Chapter I

When the attack came at school, U.A. High School, no one expected it. Moreover, at whom the target was directed. Strangely, it was at Izuku Midoriya, the hero known as Deku.

The attackers or marauders, were beast-like things, not like Nomu's, but they looked like giant lions with serpent tails, with wings. There were no fatalities, but there was some causalities, they were looked after by expert and trained medical staff, and some property damage.

In conference by staff afterwards, they were deemed to only intimidate.

Soon afterwards, a ransom was delivered from someone, from someone claiming to be the ringmaster of the creatures, and an team was formed to go after the mastermind.

Midoriya's mother had been kidnapped.

Deku was frantic, even panic-stricken, but he swallowed it deep down. A heroes life was often tragic, and dangerous, and there came unforeseeable consequences. Villains were everywhere, and they didn't care who they hurt.

But why Midoriya's mother, it was the question on everyone's mind.

A mobile strike force was formed by Hawks, Hero #2, accompanied by Midoriya, who insisted on coming, and two others, Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki Bakugo.

Students, Hawks had said, deserved experience in this kind of hero endeavour. All Might and others thought otherwise, but with Hawks to look after the trio, and this being personal for Deku, there came a certain responsibility a hero needed to undertake—to save one's family.

A line was crossed, and Deku was going to save his mother—no matter what!

Three was enough, Hawks thought. The ransom note gave a location and the amount. Was this a plot from the League of Villains for capital? Had their operation become so poor, they now needed to report to kidnapping innocent people off the street, family members of heroes?

Once they were ready and geared up, each one of them standing in front of the gates of the school, Hawks said, "Time to fly guys," as he put a hand on Deku's shoulder encouragingly.

Deku was ready.

And they each took flight in their own unique way; Hawks with his wings, Bakugo with his Auto-Cannon; Todoroki with his Ice Bridge; and Deku, with his All-For-One super jumping ability.

Midoriya was too eager and quick-paced, getting far ahead of the pack, so Hawks had to slow him down. He knew the kid wanted to save his mother, but running into a burning building, per se, was a way to get oneself killed. They needed a strategy.

When they arrived at the ransom note's location, they stood in front of an old apartment, a six-story building that had seen better days. The brownstone brickwork exterior was crumbling, and it looked like it had been abandoned for some time. It was the perfect hideout for a villain.

Hawks was wary, however, because the villain had still not announced himself, through name or action. He had let his minion creatures do it, and it had done it well.

The four stood outside in the street. Nothing seemed suspicious, but Hawks kept a keen eye. "Now stay cool, everyone," he ordered, eying Midoriya. "Charging in will only get yourself killed. Todoroki, take the East side; Bakugo, you take the West side. But don't act until I say." Bakugo expressed his displeasure, Hawks gave him a hard stare. But they followed orders, and left. "Midoriya, you're with me."

"You want to keep an eye on me," Deku said, with a frown. "I know the stakes."

Hawks smiled broadly. "Good," he said. "But sometimes a broad-base approach is best in circumstances like this." He tapped his temple, a lock of blonde hair blew in a fast breeze. "You need to think about your options before you act."

"But we know nothing of this kidnapper, sir," Deku said. "You've sent the others out, without knowing what we're up against." Then he stopped, thought. He nodded, as if being assured of something. "Your profile, you're not the Number Two Hero for nothing."

"You catch on quick, kid." Hawks looked at Deku's face. "I see it, that fear, that trepidation in your eyes. Take all that, roll it up into a ball in your gut, and bury it deep. Think about what you want to do, how you're going to achieve it, and make it happen. We will save your mother."

Midoriya nodded and produced a thin smile. "I trust your judgement, sir," he said.

Hawks rolled his eyes. "And let's get one thing straight before we start, stop calling me 'sir'. Call me Hawks. We're allies, our names don't just define us, they are us, Deku."

Midoriya saluted instinctively, then put the arm down. "Sorry…Hawks," he said.

"Now," Hawks smiled pridefully, putting a finger to his mask. "Report! Is everyone in position?"

"Ready," Todoroki replied—he had a wrist communicator like the others. Bakugo also replied, and said, "Time to smash some villains!"

"Belay that, Bakugo," Hawks said, "as this building isn't the sturdiest. Use caution, use your wits, recall your quirks abilities, and take note of your surroundings. Is that clear?"

"Yeah, yeah," came the open reply from Deku's wrist communicator.

"One more thing," Hawks said. "The assault on the school by those strange beasts was an invite. So, there is an intelligence at play were. Furthermore, I don't think the kidnapping of Midoriya's mother was as random as we originally thought."

Deku gasped. "But why my mom?"

Hawks said, "Sorry to say this, but every hero has a weakness, and a villain strives to find it, using all means at his or her disposal, and family often fills the gap of it. But when we confront the kidnapper, we'll get more information. Demand it, right?"

"Right!" Deku said.

"Come on!" Bakugo's voice boomed. "Stop yammering, and let's get this operation underway!"

Deku nodded with determination. He and Kacchan had always been rivals, but when push came to shove, Kacchan was an ally when it counted. "Let 'Operation: Save Mom' commence!"

"Lame name, nerd!" Kacchan's voice came over the watch. But then he said amiably, "But…yeah! Let's do it!"

Hawks flapped his wings, and flew up, and over the roof of the building. He would take the rear and the roof, since he could fly easier than the others, in case the villain decided to flee from either venue. Now, all four sides were covered.

This villain, Deku knew was not going to get by them without releasing his mother!

Deku looked over the ransom note again. It had specific instructions, so he followed them. Simple, and effective was step one: Knock on the front door. Inside, would probably lead to an elevator foray, or a stairwell lobby. Then, step two, was to enter, after he was invited in.

Throughout it all, the team would be in constant communication with an open channel.

Midoriya knocked three times, his knuckles rapping on the wooden, green paint-stripped door. He waited—his heart pounded in his chest nervously, sweat dripped down his costume in close-knit places. He wait for a few moments, then proceeded to knock again, as per the instructions. Three sets of three knocks, was the signal for the villain to know it was him. Did the villain know he had brought company? Midoriya was sure that was a foregone conclusion.

But I was told to enter alone, he thought.

Then, it happened—the door unlocked, the sound of a hinge pulled back. Midoriya waited, then pushed the door open cautiously.

Suddenly, a voice within said, "Come in, come in, said the spider to the fly." Then added, "Do you wish to flee? Nope…Thus, do come in, hero. It's time is play."

Midoriya was weirded out already, but he pushed the door open, and walked inside.

To be continued...