POV Melissa Shield aka Black Widow
I walked into the agency and was immediately met with Burnin and Bubble Girl.
"Hey, ready for your first patrol?" Burnin asked.
"Yeah, let me get dressed real quickly," I said, running into the locker room and putting my costume case down and changing into my black skin tight suit. I holstered my glocks and checked that all of my disks were filled. I walked out and went over to them.
"Keep up with us," Bubble Girl explained, walking out with Burnin and I following her.
"We're going to be staying close to the harbor since there's been a couple of reports of men in masks there," Burnin said.
"Also, people have reported seeing what looks like a couple of little kids but no one's seen them yet. Our hope is to find them and learn why they are out there," Bubble Girl added.
"Men in masks and little kids, why does that sound familiar?" I asked.
"There was a case that the Nighteye agency had before getting a different case, you've probably heard about it since your kid is in the same class as the kid we learned about it from," Bubble Girl explained.
"Oh yeah, Arrowette explained to me about it. You don't think it's the same people do you?" I asked.
"We have no way to be sure, especially since there was no investigation and she was found in a different prefecture, however they could've moved locations. Since they lined up we asked for the case to be transferred to us since it hasn't been touched since it was opened," Burnin added.
We made our way to the area and walked around with some people recognizing them as well as a couple remembering me from the festival. We were walking down the street when I noticed something in an alley.
"Wait a moment," I said, looking down and pointing at some blonde hair hiding behind a broken crate.
"I'll come with you, Burnin, stay here and watch our backs please," Bubble Girl said, looking at it as well.
"Sure thing," she smirked, turning around.
The two of us started to walk down the alley and Bubble Girl stopped a bit away from the hair and motioned for me to stop as well.
"Hey, are you alright?" she asked in a calm voice.
I heard a distinct SNICK and leaped back pulling Bubble Girl with me as a small form leaped out and landed between us and the blonde hair. I noticed the girl had long black hair with piercing green eyes and two metal claws emerging from both of her hands. She looked to be around six or seven. The small blonde hair emerged to reveal a smaller girl with bright blue eyes and hid behind the other girl.
"Stay away from us!" the green eyed girl said.
"We don't want to hurt you. What are you doing on the streets?" Bubble Girl asked.
"I got us out of there, away from the bad men who we thought saved us, but instead they were just as bad," she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"The man who had us glowed but stopped coming and we were all trapped in cages. Then the bird man took us. He took Eri and had the others who wore masks like him make us use our quirks to fight. We tried to escape but only Yuki made it," she explained.
"Yuki, does she have blue hair with ears and a tail?" I asked, rummaging for my phone and pulling up a picture I took of her with Satsuki. "Is this her?"
"Y-you know Yuki?" the blonde girl asked, her voice small.
"I do, I'm friends with the heroes who saved her. I'm a hero and I want to save you too," I said, putting my hand out to them. "I'm Black Widow and this is my friend Bubble Girl, what are your names?" I asked, trying to gain their trust.
"I'm Laura, this is Amara," the older girl said.
"Those are lovely names," I said. "How about this, you two can come with us and we can help you like Yuki was helped. We can even see about you meeting up with her later," I offered, trying to get them to agree to come with us.
"Do you promise?" Laura asked.
I looked up at Bubble Girl who smiled.
"I promise that we will keep you safe and we will see about you being able to meet up with your friend that was saved," Bubble Girl said.
"A-alright," she said, dropping her guard and retracting the claws into her hands. I noticed that the skin healed as it retracted.
"Another hero called Burnin is at the end of the alleyway, she's going to help us keep you safe," Bubble Girl added. "In order to keep you safe we're going to need to go to the hospital to make sure you aren't hurt or sick. We will be riding in some special vehicles to get us there," she explained, as we walked out to where Burnin was already on the phone calling them.
We waited with them and after getting a description of the 'glowing man' I think I knew who he was from the reports of the attack on I-Island. I then calculated the time they said he stopped showing up and figured that it was around the same time Izumi got the company and started to make changes. Two ambulances pulled up after a bit of time and while it took some convincing they agreed to be separated as long as I was with Amara since she started to stick to my side since she said we looked alike. While we were in the ambulance she looked up at me.
"Wh-what's your q-quirk?" Amara asked.
"Well," I started. "I don't have one. I was born without a quirk," I explained.
"What about you?" she asked, looking over at Burnin who sat next to me.
"My quirk is called Blazin Hair, it's why my hair is made of flames. So, what do you like to do?" Burnin asked, holding back her personality to not scare her.
"I-I don't get to do much. I like to spend time with Yuki and nee-chan but after Yuki was taken I was alone with nee-chan but we were forced to fight," she said sadly.
"Burnin, we're pulling up to the hospital now," one of the EMT's said.
"Alright, make sure that both girls are in the same room as well as ready to be discharged by the end of the night. There's a special place for them to stay tonight," she explained.
"Where?" I asked.
"There's a special place in the agency for kids who are rescued to stay until they have a home. It's a special foster system and is directly connected to UA similar to the elementary school they run," she explained.
"Of course Izumi would add something like that," I sighed as the vehicle stopped.
We were led out and to a room where both girls were checked out by a group of nurses while the three of us stood off to the side. I looked at them and then got a vision of myself being alone after my mom died and my father threw himself into his work and he moved back to Japan and I was practically on my own before we went to I-Island. I then had a thought that I knew wouldn't end well, or would but only if Izumi agreed.
"So, what's with that look?" Bubble Girl asked.
"W-what look?" I asked.
"That look like you're ready to take them home with you," Burnin said. "Don't act like you weren't thinking it, before I was under Endeavor I was at another agency and the hero had that same look you had and ended up adopting a kid and quit heroics. Don't you and your girlfriend already have a kid the two of you adopted?"
"Yeah, she was held and abused and tested by the same man these two were before the bird man took them. I'll be getting into contact with Nezu and Izumi tomorrow unless either of you are going to volunteer to take them in," I said. "Wait, that's why she has Ms. Himura living in that apartment on the fourth floor that's empty," I realized.
"Indeed, I actually sent her a message warning her that we would be there with some kids for her to watch until a better option comes up," Bubble Girl added.
"Might be sooner than not," I muttered.
"Well, other than being dehydrated the two of them seem to be in perfect health for girls their ages," a nurse said, walking over to us.
"Did they tell you how old they are?" Burnin asked.
"Amara is five and Laura is seven. You said they have a place to go for the night?" the nurse asked.
"Yes, I'm assuming there's some forms we need to sign," Bubble Girl sighed.
"Of course, just one for each though since you're heroes," the nurse said, setting down two papers before the heroes.
"I got one you get the other, Black Widow, go keep them distracted while we fill these out," Burnin sighed.
I went over and both girls perked up a bit.
"Alright, we just got something they need to fill out and then we can get you to a place with a really nice woman who will look after you for a bit," I explained.
"Does that mean you're going to leave us?" Amara asked, with sadness in her voice.
"For a little bit, but I'll make sure to visit and see you when I can," I promised.
"What about Yuki?" Laura asked.
"I'll send her mothers a message to see if she can visit, but you might be seeing her anyways," I added with a wink, getting Amara to giggle.
"Well, that settles that!" Burnin announced. "All forms signed and all that, time to get to your temporary home," she added, walking over.
"Um, how will we be doing that?" I asked.
"We got a vehicle to pick us up," Bubble Girl said.
"Let's get going!" Burnin said, as I went over to Amara.
"Want me to carry you?" I asked.
"Really?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Why not?"
"Yes," she said, lunging at me and wrapping her arms around me.
I grabbed her and we all walked out and was led to a basic black SUV where Ms. Himura was standing on the outside.
"So, these are the two girls I'm going to be watching for a bit," she said, her voice calm and kindly. "I'm Rei, what are your names?" she asked, leaning down towards Laura.
"Laura," she introduced, putting her guard up.
"A-Amara," the child in my arms said.
"Laura and Amara, those are some lovely names," Ms. Himura said. "Now, let's load up and get going," she added, getting into the car.
We loaded up and drove to the agency. It was time for me to leave so while they took the girls to the fourth floor I changed in the locker room and ran into Izumi on my way out, but decided to not talk to her about it until the morning. I didn't want her worrying about it while on patrol.
POV Izumi Sogeki aka Batgirl
While Supergirl flew over the buildings I ran and jumped from roof to roof to keep up with her as much as I could. We were close to the business district when my thermal noticed something in an alley. I stopped on the next building and looked down to see a small form seemingly running from what looked like a man with feathers around his neck and a bird beak on his face.
"Supergirl, we might have an issue here," I said.
"Yeah, we'll go to ground level and intercept at the street," she said, flying down.
I jumped over the building and glided down next to her. We walked towards the alley and when we passed I felt a small thud on my leg.
"Hello, and how are you?" I asked, leaning down to her. "You didn't get hurt did you?" I asked, deactivating my thermal vision and getting a good look at her.
She had bright red eyes, long silver hair, and wore a dirty light blue hospital gown and her arms and legs were covered with bandages. I also noticed she didn't have shoes on. I looked up to see the feathers were his coat and he wore a plague doctor's mask covering only his mouth. Looking at him I could tell he held power, the only question was with who.
"Sorry about my daughter, she tends to be a little accident prone," the man said, his voice smooth as he lied.
I didn't need to be able to read his body language when the small child in my arms was shivering in fear.
"It's fine," Supergirl said.
"Does he hurt you?" I whispered into the girl's ear.
"Y-yes, h-help me please," she pleaded quietly, tearing up.
"Ok. Supergirl, I'm going to toss her into your arms. Fly her to the roof of the agency. I'll distract him before following you. I'll be careful, but you can get her away from here the fastest. Say alright if you agree with this," I whispered as quietly as I could.
"Alright, well I guess we should be going," Supergirl said, confirming my plan.
"Don't panic when I throw you back ok," I said, getting a small nod from the girl.
I then looked up at the man and holding onto the girl I quickly spun around and threw her as hard as I could at Supergirl who used her power to grab her and I watched fly off before I threw four batarangs at the man who growled and used his coat to deflect the projectiles. I then threw my sonic grenade at him with a smoke bomb. As the smoke filled the alley I used my grappling gun and shot onto the roof as I heard a colony of bats were attracted to the sonic grenade to keep him distracted while I got away. I ran as hard as I could jumping from roof to roof.
"Tony, contact Nezu, ask him to go to the Stark Agency and to bring Recovery Girl with him," I said, looking to see the agency nearing in the distance.
"I already did so ma'am," Tony confirmed. "Both of them as well as Supergirl and the child are at the agency safely."
I continued running as fast as I could before I grappled up to the roof of the agency and ran in to see Supergirl and Nezu talking.
"Where is she?" I asked, deactivating my voice changer.
"With Recovery Girl, she's making sure that she's healthy. Good eye for noticing that too," Supergirl said.
"I believe this might become a larger case than you realize," Nezu said, a strange look on his face. "I was contacted about a couple of young girls who were rescued earlier today who are around her age. They said they were running from men who worked for a bird man."
"And the man who she was with had a bird mask. It's too close to be a coincidence," I deduced.
"Indeed, Recovery Girl was having some issues so I wanted to ask you to go see if you can help while I talk to Supergirl," Nezu suggested. "She's in the medical room," he added as I started to walk off.
I got to the medical room and walked in.
"There you are," I said, walking over to the small girl as Recovery Girl tried to check her.
"Y-you're not h-hurt," she said, as if she didn't believe it.
"Yup, can you do me a favor and tell me your name?" I asked. "My name is Batgirl."
"That's a weird name," she said.
"Well, that's because I'm a hero, or training to be one anyway," I corrected.
"M-my name's E-Eri," she said.
I stayed there as Recovery Girl made sure that she was healthy. When the bandages were removed I had to keep myself from glaring or doing anything at the scars on her arms and legs. I kept talking to her when Nezu walked in.
"Hello Batgirl, and your name is Eri right," he said, looking at her.
"Y-yeah," she said, slightly shrinking into herself.
"I think I have some people who you know who would like to see you if you're good to go," he explained, looking at Recovery Girl.
"She's fine, nothing some good rest and proper meals won't fix," Recovery Girl said.
"Perfect, Batgirl, will you help bring her with us?" he asked.
"Of course, would you like me to carry you?" I asked.
"P-please."
I picked the small girl up and followed Nezu to the rooms for children found by heroes working out of the agency. I noticed Ms. Himura was standing outside it.
"Batgirl," she said, smiling.
"Ms. Himura, late night for you too," I said.
"Nothing too bad," she admitted. "And who's this young girl?" she asked, brushing her white hair behind her ear.
"I-I'm E-Eri," she said.
"Let's go in to continue this," Nezu said, opening the door.
We walked in and I saw two young girls playing with some toys. One had black hair and green eyes and was the taller of the two if only by an inch or two. The other had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. When the door opened I felt the girl in my arms adjust and then the other two looked up and their eyes widened as all three moved at once.
"ERI!" the two girls already in the room exclaimed.
"Nee-chan! Mara!" Eri said, jumping out of my arms and running over to them and all three of them collided in a hug.
"Well, I would say my hypothesis was correct," Nezu said.
"Who are these girls?" I asked.
"They were saved earlier today by Bubble Girl, Burnin, and your girlfriend," he said.
"I'm going to need some more information," I admitted.
"Tomorrow, you will be dismissed from classes for a debrief here with myself, Supergirl, Burnin, and Bubble Girl as well as some other heroes I feel will be needed for this case," he said.
"Just how big is this going to become?" I asked.
"You know how there was a double raid for Kamino? Something similar might be needed for this too," he said.
"Just how big of a thing did I stumble onto?" I asked.
"Something very large. Go get changed and go home, I have a feeling that this will become very messy very fast if we don't act fast enough," he said, his voice serious.
"Yes sir," I said, walking out.
I made my way to the locker room and found Supergirl was already in there changing herself.
"Oh, um sorry," I said, turning to go.
"It's fine, I know your identity, you can know mine as well. I trust you," she said.
"Are you sure?" I checked.
"Get in here and get changed," she replied.
I went in and went to where I put my clothes.
"So, who is the woman of steel?" I asked.
"My name is Kara Danvers, I wear lead lined glasses so I don't accidentally x-ray vision people as well as make it harder to connect me to well, me," she said.
"I'm guessing your family knows," I said, taking my costume off.
"Yeah, well, my older sister is a cop and my parents figured out that I was Supergirl after running out to help my cousin. I was grounded for a week, after being given a present," she admitted, a sadness in her voice. "A couple of my friends don't know and it's hard to keep secrets from them. Two have figured it out, but even though I say it's for their protection I don't like it," she sighed.
"I know what you feel. I don't have many friends that don't know, but when I have to lie about it, it feels wrong," I agreed. "Well, it's nice to know you, Kara Danvers," I said, turning and putting my hand out.
"You too, Izumi Sogeki," she added, a smirk on her face as she shook my hand.
We left and while she flew off to her apartment I walked home and went up to my room and just fell on my bed before passing out from the lack of adrenaline in my veins. I woke up to a hand poking my face.
"Mommy, auntie Yumi is saying you need to get up and that we are going to the agency and I'll be having school there," Satsuki said.
"Alright, give me a minute to get dressed," I groaned, sitting up.
Once the door closed I got out of bed and stripped before taking a quick shower and getting dressed before grabbing my case and walking out to see Melissa with her suit case in hand as well.
"Izumi, what happened last night?" she asked.
"A lot, you'll learn later so I'll just wait so we both know all the information," I explained.
"Ok," she agreed.
Once we all did everything they loaded up in the car and I hopped on my bike and we went to the agency. Melissa and I went and changed into our costumes before going to the meeting room Yumi told us to go to. We walked in and found several heroes already there with their sidekicks including Mirko, Midnight, Eraserhead, the Wild Wild Pussycats, and Ryukyu with Nejire-Chan, Static Arrow, and Lizardy sitting next to her. I also made a note of Togata sitting next to Sir Nighteye, both of which glared in our direction when we walked in. I went and sat next to Supergirl while Melissa sat next to Bubble Girl who was both sending and receiving glares from her old boss.
"Alright, now then, time to start this meeting about the child imprisonment and training being done by Shie Hassaikai and their boss Overhaul," Nezu said, standing at the end of the table getting everyone's attention.
AN-
So, some might think that I wrote this chapter incredibly fast, and they would only be somewhat correct. Most of this chapter had been written around the time of the end of the first arc, however, because of some of the changes people wanted I had to make more changes to this and what happens afterwards so I had to keep adjusting this chapter and changing certain things as well as what happens in the next chapter which has only been partially written and I won't finish until next year. Make sure to follow, favorite, comment, and kudos! Link Out!