I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year~ Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night~ Or day depending on when you read this. But hey, how do you like this for a Christmas Present, a long chapter and one that wraps up a miniature arc? Hope you like it cause there's no gift receipt to return it.
*PLEASE* check out my new side story for this story called "Heroes Never Die; It's Hero Time, Anytime." You will find an assortment of one shots that take place in the canon of this main story. Most are really short little stories but there are full chapters there such as "OVA: My Zombie Academia." Which is a great change from the norm and is again canon to the main story.
*This story has a TV Tropes page so feel free to check it out.*
*Disclaimer I do not own the rights to Ben 10 or MHA.*
"Gahh…" Nue collapses to his knees, his powerful legs unable to hold him up any longer, his lungs are burning and the sweat clinging to his greasy hair sting at his many eyes.
The cold steel of the imposing dome feels so claustrophobic despite its massive size. The walls, lined with hexagonal panels, feel like they're shifting and warping around him, surrounding him, squeezing him in as exhaustion and fatigue warp his reality.
"Pathetic."
Nue peers up to find a titan towering before him.
Vilgax growls down at the monstrosity. "Get up. Now!"
"Just…let me…catch…my breath." Nue wheezes, it feels like days since he's been able to rest, and for all he knows it has been days, maybe even weeks. All of the training, the endless exercises and orders, they never stop coming.
"Just be grateful that I allow you to breathe, boy."
Not one to take an insult lying down, Nue snaps. "I ain't your boy!" He reels up and backhands Vilgax in the face. "And I ain't your bitch either."
Vilgax glares back at Nue, contemplating whether to end him for daring to touch him, but instead he snickers as he readjusts his breathing apparatus. "Hehe, impressive, it seems every human I meet has such…fiery spirits."
Nue frowns, finding the alien's compliment both odd and out of place. "You see that as a good thing?"
"But of course." Vilgax sneers. "It makes all that more satisfying when their fires are snuffed out."
Nue, instinctually, gulps without realizing.
And then like light breaking through a curtain, part of the wall folds away forming a portal into the rest of the ship. And through the blinding light and into the darkness of the dome is Psyphon.
"What is it now, Psyphon?" Vilgax growls, not pleased that he was interrupted. "Has it arrived yet?"
"Not yet master." Psyphon bows, already fearing Vilgax's disapproval. "The Charlotte-project is still in route."
"I thought the doctor had already sent it off."
"He was supposed to, but he said, and I quote "had to make some minor adjustments" before he could do so. He also said that he wanted to ensure that the project would be safe for use. Although he does use the term loosely."
"Then why do you interrupt?"
"My apologies master but he would like to speak to you."
"About what?"
"He-"
A tall figure steps through the portal, cutting Psyphon off. "I can speak for myself, worm."
The figure steps forward and as the portal closes away and the light dims, Vilgax finds himself in the company of an ex-Plumber.
"Ragnarok." Vilgax greets. "Back so soon? And without your key? Pray tell, does it still lie just out of your reach?"
Ragnarok scowls at the obvious taunt. "It does. Raagh!" From his hand he throws down one of Vilgax's scout drones, it lies broken and ruined having been crushed by Ragnarok's grip. "No thanks to your cheap droids!"
Vilgax shows no outward reaction to Ragnarok's outburst, instead he remains poised and unflinching despite the other's outcry.
"We had a deal." Ragnarok growls, waving an accusing hand at the titan. "You provide me with a means of searching for the Lenopan spy and repair my ship. And in return I'll give you a portion of the energy I harvest."
Vilgax remembers, they agreed to it only days ago. "70% was the agreed terms."
"Yes." Ragnarok may have agreed to those terms, but that doesn't mean he likes it. "However, how do you expect to receive such a prize?" He crushes the broken drone under his foot. "When I am unable to pinpoint her location?!"
"Losing the Lenopan and your key was not of my doing. That blame lies solely with you."
Out of a fit of anger, Ragnarok's fist glow brightly with sunrays. "You dare insult me?"
Vilgax's muscles and fingers clench, anticipating a fight. "You want to challenge me? After I granted you mercy and my assistance. But then again who could you call for help? Certainly not the Plumbers."
He's got Ragnarok there, after the key was stolen and his ship was sabotaged the only one, he could contact for assistance was Vilgax. And thus, he is now in the titan's debt. "It is true, the Lenopan has slipped from my grasp, but that's only because she received help from the Plumbers of this back-water planet."
"Plumbers?" Vilgax's interest is piqued.
As is Nue's. "Was one of them Deku?!" He demands, his voice rising with hostile intent.
Ragnarok ignores him and continues to explain. "There were of two. One was a youngling cladded in green and black, with the strange ability to shapeshift into various forms, similarly to the Lenopan. Albeit far more…flashy."
"That's him!" Nue roars, seething and ready to fight despite his previous exhaustion. "That's Deku and his watch!" He turns away, marching towards the wall. "If you're that pathetic then I'll just go down there and take care of him myself!" He'll beat Deku and take the Omnitrix for himself.
Vilgax, however, stops him. "Stand down, Nue."
Nue scowls back at the titan who responds with.
"Your time will come."
Nue turns away again, but he doesn't move forward, instead after a moment of considering to ignore Vilgax's orders, he roars out and smashes his four fists against the ground, shaking the entire dome while cracking the floor underneath.
With the monster's outburst over with, Ragnarok continues. "And the other Plumber. I believe he was the progenitor of this Deku."
Nue, however, pauses and for the briefest of moments his anger washes away and is replaced by shock.
"He was far more experienced, but his ability was lacking."
Vilgax listens intently. "What was it?"
"He breathed of fire."
If one had a trained eye they could have sworn that Vilgax was smiling at that moment.
Nue's previous anger vanishes in an instant, as he's completely taken back by the news. "Deku's old man…"
Now that he thinks about it, didn't Deku's bastard of a dad abandon them like ten years ago or something? When did he get back? And why? Also, he thought Deku's old man worked for Japan's Self-Defense Force? 'Guess that was a lie. Just like everything else. Hang on. He's a Plumber too?' Actually, when he thinks back on it, Vilgax did mention that a "Firebreather" worked for the Plumbers. 'Was he referring to Deku's old man?' He peers up at Vilgax. 'Vilgax mentioned that he had some sort of grudge against the Firebreather, guess that means all Midoriyas are a pain in the asses.' But still a part of Nue has to wonder…just how well Deku took his Dad's return.
Meanwhile, Vilgax addresses Ragnarok's concerns. "Very well I will provide you with a new means of tracking down your quarry." Vilgax offers up a small device that is attachable to one's wrist, much like the one he granted the traitor Tetrax and the other bounty hunters. "If it is true what you said, then the Lenopan has allied herself with the wielder of the Omnitrix, then this device will allow you to track them."
Ragnarok takes the device eyeing it skeptically. "This tracks…the Omnitrix?"
"It does."
"How does that benefit me?"
"Because, if you find the boy then you'll find the Lenopan." Vilgax explains. "And if you happen to claim the Omnitrix during your quest and deliver it to me, then we can reconsider our current arrangement."
Ragnarok understands, if he happens to get Vilgax the Omnitrix then he will no longer be in his debt. However, Ragnarok has his own plans for himself and his ship, he will seek out his own goals and not stoop to be someone else's servant. But for now, he will play along as it does benefit him to do so. "I will take my leave then."
"Yes. You will."
Wanting to claim what is his as soon as possible, Ragnarok takes his leave, with Psyphon slinking on behind him, seeing him out.
As the portal shuts closed behind them, Nue turns to the titan with questions. "What was that about? And what was that thing he said about the sun?" Hard to ignore something that might be world ending.
Much to Nue's surprise, Vilgax actually provides him with an answer. "That was Ragnarok, he is a former Plumber."
"A Plumber?!"
"Ex-Plumber." Vilgax clarifies. "A fallen angel if you will, one who fell out of their good graces after betraying them."
"What's he doing here?"
"He wishes…to harness your sun's power."
"How?" Nue scoffs. "With solar panels?"
"Not quite. He plans to absorb your sun completely, harvesting it for himself to sell for profit."
Okay now Nue's just outright disturbed. "And you just let him walk away?!" He roars, ready to chase after the ex-Plumber. "Na, uh, no way! I may be a jerk, but no way am I cool with that! How could you let him just walk away?! What about your deal with All For One?! What about claiming the Omnitrix?! Have you really forgotten about all that?!"
Vilgax responds, poised and collected, not at all concerned with Nue's worries. "Of course not."
Nue's stunned by his response, he knew this freak was far from an angel, but does he really think that he'd be okay with destroying everything?! "But you said he's gonna take the sun!"
"He will not. He will fail."
Nue is stunned, unsure if he heard Vilgax correctly.
"And when he does. He will fall to my will, now that he is in my debt."
Ahhh, there it is. "I get it, you're playing him, so he owes you."
He smirks from underneath his respirator.
"But how can you be so sure he'll fail?"
"Because…the Firebreather will make sure of it." Vilgax turns away, peering up and losing himself to his memories. He traces his claws over his arms, remembering past scars and burns that have healed away but somehow the sting still linger albeit in his mind. "Ragnarok will fail and thus return to me with his tail between his legs. Submitting himself and serving me to protect himself from the Plumbers."
'Did he just…give his arch enemy kudos?' Nue ponders. "You seem offlay confident about this."
"I am confident only because I take the necessary steps to ensure my own victory." Vilgax explains. "Even if he should retrieve the key. Rojo is currently sabotaging his ship as we speak."
Nue frowns. "I thought she was fixing it?"
"She is, but the moment Ragnarok activates his ship with his precious key. It will self-destruct upon my command."
Well that takes care of the part where they lose the sun. "But there's something I still don't understand. I mean I'm grateful you're not gonna kill my home but… why not?" Nue shrugs, confused about Vilgax's logic. "Why not just kill us all? Why not allow this bastard to take the sun and kill everyone on Earth, Deku included? You could just walk up and take the Omnitrix for yourself."
"I could, couldn't I?" Vilgax sneers as if considering the thought, making Nue shiver in place. "However, an Empire isn't built in a day. If I took the easiest and simplest solutions to everything then I'd never have gained the power that I have now." With a flex of his claws the hexagons lining the wall light up and seemingly vanish as a display of the Earth forms upon the domed screen, its endless blue oceans and beautiful green shine upon the dark dome. "One does not conquer through force alone. But by using one's patience and cunning," Vilgax eyes the Earth greedily, reaching his hand out towards it. "And manipulation then can one truly conquer their foes." He closes his fist as if imagining himself gripping the planet in his clutches. "The Omnitrix will of course grant me such great power. With it I can lead a potentially unstoppable army with it under my command." He opens his palm and peers back up at the shimmering planet. "But imagine if I had more…? Imagine an army that could rival even that of the Omnitrix?"
Nue's…lost here. What the hell does that mean?
"I believe you Earthlings have a saying; never put all your exo-orbs in the same containment unit."
"It's…something like that." Nue shrugs, not bothering to correct him.
"There is never truly one clear path to victory…there always lies more." The greedy titan eyes the planet again, this time his gaze lingering upon the country of Japan. "One must just be open to see them."
Cannon Busters Opening - Showdown
(Beginning Instrumentals)
An open road, a bright sun illuminating the beautiful summer day, and the rush of wind in one's ears as the Rustbucket cruises by moving across the road like a sports car before zooming past with grace.
We got places to go, things to do, people to see, and we got to get it done right away.
Izuku adjusts his hoodie, tugging it down over his body. All before gripping the dial of the Omnitrix and giving it a shine with his fingers.
So if you on the crew, guess we a team. Thicker than thieves and we all tryna help find a way
Hisashi buttons up his Hawaiian short, before grabbing his respirator and dawning it over his maw. He then snatches up a few loose tickets and pamphlets before tucking them away.
If you know the destination, we making conversation. Time is ticking, sun is setting, we got no time for waiting
Chopper latches his leg to his body, readjusting it. Before his arms pop out and flex about making sure they're working properly.
Might be the showdown, Looks like it's 'bout to go down
Bust through with the cannon, at the hoedown
(Instrumentals)
Izuku slams down on the Omnitrix! In a flash of green the screen scrolls down to reveal his aliens: Feedback, XLR8, Grey Matter, Four Arms, Ditto, Ripjaws, Terraspin, Water Hazard, Lodestar, Buzzshock, Diamondhead, Big Chill, Heatblast, Stinkfly, and Wildmutt.
Transition into title sequence: HEROES NEVER DIE; IT'S HERO TIME
So we won't fall, until gravity is gone
Izuku grins falling through the air alongside Rath, Wildvine, Bullfrag, Cannonbolt and several other inhuman silhouettes! As the glow of the sunrise illuminates U.A. in the background!
We've been on this road too long, so long
Hisashi and Izuku stand back to back looking away from each other as the scene rotates around them.
The scenes flips in rapid succession with characters standing back to back!
(Instrumentals)
To Thirteen and Ochaco!
To Ochaco and All Might!
To All Might and Gran Torino!
And to Gran Torino and Hisashi!
And I can't stop, we can't stop
I'm so far away from home
We've been on this road too long, too long
A legion of villains have their backs to the camera but as the camera slides through their line up, each of them turn to acknowledge the audience.
Kraab's claw flexes and clamps nearly clipping the camera.
Rojo folds their arms together and smirks as the camera rolls past.
Sunder raises his axe at the ready.
Silhouette (C) stands tall and proud, towering over the camera.
Nue bares a sharp tooth grin, his eyes gleaming with malice before the camera zooms away and up into to the forbidding sky, through the void of space, through the walls of the command ship, before halting before an all observing Vilgax.
Playing with fire (Fire!)
Take me higher
From up in the air Cinder releases a cloud of flames down upon Rojo below! Rojo cuts through the flames before rocketing up and clashing with the hero in midair!
We're on our way, we're on our way
Undivided (-Vided!)
All Might zooms past, his grin wide, as he slams his fist into Silhouette (C)! Silhouette (C) crashes into the ground, kicking up smoke, but it rises again, unharmed.
And ignited
We're on our way, we're on our way, yeah!
From the smoke cloud, Ochaco leaps back in a spin as Sunder soars after her. Sunder his axe at her but she counters it with a Ryou Sphere!
On our way, we're going
Nue grins madly as he stares down Deku who grins back just as determined and manically.
And no mistakes while we're rolling around town
We just came back round
The Rustbucket bursts forth zooming down the highlighted highway, gracefully zooming past Bakugou, Kirishima, Tsuyu, Hatsume, Kaminari, Jiro, Tokoyami, Shoto and a number of silhouettes!
You don't wanna show out
Close up of a smiling Hisashi.
Cut to a closeup of Chopper.
Cut to a closeup of Kraab.
Finally a close up to a grinning Deku!
Might be a showdown
Deku's hand slams down on the Omnitrix, the alien green light swallows the screen!
Woo!
Freeze on the image of Deku, Cinder, Chopper, and Kraab posing before the setting sun, their shadows casted far off over the ground towards the camera.
(Illustrated by CreateGunner1209)
Ch.56 More Than Meets the Eye Part III
Screens lining the busy street above, glow with the same news broadcast of an anchorman reporting in on the day's events.
"The villain, recently dubbed as Ragnarok, has struck again. And once again the heroes have failed to apprend the fiend. He is still at large and the police warn that he is armed and dangerous and should not be approached. If spotted, contact the authorities immediately."
People listen on as they go about their business, watching the broadcast on their phones even, but none of them show a hint of concern. 'The heroes will stop him eventually.' They all think.
"The police have also stated that there are at least three suspects wanted for questions. The pro hero, Cinder, thought to be retired after having fell out of the limelight. As well as two unknown people of interest. One is that of a blonde girl and the other of a large Mutant Quirk with a yellow shell. No other details could be provided at this time. If you have any information the police advise that you contact them as soon as possible."
Despite the dire warning the people once again go about their own business, ignoring the fact that a villain is on the loose. Naively they all just presume it's fine and go about enjoying their day.
But there are those that are outright oblivious to the world around them, like the pair of little girls that have stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. They're crouched down beside a row of low bushes and flowers, as they try to coax more purrs from the kitty cat.
"Aw, you're so cute~!" They giggle and squeal in delight, as they gently rub the cat's fur.
"Meow!" The feline happily meows back.
The feline purrs happily. Her red eyes gleam with delight, as her black pupils dart from one child to the other. She sits still allowing the children to pat down her ginger fur with tiger stripes running across her back and face. The tiger stripes across her face gives her a demonic yet beautiful look.
The oldest of the girls giggles in delight. "I'm gonna call her Teekl!"
Her sister turns back towards her mom "Can we keep her mommy~?"
Their mother gives her daughters an apologetic smile. "Sorry, sweetie. But she probably already has an owner. Just look at her collar"
The girls turn and look and sure enough the red eyed feline has a black collar with a silver pendant around her neck.
"Oh…" They both frown in disappointment.
Seeing an opportunity to finally get going their mother grabs them both by the hands. "Let's get going then, we're supposed to be seeing granny today."
"Okay." The oldest whines as the youngest waves back at the feline. "Bye, bye, kitty!"
"Meow!" The feline calls after them, as if saying goodbye.
And so the feline sits, awaiting something or someone, delightfully patient as bystanders pass by without even noticing her presence, too focused on their phones, friends, and shops.
"Are you quite finished?"
The feline spins her head around, to find a bipedal frog stepping out from within the bushes, carrying a phone beside him: the screen displaying the same news broadcast as the screens above the street,
"Meow." The feline greets, her tail sweeping happily across the ground. "Meow!"
Grey Matter gives the cat a flat annoyed stare.
And like that the feline's facade breaks. "Eheheh! *Snort!* Eheheh!" The feline laughs and snorts, her eyes turning into a shade of bright purple. "Relax, will ya? There's no harm in saying hello." Lucy grins, her tail swinging behind her in the air as she gets up.
"Well," Grey Matter hops onto Lucy's back, like she was a horse. "Pardon me if I want to keep a low profile. In case you haven't noticed, we're wanted criminals!" He enforces his point by showing her the phone's screen where artist renderings of Lucy's human form and Cannonbolt are displayed.
Lucy frowns as she turns and squeezes her way between the buildings. "Hm, not really. We're people of interest." They enter a back alley, after scanning the area she takes off down the dark damp space. "And besides they're looking for my human form and your Tortugan form. No one's looking out for a cat or a silver little toad."
"That's Grey little frog to you." Grey Matter corrects rather snobbishly.
"About that, why did you turn into a Galvan?"
"Grey Matter's physique and stature are perfect for urban stealth and recon. Therefore, I thought it best to remain as miniscule as possible."
Okay, sure but… "They're looking for Cannonbolt, not Izuku specifically. So why aren't you back in your human form walking your dog or something." To prove her point she shifts and becomes a golden retriever with silky fur and for some reason, one eye as the other's been damaged, probably her way to give her disguise some character.
"I have a simple explanation as to why." Grey Matter smirks feeling all high and mighty…until he actually explains why. "It's because I didn't think of it until I turned into Grey Matter!"
Lucy chuckles at the irony as she shifts back into her feline disguise. "Basically, it's too late to change back."
"For now, but if it makes you feel better, I probably only have another ten to twelve minutes or so and then we can switch to your idea."
"Yay!"
And so, with a happy cheer, Lucy approaches the bustling street. Peering both ways before slithering out and making her way down the sidewalk. Hugging the nearby walls and buildings so as to not be stepped on by the oblivious passerbies.
"What about your dad?"
"I already texted him." Grey Matter flashes her his phone, where a message from Hisashi reads: C U at dachi-district.
"He'll catch up, I'm sure." Grey Matter smiles, knowing they'll meet up with him soon enough. "Now just to put this away." He moves to tuck the cell phone away.
'Where were you keeping that?!' Lucy has to wonder, peering back so she can observe their path and surroundings.
Speaking of, she just so happens to spot a sushi bar just across the bustling street.
"Sushi!" She cheers, her tail wagging like that of a dog despite being a cat.
"No!" Grey Matter pulls at her collar. "No distractions. "
"Ah," The feline slumps in disappointment. "You're no fun." But she continues on, her tail dragging behind her.
Grey Matter frowns, giving her a quizzical look. "Do you want fish cause you're a cat or just cause."
"Well, I am in Japan so I might as well try real sushi. Not like what America has."
"Fair enough. Wait, you've been to America?"
Before she can answer there is a commotion from amongst the crowd of bystanders and cars. Traffic screeches to a halt and people stop dead in their tracks to see what's going on.
Lucy continues forward, stopping before a coffee shop, her attention drawn towards the racket of boisterous people and honking horns.
"What's going on over there?" She wonders aloud.
Grey Matter shrugs. "Maybe a hero's shown up or something. We should just mind our own business and keep going."
Figuring it's nothing, Lucy happily strolls forward.
And then a familiar beam of sunlight nearly fries the pair to a crisp, melting the sidewalk in front of them!
"Meorw!" Lucy shrieks, leaping back, her back lurched up like the startled cat that she is. "I think it just became our business!"
The scene becomes all too familiar as people scream in fear and rush away, revealing that once again Ragnarok has somehow tracked the pair down.
"How'd he find us?!" Grey Matter screams as Lucy backs away towards the coffee shop.
Ragnarok slowly approaches the pair, and as such the patrons inside the coffee shop panic and fear for their lives, each of them scrambling for their phones and dialing for the heroes and the police.
As he makes his approach, Ragnarok glowers down at the feline and frog and with no hesitation, fires upon them again.
"Meeoorw!" Lucy leaps back just before the beam crashes into the cafe, blasting the front windows and door apart.
The patrons scream as glass shards shower around them, each of them running for the now blasted door or back door, in a hurry to save their own skins.
Grey Matter clings to Lucy's fur, covering his head with his arm, shielding himself from the glass. "Quick! Hide!"
Without thinking, Lucy leaps through the busted store front and into the cafe, scurrying past the fallen and broken tables and chairs, shattered glass, smoldering walls, and spilled coffee.
Ragnarok shoves past the fleeing patrons, marching right into the cafe. He scowls and scans the little shop peering past the busted laptops, broken mugs, and fallen furniture as he stalks through the shop, peering behind every fallen table and chair, turning over every fallen picture frame and chair cushion.
"You think you can hide from me, Lenopan?" He hisses, carefully watching the shop for any signs of movement. "I can promise you this, you won't be able to hide from me for very long." He briefly eyes his wrist, where a little screen demonstrates a sonar-like display with a single pin blinking towards the end of the shop.
Peering up he finds the main counter that's somehow remained virtually untouched by his attack. All the machines and appliances such as the rows of espresso machines, grinders, blenders, toasters, and refrigerators remain still as if there was never an attack on the shop that could uproot them.
Ragnarok smirks, knowing he has them, and so he approaches allowing them to stew in their inevitable defeat. "I will find you and when I do, you will discover just how much my anger burns."
He reaches over the counter, past the espresso machines, smoking toasters, and steaming coffee pots.
But before he can reach down and grab his prey, the faintest click of two wires sparking together catches his ears. And like that every machine and appliances simultaneously goes wild, they surge and rattle and shake, firing off at all cylinders. The toasters throw up flames, the refrigerators shake and stumble forward and the espresso machines spew out hot scalding coffee into the villain's face.
"Gaaaagh!" Ragnarok shrieks, grabbing at his stinging eyes and face.
"Ehehe!" Lucy bursts out from behind the counter and takes off for the exit as Grey Matter holds onto dear life atop her back.
"Hah." He snickers, watching Ragnarok writhe in pain. "Looks like not even aliens can handle hot coffee!"
Ragnarok wipes away the last of the coffee and immediately fires after the two.
"Waaaahhh!" They scream out as they're blasted off their feet.
The cat and frog land hard onto the ground, skidding across the pavement. Lucy's cat form splatters across the sidewalk before remolding itself into her more human form.
"Ugh…" Grey Matter groans in pain, his head spinning and vision blurred.
Lucy hurries over to him, crawling to him quickly and scoping him up in her hand, scanning him for any signs of injury.
A dark shadow lingers over her drawing her attention. She and Grey Matter peer up to find Ragnarok towering over them, his glowing fist aimed for their heads.
Lucy gulps, struggling to keep her composure under his intense deadly gaze. "Aren't you gonna allow us our final words?"
"No." His fist glows brightly, just seconds away from firing.
"FIRE LASH!" A whip of fire wraps around Ragnarok's outstretched arm and yanks it upward just as he fires, blasting his beam up straight into the air!
"What?!" He roars and turns to see who would dare interfere.
And thus, he is met with a fist to the face!
"Gah!"
"Stay away from them!" Cinder roars, unleashes a devastating blast of fire into Ragnarok's chest, blasting him back!
Cinder breathes, relieved that he was passing by just a block over when he heard the commotion.
"Dad?!" Grey Matter gasps.
"Run!" Cinder shouts, not taking his eyes off his opponent. "Quickly!"
Not one to question orders, Lucy grips Grey Matter tightly and takes off into a full run towards a gutter.
Her body morphs and shifts into purple sludge that sinks into the gutter, slithering up the pipe and away from sight.
"Wait! Dad!" Grey Matter calls out for his Dad, struggling to free himself from the sludge but Lucy drags him away, trusting the Plumber to be able to handle this alone.
And he does, for the most part. Every time Ragnarok tries to pursue the pair Cinder cuts him off, drawing a line in the sand, using his flames, spear, and combat skills to keep the villain back.
As Cinder handles the villain the police soon arrive from both ends of the street, their cruisers blocking the road to oncoming traffic.
"Quickly form a perimeter!" Inspector Tezuka shouts as she steps out of her car.
"Yes, ma'am!" Her officers shout back as they hurry.
Tokoyami steps out as well, watching silently as fire and sunbeams explode forth from the raging battle.
One of her officers stands at attention. "Ma'am, a hero has already engaged the villain!"
"I know." Tezuka scowls, glaring over towards Cinder who has his hands full with the villain. "Dammit, Midoriya." She eyes him distrustfully, expecting him to pull off some sort of trick. "What are you playing at? What happened to keeping out of this?"
"That's just how he is."
Tezuka spins around just in time to find Endeavor marching onto the scene with his son trailing behind him. "He's never been able to keep his nose out of where it doesn't belong."
Shoto approaches his classmate. "Tokoyami."
"Todoroki." The raven teen greets.
Shoto scans the street and nearby buildings for any sign of their classmate, after all if his father's here then where is he? "Where's Midoriya?"
Tokoyami shrugs, frowning worriedly. "I haven't a clue."
They turn and watch, gasping as Cinder's blasted by Ragnarok.
"Gah!" Cinder flies back, crashes onto a police car's hood before bouncing off and falling to the street.
As he hits the pavement his phone bounces out and slides across the street, stopping at Shoto's feet.
The teens frown, eyeing the phone as its screen lights up. "Hm?"
Before they can even reach for the phone, a powerful gust of heat blasts them in the face as Endeavor rockets himself forward.
"Raagh!" Endeavor slams his fist into Ragnarok, sending him flying back and crashing into the side of an empty bus!
Cinder pulls himself off the ground and spins around, surprised to find that the police and heroes have already arrived. 'They're here already? Dammit, I thought I'd have more luck this time!'
[FLASHBACK]
The portal flashes and everyone braces for the explosion. But it never comes. Instead, the B.L.R.R.T. has completely vanished from sight along with a chunk of the road and nearby buildings.
Cinder, having taken cover along with the Galvans behind a dumpster, peeks out. "What happened?"
The PROXY peers out. "It portaled away."
Cinder scowls, both annoyed but relieved to have the bot gone for now. He turns to the Galvans, grabbing their bot by the arm. "We better portal away ourselves, and fast."
The PROXY jolts, the Galvans cowering from inside. "Um, Mr. Cinder, sir."
"What?"
"B-behind you."
Cinder jolts, his dread rising, turning to face the suspicious and accusing glares of the police and heroes.
Officer Tezuka and Endeavor stand at the front, both eyeing the droid and Plumber with silent accusations and…betrayal.
"Cinder, are you…working with the villain…?"
"Um." Cinder's mouth shuts in on itself, as he turns from the heroes to the disguised Galvans and back.
He's never really been caught so blatantly before as a result he stumbles over his words, internally panicking as he fails to come up with something!
However, the two Galvans begin to panic at the sight of the glaring heroes and police; remembering Cinder's warning about being locked away and dissected. "No, wait! Please!" The Proxy grabs Cinder by his arm, using him as a shield. "We're friends!"
Cinder's heart drops while the city becomes so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
"Um." He panics trying to salvage the situation. "I can explain."
"No! Don't arrest us!" The Galvans continue to panic and cry out, shaking Cinder violently. "We're too pretty for jail! Nor do we wanna be dissected!"
"Hisashi!" A baffled Endeavor cautiously steps forward, trying to reach his friend. "What's going on?!"
Upon spotting the flaming human, from inside the droid, Blukic panics and lunges for the controls! "RUN!"
The Proxy lunges back and sprints away at full speed away from the heroes.
"He's escaping!" Officer Tezuka shouts, rushing forward. "Get him!"
"NO!" Out of pure instinct, and in response to protect this secret, Cinder throws his arm in Tezuka's way, stopping her.
Everyone freezes, taking a double take, blinking unsure if they saw that correctly.
The Proxy spins around at the end of the alley way with Driba shouting back at Cinder. "Hurry, Mr. Cinder, we have to escape!"
Cinder breaks into a cold sweat as the Galvans practically dig the grave for him. "Go!" He screams in panic; he knows he'll get in trouble for this but it's better than the alternative.
The Galvans pause. "But-!"
"Get out of here, dammit!"
The Galvans hesitate before spinning around and running away.
Endeavor moves to chase after the disguised droid. "Hold it-"
Cinder steps between him and his target, grabbing Endeavor by his wrist and fling him over with a single throw!
Once again, the heroes and police let out audible gasps of shock.
Endeavor scowls up, baffled by his friend's actions. "What's wrong with you?!" He blasts himself up and onto his feet but Cinder acres around and blocks his path again. "What are you doing?"
Cinder averts his gaze, scowling in frustration over how much this mission's gone south. "What I have to…"
Endeavor's not sure how to take that answer, but either way he's still a hero and as of right now, Cinder is preventing him from doing his job.
He moves to step around him but once again Cinder intercepts his path with a defiant look that Endeavor instantly reads as a challenge.
"Do you really wanna face me?" Endeavor growls, his flames lashing out, nearly burning at Cinder's face.
Cinder glares back in defiance, stepping closer as if he could take on his fellow pro hero. "No…" He drops his guard, knowing that there's no point in fighting; figuring he at least gave the Galvans a head start.
Officer Tezuka, Officer Toyomitsu, and the others are stunned, the whole situation having become a whirlwind of confusion, shock, and disbelief.
After a moment Tezuka manages to compose herself so that she may carry out her duties. "Cinder…you're under arrest for aiding in the escape of a villain."
Meanwhile, the Proxy contours to sprint through the city's sewer system.
Thankfully Blukic and Driba managed to compose that it was a decent place to hide, although they did trip over it first before they discovered it.
From inside the droid Blukic turns to Driba and begs the question. "What do we do now?!"
Driba gives him an annoyed look. "How should I know?!"
Blukic frowns. "But you always know what to do!"
Driba shakes his head. "No, I don't."
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do!"
"Ahhh! We don't have time for this!" Driba screams as he finally comes to realize how hopeless it is. "We're lost and we don't have Mr. Cinder with us! Not to mention Benevelon and the B.L.R.R.T. were able to escape!"
"But we have the Galvanian Skeuomorph."
'Leave it to Blukic to find the positive.' Driba thinks. "That we do."
However, that is not always the case. "Then again it's pretty much useless if we can't get it to the B.L.R.R.T. in time."
'He brings up a good point.' Driba thinks. "And without Mr. Cinder we won't be able to find it by ourselves."
That's a good point.
Blukic sulks, thinking it's over, until a rather clever idea pops into his head. "Or could we?" He grins.
"Didn't you hear what I said? No, we can't."
"No, I heard you. But what if we could?"
Driba pauses, condensing the concept. "I'm listening."
"Benevelon portals must be leaving some sort of trace after every use. If he's teleporting a far distance, then he must be using quite a lot of energy."
Driba's eyes widen as he gets where Blukic is going with this, becoming excited by the prospect. "And if he's using a lot of energy then he must be leaving a large energy signal."
"Exactly!"
"So, if we can detect another spike in energy."
"We'll be able to find him!"
"And if we find him, we can stop him!"
Blukic's grin widens. "And if we stop him then Luhley will be so proud of us~"
"Yeah~" Driba grins, losing himself to his daydream. "Let's get to work, Blukic! We got a world to save!"
"Yeah!"
[End of FLASHBACK]
Ragnarok pries himself free of the bus, stomping forward, glaring daggers at the surrounding heroes and police.
'This is becoming bothersome.' He thinks, eyeing the city and the fleeing humans. 'This place is too heavily populated as such this world's defenders act far too quickly.' He scowls in annoyance. 'They will only continue to interfere. I require far less attention if I wish to reacquire my key.'
Basically, he needs to strike when the Lenopan spy is alone.
Endeavor rockets forward, his fist ablaze and poised to strike.
"Farewell." Ragnarok vanishes from sight as he's teleported away in an instant.
Endeavor's stunned, cutting off his propulsion and sliding to a stop.
The other heroes stop their attack as well, all halting in place and looking around in confusion, wondering where the villain could have gone.
"Where is he?"
"I don't know!"
"Quickly, we need to search the perimeter!"
Endeavor scowls, glaring at the empty space that Ragnarok had just occupied.
Cinder watches on from the back, feeling out of place and very vulnerable. And so he tries to slip away.
"Hold it right there!"
He freezes and comes face to face with a pissed off Tezuka. "Can I help you?"
"You can." She flashes him a set of cuffs. "By coming in quietly."
"Now, Inspector, let's be rational about this-" Too late she's already slapped the cuffs around his wrists.
"Quiet! You can spill your guts back at the station."
"You can't arrest me. I haven't done anything wrong!"
"That we know of!" She screams before settling down. "If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to worry about. And you'll be let go in no time."
Hisashi settles down, figuring it best to play along for now. Although he can't shake the feeling of Deja vu.
Endeavor watches on with a shadow of a smirk on his face. But unfortunately, he will most likely have to join them at the station, especially since they'll need a new means of finding this villain.
"Shoto! We're leaving!"
But there is no answer, not even a spiteful one.
Confused, Endeavor scans for his son but he can't seem to find him anywhere. "Shoto?"
Realizing that one of the boys is gone, Tezuka spins around in search of her son as well. "Fumikage?"
But there is no sign of him either. Almost like the two of them got up and walked off to who knows where.
Further into the city, the buildings have seemingly shrunk in size, there's less of a bustling crowd of passerby and cars and instead just a few people stroll about here and there, going about their day completely unaware of the battle raging just blocks away. But of course they are oblivious to it, this part of the city is quiet and far less busy than the rest with no hint of trouble or drama in sight.
Well except for the large hulking figure that pokes his head out from behind a parked delivery truck.
Four Arms grips the blanket tightly around his neck, making sure it's properly draped over his upper pair of arms and head. "The coast is clear."
He turns around to check on Lucy.
"Lookie!" Lucy barks up cheerfully as a small ash-blonde puppy. "I'm a Pomeranian!"
She kept her word, she did turn herself into a dog. Specifically a feisty looking Pomeranian with spiky ash-blonde fur, and piercing red eyes.
Four Arms pauses, reeling back, realizing that if she scowled that she'd look a lot like an old bully of his. "C-can you…change?" He begs nervously.
The Pomeranian tilts his head, confused, but with a shrug she obliges his wishes.
Her body morphs and rises until she takes on the form of a Golden Retriever instead. "This better?" She looks up at Four Arms with only one eye open.
"Definitely." Four Arms nods, but then pauses, noticing that she gave her disguise only one working eye. "What's with the fake injury?"
"It helps to sell the character."
"But you're a dog…"
Ignoring him, Lucy's slide slithers out from around her neck and forms into a leash that Four Arms can hold as to help seal the "walking my dog" disguise.
"Let's go! Uh, I mean, Woof!"
Four Arms shakes his head laughing, figuring it's best to just let her do what she wants.
And so, they continue with their little "walk" not exchanging a word until the street becomes a little more deserted.
Lucy peers back at Four Arms, her tail dropping as she worriedly asks. "How'd he find us?"
Four Arms peers around making sure no one will hear them. "I don't know. Do you think he has some kind of tracker on the key?"
"Maybe." Lucy frowns, her ears dropping, it certainly is a possibility. "Then again he might be using your country's extensive internet system and cameras to find us." Like in those spy movies. "But there's nothing on us that's obvious other than…" She pauses and peers back at Four Arms. "The Omnitrix."
Four Arms gives her a cocky smile. "Way, ahead of ya. That's why I have this sheet." He gestures to the blanket draped over his head and shoulders. "With this no one's gonna recognize me. Ha!"
Lucy sweatdrops, her tail and ears dropping. She's about to speak up and let him know that he's better off in his human form when someone else beats her to the punch.
"Is that supposed to be a disguise?"
Lucy and Four Arms freeze in place, as a chilling pressure is exuded from behind him.
The pale Four Arms shakily turns his frozen body, gasping and jolting with fright when he spots both Shoto and Tokoyami staring up at him with concerned and bewildered looks. Almost like they are more concerned with his sanity than his disguise.
"Uhh, uh, uh." The stunned Four Arms' mouth drops open opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Tokoyami eyes his classmate's disguise quizzically. "Are…are you trying to be inconspicuous?"
Four Arms feels like he's gonna faint! But he holds out. "I-I-I am." There's really no point in denying it now. "H-how'd you recognize me?"
Shoto folds his arms together. "Seriously?" He gestures to the red hulk's massive build and towering stature.
Four Arms pouts, now coming to the realization that Buzzshock or Big Chill might have been better disguises.
Shoto gives the blanket over Four Arm's head a shake of his head. "What are you wearing?"
"It's my disguise." Four Arms explains.
"But we can see your face."
"Not when I do this you can't." He takes the blanket and covers the lower half of his face with it.
Shoto and Tokoyami can only shake their heads disapprovingly.
They're reactions almost make him want to cry! "H-how'd you find me?"
"Well, we first looked for a large mess." Shoto is of course referring to Ragnarok's latest attack. "Check. And then we looked to see if anyone looked weird." He eyes Four Arms without saying another word. "Check."
Four Arms has the distinct feeling that it was a jab at him.
"And finally…we had this."
Shoto turns to their classmate, who holds up Hisashi's misplaced phone. The screen lights up and there's a response from when Izuku was Grey Matter and it reads: "Cool, can't wait to see you. We'll be at the Adachi-district soon".
Four Arms gasps, screaming at himself for giving such detailed information! "W-where'd you get this?!" He snatches the phone from Tokoyami, checking to make sure it's his father's, and it is based on the photo of him when he was four and dressed in an All Might onesie.
"Your father dropped it during his fight." Tokoyami explains. "And good thing too cause my mother and the police have him in their custody now."
"What?" Four Arms blinks, startled by the news. "They…they got my dad?" This is bad. Really bad. What if…what if they find out about him? Them? Everything?! "I have to help him!" He lungs forward ready to sprint over to the police station across town.
"WOOF!" Lucy the one-eyed dog barks, intercepting his path.
Shoto is startled, not expecting a dog to be here. "You have a dog?" Where was it before?
"Uh…yes, yes! I-I have a dog." Four Arms forces a grin, trying to play it off as confident.
Shoto's not buying it for a second. "What's their name?"
"Uh…it's…" Four Arms quickly scans the street for inspiration, and thus he spots a pizza parlor across the street. "They're name is…Pizza dog?"
Shoto and Tokoyami give him very confused expressions. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry! Um." Four Arms quickly looks for something else, and that's when he spots a box of Lucky charms poking out from a nearby dumpster. "Lucky! Their name's Lucky the Pizza Dog!"
Shoto raises a very skeptical eyebrow. "Pizza Dog? You gave your dog a title?"
"Yyyyes." Four Arms slowly nods his head as if slowly buying into the lie himself.
Shoto and Tokoyami glare up at him, but they don't call him out, letting him stew in his own humiliation first.
"So…" Four Arms averts his gaze, trying to move past the very judgmental silence. "What are you guys doing here?"
"A better question is." Tokoyami peers up at the massive hulk and states. "What mess have you gotten yourself into, Midoriya?"
"Mess?" Four Arms scoffs, playing off like nothing is wrong despite being told his dad was arrested a few seconds ago. "No, mess. Nothing's wrong. I'm not acting suspicious! You're acting suspicious! What's a dog?!"
Oh, god, he just gave himself away again!
Tokoyami almost feels embarrassed for him by this point. "We know the villain is after you as well as someone else, a blonde girl as it were."
Four Arms silently eyes the dog that's now placed itself behind his muscular legs.
"Your father's under investigation." Tokoyami explains further. "And this Ragnarok keeps appearing wherever you are."
Shoto nods "Then there's your text to your dad too. The Adachi-district. What for? What's there? What kind of business would you two have over there?"
"Uh, guys, look…" Four Arms freezes even though his heart is racing four times faster than it should be!
What should he do?! What should he say?! What can he say?! Should he…should he tell them? No! They'd never believe him anyway… But then what?! They're clearly suspicious of him. They know that he's lying. It's a miracle they've put up with it as much as they have until now! They won't drop this until…until…
Four Arms takes a breath before speaking his mind, bowing his head ever so slightly, so he doesn't have to look them in the eyes. "Look guys, just, just go… Okay…? Just…just walk away, please." He bows his head further, pleading with them, begging them to do so.
And the two are very much taken back, not expecting such a sincere yet desperate response.
"Pr-pretend you never saw me. Please, as your friend, I'm begging you." With his eyes shut tight, Four Arms drops to his knees and bows. "I'm begging you to look the other way."
The two are stunned, no shocked beyond belief, unsure of how or what to make of this. Even Lucy is stunned, perplexed and unsure of what to make of it all.
Shoto collects himself, hesitating, before giving his reply. "We can't do that, Midoriya."
Four Arms gasps. "Why not?!"
"Because…" Shoto looks away, not in disgust but almost…like he's too embarrassed to say it aloud. He's acting shy. "Because our friend's in trouble. We can't just ignore that."
Tears water at Four Arms' four eyes. "Y-you guys…" He sniffs.
"Midoriya." Tokoyami steps forward, addressing his classmate with respect and conviction. "We want to help you. No matter what it is, we'll take your side."
"Guys…" He sniffs, touched by their loyalty. But yet…if he accepts, they're help, what kind of mess will he be pulling them into? Should he accept them or…push them away.
Lucy sees the conflict behind his expressions, she knows that he's struggling to come to a decision. And so, she takes it out of his hands.
"Eheheh! *Snort!* Eheheh!" She bursts into a fit of joyful laughter, startling not just Four Arms but his classmates as well. "Looks like the jig is up!" Her dog form melts away into a puddle of sludge, startling Shoto and Tokoyami even further, worried that a poor innocent pooch has just melted away!
So, imagine their surprise when the puddle slithers up into the air and reforms itself into a blond teen with pink eyes and a black dress with a white star embroidered in the front.
"Hello, boys!" Lucy twirls around in greeting, stretching her arms into the air.
The two are stunned, but not so much as Four Arms is. His jaw hits the floor, taken back by Lucy's blatant disregard for subtlety and stealth.
Shoto takes a moment before nearly shouting out. "Who are you?"
"The name's Lucy Mann!" She giggles. "It's nice to meet ya!"
Tokoyami scratches at his head, wiping away the bit of sweat off his forehead. "You…can transform into a dog?"
The blonde teen smiles. "I can transform into lots of things."
Shoto pauses, gesturing to Four Arms. "Like him?"
"Yup."
"Really?"
"Yup." The smiling Lucy leans against the kneeling Four Arms, slinging an arm over his shoulders. "We're cousins." She squeezes her face close to his. "Can't you see the resemblance?"
Shoto and Tokoyami gasp. "Cousins?!"
"Yup. I'm his Dad's friend's niece's niece."
Tokoyami pauses mentally tracking the family tree in his head. "Wait… but then you two wouldn't actually be-"
"Lucy…Mann?" Shoto speaks up, unintentionally cutting Tokoyami off. "Are you American?" He has to wonder, considering her name.
"I am."
"Hm. I see." Shoto eyes Lucy up and down, examining her, before he slowly turns to Izuku, eying him…skeptically.
Four Arms sweatdrops, wondering what Shoto could be thinking about. 'I'm curious but…I kinda don't wanna ask.'
Lucy lets Four Arms go so she can properly address the two. "Anyway, you boys wanted to know what we're up to. Is that right?"
The two straighten up, their worry ready to be relieved.
Shoto nods, snapping out of his thoughts. "Yes. Just what exactly is happening here."
Lucy grins, more than happy to tell them. "Well listen up, because it's quite the tale!"
"Lucy!" Four Arms snaps, before leaning in and whispering. "Is this…really such a good idea?"
She nods, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It is." She turns away to answer them directly.
And both Shoto and Tokoyami wait with bated breath, ready and hoping that they're worries are justified. Four Arms remains rooted his spot, frozen, almost like his reality is just waiting, waiting to come crashing down around him. He waits, waits for the truth that might just push his friends away.
Lucy takes a deep breath for revealing to them her truth. "I…am also a hero student."
…
"What, you are?!" The boys, and Four Arms, yell out in surprise!
Four Arms gasps, covering his mouth with all his hands, realizing that he shouted too. Thankfully they didn't seem to notice.
"Yup." Lucy nods, giggling at their surprised expressions. "Albeit I am a senior, but still."
Shoto quickly snaps out of his surprise. "Then what are you doing here?" A valid question.
"Well as you just saw my Quirk, Clayface, allows me to shapeshift and mold my body into nearly anything or anyone."
Tokoyami pauses, considering the applications. "A Quirk like that sounds rather ominous."
"No kidding." Lucy smiles, agreeing with him 100%. "Good thing you've got all the shapeshifters on your side!" She gestures to herself and Four Arms.
"Right…" Izuku quickly leans in and whispers. "What are you doing!?"
"Relax." She whispers back. "I know all about how you Earth Plumbers operate, so I came prepared."
She coughs, turning back to the other humans so she can continue to explain. "Well because of my Quirk and my status as a well-experienced hero student I was recruited by the FBI for an important mission."
Shoto's both surprised and impressed. "The FBI?"
"Yeah, and it's because of Ragnarok that I'm involved."
And so, they listen to Lucy's tale while Four Arms is just relieved, and surprised, but mostly relieved to find that she has such an elaborate alibi. No wonder she's a spy, if he didn't know any better, he'd think she was a normal hero student too. But he does know better, which is why he is able to mentally pinpoint all the lies in her cover story.
Lucy manages to explain basically the entire situation minus all the alien stuff. Basically, she tells them that Ragnarok is a terrorist, which is technically true. And that she stole a jump drive filled with data and evidence that will incarcerate him. And so she needs to get it back to the U.S. as soon as possible and as discreetly as possible. And so they are heading to the Adachi-district because she will rendezvous with an extraction team there.
"But what about the Midoriyas?" Shoto ponders aloud. "Why would you involve your relatives in such a matter?"
Lucy is quick to give a solid answer. "My mission was compromised and since Uncle Hisashi worked for the Japanese Self-Defense Force I knew I could trust him with this."
Tokoyami however sees a flaw in her plan. "If you needed assistance, then why did you not call on other heroes or the police?"
"Ragnarok has too much money and sway on his side." Lucy lies, never giving them a reason to suspect otherwise. "And we've acquired intel that he has moles within the ranks of both the heroes and the police."
"Are you serious?"
"I am." Despite the lies she is dead serious. "Can you understand why my mission had to remain covert? If Ragnarok gets tipped off about my location or the location of the flashdrive he'll come for me and take it back. Along with any chances of stopping him in the future."
They both look to Four Arms for verification. "Is this true?"
He hesitates but after a moment he gives them an honest nod. "Yes."
Shoto and Tokoyami share a look of uncertainty, silently asking each other if this is true. Both trying their best to process all this.
And with every second that they spend thinking, the more and more Four Arms fears that they'll begin to pick away at Lucy's story.
"Alright." Shoto breathes. "We believe you."
Four Arms gasps in disbelief. "Really?"
Tokoyami answers. "Yes."
Lucy grins, bowing her head in thanks. "Thank you." After politely bowing she turns, grabbing Four Arms' arm and pulling him along. "Now that you understand then you can forgive us for leaving. We don't have a lot of time left."
Shoto frowns. "We do understand. That's why we're coming with you."
Four Arms tries one last time to deter them. "Guys, you don't have to do this. Seriously, we got this."
"Do you?" Shoto jabs back. "No offense but this villain is clearly too much for you."
Four Arms is quick to defend himself. "No, he isn't!"
"Then how come you haven't been able to stop him? "
"Well, um, er-..."
"You two are way over your heads. Clearly you need all the help you can get." Shoto throws Four Arms another judgmental look. "Especially if you think transforming yourself is a good disguise."
"Hey!" Four Arms snaps.
Tokoyami steps in between them. "In any case, now that we know what's at stake. You can't just expect us to ignore it and walk away."
Four Arms feels like crying again, touched by their kindness. "Guys…"
Shoto smiles, finding the sniveling Four Arms a little amusing. "We've got your back, Midoriya."
Tokoyami nods. "Just like we did during our struggle against the undead."
"Hey, that didn't count!" Four Arms snaps with a laugh.
"Yes. it does." Shoto smirks. "It would have been over for you if we hadn't saved you."
Four Arms grins back, not really wanting to argue and more enjoying their comradery.
[Author's Note: They are referring to the "OVA: My Zombie Academia" from the side story titles "Heroes Never Die; It's Hero Time, Anytime."]
Lucy smiles on, enjoying their comradery as well, and impressed by their resolve and loyalty. "Oh, what the heck?"
Four Arms turns to her. "Lucy?"
"You boys can come along. But! Let's get one thing straight. What I say goes. You do as I say, without question. Got it?"
The two nod in understanding. "Yes, ma'am."
She smiles, glad that they won't cause her trouble. "We don't have that much farther to go. The Adachi-district should be another few blocks away." She waves them forward, intending to continue down the road.
"Actually." Tokoyami interjects, and gestures to the intersection behind them. "It's a lot faster if we go this way."
Lucy pauses before considering the fact that he would have been in Tokyo way longer than she has. "Well look at you, making yourself a key member of the team already. Lead the way…um…?"
"Tokoyami." He greets. "Fumikage Tokoyami."
"Fumikage." She greets, startling him since she used his first name, but she doesn't notice as she then turns to the dual haired teen "And you are?"
Shoto pauses, unsure if she'll use his first name or not. "Shoto Todoroki."
"Well, it's nice to have you both aboard Shoto, Fumikage. We'll all make a great team!" She cheers, fist pumping the air.
Four Arms joins her but the other two don't exactly join in right away, both raising their arms awkwardly after the fact.
And so, as they gather themselves and follow Tokoyami towards their destination, neither of them are able to perceive that they are being followed.
Hovering high above them soars one of Vilgax's scout drones, camouflaged to appear like the clear blue sky above. The camera zooms in on the teens, locking in on them, shadowing them from up high as they make their way towards the Adachi-district.
"What is your connection to Ragnarok?" Despite her simmering anger, Inspector Tezuka remains calm and poised as she takes a seat opposite of the cold metal table.
Hisashi let's out an exasperated sigh, leaning back in his seat, turning so he can see his reflection staring back at him from the one-way window.
After taking in the claustrophobic integration room, he folds his arms up and frowns. "How can I have a connection with someone I just met today?"
Tezuka's eyebrow twitches in annoyance but she holds herself back. "I'll ask the questions here, Midoriya." She slides two photos over towards the secret Plumber. "Now. What can you tell me about these two?"
Hisashi leans forward in his seat, discovering that the photos are enlarged yet somewhat blurry images of both Lucy and Cannonbolt. "Not much." He shrugs, acting like nothing's amiss. "Never seen them before until today." Technically true as it is his first time actually getting to know Lucy and this is the first time, he's ever seen Izuku's Cannonbolt form.
Tezuka frowns, suspecting something, but she can't exactly pinpoint what it is quite yet. "What about your boy? Where did he run off to?"
Hisashi gives her a sheepish grin as he throws his hands up in a shrug. "Don't know."
She eyes him, both surprised yet skeptical. "What happened to your father and son time?"
"Plans changed. We ran into my niece. And this is her first time in Japan so Izuku's showing her around."
"And you're not with them? Why?"
"Well, I wanted to help you guys stop Ragnarok. After all I am a pro hero and that's what we do. But if I knew you were gonna arrest me for trying to help, I might have stayed with them."
"Speaking of." She leans in, her glare drilling a hole into his skull. "Why did you interfere?"
Hisashi frowns. "Pardon?"
"You engaged the villain after strict orders and warning not to do so. Why?"
"I saw people in trouble, so I stepped in to help." He answers matter-of-factly.
Tezuka scowls. "And in doing so you purposely ignored an Inspector's direct orders."
"Technically you warned me. And secondly, is it such a crime for a hero to protect the innocent?"
He's got her there.
"I'm just being honest."
Her glare softens yet becomes cold and pitiful. "We both know that's the last thing you are."
He has no response, pressing his lips together in a heavy silence.
"Ugh!" Tezuka sighs, pinching the bridge of her beak. "This is getting us nowhere."
Before she can really throw in the towel, Fatgum rushes into the room holding a phone. "Inspector, you need to step out for a moment."
She scowls, refusing to acknowledge that she heard him. Instead wanting to continue the interrogation.
She can hear Fatgum's disappointment from behind her. "Chief Tsuragamae's trying to contact you from the Police Force headquarters."
She could ignore the call but then again it might be important… She comes to her decisions and thus turns around to address the extra security she brought in. "I need to step out. Mind babysitting this one for a minute?"
Endeavor's flames illuminate the dark corner, a permanent scowl on his face as he keeps his alert yet cold gaze on their suspect. "Honestly, I don't even wanna breathe the same air as him."
She gets up from her seat. "You think I do?" She heads for the exit as Fatgum holds the door for her. "Just make sure he doesn't go anywhere."
"He won't." Endeavor scowls, glaring down at Hisashi who's avoiding any eye contact and is instead taking note of the fact the Chief Tsuragamae is calling the Inspector.
Knowing the crook is in good hands, Tezuka leaves, shutting the door locked behind her, leaving the two fiery pros trapped inside.
A heavy silence washes over the small room, as Endeavor just stares unmoving at Hisashi. While Hisashi tries to stave off boredom while also trying to avoid any eye contact with his…longtime acquaintance.
After several minutes of agonizing silence Hisashi looks up and back down at the table before mustering the courage to speak up. "So…how've you been holding up?"
Endeavor scowls back, refusing to answer.
Meanwhile, from the other side of the one-way window, Tezuka snatches the phone right out from Fatgum's hand.
She presses the phone to her ear as Fatgum makes himself scarce. "Chief Tsuragamae, what can I do for you sir?"
Chief Tsuragamae's gruff voice barks out from the other end. ["I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person, Inspector. Afraid I am stuck in Hsu at the moment. Even so, I have been recently notified that you have Hisashi Midoriya in custody. Woof. Is that correct?"]
She does her best to ignore how he woofed near the end. "It is sir."
["Hm, I see. Well, I am afraid to say this, but you will need to release him immediately. Woof."]
Her eyes widen in shock. "What? Why?"
["I'm afraid your reasons for doing so are insufficient in court of law. Since there is no evidence nor reason to justify his arrest, as he is not even a prime suspect, and so he is to be released immediately. Woof."]
"But sir we couldn't possibly let him go!"
["You must, Inspector. I know about your personal grievances with Mr. Midoriya and as such it would be bad form for you and the police as a whole to be seen abusing our power for our personal vendettas."]
"This is no vendetta sir! I know he's hiding something. I know it! And if we let him go we'll lose him for sure!"
["I don't doubt your instincts, Inspector. However, you are far too attached to this and as such there is a bias. And I am afraid that without proper evidence or justification, it is illegal to hold him there any further."]
"But-"
["As far as the law is concerned you arrested an innocent man and a hero without proper justification. You're lucky that I don't take it any further than this Inspector Tezuka. So, I repeat once again, release Hisashi Midoriya before anything more comes of it. Do I make myself clear?"]
She doesn't answer immediately, instead she turns and glass through the one-way mirror, glaring daggers at Hisashi's oblivious smile.
Hisashi and Endeavor continue to endure the harsh silence, eyeing each other with either distrust or anger.
Hisashi watches his old ex-friend closely, gaging him, observing his reactions. "So, where's your…protege?"
Endeavor's expression flashes with anger but he holds back giving the man an annoyed scowl. "He ran off."
And actually, he's been calling and texting him since but all he got was a single reply saying: ["Sorry old man, figured you got this." And when he kept pushing, he only got another vague response back: ["I'm busy."]
'Shoto. Where are you?'
Hisashi can practically read Endeavor's thoughts. "Did he?" He smirks. "Surprised it took him this long."
He doesn't want to hear this. "You shut your mouth."
And with that the two fall back into the heavy silence, not bothering to even look at each other anymore.
But after another minute Endeavor furrows his brow as he thinks about Hisashi's interrogation so far, and how one detail just can't help but stand out to him. "A niece, huh?"
Hisashi jerks up having been caught off guard and unsure if he heard the question correctly. "What?"
"You have a niece?" Endeavor frowns, gaging Hisashi's reaction. "Funny, I don't remember you having any siblings."
Hisashi is quick to clarify. "Oh, we're not related. She's a friend's kid."
Endeavor raises a skeptical eyebrow.
"You never met them."
Endeavor huffs, shaking his head and turning away, losing all interest.
And once again they fall into a sullen silence.
But now Hisashi fidgets in his seat now that he's engaged Endeavor in a sort-of conversation he…he kinda wants to keep it going, He's so curious or rather…worried. And…and it really has been a long time since they could have or even tried to have a decent conversation… "H-how…how have…how have you been?"
Endeavor doesn't answer, instead he stares back at Hisashi like he grew a second head.
"I, um, I actually wanted to speak to you sooner after…well after everything. You know? But then…I got called away and-"
"Don't." Endeavor cuts him off with a frustrated yet pained grimace. "Don't even bother. I buried our friendship a long time ago. Along with…everything else."
Hisashi's heart drops, as guilt and regret make his insides churn. "Enji…I'm so-"
"I don't want to hear it." The Number Two Hero turns away, not even able to look in Hisashi's direction anymore. "Just hearing your voice is making my ears bleed. There's nothing you can say that I want to hear…"
Hisashi's hand reaches up as if to reach for his old friend but…he stops gently dropping his hand onto the table, knowing it'll be futile. "You know…back in the day. We used to be so much more open to each other."
Endeavor doesn't answer nor does he move instead he keeps his back to Hisashi as if to say that he'll backstab him anyway.
And after a drawn-out silence, Endeavor whispers under his breath. "Were we?"
Hisashi frowns, guilt writhing up further inside of him.
"Were we that honest with each other?" Endeavor asks, not just mockingly but almost truthfully. Like he honestly has to wonder if they ever were friends at one point in time.
"Y-" Hisashi cuts himself off as Endeavor's truth hits him hard.
No, they weren't that honest. After all, his job is to be dishonest with everyone, with the whole world, even his best friend, wife, and…his son. No, Hisashi Midoriya is not an honest person. And he knows it.
Endeavor can see the guilt in his ex-friends face but he doesn't gloat nor boast in his personal victory. Instead, he hammers the message home. "That Inspector was dead on. You aren't honest."
[FLASHBACK]
"Be honest!" An infuriated Officer Tezuka explodes, having been stuck in this interrogation room for what feels like hours now. "Why did you allow the villain to escape?!"
"I told you already!" Cinder snaps back, having lost his patience a long time ago. "I don't know him! I thought he was just a bystander!"
"Then why did he call you, his friend?! Why did you defend him?! And stop us?!"
"I don't know!"
Tezuka glares back, not at all buying the pathetic attempt at an excuse.
"I don't know! Honest!"
"You're being anything but honest." Tezuka spits, not even able to look at him anymore as she becomes increasingly frustrated with him.
Afterall he not only aided a villain but…but he betrayed their trust. Maybe it was a lapse in judgment, sure but if it was, he wouldn't be so defensive about it. No something is going on here. She can feel it.
"Work with me here, Midoriya. What's going on?"
Cinder clamps his mouth shut, unable to look her in the eye.
"Fine!" Tezuka shoves herself off her seat. "Don't talk to me." She gets up and leaves, locking him back up in the sterile claustrophobic room, leaving him to stew in his obvious guilt.
Cinder sits back, letting out an exhausted sigh, trying but failing to let his frustrations go. 'This could have gone better. Like a lot better.' He groans, dragging his hands over his face. 'I really made a mess of things now!'
Well more like those idiotic Galvans messed things up, but because of well everything it's still his mess to clean up. But how is he supposed to do that from inside a cell?! Benevelon and his robot are still out there, somewhere! And those two Galvans have the only weapon that can take the B.L.R.R.T. down!
'And they're clearly not the most reliable.' He groans.
He needs to get out of here and fast. He needs to fix all of this and somehow, someway, clear this mess up without revealing the truth of what either the Galvans or Benevelon are.
'Why do I get the feeling I might be over my head here?'
Meanwhile, from the other side of the one-way window.
Enji Todoroki and Tezuka watch Cinder wither under his own frustrating circumstances.
"Let me talk to him." Enji offers up, having depowered with his flames nowhere to be seen.
Tezuka considers the idea. "Fine. See what you can get out of him."
Enji approaches the opportunity, and moves to head in but not before pausing and adding in. "He might be innocent, you know."
"He might but…is he?"
He has no answer, instead he enters looking for one.
Upon Enji's entry, Hisashi instantly let's his guard down, he's relieved to see him. "Enji."
"Hisashi." Enji greets as he takes the seat across from his old friend.
As they sit, Hisashi considers it for a moment before chiming up. "You…wouldn't happen to have a smoke on you? Would you?"
"No." Enji frowns, throwing his friend a skeptical look. "I thought you promised your fiancé that you'd cut back on them?"
"I am cutting back!" Hisashi defends. "I just…like to have one when I'm stressed."
"I see. But sorry to tell you this but I don't smoke."
"Right, I forgot." Hisashi grins teasingly. "You're more into that cheeba stuff."
"Hey, that was a long time ago!" Enji retorts, defensively.
Hisashi smirks back. "You mean high school?"
"Hisashi." Enji warns dangerously, yet there's a good-natured grin on his face.
"Hahaha!"
They both settle down with smiles on their faces, just sitting back and enjoying the other's company.
As they settle down Hisashi…tries to start the conversation. "So, how are the little firecrackers?"
"They're both doing alright." Enji admits with a proud smile. "They want their uncle to stop by more often though."
"You mean their cool uncle, right? Haha! Yeah, I'll make sure to stop by later this week."
"I'm sure it'll make them happy. Especially, Toya."
"I'm sure. I am his godfather after all."
A curious thought crosses Enji's mind. "You ever thought of being a father yourself?"
"Ah, no." Hisashi shakes his head. "I don't have the patience for that. Besides too much responsibility."
"I think you'd make a great dad."
"Maybe…I kinda doubt it…"
Hisashi quiets down becoming self-conscious.
Enji understands, considering his past.
Enji sighs, with the pleasantries out for his way, he needs to actually do what he came here to do.
"Speaking of kids. You know what would make mine happy? Is not seeing their uncle throw his reputation away for a villain."
Hisashi jerks up, scowling. "Enji-..."
"Hisashi look, I don't know what's going on, clearly. But I know you. I know you got your secrets and…I respect that." Although it is rather difficult to do so sometimes. "But…right now is not the time for secrets. I need you to be honest with me and yourself. What's going on? Who was that villain? What was that robot? …What do you know?"
Hisashi pauses, taking a moment to think about what to do. "I will be honest with you…" He takes a shaky breath and breathes. "I can't tell you."
Enji's betrayed expression says it all. "Why?"
He has answer at least not one he can say,
"You're always like this!" Enji roars, losing his patience, startling Hisashi in the process. "You and your secrets! They always get you into messes that I gotta save your ass from!" Ever since they were in U.A. it's been like this! "Enough! I've always given you the benefit of the doubt, I figured you'd tell me when you're ready or that it was nothing serious. But not anymore! Your secrets hurt people! They hurt a lot of people today and you let our chance at stopping it slip away! What are you hiding and why?!"
Hisashi shakes his head, shaken by his friend's honest outbursts. "Enji…you're just gonna have to trust me."
"I do trust you." Endeavor leans back, his eyes filled with betrayal. "But why won't you trust me?"
[End of FLASHBACK]
Hisashi leans forward, letting his head hang down in shame and regret as old memories flood his mind. 'Things weren't always like this.' He thinks sadly to himself as the Endeavor's flames glow just out of sight.
But even with his flames the room feels even colder than it had ever been.
He knows it's too late to go back and fix things. It's too late to make up for lost time. It's too late.
So then the only question that remains is…
"Where do we go from here?"
"Where are we going exactly?" Shoto questions as both he and Tokoyami follow Izuku and Lucy further into the Adachi-district.
He can't help but feel uncomfortable, the Adachi-district feels so claustrophobic compared to the rest of the city. With streets that are so narrow, maybe a compact car could pass through one at a time. The surrounding buildings are only two stories tall, but they're so compacted together and built atop each other, it makes it seem like the city was trying to fit as many homes and buildings in one place while trying to stay under a certain height. Wires and cables stretch across from rooftop to rooftop making a mess of webs that somehow cast shadows down to the street below. Dimly lit signs cover nearly every surface, each one advertising a different small business. Most are turned off as of this point since the sun has totally set over the horizon. And so many of the buildings remain still and in the dark, locked up and void of any life, making the teens feel even more alone than they are.
With his hood up over his head, Izuku smiles back at his friends. "Don't worry. We'll be there soon." he swiftly spins forward and leans into Lucy's ear and whispers hastily. "Where are we going?!"
The calm and smiling Lucy gives him a nonchalant shrug as she eyes every sign and building. "I'm not sure yet."
Izuku gasps. "I thought you knew what we were looking for?!"
"I do know, I'm just…" She continues to scan the narrow street until she spots what she's looking for and smiles. "Looking for a sign."
Izuku frowns, pausing, before following her gaze. Shoto and Tokoyami frown, wondering why he stopped, before they too look over and find a bright neon sign, hanging above a shabby bar that's so run down it might fall over.
The neon sign reads The Tavern of High Charity.
Lucy smiles, heading towards the bright neon that washes over the dark narrow road like a flood. "We found it."
Shoto frowns, eyeing the building skeptically. "We did?"
They hurry towards the large iron door, Lucy leading the way with no hint of hesitation or fear. In fact, she's excited as this means she'll complete her mission sooner than expected.
They walk up and she knocks her fist against the cold iron doors, her knock sounding from the other side.
Near the top of the door, there's an eye slot that slides open and a pair of large yet sunken orange eyes glare back at the teens, the bouncer gives a large beast-like huff as he eyes each of them distrustfully.
Izuku, Shoto, and Tokoyami hang back, uncertain and nervous, they share looks of concern.
However, Lucy steps forward with a smile on her face.
The bouncer huffs. "Password."
Lucy tucks her hair back and leans in and when she's sure that neither Shoto nor Tokoyami can see, she has the left side of her face morpho away into her purple sludge allowing the bouncer to quickly see what she is.
The bouncer gives a huff and a nod before several locks unsheathe and the iron door swings back, allowing her entrance.
"Welcome to the Tavern of High Charity." The bouncer greets in a monotone voice, like he's had to say this line over and over, every day, for months. "It's out of this world."
"I'm sure it is." Lucy strides into the bar, entrance the narrow passageway that's somehow both dark yet aglow with dim purple neon.
The boys hesitate, still unsure about the sketchy bar, but after a moment they muster their courage and attempt to follow Lucy inside.
But the bouncer stomps forward, blocking their path.
The boys are taken back by the large and beastly bouncer. For Shoto and Tokoyami they instantly think he has quite the beastily Quirk but for Izuku he immediately identifies the bouncer as anything but a Quirked human.
Despite the alien's human clothes, a leather jacket and pants, the large bipedal alien stands at about nine feet! He looks like a cross between a hairless gorilla and a rhino, with leathery grey skin, large stocky build, and bulging muscles. His yellow eyes glare down at the boys as he huffs in their faces like a gorilla. In all this bouncer is not a beast but an all-out brute.
The brute gives a huff and bellows lowly. "Password."
The teens are taken back, leaning over to see if they can spot Lucy for help, but she's already gone.
They all silently wonder what to do. While Izuku silently worries about an alien standing right before his friends.
He rubs the Omnitrix out of habit, as if it'll give him a solution. And it does as an idea crosses his mind.
Izuku steps forward, without saying a word to his friends.
The brute straightens up, lifting his chin so he can look down on the boy.
Nervously, Izuku gulps, and flashes the brute the Omnitrix.
The brute remains indifferent and unmoving, giving no hints of his emotions as he eyes the watch.
And just when Izuku thinks that he's gonna be thrown out, the brute steps aside.
"Welcome to the Tavern of High Charity. It's out of this world."
Izuku smiles in relief and hurries inside, hoping to catch up to Lucy.
Smiling, Shoto and Tokoyami attempt to follow but once again the brute blocks their path. His massive build easily prevents them from getting around him.
Shoto pokes his head over the brute's shoulder. "Um, Midoriya!"
Izuku spins around to find his friends stuck at the entrance. He's about to help but then stops, thinking that this might be for the best. "Um, wait for us here, kay?" He runs off down the narrow hallway, not wanting to be berated.
"Midoriya!" Shoto shouts after him but he's already disappeared. "Midoriya!" And he's cut off as the cold iron door slams shut on his face.
Feeling incredibly guilty for ditching his friend, Izuku hurries down the hall until he reaches a single wooden door, this one is scratched and worn out but unattended.
And so with it being the only way through Izuku hesitantly grips the door handle before yanking the door open anticipating the worst.
And what he finds as he steps in is nothing except for a raging nightclub and bar scene filled to the brim with aliens!
Strobe lights flash about the club as purple and blue neon lights line the alien-architecture walls. Everything is smooth with purplish and bluish tints giving it such futuristic yet alien style. With a cold purple tinted floor with black tiling. A large variety of aliens party about, drinking, chatting and dancing away without a care.
In one corner Izuku spots what he thinks to be a group of alien warriors challenging each other to arm wrestles and drinking games.
They're all about 7 to 8 feet in height with saurian-like appearance. Cladded in futuristic helmets and armor these reptilian aliens have dark grey skin, three fingered hands, and most strictly their jaws appear to be made up of a single upper jaw and then their lower jaws are quadruple-hinged, with four finger-like mandibles.
They seem to see themselves as elitesas they push and boss around their small statured grunts that mill about serving them.
Izuku walks further into the bar, taking in the other sights.
He blushes and looks away as Twi'leks and other shapely aliens take the small stages and perform for the crowd. As BD-3000 luxury droids mill about serving food and drinks to the patrons.
A trio of Sonorosians act as both the D.J. and the speakers, with several of the lookalike Sonorosians acting as the sound system.
In another corner there seems to be some sort of illegal animal fighting. Like a miniature version of a gladiatorial ring where drunk patrons cheer and watch as a strange dog-like monitor lizard chases and gobbles down these ugly looking lizard rats.
A few of the drunk patrons catch Izuku's eye like the tall tree man who's joined by a greenish-grey alien whose body is covered in red tattoos, and a talking raccoon in an orange jumpsuit.
And finally in the last and furthest corner of the club Izuku spots the bar that's being waited on by an Anacondon who hands from the rafters above so his tail is free to grab and serve drinks. At the bar sits a number of other aliens like another brute, a Tetramand, and even Bubble Helmet is here.
And finally he spots her, he spots Lucy striding her way towards the bar.
He hurries after her, shoving and snaking past partying aliens.
"Thanks for waiting." He huffs when he catches up to her.
She spins around in surprise before apologizing. "Sorry, I thought you'd know." After all it is his planet, guess she assumed wrong. "You really are a rookie then. Okay since you're new to all this, just don't talk to anyone or do anything to offend. Got it?" She warns, totally serious and worried.
"Got it."
She nods, happy to hear it before she turns back to the bar and begins to chat away with some of the other patrons hoping that one of them will know a pilot that'll be willing to give her a lift.
After a minute of asking around she comes back to Izuku with some good news.
"I found a pilot."
"You did?"
She lets him go as they move away from the bar.
"Where are they?"
Lucy gestures towards a little hole in the wall meant to give patrons somewhere to enjoy their drinks in private. "Over there, and we're about to go speak with them." She pauses before reconsidering taking Izuku along. "How are your negotiation skills?"
Izuku takes a moment to think about the random question. "Um, I once convinced Bakugou not to beat me up because I soiled myself."
Lucy blinks, finding the story both truthful yet so sad. "Let me do the talking, kay?"
And so she leads him towards the open doored room just as two aliens pull away with a stretcher in hand as what Izuku hopes to be an unconscious green Rodian on top of it.
As they pass Izuku catches a little of their conversation.
"Well, someone said he shot first but I could've sworn it was the other guy."
Izuku nearly freezes in place as he breaks into a cold sweat. 'Just what kind of cold-blooded killer are we dealing with?!'
Lucy and Izuku step into the small room, finding a large round table taking up the majority as a cushioned bench wraps around it. And on the other side sits this killer, sitting in the shadows and out of the light making it hard for Izuku to make out what he looks like. All he can tell is that he's rather short with thin legs that he had resting atop the table as he holds up a smoking blaster that's teal in color with orange rims.
Lucy doesn't show any fear, making herself seem as professional and serious as possible as she gets right to the point. "You a pilot?"
The pilot casually twirls his blaster before responding. "No. I'm THE pilot." He corrects, with his whistly yet low-pitched voice.
Lucy continues, taking a seat opposite of the pilot as Izuku stands at her side. "I need passage to Plumber Academy."
"Plumber Academy?" The pilot frowns, wondering if this chick is crazy or something. "Why would you want to go there?"
"I'm paying you for transport." Lucy drops a pouch of Taydenite onto the table and slides it over. "Not to ask questions."
"Hm." The pilot sits up and inspects the pouch, checking to make sure the money is real. After examining each piece of crystal, he gives the teens a suspicious glance. "You Red Spots?"
Lucy hesitates, nervous that she might lose him here. "We are."
"In that case, it's gonna cost you extra. Another 4,000 credits should suffice."
Lucy gasps, slamming her hands against the table. "That's straight up robbery!"
"No, that's business. What? Just cause you're cops you thought you would get a discount? No. Where Red Spots go, trouble follows. And I'm not putting my ship at risk for a couple of Red Spot posers."
Lucy scowls, but she refuses to give in, but…she has nothing else to offer. That was all the money HQ was able to lend her for this mission. "When we arrive, I'll make sure to pay you in full. Half-now, and half-later."
"Hm. No thanks."
"What?! Why?!"
The pilot smirks, leaning back in his seat. "Because you're clearly desperate. And desperate people always pay more."
Lucy shakes her head, rolling her eyes, she knows a scam when she sees one. But what really stings is that he's right. "Look, you get this now." She points to the pouch. "And you'll get the rest later. And as a bonus…"
She pauses trying to figure out one more incentive And that's when she eyes Izuku and his Omnitrix.
And like that she knows what to offer.
"He'll owe you one!" She proclaims with a cheery yet forced smile, springing to her feet, and wrapping an arm around Izuku.
It takes a second for Izuku to process what she just offered. "W-wa-wait? ME!?"
The pilot frowns, not quite buying into it yet. "And why would I want a hormonal teenager owing me one?"
Lucy smirks, despite his cool and uninterested disposition she knows that she's got his interest. "Because he's not just any hormonal teenager, he's a hormonal teenager with an Omnitrix." She grabs Izuku's arm and holds it up for him to see. "Think about it. U.A.'s Rising Star, the wielder of the Omnitrix, will owe you any favor that you wish."
Izuku shakes his head. "Lucy, I don-"
She quickly clamps a sludgy hand over his mouth. "What do you say? Do we gotta deal?"
"Hm." The pilot considers it for a moment and then. "Yes. We do." He sticks his teal feathered hand out so they can seal the deal.
Lucy takes it and gives it a firm shake. "Good, because you certainly made a profit off of us."
The pilot smirks back at her. "Profit is my middle name."
Izuku, sulking about being pawned off, frowns curiously at the pilot. "And what exactly is your name?"
"My name…" The pilot leans forward, his face finally coming into the light. "Is Rad Dudesman."
Izuku's eyes pop wide open in surprise. 'HE'S A DUCK!?'
Well actually he's more of a duck-like alien with light-blue feathers and a blue bill. He's wearing a bronze vest and a belt lined with pockets and holsters as well as a matching helmet that's attached to a black visor which acts as a pair of sunglasses for Rad.
With their transaction over, Rad hops off the bench. "Follow me, my ship's in the back."
And so, he leads the teens away towards the very back of the night club, away from the partying and drinking aliens.
Izuku tugs on Lucy's sleeve, demanding an answer. "Why did you do that?!"
"Do what?" She frowns before quickly realizing what he means. "Oh, that. I had to. I mean what else could I offer but your services?"
Izuku pouts, huffing at her in annoyance. "Okay, but then how'd you know about the…" He blushes as he admits his supposed title. "Rising Star stuff?"
Eheheh! *Snort!* Eheheh! Who doesn't know?! Everyone saw the Sports Festival, you know."
Izuku blushes with embarrassment. 'Yeah, I do know…'
And so, they continue on until they reach a set of tall iron doors at the back end of the club. They open up as Rad slams a nearby button and they step through finding themselves in a rather spacious hallway. The hallway is cool and nicely light with makeshift rusted metal walls and floors. As the doors close the hallway becomes completely silent almost as if there isn't booming music coming from just behind those doors. The hallway is wide enough to fit two lanes of cars and lining the walls sit a variety of tiny stands and vendors as well as other entry ways leading to other facilities and services.
Rad leads them through, past the many rooms and vendors and aliens. Neither Rad nor Lucy give them much of a second glance but for Izuku his eyes can't help but wander. Every room is filled with something new from alien restaurants, shops, gatherings, creatures, and more. Some doors even look like they lead into normal housing areas. Although much of it seems to be cramped together much like the rest of the city district. All the facilities built upon and next to each other so the aliens can fit as much as they can in all the space available to them.
"What kind of place is this?" Izuku wonders aloud.
"It's a refuge of sorts." Answers Lucy as they continue their way through the straightforward hallway. "It's where aliens can come together and be themselves. Think of it as a shopping district but for aliens."
'Huh, that makes sense. Guess Mr. Baumann's store isn't the only place they can go to then.'
And so, they continue for another minute or so before Rad stops having reached the end of the hallway, which ends with a set of large garage doors. "We're here."
And with another press of a switch the garage doors slide up and open.
"Woooaaahh!" Izuku's eyes sparkle in amazement as he lays his eyes on the beautiful spaceships before him.
The large hangar, which is clearly several warehouses that are all connected to each other but built to appear separate on the outside, is filled with spaceships.
There's a huge red spaceship that resembles a giant airplane with a white underbelly and large spiral turbines on its wings.
Next to it sits a Type-52 Troop Carrier which hovers feet above the ground, it's smooth and round frame shines under the light of the massive hanger.
And across from it sits a very cool and very sleek M-ship with wide serrated wings and a cool blue and orange color scheme.
All the while alien workers go about, working like honeybees to transport goods, crates, and other resources from one ship to the next.
Izuku peers from one ship to the next, each one more amazing than the last. "Which one is yours?" He asks excitedly.
"Can't you tell? It's only the most beautiful one here." Rad leads them to his ship. "And here she is." He gestures to the ship behind him. "The Lovely Duck."
Towering above them stands Rad's ship. A heavily modified spaceship that resembles that of a duck, oddly enough. It's heavily armored with the bow of the ship being shaped like a duck's face and bill, with a blaster turret mounted under the chin. It has a very large cargo hold for transporting goods in the rear. And it is armed to the teeth with various weapons, including twin energy cannons mounted on both sides of the bow and wings.
Izuku frowns, finding the ship both cool yet curiously odd. "Why'd you call it the duck?" Well, he can see why but still…
Rad shrugs him off as he steps aboard the ship's lowered dock. "It's personal."
Izuku frowns. "Seems weird you'd call it something you don't want to be asked about."
Rad rolls his eyes under his visor. "You're right, it was a call for attention." And with that he enters the haul and goes about for one last inspection.
"Rude…" Izuku grumbles to himself.
Lucy giggles as she steps past Izuku and onto the ramp leading into the ship.
Izuku watches her as she too admires Rad's ship. "This has gotta be a relief for you. Am I right? I mean this is it. We made it."
Without turning back to him, she shakes her. "Not yet."
Izuku's smile drops.
She turns back to him, a sympathetic yet honest look in her eyes. "In this kind of work you just know that nothing's gonna be simple." She looks down before snickering to herself and jokingly says. "I mean I half expect this ship to blow up or something."
Izuku smiles along with her.
However, Rad pokes his head out from the haul of the ship. "Did you just insult my ship?"
"No! Of course not." Lucy is quick to deny, turning away so Rad wouldn't see her sarcastic expression, exaggeratingly rolling her eyes. "I said your ship's gonna blow past all the others."
Nearly bursting into laughter, Izuku bites his tongue.
Rad, however, is none the wiser. "Of course, she will, she is my ship after all."
Lucy chuckles, nodding her head slowly. "That she is."
Izuku manages to hold back his laughter as Rad gives a curt nod before disappearing back into his ship.
Lucy sighs, a soft smile on her face. "We may not have been able to arrest Ragnarok ourselves but with this evidence I'll be able to stop his operation permanently." She holds up the key, admiring how such a little device could be the root to such an apocalyptic demise.
Izuku eyes the key, before taking a breath and accepting the situation as it is. "I guess that'll be our problem."
"Yeah, sorry."
"No, don't be." Izuku smiles, giving her a small shrug like it's just inevitable. "It's just…part of the job, right?"
"Right." Lucy pauses unsure if that should really be the case. She steps back, climbing further up the ramp. "Tell your Dad I said thanks for everything."
Izuku smiles. "I will."
She smiles back, giving him a little salute. "Take care, rookie."
"You too.'' Izuku hesitates and then blushes. "S-senpai."
Her smile widens as she continues to step back. But after a moment a thought crosses her mind, and she pauses, giving her kohai a hesitant look.
She brushes back her hair and asks cautiously. "Can I give you some words of advice?"
Izuku's eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Um, I don't see why not."
Lucy fidgets in place as she thinks of how to best say this. "Be careful with your friends."
Izuku blinks back at her. "What?"
"I mean, be careful about the secrets you keep, especially from your friends." She warns gravely. "Take it from a spy, alright. Eventually, all secrets come out. One way or another."
That is certainly food for thought. "Should…should I tell them?"
"That's…honestly up to you. I don't know what the right answer is. But what I do know is that if they do find out." She takes a shaky breath and says. "You'll want it to be on your terms."
Izuku takes her word of warning to heart. As he understands her message clearly; he can either admit the truth of everything to his friends himself or keep on with his secrets despite the consequences…
Lucy doesn't like to see him like this; dour and filled with self-doubt. "Chin up, rookie." She flashes him a grateful smile. "You still did a good job. You got me here so Mission: Complete!"
"Yeah," Izuku smiles. "Mission: Complete."
They won.
And with that Lucy steps back, further up the ramp as she prepares to leave. "Don't worry we'll meet again. I still gotta try Japan's sushi after all."
Izuku has to choke back his laughter. "For sure. It'll be my treat then."
"You're the best!" She cheers, happy and excited for her next visit.
Izuku watches her climb up the large ramp with a thoughtful smile. He can't help but think what's to come next: she'll get the key to the Plumbers, and then they'll come to take Ragnarok away. He'll meet up with his Dad and hopefully they'll be able to clear some things up with the police before moving on. He sure hopes so. Because he has the feeling that they've worn out their welcome here a long time ago.
But that's okay. Despite the mistrust, the accusations, and the threat of the world ending above their heads; they did some good work here today. And he can settle with that. They won.
*BOOM!*
An explosion rocks the hanger as smoke and flames crash through the roof of the disguised hanger.
Izuku's head snaps up as do the alien workers, all of them snapping up towards the gaping hole in the ceiling.
Ragnarok peers down at them all with a nasty scowl and glare. "Knock. Knock."
He jumps and hops down landing atop the big red ship with a loud clank of its metal roof.
The alien workers drop what they're doing and take off, fleeing for their own sakes as Ragnarok makes his way down the ship.
Izuku turns and shouts up at Lucy. "I'll hold him off!"
Lucy shakily nods her head. "You got this!" And she rushes inside the Lovely Duck passing by Rad as he finishes up some maintenance on a nearby control panel. "We gotta go. Now!"
Rad waves her off. "Alright, alright, sheesh." He sets the panel back together and with a push of a button, the ramp lifts up, so he can close the haul.
Meanwhile, Izuku marches through the hanger as panicked aliens rush past him and towards the exits.
He grips the Omnitrix looking for the right alien for the job. "I'll give Diamondhead a chance to shine. After all, prims do reflect light sooo." He finds Diamondhead. "It's hero time!"
He slams down on the Omnitrix and transforms within a flash!
"Ah, man." Stinkfly sulks, his wings and eyes dropping down in disappointment. "This stinks. Literally."
Ragnarok makes it to the ground level and with a huff he blasts away the surrounding crate, clearing his path. "Where is she?! Where is the Lenopan?!" He roars as he marches forth, blasting nearby machinery in fits of anger. "Where is she?!" He blasts an X-wing. "WHERE?!"
He aims his glowing fist towards the Lovely Duck but before he can fire a glob of goop hits his hand and flings it back against a nearby stack of crates.
"That's all you got." Stinkfly taunts from the air, drawing Ragnarok's attention. "Don't you get tired of that same trick?" He lands atop a stack of crates, glaring down at Ragnarok, his wings poised and ready to take off in a moment's notice. "Like for real, why not do something different?"
Ragnarok throws the bug a nasty grimace as his sunbeam burns away the slime. "Then allow me to show you." He reels his fist up over his head before slamming them down onto the ground.
The beams travel through the ground, like rushing water through sand before exploding upward in a geyser of light and heat from under Stinkfly's position.
The beam blasts up, propelling and smashing through the crates, tossing Stinkfly into the air.
"Wahh!" Stinkfly yelps, his wings beating quickly as he catches his balance and flies past the flying debris.
Ragnarok straightens up, his fists smoking from the heat. "How's that for different?"
"That was…actually kinda cool." Stinkfly admits with a sheepish grin as he flies up. "But I wanna see some more!"
Aiming to keep the villain's focus on him, he dive bombs the villain who readily fires back.
Meanwhile, Lucy peers through the Lovely Duck's front windows. Leaning over the controls, watching Izuku's Lepidopterran form take on the terrorist on his own.
"Are we good to go?!" She screams, spinning around to find Rad playing around with the control.
"Not yet." He answers back with such a calm expression, so much so that she starts to think that he might not even know that they're under attack.
"What? Why?!"
Suddenly and without warning a little pink holographic screen with little square eyes and smile blinks into existence above the control panel.
^Magiphcoshen.^ The little AI beeps and squeaks, speaking absolute gibberish that she can't make out in the slightest.
Lucy turns to Rad for a translation. "What did it say?"
"First off, that's Pyxie. My ship's AI. Secondly, she said that our cloaking device is offline." he rips open the controls and begins fiddling around with the wires. "I'll need to manually turn it back on before we take off."
"Hurry!" Lucy spins around so she can check on the fight.
She watches as Stinkfly continuously dive bombs Ragnarok, trying to slice at him with his large pincer. "Come on, rookie. You got this."
She watches as Stinkfly is swatted out of the air by Ragnarok's punch.
"I hope." She gulps.
Stinkfly shoves himself off the ground, taking off into the air before Ragnarok's beams can melt him away like it does to the ground.
The villain fires after the buzzing insect who flies about this way and that like a pesky housefly, evading each and every swipe and beam of light aimed his way.
"Raaagh!" Ragnarok roars out furiously. "You pest!"
With his guard down, Stinkfly zips in from the side and with one fell swoop he scoops up Ragnarok in his arms and legs and carries him off towards the main entrance to the hunger.
"Release me you-HMF!"
A glob of slime is plastered to his mouth as Stinkfly zips through the garage doors and into the wide hallway.
"Please put on your seat belt!" He shouts as he goops up Ragnarok's arms. "We're gonna experience some high turbulence!"
And so he wheezes through the hallway, swooping past the various little vendors and bustling aliens who duck and dive out of their way.
"Excuse me! Pardon me! Ah! I'm sorry! Move, move! Ahh!"
Ragnarok struggles in Stinkfly's grasp. His fist glow brightly as he burns away the slime. Quickly he is able to free his hands from the slime, his fists glowing brightly before he unleashes an explosive blast.
"Aaaaaahhh!" Stinkfly screams out as he's engulfed in a blinding explosion.
He loses his balance midair and is flung forward, crashing through the end of the hallway and into the Tavern of High Charity.
The music screeches to halt as all the patrons, bar tenders, and dancers freeze in place as smoke and heat rise from the back entrance.
Stinkfly coughs and wheezes as he tries to pull himself off the ground.
"Insect!"
From the entrance Ragnarok appears, his eyes filled with rage as he locks onto the downed Stinkfly. "Raaaghh!" He roars, unleashes a powerful beam at the fallen youngling.
Stinkfly leaps away just in time as the beam blasts into the dance floor.
And like the entire night club is thrown into chaos. Aliens scream and panic for the exits. Slipping through hidden passageways or sprinting past Ragnarok so they can get to their ships. Some of the aliens stand ready for a fight like the elites with their glowing swords. The only reason they don't make a move is because as far as they're concerned, this is not their fight.
With all the aliens speeding past, Ragnarok loses sight of the giant bug. And with no reason to pursue the pest he turns to head back and search for the Lenopan elsewhere.
But as he steps back, he finds his foot glued in place by a patch of familiar green slime.
"Don't think you can just walk all over this bug. Raagh!" Stinkfly drops down from the ceiling above, swinging his tail down and landing a direct hit to Ragnarok's skull. "STINGER SLAP!"
Spinning around Stinkfly's stinger bashes into Ragnarok and tosses him aside and into the DJ's booth!
The DJ Sonorosian and his clones dive out of the way but his booth and some of his clones are not so lucky as they are smashed in by Ragnarok's flying body.
"Raaagh!" Ragnarok leaps up to his feet and fires back at the bug.
The beam hits dead on, blasting Stinkfly back and over the bar, crashing into the shelves upon shelves of drinks and boozes.
Ragnarok charges as boozes and alcohol break and pour down on the fallen Stinkfly.
Gasping, Stinkfly picks up several bottles of beer and tequila in his hands. "Take a shot!" he screams as he tosses and flings bottle after bottle at the charging villain.
The bottles break and shatter against Ragnarok, slowing him down and blinding him as alcohol and glass splash in his face.
Seeing an opening Stinkfly leaps over the counter and glides in for a finishing blow.
However, the beat of his wings gives him away and Ragnarok is able to time his counter perfectly. The villain lashes out and grabs Stinkfly by the neck, tossing him up and over before slamming him into the nearby stage and pole, smashing them to bits.
"Uh, gah!" Stinkfly gasps and chokes as Ragnarok then presses his foot down on his neck.
The villain glares down at the bug underneath his boot. "I despise insects like you."
Stinkfly glares back and fires slime at the villain's face.
"Gah!" Ragnarok sheaths, stumbling back as he tries to pry the film off of him.
Stinkfly manages to shove Ragnarok's foot off of him before he scurries backward and away from the villain.
Meanwhile, Ragnarok is able to clear away the slime, glaring back at the crouched Lepidopterran. "I don't have time for this!" He turns, deciding that he needs to ignore this bug and go on after his true target.
That is when Stinkfly tries one last time to hold the villain's attention. "You're too late!"
Ragnarok stops dead in his tracks.
"She's already gone! She's already left the Earth's orbit." Or he hopes so.
But it is clear by his expression that Ragnarok was not hoping for such an outcome. For the first time he expresses an emotion other than anger and indifference: fear.
Swallowing his fear, Stinkfly confirms Ragnarok's own fears. "You lost. We beat you."
Ragnarok actually stumbles back, fighting off a brief moment of panic.
"No." His key, his key is not out of his reach in the possession of the Plumbers. "But then that means…" It means that he can no longer pay off his debt to Vilgax. He cannot hold up his end of the deal and thus he is now under the titan's mercy. "No, I've been played." The titan planned for this, he must have.
Stinkfly frowns, wondering what he could be talking about. But whatever it is, it can't be good.
"No…I can't go back, not empty handed."
He's always seen himself as above most. But that's because he knows his own place. He knows very well that there are those that are above even him and Vilgax is certainly one of them. He was confident in his mission, in his own success. But now the fear sets in, and he's cursed by his own knowledge. Knowledge that no matter where he goes or hides Vilgax will find him, send agents upon agents after him, all so he can collect what he is owed.
"I need something to compensate for my losses."
Stinkfly suddenly has a sinking feeling about all this and thus he begins to back away slowly, trying to remain as discreet as possible.
Ragnarok is then struck by an idea, an opportunity. "I won't go back to him empty handed." He snaps his gaze towards the cowering Stinkfly.
The large insect gulps. "W-who's him?"
Ragnarok breathes in warning. "Vilgax."
Stinkfly's wings instantly begin to buzz rapidly, readying for a quick take off.
Meanwhile, Tokoyami and Shoto literally sit around and do nothing as they wait for their friend's return.
They sit in the darkness with only streetlamps illuminating the city, leaning back against the nearby buildings across the Tavern of High Charity. They would have tried the door again, but the big brute of a bouncer decided to place himself up in front of the doorway just to make sure that they don't come any closer. And since they don't want to cause a scene the two teens were forced to do nothing but wait outside.
And to make matters worse, neither of them know exactly how to converse with the other. And so, they've been sitting in silence ever since Izuku left, never exchanging a word.
But with the emptiness of the city district and the cold glare of the brute, Tokoyami turns to Shoto before hesitantly speaking up, trying to start some sort of conversation. "Are you enjoying your summer break?"
Shoto doesn't answer right away, mainly because he was caught off guard by Tokoyami's icebreaker. "Could be better." He admits awkwardly.
Not sure how to properly respond, Tokoyami falls back into the awkward silence from before.
And he's left with nothing to do but wait and watch the empty silent city.
*BOOM!*
An explosion of brilliantly bright light explodes forth from behind the iron door. The door is blasted right off its hinges and into the brute, knocking him down and knocking him unconscious as debris and smoke fly across the narrow street,
Shoto and Tokoyami spring to their feet as a giant bug is flung through the doorway like he was a piece of burnt trash.
Shoto and Tokoyami gasp when they see the bug bounces off a nearby building and onto the ground. "Midoriya?!"
A pained Stinkfly peers up, blinking up at his classmates. He then turns his eye stalks back towards the smoking entrance way of the Tavern of High Charity.
From amongst the smoke, Ragnarok appears, his fists already glowing bright with sunlight.
Stinkfly scurries back and is about to tell his friends to run when suddenly both Shoto and Tokoyami step between him and the villain.
Shoto's right side freezes over with frost that begins to spread across the ground as Tokoyami takes his side with Dark Shadow coiling around him like a serpent that's preparing to strike.
Ragnarok scowls at the two. "Step aside, younglings. This doesn't concern you."
But neither Shoto nor Tokoyami move aside, instead they hold their ground. They are prepared to fight, to defend their friend. No matter the cost.
"Insects." Ragnarok spits, his fists glowing ever brighter. "Such defiance will not go unpunished."
Meanwhile, on the other side of Tokyo.
'I can't believe she's letting me go.' Hisashi thinks as Inspector Tezuka sees him out of the police precinct and into the cold night air.
"I can't believe I'm letting you go." Tezuka grumbles just loud enough for Hisashi to hear.
'She was thinking the same thing?!'
"I don't like it." She growls as they step out of the building. "Letting a criminal like you lose onto the streets."
"I'm not a criminal." Hisashi defends. "But then again it doesn't really matter what you think of me. I know what I am, even if others don't see it."
Tezuka frowns, pausing to consider his words. "Just get out of here already." She gives him a light shove so that he'll get going faster before steeping back towards the building. "What others don't see, huh?" She eyes him warily. "I can only imagine what your boy sees in you."
Hisashi doesn't bite back at the obvious baited taunt. But if he's being honest…he sometimes wonders the same thing.
Before either Hisashi or Tezuka could leave the other, the precinct suddenly becomes very lively as officers rush out, hurrying to their cruisers in a haste.
Hisashi frowns, wondering what could be happening.
Tezuka, just as lost, calls out. "What's going on?!"
Fatgum bursts through the entrance and shouts back. "Ragnarok's been spotted in the Adachi-district!"
Hisashi nearly lets out a gasp. 'Izuku! Lucy!' He thinks, worried for them both. 'It has to be them, Ragnarok must have somehow tracked them down to the Tavern of High Charity.'
Before he can act a bright orange flame lights up the sky.
Peering up, Hisashi witnesses Endeavor rocketing himself through the air, in the direction of the Adachi-district.
'I gotta help them!' He thinks and is just about to make a break for it when he is stopped by Tezuka shouting.
"You stay out of this!" She barks, grabbing his arm and pulling him back.
"But I-"
"You what?" She glares, giving him an accusing look. "Have to save that villain?"
Hisashi purses his lips. "Of course not."
Somehow, she doesn't believe him. "Stay out of this Midoriya, for your own sake." And with that she brushes past him, hoping into her own cruiser, blasting the siren before racing off and through the city.
And like that Hisashi is left alone, left behind in the nearly empty precinct. The street is now void of life since nearly every officer is now out on the hunt.
After witnessing the last cruiser disappear from sight, Hisashi let's out a deep exasperated sigh; like he knows that by the end of this Tezuka will be even angrier with him than she is now. "Sorry, Inspector. But I can't help but meddle."
But then again, how is he even supposed to get there?
On que headlights flash in his direction, grabbing his attention.
Spinning around, Hisashi breaks into a wide grin as the Rustbucket pulls up in front of him; Chopper waves to him from inside.
"About time!"
Within the depths of the Adachi-district a stray beam of sunlight soars through the slightest of spaces between the tightly packed buildings, colliding into a water hydrant hidden away in the corner; basting it to bits in an explosion of heat and vapor.
And then from out of the vapor and smoke, Stinkfly bursts forth, his wings beating quickly as he can, especially with the extra weight. As Tokoyami sits on his back and he carries Shoto in his insectoid legs.
He makes a hard left down into the street, zipping past as Ragnarok purses after them, firing beam after beam at the trio.
Stinkfly zips downward avoiding a beam to the head as Tokoyami ducks down on his back.
"Midoriya!" Shoto calls out, his feet just inches from the ground. "Drop me!"
Stinkfly hesitates, but he trusts his friend's instincts. "Okay!"
He let's go and Shoto forward rolls, rolling across his back before using the momentum to launch himself to his feet. He slides across the pavement, spinning himself around, dragging his fingers across the street and ice explodes forth like a freezing flood. The ice wall expands, shooting upward and wide, encasing Ragnarok's path as well as the nearby buildings in a massive spikey glacier.
Shoto exhales, straightening up. "That should buy us a few minutes."
Blasts of light and heat echo from the other side of the glacier, which shakes and rattles with every blast.
Stinkfly gasps, hovering in place. "Or seconds!"
Tokoyami frowns as she hops off of Stinkfly's back. "Midoriya." he peers back up at his distressed allay. "Why is he after you? I thought he was after Ms. Mann and her flashdrive."
"He was!" Stinkfly shouts, becoming more nervous with every encroaching blast of light. "But when I told him that she left with the flashdrive he kinda redirected his anger at me." Best not to mention that he's actually after the Omnitrix for now.
"Such spite."
"Y-yeah."
Shoto scowls, not at Izuku, but at his shrinking and rattling ice wall. "Heads up!"
His warning is on point as a final blast of solar energy smashes through the glacier allowing Ragnarok to stomp forward like a demon rising from the seventh circle of Dante's Inferno.
The villain eyes the boys like they're nothing but insolent thorns at his side. "Not running away? You are all either very brave or very foolish."
Tokoyami prepares to defend himself and his comrades. "We'd like to believe it's the former." Dark Shadow jets out from his body, coiling about like a serpent and a roaring battle cry. "Yeah!"
Shoto scowls back at the villain and tries his hand at taunting back. "But then again it might be the latter."
Stinkfly hovers above them at the ready. "Todoroki, after we get through this, we're gonna need to have a talk about team spirit."
Shoto's face scrunches up in honest confusion. "Hm, why?"
Stinkfly almost wants to cry and laugh at his obliviousness.
Ragnarok spits back at the teens. "Fools the lot of you are. Raaagh!"
He fires a rain of solar beams at the trio who dive out of the way and charge in to take the fight to the villain directly.
"He's fast." Shoto yells out to his teammates. "So, we need to slow him down!" He unleashes a speeding ice trail that races through the narrow street towards the sociopath.
Ragnarok slams his fists into the ground and sends his beams crashing through the air and towards the ice trail.
The two elements collide head on and explode forth sending shards of ice, cement, and smoke flying into the air.
Before the smoke can even settle Dark Shadow lunges forth, swiping at the villain with his massive black claws. "You're mine!"
Ragnarok bats his fists together, light them up with solar energy. But instead of firing beams he meets Dark Shadow's claws with his glowing fists. Their strikes collide and repel each other.
Dark Shadow reels back, seemingly in pain, before rushing forth, lunging furiously at the villain.
Ragnarok meets his claws again and again, shadows and light clash, struggling to overpower the other and prove itself as the strongest.
Tokoyami scowls in frustration, watching uselessly as his familiar takes on the villain all by itself. "Todoroki!"
"I got it!" Shoto slams his foot forward and another ice trail races towards the distracted menace.
Ragnarok spots the incoming attack, as well as Dark Shadow swooping in from above. "Clever, but your combined efforts are no match for me! Raagh!"
He unleashes an explosion of light, tearing through the incoming ice trail. The energy is so intense and blinding that it not only lights up the night like a spotlight, but Dark Shadow is vaporized in an instant, vanishing from the world.
Ragnarok smiles at his success. "Do you now see why defying me will only result in your demise?"
"No, have you?!" Stinkfly cries out from above.
Ragnarok snaps his head up just as Stinkfly dives in and unleashes a rain of slime down upon him. "NICKELODEON!"
The slime plasters Ragnarok in place but Stinkfly doesn't stop there as he continues to rain his sticky goop down on the sociopath until he's stuck in a massive pile of green slime.
And then and only then does Stinkfly call out for Shoto to finish him off. "Todoroki!"
Without a second to waste Shoto unleashes another ice trail and this time it hits, freezing and encasing Ragnarok and the slime in a thick glacier of ice. Completely freezing him in place like a piece of gum stuck in a vat of ice.
The trio pause, holding their guards up and at the ready, waiting with bated breath for the villain to make a miraculous escape. A few seconds stretch on for what feels like hours with nothing happening but a cold chilling wind breezing past the dimly lit district.
Stinkfly slowly lowers down, hovering just above the frozen villain. "Did…did we get him?"
The ice rattles and shakers as beams of light break through the ice before BLAM an explosion of light and vapor blasts through the narrow street, demolishing the nearby buildings and knocking the teens away!
Shoto and Tokoyami are knocked back against a light pole and a parked taxi, respectively.
"Waaahh!" Stinkfly screams losing control midair only to crash into a mailbox and land flat on his back.
He groans, his back screaming in searing pain as the Omnitrix dials down and in a flash of red, Izuku is left lying on the ground.
After trying to catch his breath he tries to pick himself up only to be slammed back to the ground by Ragnarok's foot.
Blinking up, Izuku is horrified to find the villain towering over him like a lion that's holding down a mouse between its claws.
"I will take pleasure in ending you." Ragnarok grins maliciously as he aims his glowing fist down at the boy's head. "I will burn this memory and think fondly of it for decades to come."
Izuku freezes unable to move or act, desperately grabbing at Ragnarok's leg but he's unable to move him even an inch as the heat radiating off the villain's fist burns at his face, threatening to burn away his hair and eyebrows.
Ragnarok chivalrously boasts before dealing the final blow. "Farewell."
Izuku can only watch helplessly as the light shines brighter and brighter.
"And goodbye! Ehehe!" A mass of purple sludge doses the villain's face, smothering him before a massive wave of sludge lashes out and slams into his side, knocking him away and through a nearby doorway!
Izuku gaps in shock-and-awe. "Lucy?!"
Currently in her human form, Lucy spins around and poses like she was a star in an anime. "Did you miss me?"
He did. "I thought you left!"
"I almost did." She admits helping Izuku to his feet. "But it didn't feel right leaving you and your friends alone to take on this monster by yourself."
Izuku smiles back, grateful for her kind heart.
"There you are." Ragnarok's cold chilling voice sends shivers down their spines as he rises out from the smashed in doorway. "I have you now!" he roars out charging forward, claws poised to grab and tear her apart to reach what is his.
Lucy shoves Izuku away before leaping back, both narrowly avoiding Ragnarok's fingers.
She continues to dodge using her elastic and fluid body to weave and snake around his strikes.
"Give me my key this instant!"
"No can do. Sorry to tell you this but I'm not a fan of the whole world ending mumbo jumbo. Apparently, I have a very severe allergic reaction to death."
He slashes at her again, but his claws slide right through her fluid body. "If only." He seaths before unleashes a beam of solar energy at her, forcing her to retreat and take cover.
While she holds his attention, Izuku rushes to his friends' side as they hoist themselves off the ground. "Can you guys stand?"
"Yeah." The obviously pained Shoto gives him a nod, using the light pole as leverage to get to his feet. "We're not going down that easily."
Tokoyami looks up to examine the battle. "Ms. Mann? I thought she left."
Izuku nods. "I did too."
Shoto jerks up with worry. "What about the flashdrive?"
"I…don't know." Izuku admits, while also wondering what she could have done with the key.
He prays that she doesn't lose it to him. Otherwise, everything they've done would only mean the true end of their days…
They watch on as Lucy lashes back at the villain, but he puts up quite the struggle battling back with fists, kicks, and beams of light.
Izuku glares at Ragnarok's back. "We gotta help her!"
"We'll help her." Shoto grabs his shoulder, making sure he won't run off ahead of them. "You stay back for now, you'll only get in the way."
"Hey, no I-" Izuku shouts in protest but his friends have already left him behind to help in the fight. "…won't."
He frowns, watching them charge forward, without him. Because…because they can help…unlike him.
Ragnarok lunges at Lucy who snakes back quickly out from his grasp. "You worm!" He hisses in anger.
Suddenly a cold pair of strong claws grab at his legs.
"Down you go!" Dark Shadow then pulse back, pulling the villain down
Ragnarok's feet slip from under him, and he falls forward, acting himself before he falls flat on his face.
Just before he can shove himself to his feet, Lucy pounces from above and glues him down with a pile of sludge oozing from her arm.
"You're up, Shoto!"
"Please, call me Todoroki!" Shoto roars out as he launches another ice trail.
As the ice trail crashes forth, Ragnarok responds quickly by blasting the ground and launching himself straight up and high into the air, free of their grasp and attacks. "I won't fall victim to your tricks twice, younglings!"
He aims his fists down and unleashes a massive beam of light down upon them all. The beam scars the street, blazing through it and leaving behind a burning crater trailing through it.
The teens dive out of the way, using dumpsters, ice, and building corners to take cover from the searing heat.
Ragnarok crashes back down amongst the melted road and burnt buildings with a taunting smirk. "Why not do something different?"
Shoto rushes out from behind the dumpster and sends a wall of flames crashing into the villain. "How's this for different?!"
The flames wash away and Shoto is horrified to find that Ragnarok is still standing. With nothing more but a bit of heat and steam washing off his body.
"Nothing but embers." The villain scoffs recalling how much more effective Endeavor's and even Cinder's own fire Quirks were. "Your elders had far more control over their flames."
At the very least the sheer pressure of their attacks were enough to at least launch him back. "Your flames are wild yet untamed, thus ineffective. Just like that of a burning candle." To add insult to injury Ragnarok dashes forth and back hands Shoto away, knocking him to the side like he was nothing.
Watching uselessly from behind a nearby building, Izuku cries out. "Todoroki!"
"You jerk!" Lucy leaps up and attacks the sociopath from behind. "Keep your filthy hands off of them!"
Ragnarok dodges her swipe, spinning around to face her directly. "You should be honored that I'd steep so low as to grace filth such as yourself with my attention." His aim is true, and he manages to hit her with his beam, blasting her away like the pile of mud that she is.
"Ragggh!" Dark Shadow snakes through the air towards the monster. "You'll pay for that!"
Ragnarok simply slashes his fist, and the blinding light instantly vaporizes the dark familiar. "Haven't you learned?" He directs his question at Tokoyami. "Light always outshines darkness."
Tokoyami scowls back in frustration, stuck and unsure of how to proceed without his Quirk at his side.
"If you wish to stand up to me, then you need to become one with your element."
Tokoyami settles down for a moment, as if taking the villain's words to heart.
"Now then." With the pests dealt with, Ragnarok redirects his attention back to the Lenopan.
Realizing she's next she tries to get the first strike but with Ragnarok now in sync with her movements is able to intercept her and knock her back with a well-timed blast of sunlight.
Lucy collapses to the ground dazed, and her vision blurred by the blinding light.
And with his quarry down, Ragnarok marches forth with a victorious smile. And not wasting a second, he plunges his claws within her fluid body, feeling about for what is his.
"Hands off, creep!" Lucy's body splits apart and snakes up, wrapping itself around his frame.
Ragnarok grabs at her fluid flesh and rips her away, tossing her aside before surging forth to grab at his key.
However, Shoto gets right back in his way, and tries once again to force the villain back with his flames.
But he cuts right through, shoving his way past Shoto and knocking him to the ground.
Next to try is Dark Shadow who glides just over the ground before swiping up at the villain's head.
With his glowing fist, Ragnarok smashes Dark Shadow's head into the ground, vaporizing it once again. But as he pulls his fist back up, Tokoyami appears from his side throwing his own fist forward and into the side of Ragnarok's head.
"Ah, there it is." Ragnarok grins, as Tokoyami struggles to press his fist against the man's face. "Now you face me head on. Too bad your combat skills are lacking." To demonstrate his point, he slugs Tokoyami right in the gut!
The boy falls to his knees, gasping for breath, before the menace grabs him by the back of the shirt and tosses him aside.
Before he can move forward, Lucy strikes first by lashing out with whips of sludge, trying to force him to keep his distance. He's quick to block in the incoming attacks and repel them. But not before Shoto returns and launches more ice his way while Dark Shadows tries and tries again to land a hit.
All the while Izuku can only watch on like a useless bystander. Watch on as his classmates, his friends, risk their lives, for what they think is a flashdrive. Even after having all rights to mistrusting him, they still put their faith in him. Yet he can't even tell them what's truly at stake here. And what's worse is that he can't do a thing to aid them, to show them what their faith means to him. Instead, he can only pray that they'll stop this villain, stop him ever living up to his name, Ragnarok.
"No!" Izuku springs to his feet, determined to help somehow, anyhow! 'I won't sit on the sidelines. No matter what happens, whether my secret is blown or not, even if this means I'll be labeled as a criminal. If my friends are willing to go this far for me then I better be willing to go further for them!'
As if on cue the Omnitrix lets out a reassuring beep as it shifts and turns from red to green.
Determined, Izuku dials up his chosen alien, raises his hand and gets ready to slam down on the dial. "It's hero time!" He pauses. "For real this TIME!" And with a slam of the dial, he begins to transform.
Ragnarok drills his glowing fist into Lucy's frame, tossing her to the ground and blasting her body apart!
"Eaaaahhh!" She screams, her sludge rips and tears until he pulls his fist away and she begins to melt into the ground, exhausted and nearing unconsciousness.
With Shoto and Tokoyami both knocked down they're too far to help as Ragnarok savors his victory. "I hope you appreciated this world's sun while you could, Plumber." He reaches into the fluid mass in search of his key. "I promise you that it will not rise come dawn."
His claw scrapes through her struggling form, his sneer growing as he inches closer towards his prize.
"IN COMING!"
WHAM! A massive sphere crashes into Ragnarok, running him over like he was roadkill! He's flung as the sphere spins and spins against his body, threatening to run him down like a high-speed steamroller. Before he can pry himself away, he gets himself slammed into a building by the giant sphere.
Upon impact the sphere ricochets off the wall, leaving the villain embedded inside, before rolling to a stop and uncurling itself.
"Oh, sorry did I ruin your moment?" Cannonbolt grins cheekily.
Ragnarok seethes in anger as he pries himself from the wall. "I am going to melt you alive!"
Cannonbolt gives him a teasing grin. "You're more than welcome to try."
"Raaagh!" And he does, firing off a bright beam of energy.
Cannonbolt curls up and spins rapidly in place before tearing forward, his shell easily reflecting the incoming beam.
Ragnarok is forced to dive out of the way in order not to become roadkill. And as a result Cannonbolt zooms past before he smashes right through a gated storefront, tearing through it and leaving behind a gaping round hole.
Ragnarok scoffs, quickly taking note that the youngling has yet to fully master his Arburian Pelarota form. "Still no control."
The sound of Cannonbolt's spinning shell echoes from inside the store before he revs forward and out through the gate and towards Ragnarok!
The villain side steps out of the way allowing Cannonbolt to race on by. However, the pillbug was prepared as he raced out from the store, he perfectly aimed himself towards a building's corner. He ricochets off and to the side, bouncing off a fire hydrant, then a car, and then the side of another building all while gaining speed, spinning and ricocheting around the villain like a wild bouncy ball.
Ragnarok tries to keep up but he can't, losing track of the large sphere every which way until WHAM Cannonbolt crashes into him from behind, flattening him against the ground.
Cannonbolt's body spins forward but then he uncurls and slides to a stop, using his claws to slow himself.
"See!" He grins feeling mightily proud of himself. "I'm getting better." He probably shouldn't mention that most of that last move required a lot of dumb luck.
Whether he says it or not, it still manages to piss Ragnarok off as he blasts himself into the air and fires a rain of beams down at the Arburian Pelarota. "Why won't you PERISH!?"
As he reigns hell down on the armored alien, Shoto and Tokoyami, having both recovered, rush to Lucy's side.
Shoto leans over her downed form, which is her human form but with patches of sludge oozing off of her as she struggles to hold said form. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." She breathes winded and barely able to even pick herself up. "I'm just…winded."
Tokoyami steps forward. "Please, allow us to take it from here."
He summons Dark Shadow who snakes itself around Lucy, using its massive claws to scoop her up.
They rush her away as far from the battle as they can before finding an empty fish stand.
Dark Shadow smashes in the gate and drops Lucy down behind the counter, stashing her away and out of sight.
"Stay here." Todoroki orders. "Try to stay out of sight and rest. You can rejoin us after."
"No!" Lucy protests, trying but struggling to get to her feet, "You rookies are way over your heads here!"
"We've fought villains before." Tokoyami defends.
"Not like this!"
"Doesn't matter." Shoto turns away, determined to march right back into the battle. "Our friend needs our help and we won't allow him or you to face this by yourselves."
Not wanting to hear her protests, he takes off back towards the fight with Tokoyami in tow.
Lucy reaches for them but stops, knowing it's useless. All she can do now is wish them luck. "Go get 'em, rookie-" She pauses, considers, and corrects herself with a wide smile. "Go get 'em, heroes."
Cannonbolt's curled up form spins right past Ragnarok who sidesteps him easily, allowing the massive pillbug to crash into yet another building.
Ragnarok scoffs at Cannonbolt's failed attack. "What happened to gaining control?"
"Hey!" Cannonbolt uncurls, stumbling back and away from the wall. "I never said I mastered them yet!" As he shouts back, he notices Shoto and Tokoyami approaching in the distance.
Ragnarok prepares to fire. "And you never will."
"Oh, yeah?" Cannonbolt curls up and races forward.
Ragnarok once again dodges and spins around repairing to fire. "Child's play."
"Oh, is it?!" A young stoic voice calls out from behind.
Ragnarok spins around expecting to be met with a wall of ice. However, the dualled elemental teen has other plans.
Slamming his foot to the ground and with a wave of his arms he generates spiraling ramps of ice and trail through the narrow street and over the buildings like a frozen hot wheels track.
Cannonbolt is launched up onto the track where his racing form is redirected by Shoto's ice, directing him around and helping him gain speed before circling around for an attack.
Seeing the attack coming, Ragnarok attempts to flee but finds himself stuck as Dark Shadow wraps around his waist and arms. "Naw, ah. You're not going anywhere."
He's just about to blast himself free when the sped up Cannonbolt is launched right off the track!
Ragnarok manages to break free of Dark Shadow's grasp with his glowing fists but it's too late as Cannonbolt's much faster attack collides.
Ragnarok thrusted to the side as Cannonbolt ends up right back on the ice track for another go.
He shoves himself to his feet, but he nearly stumbles back as Dark Shadow swipes at his head. However just as he's about to gain his fitting, it's taken right out from under him by thin sheets of ice. He loses his footing but before he can even hit the ground WHAM Cannonbolt crashes into him again before taking off.
Over and over again this continues with Ragnarok trying and failing to fend off the attacking teens. They are relentless in their attacks, with Dark Shadow holding his attention and Shoto's ice throwing him off balance making room for Cannonbolt's devastating strikes. Strike after strike after strike collides but every strike is like that of a hammer to a nail, hammering away at Ragnarok's already thin patience.
"ENOUGH!" During a quick gap in the attacks, Ragnarok slams his fist to the ground and unleashes a devastating explosion of heat and light that rips apart the street like a bomb!
The explosion blasts away the concrete and asphalt, generating such a whirlwind that it shatters the ice track like it was made of sand.
Shoto's flung high into the air by the attack, but Cannonbolt, who was also flung up, manages to catch him and shield him by curling up. Tokoyami fares better with Dark Shadow coiling itself around him and using its claws to anchor them to the ground. But even still the sheer power of the blast pushes them back, forcing Dark Shadow's claws to tear at the ground.
They slide to a stop as a curled up Cannonbolt crash lands atop of a flipped over car. He bounces off and uncurls, landing on his feet with Shoto in his arms.
He puts Shoto down as Tokoyami joins them.
They all then turn to see what has become of their enemy.
"I tire. I lament. I RAGE." Ragnarok marches forth, a dangerous bloodlust radiating off of him as he locks onto the teens. "I will destroy this place." He will cast this planet into darkness. "I will kill all that live here!" He will take their sun. "Starting with you THREE!"
He roars out as his entire body illuminates with solar energy. His body burns and burns, brighter and brighter, as if a sun has risen within the city itself. A sun that burns and chars everything in its path.
As his body glows, Ragnarok leans back, his claws poised over each other, preparing for a cataclysmic Super Move.
Shoto uses his arm to shield his eyes from the bright burning light. "What is he doing?"
Cannonbolt, who is also shielding his eyes, begins to sweat nervously. "If anime has taught me anything; he's charging up for a big attack!"
"Then how do we stop him?" asks Tokoyami as he seeks shelter behind the large pillbug. "Dark Shadow will be useless against him if he's like this?"
Dark Shadow bows its head in shame. "Sorry…"
Cannonbolt pauses, trying to reevaluate the situation; taking note of what's transpired and what he's seen Ragnarok do so far. 'He generates solar energy and uses it to attack.' He's seen him use it plenty of times up till now. 'And right now, he's charging up for a big attack.' He pauses, reconsidering what he said. 'Hang on, he's charging… Why? Why would he need to charge up now? Why hasn't he done that sooner? Is he… is he running out of stamina or.' Cannonbolt lets out an audible gasp. 'He's not running out of stamina. Well, he is but what matters is that he's running out of Solar Energy!'
'It makes sense, Ragnarok's powers must work similarly to Tokoyami's. Tokoyami and Dark Shadow need to be in the dark in order to bring out their true power. Whereas Ragnarok functionally requires light, specifically sunlight. And it's nighttime!' Cannonbolt mentally cheers. 'He must be running low, he probably used most of it up in his earlier attacks and is now trying to gain as much light as he can before finishing us off. He's like a battery and right now, he's running out of juice! So, if we can withstand this attack, we'll have him beat for sure!'
Shoto backs away as the light grows increasingly brighter. "Get back! He's gonna try and finish us off!"
"Not today he's not." Cannonbolt protests, stepping forward and shielding them from the light. "And here's how we're gonna do it."
After moments of charging up, Ragnarok prepares to fire the final blow, once and for all. He knows the risks of such a move if he should fail then his quest is lost. He's putting all his money on this one shot. "Goodbye, younglings. It hasn't been a pleasure."
"We can say the same!" Cannonbolt shouts back from across the narrow street.
Cannonbolt sits atop a layer of thin ice that stretches down the road, curled up as Shoto stands directly behind him with his left side aglow with flames.
"Now, Todoroki!"
"Go you guys!" Shoto roars out as he unleashes a torrent of flames upon Cannonbolt.
The flames launch the spinning cannonball forward, rocketing him forward faster and faster with each passing second.
"IT'S FUTILE!" And thus Ragnarok unleashes all his might, the light vanishes around him but then reforms into a singular point between his claws. He thrust his claws forward and a massive beam explodes forth moving so fast it breaks the sound barrier, its heat igniting everything it passes.
But Shoto doesn't give in despite the incoming end, he holds his ground and lets his flames run wild with one last thrust!
And it's all Cannonbolt needs before he collides with the massive beam head on!
The two forces collide and crash together, the beam seemingly struggling against Cannonbolt's rotating armor. And then Cannonbolt manages to zoom forward, tearing through the beam thanks to his increased spin and reflective shell.
Ragnarok desperately tries to will more power to his attack, but Cannonbolt only speeds closer and closer with every millisecond And then he finally breaks through.
Cannonbolt manages to withstand and break through the beam, putting himself right in line with Ragnarok.
But he doesn't crash into him, instead he zooms through the air, he uncurls as if preparing to grab Ragnarok.
"Fool!" Ragnarok roars, witnessing his chance to retaliate. "Your hubris will be your downfall!"
"No!" Cannonbolt smirks as he flies towards the villain. "It's yours."
Confused, that's when Ragnarok spots the Arburian Pelarota's true intentions and true means of winning.
Tucked inside his shell was Tokoyami and Dark Shadow, who with the lack of light from inside Cannonbolt's shell and the dark night sky has grown relatively massive, especially since Ragnarok's beam has been dissipated.
"This is the end of Ragnarok!" Tokoyami roars out as Dark Shadow's massive form crashes forth. "RAGNARÖK: WOMB!"
Dark Shadow sinks its claws into the villain, opening its maw wide as if to consume him before Cannonbolt curls back up grabbing not only Tokoyami but Dark Shadow and Ragnarok as well. Swallowing them all up like a life-sized Pac man.
Cannonbolt's rolled up form races across the melted street before crashing and embedding itself into the side of a garage.
The night falls silent as Shoto watches on with bated breath as Cannonbolt's curled up body wobbles and shakes, making him fear that Ragnarok might still break free.
Lucy, having finally recovered enough to walk, hurries to them from down the street.
She meets up with Shoto who's casually checking on his classmates. "M-Midoriya? Tokoyami?" He calls out, warily, fearing the worst.
Suddenly Cannonbolt uncurls, dropping his passengers before stumbling around, trying to pat his back like he's got a bad itch. "Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!"
Lucy gasps, worriedly. "What's the matter?!
"My back is burning!" Cannonbolt turns to Shoto. "You could have dialed it back a bit you know."
Shoto's not exactly sure how he should respond to that.
Lucy sheepishly laughs at his antics. "Well, it looks like he's okay."
Shoto frowns, scanning for the real issue. "But what about Ragnarok?"
"He is here." Tokoyami steps out from behind Cannonbolt.
"Where?"
"In there." Tokoyami gestures to something behind Cannonbolt.
Seeing that he is in the way, Cannonbolt scoots out of the way so they can see.
Dark Shadow has Ragnarok totally immobilized within its own body. It's wrapped around the villain, its claws stretched around like proper binds with even its maw wide and clamped down on the villain's shoulder, holding him in place. Even though the upper half of the villain's face sticks out from the egg-shaped prison, muffling him. Although it would appear that with the last of his solar energy used up, combined with Cannonbolt and Dark Shadow's thrashing about, he passed out.
The super move clearly worked since Tokoyami thought it up for the sole purpose of restraining its target. Although he will admit that it is still in need of work as Dark Shadow isn't totally encasing the villain since his head is still sticking out.
Cannonbolt grins as Ragnarok's still form. "Cool. What do you call this?'
Tokoyami pauses before embarrassingly admits its name. "Ragnarök: Womb."
Shoto smirks at the name. "Huh, fitting. I like it."
Tokoyami isn't so sure anymore. "To be honest, I was planning to use the name Ragnarök for another Super Move."
"You totally should!" Cannonbolt affirms. "At this point you earned it."
Tokoyami smiles. "Thank you for the kind words, Midoriya."
"No, thank you, Tokoyami!" Cannonbolt gives him a big thumbs up before turning to Shoto. "You too, Todoroki. I…" he looks away briefly, becoming adorably shy. "I couldn't have done this without you."
"It's okay, Midoriya." Shoto smiles back, glad that this mess is all over with, just as he picks up on the sound of blaring police sirens approaching from the near distance. "We know."
Cannonbolt frowns, unsure if that was a jab at him. "Know what?"
But Shoto refuses to answer, not wanting to spoil the victory.
Lucy snickers at their antics before tuning her attention back to the trapped Ragnarok. "Here' let's cuff him before he wakes up."
She quickly produces a pair of high-tech cuffs and slaps them onto Ragnarok. And for good measure she produces a metallic muffle as well and slaps it on.
As she does this the police make it to the end of the street and begin to rush out. But at the same time, from a nearby alleyway, Hisashi pulls up in the Rustbucket. His headlights quickly gaining Lucy's and Cannonbolt's attention.
He flings his door open and steps out, waving for Lucy to hurry over before the police do.
As Cannonbolt distracts his friends, by pointing out the police, Lucy slips away and hurries towards Hisashi who smiles in relief to see them all in one piece.
[FLASHBACK]
Shibuya Square is the home of a thousand flashing billboards and screens, towering over a massively famous crosswalk, shining down on thousands of pedestrians that cross every single day whether they be tourists or locals.
But amongst the bustling cars and hurrying pedestrians a large dome shaped portal emerges within the center of the intersections, stopping all traffic, and causing the nearby screens to go haywire.
The portal statics and discharges before vanishing and a heavy slam hits the ground as a giant machine rises above the crowd.
The street is immediately filled with screams of terror as people bolt and flee as the B.L.R.R.T. unleashes its wrath upon the Earthlings.
"Hear me and rejoice!" Benevelon steps forward from behind his creation. "You are about to gain everlasting peace at the hands of Benevelon! Be thankful that your meaningless lives are now contributing to the greater good!"
The B.L.R.R.T. unleashes a powerful laser beam at one of the nearby buildings, blasting a massive hole straight through it.
"For I come in the name of peace!"
Sneaking its way through the city, the Proxy jolts to a sudden stop.
"Driba look!" Blukic holds up the makeshift radar that they managed to cobble together.
Driba frowns trying to twist around to see it. "At what?"
"At the radar! It's working!"
"Oh, then we better hurry."
"You got it!" Blukic takes the controls and gives them a pull.
The Proxy jerks and spins around before taking off down the road towards Shibuya Square.
"I do trust you." Endeavor leans back, his eyes filled with betrayal. "But why won't you trust me?"
Hisashi sinks into his seat, he opens his mouth to defend himself when the door is suddenly flung open.
Officer Tezuka rushes in, in a panic. "It's back!"
The two freeze. "The robot?"
"Yes! It's currently rampaging in Shibuya square!"
Enji immediately gets up and moves to leave. "I'm on my way."
"Me too!" Hisashi tries to get up but he's pulled back down by the handcuffs. "Um, Enji."
Enji moves to free him but is stopped by Tezuka.
"No! He is still under investigation here. Leave him."
"But I can help!" Hisashi defends.
"But we can't trust you." Tezuka retorts, turning away and leaving him.
Enji hesitates, considering going behind the officer's back, but he thinks better of it and follows.
Hisashi calls after them. "No no no wait wait wai-and they're gone."
He sits back, as silence falls over the small, lonely room. He fiddles with his hands, pulling on the cuffs and eyeing them quizzically.
He peers back up at the security camera and then to the door, pondering over what to do.
He sighs as he comes to a decision. "Tezuka's so gonna kill me."
He braces himself as he grabs his thumb and pulls, snapping it out of place. "Ahhh!" He gasps, reeling in pain as he slips his hand free. "Ahhh." He hisses as he sets his thumb back into place. "Damn, I hate doing that."
'But then again it is a neat trick.' He thinks as he rushes for the door.
The B.L.R.R.T. rampages across the city, blasting apart cars, buses, and buildings with single blows from its swings and laser beams.
And Benevelon is simply adorning his creation's work. "Yes, my brilliant creation. Bring about a new era of peace! Muhaha!"
Suddenly a rush of police and heroes invade the square and begin guaranteeing the area while other heroes pull innocents to safety.
"Oh, my it appears that mankind has sent yet another welcoming party." Benevelon pulls out his retro silver colored blaster. "I do so hate being rude, so I'll provide them with a sample peace to come." And so, he aims his blaster and fires, the beam shoots forward and although small in size, power it does not lack as it blasts a police cruiser into the air!
Officer Toyomitsu takes cover along with Officer Tezuka as Benevelon open fires at them. "Who is that guy?!"
"Don't know!" Tezuka shouts, covering her head. "But what is he saying?!"
"No idea! I can't hear him over the-"
The B.L.R.R.T. let's put an earth-shaking roar.
"-the you know."
The police open fire on Benevelon. But a static-like force bubble forms around him, deflecting every bullet like bugs to a bug zapper.
"You all seem tense, here have some peace." He aims his blaster and fires away at the police.
But then Endeavor comes crashing down from the sky and unleashes a massive firewall.
The beams collide with the flames and explode, blasting the flames apart. But even so they did their job, they protected the police.
"Stop this, now!" Endeavor roars, preparing to take on who he assumes is the true mastermind.
"I can't!" Benevelon grins like a maniac. "My creation will not stop until it brings about everlasting peace to this world!"
Endeavor scowls before rushing in to take out the villain himself.
Meanwhile, a disguised Proxy arrives on the scene, staying just out of sight as the Galvans watch as a fiery human takes on a shielded Benevelon.
"Look there's the B.L.R.R.T.!" Driba is quick to point out.
Blukic frowns, watching Endeavor fail to break through Benevelon's forcefield with his flames. "And is that Benevelon?"
"It is. We better hurry Blukic before he notices us."
"You got it, Driba. But…how are we supposed to get to the B.L.R.R.T. without being seen by this planet's defenders?"
Oh, boy. Looks like they didn't think about that.
But not all is lost.
"Maybe I can help."
The Proxy spins around to find Cinder smiling back at them.
"Cinder!" The Proxy rushes forward, grabbing onto Cinder in a bone crushing hug. "You came back!" The Galvans cry and weep with tears of joy, so much so the tears leak out from the bottom of the hologram.
"Yeah, I kinda had to." Cinder manages to free himself from their grip. "Where's the Skeuomorph?"
"Why, it's right here." responds Blukic while having the Proxy hold up the device.
"Good. I'll take it and put a stop to this."
He reaches for the device only for the Galvans to pull it away. "No, wait!"
"What now?!" Cinder screams, losing his patience.
"We have to be the ones to do this!" They shout. "It has to be us!"
"Why?"
Driba tries to defend their answer. "Because…well because…"
"This is our mess." Answers Blukic. "And we need to fix it. As best as we can…"
Driba nods. "We have to make things right, for you and…everyone."
Cinder actually feels for them. He knows that they're being honest with him. They really do want to help out, if they can. "I can't believe I'm about to do this… Fine! Have it your way."
They both grin like idiots.
"But if we do this you need to follow my instructions to the letter. Got it?"
"Yes!/Absolutely!"
"Good, now here's what we're gonna do."
Endeavor pounds away at the forcefield, his flaming fists just inches away from smashing in Benevelon's smug face.
"So violent. So chaotic." Benevelon taunts, not at all worried that he may get hurt. "This is why I've come here. To show you all true peace."
"Raaaaaghh!" Endeavor roars, swinging his flaming fist forward.
And this time it breaks through as it appears Benevelon's forcefield does have a limit!
Benevelon panics and tries to fire his blaster, but Endeavor catches it and melts it away with a single touch.
Endeavor grabs Benevelon by the scruff of his collar and pulls him in. "You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means."
"Oh, but I do." Despite the circumstances, Benevelon breaks into a smug grin. "It is you and all the denizens of Earth who are about to finally know true peace."
On que, the B.L.R.R.T. redirects its attention towards the two, it's large eye aglow as it charges an attack.
"Muhahaha! Prepare to embrace every lasting peace! Muwhahahaha-GAK!" He falls over as Endeavor chops him over the neck.
"Shut it!" Endeavor barks before turning his attention towards the real threat.
He braces himself as the B.L.R.R.T. prepares to reign hell down upon him.
Nut then a lash of flames smacks into the robot's eye, temporarily blinding it.
A surprised Endeavor spins around. "Hisashi?!"
Cinder salutes back as he joins his friend on the battlefield. "Hey, Enj-um, Endeavor. Sorry for being late, traffic was a nightmare."
"You idiot!" Endeavor smacks him over the head. "What are you doing here?!"
"Ow! I came to help!"
"Moron, you escaped police custody." Endeavor frowns, concerned for his friend's reputation and image. "Do you have any idea how bad that'll make you look?"
"Who cares about that?" He frowns, weighing his situation. "Look, I know…I know I'm not exactly your number one person right now. But I am still your friend and a hero." he turns to his friend, looking right in the eye as he states with full confidence. "I don't want people getting hurt, even if I have to take the fall, it doesn't matter to me if it means that lives are saved."
Endeavor loses his breath, almost amazed by Cinder's resolve. "Hisashi…"
The B.L.R.R.T. roars out as it regains its vision and continues with its rampage.
"So, Endeavor." Cinder smiles up at the pro hero. "What do you think about teaming up?"
Endeavor grins back. "I think it'll be the only smart thing you've done all day."
"Eh, probably."
The B.L.R.R.T. fires down upon them but they both dash to the side and unleash an inferno of attacks upon the robot. Coating the monstrosity in flames as it lashes back at them.
And since they are holding the B.L.R.R.T.'s attention, it gives the Galvans the perfect opportunity to sneak their way back onto the B.L.R.R.T.'s back.
The Proxy sticks to its metal body thanks to the high-powered magnets in its limbs.
Driba smiles as they reach the center of the B.L.R.R.T.'s back. "Okay and now, we attach the Skeuomorph!"
Blukic shakes his head back at Driba. "No, first we activate the Skeuomorph and then we attach it."
Driba shakes his head, denying Blukic's memory. "No, you're wrong. The plan was that we attach it and then eject ourselves from the droid. And then we activate the Skeuomorph."
"That's wrong, Driba. Mr. Cinder said that we have to activate the Skeuomorph, attach it to the B.L.R.R.T. and then escape."
"But you're wrong!" Driba shouts.
"No, I'm not." Blukic shouts back.
"Yes, you are!"
"No, I'm not!"
They bicker and argue to the point that they begin slapping at each other, flailing their hands pathetically at each other like children.
As they struggle and flail about they jostle around the tiny cockpit, hitting all sort of buttons and switches.
The Proxy jerks and flails, its fingers clenching down on the Skeuomorph, activating it as it begins to glow green.
They continue to fight until they accidently hit the eject button.
The Proxy's chest bursts open, and they fall out, sliding down the B.L.R.R.T.'s back until they hit the ground. "Waaahhh! Oof!" They both land atop a busted car, relieved to find themselves in one piece.
"Um, Blukic?"
"Yes, Driba."
"Where's the Skeuomorph?"
Blukic snaps up and turns his head up at the still magnetized Proxy. And there in its hands sits the glowing Skeuomorph.
They both share a very worried look. "Uh, oh." They scramble for their feet and run for cover!
At the same time, Cinder and Endeavor unleash more and more flames upon the bot, forcing it back and away from the people and police.
"We almost have it!" Hisashi roars before releasing more flames. (Flames)
Stuck in the Proxy's clutches, the Skeuomorph glows brighter and brighter, blindingly so and then it activates.
The Skeuomorph unleashes its power upon the B.L.R.R.T., imploding on itself and the bot.
The explosion rings out and blasts away the flames and the heroes, knocking them back.
They both land on their feet and watch on in awe as the implosion dims down and vanishes leaving nothing behind but a massive crater with no remains of the B.L.R.R.T. to be seen.
Endeavor breathes, catching his breath, not yet coming down from his adrenaline. "What happened?"
Cinder quickly comes up with a lie that actually works. "We must have overheated it and it imploded on itself."
"You think?"
Before he responds, Cinder spots the two Galvans scurry past between the rubble.
"Yeah, I think so." He grins.
[End of FLASHBACK]
Hisashi smiles, relieved to see not just the villain bound and gagged, but to see them all safe and sound. "Well done, kids. Well done indeed."
As he smiles, the air high above him distorts, as an invisible scout drone zooms past. Its gaze quickly locking in on the defeated Ragnarok.
Too bad the rest of the adults don't feel the same way.
"I don't believe this!" Endeavor roars out in disbelief. "What made you think taking on the villain by yourselves was in any way a good idea? Just look at the damages alone!"
Fatgum shakes his head worriedly "You three could have been seriously hurt out there! You need to make sure you can stay safe even during a fight. Otherwise, nice job taking down the villain!" he grins, flashing them a thumbs up and tossing them some candy.
Inspector Tezuka shakes her head in disbelief, as if betrayed by her own kin. "My own son. I expected such lawlessness from Midoriya's boy, but…not my own." She sniffs, feeling like she failed as a mother.
Hisashi frowns, biting his tongue so as to not bite back at the obvious jab at his expense.
However, Tokoyami couldn't feel any differently. "Mother, please…"
She pinches the bridge of her beak. "We'll call this an act of self-defense but even that is stretching it! I mean look at this place!"
The teens shrink back from her scolding as they look back at the burned street, smashed up buildings, and bent light poles.
Tezuka lets out an exhausted sigh. "I don't have the patience to deal with this right now. We'll continue this later, understood?"
The scolded teens nod in response. "Yes…"
And with that Tezuka turns her attention away from the children. "Now what do we do about this one?"
They all peer up at the cuffed and muzzled Ragnarok who stand there, bound and silently glaring at them as if he could burn them all with a look.
"Take him away." Tezuka orders with a wave. "There's a nice cold cell waiting for him in Tartarus."
Her officers begin to escort him away towards their cruisers.
Izuku jerks up, becoming very worried. 'If they haul him away, they might figure out what he is! Ahhh!'
But unlike him Hisashi acts on his worries, and hurries over, intercepting the officers that are escorting Ragnarok away. "Sorry but I'll take him from here, gents." With a confident smile, he reaches for Ragnarok's cuffs. "There are some hire ups that need to speak with this one."
"Oh no you don't!" Tezuka hurries over and slaps his hand away. "Back off, now!"
"Hey, hey! I'm not doing anything!"
"Oh, yes you are." She accuses, her hand hovering over her taser. "You were planning on helping this terrorist escape, weren't you?!"
"What? No! No, I was-"
"Save it! I don't want to hear your lies anymore!" She turns to her officers. "Arrest him for interfering with an open case!"
"Hey now. H-hey!" Hisashi's taken back as several officers grab him by the arms and begin to try and pull him away.
Izuku yells out, reaching for his father. "Dad!"
A calm voice, one that radiates with authority, barks over the sea of officers. "That is quiet enough of that Inspector. We'd hate to give the public the wrong impression of us. Woof."
Izuku pauses in odd recognition. 'Woof?!'
Everyone, not just Izuku, spins around to find that the one that called out to them was none other than a man suited in business attire and whose head is that of a dog's. "Chief Tsuragamae!"
"Sir!" Tezuka salutes. "What are you doing here?! I thought you were in Hosu?"
Chief Tsuragamae steps forward. "I was but after I was made light of the situation here I thought it best to come here myself. Woof." Chief Tsuragamae turns to the officers that are trying to haul away Hisashi. "Release him, please, this is no way to treat a pro hero."
The officers hesitate but eventually let go much to both Hisashi's and Izuku's joy.
Tezuka however feels betrayed beyond belief. "B-but sir! You don't understand he's-"
"A hero." Chief Tsuragamae cuts her off before bowing his head slightly with a sympathetic frown. "I owe you an apology Inspector. In light of all this I should have at least made you aware of the situation."
Endeavor raises an eyebrow. "Situation? What situation?"
"The truth is that this villain." Tsuragamae gestures to the bound and gagged Ragnarok. "Has been under the FBI's investigation for quite some time now."
"What?"
Everyone, minus the teens and Hisashi, are stunned by the news.
Tsuragamae continues to explain. "An agent, that blonde suspect of yours, was sent here to investigate and then they tried to make it off with incriminating evidence against him. Woof. After which their mission was compromised, and it was then the FBI contacted me so that I may get them in touch with someone familiar with their protocols. Woof. And since Mr. Midoriya here has such experience from working with the Self-Defense Force and he happened to be in Tokyo. I thought it best to reach out to him. Woof."
Endeavor scowls at the dog-headed man. "Then why weren't we aware of this?"
"The FBI made it very clear that this mission should not be disclosed to any other parties. There was after all no guarantee that none of the heroes or officers would be in the villain's pocket. And so it was thought it best to keep all that we could out of the loop. Woof."
Tezuka frowns, recalling their conversation from before. "So then that call…"
Chief Tsuragamae is quick to answer, almost too quickly like trying to cover up a lie. "I was trying to mitigate the situation while remaining discreet."
"So, then that means…"
"It means that Hisashi Midoriya is innocent and just one of the many heroes that have put their lives on the line for this city."
Tezuka hates that, giving Hisashi credit for doing good, and she makes it known by throwing a nasty glare his way.
But not to be out done, he throws her a friendly smile and wave.
Fatgum steps before the Chief. "Then why drag the kids into this?"
"I trust Mr. Midoriya's decisions." affirms Tsuragamae. "He insisted that his son could be of help and as for the other two." He gives the teens suspicious looks, making them shrink under his gaze. "They know the rules and the consequences." he pauses as if considering the full situation. "However, these were shaky circumstances, and it couldn't have been helped. Mr. Midoriya already gave permission for his son to engage with the villain if necessary. And as for the others, well they had the permission of the FBI agent." The Chief pauses as if considering another fact. "Once again we'll give credit to Endeavor."
"What?! Again?!" Endeavor gasps, outraged and insulted by being handed over yet another free win.
Shoto almost breaks his stoic and indifferent expression by nearly bursting into a fit of laughter.
"However!" Chief Tsuragamae glares down at the boys. "This will be the last time I let you all slip by like this. And I do mean the last time."
The teens all slump down and bow their heads. "Y-yes sir."
Fatgum brings up another point. "Speaking of, where is this agent?"
Tsuragamae turns to answer. "They have already left for the U.S. not wanting to waste anymore time before handing over the evidence. Like all of us, they too want to see this villain pay for his crimes." He then turns back to the officers that are in charge of escorting Ragnarok away. "Speaking of which, if you please, hand over the villain to his custody. He will need to be properly processed by the FBI to ensure that his operations have truly been dealt with."
The officers look to their direct supervisor for permission.
Tezuka is reluctant but she gives the order, nonetheless. "Hand him over."
Hisashi happily takes Ragnarok by the cuffs and escorts him away. But not before stopping just in front of the Chief. "Thank you, sir." He leans in and subtly whispers. "And thanks for doing me the favor."
"It's my pleasure. Woof." Chief Tsuragamae leans in and quickly whispers back. "Plus, you made it easy. Gave me a lot to work with you know. Good think you paid attention during your interrogation earlier."
Hisashi smiles back before pulling Ragnarok along, who isn't exactly moving with purpose in his steps.
Tsuragamae turns back to the rest of the heroes and police. "I will take my leave as well. I am a busy man as you all know."
Tezuka says her goodbyes. "Yes. Take care, sir."
Tsuragamae nods, turning away and taking his leave as well.
As he marches by, he passes by Izuku, his eyes peering down at him as he goes.
Izuku jerks up, standing straighter so as to not appear disrespectful before the Chief of the Police Force.
However, for the briefest of moments the Chief pauses and…smirks down at the boy, confusing him. But then he gives the boy a wink and his eye opens back up, his entire eye is compelled pink in color as a faint outline of sludge frames said eye,
Izuku instantly breaks into a smile as he finally realizes the truth of what's just occurred.
The disguised Lucy smirks back before strolling away.
As Izuku sees her off, Shoto and Tokoyami whisper to him so as to not allow the adults to hear. "Hey, Midoriya."
Izuku whispers back, unsure of why they're whispering to begin with. "What's up?"
"Did your cousin really leave?" Shoto asks.
"Um, well…" He peers back at the Chief. "She had some minor stuff to take care of first. And then she'll leave. But besides I'm sure once the Chief let's her know that the police know now, she'll pop back out."
"Right." Shoto eyes Izuku skeptically as if curious about something but not willing to say what it is.
Izuku however picks up on it. "W-what?"
"I'm just wondering, how do you get yourself wrapped up in these kinds of messes?"
Izuku's only response is to laugh it off, albeit nervously.
As the teens chat and laugh, both Hisashi and Endeavor peer back at them, curious as to what they could be discussing.
The two lock eyes for a moment before turning away.
Hisashi then shoves Ragnarok forward as he solemnly thinks to himself. 'We used to be like that…'
[FLASHBACK]
A smug superior grin stretches across Benevelon's face. "No, matter. I shall return and I swear I will being mankind peace everlasting even if it's the last thing I do-"
Officer Toyomitsu shuts the cruiser door on the cuffed Benevelon, cutting him off. "Yeah, yeah, save it for the psych ward mister."
Hisashi listens in from nearby, sighing in relief to himself, glad that everyone just assumed that Benevelon was just your everyday insane person. 'I'll have to call Patelliday about that.' He notes.
"Midoriya!"
Hisashi freezes. "Hey, Tezuka."
The raven-headed officer glares up at him, with her hands ready to draw out her taser and cuffs. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest you for aiding a villain and escaping police custody?"
He gulps. "Look I'm really sorry about that, this is all just a big misunderstanding."
"Is it?" She seems skeptical. "I highly doubt that. That's why I'll be leading the investigation against you myself."
"Woah, hang on now. Listen I'm innocent I promise. Believe me. You don't want to do this, if you're wrong it might cost you your promotion."
"Look at this place!" She screams waving to the demolished builds, street, and massive crater. "If this is in any way your fault then it's a risk, I'm willing to take to make sure it doesn't happen again!" She points an accusing finger at his face, making him stumble back in fright.
She pulls her finger away. "Something's not right about you, Midoriya. And I intend on finding out what it is."
"Oh, come on. What else is there to investigate?"
"Oh, I don't know. Why don't we start with that villain you helped escape? Funny how they disappeared like they did isn't it?"
"Um?" Hisashi pats his pockets, checking to see if he feels two squirming lumps underneath. "Yeah, funny."
She narrows her eyes at him. "I got my eye on you, Midoriya." And with that she walks away, wanting to make sure she does her part and help survey the damage.
Hisashi lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding. "She's intense…"
Enji approaches, having been listening in the whole time. "I hope you know what you're in for. An open investigation on a pro hero is no joke if they find anything, anything at all incriminating, it'll all come to surface."
'I sure hope not, for all our sakes.' Hisashi thinks but not letting it get to him. "But it's fine. I don't care about my rep."
"You should." Enji warns. "Once you lose someone's trust it becomes near impossible to get it back."
Hisashi pauses, hesitating before asking. "And what about you…did I lose yours?"
Enji sighs like he's already got an answer and has long accepted it. "I'll always trust you, no matter what and no matter how difficult you make it." Which is a lot. "But I'm your friend, no matter what. We stick together through thick and thin."
Hisashi smiles back, grateful to have a friend like Enji.
[End of FLASHBACK]
Lost in his own thoughts, Endeavor watches on as Hisashi leads the villain away. He scowls after him, jerking his head away like he just spotted something that was vile and disgusting.
Not wanting anymore to do with this he starts to take his leave but not before noticing Shoto chatting away with his classmates.
His eyes narrow. "Shoto? Aren't you coming?"
Shoto turns to him and considers the question before turning away. "And what sit around while you do paperwork? No thanks."
Well Endeavor certainly is annoyed by that answer, but he doesn't force anything more. Figuring that Shoto wouldn't get much out of it anyway, he turns and walks away figuring they'll meet up later.
Seeing Endeavor walk off, Tezuka approaches the teens. "Fumikage?"
Tokoyami turns to address her. "I'll be over in a little bit. I want to wish my…friends farewell."
"Okay." She sighs, exhausted, figuring that nothing else could happen.
And so she leaves, and already she goes back to barking out orders to her officers, making sure that they all stay on task.
The teens back away, not wanting to be in the police's way as they work.
"Hey guys!" Lucy pops out from seemingly nowhere, startling them!
"Ms. Mann!" Tokoyami gasps, nearly jumping out of his skin.
Shoto frowns. "Where did you go?"
She smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head furiously. "Sorry I wasn't notified yet that the Chief spilled the beans about my mission. But now that he did, I figured it was safe for me to come out. Otherwise, I would have stuck around from the start. In any case I wanted to say this in person." She looks to them, smiling from one to the other in gratitude. "Thank you. From all the lives you've saved by putting a stop to this madman. Thank you."
Shoto shys away, giving her a nonchalant shrug. "It was no big deal."
Tokoyami agrees. "No, thanks is necessary."
They may say that but Izuku can't help feel guilty over it. They should take the thanks and more! They helped save the freaking world and they don't even know it. Heck Izuku can't even go on a mutter spree about what they just did cause…well EVERYTHING! They stopped a world ending threat while still in school! Who else could say that?! Well actually they can't because…you know.
'But then again… Should they know?' Izuku frowns, his gaze dropping to the ground as he stews in his own guilt.
Lucy notices and knows right away that he'd really like to show his friends the thanks they deserve, but can't.
And then an idea strikes, and although it may not ever be enough it'll be something. "Well there must be some way we can thank you." She throws Izuku a cheeky smirk. "And I think I know just the thing."
The teen pauses, looking at each other confusingly.
"Now this is good." Lucy swallows and gobbles up another piece of fine sushi. "Hm! Like really really good. Hm!" She coos, her mouth full of the savory meal.
The bar is packed with people all enjoying fantastic freshly served sushi that carts on by atop a little conniver belt around the masters of the craft.
Tokoyami, seated beside her, swallows his piece and reaches up and offers her a little saucer of soy sauce. "May I recommend the soy sauce to go with it?"
Lucy happily takes it and pours just enough onto her sushi. She scoops it up and downs it in one go.
Her eyes light up as her tongue is assaulted by a flood of flavor. "It's somehow even better!"
Tokoyami chuckles, pouring some soy sauce onto his own plate.
Seated at Tokoyami's right is Shoto who turns to Izuku and asks. "You sure you don't want me to pay for this Midoriya?" He leans in and almost maliciously mutters. "I do happen to have my old man's credit card."
"I'm sure." Izuku swallows and sheepishly smiles back, wondering how exactly Todoroki managed to get away with it. "But for real this is my treat. It's my way of saying thanks."
Shoto frowns. "We told you already you don't need to thank us."
"I know but…I had to." He needed to.
Shoto's not so sure but he doesn't push it, knowing that Midoriya won't let it go otherwise. "Okay."
Lucy reaches up and grabs another plate of sushi, she turns to Tokoyami and asks. "What is this?"
Tokoyami takes a look and answers. "Pufferfish."
"Really?" Lucy grins before chomping down on the piece.
Izuku, overhearing, smiles over. "Huh, I heard it's supposed to be good. And maybe poisonous."
"And expensive." Shoto is quick to point out.
"Yeah, but" Izuku shrugs, flashing him a confident smile. "How expensive?"
Without saying a word, Shoto hands Izuku the menu to this place.
Izuku takes it and scans for the pufferfish and after a moment it becomes obvious when he finds it. "Oh my god!" The menu shakes in his hand and his face turns pale just because he glanced at the price.
"You sure you don't want me to pay?"
"Hehe, I'll…think about it."
And so with that they go back to their sushi although Izuku only reserves himself to having a glass of water after that.
But after a moment a thought occurs to Shoto, and he turns in his seat so he can ask Lucy directly. "Can I say something?"
"Of course." She nods, her mouth full of sushi.
"Apologies if this sounds rude but I couldn't stop thinking about it. Back during our flight with Ragnarok. I gotta say it; it wasn't exactly wise for you to bring the flash drive into battle. I mean, what if the villain managed to take it from you? Then what?"
"Oh, he wouldn't have." Whipping at her face, Lucy waves off his worries like it was never a problem to begin with.
"How can you be so sure?"
She shrugs and explains. "Because I didn't have it."
The teens all take a double-take. "What?"
She explains that it was never a surprise. "Yeah. I never had it. I just let Ragnarok think that." And it worked as a perfect distraction too. "I gave it to my pilot so he can deliver it for me. Oh, that reminds me." She leans over the table so she can see Izuku as he downs his glass of water.
She points to him and says. "You owe Rad two favors now."
Izuku chokes on his water, doing a spit take across the sushi bar!
Hisashi paces back and forth across the empty parking lot that sits just outside Tokyo. The night is dark despite no clouds in the sky and the only source of light is the large billboard advertising Big Belly Burger.
Nothing but the Rustbucket sits in the parking lot, joined by hundreds of weeds that have managed to break their way through the unkempt asphalt.
Ragnarok glares on, muzzled and bound, as the Red Spot paces back and forth while glancing up at the sky.
Chopper sits behind Ragnarok, his taser poised and aimed at his back. ^Wa-wa. Wop-bz.^
Hisashi waves him off. "I know it's late." He scans the sky for any signs of movement. "Where is it?"
With the Plumber distracted, Ragnarok attempts to break the cuffs, but he does nothing more but shake them and call Hisashi's attention.
"You might as well relax, friend." Hisashi advises not at all worried that he might escape. "You might as well think of this as coming home since, you know, you were a Plumber at one point."
Ragnarok glares back at him and tries to retort but thanks to the muzzle Hisashi hears nothing but muffled growls.
"I…don't understand a word you're saying."
Ragnarok growls something back, but once again Hisashi can't make out a word.
But he doesn't need to as flood lights suddenly blind him from above and what sounds like a roaring helicopter hovers overhead as a gust of wind tears through the parking lot.
"Oh, finally!" Hisashi cheers and turns to Ragnarok. "Looks like your ride is here!"
A spaceship, the size of two city buses, lands before the Rustbucket. It's large with a white paint job and heavily armored, built not only to withstand threats from the outside, but to also contain the threats trapped within.
The prison shuttle settles down and opens its doors to the Plumber.
Hisashi leads Ragnarok inside, where he finds himself in a large chamber with several empty cells.
He peers around, finding it odd that he hasn't been greeted by another Plumber or even a droid yet. "Sheesh, the higher ups are really trying to automate everything nowadays."
Although droids are convenient, he still rather have a living being in charge of something like this. But there isn't much he can do about it so this is it.
He leads Ragnarok to the nearest cell, but the alien really starts to struggle against his restraints. He flails and struggles as he's led forward and into the cell.
"Settle down! This will be all over soon." Hisashi shoves him inside and quickly shuts the cell closed with a ray shield.
Ragnarok's angry shouts are muffled by the muzzle as he bashes his cuffed arms against the ray shield and again and again, like he's desperate to escape.
Hisashi backs away, back towards the exit. "Safe travels my friend."
Ragnarok glares back, roaring in outrage from behind his muzzle.
But Hisashi doesn't nor cares to hear it and instead shuts the shuttle closed.
He steps back as the engines start back up and the large shuttle begins to rise. He watches it off as wind whips at his face and spotlights shine over him. After a moment the ship vanishes from sight from behind a hologram and takes off into the night sky.
With the job now completely done, Hisashi smiles down at Chopper and says. "Well, I can certainly say that this went a lot better than last time."
[FLASHBACK]
"Well fellas this is it." Hisashi stops at the foot of the flying saucer, as he reaches into his pockets and pulls out the two Galvans.
He sets them down upon the ramp leading into the ship's tiny interior. "I hope next time we meet; things will go a lot better."
Driba smiles up at the hero. "As do we, Mr. Cinder."
Blukic nods his head and smiles. "Thank you for everything, Mr. Cinder."
"Guys…just call me Hisashi."
The two tilt their heads as they struggle to get his name right. "Hi-she?"
"Hisashi." he corrects.
They try again. "Hisashi."
"Yeah, you got it."
The two smile, happy to have gotten it right.
"Thanks again, Hisashi." Blukic thanks. "We couldn't have done it without you."
'Yeah, I know.' He thinks but doesn't say it, and instead smiles on. "And it was my pleasure working with you both."
"Same here." Driba smiles. "Well we best be off, don't want to keep Luhley waiting."
Blukic perks up. "No, we don't!"
They both rush inside the ship and prepare for take-off.
As they prep Hisashi leans in and squeezes his head inside. "Are you guys sure you can fly this thing?"
"Of course, we're sure." responds Driba. "I'll have you know that we're superiorly intellectual beings, we are more than capable at flying a ship."
'Yeah, I'm not so sure about that.' But once again he doesn't spoil the moment by saying it aloud. "Well safe travels fellas. And hey if you're ever in the system, feel free to call first."
Driba smiles back, nodding and letting him know that they will.
"Driba!" Blukic shouts from the head console. "What's this blinking red light ehre for?!"
"How should I know?! Maybe it means we're ready for takeoff?"
Hisashi grimaces, becoming very concerned with their safety, "Seriously, though, call first." he insists.
"Well." The two Galvans turn and give their superior officer a salute. "Until we meet again, Hisashi."
Hisashi smiles back, returning the salute. "Yeah, until we meet again, tech support."
And so Hisashi pulls his head free and steps back, watching silently as the flying saucer slowly rises in their air. The ship then vanished from sight under a cloaking device before zooming up and back into space.
"And when we do meet again… Uh! It'll be too soon."
[End of FLASHBACK]
Reminiscing in his memories, Hisashi strolls back towards the Rustbucket feeling good and proud of their work here today. Relieved that nothing else has come of it for once.
Chopper follows behind but stops as he…senses something. He turns around, peering back up and jolting up in surprise. ^Wo-wo!^
"What?!" Hisashi spins around, his head snapping up to the sky. "It's back? Why?"
It sure is, the standard Plumber prison shuttle lowers down and lands in the parking lot, albeit a little shakily as if the pilot was new to it.
Hisashi hurries to the doors, which drop open with a loud slam.
"Um, h-hello Mr. C-Cinder, sir." A large insect fearfully pokes his green head out from the side of the entrance.
Hisashi instantly recognizes the alien. "Hobble? What are you doing here?"
Hobble shyly steps forward, acting meek and scared even though he dawns a red Plumber suit. "Oh, I-I-I'm here f-for the p-pickup?"
"Pick up?"
"Y-yes, I'm here to pick up Ra-Ragnarok."
"Ragnarok? But Plumber Base just-..." Hisashi freezes, feeling as if he's been struck by lightning. "If that shuttle, wasn't you then…who was it?"
The hijacked shuttle touches down inside the large red hanger as the Earth sits below the view of the ray shield, shielding the entrance.
The shuttle opens wide, and the cells deactivate causing Ragnarok to stumble out of his cell.
"Welcome back, Ragnarok."
Ragnarok fearfully jerks up and pales as he finds Vilgax's malicious grin looming over him. "And welcome to my employment. Hahahaha!"
THE PREVIEW:
Izuku: Merry Christmas!
Cannonbolt: My guy, it's summer break right now.
Izuku: Oh, I know but for them it isn't.
Cannonbolt: Well, it's summer break for us. And do you know what that means?
Izuku: What?
Cannonbolt: It means the beach! The ocean! Bikinis! Cold drinks with tiny umbrellas! And fun!
Izuku: Um, Cannonbolt, sorry to tell you this but…Dad and I never planned to stop at a beach.
Cannonbolt: What?
Izuku: Yeah, um, we're not going. But if you want you can go with some of my friends!
Cannonbolt: Wait, your friends are going? Like whom?
Both: Next time: Ch.57 Under the Sea!
Cannonbolt: Can I go? I can be the beachball if they'd like?
And that was Ch.56! Can you believe that my original plan was that chapters 54, 55, and 56 were supposed to be one chapter? Man, that would have been one loooooong chapter, am I right? Speaking of long or rather the opposite. I do apologize about some of the flashbacks not being long enough to explore everything we may have wanted. I need to cut back on stuff especially since my goal was to post by today. So I do apologize for that but I still think what we got was worth it.
And now we'll move on from this mini-arc. Starting with another stand-alone chapter that stars characters other than Izuku again. Originally, I was gonna go with another chapter idea but I'm switching it with the new Ch.57 "Under the Sea" for now. It should be a lot easier to write and it'll be fun.
And for the pervs out there thinking this is a set up for risqué stuff…don't get your hopes up.
*Hey so I'm not sure if I ever responded to all the reviews last time. If I didn't, please let me know and send me any questions you may have had. Also, if I fail to respond to a review after a week, please feel free to reach out and let me know. Thank you.
*So, this chapter/mini-arc teased and introduced a lot of characters. And I just wanna say that they will all be returning. That is not an exaggeration, I have plans for everyone to come back from Blukic to Driba, to Hobble, to Rad Dudesman, and of course Lucy Mann.
*But what I really had a lot of were Easter Eggs! There were so many from all over the place. There was Teekl from Young Justice, Lucky the Pizza Dog from Marvel/Hawkeye, and a ton of Halo references from the Tavern's name, the aliens, and a Phantom. Then there was all the Star Wars stuff like the Twi-lek, the Anacondon, BD-3000 luxury droid, and the X-wing. And then the Marvel references too like the Milano being there along with some of the Guardians of the Galaxy hanging out in the tavern too. And heck I even had Jumba Jookiba's big red ship in there. And then there were the lines I borrowed from several places. 2 of the lines were taken from the Phineas and Ferb/Star Wars crossover. There was a scene taken out from Thor Ragnarok. I believe I also paraphrased a line from Gravity Falls in the same scene too. And finally Benevelon borrowed a line from Avengers Infinity War. So yeah, a lot of Easter Eggs for you guys to find. And to be honest I had to cut one more Easter Egg out for the sake of time. But I think I'll throw it in as an Omake in my side story "Heroes Never Die; It's Hero Time, Anytime."
Speaking of which…
*PLEASE* check out my new side story for this story called "Heroes Never Die; It's Hero Time, Anytime." You will find an assortment of one shots that take place in the canon of this main story. Most are really short little stories but there are full chapters there such as "OVA: My Zombie Academia." Which is a great change from the norm and is again canon to the main story.
Atom king: All I have to say about this chapter is that's awesome with how it goes back and forth from Hisashi flashbacks of his Younger days dealing with blukic and driba and stopping the giant robot from destroying earth all while keeping the two alien a secret which leads to most of friends and allies to hating him, that's a big bummer.
But in the present we get to izuku unlocked a new alien and it's Cannonbolt who's a great alien to have since he's combination of speed and durability can't wait to see more of him in action.
I hope that shoto and toyoami will help izuku and Lucy in the next maybe toyoami can convince his mom that the midonyas are the good guys?
CreateGunner1209: I'm gad you liked the flashback sequences. I thought I'd try something a little different and I am glad it's working, for the most part.
And look Shoto and Tokoyami did help Izuku/Cannonbolt out.
Guest: Blukic and Driba being involved in the incident that got Cinder incriminated? That explains a lot, the blame the dumbest geniuses in the galaxy for this.
CreateGunner1209: Exactly
DeadCool14: CANNONBOLT!
Wow, I am loving Hisashi's backstory so far, and of course Blukic and Driba mess everything up. I'm really dying to see how this all wraps up.
Love Endeavor and Hisashi being friends. Was this before or after he met Rei?
I got some JoJo suggestions: Hisashi would basically be Old Joseph with his "OH MY GOD!", "OH NOOOOOO!", "HOLY SHIT!" and "SON OF A BITCH!". And hey, given how his power works maybe he can do something similar to Hamon.
And maybe when Atomix shows up, he could just be a JoJo character, saying ORA and going "Tsk, tsk, tsk" and "YES! I AM!" and several others
And this is unrelated but I would like to share some names for the planets and species of some aliens. You can use them if you want to, unless you already have some ideas yourself.
Kickin Hawk:
Species: Gallusapien
Planet: Domestik'oop
I got it from the scientific name for chicken, gallus gallus domesticus, and an alteration of the word coop, as in chicken coop
Gutrot:
Species: Chlorodians
Planet: Dmendel
The species name comes from chloroethyl, which is part of the chemical formula for mustard gas and the planet name is a fusion of the name Dmitri Mendeleev, the creator of the periodic table.
Toepick:
The species name is a combination of, of course David Cronenberg (fun fact: Kronenberg with a k is an actual last name) and eldritch. As for the planet I think he should be from Anur G'rrnay because I really like that from 5YL and how they handled his species, well aside from the fact that they originated from Eye Guy's species, I really don't like that.
Ball Weevil:
It's from the scientific name of boll weevil, Anthonomus Grandis, and Insectoid, which a name they gave his species in a flash game. You could just use Insectoid if you want but I think it's too boring.
Mole-Stache:
Species: Topotyphla
Planet: Mouzztach 10
With the species name the first part comes from topo, which is mole in spanish, and the rest is from Eulipotyphla, which is an order of mammals that moles belong to. And the planet name is a play on mustachio which, of course, means mustache
CreateGunner1209: I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying Hisahsi's backstory. It was part of the reason I wanted this chapter the way it is after all.
Also I think these new flashbacks were able to answer some of your questions.
And thanks for the alien planet stuff
BlueRanger-Lyric: Hey, I'm curious about something, now that the UA traitor has been revealed in the manga, what will it mean for your series moving forward?
CreateGunner1209: Nothing, I already ignored that plot line since I had Henzu steal the info and I've already set up how the LoV will find the camp thanks to Vilgax's help
Guest: Normal Deku gets stronger with Training and breaking his limbs.
Omnitrix Deku gets stronger with Training and meeting new people.
CreateGunner1209: What can I say? I like character interactions
BlueRanger-Lyric (again): Something I just thought about for Captain Nemesis in this series, what if he was the world's first Querkless hero who relies entirely on Support Items his personal company makes, and maybe, maybe Captain Nemesis has a dark secret that he keeps the public from ever knowing, or something like that, what do you honestly think?
CreateGunner1209: Maybe, i thought about adding him as a normal superpowered hero that's just very egotistical. But we'll see I am not exactly jumping at the chance to add him, you know? But I have been thinking about it
Guest: So he got Cannonbolt from randomly scanning a civilian?
CreateGunner1209: Nope, it wasn't random ;) I have a set of rules for how he gains aliens. And no i won't tell you what they are, it's more fun this way
Paradox: CANONBOOOOOOOOLT! Sorry for yelling he's just a personal favourite and I'm happy to see him in the story. I always found him impressive for both defence and offensive capabilities. I like how there storyline is going with Hiashi because I never thought before about how a hero having an actual secret identity type thing in this universe would affect them. I can feel the tension ramping up and cannot wait to see the breaking point. Hopefully they'll be able to spin this story in a way that makes Hiashi look at least a little better.
CreateGunner1209: Don't apologize. He's one of my favorites too. I hope the wait was worth it though for this mini-arc overall.
DeadCool14 (again): Glad you didn't give Ragnarok the Devin Levin style backstory, he can just a be a one-off threat, I really don't care about him. But his design is cool.
Also what is Inspector Tezuka's first name?
CreateGunner1209: Same. and I agree he does have a cool design. Although I will be using him for Vilgax's group. For now at least
Um, Tezuka's first name…I don't know. How about Nuchou. Nu = Angry and Chou = Bird ;)
Doc: Nice chapter, was a bit sad that it wasn't way big but I think cannonbolt is really great! I must admit at first I wasn't sure what alien due to not knowing the alien name but a great addition anyways! If my math is correct then the next chapter will be on Christmas and I can't wait!
CreateGunner1209: yeah, Way Big would be OVERKILL for sure. He is an endgame type of alien for sure.
Loveless: No worries about having to answer the questions I placed. It's just that I'm really excited to see what will be happening next in this story so I can't wait till the reveals happen.
Also I loved in the last chapter the trafic jam you did.
Feel bad for cinder losing his friends trust.
CreateGunner1209: Thanks for understanding and I'm glad you liked the chapter. I hope this one was able to live up to it as well
Boss kaiju: Fisrt of, if you permit me: YEEEEAAAHHH BLUKIC AND DRIBA ARE HERE, HOORAAAYYY !
Seriously, I just love those two charachters, each time they were on screen in Omniverse they make me laugh and I hope we see them in the present and not just in a flashback.
Now this chapter is really interesting, we learn how Hisashi had to make a choice for his job and how it has affected his friendship with all of those who trusted him (and were not in plumber business). I must admit Cannobolt was a surprise for me (but not an unwelcome one), at first I thought about Goop, then Humongousaur after your omake (it was clearly to early for Way Big) but I am please to see him. So do that mean we won't see the Big Tick (if you don't remember it, that's the giant bug in the episode where our good old rolling buddy appear for the first time) ?
I also have an idea of ultimate move for Cannonbolt: Uraraka make him weightless and then Bakugo use his most powerful explosion to make him worthy of his name (basically he use him as a giant projectile).
A few more question:
1- Will Skurd appear in the story and attach himself to the Omnitrix ?
2- Do you plan to bring back some of your one-time villains such as Vulcanus, Zombozo, Clancee , Fun gus, Hex or even 6x6. Because if Sunder, who is an awful villain (as in he has no interest) then why not some better bad guys?
3- You probably know that the skin of Ghostfreak his basically just a cloak to protect him from light, so when Deku unlock him, it will partially be damaged, his classmate see that, and ask him to pull it off completely so that they can see what he really looks like in this form; and what they see when he do terrify them so much that they are nearly traumatized. You can even make Deku like scaring them under that form because of the influence of a certain vilain that we all know and love.
4- Please tell me that Tetrax will come back soon, one of the error of the show was to have done so little with this character, and I want him to interact more with Deku (maybe you could adapt Secret of the Omnitrix).
5- When Deku go back to U.A, will he take Kraab with him in the dorm or even in class ?
6- In my last comment when I was asking about Paradox, I was asking of you were at least dispose to make him appear in the main story (at least once or twice), I know you are preparing a spin-off for all the time/dimension travel things.
7- Will Henzue have his iconic car (and all the repair that goes with it) ?
8- Will Deku get sick and his aliens be affected by that at one point ?
As always I love your fiction and you are still doing an amazing job. You can count on me to continuing reading and reviewing your chapters.
CreateGunner1209: Yup, Blukic and Driba are here. Well sort-of, don't worry they'll make their return eventually.
And no we won't see Big Tick. I never really liked that enemy to begin with so I knew I was gonna go a different way to introduce Cannonbolt. And yeah i had the same idea for a Super Move hence what Cannonbolt pulled off with Tokoyami and Shoto.
No, Skurd will not be making an appearance as most fans (including myself) did not enjoy him
Yes, definitely one way or another and some of them sooner than you think
Maybe but we'll see it all depends on how the story and plot of a chapter is progressing
Yes, he will, relax
Yes but maybe not to class. Still on the fence about it all
In that case. No. Paradox will not be in the main story.
Maybe, no guarantees honestly
I wasn't planning on it, but maybe I will during the dorms or as an OVA for my side-story at a later time
Guest: wiki/Ben_Arsenal
CreateGunner1209: I know about Ink Tank's 5 Years Later, but thanks anyway
Guest: wiki/Category:Transformations
CreateGunner1209: Um, thanks
Jakesurfboy: While this chapter is short it's one of my favorites for biased reasons. My favorite Alien Cannonbolt is finally here and I'm so excited for it, hopefully this little arc can end right before New Years but if it doesn't oh well I understand. Once again the references in this chapter and the last were really good and I'm loving the Cinder being looked like a traitor from the hero's including Fat Gum which I didn't expect to be pissed off. I'm hoping that Cinder can somewhat clear his reputation and that Izuku,Shoto and Tokoyami all have a chance to work together and fight Ragnarok but that's just me. Can't wait for the next chapter
CreateGunner1209: That's fair. Cannonbolt is one of my favorites too. And I just wanted Fatgum in here for kicks honestly. But hey what did you think of Izuku's, Shoto's, and Tokoyami's team up? And if you want to see them team up more check out the side story and the "OVA: My Zombie Academia." Cause they team up there too.
Dreadbot: I really like this chapter I liked how you made a reference to Master Chief and I I loved how you included proxy from Star wars the Force unleashed I hope we get to see another version of him somewhere down the road but that is up to you can't wait to see where this goes please keep writing
CreateGunner1209: If you liked MAster Chief, how did you like all the other Halo references?
Guest: Man if you seen spider man no way home will you do a arc let's say someone cause the multiverse to combine together with whatever machine and Professor paradox tell luzku he is only one to stop it and get help someone else in multiverse hint hint but keep up good work let's hope your story hits to 3000 reviews at end year
CreateGunner1209: I suggest you read my "Special Announcements" chapter. And thanks I hope we reach 3000 too
Guest: really a great chapter, and we finally have our favorite yellow chubby ball in history, I think canonbolt is one of the most beloved in the franchise.
poor hizashi, save the day and in return he is slandered, it is really unfair, I hope that when the world discovers the aliens hizashi can clear up the misunderstanding.
Now that I think about it, will you add spitter to the story? He really is a very underrated alien and I would like him to appear in at least some fic.
CreateGunner1209: He is because he's one of my favorites too.
Yes I will add Spitter to the story. Along with all other canon Omnitrix aliens
Guest: So when are they going to have space adventure plus if add rwby in this story line let's say crash land in remnant and help team rwby whatever season you want put in
CreateGunner1209: Not for a while. Also I've never watched RWBY. Also a friend mentioned it involves magic sooo that's a no go, sorry
Guest: Will we ever see Will Harangue make an appearance in this series to make reports that Villainies Deku in the Public eye, and supports more egotistical and not so friendly heroes or people?
CreateGunner1209: I do have a plan for him to appear. BUT I will most likely combine him with another character kinda like I did with Fun Gus/Mycelium. But with a lowkey MHA character instead
Guest: Are you planning on having Ochaco Uraraka have a crush on Izuku Midoriya like she does in the canon show?
CreateGunner1209: As of now, no
Guest: Ever think about a chapter based on Don't Drink the Water? It would be pretty funny to see Ochaco and Mina gush over 4 year old Deku and his little aliens
CreateGunner1209: I have thought about it, not sure if I will do it yet. At this point I'll wait until they get to the dorms to do it. If not I might make it an OVA over on my side story "Heroes Never Die; It's Hero Time, Anytime" which is cannon to the main story
