III
Chapter Two: Diversion and Disaster
III
The House of Councilors rung ripe with the mutters of anxious National Diet members. The entire Assembly had been deliberating for hours on a historic bill, made even more troubling by the announcement of the former Symbol of Peace's death only fourteen minutes prior.
The Chairman clacked his gavel from his high seat. The murmurs quieted down. Idle chatter falling silent at his word. "Councilor Hashirobi, you have the floor."
"Thank you Chairman." the man said as he stood up from his seat speaking into his microphone. The cameras giving live feed of the vote, nation-wide, focused on the Senator.
"This bill, Senatorial Edict 311, is to transfer three quarters of the current funding for Hero courses and facilities towards infrastructure and debt repayment. Given recent events, including the tragic passing of All Might, we are entering the longest standing era of peace in almost fifty years. Targeted acts from the League of Villains have not occurred in over a decade, save from the recent Nomu strike in Saitama, there has been little to no evidence to suggest the group or even organized Villainy is still active. We propose that we move to take control of our terrible financial situation, rather than continuing a now almost un-needed and fruitless expenditure."
Light applause filled the hall.
He stood back down and gave the floor back to the Prime Minister. "Thank you Councilor Hashirobi. Councilor Kirino your rebuttal."
The opposing councilor stood up and cleared his throat, shuffling papers on his desk. "As we've stated earlier, although organized crime is in decline, there is no evidence to prove that the League of Villains has disbanded. Heroes play an integral part protecting and maintaining our culture, economy, and security. If anything, the attack in Saitama proves we need to be more vigilant not less. We move to vote against the bill, and keep the current funding for Hero training and education."
Light applause again filled the hall as the Chairman rubbed his eyes under his glasses. Clearly both sides refused to budge. Should I call it a night and propose a vote tomorrow? Debating it on the floor is going nowhere. He checked his watch, it was 6:01 PM, the Senators should at least have dinner and return to finish the session.
"We will adjourn for now, break to eat, and return to deliberate in an hour and a half. If there are no major changes in how we stand by nine, the vote will be tomorrow at one-thirty PM." The Chairman clacked his gavel. "Adjourned."
Within the central hall of the National Diet building had stood four statues. Tribute to the memory of great statesmen who had built the democratic tradition of Japan. Though one statue at the far corner of the hall had been left empty. Perhaps as many speculated, to symbolize the fact that politics was never finished.
The Chairman breathed a long sigh realizing just how true the theory was. Then again, perhaps the original designers of the old building just had a sense of humor. Perhaps we should vote on that too, he chuckled to himself.
A soft rumbling shook the chamber. Lights, cameras, and other fixtures began to swing in place to the sudden rhythm. The councilors froze. Could it be another earthquake? the Chairman's gaze was fixed at the motion above the room.
Then the soft rumbling grew, and grew into a larger disturbance. A sudden eruption that buckled the stained glass roof under the weight of its intruder. There was a shower of glass, as a single chunk of master crafted flesh crashed into the center of the room.
It was a Nomu without a doubt. A mindless creature formed and reformed of countless muscle enhancements, quirks, and additional anatomy. This one in particular had a large tail grafted along the length of its spine that ended in a fine barbed point.
There were more sounds, more vibrations after that. The shattering of limestone at the central hall was audible from the chamber, and the violent shaking grew more intense. As if something was battering at the structure with a giant hammer.
Then there were shouts. There were gunshots from parliament guards. And there were hideous shrieks of abomination. The Chairman had barely enough time to tap the emergency button on his seat before the tail struck him. The lengthy barb finding its place within his torso.
As consciousness faded from his mind, he found himself thinking about the statues in the central hall again. Indeed, politics was never finished.
It was a matter of seconds before the news began covering the rampage of the Nomus through the live broadcast. Not long after, the Hero Commision patched a distress call directly to all available heroes in the area.
…..
His spiky blonde hair was ruffled by the fierce blowing winds as he bit fiercely into his chicken. Overlooking Tokyo at nightfall, Japan's third ranked hero was enjoying his dinner in peace.
"This stuff's not as bad I thought it'd be," he muttered between bites of the fried food.
Wearing a slightly upgraded version of the same costume he used as a teenager. Being much more durable for his explosions, as well as featuring a set of new gauntlets that were enhanced to store more of his nitroglycerin sweat. A bandolier of grenades was wrapped around his torso in an 'X' shape, and his utility belt held a few nasty surprises he was itching to test out.
Unlike other heroes who were currently eating dinner in a nice restaurant or at home, Katsuki Bakugou enjoyed eating on the job, always on high alert. Keeping himself reserved on the city's rooftops so he could launch off at a moment's notice whenever he'd be needed.
Bakugou heard his communicator ring, the emergency signal from the Chairman buzzing loudly in his ear. From afar, he could see the smoke rising from the National Diet Building. What the hell is that? Whatever it was, Bakugou dropped his food instantly.
His bucket of fried chicken was blown away as he blasted off into the night. Deep into the heart of the city. He could already feel his blood pump, I have to get there first, before anybody else did, especially Todoroki and Deku.
He could see it now, rising to the top and saving Japan from a national tragedy. No. A global tragedy!
He was finally going to make it as the number one hero, after years of waiting.
As Bakugou's thoughts grew with intensity, so did his blasts. Egging him on to move faster through the air.
…..
He scratched his neck for what had seemed like the hundredth time, the nervous tic had persisted throughout the years. There was just something calming about it, a sense of relief found in the motion he had grown accustomed to since childhood. Not that I have anything to worry about, he thought.
In the distance was a towering mass of steel, and machinery. The most secure prison in Japan, and arguably the world, waiting just beyond their reach. With only a single bridge linking the complex to the mainland.
"Tartarus," he muttered, adjusting the massive coat he was wearing. "Master…"
His red trench coat had a large fur collar roll that flanked his neck. The coat itself was placed on top of his dark suit that had been fashioned in memory of his Master. And his dress pants were as black as the surrounding night.
"Tomura, everythings ready!" Himiko Toga could hardly contain herself, in between her small jumps of excitement with outstretched arms. Her right eye was covered by a solid black eye patch, matched only by her tightly fitting bodysuit. Both had been woven from materials designed to work with her quirk. A parting gift from some of their old clients they had worked with while in hiding.
At her hips was a utility belt that carried her other equipment. A host of knives, vials, and suction hoses that were sleekly fitted to her side. She even carried a flashy satchel over her shoulder. Tomura had insisted she didn't, but a few arguments later and here they were.
"Quiet down, any louder and we'll be spotted." Mr. Compress placed his left arm on her shoulder, it was a mechanical prosthetic that was cold to the touch.
"Good," Shigaraki turned to face them, his mask concealing the bulk of his face save for his left eye. It was the last of the hands he had in his possession, ever since the days where he'd squared off against Re-Destro's clowns. But it was easily the most important one, the hand of Nana Shimura. The hand of a hero.
It was a badge of pride for him, and one that served to remind himself of the future he would build. As well as the past that drove him to where he stood today. "Let's get going then."
Mr. Compress reached into his pocket to withdraw a single light blue marble. He held it up before tossing it into the nearby alley. Using his quirk again he released the shining sphere's contents to reveal what had been stored inside, a large cargo truck.
"They're expecting the shipment soon so we better hurry," Compress adjusted his mask.
"Ohhh yay!, Does that mean I get to drive?!" Toga dashed to the vehicle.
"That's what the plan entails," Shigaraki shrugged as he walked closer to the truck. "Just let us know when the coast is clear, alright."
Toga just gave a soft giggle in response.
"I don't feel good about it either Tomura, but there's no other way." Compress held out his outstretched arm. "Ready when you are."
Shigaraki nodded, and in flash the two disappeared. Having been replaced by two identical blue marbles that hung idly in the air for a brief moment.
Toga hastily reached out to catch them before they fell. Taking a brief moment to analyze their shine and smoothness.
"You guys are adorable as marbles you know," she shoved them into her satchel. "Too bad I can't be one too."
She hastily put her mask on and downed the blood contents that were collected a few hours ago. The ambush at the truck's refueling station was harder to pull off then expected, without getting seen anyways.
Soon Toga transformed into the truck's original driver, a middle aged man who'd been tasked with supplying Tartarus with a shipment of non-perishable food. With any luck the disguise would work perfectly.
Climbing into the driver seat of the vehicle she turned the keys that had been left in the ignition and sped off. Towards the bridge that would get them into Tartarus. Into the largest collection of villains in all Japan.
…..
It didn't take long for her to reach the checkpoint. She wasn't a good driver by far, that was Spinner's talent and his usual role in their operations, but as far she was concerned everything was falling into place.
Toga had never really received a formal driving education now that she thought of it. The most lessons she'd ever received were from Twice, back when he was still alive. Back when she was a teenager.
Although Compress had tried to show her a few pointers before the operation was launched, there just wasn't enough time. With all the hero patrols and Tomura's fading health they needed to act now.
And with Spinner off helping Dabi with the diversion in Chiyoda Ward, that meant she'd have to make due with what little experience she had.
There were a handful of police guards at the barrier. The first line of defense consisted of men and women who made sure every vehicle leaving and entering Tartarus was secure.
Toga brought the vehicle to a halt, and put on her best smile through the disguise. The guards fanned out for their routine inspection, checking both above and below the vehicle for stowaways. Going so far as to open the back of the cargo hold to check inside.
A guard walked up to the side of the driver's seat, "Sorry for the precautions, we've got orders to be on alert for suspicious activity."
"No it's fine, I understand," Toga innocently responded.
"Looks like everything checks out, proceed to the warehouse."
She nodded and slowly took off down the path once the barrier had lifted.
Once inside Toga took the time to glance at the surrounding complex. It was a massive network of crisscrossing passageways, steel beams, and supporting architecture that made the beholder seem tiny by comparison.
To the best of her ability she followed the narrow path deeper into the complex, flanked by a myriad of active machinery, cameras, and security personnel. The path eventually broke into various directions, and from what she could tell, the one on her right circled around the complex probably towards the exit, or parking.
While the other paths led off into a host of various storage facilities, logistics networks, and power complexes. An access intended to give maintenance crews an ease in wake of the prison's maze-like steel anatomy.
There was a signal ahead, a few waving guards beneath a set of flashing orange lights. Sheesh they really keep things tight here, she thought as she pulled forward.
The storage unit was small when compared to the surrounding structure, being placed beneath a series of walkways and service lifts that ventured deeper into Tartarus, but it was just large enough to accommodate for the trucks that kept the prison supplied.
Medical tools, food, ammo, pretty much anything needed to keep all of Japan's most wanted criminals alive but well guarded by a garrison of several hundred officers.
Its interior appeared as one large garage, and was populated by a few idle cargo trucks. A host of storage containers on the side, and a few loading cranes that were motionless. There were two guards in addition to the work crews charged with unloading the contents of passing shipments.
They motioned to her, "We can offload it from here."
She nodded and silenced the truck's engines. Taking a few quick glances at her surroundings before leaving the comfort of the vehicle.
Only two cameras here, she thought. I can work with that.
Toga took another look at the security cameras, scanning for their movements. The two security fixtures were mounted to the wall, and rotated slowly in place by direction of their in-built motors.
If she was going to complete the mission she'd have to be quick, and out of sight.
Although the cameras seemed to have close watch of the service lift positioned at the back of the warehouse and of the loading crews, there was a blind spot by the passenger side of the parked trucks. Whose bulky design created blockage of the sightline to perform her work unseen.
All I need is one. She casted a smile at the leftmost guard. He was standing idle by the service lift, a look of boredom etched into his features.
"Excuse me officer, it looks like you dropped your clearance card over here," she gestured through her disguise at the nearest truck. I hope this works she thought to herself.
The guard came closer, "You sure? I could've sworn I had it on me."
"Yeah, I can see it right there. Underneath the truck."
The guard bent over to get a closer look. "Hmmm, I don't—"
Toga rapidly slit his throat before he could stand again, and pressed his body to the ground. Placing a few of her suction needles into his back before his lifeless body slumped over.
Now, before the camera passes again. Sliding under the truck she dragged the body with her out of sight. Quickly downing the fresh blood, she had drained from his corpse, through her bodysuit's pumps.
The whole bodysuit itself was like a stillsuit of sorts, albeit of more exotic material, designed to give her ready access to her quirk's needed fuel without sacrificing movement with bulky equipment.
She could hear footsteps approaching.
"Hey, did you find it yet?" The other guard was taken aback by the sudden reappearance of his friend.
"Sure thing," Toga held up the card as she stood up making sure to place her body to block the sight of the corpse.
The guard scanned the photo on the security clearance card, and compared it to the face in front of him. "You really got to that picture taken again, it doesn't look like you at all."
Toga chuckled, "Yeah, it's kinda embarrassing isn't it?" Close one, she thought to herself.
"What's with that bag you got?" he pointed at the satchel at her side.
"Oh, this was just a gift from my wife. Something to keep my lunch in at work you know."
"Gotcha heh, you know our shifts almost over. Want to hit the town for a night of karaoke?"
"I'll have to pass, I got some things to take care of upstairs," she replied through the veil of fake flesh.
"Your loss," the guard bid her good night and left the warehouse.
Not much time, Toga rushed towards the service lift with her new disguise once the other guard had left. Once they find the body everything's over.
The service lift had a rough look to it, as if it was older than the surrounding complex. Its paint was severely chipped in numerous places, and even the buttons had eroded.
She plugged the security card into the clearance diode, and tapped her destination on the pad.
Next stop, the security hub.
…...
Faster god dammit! his Blast Rush Turbo could only move his body so quickly.
The sight of it unnerved him: the flames. As Bakugou neared the Diet Building the stench of thick clouds of smoke struck him. Their choking dry smell was mixed with a host of other chemical features. Whatever was going on down there, it was very serious.
He tried to peer through the rolling patches of grey, through the rising heat. His efforts were rewarded by the sudden urge to break into coughing fits.
I can hardly breathe, Bakugou gasped for air. I'm going to have to land short of the building at this rate.
Shifting his hands behind his back he blasted towards the city ground, taking shallow breaths as he parted the sea of smoke.
There was a sudden rising heat. An intensity unlike what he'd just felt in the thickest part of the smoke. Almost as if he was nearing their source. And yet he still couldn't see through it.
Somethings coming?! Bakugou halted his impacts.
Then it hit him. A roaring piercing blue flamethrower emerged from the cloud. The heat reached a fever pitch. Bakugou rolled his body to avoid it. Breathing became impossible. The air itself was scorched dry. His sweat boiled off his skin. Fading with the air until the nitroglycerin crackled lightly in the swelling smoke.
Resuming his blast rush turbo Bakugou kept his distance from the flames to the best of his ability. Tracing their path through the smoke as he gritted his teeth. No! Someone's coming.
Bakugou hit the ground running. He felt a dull pain rising in his legs from the sudden impact, but shook it off.
"Full Distance Stun Grenade!" Forming a sphere of light between his clasped hands he released a flash of light. Cutting through the smoke with its intensity.
Then he could see it. The figure of a man with an arm placed overhead to block the blinding light from reaching his eyes. It was a disfigured image. A scarred body held together by a patchwork of stitches and hate.
As the smoke cleared the broken street the figure uttered, "I was hoping for the number two Hero."
Behind him was the National Diet Building. Or, what was left of it. The Central Hall had been forced open, and the security fencing around the building was warped beyond repair. Bakugou swore under his breath at the sight.
"Well don't worry bastard because you got something better!" Bakugo cracked his knuckles.
Another wall of blue fire surged forward from Dabi's mangled hands. Carving the street with a sheet of scorching flame that left the concrete charred with soot.
Bakugou rushed to meet it, riding on a billow of his own explosions. All I have to do is get in close. There was intense heat. Worse than before, but he kept the pace of his blasts up. Knowing he'd eventually pass through the flames.
"You're dumber than I thought," Dabi clasped his hand together and doubled his output.
The heat worsened. His hero costume's insulating fibers withered away. Bakugou reeled back as the pain struck him sharply.
Dammit! I can't take much more of this, he thought as he pulled away from the flames with a few quick blasts.
"Those politicians are waiting for you inside," Dabi's eyes were mired in contempt. "Don't keep them waiting."
"As soon as I kick your ass they won't have to keep waiting!" Bakugou grimaced.
Dabi's flames roared again. And again. Each burst forced Bakugou to take a step back farther from his opponent. Farther from the people he needed to save.
But the pattern of Dabi's assaults was slowing. They were becoming more and more predictable. He's letting up, Bakugou realized. His body must not be able to handle the heat.
"Now!" Bakugou surged forward once more. Between the rising heat, and passing flames. Cycling his blasts for a single knockout blow.
He's wide open! Adrenaline surged through his veins. He could see the shock etched onto Dabi's twisted features.
And then it hit him. A wall of flesh and muscle standing between him and Dabi. A Nomu had emerged from the shadow of a building slamming into Bakugou with its body.
Bakugou released his quirk. The Nomu was blown in half. Dammit! He was holding them back to use for defense.
Bakugo stumbled. His momentum halted by the surprise intervention of several hundred pounds of mutated flesh. He fell forward, rolling with the impact. Shit, my guards down now.
"You lose hero," Dabi raised his hands for the final flamethrower.
Before Dabi could take advantage of the opening, the roar of a motorcycle alerted his senses. Bakugou recognized the familiar sound, and turned to face the arrival of his old classmate.
Dabi turned around, and saw the figure plumet straight towards him. It was Uravity on her signature bike. A motorcycle custom built to withstand the pressures of zero gravity, in addition to being able to maneuver in a weightless drift. Both her hero costume, and matching bike were adorned with small jets that were designed to propel their user in any direction while adrift.
Ochako Uraraka had flown across the rooftops. Building to building, on a course that would avoid the streets choked full of debris and rubble. Manipulating the weight of the bike with her quirk so that the impact wouldn't shatter it and her bones. Landing right before the mass of villains, now reinforced by more of the Nomus.
There were three in total emerging from the smoke, including the one that had been blasted in half. It's body regenerating rapidly to restore the lost tissues and sinew that would keep the beast in the fight to protect its master.
The bike bolted past the group. A small outstretched hand made contact with their brawny frames as it flew by. In a few seconds they were struck by zero gravity. The mindless abominations swinging wildly above the city street as they drifted aimlessly away.
Dabi narrowly dodged the attack before releasing his flamethrower. The speed of Ururaka's bike proved too quick to land a solid hit on.
She pulled the bike back, wheeling around the ruined street to face Dabi.
"I'll be fine, go after everyone inside!" she spoke into her earpiece before revving up her bike. Speeding off to test her luck at yet another charge.
As Ochako engaged Dabi, Bakugou roared into his earpiece running up the steps into the Diet's Main Hall, linked to the same channel as the other Pro Heroes approaching the smoking building.
"Uravity has the front entrance covered. Gale Force and Shoto help her when you get here! Everyone else help me evacuate the Diet!"
….
Dim glowing screens surrounded them. A host of monitors tethered to the vast network of security cameras stationed all around the prison complex. Doorways, halls, cells, from where they were stationed there was very little of the prison they couldn't see.
"Hold it something's going on in sector 9," the guard peered at the screen furthest to his right.
There was motion in the warehouse. A host of the loading crews had gathered around the bulk of one of the freight trucks responsible for bringing in their supplies. And by the looks of it it wasn't good.
"Looks like they've found a body," he quickly turned to the others. "Signal the watch, we have an intrud—."
His throat had been severed by a passing blade, making further speech impossible. The door to the security hub had been opened, and in its frame had passed the melting figure of a guard poised for combat.
Toga sprang into action before they could draw their weapons. Her bladework possessed a deadly precision that found its mark before her disguise melted from her body.
In a single elegant motion a flurry of flying knives had slain every security officer on the deck.
By now her disguise had faded, reduced to a grey viscous liquid that spilt onto the ground to mire itself with the blood pooling from the corpses. Leaving the dim glow of the monitors to shine on her bodysuit which had survived the transformation unscathed.
She reached into her satchel to grab the marbles she had stored from earlier. Holding them close to her lips she whispered, "The coast is clear." Before tossing the blue stones to the side to avoid any mishaps. She wouldn't want Tomura to materialize this close to her.
In a flash both Compress and Shigaraki appeared, replacing the tiny marbles with their own presence.
"Nice work," Compress thanked her, taking a slight bow as an added gesture.
"We don't have much time," Tomura added. "Is the security offline? I can jam their communications with my radio wave quirk."
"On it," Toga hummed a soft tune as she skipped towards the control console. "Hmmmm, let's see. What to turn off first."
"Forget the turrets, do we even know where to find him in this place?" Compress protested with outstretched arms.
"I do, I can sense him," Shigaraki placed his hand on the floor. "We're so close. I can hear him calling out."
"Annnd done," Toga giggled. "Everything is offline."
"Let's get this show started then, before the heroes notice something's off."
Before Midoriya gets here, he thought.
…..
Izuku hurried after he saw the news broadcast. The circumstance called for immediate action but he had to notice, something was off.
It's not like them to strike out in the open like this, he thought. With the amount of heroes around this attack just seems suicidal. Something's wrong I can feel it,Izuku wondered. Why would the League attack so brazenly if it looked like they have no chances of winning?
As Chiyoda Ward came into view, Izuku felt something gnawing at the back of his mind. A thought unlike his own, whispering quietly to his subconscious as he thundered off through the Tokyo skyline.
Tomura...All For One…The thought echoed throughout his mind refusing to be let go.
"What?" Izuku paused his motion. Halting his advance, floating on a cushion of air.
Tartarus…
Somehow the voice— no—the thought seemed familiar to him. Despite also feeling completely foreign. Izuku searched his memory to recall the sense. The bitter realization hit him with a flood of dread.
"It's just like the Jakku incident," Izuku's mind raced through the images of the past. He still remembered all those years ago. When the same feeling he felt now reached out to him. Izuku could still see the faces of the dead. The ruins of Jakku ward. So many good heroes lost…
"It won't happen again," he turned around and thundered off. "This time I will save everyone!"