Raindrops fall to bequeath a blacktop street, ripples in the dark giving the surface an unsturdy appearance. Each footfall from the lone hooded figure occupying the stretch of road stays afloat anyways, grounded atop the blackened base. Those same rain droplets seemingly float, gentle to tap the being who strides in the night. In the glow of a burning streetlamp, the specks are as invisible as he in the darkness. The living shadow stops at the Iceberg Lounge, only unveiling the hood to reveal himself when he's greeted at the door.
Izuku Midoriya stares up at a reptilian man double his size and stature. He recognizes the Nomufied bouncer as Killer Croc, formerly a guard dog at the docks. He figures Penguin changed Iguchi's position after he and Shiretoko brought him down the first time. The grotesque mutation has continued to develop since their last encounter it seems. The desaturated purple hair he once had has all fallen out, or perhaps been shaved, replaced by a scaly skull. Parietal eyes glower at Midoriya from the greater height as Iguchi sniffs the air.
Iguchi's gaze fixates on Midoriya as he inhales, pointed teeth shaped into a snarl. "Your scent.. it's .. familiar..", Midoriya's own eyes widen as he realizes Killer Croc can recognize his scent. He's unsure of whether or not the Nomufied attack dog will be capable of putting two and two together that he's Batman, but he instantly adds to the list of his worries that Croc may also smell the fear he's excreting.
"That's because I was here before.", Midoriya acts quickly and decisively takes a gamble that Toga had crossed Croc's path while masquerading as him. Continuing to put up a front with that excuse, he also tries to make their interaction as brief as possible, "I'm back for the same reason. To meet with your boss."
But Midoriya's words fall on deaf ears. Iguchi is still sniffing the aroma that only he can identify specifically. "Smell.. You smell like..", his mismatched mind works slowly to place the scent but it's intent on solving the mystery.
Feigning a laugh, Midoriya tries to play it off with a joke next, "I thought the rain would help substitute for a shower, but I guess that was a mistake." His nervous chuckle doesn't do much to convince the imposing figure of Killer Croc, but it does distract him momentarily.
The interaction is drawn out long enough for another door manager to step in. "What's the hold up here?", a man with spiky turquoise hair and a goatee pushes past Iguchi to have a look for himself. "Well!", recognizing Izuku Midoriya, his previously disgruntled demeanor shifts to something a little brighter, "As I live and breathe, if it isn't Izuku Midoriya." He quickly shifts back to form in order to snap at his much larger associate though, "Let em through, dumbass."
A low growl comes from Croc, who it's directed at unclear. He does, however, step aside. Midoriya hurries past to get into the club, not wasting the opportunity. Now with the aid of nyan lights, Midoriya recognizes the second door guard as Soga Kugisaki. In the world of vigilantes prior to his own time, Kugisaki had quite a record. Even for somebody involved in the underworld, he can't help but wonder how the man came into Penguin's employ.
"Don't mind him. He gets cranky if he doesn't eat often.", Kugisaki flaps his hand over his shoulder to wave off Iguchi's unspoken threat.
Though Midoriya takes it very seriously, considering Croc has a valid reason to make good on it should he come to identify his scent. "Is it really a good idea to have a guy like that guarding the door?", Midoriya makes an act of seeming anxious by glancing behind himself every now and then.
Kugisaki shrugs, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. "It keeps the riff raff out at least.", he side-eyes Midoriya with a raised brow when adding, "Don't tell me you're a quirkist."
"Never!", Midoriya quickly shoots down the suggestion. In reality, he used to be a quirk fanatic. "Growing up quirkless, all I ever wanted was a quirk of my own.", that desire had only increased exponentially after his parents died. He wishes he had a quirk to have saved them. Remembering the recent revelation of their criminal records though, maybe it's better off that he didn't. Midoriya surprises himself with that thought, a sharp pang to his heart as he immediately regrets thinking it.
"I can only imagine.", Kugisaki considers Midoriya's childhood for a moment before sighing and opening up a little too. "Well, quirks aren't all as great as they're cut out to be either. Take it from me.", he takes the lead instead of walking side by side when taking Midoriya down a hall.
"I guess it wasn't easy for anyone growing up in our era.", Midoriya mutters more to himself than to Kugisaki.
Though Kugisaki hears it anyways. He glances over his shoulder to reply, "And I doubt it'll get any easier." Then they reach the door to an office. "Welp, here we are. You and the boss seemed acquainted enough, so I'll leave ya to it.", it's the office of The Penguin.
Midoriya watches Kugisaki walk away while giving a small bow, "Thanks."
He hesitates to knock on the door. "Who is it?!", but it swings open on its own, an angry nightclub owner behind it. Though his scowl shifts to delight upon seeing his company, "Mister Midoriya! Don't be shy, come on in!" Okuta waddles with his weight to a built in minibar where he asks and offers, "What brings you by? Care for a cigar? A drink, perhaps?"
"Uh, no thanks, I'll pass on both.", Midoriya waves them off before closing the door behind himself. "I just wanted to make sure you're making good on our deal is all.", he'd rather get straight to the point and keep the visit short.
"Mister Midoriya. You wound me. Really, I'm hurt.", Okuta makes a show of acting injured by placing his hand over his heart. It's the same hand Midoriya had broken when he paid Penguin a visit as Batman. "I am a legitimate businessman. I always make good on my end of the bargain. Especially when being paid as handsomely well as you're putting out.", he chuckles to himself as though what he said is funny.
"You know I'm good for the money.", Midoriya squints at Okuta as he waits patiently for information. Though the glare isn't quite as effective without his mask.
"I don't expect your company to go under any time soon, that's for sure.", Okuta continues cackling at his own joke. When he sees that Midoriya isn't laughing along, he simmers down and turns serious, "Not to worry. I've got exactly what you want. I was gonna send it to the P.O box you gave me, but since you're already here.."
Midoriya's intrigue provokes him to ask about the P.O box mentioned, but he knows that'd be too suspicious considering he's meant to be the same person Toga pretended to be. So instead, he subtly tries a different approach to extract other intel, "And you've already been paid by my people, right?"
Okuta nods in affirment, "You have some reliable little workers. Yes, sir. I do believe we have conducted our business together rather well."
"Just making sure.", Midoriya tries to keep any growl out of his voice but he's finding it increasingly difficult in Okuta's company.
Okuta withholds a USB he's brandished, that must be what Toga impersonated to gain. "Though, there is one wee little hangup that's bugging me.", he uses it as a bargaining chip for whatever it is that he's referring to.
"Oh? And what's that?", Midoriya restrains himself from sounding too surprised. He wasn't expecting there to be a catch or to come so close to acquiring what Toga and her accomplice wanted before they could get their hands on it.
"Well, you know I don't like to pry. There's no reason for me to go poking my beak into other people's business by asking questions.. But there's something extra shady about what it is you're coming to me for.", Okuta thumbs the USB as he looks it over for himself. His monocle is like a microscope being used to study it.
"How so?", Midoriya takes a step closer as he's further drawn into the deal that his impersonator had with Penguin.
"Look, I don't mean any ill-treatment. I'm just curious as to what a guy like you wants with U.A's records.", Midoriya involuntarily reacts in shock at that revelation. Already, he's reconnecting threads and ties to Intelli and U.A as he considers various probabilities. "Could it have to do with that little girl you took under your wing?", but Okuta comes to his own conclusion based on Midoriya's reaction.
Midoriya snaps out of his thoughts upon hearing Eri mentioned, glare hardening on Penguin. He doesn't bother keeping the gravelly growl out of his voice as he says, "Leave her out of your mouth."
Okuta's mouth morphs into a toothy grin, the gap between his teeth showing through. "Oh, touched a nerve there. But what sort of gentlemen are we if we can't keep our composure?", he holds up his hands in mock surrender. The fingers that aren't missing twiddle innocently.
"What are you getting at?", Midoriya keeps his razor sharp focus on the slimy Penguin in front of him. He's not fooled by the act, and he's even more on edge by the undertone of confidence from the corrupted businessman.
"The money you gave me is the Yakuza's, yeah? I don't need to go making enemies who might consider it still theirs, if you understand where this is going.", Okuta begins to elaborate as he works his way towards his computer monitor. There, he's able to show conversions and money transfers through the screen.
Seeing that as a form of karma, Midoriya shrugs without care. "You took the payment. There's no refunds for dirty transactions.", it's not like he's the one who agreed to their terms in the first place, even if Okuta doesn't know that himself.
"That's what money laundering is for. To get it clean.", Okuta snaps indignantly now that he's reached his tipping point. The end of the rope for his patience has been reached, spit flying from his mouth as he squawks, "The way I see it, you owe me now. I even hand delivered your order for you. Now where's my tip?"
Midoriya turns away from the Penguin that's furiously flapping his arms, "I'm sure you get plenty of tips at the bar. You run a fine establishment. You'll be fine." He needs to shift the power dynamic back in his favor, and this is how he plans to do so.
"No need to be so stingy when you run such a fine business yourself.", Okuta desperately tries to think of a way to blackmail the man prepared to walk out on him and regain control, "Or are you planning to spend it all on that orphan girl's tuition?" He lands on the reason he assumes Midoriya wants the thumbdrive in the first place.
Midoriya stops at the door, pausing there. "I told you to not speak of her.", his voice is a low growl but it's loud enough for Okuta to hear it. Midoriya hadn't actually planned on leaving without the USB in the first place, but now he has more incentive to swindle the Penguin.
"Well, that entirely depends on you.", Okuta's smug smile returns now that he thinks he's regained control of the situation. He keeps utilizing what he views as Midoriya's weakness to try and renegotiate the conditions of their unspoken contract, "You wouldn't want me to go telling her how naughty her new daddy is, would you?"
Midoriya reaches out with his hand, grabbing the latch on the door. He turns it, the lock clicking in place. He pulls his hood back over his head to conceal the expression that he's making. It isn't one that belongs to Izuku Midoriya. Even without his mask, it'll be evident to Penguin who it is he's actually conducting business with now. "You're not going anywhere near her.", Midoriya turns around to face Okuta but his facial features are shrouded in the darkness that he's excreting through his aura.
Sensing the extreme danger that he's in, Okuta nearly trips over his desk while backing away. "Now wait just a bloody minute.", he holds out a three fingered hand in an attempt to hold Midoriya back. It's the same one that got broken the last time. It's now broken again. Okuta crows as loud as he can, a mixture of pain release and a call for help.
Midoriya snatches away the USB that he came for before breaking into a sprint for the window. He knows before Killer Croc comes barreling through it that the front door wasn't an option. The reptilian Nomu gives chase when the hooded thief leaps through the glass, both of them launching themselves into the wet world where predators play.
Midoriya lands on a parked car, caving in its roof. He bounces off of it by his heels, moving with his continued momentum. When Iguchi lands on the same vehicle with his added weight, it's crushed entirely. The crocodilian beast roars before pursuing the runner.
Midoriya avoids the crowded sidewalk and busy street, not wanting to put any of the pedestrians in danger when it comes to Croc's warpath for him. Instead, he darts for a dark alley. It twists and turns with various corners, the back exits of shady businesses on either wall's side. Graffiti screams profanity for him up to the point of reaching a dead end.
While that would mean doom and damnation for anyone else cornered by Killer Croc, for a person who's trained to peak physical condition, he's able to meet the obstacle head on. His sneakers scrape the brick walls as he bounds from one side to the next, carrying himself up the heights towards the roof ledges. Just as he's about to reach the top, his leg is grabbed by the massive monster below.
Iguchi slams Midoriya into the ground with a single downward motion. The impact rattles Midoriya's bones and his back bounces against the pavement. Already, he's got all the wind knocked out of him. From exerting himself earlier and now this body abuse, he wheezes harshly to grab greedy intakes of air.
The massive Croc reels his fist back, about to end it all as quickly as it started. But Midoriya rolls to the side in the knick of time to avoid being crushed. The ground shatters and cracks instead of his bones, but he feels the quake from the earth reach him just the same. The apex predator roars, rain splattering in a mix of saliva, enraged that he missed.
Midoriya scrambles to get to his feet, narrowly avoiding a secondary swipe of the beast's fist barreling towards him again. He tumbles backwards from a gust of wind pressure, crashing into a pile of collected trash. Loaded bags spill out of a few garbage cans, not enough to hold how much waste there is. Midoriya reaches for his waist, forgetting that there isn't a handy utility belt there to save him. He wishes he had just stealthily taken the drive from Penguin as Batman, thinking he could have avoided this fight or been prepared for the inevitable that way. However, in the moment, he also thinks innovatively to fight without his gadgets. He grabs one of the trash cans, swinging it at Iguchi's head.
It does nothing, the thin metal container folds against the thick hide. Killer Croc reacts violently, snapping at Midoriya with a vicious bite. The hoodie he's wearing gets caught, ripping as it's pulled in the opposite direction that Midoriya pulls. His green hair flaps wildly in the rain as he dodges to evade the monstrous opponent he's fighting.
Iguchi lashes out, pointed fingertips nearly shredding more than Midoriya's jacket. He falls back, a flat palm stopping his descent before it becomes a full collapse. Then, Midoriya twists his body backwards and uses that same hand as a springboard to flip away from a secondary strike.
It's not the rematch that he was hoping for, but Midoriya strikes a defensive stance like the last time he faced Killer Croc. It's one he's sure Iguchi will recognize, and will help to finally be able to place his scent, but he's left no choice. The massive monster towers over him, rain pouring off of his scales. Then it charges, jaw unhinged and ready to devour.
Midoriya bends down, using Croc's size and strength against him. The maneuver he uses flips the opponent using their own power. Croc collides with a wall, bricks breaking and dust updrafting. Midoriya waves the smoke away from his eyes and holds his breath as he jumps back, not wanting to inhale any of it.
With his vision obscured, he isn't able to see the hand that reaches for him until it's too late. It's the size of his chest, grabbing his entire body. Midoriya shouts as he feels an extreme pressure pushing his ribcage in. He was barely able to withstand a hit with his body armor on the last time. He knows he won't survive without it this time.
Midoriya brings a knee up into Killer Croc's chin, not wanting to be another one of his victims. Then, he lands an elbow by swinging it downward atop Croc's head. The benefit of being so up close and personal with Iguchi's face is that he's able to get a few good licks in. He aims for the nose first. Then the mouth, knocking a few fangs loose. When all else fails, Midoriya goes for the eyes. He jams his thumbs into them, pressing hard.
Iguchi bellows with affliction, tossing Midoriya across the alley in favor for his hand to rub at his aching eyes. Midoriya grunts a few times as he tumbles across the floor. The upside though, is that he got free of Croc's grip. Not wanting to waste the very short time he has before the beast recovers, Midoriya forces himself to get back up.
In between the two of them, there's a manhole cover. There's been stories about alligators in the sewers, but he doubts Iguchi would be able to fit in order to follow him. Midoriya takes the chance. He tosses the heavy lid off, in the direction of Iguchi. Croc bats it aside, vision recovering already. Iguchi reaches for him again, but he's already jumping into the open hole.
Above him, Killer Croc roars with the thunder. Below the city drenched in rain, is the flushing of its shit and piss within a storm drain. A drowning bat without its wings can't escape the rush of dirtied water.