Season Four, Episode XLI

I Will Stand

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

The cracks in the street, toppled cars, crushed doorways. This guy was a real beast, I could tell that much. I needed to be careful, the way he spoke gave me a bad feeling he might be the guy in charge. Which was both a blessing and a curse, if I could take out the brains of this operation the others might be easier to deal with. But, it also probably meant he was the strongest out of the bunch.

"Go on kid," He smirked, showing his sharp teeth. "Make your move..."

I crouched slightly, bracing myself. "Lets go!" I started sprinting straight at him, I needed to hit him hard and fast. So I started to use my momentum, and the new flexibility I'd learned from gaining a snake form, I began to cartwheel at him. Flipping head over heels before finally launching myself up into the air above him, "HaaAAAGH!" Slamming my heavy tail down onto him as he raised both arms in defense, a shockwave releasing between us on contact.

But he didn't budge, "Tch, is that it?" Shrugging me off and pushing me away.

I landed on my feet, sliding back a bit. "Not even close." My body began to morph rapidly, scale colors changing as I shifted into the rhinoceros iguana form. Muscles bulking up a bit, scales hardening while a horn protruded from my snout.

"Well aren't you an interesting one, but I'll warn you now that I'M the only apex predator around here!" He sneered with amusement, "So go ahead! Lets see how many tricks you've got lizard boy!"

I charged, picking up speed and focusing the point of impact. "Try THIS!" Slamming into him with my horn, or at least trying. He grabbed me by the head with both arms, stopping me with ease. "Hrnngh!" I grit my teeth, struggling against him.

"Not bad, I can see how you overpowered Ratel." Before he pivoted his feet, turning and throwing me like a ragdoll. "You won't have such luck with me, you hurt the pack but you're dealing with an Alpha now!"

I smashed through a nearby storefront, shattering the glass. Even as the shards were still falling, I had already begun to change. Switching to the Tokay Gecko, turning invisible as I blended in to the environment. I crept out of the store, moving behind to try a sneak attack. I jumped into the air, transforming mid launch. My legs melded together in one long thick tail, scales changing to a pattern of various shades of brown. The Python, with this form I might be able t-

"Gah!" He caught me out of the air, his reflexes lightning fast. Holding me by the throat with a vice grip.

"Weren't you listening?" He scoffed, tightening his hold and preventing me from breathing. "I already said I could smell Ratel's blood on you so why would you think you could sneak up on me, come on!" He winced slightly, raising his other arm to defend himself when I swung my massive tail at his flank. It was just enough to make him loosen his grip, I managed to slip out and jump back. "You're boring me brat! Show me something fun or stop wasting my time!"

I'd hoped to conserve more stamina, but I guess I didn't have a choice. "You asked for it..." Gritting my teeth, clenching my muscles as I started to grow larger. Growing in size, surpassing even this beasts height as I changed into my croc form. "HRAAAAGH!" Unleashing a thunderous roar, I lunged for him with one mighty fist cocked back.

The earth beneath us shook, as he stopped the blow with a single hand. "Hrrrngh!" His feet sliding back a back, "Now we're talking! You might be worth a fight after all!" Before he pushed back, stepping into it and throwing a punch with his free hand. He struck me square in the chest, enough force to create wind between us and push me back a few feet. "The look in your eyes, I can tell you feel it!" He sneered, showing his fangs. "You're just prey to an apex like me, and you know it!"

Dammit, this guy wasn't anything like that crazy chick, no he was on a completely different level. I spun around, trying to slam him with my mighty tail. But he brought up both arms, blocking the attack without even budging this time. And it was then that I realized, I'd only been able to move him before because he was off guard. This villain was a real monster, I hadn't even seen his full power yet.

"What's the matter brat!?" He threw my tail down, jumping up and smashing down on it with his boots. I could feel bones snapping, before he jumped up with surprising agility, "Is this the best you can do!?" He demanded, spinning mid air, he slammed me across the face with his own powerful tail.

The blow had me reeling back, and he pressed that advantage. Throwing more powerful punches, each one slamming into my scaly hide. I backstepped with each hit, trying to gain some distance between us. This guy fought like a trained professional, measuring each strike and hitting with full force. I hated to say it, but this monster was hitting even harder than Ryoko did with those damned Impact Drivers!

Still, I couldn't let him back me into a corner.

I managed to push back, knocking aside an incoming blow before I lunged at him. My jaws open wide, trying to snap them closed around his head. But my jaw was slammed shut by a brutal uppercut, and as my head snapped back he delivered another brutal blow to my ribs. This one carrying enough power to force blood from my mouth. I slid back on my heels, cocking back my fist and trying for another brute force punch.

But he ducked beneath my swing, grabbing me by the wrist and throwing me over his shoulder. "What a waste of time!" He sneered, letting go and sending me smashing into someone's pickup truck. "Stay down if you know what's good for you brat." He scoffed.

I winced in pain, struggling to get up. I could tell I had a few bone fractures, but nothing serious. "Why are you stopping?" I growled out, forcing myself out of the wreckage, "I didn't hear a bell." I still had a few tricks I could pull out, I just needed time. This fight was far from over, I had a lot more to throw at him.

"Heh, funny." He replied, pulling a cigar from his pocket. "I'm stopping because you're just wasting my time, and at this rate it wouldn't even be fun to beat you senseless until the Pros arrive."

I clenched my fists, "You think I'll just let you walk away and hunt the Shimano family?!"

"No not really, because I'm not interested in a game of hide and seek." A plume of flame from the side of his mouth ignited the cigar, "So how about this, you've got until morning tomorrow to deliver either the father, and the son to me on the other island, or me and my men kill every single person on this island until we get them."

I tensed up, eyes widening. "You... You wouldn't!"

"Nabu Island has a population of about a thousand people," He shrugged casually, "It would not take long... So the choice is yours." He stuffed his hands into his pockets, "We'll start checking shelters tomorrow morning, and there's no way off this island or a way to contact the mainland," He added, turning his back to me. "So you'd better think this over, very carefully, little hero." Releasing a final, mocking chuckle as he started walk away.

I narrowed my eyes, watching him go as I started to weigh the options. Shaking off the pain, I returned to my base form and started heading for the nearest shelter. I wasn't defeated yet, this wasn't a loss. This was just the first round, and the gears were already turning. I just needed time to think this out, good thing he gave me until morning...

. . .

Kirai Amari

. . .

"Are the short range radios still working?"

"Yes, we can at least stay in contact with the other shelters."

"Good, good... Amari? Are you okay?" The older woman asked, "Your eyes, you look like you've been crying."

I avoided making eye contact, "N-No, I'm fine, this is from... Something else." We were hiding out now in the Shelter located between the harbor and market districts. People who were injured in the initial attack were being taken care of and most people from the market were working on hanging out supplies.

"Hello? Anyone there?" Another voice sounded over the small radio.

"Akatsume? Yes this is the south shelter."

"Thank goodness, finally got this piece of junk working..." He sounded quite relieved, "I'm calling from the residential shelter, one of the villains has been defeated!"

My eyes widened, looking around to the others who appeared equally shocked. The older woman pressed the button to respond, "Say again, Akatsume? One of the villains was defeated? By who?"

"Kaiji Adachi dragged her in here just a short while ago, beaten and locked up in chains!" He exclaimed, "He didn't stay long though, before running back out."

"C-Copy that, thanks for the update... Is everyone accounted for over there?"

As they kept talking, I stepped away from the group. Processing what I'd just heard, imaging that just moments after the attack started he was already...

"Got another injured coming in!" Somebody from the door called out, my eyes darting towards the entrance. Before I spotted him, clothes a bit tattered and he looked beaten and bruised.

"Where's the shelter head?" Adachi demanded, pushing past those at the door trying to assist him. "We need to contact the other shelters."

"Kaiji!" The old woman called out to him, "Over here, is it true what they're saying? You defeated one of the villains?"

To which he nodded, not even noticing me as he made his way over. "Yeah, I found out that the villains are after Kento and Katsuma."

"They haven't reported into any shelter."

"Because I told them to stay away," He explained, "The shelters are one of the first places the villains would look for them." Sound thinking, "But we need to move everyone."

"What!?" She stepped back, "Are you crazy? There are villains out there! We can't move everyone now!"

He shook his head, "The villains are backing off for now, I fought with another one in the market area, I think he was their leader." Th-The leader!? "He isn't interested in chasing them down, so we have until morning to turn one of them over."

"And..." I finally announced my presence, approaching from behind. "And if we don't give them up?"

Adachi turned, looking back at me. His eyes slowly drifting to everyone else waiting for the answer, "Don't worry about that, it's not gonna happen." What is this? I'd never seen this side of him before, not completely anyways. He was so... Fierce, so determined. "For now, we need to move everyone, the shelters aren't safe so we should gather everyone as far away from where the Villains are, they're waiting on the ruins island."

"We could use the shopping center," The old woman chimed in, "Plenty of supplies and space for everyone, and its almost on the opposite side of the island from that area."

"Put the call out, and find anyone that might be able to fix the communication tower." Adachi nodded, "I need to go get Kento and bring him in."

"Let someone else fetch them," She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You already look pretty rough, take a break before you hurt yourself."

He looked back at her, holding her gaze for a moment before sighing. "Alright, they're hiding out in Mrs. Ishimura's greenhouse."

She nodded her head, "Who wants to head there? While the rest of us start relocating and letting the other shelters know what's going on."

"I'll go!"

"Me too."

"Get a move on then!" She barked, "We don't have much time..."

She was right, the sun had set and darkness enveloped the island. In just a short eight hours, we might be facing down a serious catastrophe. This was worse than the storm, this wasn't just a threat to the islands infrastructure, these villains were going to do something terrible. Even if Adachi wouldn't say it, it wasn't hard to extrapolate what they were planning.

I'm not afraid to admit that I was scared, looking around at people as they started moving. Taking whatever belongings they'd brought, and evacuating the area while the shelter head began putting the call out. Adachi took a seat nearby, gratefully accepting a bottle of water someone offered him. He nodded in thanks before starting to chug the precious liquid.

I hesitated, before slowly approaching him. "How are you doing?" I asked, nervously fidgeting.

"Just a little banged up," He assured, setting the water aside. "Nothing my natural regeneration can't fix in an hour or two."

"You have natural reg- you know what? Nevermind," I shook my head, sighing heavily before finding a seat across from him. "So, you really weren't kidding about that Hero stuff huh?"

Adachi nodded his head, "Yeah... Trained in handling villain attacks and most forms of crisis."

"So... What was the boss villain like?" I asked worriedly.

"Strong, much stronger than the first villain I knocked out," He shrugged, "I basically took her down without getting a scratch, but that big guy? Damn, he's a tough bastard... Basically took every one of my moves without so much as flinching." He must have seen the look of horror starting to spread across my face because he held up both hands, "Relax, this was just round one, next time I've got it."

"Your confidence is..."

"Staggering?"

"I was gonna say misplaced."

Earning a chuckle out of him, "Maybe, but I'm still breathing so the fight isn't over yet." How could he be laughing at a time like this?

"... So what are you going to do?"

"Oh don't worry, I've got a plan," He assured, leaning back in his seat a bit. "Just ironing out the kinks right now, give me an hour and I'll have... Something."

That didn't inspire much confidence, "Alright... Come on, we should get moving." Offering him a hand, it was shaking slightly. "We've gotta join the others... Then you can tell us all about this plan."

He looked up at me, before taking my hand and gripping it firmly. "Amari," His eyes met my own, and I could see that fire inside of them. "I know its scary, but I'm going to beat these guys." Before he pulled himself up, and starting walking along with the crowd.

I watched him go, hesitating briefly. Before looking at my still quivering hand.

Yeah, I wasn't so sure.

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

The shopping center was loaded, every floor and room packed with the refugees from each shelter. In just two hours, the entirety of Nabu Island had set up in the various buildings and surrounding parking lot. People were working hard to make sure everyone had supplies, blankets, food, water. But they were all scared, and all confused. I know that was partially my fault, I'd asked them to accept a lot on faith but I couldn't hold back the truth anymore.

Just like the festival, I needed to keep their spirits up. I needed to give them a reason to hope.

Luckily, this travel time had given me all that I needed to put together a plan. I just had to make sure I didn't screw any of this up...

"Kaiji!" Kento arrived, along with his kids and my mother. He made his way over, wincing as he saw me. "Geez you got pretty banged up... Let me fix you up." He placed both hands on my arms, clenching as he started to activate his ability. I could feel the movement inside, as bones that were fractured repaired themselves, bruised muscles putting themselves back together. "Haah... There, feel better?"

I nodded, "I do, thanks." Before looking to mom, "How are your injuries?"

"Eh, not totally fixed but I'm getting there." She shrugged, "Doctor Fixit here is giving me regular treatments." She chuckled, nudging Kento. "So how goes saving Nabu Island? I assume you've already got this whole thing figured out?"

To which I shrugged, "Pretty much, I'm going to explain the situation to everyone here shortly... And might have to explain our situation too."

She sighed lightly, "Yeah, figured as much..."

"W-Wait, Kaiji." Kento had a sudden grim look as he shifted nervously, inhaling deeply. "I know I was a little fired up earlier and uh... Maybe told you to do stuff that wasn't very responsible of me, but..." He stammered a bit, "I've been thinking... I don't know what they want with me, but if it keeps everyone safe, I'll turn myself over to the villains."

Both my mother and I quirked an eyebrow as we looked at him, before she released a short chuckle. "Oh Kento, you dumbass..." Patting him on the shoulder.

He blinked, cheeks flushing, "Wh-What do you mean? Why am I dumbass!? I'm trying to self sacrifice for my community here!"

I crossed my arms, smirking in amusement. "If that was your plan, you really shouldn't have healed me first, or you should have waited and snuck away without saying anything." His eyes widening in realization. "Sorry tough guy, but I can't let you do that, and I know she won't let you do that."

"Damn straight," Mom added with a nod, before looking to me. "I know I can't stop you from doing something about this, just don't get yourself killed okay?"

I chuckled lightly and nodded, "Yeah I won't, settle in you're gonna be here for awhile." Before I started making my way towards the center plaza. Our time until morning was running out, and I needed to get things in motion. Now that I was fully healed, it was time to begin. I reached the center plaza in short time, where a few people had already finished hooking up the PA system I asked for. Good, I wanted everyone to hear this...

"Adachi," Amari was waiting nearby, "Are you sure about this?"

"We don't have a lot of options." I replied, taking a deep breath as I grabbed the mic. "Besides you haven't even heard my brilliant plan yet!"

"Well earlier you just said plan, not brilliant plan." She corrected.

"That's how all my plans start, bad, regular, then brilliant." I assured, "You'll see... Ahem," I flipped on a switch on the mic causing it to ring out loudly. Certainly getting everyone's attention. "Hello people of Nabu Island," Voice echoing throughout the PA system in the shopping center. "I'm Kaiji Adachi, but I'm sure you mostly know that, there aren't any other lizards living on this island... I'm sure most of you have heard, the villains attacking us are here for Kento, and his son Katsuma... I don't know why, but it must have something to do with their Quirks, it's the only explanation." I looked out over the gathering crowd, "I know everyone is scared, because we don't have a Hero... And we've lost our way to communicate with the mainland, but... I promise, that I'm going to save everyone!"

That alone brought a wave of mutters and unsure chatter among the audience. "You're going to save us?" Somebody called out, "But you're just a kid!"

"Isn't his mother going to stop him?"

"Shisui! Stop your son before he does something crazy!"

"HEY!" I looked out, spotting her among the crowd, standing tall despite her injuries. "Kaiji!" Her eyes met my own, I could see both the struggle and pride inside of them. "Don't you see these people are scared? This is the part where you do something inspirational you know!? Get your ass in gear!"

"What!?"

"You can't be serious!"

"I am serious! Don't you dare doubt my son, or I'll kick your ass!" She barked back at them, "He's a UA student after all, and he's already a hero!"

That just drew their eyes back to me, watching with bewilderment, I myself was taken by surprised that she was the one to say it. "Thank you, Mom..." I smiled softly, before taking in another deep breath. "I made a promise, to Nabu Island's former hero just before he retired... He asked me to protect this place, and I don't plan on letting him or anyone else down!" I had to stand tall, I had to give them hope that we would get through this. Invoking Garro's name was a start. "This place, this island... It's my home too, and I won't let these criminals ruin it or harm a single person here! So long as I'm still breathing, I will stand up, I will fight, and I will save everyone!"

I could see it. There were no applause, no cheering in this dark hour, but they acknowledged me. With a silent resolve, a calm determination and trust. I had earned their faith, now I just had to do something with it.

"We have until dawn before they come for Kento and Katsuma, six more hours." I went on, "A few mechanics are already working on bringing the tower back up, once that call goes out it'll take four hours for the coast guard to arrive." We were going to be cutting this close. "We can't afford to wait around for the villains to come for us... And I don't want the fight to be here, because I don't want anyone getting hurt," Before I looked out over the crowd, "But I need the help of two Quirks for my plan to succeed, I need Itsoku from Class 1-A, and student council president, Kirai Amari, meet me outside the camp in a few minutes..."

With that, I stepped down. Setting aside the mic, and making my way out of the shopping center. I kept my eyes forward, wearing a determined expression. I couldn't let anyone see even a hint of doubt on my face.

This was it, this was my chance to be a hero.

I'd failed so many times before. At the festival, letting Ryoko go. And at the camp, failing to capture her.

I was sick and tired of failure, I wasn't going to let that happen again...