Justice Across Space and Time
Chapter 72
Aside from getting into the big fight with the pirates, I'm also going to have a look at what happened on the ships and some other effects the rings of Hell have on certain people. So on with the show.
(No POV)
During the trip to the pirate stronghold, Itsuka and the others took their time to get to their elder in terms of being a hero. "So Saphee…. Or Sahiraah. You've been a hero for a long time right?" Ochaco asked while taking some casks of water around. The genie had a complicated look on her face before acknowledging. "What is it you wanted to know?"
"Well, what are some of the worst villains you or Jota- or John have faced?" Despite none of the others saying or agreeing with the question, Saphentite could tell that everyone was curious. Even Bondo, who was steering the ship, was giving her a sideways look that said he wanted to know more.
Saphentite sighed before saying, "weird is somewhat subjective. But if you're talking about odd powers we do have a few. Like Don Gato or Aya Uma." She explained about the pair as troublesome villains. Or in Gato's case he was a capricious flipflopping type. "Fitting for his obsession, abilities and what not."
Jiro asked what she meant and Saphentite noted that Don Gato was obsessed with various cat myths and the possible powers from them. "He managed to find a way to copy or take the various powers from those myths. Nine lives, always landing on their feet, nekomata fire etc."
The teens seemed intrigued by this and wondered why he wasn't a hero or villain. "Cats are…. Curious and fickle. And thanks to all of that he became the same. Still better than Uma though. He's one of Justice's biggest villains."
"How so?" Itsuka asked before telling the rest to keep an eye out. "Aya Uma was originally just a petty thief. Pickpocketing, vending machines, little stuff. Until he broke into a museum and stole an enchanted mask." Saphentite explained how he gained the powers of an Ecuadorian deity. One that held dominion over the passage of time.
"Though it was focused on days. He could jump 1 to 7 days forward or backward in time. And he used that to improve his skills and created complex plans for heists." Juzo let a strained chuckle and said, "I don't think there's any villain or hero with abilities like that. Guess that's another difference between our worlds. But I hav-Ack!"
As he was talking, a set of cannonballs crashed in the waves around them. Making the ship buck and the sea spray them. Saphentite looks out over the sea and spies their enemy. "Load the cannons! Orca! Get everyone some gear! We may be fighting up close."
The hero saluted and dragged Kirishima along to get any weapons. The students meanwhile load the guns and are prepared for a broadside. Blasting away and putting a couple of holes in the small ships accosting them.
Jotaro and Selkie call out and ask if they needed help. "Not to worry! We can take care of this!" Saphentite announced before ordering Bondo to turn the ship as hard as he could. The tall teen was confused but did as she asked and turned the ship as fast as he could.
Doing so evaded the counterattack sent by the demons and lined up the opposite side of the ship's guns. Itsuka called for the group to fire again and more of the pirate ships were crippled. "Get us in close. We'll jump aboard and get any new info."
"Good call Anwar-san! I'll lead them!" Orca announced while brandishing a blade. Once the ship was close, he and a half dozen others swung to the crippled ship. Most of the imps aboard the ship were disoriented or injured, so defeating them was little trouble.
After taking down the demons, Monoma wondered aloud what it was that made Jotaro so scared of demons. "These aren't that impressive. Not to mention if we can take them down, a monstrously strong meta human like him shouldn't have a problem." Saphentite sighed as she went below to get any charts or notes
And when back on the deck she said, "it's not their strength that makes him nervous or frightens him. It's other factors to them. And the influence of Hell itself." The students and hero looked at her oddly before they were told to recover what supplies they could.
Unfortunately, some took this as going after the surviving supplies in the water. And they leapt into the Sea of Envy. "I didn't mean! Damnit!" Saphentite shouted as Kirishima and Awase dove down. And came back complaining about their quirks, looks, and many, many things they were envious of pertaining to their fellow heroes.
Luckily a blast from her dried them off and snapped them out of it. "What was that?" Reiko questioned while the duo shook their heads out of the shock. "Side effect of these regions. Visitors can become… influenced by the various sins and the like down here. In this case, the more envy you may have, the more susceptible you are to it."
"That makes sense. I know I constantly feel jealous about my quirk in comparison to others." Kirishima said while rolling a krick out of his neck. Awase agreed; noting that he felt proud of how he was able to help the heroes in the fight against AFO and Nomus. "I still felt I could do nothing else but support them. My quirk was useless in the larger scheme."
Itsuka and Saphentite sighed before telling the rest to get the ship ready to sail again. "We need to join up with the others. And pass this intel along." Itsuka said before looking at the sea for a moment. Feeling it pull at her before she shook it off.
Selkie had noticed what happened and had the ships slow down till Saphentite's brig could catch up. "More intel on this pirate hang out?" he asked once their little fleet had gathered.
The genie girl gave an affirmative before noting some details. "Apparently some other demon suggested that they set up at that location. Not sure why though." Jotaro suggested that it was probably a decent location to strike from, but Selkie had a different idea.
"No if it was just that, this place would have been known about right? Something else is going on. There's something else on that set of islands. Something… someone may want guarded." Selkie thought while ordering the rest to keep a warry eye out.
The next leg though, had Itsuka bringing up something else she wanted to know. At least when it came to Jotaro and Saphentite. After finishing her night watch, she went to the captain's quarters to talk with the genie. "So….. you and Jot. John. Together for a long time. Married and exploring the multiverse."
"Uh yeah. That was uh… that was how we've been living. I guess you could say we still are." Saphentite said with a warry eye toward Itsuka. The red head nodded a few times while looking around the quarters. Noting that they had been living in their original world for a century, before adventuring through the multiverse. "Where's this going?" Saphentite finally asked.
Itsuka took a breath before asking, "have you two already had kids? And maybe even grandkids?" Saphentite did a spit take at that question before coughing and trying to answer. "That! *cough* I'd normally ask where that question came from but I guess it's a realistic one."
Saphentite took a moment to gather herself before admitting it was a sensitive subject for he two of them. "Its uh… complicated. And awkward to talk about. Why do you want to know?!" Saphentite asked while blushing.
"It's… it's a bit more personal, I guess. Not just because of this whole, finding out you two are together when I was pursuing my own relationship with him…. And maybe getting to know more about you too."
The last bit said had Itsuka blushing as well, but she pushed ahead. Questioning again if there was something like a larger family for the pair of other world heroes. Saphentite had a complicated look before sighing and saying, "not… exactly what you might be thinking. We've adopted a few kids across the worlds we've visited. Not to mention our birth family. But…. I don't want to talk about it."
Itsuka was still curious but she could tell this wasn't just embarrassing. It seemed to be a matter that was very delicate for the two of them. 'John probably won't tell me anything either. Maybe its… no. I'll ask again, later. But for now we have a job.' The martial artist apologized before asking some different questions.
Over the next week, they hashed out a few more things and grew closer. To the point, Saphentite caught Itsuka's arm as they were getting ready to attack the pirate stronghold. "Be careful," she said with a small smile.
Itsuka returned the smile and asked, "when am I not?" Only for both of them to have a laugh and acknowledge that Jotaro had often said the exact same thing. And then got himself into stupid danger more often than not.
But before going off to battle, Itsuka kissed Saphentite once and acknowledged she'd be back for more. "From you…. And him. Let's do this Sahiraah."
"Right with you Itsuka." Saphentite said before drawing her own blades. Selkie's ship had the first broadside barrage the imp's ships and a few of their land-based guns. Waking the variety of demons and crippling some of their defenses.
The few ships that were still sail worthy, were quickly rigged and go to try and engage the ship of the line. Only for Aoyama, Mineta, Reiko, and Rin to use the forward long guns to disable a few. And then the broadsides that were quickly loaded to do even more damage.
"Get ready to strike!" Jotaro called out as the ship was rocked by another set of shots from the enemy ships. Shoji quickly turned their ship to get ready for the next broadside. While Bondo rotated opposite to the other brig and hoped to avoid another set of shots.
Atop the crow's nest though, Tokoyami noted something unsettling. "There are other ships taking off from the other side of the island!" Jotaro curses before ordering the teens to put out full sail. "We need to catch up to them!"
Saphentite notices this and follows their lead and has Rin and Reiko get another set of shots ready. "We need to make sure they can't regroup!" The two ranged specialists of class 1-B nodded and readied their guns again. And while Selkie wanted to go, he knew his ship couldn't catch their targets.
"We'll keep up the attacks on the island! Yaoyorozu! Jurota! Get ready to engage if necessary!" The two called out an affirmative and readied themselves with Sirius and the rest of the crew. Arming and loading the cannons as fast as possible.
While the two brigs put out full sail to catch their targets, and the long range specialists armed themselves to try and slow their enemies down. Using chainshot ammo to cut into the masts. "Glad you two knew about this stuff. Did you live in some pirate world?" Mineta asked after crippling a ship.
"Not a pirate world, but we did live in a world with more sailing tech like this. Among other things that gave us the experience to know what we're doing. Now get ready! Let's storm the ship!" Jotaro announces to a cheer from his crew.
But Izuku noticed something. 'He's seems to be enjoying the idea of fighting these demons. And when Saphee said they took care of those others, he had a frustrated look on his face. Something's off,' the green teen noted as they closed in and took out a few more of the ships.
His thoughts were pushed to the side when shots were fired at him and the rest as they closed in. And Jotaro took his chance to grab a loose rope and swing over to fight. "Hey! Don't leave me behind! I want a piece of this action!" Mirko shouts before leaping to swing over as well.
Izuku groans before giving a few more orders and asking Mina to come with him. "Why me?" she asked while adjusting her bandana. "Because I might need some help in reigning Jotaro in. And he might be more receptive to you."
That still confuses Mina but she follows Izuku's lead as they swing over to help their captain and quartermaster. Only to realize they might need to help the demons more than anything. "C'mon! You're supposed to be scary demons! Give me more of a fight!"
The two elder heroes says this as they engage the imps and other demons with cutlass and gun. Cutting a handful down and catching a few off guard with their guns. Even those that tried to sneak up on either hero were gunned down or stabbed their fellows in the back.
And Izuku saw more of what worried him in their faces. Finally intercepting Mirko's sword with his own when she was about to attack a downed and disarmed (literally) demon. Mina meanwhile put herself between Jotaro's guns and a couple of imps. "Jotaro! Please! Calm down!" she pleaded which seemed to ring in him easier than what Izuku was dealing with.
They both finally shook out of their daze and blood lust. Returning to their ship and giving new orders. "Ready the longboats. We'll make landfall and make sure that island is cleared out." Jotaro announces while shaking his head a bit.
Saphentite and Selkie order the same and join their fellow captain in inspecting the island. Once they landed, the heroes still had a fight on their hands. Proven by Selkie pulling Sirius out of the line of fire from a demon's gun.
"Guess they won't make this easy!" he shouted before telling the rest to take cover. But Jotaro and Mirko defied that with Kamakiri and charged the pirates with weapons free. With Izuku and a few others groaning as they ran after them.
As the stronghold was cleared though, they took stock of what was going on with the pirate island. "Oh you have to be kidding me!" Saphentite said before checking out a field behind the makeshift fort. A field full of Aglaophotis. "There's more than enough to make a cure. We need a few other items but still."
"Okay. Then lets have a talk with a few of the demons still here." Jotaro says while a smirk grows on his face. He stalks over to a few of the injured or surrendered demons and imps. "So here's how this will go. You give us some details about why you set up here, and we make this quick or send you to the authorities. Or….. hehehe. You can make this hard, and find out what happens."
One imp with striped horns snarls and says, "I'd tell you to go to Hell, but it's a little late for that. Why don't you just do us a favor an guaahhh!" As he was taunting Jotaro he pointed his gun at the imp's leg and shot his kneecap out. Freaking everyone out and making even the demons afraid.
Jotaro questions another demon, but when she refuses to say anything again he shoots her as well. This was disturbing their allies and they were about to stop him. But then they noticed he wasn't the only one to worry about. Mirko was currently beating a few of the demons bloody. A twisted smirk on her face to match Jotaro's.
"I was afraid of this! Selkie grab Rumi! Itsuka, with me! We need to bring him back!" Saphentite says in a panic. The rescue hero and Mick shake out of their stupor and run to restrain the rabbit hero. And end up with bloody noses and black eyes.
Saphentite though puts herself between Jotaro's next victim and him. He tries to tell her to get out of the way, but she refuses and holds the gun to the side. Itsuka meanwhile gets behind him and tries to pull her friend back. "You need to snap out of it! This isn't you! You don't enjoy hurting others this way!"
"They have it coming and it just speeds up the process!" Jotaro rationalizes while his eyes flash red and he keeps trying. But both girls pull him away and disarm him. Though it took Izuku stepping in as well and trying to reach out to his mentor's morality. "You were afraid when you beat Endeavor bloody. When you ripped off Shigaraki's arm. You don't want this. It's not you!"
It took nearly half an hour, but they eventually reached the minds of the two heroes. With Jotaro vomiting at how he'd been acting. "Sorry about that. I thought….. I'd be okay," he said while trying to catch his breath.
Saphentite shook her head and said, "you would be a bit better if you were at full power. You're much more susceptible than I am down here. Mostly because of….. what you keep blaming yourself for." She took his hand, as did Itsuka, and said that he has to let go or push it out again. "At least until we are back on Earth."
The large teen nods and thanks them all for pulling him back. Mirko meanwhile doesn't feel sick but feels a tad disgusted by herself and how far into her blood lust she fell. "Damn. Didn't expect that. But I guess we should have. Especially being on ships from the Wrath ring."
Orca shakes his head before asking, "is this something we all have to worry about?" Saphentite gulped a bit before admitting they should be fine. "These two were more susceptible because of their histories. John with his destroying the world, and Rumi with her enjoyment of a fight. So long as we don't…. swim in the sea or touch too much from the various rings we'll be fine."
The more experienced heroes nod and take a more gentle approach to interrogating the remaining demons and imps. "So, some demon named Eblith suggested that you set up shop here?" Orca asked with a confused look.
An imp named Mox nodded and explained, "we uh… we were just looking to make some extra money. We didn't expect a bunch of psycho superhumans to attack!" The heroes let out strained chuckles before admitting that they weren't superhuman. "I mean, usually me and Orca here look like….. well sea mammals. Not humans."
The demons and imps looked at them all in confusion before worrying about the future of Hell and the like. While this had been going on, Saphentite was collecting as many of the Aglaophotis she could. And preserving a few of them to make the trip back home.
"So what's next?" Itsuka asked while gathering up the plants and some other materials. "Well hopefully, Asmodeus holds up their end by getting the samples we need." Jotaro admits while carrying some of the boxes of flowers.
With the remaining pirates, they were locked in the brig of the main ship to be brought back to the princes of Hell. "We'll head to the Lust ring. There we should be able to get the last piece we need." Jotaro announced with some trepidation.
Mina seemed uneasy about the idea of going back to the Lust ring. Something one half lust half Hellhoud wrath demon caught up on and suggested that she talk with them. "Hey uh….. Jotaro, do you mind if I switch with someone on the main ship?"
"Uh…. No? I guess that's fine," he said with some confusion and Melissa happily swapped with Mina. As the fleet started out, Mina went down to brig to talk with the demon. "So…. Do you know more about what is possessing me?"
The demon smirked and said, "it's not possessing you. In truth, you've become a partial demon." Mina's eyes were wide and she asked if it was really true. "They didn't say this was possible! I thought….. with the plants and everything… I'd go back to normal."
"Well you might. Or rather, your demon side just won't take over with that. As for the others who have been afflicted or whatever, there's a good chance they may not be what they assume once it's all said and done~."
This rocked what Mina thought could happen and made her worried for the future. 'Am I… just going to be stuck like this forever? Will I….. end up assaulting or raping one of my friends because I can't control this?!' she thought with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Hey! Just because you have been turned into a lust demon, doesn't mean it controls you absolutely. Look at me," the dog like demon said while reclining in their cell. Mina turned back and looked the demon over before gulping. She asks what the demon would suggest in her situation. "Well…. Personally I'd probably want to test out some of what I can do. But that's coming from someone who was born here. You still need to get an idea on what your demon blood could do."
Mina nods and asks if the demon would be willing to talk with her more. "And one other thing. What's your name?" she asked while nervously looking to the demon. It gave her a sharp toothed grin before saying, "name's Luno Lupas. And don't worry. I've got nowhere else to go."
The pink haired girl gulps before acknowledging the demon and saying she'd talk to him more later. "Well now. Hoping to get out of jail someway dog?" a demon asks with an annoyed look. Lupas just reclines and says, "who knows? Maybe I could get my own chance to go to Earth. Without some crazy hoops to jump through."
Just a bit more. This was to show how some of the effects of Hell might be stranger than one might imagine. As well as setting up for some matters later with the teens and heroes. Please review! And don't worry. They aren't done with Hell just yet.