugo simply growls. This guy had a problem, that was for sure.
"And yet, you weren't able to use all that raw talent and aggression to do anything at the USJ attack. Must feel terrible, right?"
Bakugo freezes in place, simply glaring at this man. "Shut. Up."
"I don't plan to. In fact, I came here to talk a bit more, but it looks like I won't have time. Meet me at Musutafu Police Station tonight. I've got an arrangement I think you'll like."
And with that, Blues turns his back on the blond, and try as he might, Bakugo can't get his attention.
That settles it, he was trying too hard to be cool.
Musutafu Police Station - Izuku Midoriya
Blues waits in the alley behind the police station. Chaud should have been here right now, right? It isn't like him to be late.
Or maybe it is. It isn't like he's known him long.
A large man in a coat approaches him. That definitely isn't Chaud, and it's not the Katsuki kid. So just who could he be…
"Proto Man, right?" The man unsheathes a blade. Strange, he doesn't look familiar. Well, there's no use letting his normal air dissipate.
"... Who's asking?"
The man retracts the blade, smirking. "I was expecting someone bigger. I'm your new business partner. Call me Colonel."
"You're Colonel? Can't say I was expecting that." So Chaud was later than both of his recruits. Great. Still, he can at least get some information. "Did you manage to find your recruit?"
"That I did. He'll be here. You?"
He takes a breath, sighing in frustration. "Not sure. The kid's a powder keg, not sure if he was paying attention."
"The hell did you say?" A voice calls from the edge of the alleyway. Blues turns his head, and before them stood three people. He recognized two of them - Chaud and Katsuki - but the third was a mystery to him. Must have been Colonel's recruit.
"Well someone's angry." Chaud smirks. "Come inside, we can talk in the Station."
Musutafu Police Station - Chaud
The air was tense. It seems that Blues' recruit was less than fond of Colonel's. Chaud is the first to cut the tension.
"You two are no doubt curious as to what you're here for." He sets his mug of coffee on the table. "I highly doubt that Blues told you anything, that's for sure."
Katsuki scoffs at the comment, though he says nothing. Izuku, meanwhile, tilts his head. Seems Colonel told him something.
"You two have been chosen for one purpose. You two remember the attack on the USJ, no doubt. The group behind this attack calls themselves Nebula. The four of you are our first response toward them. They've been kidnapping civilians, your classmate among them. It's imperative that they're taken out. But we can't have people who are too recognizable on their tail. They'd already have weaknesses in mind. But two students? That, we can work with."
Izuku tilts his head downward upon hearing this. Seems he's thinking hard, but on what?
"Midoriya? Is there something you'd like to ask?"
The green haired boy hesitates for a moment, before beginning. "How are we supposed to work like this?"
"We don't have our hero licenses yet," the other interrupts. "or even provisional licenses. Cops would be all over us the moment we showed our faces."
Chaud smirks. Bright kids, it seems. "I'm a detective, I am the Police. You'll be working under the police rather than as heroes. The only people you answer to are myself, and officer Naomasa." He pulls four badges from his coat pocket, passing them to each of the four. "If an officer questions you, then show them this. Now, are you in?"
He looked around to the four. Each of them looked unsure, thinking of the battle that would surely ensue. Chaud was sure of Blues and Baryl. But the other two? Not as much.
Izuku stood up first. "Alright. We're in."
Chaud couldn't help but chuckle. "Answering for your friend, too?"
The other boy rolled his eyes, standing up as well. "We aren't friends. But I'm in."
Chaud claps his hands. "Perfect! You'll be working with the one who recruited you. We're small, but we still need to split up. Colonel, Katsuki, you two will be heading back to the USJ. That villain that worked with them opened up a gate, I want to know if we can't reopen that gate. Proto Man, Izuku, you two will be on-"
He's interrupted, rather rudely, by a ringing. He looks to Blues. "Mind taking care of that?"
Blues nods, taking out his phone, only to squint. Before Chaud can ask, though, he answers the call. "... What is it."
"..."
Click.
"... ACDC Town. They're after the bank."
"Who was that?"
"... That was Albert Wily."
Kamino Bar - Regal
Three men stood in front of Regal. None of them said anything.
This won't do.
"Have a seat. Kurogiri, get these men a drink, will you?"
Kurogiri nods silently, pouring four shots of brandy. Perfect. This evening is off to a great start.
"As you know, I am Dr. Regal, leader of Nebula. You no doubt saw our attack on USJ on the news."
"That I did," the first man replies. "You've certainly got some power behind you. That machine of yours certainly did some damage. However, that doesn't answer the question I asked when you called in the first place. What do you need my skills for?"
"He doesn't, shorty." The second man scoffs. "You're too tiny to be of any use!"
The first man glares at the second. "Truly, you have a narrow view of strength."
"Is that a challenge, half-pint?"
"If the shoe fits."
At this time, the third man steps in between the two, picking both of them up to keep them separated. "If anyone's challenging anyone, it's me!"
If it weren't for the fact that none of them had touched their drinks, Regal would've scratched giving the drinks to future recruits.
"People, please. The three of you are all required for the task I'm giving you. Ballade, please drop your teammates."
The third man drops the two quarrelers. The first man squints ever so slightly. "Teammates?"
"That's correct, Enker. The three of you are to work as a team if we're to accomplish the task at hand."
"Waaaaait wait wait!" The second man stares incredulously at Enker. "You're Enker?! As in, the assassin?"
"That's right. More importantly, Doctor, I work alone. Teammates throw me off focus."
Regal smirks. "I've heard that from several in Nebula's ranks. Don't worry, you won't be with them at all time. Think of them as extra muscle. You've had assistance on some of your hits before, haven't you? Clearing the perimeter and such?"
"... I suppose that's true."
"Exactly. The three of you will be performing reconnaissance. We'll start small to make sure that you work well together. Your first target will be Hosu City. You will assist Shade in a targeted strike against the city in several key locations. We have a special weapon prepared for them."
"I see. When will this attack take place?"
"In three weeks, parallel to the U.A Sports Festival."
"No can do." The second man shakes his head. "I've got a contract I'm supposed to take care of then."
"This is too big to worry about small time clients, Spikeball." The third man laughs. "What's so important about your contract, anyway?"
"The name is Punk, first off. And secondly, this is no minor job. Got a canary in the making, client wants me to take him out before he spills anything. It'll be in Mantell."
Dr. Regal takes a sip of his drink. "I see. I'll have a discussion with your client, then. See if we can't work out a deal."
Punk shakes his head, sighing ever so slightly. "Believe me, this guy's notoriously difficult to work with. Small time yakuza, thinks he's some big shot."
"Yakuza?" Now this has gotten interesting. "So he believes himself to be just as important as the old days, I guess. What's this man's name?"
"Goes by Overhaul. Don't know why, all I know is that's what he's callin' himself. Either way, I wanna get in good with this guy, so I can't be in both Hosu and Mantell at the same time."
Regal nods, understanding the man's logic. Still, this would be quite the disappointment, one of the better hired men being unavailable for the main attack. Perhaps…
"I think we can let you get both jobs done at the same time, actually. Trio?"
A man in the corner pushes himself off the wall, standing straight. "Yes?"
"I'll need you to… redirect this songbird's migration, if you could."
"You got it."