Hikaru zips around a building, holding his phone to his ear. Below in the streets some people excitedly shout and wave up at him.
"What is it?" Enji firmly answers over the phone.
"Good morning," Hikaru says. "Ya got a minute?"
"Can't it wait until lunch later?"
"Won't be able to make it."
"Again? It's been almost a month."
"Aw, you're keeping track? Ya miss me that much?" Hikaru smugs.
"I'm hanging up now."
"I'm kidding! I've just been caught up with assignments by the Commission. The President has been catching on to my visits to Musutafu. She's on my ass about disappearing. Ya know how it is."
"That's fine. It gives me a break from you."
"I'll be visiting as soon as I can!"
"Don't rush it."
"Just wanted to keep ya in the loop. Don't want ya thinking I'm dead," Hikaru chuckles.
"Fine. I've got work to do."
"Sure, I'll leave ya to it!"
Hikaru hangs up and continues flying through Fukuoka. His phone rings again as soon as he puts it away. He's surprised that it's an unknown number, but figures it's Rikiya.
"This is Fallout," Hikaru answers.
"Come to my office this evening," Rikiya says.
"Haven't heard from you since you bugged me. Am I in trouble?" Hikaru jokes.
"Report to my office and you'll find out. See you then."
Rikiya hangs up, and Hikaru smiles with excitement.
It's late evening. Hikaru lands on the balcony of Rikiya's office, sliding the glass door open. In the office is Rikiya at his desk with Gravitas and Skeptic nearby.
"So what's this about?" Hikaru asks after closing the door.
"I've come to a final decision," Rikiya says.
"Hm? So am I in or not?" Hikaru raises a brow.
"It is my pleasure to announce that you've been recruited into the Meta Liberation Army."
"Cool," Hikaru smiles.
"You're not as enthused as I thought you'd be," Skeptic says.
"I don't doubt my abilities," Hikaru proudly smiles with hands on his hips.
"Ugh," Skeptic responds.
"Yeah, he's one of us now," Gravitas crosses her arms. "We're gonna have to get used to him."
"Aw, come on! That's no way to welcome me!" Hikaru replies. "Besides - I'll bring some light to the gang considering how dull you both seem."
"Dull?" Gravitas is offended.
"Whoops! Did I say that?" Hikaru fakes.
"Now, now! No need for all the fuss!" Rikiya stands. "How about you meet the rest of the Meta Army?"
"The rest?" Hikaru is surprised. "I thought it was just those here at Detnerat."
"It's time you see the true power in numbers of the Meta Liberation," Rikiya smirks.
"You're taking him to Deka?" Gravitas asks.
"Precisely," Rikiya nods.
"Nice! I get to meet the rest of the gang!" Hikaru is eager.
"Don't refer to the Meta Army as a gang," Skeptic is annoyed. "We're the Meta Liberation Army. A powerful army of meta users…"
"Yeah, yeah, I read the book," Hikaru flaps his hand at him.
"Let's head to Deka," Rikiya chuckles as he stands.
Hikaru chuckles at Skeptic's and Gravitas' annoyed stares at him as he follows Rikiya out of the office.
Hikaru and the rest arrive in an unfamiliar city via a limousine. Hikaru steps out after Rikiya, glancing around the scenery.
"Wow! This is a nice place!" Hikaru smiles.
"What a relief," Skeptic steps out. "I was getting impatient with your blabbing mouth the whole ride here."
"I hate the sound of silence! I can't help it!" Hikaru shrugs.
"We'll head to the main tower," Rikiya says.
"Lead the way, sir!" Hikaru is excited.
Hikaru takes a moment to really gaze around. He's in awe at the size of the city and at the amount of people there are. Hikaru studies the area as they continue to walk toward a tower.
"So this is Deka City, huh?" Hikaru says. "Wow! To think the Meta Army has a whole city worth of meta soldiers!"
"It's pretty late in the evening, but there's still a good amount of activity going on," Gravitas says. "Our meetings usually happen at night considering how busy most of the members are during the day."
"So some members are heroes," Hikaru glances and studies some people.
"Yes. Many live double lives and keep their association with the Meta Liberation a secret. If word gets out, Re-Destro will be outed and our long term plans risk getting ruined."
"Long term plans, huh… Say, how about we plan a personal tour of Deka? You and me?"
"As if…" Gravitas scoffs.
"That actually sounds like a great idea!" Rikiya says. "Gravitas, you'll be Fallout's chaperone and will guide him through the city until he gets to know Deka."
"But sir…" Gravitas tries to object.
"No buts!" Rikiya insists.
Gravitas sulks as Skeptic sneers at her with a chuckle.
"Don't think you're safe from me, Skittles!" Hikaru playfully warns.
"My name is Skeptic!" He's annoyed.
"Skittles. Yeah, I'm gonna call you that!" Hikaru nods.
Skeptic is annoyed while Gravitas tries to hide her laugh. Hikaru looks over at Gravitas and is amused that she's laughing. She notices his stare and clears her throat, resuming her usual serious expression.
"Geez, lighten up, will ya?" Hikaru playfully elbows Gravitas.
Gravitas swings her elbow slightly at Hikaru, her quirk launching him away some feet to the ground.
"Don't be so amiable with me," Gravitas states.
Hikaru just stares after her in amusement as he quickly gets to his feet to follow after the group as they approach their destination. Upon entering the main tower, they reach an elevator and take it to the top floor. There, they enter an office floor where Rikiya heads to a desk. The walls are glass windows spanning all around from ceiling to floor.
"Nice place ya got here," Hikaru glances around. "It's got a good 360 view!"
"When you're the CEO of a company, you can afford luxury," Rikiya smiles.
"I like your style!" Hikaru nods.
"I take it we're going to get along well!" Rikiya puts an arm around Hikaru's shoulders.
Hikaru turns to Skeptic and Gravitas and gives them a smug smile, to which the pair are annoyed.
"Now, down to business…" Rikiya sits at his desk.
"Yes, sir!" Hikaru is attentive with a smile.
"As a member of the Meta Liberation Army, you swear an oath of loyalty. You'll continue your position as an agent for the Hero Commission. You'll provide an advantage by allowing us access to intel of the Commission archives, as well as their activity, specifically in the black market. Your duty will be to keep the Commission off my tail to ensure they don't find out my identity as Re-Destro. Are you able to handle that?"
"Of course!" Hikaru states. "Just one question: what made you fully trust me after a whole month of surveillance?"
"The last call you had with the Number Two Hero, Endeavor. You kept your cover well and didn't disclose anything that may have been suspicious. Then again, deceiving is your expertise."
"Ya got that right."
"And as I mentioned, you're a valuable asset considering your skills and ties with the Hero Commission. I have no doubt this will aid the Meta Army and will serve to our advantage."
"Couldn't have said it better myself!" Hikaru smugs.
"Skeptic - go on ahead and remove the devices," Rikiya gestures.
Skeptic walks over to Hikaru and begins to debug him rather firmly.
"Hey! Take it easy, Skittles," Hikaru jokes.
Skeptic ignores Hikaru and finishes debugging him, storing away all of the devices.
"Now, it's time for your formal initiation," Rikiya leads Hikaru toward the glass door nearby.
"I'm not gonna get violated, am I?" Hikaru jokes.
"Witness the power of the Meta Liberation Army."
Rikiya slides the glass door open and gestures for Hikaru to step out onto the balcony. Hikaru walks to the ledge and gazes out over the railing. The streets are flooded with hundreds, possibly thousands of Meta soldiers. Their attention is on Hikaru and Rikiya at the balcony.
"Holy shit…" Hikaru is in awe.
"All meta soldiers, each one a loyal follower of Destro and his ideology," Rikiya proudly grins.
"So with the Meta Liberation…I'll be granted freedom."
"In due time, my boy. That is the ultimate goal. To rid the limitations of our meta abilities. Freedom."
"I like the sound of that," Hikaru nods.
"And now…our proper army salute," Rikiya says.
Rikiya marks an L with his index finger, placing his thumb on his forehead. The crowd below mimics the salute in unison, Hikaru also saluting with the same gesture. For once in his life, he feels like he fits in.