A/N: Heyo folks and here we are with another chapter. Thanks again for your patience and I apologize for the delay. Anywho go at it and read on! -Poshil
Chapter 6: State of Mind
Excitement, nervousness, dread, eagerness, countless feelings can run through the human mind before taking on a dauntless task on any scale ranging from low to high. For an aspiring hero like Izuku Midoriya, the one feeling that stands out the most when he's on a mission is determination. Determination as the young hero thought is more than doing a hero's work 100 percent and beyond. It's to bring peace and smiles to those who are affected by a villain's nefarious scheme or a disaster/accident such as a building fire or a flood. "Plus Ultra" as their school motto would say.
But at this point of time there's more than just determination for his upcoming mission, redemption. Not just for himself but for his entire class and fellow heroes involved in the task of rescuing Inko Midoriya, his mother. The villain behind this kidnapping has not only mocked their hero status but to go far as to take the life of a UA student to make a statement. A poor decision on the villain's end, that's for sure.
All of this villain's malicious deeds ends today. The combine strength of the Pro Heroes, assisting Hero Agencies, and his fellow classmates into rescuing Inko is in full operation. And it's only a matter of time until this villain is behind bars and Inko back into safety. With that the teams disperse and went on in completing their tasks.
Izuku continues to sit patiently in the seat of the police truck he was assigned to for his mission. The bumps on the road made the drive not one of the most pleasant trips but there's more at hand to worry about than his state of comfort. As ordered by the chief of police, Izuku and his assigned team are tasked in searching for Inko at an abandoned warehouse south of Musutafu. According to Aizawa's intel, the information logged in the villain's computer left behind at UA leads to this particular warehouse, the other three locations being other abandoned areas that are scattered across the city. Izuku could only wish the best of luck of his fellow heroes and classmates as he focuses on the team members beside him and the mission at hand.
The green haired hero peers up from his ramblings to spot Iida sitting across from him with his eyes closed and arms crossed. The furrowed brow of the engine quirk hero piqued Izuku's curiosity on what his homeroom rep is pondering on. In an attempt to put some ease with proceeding with this rescue mission, Izuku was about to raise a question when another voice comes between him and Iida.
"Izuku Midoriya? It's a pleasure to be working alongside you!"
"Just Izuku is fine."
A pro hero clad in a bronze and silver hero suit reaches out to shake Izuku's hand in which the green haired hero replies happily by returning the gesture. Upon sight Izuku couldn't hide away his big grin from shaking hands with the pro hero. Pro hero Alkalad, the battery quirk user and pro hero that have been assigned to assist Izuku and his team for their search mission of the abandoned warehouse. Izuku couldn't ask for a better team. With the addition his classmates Iida, Asui, Momo, Kaminari, Kirishima, and his homeroom teacher/pro hero Aizawa, the villain is in for a rude awakening. And the department isn't pulling punches when they assigned his team Alkalad who's been recently climbing the ranks on the hero billboard from taking on numerous villains and jobs with soaring success.
"I must admit UA truly never ceases to put you younglings into the grind." Alkalad said to Izuku, a concerning frown forming on the pro hero's face. "Though I'm hesitant to say you've gone through way more turbulence than any young hero I've seen, to be put lightly so to speak."
"That's one way to put it." Izuku chuckled weakly to the truth in the pro hero's statement. It's a miracle how Izuku is keeping it together despite the rescue mission involving his mother being the captured victim.
"Anyway, fret not young hero. We'll save your mother and be home before dinner!" Alkalad proclaimed as he puts on a confident grin and pose to show his support.
"That's enough show boating Masu, you're scaring the boy." Aizawa grumbled from the other side of the transport.
"Ah come on Aizawa. I'm just trying to lift up the lad's spirits." Alkalad responded to Aizawa's comment.
The pro hero excuses himself from Izuku and makes his way to a seat besides Aizawa. The two heroes continued the back and forth arguments on one's work conduct during a mission which continues to lift Izuku's mood. Masu may be a pro hero but already the first impression of him has left Izuku giggling to the hero's endearing behavior.
Izuku refocuses his gaze back to Iida sitting across from him. Just like before Iida continues to sit with his arms crossed and eyes closed like in some kind of meditative state. Though it didn't seem he look all at ease with how his shoulders stiff upward and his feet constantly alternating taps like a drummer with two bass pedals. If anything Iida appeared to be anxious.
"He's not asleep if you're wondering." Asui Tsuyu interrupted Izuku, startling the boy to almost shout out loud from the sudden surprise of the Frog quirk hero.
"Asui! You got to stop startling me like that." Izuku huffed after returning his breath to a healthy rate.
"You should start improving your sense of hearing, kero. I was trying to get your attention for the last minute." Asui replied curtly before taking a seat besides Izuku. "Anyway, what's got you muttering a storm?"
"It's Iida." Izuku pointed out. "I don't know maybe it's just me but something is bothering him."
"What do you mean?" Asui asked with a tilted head in confusion.
"I can't say for certain but I don't often see Iida so tense. Even in the dire circumstances we've endured so far as heroes in training, Iida always kept a level head."
"It's also rude for an aspiring hero like you Mr Midoriya to gossip among your peers, especially in front of me." Iida stated as his eyes snap open.
"Ah sorry Iida!" Izuku apologized with his hands wavering frantically in front of him.
"No need to fret my friend." Iida replied, taking a deep breath to help him recollect his prior thoughts. "But I do appreciate your concern."
"But like Izuku said something on your mind Iida, kero?" Asui asked.
"It's this whole kidnapping situation. Something about it feels wrong." Iida answered, his furrowed expression returning. "Of course having Mrs. Midoriya in the clutches of villains is beyond profound. But with no demand for ransom or anything in return is worrisome. What is it to gain for a villain trying to accomplish with the entirely of UA and several hero agencies hunting him down?"
"I too have been considering the possibilities." Momo interjected, finding herself a sit beside Izuku and Asui. Not long after including herself in the conversation, Kirishima and Kaminari join in with their own questions with the whole situation.
"It's merely speculation…" Momo continued, placing her hand under her chin to ease while collecting her thoughts. "But it feels as though this villain is testing us."
"Testing us?" Kirishima repeated Momo's last words with an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Taking note with the amount of bread crumbs Mind Trap and his associates have been leaving behind, intentional or not, it would be obvious the villain is attempting to lure us into an obvious trap. As Sensei mentioned before, high ranking villains are too clever to leave any hint of their whereabouts. I can't say for certain whether this was the villain's intentions or we're simply being foolish into doing this search without further information. At least, from what I believe so far." Momo stated,
It was something Izuku hadn't considered until now regarding the kidnapping. He or his mother never met Mind Trap nor had any qualms with any villain as far as he can recall. But a nagging and troubling thought kept resurfacing in the back of his mind in regards to the two videos he witnessed of the kidnapper, Mind Trap's third accomplice. Both occasions it was though the villain was specifically targeting him rather than the heroes as a whole. Perhaps paranoia on Izuku's mind for the imagination and mainly a stroke of bad luck on his end, hopefully as the young hero prayed for being the case.
"Ugh, this whole situation is hurting my head." Kaminari groaned in exhaustion.
"When has there been a time your head DIDN'T hurt when you try to think Kaminari?" Asui pointed out in curtly fashion.
The students couldn't help but let out a laugh at Kaminari's expense. Hero or not they're still moments in time to get in a good laugh. Even some the tension lifted off the young heroes' shoulders for a clearer state of mind and focus for the mission ahead. That mindset will soon be put to the test as the truck carrying the heroes comes to a stop in front of their destination.
"Alright everyone form up!" Aizawa barked out with authority, his voice gathering all his team members to the rear of the truck in full attention like soldiers. "I've said this many times before but a reminder, you're all heroes still in training and no other circumstance, you will follow mine and Masu's orders to a dot. Are we clear?"
The students nodded in unison as the pro heroes acknowledged the response with a small smile.
"Excellent, let's get to it!" Masu proclaimed as he swings open the truck's rear entrance, leading the charge with Aizawa and the UA students close behind towards their targeted destination.