A/N: For those who have been reading this story, I have changed the name and slightly altered the quirk of Shizune, also known by her villain name, Siren. The description will be given below.
Oh yes! I have created a character art that shows how Shepherd looks when he fights! I can only show his face her. Take a look and comment on how he looks!
Image link: deviantart/surrealeon/art/Shepherd-836702599 (just remember to put the .com behind deviantart.)
On to reviews:
phelipebr: Thanks for the comment! We can slowly see how Shepherd's old emotions are going to surface later in the story.
Raven Mordrake: You're quite close, have a look in the image link above and find out!
.
Name: Hichikiri Shizune
Villain name: Siren
Quirk: [Psychosis]
Her vocal cords emit a dangerous frequency which can impair the human brain through sound. Through a flute, she can control and manipulate the five senses and emotions of those who listen to her music. Her quirk can be used to raise morale among allies, or even turn enemies into mindless berserkers.
Excessive usage of her quirk puts strain on her throat. Direct usage through her voice puts massive stress and cause inflammation. Her quirk has less effect on those with high willpower (e.g All-Might). The effectiveness also weakens when used upon the same person. People are less affected the further they are from her.
.
Chapter 9: Trouble in Hosu.
.
=[League of Villains Hideout]=
"So…Zuruichi Gekai was dead all this time?"
"…From what I could tell, he was already killed two weeks before." Shepherd replied. "…his carcass was found in the basement of his own hospital together with those patients. During that time, the entire establishment was completely taken over."
"So much of your clean-up mission," drawled Shigaraki. "Not only did we lose a source of Noumu production, you even let those patients get away." For Shigaraki, he would do anything to accomplish his goals, be it killing a group of innocents, or even children. As long as they are in the way of his goal, everything would be disintegrated under his fingertips.
Shepherd frowned at Shigaraki's words. "…I'm not like you man-child, I don't get off killing defenseless children."
The pale-blue haired man just tilted his head and glared at Shepherd through the hand-mask hiding his face. "Well look at you now, you almost sounded like a hero! Are you perhaps trying to go against Sensei?" Normally, Shigaraki wouldn't scare Shepherd, but upon the mere mention of Sensei made the [Toxic Sludge] quirk user visibly recoiled. "Maybe the dog needs more obedience training." He said, his tone venomous towards the younger villain for talking back.
"Enough…Shigaraki." Sensei's voice broke the silence, his calm voice soothing Shepherd's nerves as soon as his tone indicated that he's not in any way angry. "As far as I'm concerned, Shepherd has done an excellent job in dispatching the enemy…without making much of a commotion. My goodness, just how long are you two going to bicker like this? If we want to achieve our goal, the cooperation of you two is necessary. How long more do you intend for me to keep emphasizing this point?"
Shigaraki and Shepherd stared silently at each other, tension quickly saturating the air. It was as though they were daring the other to rebut that impossible sentence, but no one dared said anything to displease their mentor. For Shepherd, the last thing he wanted was to disappoint Sensei just when he finally did his job well. Beads of sweat trickled down both the villains' faces.
After several moments of silence, both of them finally forced the exact same words out. "Yes Sensei…we will try our best…to get along."
"I'm glad to see both of you so understanding," Sensei's cold voice changed back to his usual tone.
All for One chuckled and continued. "Tomura, Shepherd has indeed done good work this time. It's only right that he deserves praise, especially when he's careful enough not to reveal the League's involvement in the Gekai Hospital Case. Now…I wish to have a few words with Shepherd alone. Would you please…Tomura?"
For a moment, Shigaraki stayed silent and clawed the chair he was sitting in like he wanted to disintegrate it, a displeased expression on his face; and before long, he finally trudged out with a glare.
"Understood, Sensei."
After he passed by Shepherd, he stopped for an instant, and without looking at Shepherd he said, "Don't get cocky, brat. The one ultimately leading this group...is me."
Then he exited and slammed the door behind him.
"My my…what a troublesome child. He still has so much maturing to do, but seeing him so insistent on meeting my expectations is making me feel like a proud father. Nothing is wrong with a little rivalry…but do try to get along with Tomura a bit more." Sensei told, his tone smoothing and calm. "Relax, Shepherd. You have done me a great deed; you deserve a reward."
"…Yes…Sensei."
"But I hear from Kurogiri that you spared the patients from the hospital. Well, I never expected so many of them to be captured, and I never gave any specific instructions regarding survivors…but I must say, I'm curious. Why would you do that? You do know that even if one of them still wasn't permanently brain damaged, the authorities might have traced the incident back to the League."
"Yes…I did not kill them. My dream is to get stronger…to kill those who stands in both the League's and my way. I promised myself that I will become stronger for Sensei's sake…so that what happened last time won't come to pass…"
All for One paused.
"The attack on USJ, right?" Sensei said. "You're reminding me of the day you broke down and fell under the mercy of the hero students in UA?"
The color drained away from Shepherd's face. His indifferent expression tensed up and sweat formed on his forehead. "I-!"
"…Yes…that incident…" His knuckles were white from clenching his fists, slightly trembling as he recalled the horrible feeling he felt as he was fighting one of the goons in the hospital last week, his constant rambling triggered some kind of weird images and voices in Shepherd's mind, almost causing him to go insane and attacked Kurogiri. The same thing happened during USJ, from what he could remember. He was trembling as a result of fear…fear of the pain he had to endure if those weird visions kept popping up in his head.
"Indeed, I have no use for people who are so weak against mere students, and you have re-proven your usefulness. Destroying the hospital may have reduced the number of Noumus we can create, but remaining hidden from the heroes makes it all worthwhile. But what really concerns me is how you are starting to take mercy on the enemy…first you broke down before a hero student, you then spared a lot of civilians who are better off dead, and finally you brought back another villain back to the hideout. Your actions are becoming rather…unpredictable, wouldn't you agree?"
All for One addressed Shepherd with a cold voice.
The boy himself wasn't listening to his father-figure's words. Cold sweat began to drip, the mere voice of Sensei was exerting a cold force upon the room which caused Shepherd's eyes to shake.
"Didn't you want to get stronger for my sake? Are you going to get soft on every single enemy from now on? What's happening to you, Shepherd? Are you becoming…weak?"
"…No, no I, I, I'm not…weak –"
"…I will strive to meet your expectations, always…" His fear, coupled with the horrible memories of Sensei's 'guidance' sessions, Shepherd finally crouched down and squeezed his voice out from behind his chattering teeth. "…I will not be weak. Never, never, never…"
"I'll believe that," All for One told him coolly and put their conversation to a close. "Now, let's see if we can convince your little friend to join the League. It's been so long since I've someone with quite a remarkable quirk such as hers, so treat her with utmost care."
"...Understood, Sensei."
.
=[League of Villain's Hideout. Third floor. Medical Bay]=
There were a few things Shepherd realized about the [Psychosis] quirk girl in the past week she was recovering in the League.
Shizune had a really frail body; malnourished…wounds all over her and the worse part was the severely inflamed throat she had due to her [Psychosis] quirk. The girl didn't love to talk much when Shepherd fought her…but he didn't expect that even speaking causes pain for the girl.
To be honest, her body condition was so weak that Shepherd was slightly impressed that she was able to fight. The boy felt that bringing her to the League was the right decision.
The League had basic medical needs, antibiotics even…but Kurogiri informed him that the girl probably needed professional medical care in a hospital. But Shepherd knew that will never happen; if she goes into a hospital, her face will be traced to the murders she committed and eventually arrested.
She was a villain after all.
Hichikiri Shizune awoke with a dim light swaying over her. It took her a few seconds to realized that she was in a bed with bandages covering her four limbs; the wounds she sustained from fighting Shepherd healed.
"…how are you feeling?" A familiar, male voice spoke out.
"Where is this?" Shizune's voice whispered as she saw the two villains whom she last saw before she passed out from fatigue; the boy known as Shepherd and the black misty villain who can create portals.
"It's as though she reverted to the way she was during our fight," Shepherd pondered, staring at the young villain he had retrieved about a week ago. She didn't really show any sign of emotion, or react in any way a normal human would in her situation. She gazed upon her captives closely, but fear could be felt in every movement as she turned her head to face the [Toxic Sludge] boy.
Why did I spare her? This isn't me.
He knew it wasn't, but he just knew that killing her that day wouldn't sit well with him.
"…well then, Shizune." Shepherd began, watching her body tensed and slowly turn around. "You are currently in the League of Villains. Can you talk?"
Shizune's eyes widened slightly, but she turned her head away from him. "So I'm alive…" she murmured; her demeanor indicating no sign of proactive interaction.
Shepherd glanced at her throat, where horrible swelling was hidden beneath a layer of bandages. "…a side-effect of your quirk?"
Shizune awkwardly nodded her head and spoke her answer. "I was forced to use my quirk…and using it through my voice caused inflammation."
"Parent-less…and orphaned. I was taken in by Jackal after my quirk went berserk. He had his eyes on my ability and I helped him in exchange for shelter. Jackal said that if I did not repay his kindness…he would sell me out to the authorities."
Kurogiri looked at her with empathy. "You had a hard life, haven't you?"
The girl looked down at her lap regretfully while caressing her neck, before answering again. "I had no other choice; it was the only way I could live."
"You could have just killed me," She continued, her voice almost inaudible.
Shepherd scowled. "…I thought I warned you not to say that kind of thing. Or are you perhaps still distraught after I killed your leader-"
"Don't get me wrong; ever since I have been under Jackal, I have always wondered whether it was right for a killer like me to keep on living." Shizune replied. "At some point, I wiped my slate clean of all the emotions I had…and killed just so I could have a place away from the heroes. So now that you captured me, what am I supposed to do now?"
"You kept me alive because my [Psychosis] is useful to the League," Shizune went on, her voice cracking. "I understand your reasons. I don't feel angry, or sad…just confused to how I should live on for now on."
"…But now you do." Shepherd responded bluntly, giving the girl a powerful gaze and extended his hand in an invitation. "You said you wanted a place where you can belong, don't you?" Shizune slowly nodded. "…how about being in the League?" Shizune looked at him skeptically.
Kurogiri elaborated, "We would like to extend an invitation to you, to be one of the League's members. Even if you don't want to be associated with us, we can still provide you a safe haven from the heroes in exchange for doing some jobs." A flash of distrust glinted in Shizune's eyes. "We won't ask you to kill, we just want your help in some of our operations." Kurogiri spoke kindly, showing no falsehood in his tone. "We can provide you with a job, food and a safe haven. I say that it's a good deal."
"…"
"Well…we'll give you time to consider," Kurogiri stated, heedless of the girl's silence. "You can give us your answer whenever you are ready. Until then, it would be much appreciated that you do not try to escape-"
"…The Tsujiri Ice-cream Parlour in Hosu City…"
"…what? Ice-cream?" Shepherd frowned at Shizune's sudden words. "…what are you-"
"…tastes good." The girl spoke firmly, the edges of her mouth drooling.
"You mean you wish to eat there?" Kurogiri seemed hardly surprised by this sudden request.
"If I can, I will consider joining the League." The lavender purple-haired girl replied.
Upon hearing this, Kurogiri turned his eyes to a stunned Shepherd, the latter feeling a sense of foreboding.
"…what?"
.
=[League of Villains Hideout. Kurogiri's bar]=
.
"What took you so long? Was it that girl whom you brought back?" Tomura glared at Shepherd through the fingers of his mask; the former grating his fingers over Kurogiri's bar counter as Shepherd entered the room.
"…None of your business," Shepherd snapped as he flopped down on a chair. He can't believe he actually agreed to that girl's ridiculous request, but Sensei already ordered him to treat her with utmost care. "So…why have you bought me here?"
"The Hero Killer that I've been trying to recruit will be here soon, but that guy's real dangerous." Tomura explained as he scratched his neck. "So just stay quiet, sit in the corner and help me out if things get messy in here."
"…So, you actually managed to find him…?" Shepherd had heard stories of how vicious the hero killer was when slaughtering his victims, so he was quite interested to see the real thing. "…so I'm just here to be your bodyguard? After all that trash-talk about me in the morning? How shameless…man-child."
"Don't push it brat. Just listen and follow my instructions." Tomura's chair nearly disintegrated with how hard he was gripping the chair.
Shepherd merely scoffed as he say back in his chair. The boy was actually excited about Stain; the famous hero killer might actually give him the satisfaction he's seeking after a long while. He had searched up Stain, and he was quite…curious with the message he was trying to spread. He wanted to rid the world of fake heroes…which Shepherd honestly did not care much about. Why would he become so strong for such a cause? He could not understand the source of Stain's strength.
"He's here," Shigaraki suddenly said, turning his head towards the dark portal that appeared in the bar, and with the static from the television Shepherd realized that Sensei was listening in as well. Did this 'Stain' pique up Sensei's interest so much? Stepping out of the warp gate was a tall, muscular man with messy black hair, completely dressed to kill with all the knives and swords strapped around his body.
"So, you're the hero killer." Tomura said as he stood up to greet his guest.
"And you're the League of Villains?" Stain's eyes went around the room, from Shigaraki, then to Kurogiri behind the bar, and finally stopping at Shepherd. A brief moment of recognition crossed his features, "Well well, looks like the rumors were true. Shepherd, the rabid hellhound of the League…is fact a kid." He ignored Shepherd's glare as his gaze returned to Tomura. The man was exerting his blood-lust throughout the entire room; a dark aura like a snake carefully observing its prey. Shepherd could tell from first glance, this man…was strong.
"Let's get to the main topic, we'd like to extend an invitation to join us…" Shigaraki began.
"Join you?" Stain glared at the [Decay] quirk user. "And why should I do that? What exactly is your goal?"
"Our goal is very simple. I want to kill All-Might and bring an end to the society that worships him," Tomura declared gleefully from behind his hand-mask.
"How childish," Stain spat back at him. "What is the point of killing without a cause?" The hero killer said as he pulled out one of his swords. This action caused Shepherd to instinctively activate his sludge and readied for combat. Seeing this looming confrontation, Kurogiri looked to the monitor screen with concern. "Sensei?"
"Let them continue," All for One ordered. "An experienced and infamous villain such as Stain will only inspire Tomura to mature and grow as a leader."
"…He's fast!" Shepherd watched with fascination as Stain moved with inhumane speed knocking Shigaraki Tomura to the ground and stabbing him through the shoulder with his sword. Kurogiri and Shepherd attempted to aid him (though the latter just wanted to fight a strong opponent), only to get stabbed in the arm and cheek respectively by two well-thrown daggers. The blades were then yanked back to their owner by a tether that Stain had attached beforehand, bringing the blood-covered blade to his tongue to lick it, and rendered the mist-covered bartender and the [Toxic Sludge] user paralyzed. All of this happened in a few seconds.
Seeing this, a mad smile formed on Shepherd's lips as he willed the sludge to twist and form into countless bladed tendrils, lashing them towards Stain. The hero killer was surprised for a moment, but he retreated back a few steps to dodge and jumped high into the air, using his blades to deflect the black sludge from piercing his vitals. This aerial exchange went on until Stain landed back on the ground, casting an interested glance towards the boy.
"That was close…you were really trying to kill me, weren't you?" Stain chuckled evilly. "You must be the famous Shepherd I've been hearing about."
"…the weak perished while the strong lives," Shepherd stated, his sludge swirling around his immobilized body like a living monster. "…That's just how things work..."
"Well said. It seems that there are more interesting individuals in the League then I thought," Stain turned to glare at Shigaraki before focusing his attention on the [Toxic Sludge] Hellhound of the League. "I've heard of your exploits, Shepherd. You killed many heroes just like me…false heroes like Captain Celebrity. Tell me Shepherd…why do you kill? What do you seek from killing those heroes? To expunge the 'fakes' from the society of heroes? To exert your power? To simply…out of enjoyment?"
"…I merely wish to become strong…stronger than anyone else…for Sensei's sake…"
"What? So that's your belief? What a disappointment." Stain scoffed. "You have power…but what you are seeking is nothing but a childish dream; a pointless goal. This path you're walking on…there will be nothing left at the end of the road."
"…What?" Shepherd couldn't understand what this man was talking about.
"Stop blabbering! Oi Kurogiri! Send him away already!" Tomura angrily ordered as he stood back up.
"I can't!" Kurogiri's mist shook a little but he was unable to shift or expand. "His quirk seems to be paralyzing me." He told in a strained voice. Shepherd was also still unable to move his body. Though he still possessed free control over his [Toxic Sludge], being unable to move like this was undoubtedly a pain in the neck. It appears that the hero killer's quirk was activated upon ingesting their blood.
"Power is meaningless without a proper cause…such are today's criminals who are just aimlessly scattering about their 'power'. A self-centered reason such as battling pointlessly…" Stain pointed his blade towards Shepherd like a hunter eyeing his prey. "…will just make you a mere target to be purged by those heroes…and fakes."
"Tch! As if I want a nutcase like you to be a party member, so just go away." Tomura pointed at him.
"My business is done for the day anyway," With Kurogiri now free from Stain's [Bloodcurdle], he turned his glare towards the [Warp Gate] user. "Now, return me to Hosu! There's still some unfinished business I need to take care of." He licked his lips as he said that.
Hosu? Isn't that where I'm going later?
Once he was transported away, Shigaraki finally spoke.
"He dares belittle me? I'll show him…!" He said as he rubbed the part where Stain hit him. "Sensei! I need some more Noumus!"
"Thanks to Shepherd, we just have enough to spare you a few," All for One's voice spoke through the screen. "Use them wisely Tomura. Oh yes Shepherd, would you like to see the Noumus who were made out of your opponents in action?"
"…Being around those things disgusts me," Shepherd replied with ire lacing his tone at the thought of those grotesque abominations. "…But…Sensei, may I request that I go to Hosu later in the afternoon? There's something I need to do there."
"Yes?" Shepherd hurriedly explained the girl's strange request.
All for One sounded vaguely amused by this. "Well, I supposed you deserve a little vacation for doing your job well." He said. "Take care of our newest member then."
"Understood."
.
=[Hosu City. Centre Square]=
Shepherd never loved going out into crowded areas, the sheer noise of the crowd was enough to drive him crazy. Too much was going on around him, and it made it hard for him to concentrate.
But if it was for the sake of recruiting a villain into the League, he did not have any other choice.
Hosu was bustling with activity, despite the various rumors of the Hero Killer making appearances in the last few days. Shepherd pulled the hood of the jacket he was wearing to block out the sun and hid his face even more; his mouth covered with a black mask. Kurogiri had advised him to keep his identity hidden, especially when his face was seen by the heroes during the USJ attack.
Finishing her ice treat, the girl stated. "One more please, Shepherd-san."
"…You do know that you are technically a prisoner, right?" Shepherd scowled, trying his best to suppress the annoying feeling in his mind. "And do not casually call me like that, we are out in the public."
The rabid dog of the League gave a sideway glance at the girl beside him; the latter having a rare smile on her face as she stuffed down the ice treat with gusto. "Alright then," the petite girl took a moment to gaze at Shepherd with a genuine curious expression. "How should I call you then? What is your real name?"
"My name…I don't have…it's Shepherd…"
A frown crossed The boy's features before he sighed in frustration. Shizune heard that, gazing at Shepherd with a concerned look despite the perpetual pain she had been inflicted upon by the boy himself. The girl did not mind it that much; she knew that she would have been dead if Shepherd had pierced her vitals instead. To be honest, she was rather afraid when the boy was instructed to join her to Hosu, but the boy had been rather tamed in the duration of her request.
"…Nevermind that, I would advise you not to move about so much. Sensei told me to treat you with utmost care…" He stated, his voice somewhat lacing with a tone of worry, "…I will follow his orders." He finshed, gazing at the afternoon crowd disinterestedly while waiting for Shizune to finish her food.
"…I see." Shizune nodded. She could not help but be awed by how such a strong villain could hold someone else in such high regard. He was revering his superior like a devote follower. Despite his cold exterior…Shizune could not help but think of him as a child trying to please his parent figure, somehow similar to how she was before.
"Shepherd-san…is that really all there is, following this 'Sensei'?"
Shepherd looked at her with confusion.
"Don't you have a choice…? Other than following him?"
"…Sensei is the reason I live." He told her simply, making her eyes widen slightly. "I…don't recall much…but…Sensei…Sensei is the reason why I'm strong. I wish to repay him for his kindness…"
Shizune just stared at the boy could couldn't possibly be older than her. He…wasn't lying. He…truly has nothing else to live for, his determination to fight for his leader was the only thing which drives him to keep on living. He looks so…broken. She was instantly reminded of herself in some ways.
"I see…I understand." She dipped her head in understanding.
She wondered if all villains this powerful were so broken inside, a twisted wish that drives them forward.
Finishing her ice-cream, Shizune waved to the boy and motioned him to follow her elsewhere. With no other choice, Shepherd allowed himself to be pulled along.
She was acting so emotionless and distant but Shepherd was rather surprised to see how excited she was to be out in the open.
If he remembered correctly…she was about the same age as him. Thinking back, he had noticed other kids around his age enjoying themselves and having fun. Were they weird…? Or was it just him?
…Whatever…there was no point in thinking about such trivial matters.
Suddenly, she tugged at his hand and pointed to a stall selling crepes, causing a bad feeling to surface in Shepherd.
"…What?" Shepherd asked suspiciously, although the way she was drooling gave him a sinking suspicion on what's to come.
"I'm still hungry." She stated.
"…Not my problem. Haven't you eaten enough?" he hissed in frustration.
"Don't you want me to join the League?" She tilted her head and asked.
He scowled down at her. "…you told me the same thing every time you want to buy another of those deserts. Just how are they going inside that tiny body of yours?!" he reminded her angrily.
She merely blinked at him; the fact that she wasn't so easily unfazed by anything was throwing off Shepherd's pace.
"I have two stomachs," she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Fuck this!
=[]=
Unbeknownst to them, several figures had been watching the two teens from atop a department stall, having noticed the two's unusual behavior.
"Well well, look who we have here…" Midnight said, a teasing smirk on her lips. The heroine and a few police were on the rooftop of a department stall, overlooking the bustling square of Hosu but her attention remained at a white-haired boy wearing a hoodie and a purple-haired girl around the same age.
"Um…Midnight," A police officer reminded her nervously.
"Alright, get ready to trail them." The R-rated Heroine informed the police squad, putting her binoculars away and securing her whip. "Inform the station that the S-rank villain Shepherd has been spotted in Hosu. But we can't take action when there's so many people around. The worst scenario would be that everyone in the vicinity becomes a hostage."
The female teacher saw that the police force behind her were showing rather tensed expressions. Were they afraid of Shepherd? Not that she could blame them; news of the Hero Killer Stain appearing in Hosu for the past nights have gotten the men jittery. To be honest, she herself did not wish to have a run in with either Stain or Shepherd. Just the rumors about the duo's casualty rates are enough to shake even a seasoned Pro-hero. But there was a reason why she remained calm.
"Not to worry," The dominatrix-dressed heroine assured the police. "We have Eraserhead with us; no matter how powerful the villain, Shota will cut down his quirk. Compared to Stain, the villain Shepherd appears to be unskilled in close-combat. Once his quirk is sealed, we can suppress him easily."
"Miss Midnight, look at this." A young officer said to Midnight as he watched Shepherd through his binoculars. "What about the girl beside him. Is she a villain as well?"
"Do you have any intel on a villain that looks like her?" The said Heroine questioned hastily, her eyes not leaving the target as they begun to move off. "We might have to apprehend her, but it would be better if we know what her quirk is first."
"Apologies…but her face isn't recorded in any of the villain database. A new villain, perhaps?"
Midnight was working fast, contacting both Present-Mic and Eraserhead about her present location. "I haven't got to meet the famous Shepherd yet…but I can't wait to get some payback for the pain this boy dealt to my dear students." She licked her lips as her eyes danced with a sadistic light. "Time for this onee-san to give the naughty boy some spanking!"
.
=[Musutafu Police Headquarters]=
Tsukauchi was debriefing everyone about the patrol routes for the night when a junior officer ran up to the inspector while breathing heavily; sweating and completely out of breath.
"What's wrong?" Tsukauchi asked, his tone full of dread at what could possibly get the man to be so flustered.
"It's…a call made by R-rated Hero: Midnight!" the young officer began. "We have received intel that the villain, Shepherd is seen on the streets of Hosu City!"
Tsukauchi paled upon hearing this, this news spelled disaster not only for the police force stationed in that particular sector, but the entire population in Hosu City as well! What was he doing there? In broad daylight?! They were just having there plans full with tracking down the Hero Killer Stain who was reported to be doing his work in Hosu, but to think that another unbelievable villain would appear in tandem…!
"Assemble the task force we have created to suppress Shepherd immediately." Tsukauchi immediately instructed. "Tell Midnight to remain on standby until the police, Eraserhead and Present-Mic are transferred to her location. I'll be going there as well."
"U-Uhm…about that, Inspector Tsukauchi," the junior officer continued with a complicated expression. "You are told to remain here in headquarters, sir. Another higher-ranking officer is coming in today to supervise the capture operation."
"Higher ranking?" Tsukauchi questioned, arching an eyebrow. "I was the one who assembled the group to specifically counter the S-rank villain. Who has the right to take over the command?"
"It was me." As if by command, the doors to the conference room swung open, revealing a scowling newcomer who gave an oppressive atmosphere and caused every single police personnel in the room to scurry and stand in attention. His presence turned the air cold and he cast a slight glance at everyone as they saluted him, Tsukauchi included.
"Commissioner General Touma, Sir!" Tsukauchi greeted.
The aged man looked over the inspector before he repeated his command. "It was I who made the order to handle the Shepherd Suppression force, do you have any problems with that…Junior Inspector Tsukauchi?" he asked in a gruff voice.
"N-No…of course not, sir. But I was given the instruction of handling the case of Shepherd," Tsukauchi slowly stated, minding his tone towards the highest person in the police force. While he wasn't afraid of his superior, he did know that he had quite the temper when things didn't go his way. Some might even say he's the demon of the police force; feared by villains, colleagues and even heroes alike. "Why are you here in Hosu?"
The Commissioner General scoffed upon hearing his question, using his finger to motion another police officer to carry several heavy, steel cases into the room, entering a number-code to open its contents.
"Many months of tracking the ever-so-elusive dog of the League, and he finally shows his face to us. We are going to capture the boy…and bring an end to this villain who has been a thorn to the police for far too long." The aged man declared, giving a powerful presence despite his great age. "Many of our men have fallen trying to arrest one lone boy. Public fear has never been higher ever since his attack on USJ, and more villains are becoming more daring and throwing themselves into crime! You have been tracking that Shepherd for weeks and you came up with nothing!"
"And it doesn't help that the Hero Killer Stain is here in Hosu City causing panic as well! I am going to have to step in here Tsukauchi…this is a great crisis for Hosu…but we'll have a chance to capture two of the most dangerous villains in one swoop!"
"I understand your concerns, sir." Tsukauchi placated, keeping his voice calm. "Shepherd's actions are unpredictable…but now that he has willingly showed up, we will capture him with the best team of heroes handpicked to counter his…troublesome quirks. You have nothing to worry about."
"Nevermind the heroes, you plan to throw our own forces at him with mere guns? That villain has regeneration for goodness sake!" The Commissioner General slammed his hand on the nearest table with his eyes flaring with anger. "The public has always been criticizing that the police is nothing compared to the heroes. If we don't step up our game, the might of Musutafu's police will forever be undermined. We must not give the public another reason why the police shouldn't be feared, especially the villains!"
"Yes...I understand, but-"
"Which is why I have made a special arrangement to have these delivered here," He signaled for the people behind him to open the metal briefcases, revealing several chrome-silver blocky-looking guns. "The newest addition to the police's arsenal."
The inspector blinked for a moment, before his eyes widened with shock at what the Commissioner General has brought in.
"I have placed you in charge of searching the Hero Killer Stain. The patrolling units on the ground have been notified of this change and are awaiting your orders. I believe that you are more than capable of-"
"Commissioner General, s-sir…!" Tsukauchi hissed, recognizing the silver guns his superior was beginning to distribute amongst the officers. "These are supposed to be prohibited, even against villains…! Don't tell me you withdrew the ban of these…are you seriously planning on using these on a child?!"
"The police shall not be estimated; we are the ones who will enforce the peace of our motherland." The man waved his hand dismissively at the horrified Tsukauchi and made his way to gear up for tonight's operation. "Make no mistake, Shepherd shall fall today."
.
=[Hosu City]=
"I ate too much…"
"…You don't say." Shepherd grumbled, looking at the darkened sky. He hadn't realized it was already evening; Hosu was beginning to be illuminated by the colour street lights. "…Let's get back to the meeting point; Kurogiri will bring us back to the hideout."
As the two began to make their way back to the pickup point where Kurogiri is scheduled to transport them back to the hideout, Shizune smiled at Shepherd genuinely. "You are more normal than I thought, Shepherd-san. I had fun."
He eyed her, seeking any ulterior motives as to why she said that statement. He found none. "…I-"
But before Shepherd could reply, a giant tower of explosions shook the area and erected a giant wall of flames near the huge junction of Hosu City. Before both villains could say anything, a person was thrown out of the fire screaming hysterically. It was a hero…judging from the way he was dressed, but his uniform was in tatters and his limbs twisted in different angles.
A terrifying roar could be heard from the origin of the fire. Snapping his gaze towards the source, Shepherd saw a very familiar huge hulking humanoid with brown skin and exposed brain. It had no eyes, but possess a muzzle resembling a canine. That disgusting thing…a Noumu?! What was it doing here in Hosu? Was Shigaraki behind it?
"…Just what is that man-child planning now…?!" Shepherd seethed with irritation as the creature started blindly attacking citizens and swung its huge claws in wide arcs. The thing soon spotted both of them and charged wildly at a stunned Shizune.
"GET DOWN!" Thinking fast, Shepherd pulled Shizune and tackled her to the ground, narrowly avoiding the Noumu's sharp talons. Wasn't this thing programmed not to attack the League members?! Unless…Shizune!
"…I really hate these things…!" Shepherd growled as his patience ran thin and let the familiar feeling of sludge ooze down his arms. "…don't get in my way." The beast-like Noumu howled and charged towards the girl with great speed, a few feet away from colliding with Shepherd. "…Schwarz…"
The toxic metal twisted and morphed like a living creature, before solidifying into a beaked spear. With one fluid arm motion, Shepherd swung and extended forth the black lance, piercing the Noumu through its chest. The mindless puppet looked at its penetrated chest for a moment before countless black spears tore through its flesh like a black flower, turning the Noumu into a meat pin cushion. "…PLATZEN! (Black Burst)"
After a few moments of deafening silence, someone in the crowd scream and got everyone to run away in all different directions. His cover was blown, and to both of the teen's shock, A group of policemen surrounded them left and right; like they were planning this the moment he attacked.
"…run." Shepherd told Shizune. "…run back to Kurogiri. Get back to the League." Shepherd ordered, readying his sludge.
The purple-haired girl shook her head, a complicated expression etched on her features. "You can't fend all of them – I can help-!"
A bullet ran in between the two teens, narrowly missing Shizune's head and shot a hole through Shepherd's face, tearing off his mask, making blood flow down.
"S-Shepherd-san!" Shizune spoke a little frantically, reaching for her jacket to cover the wound, but her concerns were unneeded as Shepherd's [Regeneration] began to do its work. Shepherd's eye glared at a nervous police officer while the hole in his mouth quickly mended itself.
"…I broke your flute…you can't use your quirk…! I'm telling you…" He growled at her, morphing his sludge into a barbed whip. "…TO RUN!" Shepherd aimed at the man who assaulted them and pierced him straight through the chest.
Horrified at this sudden display of carnage, Shizune whispered. "N-No…"
"…My orders from Sensei is to treat you with utmost care." The white-haired boy roughly pushed her away. "…Only I can hold them off…there's nothing you can do here…so escape from this place!" Shepherd said to her, his voice full of malice. "…Or do you want to fall here like a pathetic weakling?!"
Shizune fell to the ground, remaining silent. Shepherd gazed upon her frightened expression, his eyes filled with fire, "…Get lost. There isn't anything a weakling like you that can help me."
He pushed her away as more police forces began to make their way towards Shepherd.
"You can't do this! I can help you! I can use my voice!" Shizune's usual calm expression changed into one of desperation, her blood boiling from the white-haired boy's unreasonable words. "There's too many-!" The petite girl was suddenly knocked away and tumbled across the cold pavement, her small body flung by Shepherd's [Toxic Sludge]. It had her thrown quite a distance while the police had just started to surround the boy.
"DON'T YOU DARE USE YOUR QUIRK!"
"Freeze! S-rank villain Shepherd!"
"W-wait! You have to escape-!" Shizune yelled at him, a desperate look across her features as she saw the many enforcement personnel surrounding the perimeter, terrified tears streaming down her eyes.
Shepherd stared at her distressed state and with a monotonous voice, he told her. "Stay out of my way, weakling." With that cold gaze, Shizune clenched her teeth and ran away, leaving the [Toxic Sludge] quirk user behind.
.
=[]=
"Who was that girl with you!? An accomplice?!" Shepherd blocked the guns' barrage lazily with his sludge as he was surrounded on all sides.
"…who are you talking about? At least give me a hero…so leave me alone!" Shepherd stood back up while his jaw was healing, firing a storm of sludge bullets at the police officer who shot at him, getting the curious crowd to scream and run off. "…too many civilians here…too annoying…" the boy grumbled and prepared to escape. But before he could, his right arm was ensnarled by a whip.
"Hey little boy," A dark-purple spiky-haired woman donning a dominatrix-themed costume which caused Shepherd to cringe prevented him from moving. "…you wanted to fight heroes so much, how about you let this onee-san play with you for a while?" the woman released a purple mist towards Shepherd. But the boy just used his sludge to slice the whip apart and jumped out of the gas' range.
"…Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not into old hags," responded Shepherd, his quirk hurtling towards Midnight. It came within a few feet away from the dominatrix-themed heroine before it fell harmlessly to the ground, much to the former's astonishment. The next thing he knew, he was forced back when a blast of loud noise assaulted him from the side.
"You're late. Yamada-kun…Shota-kun!" The woman waved cordially as two other heroes arrived at the scene. The first was a blonde-haired man with sunglasses and something resembling a speaker on his neck, while the other was a dark-wavy haired man wearing goggles and a scarf, staring at Shepherd intently with glowing red eyes.
"Stay sharp Midnight," The tired-looking man scolded. "Follow the plan."
"The reports weren't kidding," Present-Mic remarked as he saw the [Toxic Sludge] boy. "He's just a kid!"
"What just happened…?" Shepherd gazed at Eraserhead warily while he tried to activate his quirk, to no avail. "I can't activate the sludge…is he the famed Erasure-hero who can nullify quirks? hahaha…"
The police quickly regrouped and surrounded Shepherd, alongside the three heroes in a tight ring with riot shields. Looks like they were really set on capturing him.
"…I ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY FIGHTING AGAINST YOU…ERASERHEAD!"
Aizawa moved towards the villain, but the boy rushed forward first and landed a hit in the man's abdomen. But Aizawa ignored the pain, and proceeded to unwrap his special-alloy scarf. He punched Shepherd hard in the face, sending him skidding backward. "You should have just surrendered once you know your quirk isn't activating; it saves you the humiliation."
The villain boy coughed up blood and spat out a tooth, but continued to attack Eraserhead like some rabid dog. "…I'll kill you." He growled, relying on what little martial arts he picked up killing heroes and retaliate back. Aizawa didn't flinched when the white-haired boy lunged at him. Without his [Toxic Sludge] or [Regeneration], he was just a simple thug.
"That's quite enough of you." Aizawa came at him before Shepherd had time to react, wrapping his cloth around the boy like a restrain and dragged him forward, forcing his knee into Shepherd's stomach. More blood ran from his mouth as Aizawa threw him to the ground a few feet away. "You know, I haven't got the chance to meet you after what you did to my class."
Shepherd struggled to get back up. He was actually taking permanent damage; his regeneration was indeed halted. He had been too dependent on his sludge, and he was learning painfully just how weak he was without his quirks to help him. What an annoying quirk this guy had…what was the point of fighting if you were to take away powers?! The boy threw the cloth around him away and blitz towards Aizawa once more. If Shepherd could just land a solid hit, he could make the Erasure-hero blink and activate his quirk once more, he would kill the man immediately…so that no one would take away his power ever again.
"How predictable," Aizawa's boot suddenly slammed into Shepherd's diaphragm. He coughed even more, feeling bile rising up to his throat. He fell to the ground once more, but this time with the man's alloy scarf tightening painfully to stop him from moving his limbs ever again. "This is but a fraction of the pain which you have inflicted to those students in UA. If I weren't a hero, I would have loved to put you down for good. How do you feel now, are you proud for all those atrocities you committed?" he asked in low voice, his foot pressing harder on Shepherd's chest.
"…You…you…! Taking away quirks…fight me properly…!" he managed through pain as he struggled. It didn't work, the pressure restraining his body only increased, making it harder to breathe.
"Sorry, but I don't have the luxury of doing that with you." Aizawa leaned in. "Your 'fights' have killed people." Eraserhead said as he pulled on his restraining cloth and constricted Shepherd's lungs even more, and grabbed the boy by his hoodie and hauled him into a sitting position. "You're going to tell me right now. The Hero Killer Stain, the Noumus that attacked here in Hosu, your appearance here as well. Just what is the League planning tonight?" The boy said nothing at first but glared at him, making Aizawa slammed his head against the asphalt, a blow which made his ears ring. "Keep up the silence and you're going to Tartarus with broken limbs."
"Oi Shota! He's just a kid…" Midnight said hesitantly but her long-time friend shot back. "A kid who kills for his own enjoyment. Now tell us…what is the League planning to do in Hosu?! How many more Noumus are there here?!"
Shepherd gagged up more blood, drops of it landing on Aizawa's face. "…I-I don't…know what that man-child…is planning…! Seriously…that guy's always a pain…!" he coughed vigorously, the pain making his mind frantic. "I…don't know!"
"…" Aizawa looked in Shepherd's eyes intensely, ultimately dropping him back to the ground, cracking his head against the pavement. He sighed and looked over his shoulder. "Tell the Commissioner General that Shepherd has been apprehended." He ordered. "Get the detoxifying agent injection ready and prepare to move him to Tartarus."
Not yet…! I can still fight…! I can get stronger!
"…Don't fucking…UNDERESTIMATE ME!"
"AIZAWA BEHIND YOU!" Midnight shouted in panic. Teeth found themselves embedded in Aizawa's arm, tearing out flesh as the boy lashed out violently, and Aizawa could only scold himself for being so careless just because a villain was restrained to the point of not being able to use his arms or legs. The Pro-hero's face contorted in pain as he helplessly found himself blinking. "-Shit!" Aizawa cursed.
Shepherd felt his wounds healing instantly, grinning maniacally as he wielding his sludge to cut through the restrains and unleashed his black ooze mightily, preparing to destroy the three heroes…
"SAY YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!"
A blast of sound erupted from Present-Mic's speaker, making the villain fell down yet again under the pressure of his [Voice] quirk. Shepherd instinctively morphed his sludge into blades and prepared to skewer the loud-mouth's throat out for good before a police officer decided to step forward and brandished a weird silver gun, firing a wave of sound that enveloped Shepherd, making him scream in extreme pain.
"Stand back, Eraserhead." a new voice, aged but powerful, spoke from behind. "We'll take it from here."
Midnight, Present-Mic and Eraserhead all stepped back while the ring of police officers rushed in and took over, whipping out similar silver guns and fired off waves after waves of undiluted sound. The energy within Shepherd's body had died out, and he raised his head with difficulty to see a tall man with a powerful stature, dressed in a high-ranking officer's uniform and gazing at Shepherd like he was filth beneath his shoes.
"Do you like them?" Commissioner General Touma questioned coldly. "They are guns I have reinstated into the police just for you, called Sonic Resonance Guns."
"Guns capable of emitting soundwaves with a high-enough frequency can cause direct damage to the brain, causing a loss of consciousness within 30 seconds, and even death in minutes. "You are a villain wielding a powerful sludge quirk, coupled with a regeneration quirk. You may have the ability to withstand physical attacks, but a sound bullet cannot be easily evaded by anyone."
Shepherd continued to scream.
"Present-Mic will disorientate your battle senses with his [Voice], along with our Sound-guns. Eraserhead will prevent your quirk from activating with [Erasure],and Midnight will suppress you permanently with her [Somnambulist]. This is the tactic formulated specially against you, Shepherd."
"…You…bastards…!" Shepherd wheezed in agony. "Using cheap tricks like that…!"
"Feels like your skull's about to crack, doesn't it? That's because the sound guns are causing an intracranially-shot vibration; it's a bullet that forcefully shuts down the brain of the target through sonic vibrations."
"You have undermined the might of Musutafu's police force for the last time," The inspector said. "Come to heel, you aberrant dog of the League."
Shepherd's mind buckled in pain, this entire body hurt, feeling his ears bleeding internally, and his vision was darkening fast. "…I-It can't end here…!" Shepherd roared as the sound guns drowned his voice and continued to destroy his body internally. "…I will get stronger…! I have to be stronger than everyone else…!" The police gazed at him coldly. "Losing to a bunch of cheap tricks like this…!" his world was glowing dimmer, eyes fading out of focus. His limbs fell by his side limply as his mind was close to breaking down.
I REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT.
As a last ditched effort, Shepherd tried to activate his quirk, but once again it was not responding to his will. He creaked his head sideways to see the shaggy man with glowing red eyes staring right at him, hair floating above his head as he nullified [Toxic Sludge] with his [Erasure].
General Inspector Touma stepped forward, holding out his own Sonic Resonance Gun. "It appears you can still talk." He fired the sound weapon, not intending to give the villain any space to breathe like Eraserhead.
"Wait, that's enough!" Aizawa suddenly stated. "Our orders are to suppress the villain. He's going to get killed at this rate…we still need him conscious to question him about the League of Villains' plans."
"Something like that doesn't matter anymore. We won't take any chances with him; having him in a half-dead condition will be good enough before he can be sentenced to Tartarus." Commissioner General Touma declared. "Keep your eyes on the boy, Eraserhead; make sure his infuriating [Toxic Sludge] doesn't activate."
"This isn't what Tsukauchi told us," Midnight raised an eyebrow at the highest-ranking officer of the police force. "This is a capture mission; you don't have the authorization to-!"
"I am the Commissioner General of the Musutafu's Police Force! And I hold the authority to make sure this deviant doesn't pose a threat to our society ever again." The senior officer snapped at the heroine. "Twenty hardworking men have been slaughtered by this boy in COLD BLOOD! Good, innocent men! I'm not going to let this boy slip past our grasp like you, Eraserhead."
.
"Psycho Flute: Harrowing Performance"
Music began to play from behind them; a haunting melody which Shepherd had heard before, came closer and allowed everyone to hear its bewitching sound. Something fell to the ground and the sound of screaming could be heard. The Commissioner General, Eraserhead, Present-Mic and Midnight looked back in horror to see the entire police force on their knees; clutching their ears as their minds erupted with pain and their vision was distorting.
"A-A girl?!" A petite lavender-haired girl playing a metal, transverse flute entered the scene.
"You…you are that girl from before…!" Midnight felt like she was being looked upon with such coldness, such merciless that she was being frozen on the spot. This girl…was dangerous!
A couple of the policemen tried to retaliate and pulled out their guns and aimed angrily at the flute-wielding girl, but the heroes stared in horror when they were actually aiming their firearms at their own colleagues. With hands clamping over their own ears, Aizawa and Yamada tackled them to the ground, preventing them from using their guns.
"DON'T SHOOT!" Aizawa shouted. "The girl has a quirk that messes with your senses! I repeat: DON'T SHOOT! Yamada – you have to use your [Voice] to cancel out her quirk! I can't erase her's now because I'm nullifying Shepherd's!"
"E-Easy for you to say!" Present-Mic grunted painfully as he tried his best not to fall under the girl's music. He had been listening to Shizune's [Psychosis] music for too long; he tried to counteract with one of his loud yells but he soon fell to the ground unconscious.
With eyes as cold as ice, Shizune looked silently at the police and Pro-heroes who laid on the pavement, before facing the heroes with an unflinching expression.
"Y-You…you're a villain…!?"
"Perhaps so," Shizune said expressionlessly. "I have nothing else. He has saved my life – I will not permit you to harm him anymore. That's why no matter how much more I have to stain my hands; I will protect him."
"Tch-! What's wrong with kids these days? To think that even children have fallen to the hands of the villains…" Touma clicked his tongue and aimed his gun at Shizune. "You are messing with the police of Musutafu! How much more are you going to embarrass your country?!"
"If you harm him anymore…" Shizune's eyes flashed their coldest yet. "…I will kill you."
.
=[To be continued]=
.
A/N: Write a review on what you think! What would happen next?!