Drageria
Ch. 31: A Strange Reputation part. 2
Momo Yaoyarozu contemplated the life choices that led her to this moment. She had been born into the Yaoyarozu family. Arguably the richest family in Japan. A legacy that was around longer than quirks, making her whole lineage a piece of history. She was born into this wealthy family and blessed in every way possible. She was extremely intelligent, something that was very beneficial for her quirk. She was physically mature for her age, tall, well endowed and kind. To top it all off she was born with an extremely powerful quirk. Creation; The ability to create whatever she wanted as long as she understood the structural make-up of what she wanted to create. Truly no one could ask for more.
All except for her, since she hated all of it. Every last part of it! She hated the wealth, she hated the stares of jealousy from girls her age preventing her from making true friends. She hated the looks of lust men of all ages, and even some girls, gave her body. UCK! She hated the lack of intimacy from her parents.
…..Her parents.
She couldn't remember the last time she had a real conversation with them. Not just them berating her for cracks in the appearance she had to keep up for the outside world. The only interaction she got with another adult was either her army of servants or tutors. Not even one word of encouragement from her parents no matter how hard she did succeed in the end. She had just wanted to be free. So when Tachibana was telling the world that there was a place that she could start over.
She jumped for it! And quite literally out of the third story window of her mega mansion. Not her best moment but she was smart and landed with some spring shoes. The last things she ever created back in her old life. Now she could create a new one with new-!
"Before we continue," Tachibana said, stopping Momo's train of thought as well as stopping Izuku before he could begin the story that she herself was still finding it hard to believe despite living through it. "Momo.", He began.
"Yes Lord Tachibana?" Momo replied with a gulp, standing at attention, keeping a dignified stance. The former heiress held the dark gods gaze never faltering. Ready for whatever he would throw at her.
Until finally he spoke and his first words were, "Why are you holding a baby panda?"
No lie could be said for it was very true! Indeed within Momo's hands was a panda cub that was snuggling up to her chest.
"This is Mr. Frittles, my panda," Momo answered with a warm smile as the baby pawed at her face gently. "I have a panda now," She stated seriously with sparkles in her eyes.
The image was ruined by her petting the animal vigorously much to its pleasure. Stars seemed to shine around the girl even more so. Tachibana was so thrown off by this sight and replied that his head fell from his shoulders, only to be placed back in by Izuku.
"You should really stop doing that.", Izuku told him exasperated.
He shrugs back and tells him, "Old habits die hard.", Turning his attention back to the girl he questioned, "Mr.Frittles?"
"It was either let her keep the panda or die," Shinso sighed, adding in his two cents.
"You or the panda?", Tachibana asks in all seriousness.
"At least we convinced her not to bring the kitten or the other little animals," Kirishima added. "I think she was ready to wrestle that lion for its cub," Ochako did her best to keep a straight face but was clearly struggling as she remembered the incident they were talking about.
Placing a hand to his chest, Tachibana states dreamily, "A girl after my own heart.", Once again taking his more serious attitude he sighs, "Ok let me reiterate," Tachibana rubs his temples and asks, "How do you have a baby panda? There are no pandas on the island, last I checked. They can't even live here since I made bamboo illegal due to its fast reduction rate and near impossibility to get rid of."
"Well about that," Izuku spoke up, rubbing his head as he recounted the tale.
Flashback
"The top secret pizza is the pizza that's for you and me." Kirishima sang as the five walked through the streets of Drageria.
"Isn't it only for Lord Tachibana?" Shinso questioned, however continued humming the song ignoring the indigo haired teen.
"And not much of a secret if you keep blabbering about it.", Uraraka deadpans with a sweat drop as she notices his humming.
"We also have to get past Lady Arete.", Momo states seriously as she turns to Izuku and asks him, "So what's the plan to make it past her bloodhound skill?"
Izuku walked in though for a bit before admitting, "I'm still trying to figure that out myself. In short-."
But before he could finish his thought the sound of a shrill voice grabbed their attention! Looking around they heard it once more and clearer.
"Help help help!", Screamed a little voice with a lot of power.
"Ya hear that!?" Kirishima exclaimed as his head moved on the swivel looking for the source. Momo and the others are also doing the same.
"I do," Izuku responded as he continued looking around. Momo got ready to create some binoculars but paused as she saw Izuku turn his head in a specific direction. "There! Let's go!" He all but ordered and began running in the direction he believed the call for help was coming from.
Momo found herself surprised when once she realized she had begun running after him on his command. Her surprise only increased once she realized she hadn't been the only one. The others had run after the greenette with purpose.
'Interesting,' Momo mused but tabled the implications of such actions once they solved the current crisis.
They ran across the fields and streets avoiding civilians who seemed to also be looking or running in the same direction as them.
"Help help help! Someone please help!" Momo looked up to see a young girl and boy, most likely siblings, looking around in panic.
The boy who was most likely Eri's age looked on the verge of tears while the girl who was clearly older seemed to be trying to hold it in albeit barely. The strangest thing about this scene was that the two of them were standing on top of a wooden arched bridge going over a surprisingly fast river that cut through a part of the newly constructed town. Once they managed to cut through the now forming crowds of people they ran to the top to meet the kids.
"What's wrong, little girl?" Izuku asked, approaching the sister while getting down on one knee.
"My baskets in the river!", She sobbed as Momo felt her heart calm down in relief at the proclamation.
Just a basket in the river, not an actual emergency. That was good…but what was all this blubbering about, she thought.
"Oh don't worry, we'll get you a new one or Momo could make you one." Kirishima said gently, giving a smile. He was met with a kick to the shin by the girl he tried to volunteer. "Ow!"
"No!" The boy cried, "We have to get the basket now!" Izuku took a moment to look at the others in confusion and concern. All this for just a basket?
"Why?" Shinso questioned. "Is it really that special?"
As Shinso asked the question Momo locked eyes with Izuku and the two seemed to be communicating with their eyes. They needed to calm the kids down and get some answers without accidentally breaking their already damaged tear ducts. Easy enough….hopefully. All they had to do was remain calm themselves which should be easy. A line of thought that was agreed by the two.
"The puppies are in it!" The little girl shouted while pointing to a wicker basket that was quickly being swept down the river.
…
There was a pause as the words echoed throughout Momo's head on loop. Puppies.
Puppies!
PUPPIES!!!
PPPPUUUUUPPPPPIIIIIEEEESSSSS!!!!!
"This is an Avengers level threat!", Momo roared as she dove into the river, clothes and all!
"What an Avenger?", The little boy asked with a tilted head.
However, everyone else was too busy watching the normally sophisticated Momo damn near run on top of the rapid river to get to the basket filled with puppies. How she went from a swan dive to practically running on the water like a basilisk lizard was beyond any of them!
"Momo!", Izuku and Uraraka shouted.
"Kirishima harden!", Izuku commanded. Kirshima didn't even question it, just nodded and activated his quirk.
"Momo!", Izuku called as the former heiress weathered the rapids. "Fire an arrow tied to a rope out of your hand!", Izuku shouted in command and pointing at Kirishima he followed up, "Aim it at Kirishima!"
Momo seemed surprised by the command but obliged. Soon enough a rope fired out her palm at rapid speed aimed right at Izuku. What shocked her the most was how far the rope was going. Normally whatever she created normally came out in a heap in front of her or in a slow single strand until she cut it off. Her quirk had never done anything like this!
The arrow struck true hitting against Kirishima who was currently in his hardened form, thus causing the arrow to bounce off. However what it was connected to which was more important. Izuku reached out and grabbed the rope and looked at the others.
"Grab hold!", He exclaimed, and others seemed surprised but that soon gave way to recognition of what Izuku was trying to do.
Soon four pairs of hands were on the rope and they began pulling. Momo who has grabbed the basket yelled her confirmation and the four teens, working in perfect synergy, quickly pulled the girl and the basket back to the bridge and up it. When the girl and the goods were back on dry land, the forming crowd clapped and cheered at their victory. Most excited of all were the two kids.
"Yay! You got the puppies!", The young boy cheered while clapping his hands.
"Thank you, lady soldier!", His sister thanked her with a smile while running up to take the basket back.
"It's no problem, Momo replied with a kind smile. "Always happy to help.", As she started to dump and wring out the water from her uniform.
"What were your names again?", Izuku asked them.
"My name is Mahoro.", The little girl introduced herself.
"And my name is Katsuma.", The little boy introduced himself.
Mahoro is a small girl with dark brown eyes, straight brown hair styled into pigtails with dark pink bubble-shaped bands, and a small patch of freckles in the middle of her face. She wears a pink dress with dark pink overall straps and buttons over a black tank top, and white sandals with a pink stripe wrapping around the sole, and dark pink flower decorations at the sides. On her left wrist is a bracelet with a floral charm, identical to the one her brother wears. She also wears a large sun hat with a dark pink scarf and bow at the crown and a light pink stripe at the rim.
Katsuma is a young boy with brown eyes, curly, light brown hair, and a small patch of freckles in the middle of his face. He wears a pair of blue overalls with dark blue straps over a white T-shirt, accompanied by light blue sandals. He also carries a small, yellow messenger bag that has a pin of the Pro Hero Edgeshot's face fastened onto the strap. Additionally, Katsuma sports a bracelet with a floral charm on his left arm like his sister, along with a large sun hat which has a blue band on the crown and a light blue stripe on the rim.
Izuku smiles at them and says, "It's nice to meet you two. I'm Izuku and these are my friends, Shinso, Uraraka, Kirishima, and Momo is the one who saves your puppies."
The other teens all said their hello to the two kids.
"Say thank you puppies.", The sister said as she held the basket up and opened the top to reveal…A panda!?
"So…they weren't puppies?" Tachibana questioned with a raised eyebrow and wrote it all down with a floating pen.
"Not a single one." Izuku sighed. His eyes looked over at the still stoic Momo. Truly she came off as the perfect soldier. Too bad the image was ruined with her cuddling the baby panda that was chewing on her outfit.
"Then what were they?" Tachibana asked.
"Guys?", Izuku stated in calmed shock as he stared into the basket.
"Yeah?", Ochako answered, her eyes along with everyone else in the basket as well also trying to hide the shock in her voice.
"Those aren't puppies…are they?", Izuku asked.
"Nope." Shinso supplied, popping the P to emphasize the point.
"I'm pretty sure that one is a Hyena." Kirishima added while pointing to a spotted pattern and making a jeering sound.
Momo looked at the rest of the group of people she had come to call friends, all with the same thought. Something was clearly wrong with this picture.
"Hey, Mahoro-chan?" Momo asked gently, looking at the girl. "Where did you get these 'puppies'?", She said with air quotes hoping the children were just innocent and not dumb to know the difference between "puppies" and actual puppies.
"The big man gave them to me to sell to people.", Mahoro answered honestly, feeling a bit confused by the question, as if it were obvious.
"The big man?", Izuku inquires.
Katsuma shook his head rapidly and explained in excitement, "Yeah! He gives me and big sis all sorts of things to sell to people. Then when we are done, he gives us candy, or cake, or money for mommy."
"You don't say.", Shinso says with a knowing look, shooting towards all the others who knew what he was getting on about.
Before they could question the two kids further on the big man, one of the animals, the baby panda, cub fell out of the basket and began to run the opposite direction of the bridge. No one realized until Mahoro saw it starting to run in-between people's legs.
"Hey wait! Come back puppy!", She cried.
The teens saw this and went after the little animal while trying to move around the crowd that was jumping out of the way of the small bear. When they finally broke through they nearly lost sight of the little creature. Looking around they tried to find it again, but this time it was Momo who spotted it and was the first one to go after it, leaving her friends in the dust. They all looked at one another briefly and mentally wondered what had gotten into the girl. After shrugging it off, they quickly followed after her.
Momo has nearly caught the panda even after they ran through several parts of town, a field of grains and veggies, and even through a concert hall where a band was playing. Eventually the other teens caught up to the girl with a single-minded determined, look on her face. As they ran to keep up with the surprisingly fast animal, Shinso pointed something out.
"Isn't it kinda strange that this baby panda is going in one specific direction?", He asked his group to which they all realized this and nodded in confirmation.
"It is, but let's keep tailing it for now.", Izuku told him.
The young soldiers continued after the panda, not with the intent of catching it, but instead to follow it. Hoping that wherever it was going it would lead them to some form of clue. After being brought out to an open grazing field where a large group of hippogriffs and double bovine were grazing, they came to a strange cliffside that sat underneath it. When they managed to carefully make their way down they saw the panda slip through a hole at the bottom of the cliff. After seeing this the teen spread out on Izukus command to find anything.
Lucky for them that didn't take half as long as they wanted since Kirishima was the first to find a large wooden door built into the cliff.
"Well well well, what do we have here?", He asked while whistling for his group.
When they converged they all saw the door and pondered it in a rhetorical sense.
"Seems like something that shouldn't be here.", Momo states obviously.
"Shall we?", Kirishima asks.
"After you.", Izuku offers, seeing as he was the one to find it.
Kirishima hardened his body once more and pounded his fists together before realing them back and proclaiming as he busted the door down, "Knock. KNOCK!!!"
"I'm sorry, you found what was in there!?", Tachibana stopped them as his floating pen also stopped to do a double take.
"A hidden drug ring. I guess they were already established on the island before you put up the protective storm.", Momo explained to him while putting in her own theory on their appearance, the baby now sipping on a bottle of milk provided by a maid.
Tachibana put him fingertips on his head as he lamented to himself, "Maybe Arete is right. Maybe I do need to be more observant.", He then turned to the pens and whispered to it, "Note to self; investigate the two siblings Mahoro and Katsuma.", After finishing that side not he cough and with a roll of his wrist he said, "Go on."
When they busted in they were met with a sight they didn't expect at all! Though to be fair they didn't know what to expect. Before them was what looked like a full blown chemist science lab, but without any of the government funding or legalities. Wooden tables filled with beakers, test tubes and other chemist equipment bubbling and popping with all different chemicals of different colors. Ovens and blenders among other machines littered the surprisingly large cave.
In addition to this, there will also be several dozen cages littered about with live animals still inside and tons of for pelt feathers and meat being cured and dried. If it wasn't for the overly saturated smell of hard chemicals and bloody meat, this place definitely wreaked of an illegal drug ring.
The most shocking thing of all was the amount of people inside, which only totalled eight. They honestly expected a couple dozen, but they would wonder about that later when the perceived leader of the operation stepped forward to question them.
He was a tall burly man built like a freight train with bald head tattoos going in just about every place possible black pants, a trench coat with ripped sleeves, a white muscle shirt underneath, and snakeskin boots.
"Who the hell are you?! Newbies? When did you steal uniforms?", The huge man demanded.
"We didn't steal them, we are them! Soldiers! I mean we are soldiers of Drageria.", Uraraka proclaims while quickly correcting herself.
"You must be the big man?", Izuku inquires, to which he glares at them with hard black eyes.
"And now you all are under arrest for this scandal! Surrender now and we won't use force!", Kirishima announced like a daytime television action hero, while striking a pose.
This got a good laugh out of all the people present and when they finally finished their laughter the big man offered, "How about we just kill you brats and continue with what we got!"
As the drug dealers all got into a semicircle to fight the baby panda suddenly appeared from nowhere, grabbing their attention. All eyes turned as it popped itself out of a hole and rolled it down a short wall.
The big man raised his eyebrowless face before realizing and stating, "Oh it's that panda again, though I told that girl to sell you to some sucker."
They all watched as the panda made a B-line for the man piles of animal pelts and laid down on one that looked like it came from an adult panda. Doing so it made several crying noises as it nuzzled the fur. Everyone was a bit confused by this until the big man told them what it was all about.
Putting on a fake tone of pity the man vexingly stated, "Oh I bet you miss mommy. Especially after we ripped you from her arms and you watched as we skinned her alive. What a tragedy."
Upon hearing this, Momo felt hear heart drop into her stomach and made her want to puke! Her legs felt like they wanted to give out but she maged to lock them together even after she wanted to start crying. Not many people knew this, but she was crazy for animals. She loved them so much! But she never had a chance to have one of her own.
According to her parents at least, they would be a little more than a distraction and her daily life and routines as an heires. The only time she ever got to be with an animal was with their family's horses, but that was only for her riding lessons and in truth they really belong to her mom. So hearing what these people did to this baby's mother struck a cord within her. And suddenly that chord snapped.
For the first time in a very very long time, Momo saw red. I'm like most times when people had no control over what they were doing, Momo did and she acted upon it with full force and lethal intent. Without skipping a beat in her actions, she thrust a hand to the side and started to create something while the big man and his lackeys were all laughing. Before any of them could even react. Momo did something that sent a shock wave through each and every one of them.
When the big man opened his eyes from laughing so hard, the last thing he saw was something being swung towards him and then the crunch of his own skull ran through his ears before he dropped to the ground in a puddle of his own blood, unmoving and unresponsive. When the other lackeys heard and saw what happened, they all gasped at seeing their leader lying in a pool of his own blood on the ground! Standing with a determined and furious look was Momo as she held an extremely long metal Warhammer in her hands, uncovered in the man's blood!
"Holy-!", One of them said before another shouted, "Fuck!"
"That bitch just dropped Tobey like a stack of bricks!", One of the others pointed out in shock and fear.
All the other teens nearly all looked at the tall girl with a mix of shock, amazement, and horror as she went from dignified soldier to raging berserker! All of them were too scared to say or act on anything that she just did for a long while as they simply stared at her. That is until Izuku, being the bravest of the bunch, was the one to try and get her attention.
"Momo?", He asked as gently as he could without accidentally setting her off.
"Everyone get ready!", She suddenly announced while twirling her war hammer before skinning it into the ground. She then took a stance and called out, "Attack!"
The teens were a little put off by all this, but seeing as though that they had the drop on them especially with their leader down, they took out all of their respective weapons and ran towards the shocked and under prepared drug ring.
Tachibana blink several times before cupping a hand to his mouth and softly whispering while pointing at Momo who is preoccupied with putting the panda in a diaper, "She did that!?"
"We're all still freaked out!", Izuku admitted while looking uncomfortable at remembering the event.
"I've never heard a skull make that sound.", Uraraka shivered while covering her ears.
"I will never disrespect an animal again.", Kirishima looked out into the distance as he made his proclamation.
Shinso said nothing during this but his expression of mixed fear and stress said more than enough for any words!
"Dear Lord, there's two of them.", Tachibana muttered to himself while putting his hands to his face and thinking about the man Arete almost killed after he kicked an emaciated cat. He then breathed a breath to release his stress and asked the teens, "So what happened when you started to fight?"
Hey guys sorry I've been gone so long. Stuff and things. life. And I'm currently on vacation so...ya know. Anyhow hope you enjoyed it and a nig thanks to Drag0n5on for beat reading this chapter and adding some more ideas I hadn't. I'll see you in the next one...whenever it happens. Please Review abd have a Plus Ultra day.