Into the SNAFU verse

Chapter 4: Punishment

"I'm home."

Hachiman stepped into his house, the warmth inside was refreshing him. And Komachi, his adorable sister in her pajamas came to give him a greeting but added was her worried expression.

"Onii-chan! Where have you been?" Komachi squeaked concernedly, "It was pouring outside and you never stay out this late!"

"Uh…uh…I uh…" Hachiman stammered, it was so difficult for him to come up with an excuse. "I was running late b-because I had to run errands for Isshiki-san."

Komachi put her hands on her hips. She said, "Till so late? What kind of errands huh?"

"She needed help for the school paper, I was helping her photographing facilities in the school." Hachiman showed his camera.

Komachi was puffing her cheeks before finally she was convinced. "Ok then, I'm going to sleep already." She yawned out.

"Uh y-yeah. I'm going to shower first." Hachiman said and headed upstairs. He did not hear what Komachi had to say, he got up to the second floor and stepped into his room. The sound of a storming patter outside filled his ears as he turned on the lights in his room.

"Psst." A knock on his window gave Hachiman a startle. "Hachiman."

Rushing over he drew the curtains, and there was Spider-man outside his room hanging upside down by his web. The boy in the room opened up the window and Spider-man perched himself onto the frame, he removed his mask and the Hachimans stared at each other.

As Hachiman stared blankly at 'himself', it is not every day someone could do that without a mirror or a photo. Spider-Man simply raised up a hand. "Yo."

"U-Uh, y-yo." Hachiman gave his own weak greeting.

"Huh, now that I hear the greeting for myself that sounded weak." Spider-Man frowned. "Did you notice anything different?"

"About what?" Hachiman asked.

"Everything," Spider-Man answered leaning down. "Is Komachi ok? Did anything happen after the time you and Isshiki were at the tennis court in school?"

Hachiman's eyes squinted to recall anything out of the ordinary, but there was nothing. "No."

Hachiman's phone came to life in his phone with a second of vibration. Bringing it up to view, the two saw the message.

"Hikigaya-kun. Have you returned home from assisting Isshiki-san?" And its sender was Yukinoshita Yukino. Hachiman had a small sigh, it was calming to see a message from Yukino. He sent a reply quickly.

"Yes. I made it home."

A few seconds later came Yukino's reply.

"That's good. I'll see you on Monday.

Love you."

Hachiman could not help the smile creeping onto his face. Turning back to Spider-Man however, the smile waned. Spider-Man was completely frozen, staring straight at the text.

"W-What?" Hachiman asked, uneasy with the wall crawler's silence. Spider-Man recoiled his head, trying to keep his cool. Fighting bad guys and rescuing civilians, and this the one thing that stunned Spider-Man completely.

"Y-Yukinoshita. Are you two…d-dating?" Spider-Man finally asked the question.

"U-Ugh, uh…" Hachiman's face went red.

Spider-Man had to be the collected one in this conversation. "Hey look, you can tell me ok? Cause you know, it's me, you, us…you understand what I'm saying right?" Spider-Man pointed.

That notion did strike Hachiman, someone he could talk to which was himself, in a way. It was such an alluring idea, to confide to someone closer to Hachiman than anyone ever could.

"Yes." Hachiman could finally say it with comfort and confidence. "I am."

Spider-Man breathed out the breath he did not even he was holding. He spotted something from Hachiman's table. A framed photograph, Spider-Man shot out a web that attached to the frame. Spider-Man yanked it swiftly and the photograph flew into his grasp.

It was a photograph of Hachiman and Yukino in the coastal park. In the photo, Hachiman was holding a bubble tea, and Yukino was dressed in a pretty blue cardigan and her hair was tied in twin pigtails. Spider-Man just could not take his eyes off them.

Yukino was just so cute and beautiful with her smile, she was happy with Hikigaya Hachiman and it was clear that she loved him. "Excuse me." Spider-Man was snapped out of his distraction when Hachiman called him, extending a hand out, "Can you give that back?"

"Oh. Y-Yeah. Sorry." Spider-Man handed the picture back. "It's just uh…kind of a shock."

Hachiman raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Nothing. I-It's just that I…uh ok never mind that." Spider-Man dropped the subject, he needed to get back on the situation at hand. He put his mask back on. "Alright look. I…we, need to figure out what happened, then we'll find a way to get back to our own worlds. And stop whoever did this." Spider-Man reached behind his waist and took out an earpiece. "Here, you can use this to contact me. If anything happens you call me immediately you understand? I think would best if you just stay here, stay home, and don't go anywhere. We have two days to figure this out before Monday."

Hachiman took the earpiece and nodded. "Ok, but what about Isshiki?"

"You let me look after her. I won't let her get in harm's way I promise. Especially with the other guy up on the roof." Spider-Man pointed up.

Hachiman then said, "You don't trust him?"

Spider-Man's white lens narrowed a little. "I can handle him, easy. So don't worry. You just stay here, I promise we'll fix this…then you can go back to Yukinoshita."

Hachiman's cheek had a tint of red, but then he realized something.

"Wait." Spider-Man was about to leap away until Hachiman stopped him. "I'm going with you."

It took a second for Spider-Man to process Hachiman's decision. "Wait what? Hold on."

But Hachiman did not wait, he went to get his bag and began stuffing his belongings, clothes, towel, and extra money. Spider-Man stepped into the room and grabbed Hachiman's shoulder. "What in the hell do you mean you're coming with us?"

"I have to go with you because I'm involved. We all are." Hachiman with his packed bag turned to face him again, only noticing Spider-Man was still in his boots.

"You're indoors and you're wearing footwear?" Hachiman groaned straight-faced. Spider-Man realized his blunder. Jumping up he planted himself onto the ceiling. Hachiman stumbled by the display of power. "Shit."

"Hachiman look, this is your world. Which means you're safe at home already. You don't have to put yourself in harm's way." Spider-Man said. It was a weak attempt, but Spider-Man wanted at least one Hachiman to be safe, one that has so much to lose already.

"It's too late for that." A low hoarse voice behind them said. They turned around there was a dark cloaked silhouette with red glowing eyes perched on the window frame. Spider-Man had to admit, that would look scary to anyone 'uninitiated', but Spider-Man was not of them. The rain shower was starting to cease as the three got together again.

"The hell you mean?" Spider-Man crossed his arms.

"Hachiman's right. This crisis, there is one single common denominator." Huntsman answered, "All of us. And not you as Spider-Man or me as Huntsman." Spider-Man's brain starting piecing it together, his white eyes went wide. The clue was that a Hachiman from three worlds were thrown together, and a non-hero Hachiman was present as a control variable.

"Whoever did this could know who we are," Spider-Man said.

"It's possible, but a lot of clues are too convenient to be a coincidence," Huntsman added. "Is there anything out of the ordinary here in this house?"

"Everything in here is all the same," Spider-Man answered. "It's exactly like how my room is like. But there is another thing." Huntsman kept silent. Spider-Man would have to take that as a gesture to continue. Spider-Man swallowed and said to him, "Our Hachiman here is dating Yukinoshita."

Hachiman's cheeks reddened, he sucked on his teeth when Spider-Man spilled the beans. Still perched on the window frame, Huntsman's lips made a small parting, to Spider-Man that told him the hunter was stunned as well. And quickly Huntsman clammed his mouth again, "Hmm."

"Yeah I can tell you're surprised by this." Spider-Man crossed his arms, "This…this Hachiman did it. He made it."

"Made it?" Huntsman asked.

"He has found his genuine thing. He's…happy with Yukinoshita."

Huntsman made no response to that, the crisis had to be brought back to focus. "Where is the alleyway that you have mentioned before?"

"Where is it?" Spider-Man careened towards the direction of him. "Why?"

"Could be a clue that could help us."

"Alright." Spider-Man fished out his phone. "Well what do you know, I can still connect to the Wi-Fi." Spider-Man searched up the alleyway on his phone, he crawled on the ceiling towards Huntsman and passed his phone over. "Here."

Huntsman glared at the map, his sinking dreading feeling was coming true. Spider-Man noted Huntsman was actually letting out a growl. "Ok…that snarl is not a good sign." Spider-Man crossed his arms.

"You mentioned that you and Tobe were led into a trap by this specific street." Huntsman handed the phone back to him.

"Yes." Spider-Man said.

"Are you sure it is exactly this address?"

"Yes." Spider-Man's lens narrowed once more. "Why? What's the big issue with this alleyway?"

"It's…" Huntsman clammed for a second, "It's a clue."

"How so?" Spider-Man asked, is white lens narrowing again, "This address mean anything to you?"

A moment of silence from Huntsman gave Spider-Man and Hachiman a sign that this was precarious grounds. "It's a place I frequent, in my world."

"An alleyway that you frequent?" Spider-Man's mask showed an unamused expression, "To do what exactly huh?"

"I will say no more." Huntsman's tone left nothing to argue, "And now's not the time, we have to regroup with the rest. So get your things Hachiman, then we need have to leave."

Spider-Man still upside down on the ceiling threw the next problem. "In case you haven't realized you speck of black, our parents…well his parents, are going to be back soon. And what do we do when they start calling huh?"

Hachiman took the chance to get into the conversation, "Uh," The costumed duo turned to him, "I-I could just say that I-I'm um staying at a friend's house?"

Huntsman and Spider-Man just stared at him, the looks they were giving was painful enough to point out the obvious, Hikigaya Hachiman was not one to stay over at a 'friend's' house. "I'll say I'm staying with Yukinoshita then." Hachiman declared.

Spider-Man was not entirely convinced, "You sure Komachi will buy that?"

Hachiman's lips gave a doubtful look, but he has to be committed in pulling his own. "Yes, it will work."

Huntsman's eyes flashed a glow of red, before letting out a 'hmm'. "Komachi's sleep already. We should leave now when we have the chance." Hachiman was not going to ask how he could see that, but it did irk him that Huntsman would check on Komachi so insensitively.

Hachiman pointed at the window. "So do I go out through the window with you all or…" Huntsman and Spider-Man just gave him a look. Hachiman grimaced embarrassingly, "I-I'll take the door."

The black-cloaked hunter on the window frame jumped up back onto the roof and brought a hand to his ear turning on his comms. "Miura, where are you?"

"I found a place." Yumiko answered through her earpiece.

"Where?"

"…It's better if I just give you the address."

In another part of Chiba, while the three Hachimans were busy at the Hikigaya residence, Isshiki Iroha, Tobe Kakeru, and Muira Yumiko were busy themselves. They trekked down to the coastal park, it was the only area that was within walking distance from the docks. "Um Tobe-senpai?" Iroha muttered out to Kakeru.

The only guy in the group turned to her. "Isshiki-san?"

"Where are we going? I want to go home." Iroha whined with a tremble in her voice.

"Not yet." Yumiko leading the group answered.

"Oi Yumiko." Kakeru intervened. "What is with you?"

"What?" Yumiko turned to him.

"Can't you see she's scared?" Kakeru pointed at Iroha. "I mean just look at her." Iroha had tears welling up in each eye. Yumiko however was not moved by the pity face.

"Then what do you suggest huh?" Yumiko raised her brows at Kakeru. "Think Tobe. We don't yet know which Earth we're in, what if we go back to our houses and we see ourselves? And not in a mirror. I'm not going to risk that. We stick to the plan, we wait for the Hikio to come back." Yumiko said and carried on her path.

A moment later they've stopped to rest at a gazebo, fortunate for them the park was empty in the night. Isshiki Iroha took her seat and huddled while Tobe Kakeru got to the vending machine in the gazebo. Yumiko herself stood at the entrance, giving her location to Huntsman.

Time passed, but the three did not have any capacity of conversation. "Miura-senpai?" Iroha tried to call the other girl. She really needed the comfort of someone of the same gender, to have girl talk. But Yumiko still had her back turned to her and stared at the coast. Yumiko's mind was still focused on the crisis, trying to digest the idea of a multiverse. She suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder, immediately Yumiko's instinct kicked out. She leaped away and spun around with fists raised.

"Get back you!" Yumiko raised her voice, getting into a fighting stance. Iroha's heart jumped up to her mouth, she yelped and fell on her butt. Kakeru almost dropped the coffee can in his hand. He quickly stepped in between the two.

"What the hell?!" Kakeru exclaimed. "What is wrong with you Yumiko?!"

"I'm sorry!" Iroha got up and bowed, trying anything to cool them down. "Miura-senpai I'm sorry!"

"Iroha it's ok!" Kakeru tried to soothe. "Iroha just get behind me."

Yumiko stayed quiet, glaring at them both. Kakeru stormed right to the blonde girl. "Are you out of your mind?! Why did you do that?!"

"Just don't touch me Isshiki." Yumiko warned Iroha instead of answering Kakeru. Yumiko let out a sigh and moved further away from the two. The trembling Iroha had no idea what to do, just sat back at her seat. Kakaru was not done however.

Kakeru stormed Yumiko's way. "Hey! I'm talking to you! What is your deal?!"

"What?" Yumiko got defensive.

"Why are you like that every time Iroha opens her mouth?" Kakeru glared back at her.

"It's nothing," Yumiko said.

"Hey, don't think I've forgotten what you called her. What did you mean by 'psycho'?" He pointed at her.

"Hah?!"

"You called her psycho. What's that supposed to mean?" Kakeru said, "She's the student council president, why would you call her that?"

"Hah?! Student council president? Isshiki Iroha?!" Yumiko could not believe that at all. Before any of them could continue their argument, the distant sound of screeches approached, a cloud of bats swarmed above them.

The Huntsman glided through the swarm, he spread out his cape for wings and landed in front of Kakeru to create a wedge between him and Yumiko. The Huntsman slowly rose up to full height and his red eyes stared right into him, telling the boy to back off. The sound of a 'thwip' followed behind Kakeru and Spider-Man swung in making his landing too, with Hikigaya Hachiman clung onto his back. "Dammit." Kakeru stepped away from Huntsman. The bats above them quickly dissipated.

"Yeah this guy's just theatrics." Spider-Man said to himself. Soon as Hikigaya Hachiman was set down from Spider-Man, Isshiki Iroha wasted no time rushing to his side. "Senpai!"

"Isshiki. Are you alright?" Hachiman could not ignore how dirty and crumpled her uniform looked.

"I want to go home." Iroha pleaded to him and clung to his sleeve. Soon as she felt the presence of those red eyes glaring her way, she pressed herself against Hachiman further. Hachiman on his part did not appreciate how Huntsman was scaring the poor girl, even if he knew who Huntsman really was.

The lack of unity was apparent enough, each Hachiman still stuck with their corresponding partner.

"What did you guys find in Hikigaya residence?" Yumiko asked her associate.

Huntsman came to her front, "This is Hikigaya Hachiman's world." He pointed at the boy in question. "That Hikigaya Hachiman."

"Spidey." Kakeru whispered to the web-slinger. "There's something really off with those two Spidey." Spider-Man nodded his head at him to continue, "A mistaken identity? What kind of mistaken identity case gets someone to attack her like earlier?"

"We got another issue as well," Spider-Man said, biting his lip beneath his mask. "I think whoever is responsible for this…knows who I am. Knows who we are."

Chilled air suddenly breezed through the coastal park. The cold went right through all six of them. The ground had gotten so much darker and Spider-Man's senses kicked in hard. "Get back!" Spider-Man gripped Kakeru's shoulder shoved him away. That mere second was all it took, the darkness in the ground turned into tendrils wrapping up Spider-Man's legs holding him in place. "No!"

Huntsman leaped away with a backflip. One black tendril from the ground shot up his way, in mid-air Huntsman threw a bladed batarang slicing through the black tentacle. All that did was cut it into two tendrils coming his way, wrapping around his torso Huntsman was slammed into the ground.

"Neeaarghh!" He growled out in pain the tendrils with minds of their own lifted him upright. Before Spider-Man could shoot out his webs to pull him out the tendrils wrapping his legs grew larger and his whole body was coiled up tight. The same fate happened to Huntsman and the blackness tightened its grip on the two.

"Spidey!"

"Huntsman!"

Yumiko and Kakeru rushed in trying peel off the oily blackness holding the two in place. Iroha and Hachiman quickly backed away in panic, Hachiman got his kouhai behind him to protect her.

"You're all so clever, as always." A haunting echo loomed through the park. In the oily darkness surrounding the grounds, a portal of glowing purple appeared. A silhouette slowly rose up, revealing the one behind the attack. It looked like a human, a male figure covered in dark purple.

"Stay where you all are, or you will get hurt badly." The figure in purple commanded them all. Held by fear Hachiman and Iroha stood still. Kakeru and Yumiko complied despite their reluctance. The dark purple figure appeared to scan each of them with a critical gaze.

"I expected more from you all." He said, "But then we all should know, expectation begets disappointments." In a swift raise of his arms, tendrils shot out from each of his hands, they struck Spider-Man and Huntsman's faces, wrapping around their heads.

"You two won't need these. You cannot hide anything from me Hikigaya Hachimans." The man in dark purple said. Their masks started to sizzle out sparks and they were ripped out of their faces. Their damaged masks were tossed aside and their bruised faces were exposed.

"No! Let them go!" Kakeru shouted.

The Huntsman without his mask bared his teeth and tried to break free of the blackness holding him in. "Who are you?"

"Call me the Magician if you wish, it matters not to me." The Magician answered. "And neither does the secret identity nonsense. I do not care for that leverage, I have no use for it. You can rest easy with that."

Spider-Man then spat "You screwing us with that bullshit! You got us all here for what?"

A moment of silence lingered, the two still trapped while the rest could only stand by and do nothing.

"Why you all here?" The Magician said. "What could I want from you all? All of you? That's simple." There a second of silence before he gave his answer, the cold air breezed even colder.

"Punishment."