Season Four, Episode XLVII
Counter Attack
. . .
Red
. . .
"This is a terrible idea, this is barely even a plan!"
"See? This is why he asked ME to do this."
"Because he knew I'd see reason and refuse!?"
"No, because he knew you'd chicken out!"
It was almost morning, the sun would be rising soon. I was walking down that long, straight sandbar. Behind me I was dragging a cart, with our gift to the villains. It appeared to be two bodies, both tied up and gagged with bags over their heads. One being that of Kento Shimano, and the other of his son Katsuma. It was all part of Adachi's plan, using Itsoku's Quirk and some of their extra clothing to create these realistic dummies.
The trick would hopefully fool them from a distance, and give Adachi time to make his move. His strategy meeting was impressive, he'd put together a pretty good plan out of just the bits of information we had. Right now it was all about buying time, and keeping them away from the rest of the civilians. We'd gotten the call out, the coast guard was on the way, we just needed to hold out until they arrived.
Our fear was that so much of hinged on Adachi actually being able to defeat the remaining villains or at least stall them, all by himself...
"I wish there was a way we could help him..."
"He's the one with training, if we got involved we'd just get in his way."
"Still... It doesn't feel right to leave all of this up to him."
. . .
Kibari Gendo
The Overmind
. . .
"Such magnificent ruins," I noted, walking alone the ancient stone plateaus. "I'll have to visit them again some time, perhaps in my new body..."
"Yeah yeah the rocks are very well preserved." Chimera grunted, resting on his laurels as we waited for dawn. "It's almost time, sun will be up soon... Any sign of our delivery, Ubadachi?"
"I'll check again." The gunner nodded, staring out over the beach through a scope. "Hmm I don't see any- Wait, yeah! We've got someone coming, looks like they're dragging a cart along... Might be two bodies on board."
"Seems they were smart enough to listen." I smirked in amusement.
"I wouldn't be so sure." The boss grunted in response, rising to his feet. "That scaly brat, is he down there?"
"Nope, it's a girl... Another kid."
"Tch, figures..." Chimera spat out his cigar, "Onikiri, come on we're gonna check it out... Ubadachi, set up position on the lower approach and be ready to open fire."
"Yes sir." He nodded, and began the descent into position.
"Guess I've got no choice." The other man shrugged, dressed in a casual pair of jeans, boots and white t-shirt. His skin was pale, and he had snow white hair, albino.
"Be ready for anything."
Hmm, that boy certainly has Kon spooked. Though it was my understanding he was quite handily defeated during their first encounter, I suppose there is no problem with being cautious. Either way, this was only going to end one way, with me getting what I want...
. . .
Red
. . .
I saw them, the villains, making their way down from the ruins towards me. The fields and trail connecting the beach front and the ruins themselves up the mountain were slowly lighting up as the first signs of dawn began to break on the horizon. Sunlight, just barely peaking beyond the edge of a dark sea. I felt so terrified, all three of these men looked like they could, and would kill me without a second thought.
One of them stayed back, taking position on the upper slope. I had to assume he was their ranged fighter. While the other two, the beastly man and his albino comrade approached. I swallowed nervously, trying to steady my nerves.
"You look scared kid," The larger, fur covered beastman spoke. "What's the matter? Your parents make you come out here all by yourself?"
"N-No... I volunteered," I answered, trying to hide how nervous I was. "M-My Quirk lets me... Move really fast, so... I figured it would be safest, if I delivered the hostages and ran..." Adachi seriously fought this guy!? He was huge! And so damn intimidating, I felt like any second he might just kill me where I stood!
"Heheh, smart... But I've got no interest in extra hostages." He took another step closer, and I took one back away from the cart. "Ah ah ah, don't you move yet." He smirked, "Gotta make sure these are the two we're looking for..."
"What would I gain from bringing anyone else!?" I argued, continuing to step back as he approached.
To which he shrugged, "Fair point... Go on then, get out of here brat, and pray that these are the two we want or I'll make sure you die slowly!" Showing his fangs, eyes narrowing like a wild beast.
I turned, and started to run away. Not releasing my Quirk just yet, I needed to save that energy just in case. But I started bolting back across the sandbar.
. . .
Chojuro Kon
The Chimera
. . .
"That's right get running, damn kid..." I grunted in annoyance, walking over to the wagon. I narrowed my eyes at the fleeing girl though, as I saw her look back just once. Not at us, but at our ship parked just nearby.
"Uh, boss?" I looked back at the wagon, to see Onikiri pulling off the bags that had been placed of their heads. "I think we've got a problem."
These... These weren't people! My eyes widened, as I took in the sight of these... Eerily well made dolls, like they'd been molded to look exactly like a person. But their faces were blank. "Dammit! We've been tricked, UBADACHI!" I shouted up the hill, "Put one in that little brats leg! She'll tell us where-"
But I was interrupted by a loud, horrific metal screeching noise. It pulled my eyes to the ship, where I watched it lurch suddenly. As if it had begun to take on water, but that wasn't possible!
Until I saw that scaled kid stepping out of the shallows. His body was altered, more green in color but he was slowly returning to normal. Though, one thing that didn't change were the eight inch long, razor sharp blade-like claws extending from his fingers. "You've gotta be kidding me, he wrecked our ship!" Onikiri exclaimed.
I clenched my fists, "Alright brat you've officially pissed me off!" But I realized, he wasn't looking at me. Without warning, he started sprinting up the hill towards- "UBADACHI LOOK OUT!" He was moving fast, faster than he had yesterday. There was no way either of us would catch him in time!
He tried turning the guns on him, the cannon barrels extending from his shoulders adjusting to his position. He opened fire, unloading a barrage of energy bolts. But the boy dashed between them, knocking a few aside with his bladed fingers as if they were nothing! He jumped right at Ubadachi, my comrade's head snapping back as the kid delivered a flying knee to his face. Before he jumped over and slashed downward, cutting clean through the gun barrels almost all the way to the shoulder.
Landing, pivoted his feet and slammed Ubadachi right upside the head knocking him to the ground.
"That little bastard..." Onikiri grit his teeth, fists clenched.
He looked back down at us from his position up top, his eyes narrowed sharply. "Heheh," I couldn't help but chuckle, "This kid..."
His eyes...
The way he was looking at us.
It was different than when we'd fought before.
Like we were the prey this time.
. . .
Kaiji Adachi
. . .
Step one, disable the boat, "That's two down out of four," Step two, bring down the ranged attacker, he's the most dangerous to those on the island if he gets past me. "So which one of you wants to get knocked out next?" Step three, keep the fight here and away from the town. Step four, fight until the Coast Guard arrives, or until I win.
I used Red as a distraction because I trusted she could escape with her incredible speed. Then I used my marine iguana form to swim between the islands without being noticed. Finally, use my new control over my Quirk to tear apart the rudder and ship hull so the villains can't escape. Now there only option was to be stuck here, even if I lost they had no way of getting off this island before the Pros showed up.
"Hmph, you're pretty good I'll give you that kid," The beastly man chuckled, crossing his arms. "Why didn't you whip out those blade claws when we were fighting?"
"My Quirk lets me change my body based on complete genetic strands in my cells," I didn't have any problem explaining, there was no weakness he could exploit. "The forms you saw yesterday, were most of my complete strands... However, there are incomplete ones, that I can put together manually... To get the pieces I want from species that I don't have a complete strand of, I didn't have any ready on such short notice... But you made the mistake of giving me eight hours to put together a few new tricks to try out." I held up my clawed hand, "You ever hear of a Therizinosaurus? Basically a giant feathered monster with claws that were about a foot long."
And that was just the start.
"You said yesterday that you were an apex predator right?" I scoffed, planting a foot on his unconscious comrade, "The Alpha? Well you don't get to be the alpha without beating the one already in charge," Fists clenching tightly. "This is my island!" Tail slamming the ground, putting cracks in the stonework.
"This fucking kid..." The albino villain grumbled.
But the beast, he released a hearty laugh. "Damn kid, I'm impressed, you've got a hell of a pair to make a claim like that... I guess you were just messing around last time, what's your name?"
I didn't lower my guard, "Kaiji Adachi."
He nodded his head, "I won't forget that name, I'm Chojuro Kon... But most call me Chimera." Before he hiked a thumb over his shoulder, pointing to the main island, "I hope they remember you, and what you did here." Before he rolled his shoulders, "Now lets go, no holding back this time!" Stomping one foot, releasing a gust of wind around himself from the sheer force. "Onikiri, stay back unless I say otherwise..."
Interesting choice, I still didn't know what that other guys Quirk was but I needed to keep an eye out just in case. Either way, I nodded my head, "Ready when you are, old man." As I began walking down the hill towards him.
"Tch, old man huh?" He grinned, making a point to show his fangs. "Fine, I let you go first last time..." He slowly started walking forward towards the slope. Pausing briefly at the base, before he took in a deep breath.
Was he going to jump? Start running?
"HnnAAAGH!" He opened his mouth wide suddenly, a torrent of burning hot flames suddenly erupted from within. Spreading up the mountain and threatening to engulf me.
I was taken off guard, but he'd also made a mistake. Blocking me from his line of sight, and I took advantage of that. Rather than shy away from the flames, I charged right in. Leaping into the air, flipping over the raging fire. Mid flight, my body began to change. Around my head, my skull started to reshape. Horns shrinking, and a hard helmet-like carapace formed. "HRAAAGH!"
I slammed my rock hard dome right on top of his head. "Gah!" The blow was enough to draw blood from his brow, the beast stumbling away before swinging at me with a brutal backhand.
I defended using my forearms, taking the brunt of his swing that sent me tumbling back onto the burning slope. I had to roll out of the way immediately, as Kon jumped at me slamming both fists down. He struck only earth, uprooting large chunks of scorched soil and shaking the terrain. Mid roll I sprung back up to my feet, pivoting as my head returned to normal and my tail started to transform.
The end grew thick, bony, hardening into a natural club while at the same time armored plates started growing along my back. I followed through with the movement, slamming into his flank just as he got an arm up. The blow carried enough force to force him sliding back across the hillside.
"Hrnnngh!" Kon was gritting his teeth, glaring daggers at me. I could tell he was pissed off, but excited. "That the best you got!?" He demanded, the back of his sleeves suddenly tearing a feathers jutted from the back of his elbows and forearms. At the same time his boots were torn apart as his avian style talons were revealed, digging into the dirt.
I wasn't backing down anytime soon, "I'm just getting started!"
. . .
Kirai Amari
. . .
I know he told me to run once the fighting started but... I couldn't help but stay and watch, I felt like Red wanted us to be here too. I was further down the sandbar, keeping my distance as Adachi fought the supposed leader of these criminals head on. I could hardly believe what I was seeing, watching his body rapidly transform, taking on aspects of creatures I could only guess were prehistoric.
It was amazing, he wasn't just... Fighting this villain, he was winning! I could see it, with every strike he was driving the beast back. And he kept bouncing back, no matter what the villain hit him with he got right back up. I couldn't help but continue staring, like I was watching some incredible piece of history unfold before my very eyes.
I wanted to cheer him on, I wanted to shout his name. I wanted... I wanted to tell him how I felt, even if he was going to say goodbye after this.
But... I didn't want to distract him, so I kept quiet. I gave him my silent support.
I wasn't a hero, I wasn't a fighter... I couldn't do anything but believe in him.
. . .
Kaiji Adachi
. . .
Front flipping through the air as his fist struck nothing but earth, I planted both feet on Kon's chest. Kicking as hard as I could, but he flexed me off without much effort. Rather than fall back, I back flipped away and landed on my hands. Spinning in place as my club tail spun around picking up momentum, I slammed the hardened bone right across his jaw causing blood and a tooth to fly from his canine maw as he recoiled.
Springing back up onto my feet, panting lightly. While the beast wiped his jaw clean, "Hmm... Guess you aren't just all talk," He growled lowly, blood running from his muzzle. "But I'm starting to get annoyed, time to get serious!"
Of course it was, "Was wondering when you'd stop screwing around." I goaded him, resuming my fighting stance.
"Onikiri! Hit me!" He shouted suddenly, my eyes widening.
"On it boss!" The albino villain brought his hands together, some strange energy sparking between them. Before he suddenly lunged at his leader, slapping both hands onto his back. "One super charge coming right up!" One piece of their initial attack finally falling into place, that the communication tower hadn't actually been damaged but the fuse box looked like it had been overloaded and had circuits blown, it had to be this albino guys quirk!
"Hnnngh!" Kon's entire body tensed up, muscles trembling, threatening to tear apart his trench coat from the inside as he clenched his jaws. "Gnnngh! AAAGH!" There was some kind of power coursing through him.
I had to jump back as he lunged at me, his fist slamming into the hardened ground just beyond the soft grassy slope sending cracks through the surface. I landed near the path leading up to the ruins, sliding back as my claws scraped the cobblestone. But I hardly had time to think, a shadow overhead already told me he was coming. I back-flipped, landing on my hands before launching myself upward. My feet made contact with his ribs and chest on the way down, throwing off his trajectory while I used the kick to spring myself further up the hill.
The Chimera landed on his feet, digging in those sharp talons. "Come on brat! That one didn't even tickle!" He sneered, charging at me like a wild beast.
I looked around, spotting some rubble left behind by the ruins. Spinning around, I swung my clubbed tail. Sending boulders hurdling towards the Chimera. But he smashed through them with his bare hands, not even slowing down. Dammit, I needed more distance to think or wear down his power up. But he wasn't just stronger, he was faster too! My one advantage now only a slim difference in our abilities.
As he reached the first plateau he opened his jaws wide, unleashing a torrent of flames. This time I ran around the edge of his cone spray, jumping up and planting both feet on one of the old castle walls. I put all the power I could into my legs, launching myself at him. I cocked back one fist, slamming him across his injured jaw. It made the beast recoil, but by the time I'd landed and turned to face him he was already lunging at me.
I ducked just barely beneath his outreached hand, a single claw grazing my cheek and cutting clean through the scales. Before I grabbed him by the wrist, "HnnnRAAAAGH!" Turning over, and smashing him into the ground with an over the shoulder throw. The stonework cracking all around us, I tried to use the opportunity to get away before I felt one hand grabbing me by the ankle.
"Finally!" He snarled, rising from the ground. Mid rise he tossed me, letting go of my leg and grabbing a hold of my tail, "This thing sure is annoying, I wonder how hard it is to take it off!" Before he spun me around overhead, slamming me hard into the stone floor.
"Gaah!" I gasped out, the wind forced from my lungs. But he didn't let go, turning me over and dragging me back up. I was slammed face first into the stone floor, the impact to my head was jarring, leaving me dazed.
"What's the matter kid!?" He demanded, tossing me up only to grab me by the back of my head. "Running out of steam!?" Charging towards the nearest stone pillar, smashing me through it head first. Before he finally let go, throwing me clear across a large gap in the stonework. I only just barely made it across, tumbling to a stop on the ground. I was left dazed, body totally rocked by his brutal attack. "You want to run your mouth, you'd better be able to back it up!"
I started to push myself up, spitting out blood and dust from the stonework. "Funny... You should say that..." I managed, rising on shaky legs. "Because, I'm not the one that needed... Somebody else's help to get the advantage." But looking at him now, that overcharge was wearing off, whatever that power boost was it only lasted a few minutes.
"I'm not proud of it, but a win is a win." He smirked, "But, you wouldn't have lasted long anyways... Let me show you, exactly the kind of power I'm going to use to level your precious little Island!" The Chimera's body began to tense up as he doubled over, he was starting to grow. "I... Hate using this power... Because I always end up destroying my clothes... But I'll make an exception for you kid... YOU'VE EARNED IT!" He wasn't just getting bigger, he was massive! His clothes were torn to shreds, all but the tattered remains of his jeans. "I'll show you! Why I've been called a monster my ENTIRE LIFE!"
Well, he wasn't joking about being a monster, standing no less than fifteen feet tall. Curved horns jutting from his head on both sides, his dreads now mixed with a wild mane of fur. The feathers on his arms grew longer as well, his tail bigger and thicker, feet turning into massive talons. He threw back his head, unleashing a terrible, thunderous roar that could have echoed for miles.
This power was... Well, now I knew how it felt to be on the other end of my croc form.
"You know," I took a half step back, it was time to play the run game. "You could have just lead with this... And saved us both a lot of time!" This was going to hurt, a lot.
But he didn't respond, not with words anyways. Instead, he opened his maw wide. But at this distance, flames would reach me in time. I knew that.
I wasn't ready however, as his glowing maw unleashed not a swathe of flames but a burning red beam of light. I tried to move, but it still blasted my right side, searing into the scales and burning my flesh as I was blasted clear off the platform. An explosion following, as I was blown into the forest down below.
Just two chapters left of this season! And then, assuming I finish it in time... We'll have a special presentation waiting for you...
Next chapter won't be up until thursday, its the climax of this season technically and is just over 6000 words so its getting a lot of extra work. Can't for you to see it!