Season Four, Episode XXXV

Storm Break

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

A few minutes earlier...

"Here, take this extra blanket for your son," I offered, handing out the folded cloth, "Try to keep him dry, so he doesn't get sick." Flashing a friendly smile.

"Thank you." The young housewife nodded her head, walking off to rejoin her family.

"You're a natural at this," Kento noted, chuckling lightly as he continued handing out coats. "You ever done emergency work or crisis training before?"

"Uh-" Think fast, "There was a class on it while I was in school, had a hero come in to teach us how to respond in an emergency if there were no heroes around." Smooth like butter.

"Wow, that's amazing." He blinked in surprise, "I wish my school had been that helpful..."

I was glad he didn't read too much into it, but I had a hard time focusing. Worried about what might be going on outside, as lightning roared in the distance, and the doors rattled and trembled against the tempest battering them. Metal creaking as it was pushed and pulled, reminding me there was a crisis going on outside, and people might need help.

"You seem pretty well trained as well," I noted, trying not to think about it. "Do you run drills here on the island?"

"Yeah, at least twice per stormy season." Kento nodded, "We're so far from the mainland, it would take three to four hours for help to get here in an emergency even if we did get a call out." He explained, "So it's important that we know how to take care of ourselves."

I opened my mouth to respond, before a great metal snap rang out through the shelter. Followed by a cry of shock, "Watch out! The door!"

My eyes darted towards the great steel doors, watching as their rattling was more erratic and violent. Those who had been keeping watch fleeing, as more water and wind forced its way in through the cracks around them. "What's happening?" I asked fearfully, as the crowd of residents gathered here started huddling further back clutching their coats and blankets.

"Dammit, sounds like one of the doors is coming loose!" Kento looked around worriedly, likely searching for his kids. "I told them those hinges needed to be replaced!"

Depending on how bad the storm is, those winds could seriously hurt someone if the doors came open. Maybe even pull people out, "We need to get back!" I shouted, "Find some rope, get everyone anchored before the door-"

Interrupted by creaking steel, one of the final hinges still holding the left door in place finally giving out. The metal sheet was nearly torn away completely, allowing billowing winds and frigid rain to pour through the gap. Some people were knocked over, supplies blown around, the crackle of lightning and roar of thunder booming much louder. People were crying out in fear, children clinging to their parents all around me. I even noticed a few of my classmates cowering with their families.

I grit my teeth, "Kento! Get back with the others, find your kids and keep them safe!" I ordered, before I started to push my way through the crowd. "Everyone get back! Out of my way!"

"Kaiji!" He called out after me, "What are you doing!? Get back here! You'll get yourself pulled out by the storm!"

No, I won't. "KAIJI!" I didn't stop, even as I heard Mom's voice calling out over the crowd, "STOP!"

I could worry about covering for this later, for now I needed to do everything I could to protect these people.

The winds began to push and pull at my body the closer I came to the entrance, between the howling storm and the crowd behind me screaming for me to get back I could barely even think. The freezing rain stung my scales, it felt so cold even through my shirt. I fought through it, one step at a time, reaching the only door still holding in place.

I grabbed on to the handle tight, the metal holding firm. Good, I needed an anchor. I could see the other door just barely hanging on, the wind had ripped it open but if I could just get it back in place we might be able to weather this storm. I tried reaching out further into the torrent, wind and rain battering my body as I struggled against the elements. I was so close, I just needed a solid grip and I could-

"GAH!" I hissed in pain, a wayward cable caught up in the tempest lashed me across the face. I could feel my scales split from my right brow down to my lower jaw. Blood started running down my face and blinded my right eye as I stumbled back.

"Kaiji!" I looked back once, spotting my mother. She looked scared too, but she must have known that I couldn't just stand idle. And wordlessly, she told me it was okay. Giving a single, firm nod to do whatever I had to.

I clenched my fists tightly, "Everyone stay BACK!" I ordered, my muscles tensing up as I started to grow. My new shirt tearing open as I grew larger in size, until I reached full height in my croc form. Ignoring the pain in my face, I weathered the tempest with ease, reaching out and grabbing the shelter door with one hand. I pulled back, fighting through the wind and dragging the steel sheet back into place.

Though the winds continued trying to pull it from my grasp, I held firm. Using my immense strength to keep the doors in place. "Kaiji..." I turned my head halfway towards my Mother, who had made it to my side. "That was reckless, you're bleeding, are you okay?"

"My eye is fine," I grumbled out, "Just the area around it got cut..." Before I noted the rather worried expressions of those in the back, the crowd staring at me fearfully. An understandable reaction, I guess. They were still scared of the storm, and now had to look at my ugly mug. "Everything is going to be okay!" I called out to them, giving a firm nod of confirmation. "I won't budge, I'll outlast this storm and keep everyone here safe!"

Mom released a heavy sigh, "You just can't help yourself can you?" Smiling faintly as she patted me on the arm, "Hey! One of you bring me some cloth!" She barked at those just standing around, "Can't you see he's bleeding?!" Dropping her nice friendly attitude she'd been using since we got here.

"R-Right! Sorry," The shelter chief managed to find some gauze, and was hurrying over. He looked scared, but I didn't take it personally. "H-Here you go..."

"Thank you." I nodded, as Mom took the puffy cotton substance from him, and leaned up to start pressing it against the bleeding wound on my face.

"You just had to jump in didn't you?" She sighed, dabbing away the blood, helping put pressure on to reduce the flow while it slowly clotted and my regeneration got to work. "You know this is probably gonna scar right? Did you really need more scars?"

I released a low chuckle, "Well, at least this one will probably look really cool..."

. . .

Later that evening...

The storm let up shortly after, so shortly after in fact that I probably didn't need to pull that stunt. Something my mom was happy to reinforce as she bopped me on the head.

But when I learned about the cause of this mess, some psychotic villain hopped up on Quirk Enhancers, I felt terrible. The school had been attacked, a few students suffered injures from falling debris, and Garro was currently in intensive care. The villain himself was properly restrained, and with those injuries to his arms he wouldn't be using his Quirk any time soon, the coast guard would be arriving some time in the night to recover him and start providing relief aid.

The Island had been ravaged by the storm, homes damaged and businesses flooded. It would take some time to recover, and I wanted to help however I could.

Because I couldn't shake the feeling, that if I'd been there... Maybe things would have gone differently.

The Shelters remained open, for people to rest and recover while we waited for the coast guard to arrive and start helping. But many of them had likely suffered damage to their homes as well, it would be some time before they could actually return home most likely. I was currently waiting around with a bandage wrapped around my face, covering my right eye and trying to help with the healing process. There were doctors here that had minor healing Quirks, but I told them to save their strength for others.

Nobody came asking about my power, which was nice. A few did stop by to thank me, mainly from the school. But most parents were still keeping their kids at a distance. I couldn't fault them for it, if I'd never seen anything like... Well, me, before now I'd probably react the same way.

This whole event had been pretty exhausting, not physically but...

For now, I would just kick back and relax for a while. "Hey, mom."

"Need something, Kaiji?"

"Wake me if anyone needs help, please."

She sighed heavily, "Alright, fine..."

. . .

Kirai Amari

. . .

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did it have to be him?"

After everything happened, after the injured students were recovered and delivered to a medical facility, I tried to stay by Garro's side. He saved my life, I wanted to do anything I could thank him and let him know how important he was to us all once he woke up. But the first thing he did upon waking, was ask if everyone was okay. The old bastard was almost killed by a lightning bolt, and all he cared about were the people that were nowhere near the villain.

And then... We heard about what happened in the residential districts shelter. About what... He did.

And suddenly, all Garro cared about, was speaking to him. So now I was making my way through our wet, damaged island to find the prodigal boy. A part of me didn't believe what they'd said, but after seeing him in action first hand-

"He turned into a giant monster! And held the doors shut until the storm passed!"

When I arrived at the shelter, I paused at the entrance. Noting how badly damaged the doors themselves were, and the deep claw marks in the metal. Evidence of the reality I didn't want to accept. I paused briefly, noticing a dark splotch staining the concrete floor just outside. Blood, perhaps? Had he been injured in the ordeal?

It didn't matter, Garro gave me a task. So I made my way inside, stopping by the first person I could see that wasn't busy. "I'm looking for the Adachi family."

"Hmm?" The old man quirked an eyebrow, "Oh, they're near the back, I think the boys is resting..."

I nodded, "Thank you, how is everyone here doing?"

"A little wet and rattled," He said with a small sigh, "But we're okay..."

I was grateful for that, and made my way towards the back. Searching for any sign of our scaly new arrival. I eventually spotted him laying down on a bed, he had a bandage over the right side of his face, and was being guarded by the woman I had to assume was his mother. Upon approach, she rose to her feet, placing herself between us.

"Can I help you?" Almost immediately sounding like she was ready for some form of confrontation.

"I came to get Kaiji," I explained, "Garro wants to speak with him... About what happened here."

"Well too bad," She scoffed, "He's resting... And the last thing he needs is you bothering him." Uh oh.

I swallowed nervously, "You... Know who I am?"

She took another step forward, looking down at me with an intense glare. One that made me flinch and step back, "Oh, you bet I do," Her words cold and sharp, "Leave my son alone or I'll-"

"Mom," I hadn't even noticed him move. Kaiji was already sitting up in the bed, "It's fine, I'm okay really." He wasn't wearing a shirt, just a blanket draped over his shoulders that covered most of his torso, but I could still see the majority of his scars. "What do you need Amari?"

I did my best to regain my composure, "Ahem, yes uh... Garro, would like to speak with you, he's at the emergency medical facility we set up near the school."

"You mean the island's hero?" He blinked in surprise, "Right, lets not waste any time." He rose to his feet quickly, shaking off the sleep. "Stay here and relax Mom, see if anyone else needs help."

To which she rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah whatever," Before shooting me another glare, "Pull any funny business and I'll put you in that emergency facility."

Before Kaiji casually bonked her on the head, "Be nice, please."

I didn't even bother dignifying her threats with a response, and started leaving the shelter. N-Not because I was scared of her! Just wanted to leave quickly... For no other reason.

Kaiji followed me close behind, as we made our way down the street towards the main road that would take us to the school. It was getting late now, darkness covering the island with the power still out. I didn't plan on saying anything as we went, not even sure what I could say...

"So what happened to you?" I nearly stumbled as Adachi spoke, "The uh... Head bandage."

Right, I'd almost forgotten about that. "When the villain appeared, he released a wind attack... Garro protected me, but a piece of loose debris hit me in the side of head." I explained, "Nothing serious, just broke the skin."

"Well that's good."

"Oh really?" I scoffed, shaking my head. "You telling me you'd be concerned for my safety?"

To which he casually shrugged, "You wouldn't be much of a student council president with brain damage, and I don't like elections."

"He thinks he's so clever doesn't he?"

"Right, those are the reasons," I rolled my eyes, "I have a hard time believing that."

We were nearly there, when Adachi came to a stop. "Amari, do you think I hate you?"

Certainly blunt, "I figured that was the one thing we had in common, a mutual dislike for one another." I stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Causing him to release a small chuckle, "I don't hate anyone... Well okay, I hate one person, and it isn't you." He said simply, "You're just a pain in my ass, hardly the largest pain I've dealt with either."

Somehow that only annoyed me further, to think he didn't even view me as a threat or a rival. But why? Its not like I was giving him an easy time... "So what did this special person do to earn your hate?" I scoffed, crossing my arms.

Adachi took it upon himself to keep walking, forcing our trip along. "He wasn't there when somebody really needed him, and a lot of people suffered for it."

The way he said it... He sounded more sad, than angry. It left me wondering, who this person might be. And reminded me just how little I actually knew about him...

We were soon making our way inside of the emergency medical facility, basically an old shopping center repurposed during our little crisis. We soon made it up the room Garro was being kept in, deep in the back. He was hooked up to some equipment helping monitor his life signs. His body had terrible burns running down his back, so they had him laying on his stomach, a few doctors tending to his wounds and trying alleviate any pain.

"Oh man..." Adachi muttered, laying eyes upon him. "What did that villain do to him?"

"Struck me with a bolt of lightning," Garro groaned out, "Not... Not nearly as painful as it looks..." His eyes darting to the doctors hanging around above him. "You can go, I'll be fine... I'd like to speak with the boy in private." What?! What could he possibly- "That means you too Amari, thank you for bringing him."

I clenched my fists tight, silently nodding my head before leaving the room.

"Why? Why was it always him?"

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

And now we were alone.

I didn't know exactly what this old guy wanted to talk about, but I had a feeling this conversation would have me on edge. I pulled up a seat beside his bed, settling in, "So... You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes... I wanted to thank you for protecting those people." He offered, putting on a pained smile. "I am sorry you suffered an injury in doing so... It pains me to see a boy your age so badly scarred."

I released a short, grim laugh. "Hey, don't worry about it I-"

"But," He cut me off, his light tone suddenly growing darker and more quiet. "I have this sneaking suspicion... The new mark over your eye is not the only scar you've received willingly..."

I swallowed nervously, "Look... These scars were an accident," I assured, trying to maintain the lie. "Nothing more."

"You might be able to fool those who've never seen real combat," He scoffed, "But you can't sneak one past me... Those scars, they cover the front of your body and your arms, yet you have none on your back?" Dammit, this guy really wasn't messing around. At least he was keeping his voice low, "Those are the kind of scars you get, protecting someone... Or facing a powerful foe head on."

Okay, this was bad. Garro didn't seem like the kind of guy that would rat me out, but still- "Okay... Maybe they are, what do you care?"

Earning a short, pained chuckle. "Yes, what do I care? You're just a boy... And you've already proven you're willing to help others... But I've been suspicious of you and your mother since you arrived," He explained, "The lack of records, or notification of your arrival... All very strange, don't you think?"

I shifted slightly in my seat, knowing I couldn't just let him continue to speculate. I Leaned forward so I could lower my voice further, "Look, we're just a son and mother who are trying to start over, okay? The past... The past doesn't matter."

"Mmm... True enough, very well... You seem a good sort, so I won't bother you any further." He relented, releasing a light sigh. I rose from my seat, ready to get out of here before he started to pry mo- "Though, I did have something else I wanted to ask you."

Dammit! "Oh? And what's that?"

"Did you ever dream of becoming a hero?"

I resisted the urge to visibly flinch at the question. Shifting nervously, before looking down at my hands, "Yeah... Once upon a time... Why do you ask?"

"I'm almost seventy years old, Adachi," He explained, "I can't do this anymore... My body physically can't handle this anymore, even the daily tasks of helping those on the island is becoming too much for me... I haven't told anyone aside from the doctors yet, but I'm going to retire."

I felt my heart sink a little, frowning as I looked back at him. "But what about the island? It could be a long time before they get another hero agency all the way out here."

"Heh, I'm sure they'll make do without me carrying groceries or finding lost pets." He chuckled fondly at the memories. "I can retire contently, with the knowledge that... If a real crisis occurs, they'll have someone like you around to protect them."

I wasn't so sure though, "Maybe... Maybe not... Goodbye, Garro."

"Goodbye, young Adachi... And good luck."