Chapter 5: One's Self-Control

Rush hour. It just had to be rush hour when Bakugo and Deku decided to head over to the police station. Nobody in their right mind enjoyed this hour of the day, and anybody who says they do needs to go check themselves into a hospital or be put into a straight jacket. It's muggy, hummed and crowded. Everyone is in a damn hurry and no one has manners when bumping and shoving others out of their way. As Bakugo waited for the damn light to change he heard a large gulp of air being taken from behind him.

"K-Kac-chan! Why didn't you wait for me?" Asked a very out-of-breath freckle-headed nerd as he takes the chance to collect himself before the light turns green.

Why? WHY? I'll tell you why, because SOMEONE had the balls to de-pants him in front of a bunch of cubicle desk-working nobodies. Bakugo knew it was an accident, but the stunt was too late to fix. Even though he saved himself from a full on frontal display, for all to see, he was still caught with his ass hanging out. Thank the cosmos that the elevator decided to come in time to save him from further humiliation. Plus, nobody was in it. Bonus. So EXCUSE him if he didn't want to deal with his dorky classmate right now. His mind has had enough of him today. Besides... S'not like Deku doesn't know where the police station is. It's located close to the agency for a reason.

"I don't have time to wait for your slow ass." He huffed, refusing to look his way, as the walking man sign beeped, chiming for everyone to proceed. "We need to hurry. Or else we'll lose visiting hours." It was already 5:45pm and they only had til 7 to question her.

"That's if they'll even let us in. We don't exactly have the authority to question her."

"We're the damn Heroes who caught her!" Bakugo pivoted quickly around and snapped back at Deku, stopping them dead in their tracks. He watched as those big stupid green eyes enlarged from surprise. Before Deku could utter a response, the other pedestrians started knocking them around.

"Get out of the way!"

"Keep moving!"

"Don't stop in the middle of the street!"

Swarmed by the onslaught of complaints, Bakugo turned to the next guy who bumped him and was gearing up to punch his lights out, but Deku started to push him through the crowd, tamping his anger into a dull irritation.

He hated rush hour.

Once on the other side of the street, he shrugged Deku off and continued his march towards the station, Deku in tow. "Let's not forget we're Junior Heroes. We don't have the same power of influence as the big known Heroes do." Deku continued.

"Don't you worry about that. I've got it covered." Bakugo 'Tch'ed as he bobbed and weaved through the crowded streets. After about 20 minutes of walking, they made it to their destination.

Masutofu's main police station stood tall and proud in the centre of the city. Its large glass windowed vestibule stretched the length of the building from the front, while decorative gardens were peppered around the edge of the complex, probably designed to be less of an eyesore for the public. People would feel much safer and protected if the building tried its best to give off a sense of welcoming. A place citizens could feel comfortable coming to address their problems and minor crimes. However, in the back of the building it was nothing but business, paperwork and holding cells.

As the boys approached the entrance, the sliding glass door opened and a tiny human being collided with Bakugo, knocking him backwards. "HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" He barked.

"I'm sorry, mister! Are you ok?" He looked up to see a little girl, about 5-years-old with sparkling blue eyes, long blonde hair tied into two small pig tails atop her head, in a blue dress, stitched with music notes to the side of it. She reached out and offered her hand.

The scene in front of him woke a past memory of when he fell off the log bridge and Deku came down the cliff side to offer his help. Those worried green irises trembling with concern as a tiny hand reached out to help. A memory that bothered him and made his blood boil. He quickly scooted back and pulled himself up with an aggravated grumble. The little girl simply tipped her head to the side in confusion before she retracted her hand.

"Sorry 'bout that, bud!" Came a voice from the opened glass door. Another stranger. A man in his early 20's. Slim build, but tall. He sported converse, jeans and a graffiti tank that was dressed with a grey open vest. He accessorized his appearance with leather cuffs, a chained collar and a cross necklace, multiple ear piercings, an uneven amount on each ear. A lip ring and a wedding band on his finger. He was pale with shoulder length black hair that was styled with a top ponytail. His eyes were a stormy grey that were calm and warm. "That sun is killer at this hour. Just low enough to cause sudden blindness when exiting a glass foyer." He smiled apologetically while scratching the back of his head. "Rui!" He kneeled down next to the little girl, placing a hand to her back. "Did we say we're sorry?"

"Of course!" She huffed as she pumped both of her fists in an insulted manner.

"You're lucky you're sorry. Everyone else today couldn't be bothered with remembering what an apology is." It was Bakugo's turn to huff. "So you get a pass." The girl turned towards Bakugo before flashing him a big smile. He quickly turned his head to the side as his heart skipped a beat, his face tinted with a soft blush. However, Deku was standing right in that direction and seemed to catch his shyness, his dorky face also breaking out in a smile. Fuming with embarrassment, he grasped Deku's shirt and dragged him through the front door.

"WAH!?" Deku startled before being dragged off into the building. He awkwardly turned his head to wave bye to the girl and, most likely, her father, before the sliding door closed. "Sorry! Bye!" Out of the corner of Bakugo's eye, he caught the reflection of the little girl waving back off the glass windows.

Once inside, Bakugo relinquished his hold on Deku and hurriedly made his way to the front desk, hands in his pockets. "Hey!" He said to the person who was busy working on the computer.

"Can I help you?" An officer in his mid 40's turned to address the boys. He lifted a curious brow as he watched Deku smooth the front of his wrinkled shirt.

"We're here to question the villain that came in last night. Young, with wild red hair and a messed up attitude." He could hear Deku facepalm beside him.

"And you are?" The officer gave a questionable look between the both of them as his eyes shifted back and forth. Bakugo wasted no time in pulling out his Hero ID card. It was laminated with his name, a picture of his Hero look and current agency information. The officer held his gaze on Bakugo as he reached for his proof. "It says here you're interning at Endeavor agency." No shit! It was highlighted in red with bold letters reading 'Trainee' on the front.

"Your point?" Another sigh escaped Deku.

"Only fully licensed Heroes, officers of the law, lawyers and close family members are allowed to speak with the detainee. Which neither of you are." He said matter-of-factly as he returned Bakugo's ID, his eyes turning boorish as he continued to observe the both of them.

Bakugo quickly pulled out his phone and typed something, before slipping it back into his pocket. A sharp ping could be heard from the phone behind him. "I get that, but we're here on special permission from the Flame Hero." He steeled himself.

"Is that so?" The officer didn't seem convinced, neither did Deku, but he managed to keep a straight face. Good.

"You're trying to get her to cooperate, right? But, she hasn't given you guys a straight answer. Just been prattling away about random nonsense?" The officer shifted in his seat. Bingo! Bakugo knows that if you're gonna lie, make it believable. It's a common procedure that the police would have already interrogated her and judging by the short encounter he had with her yesterday, he has a pretty good idea exactly how she would have acted: Non-cooperative. As long as he continues to use his skill of observation and basic knowledge of the law he should be able to get through. "We might be juniors, but we're training directly under Endeavor. We both know that he doesn't normally take students directly." Also common knowledge to the public. He prefers to fly solo. So having Deku, Half/Half and himself is rare indeed... minus the fact that one of them is blood related. "He's already been informed by his second-in-command that she refuses to talk." A report has probably, if not already, been sent and read by the bureau.

"Why would the number one Hero bother with such a petty villain? He's got more important things to focus on." The officer crossed his arms, fighting his bluff.

"Normally, yes, however we're the ones to personally apprehend this villain." Deku finally stepped in and stood his ground next to Bakugo. Bout' time! "Endeavor knew this and he approached us with the idea that she may open up to those younger than her. She doesn't seem to like adult figureheads."

"You!? The ones that caught her? If I were her I wouldn't want my capturers anywhere near me."

"True, most villains wouldn't... but she's different. She refuses to answer your question because it's the same ones every time. She's the type to give you what you want if you entertain her. Give her something new. Something unexpected and she'll bite."

"She gets excited about people's displeasure and discomfort." A flash of her teasing the both of them came to the front of Bakugo's mind. Creepy bitch! "Someone as strange as that will be more than happy to talk if she's got something to play with. In theory, anyway."

"I don't know—-"

"Hey! I'm just relaying what the big man said himself. If you aren't convinced you can call him yourself." Bakugo lifted up both arms defensively. "But, I imagine he's going to have a hay day when someone questions HIS authority!" And no one wants to deal with that man's temper.

The officer seemed to take a moment to think their proposal through, running a nervous thumb over his lips. Soon he reached over and opened up a drawer. A clipboard with paperwork on it.

"Sign here! After that leave all your belongings in the basket over there." He pointed off to his right as he passed Deku the clipboard. "There you'll be patted down and sent through our metal detector." The officer stood from his chair and made his way over to the machine where the holding cells lie beyond.

While Deku finished signing the visitor document he gave Bakugo a look of pure disappointment, making sure his back was turned from the officer. "I feel sick to my stomach."

"Sometimes you gotta play dirty and break a few rules in order to save people." And by people he meant them. They are trying to save themselves from any more humiliation. Deku just pouted as he passed Bakugo the clipboard. "Look, not even the best Heroes are painted white. We both know that." Just look at their current mentor. Once he finished signing in, they both headed to the detector. Deku was frisked first, then Bakugo. After successfully making it through the metal detector, the officer led them down a corridor.

"Rules! Rule number 1: No fighting. Either with the criminal or each other." Bakugo just rolled his eyes. "Rule number 2: When you enter the room you'll notice a red line on the floor. You are not to pass that line. It's there to keep a safe distance between you and the villain." The officer started to fiddle with a ring full of keys." Rule number 3: We will be watching you closely. There is a one way mirror where the villain can't see or hear us. But we can see and hear all of you. Everything that happens in that room will be recorded." In other words, they will have to mind what they say. Think before you speak. "You'll have 30 minutes to visit. No more. If you wish to leave early simply knock on the door." Bakugo watched as the officer inserted a key into a fully armed door. "Good luck!" And with that the door opened.

Bakugo and Deku stepped into the room where they were greeted with concrete flooring, padded walls and the smell of recently baked goods. Weird? Yet, there was a half eaten tray on the ground just outside the cell. Fake windows were installed on all four walls, serving the purpose of fake decor, while one was most likely the viewing room. Camera's were placed on every corner of the room, making sure not to leave any blind spots. A thick red line divided the room from the holding cell, measuring approximately 6 feet apart and there, behind the massive black iron gate was the person they've been looking for. She was laying upside down on her bed, her feet planted up against the wall, criss-crossed, while her head dangled from the bed. Her vibrant red hair sprung loose from all directions, covering most of her face, but something metal was peeking through her curls. Bakugo could see her playing with the frills in her hair, while she absentmindedly scratched at her forehead, before her attention landed on them. A slow wicked smile stretched across her face.

"You!" Bakugo hissed as he began to charge over to her cell, but was stopped immediately by Deku. He sharply turned his head only to see his green haired companion point to the line on the ground.

"I figured I would be seeing the both of you again." She giggled before she slumped her body down to the floor, like something slimy pooling to the ground, before twisting her body over and crawling over to the cell bars, climbing to come face to face with the boys. Bakugo could feel Deku shiver with what most likely was discomfort. She was creepier than most villains they've dealt with in the past.

"Then you know why we're here." He shrugged Deku off his arm, never losing eye contact with the girl.

"Oh?" She tilted her head to the side. "And that would be?" She played coy as she brought a curious finger to her lips. Bakugo knew that this wasn't going to be easy and it made it hard with the cops listening in in the other room. He had to approach this carefully without the cops suspecting that the villain had done something to them with her quirk, otherwise they may be put in isolation and pulled from their training in order to resolve this issue. Bakugo wasn't having any of that.

"Remember those two guys you talked about the last time we met...? We wanna know what it is you've done to them." Deku piped up, taking the conversation into his own hands. Bakugo flashed a quick look over to his freckly classmate, who now stood beside him. Hopefully Deku also knows to be careful in what gets said. To Bakugo's surprise he seemed to be implying that those 'two guys' are most likely him and Deku.

The red head seemed confused at the question at first. She would lick her lips like she was tasting the question, weighing it back and forth with the bob of her head to understand it better, before a look of realization sprinkled across her face. Her eyes shifted from the cameras to the one window and back on them. "I see how you want to play this." She snickered before lounging her body forward, snaking her arms through the bars, drooping them through to support her lax posture. "Why should I share this information with you, hmm? You were the ones that put me in here." She curled her finger indicating the both of them. "That wasn't very nice." She pouted. Damn this chick was infuriating. She was nothing more than a child stuck in an adult's body.

"What you did to those 'guys' wasn't very nice either." Deku prompted, knowing full well that he was implying them. "From what we read in a report your quirk has an ability that drives individuals mad. And yet, in another report it seems your quirk varies in control and duration."

"What's your point, cutie?"

"My point is that I have an idea on how your quirk works." Bakugo could see that Deku had gotten her interest with the way her left brow twitched.

"Do tell!" She mused as she came to kneel down in front of her cell, while continuing to cling to the bars, her arms grasping with anticipation. A roguish smirk patiently waiting behind her wild hairdo.

"First, I believe your third eye is the true source of your quirk." Now that Deku mentioned it, Bakugo noticed that the metal piece that glinted through her frazzled hair from earlier was much more noticeable up close. Upon closer inspection, he could now see that the villain's forehead was covered with a metal headband. Mostly likely to conceal her third eye. At least the cops were smart enough to figure that out. "Second, your victims must be in your line of sight to be affected by it." She wiggled her nose and Bakugo got the sense that this was her way of telling Deku that he was on the right track. "And third, you have the ability to control exactly what it is that drives them mad." Her mouth was trying to do its best in staying relatively neutral, but the twitch at the corner of her lips said she wanted to laugh.

"I get the feeling that this one here is the brain." Her right hand pointed at Deku, her other hand never letting go of the bars. "While this one here is all about the brawn. I mean look at those shoulders, RAWR!" Her hand waved in the same direction as Bakugo in a manner that resembled a cat's paw. Gross! Can this chick be any lamer. But, out of the corner of his eyes Bakugo swore Deku was clenching his fist. Maybe he was getting impatient by her behaviour? He didn't blame him.

"Was I close?" Deku dragged her attention back to him. She puffed out her cheeks before blowing out a breath of air, standing herself up straight. Now Bakugo could see her in her prison gear. Simple black and grey scrubs with a number tag sewn into the shirt. She pushed some of her hair out of her face to fully reveal her plated headband, her dark, but piercing violet eyes mocking the both of them as she stuck out her tongue.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!" She howled. "But, I'm afraid you only get half a point since you're only half right." She laughed before she walked back over to her bed. As she sat back down she decided to cross her legs elegantly, while leaning back on her hands. "Judging by your reaction and the reason for coming to visit little ol' me you two have experienced SEEING those 'two guys' in action by the effects of my quirk, right?" Bakugo wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of seeing his discomfort about all the shit that's happened today. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and gave her his best 'You-can't-shake-me' look. That said, the moment he turned to see what Deku was cooking up in his defence he nearly choked. His green haired companion was beet red from ear to ear.

"Why are you blushing, Nerd?" The villain burst out laughing at their reaction, rolling onto her back and kicking her feet wildly from the force of the laughter. Deku was doing his best to regain his composure, but Bakugo guessed that the events that they went through today resurfaced like a hurricane to the forefront of his mind. He couldn't blame him. Everything that's happened today was too much. The memories kept trying to creep up at any chance they let their guards down. Even Bakugo caught his flushed face from the reflection of the windows in the room. So much for trying to play it cool. Anyone with a brain cell could read us like an open book.

After several attempts of the villain trying her best to control her laughing fits she eventually rolled herself back up into a sitting position on the bed. "Since you two showed up and decided to relieve my boredom with your deliciously hilarious innocence I'll answer one question for ya." Her lips drew up in a sadistic manner. "Choose wisely."

Boiling with enough rage, and sick of her playful nature, Bakugo shouted out the question without much thought. "WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK U-" Instinctively he wanted to point to himself, but the reflection of the camera lens that focused on them reminded him of where they were. "THEM! THE TWO GUYS! WHY THE HELL ARE YOU FUCKING WITH THEM!?" A very audible palm slap to the face could be heard next to Bakugo.

A bark of laughter erupted from the villain's mouth and she keeled over, again, catching her face in her palm to support her outburst. "Because those two were a train wreck. Yelling and bickering at one another. I figured the two of them hated each other. And what's more fun than making two people who hate each other, crave each other instead?" A warped smile could be seen from behind her hand, delirious eyes poking through the seams between fingers.

"SO THIS IS NOTHING BUT A BIG JOKE TO YOU!?" Bakugo was about to move forward, but Deku held him back with an outstretched arm. His head nodded towards the red line on the ground, reminding him of the rules. "Your stupid ass quirk has driven people insane, even to have gone so far as to kill themselves." Bakugo only wished he could send her flying, but the damn restrictions are stopping him from doing as he pleased.

He watched as her crooked smile slumped downwards. Her demeanour changing into something that looked almost bored. No! More like irritation. "What happens to my victims after the fact has no concerns to me. If they feel guilty or disgusted with themselves enough to have to off themselves, then they have a weak mental constitution."

"Are you saying that if they had better control over their minds they would have broken free of your quirk?" Deku continued to push for answers while showing an incredible amount of patience, but Bakugo could tell he wouldn't be able to last much longer, the hand that stopped him was shaking with just as much frustration as him.

A long stretched out sigh seemed to escape out of the villain's mouth before she reached up and pitched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry, sweet cheeks, but the number of questions you have has reached zero." She demonstrated that fact by circling her thumb and pointer finger into a zero.

"We're not done here!" Bakugo barked.

"Sure you are!" As if on queue the door behind them opened and an officer appeared.

"Times up." Said the officer and Bakugo whistled his head back and forth between the girl and the policeman. He didn't want to leave, not until she fixed what she started, but the way Deku's hand gently grasped his side and gave him a stern look told him not to push his luck. With a frustrated growl Bakugo shoved Deku away from him and proceeded to leave the room.

"Bye-bye now! Come play with me again soon!?" She snickered, but before they left Bakugo and Deku heard her mumble something else. "Sometimes desire is far stronger than one's self-control." They looked back and stopped just short of the exit. Her back was turned to them and she was now sitting crossed legged on her bed reading a book, facing the wall. Where the hell did she pull that out of? "You two weren't the only ones I used my quirk on that day." Before the boys could utter another word the officer hastily pushed them out of the room, closing the door behind them. Only the sound of a soft humming song could be heard from the other side of the door.