...
Shouta pressed a hand into his bleeding shoulder. The city had positively lost its fucking mind with the breakout. In the beginning they had thought they would be able to handle it. In the beginning it had only been the breakout criminals the worst being Quake. Now he was beginning to realize his mistake.
Quake and his group of breakouts were joined by gangs from the South Side. South side of Musutafu was not often patrolled even by Underground Heroes. Most of the time they only entered if there was a raid. Or a vigilante.
Villains and criminals had come out of the woodwork. They joined forces with Quake and his men. What had been barely a dozen was now over a hundred villains. That didn't include everyday criminals who were well on their way to becoming villains. New heroes and police were dropping like flies as they tried to help. More experienced heroes were only doing slightly better. He hadn't seen or heard from Tsukauchi since the beginning. He could only hope his friend was okay.
Four villains with mutant animal quirks had cornered him. Shouta had pulled out his knife in order to fend them off but there was only so much it could do. He steeled himself to bring down as many of them as possible before he fell.
Only for a twack to sound in the air and the wolf quirked man to go down with a cry. Three more times it happened and each of the villains went down before they could react. In less than five seconds all the villains that had surrounded Shouts were on the ground an arrow in their thighs.
Looking up he saw Echo standing there with a bow in his hands. He was breathing hard with exertion. For once Shouta felt relief at seeing the vigilante. Heroes alone were not enough in this situation. He knew that. Hell the whole city knew it by this point. These vigilantes may just give them the edge they needed.
While he was lost in his thoughts Echo had begun to bind them. Without any empathy for the villains he pulled the arrows free of the wounds. This caused each of the villains to cry out in pain. There was no sympathy in the grey eyes. Shouta realized that the vigilantes no matter how they acted were dark. They would not hesitate to put down those who were a danger. It was so different from the men who pranked Nezu.
"Are you okay?" The voice changer was on as usual. Though he thought he could hear the faintest French accent under the garbled noise.
Shouta shook himself from his thoughts and said, "I'll live. Thank you. Echo, right? Where is Delta and Charlie?"
Echo cleaned off each arrowhead as he answered, "Charlie is searching the city for Quake. We have to take out the head otherwise things will only get worse."
That was right. Though others should be arriving to bring down Quake. Daylight Heroes being called out of their beds. Underground Heroes from other cities in order to help Musutafu.
As if reading his thoughts Echo growled, "There is a chance they won't be able to fight Quake. The three of us have the best chance at minimizing the amount of casualties."
"Your weapons?"
He got a sharp look. Grey eyes seemed to search his black ones. Then he got a sharp nod.
They had seen the weapons in action a few times. Reports from criminals they brought in spoke of how it could stop quirk usage. If it was true in the way they had seen before and it wasn't a trick then Echo was right. The vigilantes had the best chance of bringing down Quake.
Echo's grey eyes went to his injures shoulder and they narrowed. Why did he get the feeling that the other disapproved? It was like when Hizashi found him injured. The vigilante searched his pockets for a moment before coming back with bandages.
Shouta caught them and opened his mouth to thank the vigilante. Only to find Echo gone. Ghosts. They were like ghosts.
...
Katsuki's hands clenched and unclenched as he watched the TV. Tsunagu had ordered his driver to take him straight home. That under no circumstances was he to allow Katsuki to enter the city. The doors had been locked in order to ensure this. Despite the fact that he was sure he could help. He could fight! Izuku had been teaching him the way they fought. His guardian insisted though. So he found himself watching from the sidelines at the shared apartment.
Musutafu was burning. His city was burning and there was nothing Katsuki could do about it. The security that all hero apartments had were all activated and the only one who could disarm them was Tsunagu.
The newscasters were right in the middle of all the action. Several were on the ground while a few were in a helicopter. No matter what they chose they were in just as much danger as the civilians. They were fools. Brave fools but fools nonetheless.
They talked briefly on every confirmed hero that had arrived on scene. To his surprise several of the top ten were confirmed to have been seen. Someone even got video of Hawks saving two figures on a crumbling rooftop. The female newscaster speculated on which hero the short figure was. Little did they know that it was Delta, a vigilante.
Izuku and the others hadn't really made it on the news. Unless you were a hero or part of the South Side it was unlikely you would be able to recognize the vigilantes. Katsuki knew it was Izuku who had been saved by Hawks. Seeing him only made the blond worry more. He should be out there. He should be helping his city. Damn Tsunagu. Damn Izuku!
The sound of scraping above him caught his attention. His head snapped up to look at the ceiling just in time to see a panel be removed. A pink haired girl looked in for a moment locking eyes with him. A wild grin appeared on her face as she dropped down into the apartment.
How in the fuck? Who was this girl?
Before he could say anything however she said excitedly, "You're KEM right? Delta and the city needs your help?"
The tirade he was going to give her dried up. She had come to tell him that? Why... better yet how did she know he was KEM?
As if reading his mind she continued, "It's obvious who you are if you're looking for it. Jeanist wouldn't just take anyone in after all. Your quirk perfectly matches what is know for KEM. No one expects a vigilante to be a teenager though so I doubt anyone else put it together. But answer me this. Do you have your vigilante gear here?"
"Of course I do," he answered offended. There was no reason not to have it here since Best Jeanist knew.
"Good. Now are you prepared to help the city?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation, "But what about the..."
She was already moving to the security systems. It was obvious she planned on breaking him out so he could help.
...
Two arrows were released in short succession. As he expected the two villains he had been aiming for went down with cries of pain. Down the alley their accomplices pushed themselves to run even faster. They knew who he was and knew he would not hesitate to put an arrow or bullet in them.
With a little more force than necessary he pulled out the arrows, wipes the arrowheads on his pant leg and put them villains in handcuffs. They were babbling about being sorry. He ignored their words knowing it was lies. If they were truly sorry they wouldn't be in this situation.
Pressing a finger to his ear he said, "Two more down on East by the bakery. Three got away however."
The dispatcher replied, "Roger that, Delta. Will send someone as soon as we can."
This was one of the few times he allowed his comms to be connected to dispatch. Given the state of Musutafu he had to work together completely with the heroes and police. They agreed to use the same frequency out of convenience. Heroes even agreed to work with vigilantes. It was an odd sight but he couldn't be happier. This was proof that they could work together if need be.
He continued down the alley once he was satisfied that the villains were secure. Now which way did the other three go? Left into the city? Or right further into the alleys? He didn't know these villains so it was hard to tell. The ground didn't give him any indication either.
Over the comms came Charlie's voice garbled slightly by his voice changer, "Delta I have eyes on Quake."
Izuku froze. He could either go after Quake or the low level villains. There was no choice here. Quake was the main villain and had to be brought down now.
He said coldly, "What's your location, Charlie?"
He was given the location and without saying anything else he headed that way. On the comms he could hear the others saying they were on their way. Even Tsukauchi was heading that way. The detective really should have gone back to the station. It wasn't safe right now. He didn't want the man hurt.
It took him far longer than he would have liked to arrive. Villains were doing everything within their power to stop him. They knew who he was and thus wanted to keep their leader as safe as possible. Or at the very least slow him down and wear him out.
They all went down the same as any other he had come across. Arrows to the thigh or knee would bring them down and allow him to tie them up. Then leave them for officers to pick up.
When he finally arrived at the area he was just in time to see Quake pick up a severely injured Eraserhead by his throat. Deep inside Izuku a fear like he had never felt before made itself known. Before he could think Izuku drew an arrow back and let it loose. Exactly as he aimed it hit Quake in the shoulder sinking deep into the muscle.
A cry of pain and anger escaped the villain. He dropped the hero who crumpled to the ground unmoving. The minor shakes that had not stopped completely finally faded. Not a mutation quirk then. That was something at least.
The villain snarled as he ripped the arrow out by the shaft. Izuku winced knowing the damage that could do to the body. Even with the wince he had already drawn three more arrows from the quiver and knocked one. It was not drawn yet as he didn't want to waste his arrows with useless shots.
Quake was a muscular 6'4 man with black hair that grayed at the edges. He had steely eyes that held more intelligence than most would give him credit for. According to Izuku's research the man had been on track to become a hero before a car accident. The accident had killed the other driver and he was charged with manslaughter. He spent ten years in prison thus ending any hopes for a hero career. Like so many he fell into villainy as he was unable to find a proper job. Such potential wasted.
Quake snarled in a deep baritone, "Delta! So you have finally come to face me and all those you put into jail."
Izuku stepped out cautiously into the street his eyes scanning as he answered, "I have come to protect my city, Quake. If I remember correctly I was not the one who captured you. I was in the city helping those who were unable to escape because of your actions."
Quake snarled, "No but you are the one who have put so many behind bars. If it wasn't foryou we wouldn't have ended up in jail. If it wasn't for you heroes would have left South Side be."
"So you try and destroy the city? What good would that do?"
"It brings you within range."
Within range? For what?
Around him a shadow barrier began to form. It was faster than he could react and soon the entire block was quardaned off. All moisture left his mouth as he tried to press against the barrier and was thrown back ten feet. If he remembered correctly there was a criminal in South Side that had a Shadow Manipulation quirk but he didn't think it was this powerful.
Could they be on Trigger? If so he was fucked. Trigger would make them resistant to pain as well as enhancing their quirks. To make matters worse it wasn't only his life on the line. Green grey eyes trailed to the fallen injured hero. Eraserhead was another thing to consider.
Around him criminals began to come out of the shadows. Reluctantly he switched from his bow to his sidearm. This was not going to be fun.
...
On the otherside of the barrier heroes of all ranks and stations were trying to break through. Maria the newscaster from Musutafu's local channel watched with growing horror. The young hero who had gone to face Quake alone was surrounded. He was putting bullets into villains but it couldn't go on forever. He was already through two magazines.
Next to her, her cameraman was zooming in on the scene. She saw a familiar plain looking man arrive on scene. That was Tsukauchi Naomasa, the Human Lie Detector of the police department. He wasn't one to hesitate to join the fight from what she knew of the man. If the blood streaking his face was any indication he hadn't changed since their last meeting.
Tsukauchi grabbed one of the heroes by their shoulder and shouted, "What is happening?"
The hero who couldn't be more than a year out of school, "Eraserhead and another hero, Delta I believe Quake called him are caught on the otjerside of the barrier. I believe Quake intends on killing them."
"No shit! And what about Echo or Charlie? Are they on the otherside of the barrier too?"
Those weren't hero names she knew. Maria did not claim to know every hero. But she was able to recognize most heroes by name or reputation. Working with Tsukauchi meant they would have a good reputation. Only the best were selected to work on a regular basis with the detective.
A body came out of the shadows causing four officers to jump and draw their guns. He was dressed much like the hero on the otherside of the barrier. Indicating to her cameraman to record the newcomer she watched with increasing curiosity. In her ear her anchor and producer were trying to get information about what was going on. She ignored them. Something was happening here. Something more than anyone on the outside realized.
Tsukauchi greeted tired and worn, "Echo thank God. What the hell is happening? I thought you and Eraserhead were together."
The one called Echo said his voice disrupted by a voice changer, "We were but we got separated. Charlie is on the rooftop just outside of the barrier. He is trying to find a way in currently. I suspect the user is on Trigger."
What the hell? Was that a hero in training? What was he doing here? He sounded way too young to even be a year out of school.
"Damn it," growled Tsukauchi, "The barrier is keeping us out and them in. Could your knives work on this?"
Echo seemed to consider this for a moment before shaking his head, "No. Orichalcum would have to pierce the user's skin. The only hope for that happening is Delta. And right now I don't like his chances."
Everyone within earshot flinched. They all had the same look on their faces. Why the hell did he not believe in his comrade?
Echo sighed making Maria wonder if he had a mental quirk, "Don't get me wrong. Delta is known for doing the impossible. That is his thing but he is outnumbered and Eraserhead is badly hurt. He would be more worried about protecting the hero than protecting himself."
"Echo," said Tsukauchi a kind of sadness in his voice that she could not understand, "Every life is important here. Even vigilantes."
There was a pause as the he... no vigilante looked at the detective. There was something unreadable in his eyes. It was no wonder she hadn't heard of the three heroes. They weren't They were vigilantes.
There had been rumors of a vigilante being in Musutafu. The rumors only started after the fires were children were rescued. It was thought that the person doing the rescue had been caught in the collapse. If these were the same vigilantes then it would seem they were not caught in the collapse.
Maria signaled to her cameraman and stepped in front of the camera. With her best showman smile she said, "And I am back with news from Musutafu. As a recap tonight villains broke out of the prison and are attacking Musutafu. I am on scene as the police and heroes try to contain Quake an S-Rank Villain. Currently there is a barrier made by another villain stopping anyone from aiding those trapped inside."
She turned her head to look at the vigilante who was speaking into his comms and banging against the barrier with a knife. Others were trying to use their quirks against it. Nothing was even phasing the thing.
She continued with a calm she didn't feel, "Musutafu has been generally peaceful since All Might set up here and with UA claiming it as home. However not every part of Musutafu is protected. The South Side in particular is infamous. With the breakout came villains and criminals also coming out for revenge."
Her cameraman panned out to look st the other fighting that was happening. She waited bit she couldn't stop the way her eyes returned to Delta. The man had been thrown into the barrier. Maria thought she could see him spit up blood before being dragged back into the fight. It couldn't even be called a real fight. He was outnumbered severely and it was showing. She was sure that Quake and his minions were toying with the vigilante.
Echo snarled, "Damn it! Delta hang in there we will get you out of there."
There was a pause. Several of the heroes froze as their hands came up to their comms. It was as if they were hearing something painful. What had been the reply?
Echo slammed his knife against the barrier again as he shouted drawing the attention of the cameraman, "Don't say that! We still have a job to do," the vigilante rested his forehead against the barrier, "We can't do this without you."
Though she had never met the vigilantes before now her heart broke a little for the man. This was someone they deeply cared for. The heroes renewed their efforts and if they were even stronger than before it was no one else's business.
With renewed strength Maria said, "Tonight I found out that the city is not only being protected by heroes. It is also being protected by vigilantes. These vigilantes are working just as hard if not hard to bring in Quake. Currently one vigilante by the name of Delta is trapped behind the barrier fighting against many of the villains. While he is fighting he also has to protect one of the top ranking Underground Heroes known as Eraserhead. It is thought that both men are injured but I cannot confirm this."
In her ear she heard the producer ask, "How would you describe these vigilantes, Maria? Are they quirk focused like most? Or do they seem genuinely want to help?"
To the camera she answered, "From what I can tell these vigilantes have yet to use their quirks tonight. Instead they focus on helping and fighting anyway they can. Including using knives made out of a metal not seen before."
Before anything could be said Delta was thrown hard into the barrier. Unlike all the previous times he did not get up. Nor was he dragged back to his feet. The world was still around them and Quake began to laugh. He thought that he won against the vigilante.
Around the vigilante the ground began to stain with blood. He wasn't moving and it didn't even appear that he was breathing. Did they kill him? Was the first vigilante they had in many years going to die before they really got to know him?
Echo slammed his fist against the barrier screaming. The words were garbled and unrecognizable. Every person within earshot could hear the pain in his voice.
From her left she heard a young voice say, "Delta... get up. You have to get up."
