6 weeks… Damn, 6 weeks. I knew it was gonna take me a while, but I didn't think it'd take this long. Sorry guys but life happens and the last month has been kicking my butt and I've been too exhausted to work on the chapter as much as I would have liked to. But thankfully these last few weeks have been a great relief and I was really able to make a lot of progress, and here we finally are. And I surely hope it's worth the wait and hey it is a long chapter so hopefully this helps make up for lost time.

***ARTWORK*** Just a reminder that the artist, Voidv25, has artwork of Henzu Uuichi A.K.A. Nue on his file on Deviant Art.

*Speaking of which I finally figured out how to add images to the AO3. So if you want to see pictures as you go you can read this story over on that sight.

*There is a side story that is canon to this story, and it is 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.

*This story has a TV Tropes page so feel free to check it out.*


Explosions ring out, blasting apart the hexagonal panels and pillars apart in brilliant flashes of red. A red beam of light streaks through the air setting off a chain of explosions in its wake!

Rojo throws herself onto the ground and takes cover behind a wall of broken hexagon pillars. "Shit!" She flinches as another laser beam nearly grazes her. "This thing is gonna kill us!"

A dark form stomps past her, his tall frame looming through the smoke as his fists begin to blow bright. "Perish foul beast!" Ragnarok roars, reaching his hand up and firing back an intense beam of light right back at their attacker. "Perish!"

From high above, Sunder flies atop his glider, zooming through the smoke-filled air with his red glowing chain-axe at the ready. His once damaged weapon has now been welded to a long dexterous chain, creating an even more devastating weapon.

With Ragnarok providing suppressant fire, he throws his head up and calls out into the dark smoke-filled sky. "Sunder!"

Sunder scowls but complies with the orders. "I know! I know!" Reaching into his bandelier he produces a handful of marbles.

And so as he zooms forth he tosses the marbles down, watching in glee as they explode and blast into their opponent.

As the explosions settle down and even more smoke pours up into the air, Rojo summons enough courage to poke her head out from behind the barricade. "Did we get it?"

From within the smoke another red beam is shot out! The beam nearly strikes Ragnarok who manages to dive away. The laser is then shot upward, forcing Sunder to weave through the air.

"Pull back! Pull back!" Rojo screams, sprinting off and taking cover behind a down pillar.

Presses her back to the pillar she braces herself as the beam nearly grazes her head and instead slices the pillar apart causing it to collapse on top of itself.

Rojo dives out of the way as the pillar crumbles into a pile of rubble.

Through the panic another beam is fired at her downed form.

Rojo screams in terror expecting this to be the end until a hulking red figure zooms into view.

"Raaaggh!" Nue roars, slamming his fists into the ground, producing a wall of crystals that deflect the beam away.

Nue huffs, emitting a low, dangerous growl as Ragnarok and Sunder re-engage with their target.

Rojo breathes, pulling herself up to her feet. "T-thanks, freak."

"Shut it!" Nue barks back. "I didn't even know you were there."

Rojo gives him a dirty look in response.

Another beam of red sets off another chain of explosions from nearby, throwing them right back into the chaos.

Rojo uses her arm to shield herself from the heat of the blasts. "We need a new plan!"

"I got one." Nue growls. "I'll take this thing on by myself!"

Rojo can't believe what she's hearing. "It's stronger than you are, remember?!"

"Shut up! I'm stronger than all you combined!"

"No, wait! We need to think about this!"

"Raaaaahh!" Too late as he's already taken off.

Rolling her eyes, Rojo let's out an exasperated sigh. "Idiot."

"Raaaaahh! Hahaha!" Nue roars while stampeding through the battlefield. "Move it losers! Hahaha!" He nearly tramples Sunder and Ragnarok who just barely get out of his way. "I'll take care of this guy myself!

He lunges at the smoke enshrouded opponent, swinging his diamond blade forward! "No one can stop me!"

He swings his blade forward expecting to end this and earn his victory!

But his hopes are quickly dashed as a swift silver blade slices right through the crystal.

"Raaaaghh!" Nue screams out in pain, clutching his crystal arm as it slowly begins to reform.

And while he's down, out of the smoke appears the newly reformed Techadon. The monster of a machine is as imposing as it ever was, it even reconstructed its katana-like Resonate-Blade.

Nue gasps, raising his arm over his face in fright as the Techadon prepares to bring its blade down on his head.

"Move out of the way kid!" Sunder flies in, spinning the chain-axe in his hand before throwing the axe's head and swinging it towards the Techadon.

Instead of moving out of the way, however, Nue lunges up and bats the axe away with a magnetic pulse! The chain-axe is veered away in the opposite direction, swinging back at Rojo and Ragnarok whom just barely dived out of the way. The ax slices through a pillar causing the upper half to vanish in a flash of red light.

Meanwhile, Nue engages the machine, grabbing at its arms and trying to outpower it.

Rojo screams back at Nue. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"I don't need you!" Nue roars back. "I don't need anyone's help! I can do this on my own! Just watch me! Raaaggghhh!"

Summoning Four Arms' strength along with Lodestar's magnetic pull, Nue launches the Techadon back, slamming it against the wall.

"Ha! See? No, sweat." He gloats, thinking he's won.

The others just stare back and decide to watch how the next events play out.

Suddenly Nue's hit by a barrage of missiles that explode across his shell and skin.

He flinches against the blasts, angry that the dumb robot was still kicking.

However, before he can even register it a massive metal hand grabs him by the head and throws him into the ground.

"Graahh!" Nue coughs out as his face is slammed into the cold hard ground.

His back tendrils and tail lash out and strike the Techadon, trying to steal its power.

But the bot easily predicted the move as it catches his tendrils with its free hand.

From under its weight, Nue growls at it as his anger builds. "Damn, robot."

While still holding onto the sparking tendrils, the Techadon prepares its fist aiming to pound the freak into the dirt. It swings its fist down to do so!

"Enough."

The Techadon's fist freezes just centimeters from Nue's skull. Before the robot releases him, stepping back and standing at attention.

The battlefield lights up as the outlines of the hexagonal panels glow red. The pillars and floating platforms fold away back into the dome's walls and floors as vents dissipate the smoke and fire. Panels damaged by the training fold away and are replaced by a set of newly polished panels.

With the simulation over, Rojo, Ragnarok, and Sunder stand to the side, all of them looking towards the entrance as their commander makes his appearance.

With his arms tucked behind his back, Vilgax strolls into the dome with his head high allowing him to peer down at his underlings. Speaking of which, Psyphon slinks in behind him, acting like Vilgax's shadow.

"Hey!" Nue spits, pulling himself off the floor. "Why'd you stop the training?! I had the bucket of bolts right where I wanted him!"

Vilgax tilts his head up even higher. "And where did you want it exactly? Standing over you as it crushed you under its fist?"

Not having a proper retort, Nue growls in response and fist shakes in anger.

Psyphon snickers from behind Vilgax. "This was a pathetic showing, Nue. You are wasting too much time on your inflated ego."

Ignoring Nue's death glare, Psyphon slinks forward and bows his head to Vilgax. "Master, please, I must implore you to release this one. I'm sure we can find much better stock on this planet."

Nue tsks, muttering under his breath. "Bootlicker."

Psyphon's head jerks back at him in annoyance. "And might I add that his…demeanor is absolutely atrocious."

Nue looks like he wants to tear Psyphon a new one, but he bites his tongue, calming himself back down. "My apologies then." A mischievous smirk creeps its way back onto his face. "I meant to call you a flipping Brown-Noser! Ha!"

Psyphon instantly throws his arm up, preparing to fire his mounted laser at Nue. "You insolent-!"

"Enough." Vilgax growls. "This bickering is pointless."

"This whole teamwork shit is pointless!" Nue roars out, swinging his claw widely and slamming it against the ground in a fit of rage. "With my powers I can crush you all with two arms tied behind my back!"

Vilgax highly doubts that. "No, you can't."

For some reason, Nue is taken back by Vilgax's lack of a reaction.

The conqueror turns his head away in disgust. "As we've already discussed. Your Quirk Osmosis only allowed you to obtain a portion of the Omnitrix's power. Meaning you only have 1/10 of every alien's power. And as a result of the improper absorption the alien DNA has overwritten your once human DNA, or more accurately the new DNA has replaced the DNA that provides you your Quirk, Osmosis."

"I know all this already!" Nue shouts in annoyance. "Your scientist or whatever already figured that out! Which is why I've been working on combining my powers." To prove his point he presents his diamond-arm as a blade while sparks of electricity dance around it.

Vilgax again shows no interest or reaction to the lightning even as it sparks dangerously close to his face. "Yes. However, individual strength can only get you so far. One soldier cannot win a war, it takes an army. You are a soldier, and these are your comrades." He gestures towards Rojo, Sunder, Ragnarok, and the Techadon. "With all of your combined intellect, skills, and adaptability along with your tenacity and versatility there won't be force on Earth that can stop us."

Nue doesn't see it that way. "Listen Villy. I don't care about all that teamwork, participation crap. I ain't no soldier. Not for you and not for the League. I'm only here to get what I want."

"And what is it you want?"

"What I want?" Nue stares down at his fleshy, mutated form, his anger rising as he stares into what was once his human hands. "I want revenge on the bastard that did this to me. I want to kill him!"

Vilgax turns away in disappointment. "You are incredibly short sighted."

"What?!"

"Nue, allow others to do the thinking for you. You are a soldier, a weapon, not a tactician."

"You bastard! Raagh!" Nue lunges at Vilgax only to get batted away like a mere fly by the squid.

Everyone is stunned, freezing in place, fearfully watching as Nue is swatted away and tossed against the opposite wall like he weighed as much as a tennis ball.

"Enough."

They all jerk in place out of fear as Vilgax turns to address them.

"I don't believe any more training will achieve anything today. We will resume at a later time."

Rojo swallows back her fear just enough to speak. "Y-yeah, sure boss."

Sunder too. "Whatever you say."

Ragnarok remains silent, biting his tongue while lowering his gaze.

With matters concluded, Vilgax turns away to leave.

Nue stirs, struggling to pull himself back up onto his feet. "At least tell me."

Vilgax stops, awaiting Nue to continue.

"When can I pay Deku back?"

Vilgax turns away before quietly answering in an uninterested yet patient manner. "That time will come."

"When?!" Nue roars, jumping back up onto his feet. "You have the means to track him down! So why not send me there and I can finish him off once and for all?!"

"He is surrounded by Plumbers and Heroes." Vilgax explains like it's the most obvious thing. "Going after him now will expose our operations. Think before you act!" Vilgax shouts, uncharacteristically losing his cool, and causing all those before him to tremble. "You fail to see the bigger picture. Power is good but when combined with intelligence and cooperation it can become a force that can topple entire civilizations." Just like it did for him all those decades ago. "Try to remember that during your lessons, child."

Feeling like a kid that's just been scolded and lectured, Nue's fist shakes in anger before he slams his fist into the wall, smashing it. He rips his fist out and marches away past Vilgax and the others and through the large open portal leading into the rest of the ship.

The others watch him go without a word, like leaving a child alone after they've thrown a tantrum.

However, while watching Nue march away in anger, a conniving smirk stretches across Psyphon's black lips.


"Damn them. Damn them all!" Nue is steaming mad, his head fuming with rage as he marches through the battleship's dark corridors. "I can take Deku. I know I can." he stares down at his many claws and appendages. "I can take on anyone now."

"Let's prove that shall we?"

Nue huffs in annoyance, spinning around to meet the naysayer. "What do you want, Skellington?"

Psyphon deviously smirks back despite the nickname. "What I want is what you want."

Nue frowns unclear what that could possibly mean.

Psyphon smirks at Nue's clear confusion, turning away while gesturing for Nue to follow. "Follow me."

Folding his hands behind his back, Psyphon slinks away, moving slowly so that Nue may follow.

And after a moment of hesitation, Nue's intrigue and confusion pushes him to follow, figuring that if it's a waste of time he could always waste the scrawny alien.

He follows Psyphon all the way to the battleship's hangar where a squadron of gunships are kept.

Nue frowns, wary of Psyphon's odd actions. "What's the catch, Papyrus? If you think you can get one up on me you got another thing coming!"

Psyphon peers back at him but does not outwardly react to Nue's threat. Instead, he continues on acting like he didn't even hear him. "According to our scanners the Omnitrix has recently been activated in a place called Mt. Fuji." Psyphon pats the side of the nearest gunship. "By coincidence this ship's autopilot has already been programmed to fly straight there."

Nue perks up at the news.

Psyphon on his part continues on acting as if he's none the wiser. "I better ensure that the hangar's operating system is functioning properly, we haven't been able to close the hangar bay as of yet." And so he slinks away, purposefully leaving Nue to his own devices.

With Psyphon gone, Nue breaks into a wide toothy grin as he turns his devious smile towards the gunship.

And not long after, Psyphon's smirk grows even more pretentious as Nue's gunship rises into the air and takes off through the forcefield-protected hanger and into the vacuum of space. The gunship veers out of view as it quickly descends back down to Earth.

"You really aren't a tactician." Psyphon laughs, finding Nue's arrogance and foolishness oh so amusing. "You never even learned what the catch was. The catch is that after you make a fool of yourself my Master will finally see what little use you truly have."


Cannon Busters Opening - Showdown

/lpPY1PjEo5M

(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, Upchuck, and one other inhuman silhouette! 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 flip 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 lineup, 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.

A Techadon 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!)

Gran Torino zooms past, his grin wide, as he slams his feet into the Techadon! The Techadon 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, Mina, Hagakure, and Ochaco!

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.60 Null and Void

"AAAAAHHHHH!"

The portal shuts closed, cutting off Cannonbolt's view of the gorgeous mountainside and his Dad's agonizingly worried face.

They spin and spin, their bodies flailing about this way and that as they're thrusted through a swirling red tunnel before crashing down onto a patch of solid rock.

"Aaggh…" Cannonbolt groans, his head spinning from the trip. "What a trip, ugh… Ah!" He lets out a sharp gasp as he's met with a blood red sky, floating labyrinths of meteors and rock, and a chorus of alien shrieks and howls far into the distance.

Cannonbolt and Nue both take a moment to gap at their surroundings, finding themselves atop a massive meteor just floating in the middle of all the chaos. With meteor belts swirling about through the air like trains, while rocks erode and form into strange arches, stalagmites, and walls. All while a vast void or red nothingness stretches on for what feels like forever.

Nue backs away from the strange sights and sounds, before becoming enraged and instantly throwing blame at Deku. "Where the hell are we?!"

"Hell." Cannonbolt responds an octave just barely higher than a whisper. His entire form trembling in horror as the circumstances slowly begin to weigh down on him "A hell called…the Null Void."

"You…You sent us to another fucking planet?! Raaaggh!" Nue lashes out with his tendrils, using them like whips.

Cannonbolt is able to deflect the whips with his arm. "You don't understand! The Null Void is a pocket dimension!"

He rolls away as Nue lunges at him but instead smashes the ground.

"A what dimension?!" Before waiting for an answer Nue fires a barrage of shards and electricity at Cannonbolt's rolling form.

"A Pocket Dimension!" Cannonbolt panics, trying his best to explain while evading Nue's attacks. "It's a c-closet! In a building!" He uncurls and slides to a stop, growing as he tries and fails to remember how exactly Hisashi explained it. "With a key and…and…wait, how'd Dad explain it again?!"

"Forget it! This doesn't change anything!" Nue flexes his claws and tendrils in a dangerous manner. "I'll kill you, Deku!"

Cannonbolt glares right back, his own claws jerking at his sides. "To think you'd actually follow me into hell?" He crouches down, preparing to take off in a full speed roll. "Give it your best shot then! I'll show you that I'm not the same useless Deku from before, Nue!"

"RAAAaaaggghhh!"


"IZUKUUU!" Hisashi Midoriya lies defeated on his knees, his eyes darting here and there while his heart beats louder and louder in his ears making it hard to hear his own thoughts.

As his eyes dart around as if desperate to find Izuku standing somewhere nearby and not in the Null Void. But instead his eyes lock onto the busted Null Void Projector. "The Projector!" In a blink of an eye he dives over and grabs the Projector, quickly inspecting its damaged and cracked frame. "Maybe I can-"

He moves to fix it but some stray red sparks shock his fingers away. Before the Projector's head falls right off, landing on the dirt with a soft clank.

"No! NO!" Hisashi screams. "Can you guys fix it?!"

Kraab hesitantly reaches at the projector before pulling his claw away. "Maybe? I don't know! I'm no Galvian you know!"

Hisashi turns to his own droid. "Chop?!"

Chopper gives him a down trodden shake of his head. ^Wa wa…^

Hisashi's hopes begin to fade away, clutching the Projector even harder as if just wishing for his son back would work.

Even Kraab looks out of place with a concerned look on his face as he hesitantly brings up a good question. "What do we do now?"

Nobody responds, after all none of them have a good answer.

That is until Hisashi suddenly jumps to his feet and makes a dash for the crashed Rustbucket.

Kraab's startled by Hisashi's sudden movement. "Where are you going?!"

Hisashi doesn't answer as he jumps into the driver seat, praying the RV will start, and it does.

"Everyone inside!" He calls, waving the two bots over.

Chopper carries Kraab over to the RV. "Why? Where are we going?"

"We're heading back to the base! But first…" He reaches and pulls out his cellphone. "I have to make a call."


'I gotta get back!' Cannonbolt thinks in a panic as he rolls away just in time to avoid another one of Nue's attacks. "Would you stop and listen for a second?!"

Nue howls with glee. "No way! I'm having too much fun!" As he laughs, he fires powerful streams of water at Cannonbolt.

Cannonbolt rolls up and charges forward, deflecting the water away before slamming into Nue. Uncurling and grabbing him by the arms and pinning him down under his weight. "Listen to me!" He screams, spit flying into Nue's face. "We're trapped and neither of us are getting out of here. We have bigger issues to deal with! Bigger than your little revenge plot!"

Nue shouts back, struggling under Cannonbolt's weight. "I don't have to listen to you! And even if I did, you'd probably just be lying anyway." He manages to reel his feet up and kick Cannonbolt away!

Cannonbolt rolls back before sliding to a stop and screaming out in outrage. "Lying?! Look around you Nue! Does it look like I'm lying?!"

"I don't care! I just care about paying you back!"

Cannonbolt face slaps himself, dragging his claws down his face in frustration. "You are always like this! You never listen! Even back then you never listened to a thing I said!" Gritting his teeth, he crouches down fully intent on fighting back. "I can't believe we were ever friends."

Nue lunges forward, his fist slamming into Cannonbolt's armor and flinging him back. "Yeah, me neither." A cruel calculated smirk stretches across his mutated face. "I should have just been done with you like everyone else."

Cannonbolt stumbles, wincing as if in pain.

"But I had to take pity on you, didn't I?" Nue scoffs, finding the irony of their situations laughable. "Guess you don't need a friend like me anymore. Not when you got all your little school buddies now."

Cannonbolt composes himself, growling back at the villain. "And what about you? You got yourself a little gang now? Won't they care if you never return?"

"Who cares about them?! Not me! I don't need them! Or anyone bossing me around!" He stretches his arms up at his sides, displaying his entire form and all its strangeness. "I'm strong enough on my own! Always was and always will be!"

"You were never strong enough on your own!" Cannonbolt snarls back. "Not now, not ever."

"Shut up! I'll show you! I'll show all of you! RAAAGGGHHH!"

Nue unleashes a beastly roar out into the void, his roar echoing through the vast red openness for what might be eternity.

But…as his roar fades into the distance it is answered by another beastly shriek from far into the distance. "Skraaaaaeeeee…!"

Cannonbolt freezes, jerking his head up and turning towards the distant roar. "Did you hear that?"

Nue growls in frustration. "Quiet! You can't distract me!"

"I'm not trying to!" Cannonbolt scolds before looking out towards the distance, listening carefully as the shrieking grows ever louder. "Something's coming."

"Who cares?!" Nue spits, stomping forward while cracking his fists and claws. "You should be more worried about me! Ragh-" He prepares to swing when suddenly a chorus of shrieks fill the air.

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" Low pitched beastly shrieks and roars cry out while being accompanied by the rush of many flapping wings while a hundred shadows zoom overhead.

Peering up, the two are stunned to find an entire swarm of monsters circling them from the red sky.

The monsters are clearly natives of the Null Void as they show no semblance of sentience or intelligence. Only driven by pure animalistic instinct. Fitting as they look like gray Wildmutts but they have tentacles for legs instead and massive bat wings to fly around. Either way it's clear that these Nullvoiders are here for one thing: a meal.

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!"

Nue steps back as the swarm of Nullvoiders continues to circle in the air. '"What the hell?! What are these things?!"

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" A trio of Nullvoiders stray from the swarm and divebomb Nue, slamming all their weight into him as they grab and snap at his limbs and torso.

Nue roars, throwing his arms and tail about, shaking them off. "And what's with all the tentacle fetishes?!" First Vilgax and now these things?! "Raaagh! Let go of me you eyeless bat-things!"

"Skraaaaaeeeee!" As their pack mates are tossed aside, more and more of the shrieking Nullvoiders dive in to attack the lone aliens.

Cannonbolt rolls through them, flattening them against his weight or batting them away like bowling pins as he races atop the floating meteor, making his way up a nearby slope in order to gain some higher ground.

As he clears the top he uncurls, and stops, peering around to quickly check on the situation. Down below he can see Nue struggling to put up a fight against the wave of Nullvoiders. He's doing everything he can to keep them at bay, whether it's by electrocution, repelling them with rain of shards, or summoning gusts of wind to blow them away. But nothing seems to work as with everyone that he defeats two more fly in to take its place.

'Poor guy… Maybe…Maybe I should help?'

"Raagghh!" Nue roars as he knocks away his attackers. "I'll kill you all! I'll tie your corpses together to make a circus tent! Raagghh!"

Izuku sweatdrops, watching Nue rampage as if he was a kindergartener throwing a tantrum. 'You know what…never mind.'

He turns away ready to make his own escape but stops when he finds himself surrounded by a group of Nullvoiders.

"Skraaaeee. Skraaaeee." They shriek, baring their fangs and tentacles.

"There sure are a lot of you." Cannonbolt sweats while taking a combative stance. "But Cannonbolt's armor is impenetrable! So, bring it on you-you Nullvoiders!"

"Skraaaeee!" They shriek and hollow, accepting the challenge.

Cannonbolt rolls up and bounces up, slamming into them and crushing them under his spinning weight.

"Hehehe!" Cannonbolt grins while sliding to a stop, he's feeling mighty good right now; these Nullvoiders are perfect for taking his frustration out on. "Is that all you got?!"

"Skraaaeee!"

"Hehehe. I can do this all day!"

*BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!*

While in a fighting pose, Izuku Midoriya blinks in surprise at his normal scrawny form. After a moment he lets out a sigh and shrugs. "You know…I'm not even surprised."

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!"

"Aaaaahhhh!" Izuku screams, throwing himself down to the ground, covering his head as the Nullvoiders just barely miss his head.

He rolls himself to his back while grabbing the S.A.G.E. Gun off his side. "Stay back or I will shoot!"

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" They circle around for another attack only to be met with several plasma bolts. "Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" They howl in pain, scattering and flying off away from the painful plasma shots.

Izuku smirks while pulling back his smoking blaster. "I did warn you."

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" Despite the warning and the shots, their instincts to hunt refuse to let them back down as they muster their courage and fly in for another attack.

Izuku fires back, managing to fend off a few of them as he moves for higher ground. He shoots and shoots and shoots, having to duck down as a few manage to make it past and nearly snatch him up. He gets up and runs for it, not looking where he's going as he fires.

"Woah!" His foot hits nothing as he steps right into a large hole. Falling in, he slides along the narrow tunnel as the Nullvoiders lash out and try to grab him. But gravity has its hold on him as it slides him down back to the base of the asteroid.

Izuku lands with a humph, tumbling forward and finding himself hidden away in a small crevice that perfectly hides him from the Nullvoiders' view. "Huh, talk about lucky."

He leans towards the entrance of the crevice, peering out to see if the coast is clear.

And the first thing he sees is Nue once again surrounded by the swarming Nullvoiders as they whip and bite at his face and limbs.

"Raaaggh!" He repels them away with bolts of lightning and shards of diamonds.

'He's not gonna make it like this.' Izuku thinks, feeling a little bit worried for his ex-friend. 'No.' He shakes his head as he tries to remain logical about this. 'He got himself into this mess he can get himself out.' Worry and guilt bubble up inside his stomach making him doubt his own thoughts. 'But…what if he can't?'

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!"

Izuku scrambles back, pressing his back against the wall, hiding himself as a trio of Nullvoiders woosh by the crevice. Thankfully they pass by without noticing him. But even so it was still too close for comfort.

Peering back out towards the void, Izuku frowns with worry at all the Nullvoiders swarming around in the air as they wait for Nue to tire out or for him to reappear.

'Not good! We're surrounded! Darn, I can't even escape and run off on my own, not when the Omnitrix is still recharging. AH!' He pulls his head back just as more Nullvoiders glide on by. 'And this little cave can't hide me forever, they'll find me! And what happens if they find me before the Omnitrix is fully charged?! They'll eat me alive!'

Things certainly aren't looking good. He basically has two choices: he can try to slip away, or he can wait it out and hope that the Omnitrix recharges first before they find him.

But again, if he tries to slip away they will most likely spot him right away. And if he does manage to wait out the Omnitrix and run off with XLR8 there's no guarantee that he'll actually escape them. After all, what would happen if he timed out later and finds himself being tracked down by them or by something worse?

Izuku shudders in defeat. 'No matter what I do I'm dead meat! There's got to be another option! There has to be!'

Peering out, he once again watches as Nue stubbornly stands his ground against the unrelenting swarm, roaring out like a wounded beast trapped inside a cage.

Izuku's heart goes cold with dread as a third option finally pops into his head. "I know I'm gonna regret." He slides up the wall and to his feet, gripping the edge of the cave entrance for support. "I just know it…"

Meanwhile, Nue is still struggling against the onslaught of wings, teeth, and tentacles. "Raagh! Go away already! Come on! I don't even taste good so stop trying to eat me!" With a beastly roar he blasts them away with a Buzzshock-like electrical field. "Ehehehe. That'll teach you!"

However, like before, more and more begin to circle closer, taking their swarmmates' places in the attack.

Nue steps back, scowling in frustration at their determination and stubbornness. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!"

A group of them dive down, gliding down like bombs in an air raid.

Nue prepares himself for the attacks when several bolts of green strike the beasts' sides causing them to howl in pain as they scatter and fly off back towards the swarm.

"What the hell?!" Nue spins around and much to his shock-and-awe he finds Izuku standing there before a crevice with a freaking green gun in hand!

"What the fuck?! Since when have you been packing heat?!"

Izuku shoots at the Nullvoiders as he runs over to Nue's side. "Depends, what time is it?"

Nue frowns in confusion but humors him with an answer anyway. "I don't know, it was about 3 o'clock when I found you."

"Then it's been three hours." Izuku half-jokes half-comments while keeping his eyes on the swarm. "Look out!" He swings his blaster up at Nue's head.

Nue flinches, raising his arm to defend himself when Izuku fires, blasting a pair of Nullvoiders that were sneaking up on them from behind.

Izuku pulls down his S.A.G.E. Gun, showing Nue he means no harm to him before asking. "Mind giving us some cover?!"

Nue scowls as he shoots out a hail of shards at the swarm. "What the fuck you think I'm doing?!"

"I meant a wall! A crystal wall!"

"I was just about to! Raaggh!" Slamming his hands down into the ground, crystals forms all around them, forming into a large crystal pyramid.

The Nullvoiders howl and shriek, with their prey gone from sight, they swoop in attacking the pyramid from all sides, trying to break in and get to the nice chewy centers.

Nue is finally able to breath but not before turning away from Deku with his arms crossed in annoyance. "Just so you know I was already gonna do that. Not because you told me to. Got it?"

Izuku rolls his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

"Now." Nue lets out a deep beastly growl as he skulks closer, with his head high, making sure that Izuku knows who's in charge here. "What the fuck is going on here, Deku?"

Izuku raises a scrutinizing eyebrow. "Oh, so now you want to listen?"

"Grrr." Nue grabs Izuku by the collar and lifts him into the air. "Watch it, dickwad. Don't act all tough and mighty especially when your stupid watch decided to abandon you."

Izuku grabs at Nue's hand in order to prop himself up. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Nue smirks while pulling the teen closer. "Oh, and why not?"

Izuku scowls back in response. "Because without me. You're never getting out of here."

"I've gotten myself out of worse."

"Don't be an idiot!" Izuku screams, yelling into Nue's mutated face. "This isn't juvie! Or jail! Neither of us are going to survive this place unless…unless-" He's choking on his own words, like saying the words out loud is gonna make him puke.

Nue eggs him on, not sure where he's getting at. "Unless what?"

"Unless…" Izuku takes a breath and answers in a defeated sigh. "Unless we work together."

"Hahahahahaha!" Nue immediately bursts into laughter, dropping Izuku while clutching at his gut. "Me?! Work with you?! Hahaha!" He wipes the tears from his eyes before smirking down at the teen. "I always knew you were a hopeless dumbass."

Izuku scowls back, shoving himself to his feet before jabbing his finger into Nue's torso. "Fine, then what's your plan?"

Nue's smirk widens. "First. I'll kill you. And then I'll kill all of those bat-things!"

"Okay, good start." Izuku praises with venomous sarcasm. "And then what?"

"Then I'll get out of here."

"How?"

Nue pauses trying and failing to come up with an answer.

Izuku rolls his eyes, figuring as much. "If you listen to me, we can get out of this mess."

Nue crosses his arm, leaning back and giving Izuku a questionable look. "Me? Listen to you?"

"Yes!" He yells in a way that this is the most obvious answer. "I understand more about your powers than anyone else, other than you! You know I can come up with plans on the fly! And out of the two of us I'm the only one that even knows where we are. Or at least understands it."

Nue frowns, turning his head away as if to appear indifferent. But in reality, it is clear that he is actually considering his options.

He could either kill Deku here and now. And then make his escape but…how would he even do that?

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" The muffled shrieks and howls snap him out of his thoughts, reminding him that he can't take forever to come to a decision.

Izuku takes a breath before offering up his hand. "What do you say? Truce?"

Nue glares down at his hand, half tempted to crush it but instead he takes his hand and gives it a tight squeeze and a shake. "Truce. But just to be clear, the moment we're out of this hell hole I'm sending you right back to hell myself."

Izuku glares back, trying and failing to match Nue's grip. "Fair enough."

They both finally let go, although Izuku is the only one that has to massage his aching hand. "But before that we're gonna need to get out of here."

"What are you talking about?" Nue gestures towards the inside of the crystal pyramid. "Those things aren't getting in here, not in a million years."

Izuku has to hold himself back from shooting Nue in the foot. "Okay, but can we stay in here for that long."

Nue doesn't answer, instead turning away in anger at Izuku's logic.

Izuku grips his blaster, setting it from stun…to kill. "Alright, first thing first you need to make an opening."

"F-fine!" Nue angrily stomps over towards the crystal wall.

He bends down, burying his arms into the ground, grabbing the crystals from underneath before using all his strength and Diamondhead's geo-powers to blast the crystal pyramid into the air!

The pyramid shoots up like a rocket before blasting apart into a hailstorm of shards.

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" The Nullvoiders shriek and wail as they're pelted by the incoming shards and chunks of diamond.

Nue backs away, watching as the swarm is thrown into chaos. "Now what?!"

Without saying a word, Izuku hops onto Nue's back, grabbing his tendrils and shell like a saddle and reigns.

"Hey, get off! What the hell are you doing?!"

Izuku ignores him and points up towards the blood-red sky instead. "Now fly!"

"What?!"

Izuku kicks him with his heel while screaming. "Fly! Fly, now!"

"Okay! No need to shout! And stop kicking me, I'm not a horse!"

With Four Arms' strength, Nue leaps high into the air where he generates Terraspin's whirlwind from his torso, allowing them to fly up and away from the swarm.

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" The swarm howl and shriek in outrage as they chase after their fleeing prey.

Nue soars through the air, weaving his way past floating meteors and massive chunks of earth, trying to put as much distance as he can between them and the pursuing swarm. "Now what?!"

Izuku yells as he fires his S.A.G.E. Gun back at the pursuing swarm. "Just keep going!"

"This is your plan?! Running away?!"

"What else would we do?!"

"Fight!"

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" A few Nullvoiders manages to surprise them by flying in from the side.

"Raaahh!" Nue screams in a panic having been caught off guard by them.

But they are soon plummeting away with scorch marks on their heads after Izuku shot them with his blaster.

As Nue settles down, Izuku rolls his eyes and continues to shoot back at the rest of the swarm. "Yeah, good luck with that."

"Raghh!" Nue shouts in frustration as he dives between strange arches and purple slime-like webbing. "Just great! I knew you were gonna get me killed!"

Izuku blinks back at him, confoundedly. "Me?! How is this my fault?!"

"It just is!"

Izuku growls in frustration, grinding his teeth together while shaking his head at the stupidity of it all. "I can't believe this! It was always like this! You always dragged me into these kinds of messes!" He shakes his head, trying to make sense of it all. "Why did I stay with you as long as I did? I swear we've been here before!"

Nue mockingly smirks back at him. "Oh, we have. And I specifically remember saving your ass. Hm, too bad. If I knew now back then I probably wouldn't have."

Izuku scowls back at him. "First of all, I'm pretty sure I saved you. And secondly," He pauses in order to shoot down a few more Nullvoiders before turning back to Nue and coldly stating. "I feel the exact same way."

The two glare at each other with intense sparks clashing between them.

Nue breaks the glaring match but not without throwing an insult back at the teen. "Dickwad."

Izuku scowls back before muttering out one of his own. "Poser."

"Asswipe!"

"Scuzzball!"

"Teacher's Pet!"

"Delinquent!"

"Mama's Boy!"

"Freak Show!

"BROCCOLI HEAD!"

[FLASHBACK]

"Broccoli Head! Yo, Broccoli Head!"

While walking along the sidewalk, Izuku shyly pokes his head out from behind his Hero notebook. He oh so badly wants to shrink in on himself and disappear. "H-Henchan. I told you to stop calling me that."

A non-mutated Henzu Uuichi runs up from behind, throwing his arm over Izuku's shoulders and bookbag.

The two are wearing the exact same dark uniform albeit Henzu ditched the jacket a while ago and his collared shirt remains unkempt and untucked.

Henzu laughs while ruffling Izuku's messy green hair. "Hahaha! And I told you to stop calling me that kiddy nickname."

"R-right, s-sorry!" Izuku embarrassingly blushes, trying to shove Henzu's arms away. "It just slipped out."

"Eh, whatever." Henzu lets him go, leaning back while shoving his hands into his pockets. "So it's the weekend. What are you gonna do?"

Izuku shyly rubs his left arm, tracing his hand over his bare left wrist. "I…I don't know. I mean, there were some new videos of All Might that I need to catch up on. I also need to study for the test next week. Oh, and I'm supposed to help clean my neighbor's place after I, erm, scratched his car." Well more like dented it with his bike, but hey Kacchan was chasing him he didn't have time to brake in time! "Oh, but first I was gonna walk around downtown! There's rumors that All Might was spotted in the area. Can you believe it? All Might! I can't wait! I really hope I can-"

"Dude." Henzu tires and fails to hold back the mockery in his voice. "You have got to get a life."

'Ouch. He couldn't have put that any nicer, could he?'

Henzu smirks while thinking up a really fun idea. "Tell you what? Why don't I take you sightseeing today?"

Izuku frowns while tucking his notebook back into his oversized schoolbag. "Sightseeing?"

"Yeah, of the city."

"Um, I don't think I need to. I mean I live here."

"I know that dumbass." Henzu mocks in a playful and not at all hurtful manner. "But trust me you ain't ever seen anything like what I'm about to show ya."

Izuku suddenly becomes very nervous, turning away and trying to leave quickly. "Henzu, I don't think-"

Henzu grabs him by his bare left wrist and spins him around. "We're going!"

Izuku gasps. "We are?!"

"Yup! Right now!" Henzu grins while dragging Izuku along by his bare left arm.

"H-hey, wait! I-I haven't said yes yet! And I should really text my mom and let her know-"

"Don't worry! I'll make sure you get back by your bedtime. Trust me, I'd hate to see Momidoriya worry."

"Could you stop calling her that?"

"What? Why? It fits her so well though."

"Can you at least tell me where we're going?"

"Nope! It's a surprise."


Izuku glares unsurprisingly at the scenery before him, not impressed at all by Henzu's little stunt. "Well you were right, this is a surprise. A really bad surprise."

The surprise being that they'll be doing some sightseeing in the bad part of town. Where heroes and police never go, allowing all sorts of bad guys to take over and have their run of the place.

Henzu laughs while leading Izuku through a boarded-up foxhole in a chain link fence. They slip through finding themselves in a gated parking lot that's filled with piles of junk, tires, and trash. Lining the parking lot are rows of green moving trucks and vans all with the same logo that reads "Trust A Bro" moving company.

Izuku shudders as they slip between the trucks, making their way to the main building that looks more abandoned than being used for a moving company.

Henzu chuckles as he leads Izuku to a locked door, he kneels down and pulls out a lock pick and begins tinkering with the lock. "What are you talking about? This is great! Ever heard of urban exploring?!"

Turning away, Izuku mumbles to himself. "Ever heard of common sense?"

"What was that?"

Izuku jolts up as if he was caught red handed. "I-I said what are we gonna do now?"

"We're gonna have some fun." Henzu smirks as he unlocks the door. He gets up and swings it open before stepping back and gesturing for Izuku to step inside. "Age before beauty."

"But you're older than me."

"Just get in here!" Henzu laughs, shoving Izuku inside, before stepping inside himself and shutting the door behind them.

As the door shuts closed, the gate leading into the parking lot slides open and a roar of an engine can be heard. And then through the gate a Dodge Challenger with a faded-maroon coloring rolls in and screeches to a halt just in front of the door.


Izuku fearfully sneaks through the buildings, which appears to be a sort of factory warehouse type place. "What's in here?"

"Shh!" Henzu shushes him as they sneak between the machinery and crates. "Keep it down." He also gestures for Izuku to keep his head low.

Izuku gulps, nervously in response. "Henzu…?"

Henzu smiles confidently. "Just stay quiet. And trust me."

He leads Izuku further into the building until they come upon a set of narrow industrial stairs leading up to the second level which has an open floor design allowing anyone who's up there to peer down to the first floor unobstructed.

They slowly crawl their way up the staircase, making sure not to make a sound.

Izuku's fears grow with every step especially as they reach the top of the steps, leading to the second level that overlooks the first. "Henzu… What are we doing here?"

Henzu smirks as he leads Izuku over towards the edge so they can look down towards a section of the ground floor. "You'll see." He waves for Izuku to come over and look.

Izuku slowly approaches, making sure to hide behind a pile of boxes along with Henzu before they both peer down towards the ground floor.

Peering down they find about three thugs in red tracksuits milling about a large table that's filled to the brim with antiques, jewelry, and cash.

The three thugs look to be celebrating a recent heist as they file through the antiques and jewelry. "Bro. Take a look at all this loot!"

"I know, bro!"

"Haha! Who knew antique stores had such expensive shit inside? Haha!"

There is a kick and a slam as the door swings open and slams against the wall.

And walks in is a young man in his early/mid-twenties but despite his age the other thugs quickly settle down, indicating his authority. The young man has long brunette hair, he's tall with a very muscular build hidden underneath his unzipped red tracksuit. Underneath he wears a black sleeveless shirt with a large skull on it.

The obvious thug Leader smirks down at his cronies and warns. "Careful with the goods, bro. The Boss won't be too happy if we broke the merchandise."

The biggest of the thugs quickly puts down the antique vase he was admiring. "Right-Right, sorry bro."

"It's all good, bro." The Leader smirks, scanning the loot. "Now where is it?"

The scrawniest of the thugs quickly provides what he's looking for. "Ah, it's right here!" He hurries over and hands the Leader a small leather box.

The Leader smirks, taking the box and opening it, admiring the treasure inside. "Take a look, bros. With this we'll be rolling in the dough."

The third thug, who happens to be bald, grins down at the box. "Hell, yeah, bro."

Meanwhile, having watched and listened in on everything, Izuku whispers over towards his friend. "Henzu. Who are these guys?"

Henzu grins back, excited to tell him. "Those guys are part of the Tracksuit Mafia."

"Wha-" Before Izuku can scream Henzu covers his mouth with his hand

He holds his hand there, making sure Izuku won't give them away. "Yeah, I know. Cool, right?" He let's Izuku go before pointing back down towards the mafia members. "Just watch."

Back down below, the Leader's pocket begins to vibrate, and he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cellphone. His smile instantly vanishes when he reads the number on the screen. "Bros! It's the boss."

The other three mafia members quiet down as their Leader marches off to take the call.

"What's up, Bro?" He smiles, holding up the little leather box. "Yeah, we got it. Giran and his client are gonna be real happy when they see it."

His smile vanishes while his Boss talks in his ear.

Figuring this conversation is gonna be a while he turns and hands one of his thugs the box before turning away and heading towards a side room that he made into a makeshift office.

"Don't you worry, Boss. It's all in good hands trust me." He slams the door to his office shut and closes the curtains so he can take this call privately.

The three thugs are left there, dumbfounded and oblivious on what to do next.

The bald thug turns to the other two and asks. "Now what?"

The biggest of them shrugs. "Bro. Want to play Smash?"

The scrawniest thug grins in excitement. "Hell yeah, Bro." He puts the box back with the rest of the loot before they hurry off to play their game, figuring it'll be a while until their leader gets off the phone.

Izuku holds his breath as the thugs hurry away. Once they're gone his eyes trail over the loot and lock onto the mysterious leather box. "W-what do you think is in there?"

His bad influence of a friend grins mischievously. "Only one way to find out."

Izuku suddenly becomes very nervous. "H-Henzu, wh-why are we even here?"

"Okay, I'll be honest with you. I'm not here out of fun but cause I got a job."

"You have a job?!"

"Well sort of, look I got a contact or a friend who works with these guys from time to time. But when he heard these guys were gonna pull off a big heist he hired me to take a little cut of their pie if you know what I mean."

Izuku gasps in horror. "Henzu, that's terrible! You're essentially a criminal! A thief!"

Henzu shrugs, giving Izuku a coy look. "Is it really a crime if I'm stealing from criminals, though?"

"Y-yes…! Maybe… I don't know! But we shouldn't be here!"

"Relax. You worry too much." Henzu smiles on like there's not a problem, getting up and moving back towards the stairs.

"W-where are you going?!"

"I told you already." Henzu smiles as he reaches the stairs.

"But you'll be a criminal!"

"And you'll be an accomplice so let's keep this between us, okay?"

Izuku shrinks back, lowering his head in defeat. "Okay…"

"Ehehe." Henzu chuckles as he quietly slides his way down the steps. "Don't worry I'll make it up to ya. Promise."

Promise or not, it still doesn't make Izuku feel any better about this.

Henzu sneaks his way down and through the clutter of machines, boxes, and crates until he finally reaches the table holding all the loot and antiques. He grins greedily down at all the jewelry and cash but instead he directs his attention over towards the little leather box.

Figuring that it must be worth more than everything else if the mafia were so focused on it. He takes it, holding it in his clutches like it's a precious treasure.

"Jackpot." Greedily, he slowly moves to open the box and see exactly what kind of priceless gem or jewelry is inside.

"Bro."

Henzu freezes in place, his dumb grin glues to his face due to horrifying shock. He shakily rotates around to find the mafia's Leader staring back at him with a confused yet pissed off look on his face.

The Leader raises an eyebrow down at the kid, his eyes darting from the box. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"Um, nothing."

The Leader frowns while folding his arms. "You gotta do better than that, bro."

Henzu sighs, playing along and acting like he's already given up. "Yeah, you're right." He leans over, propping his hand down on the oak table while activating his Quirk, Osmosis. "Then how about I try THIS!" He swings his wooden fist up right into the Leader's chin, knocking him back!

The moment the Leader is hit and stumbling back Henzu takes off for the door, crashing his way through the crates and boxes, knocking them over in order to cover his own path!

Izuku gasps, cowering in fear as he's left behind.

The Leader grips his aching chin and shouts. "Bros! Get him!"

The other thugs, having heard the commotion, scramble to their feet and move to chase after the teen. When suddenly heavy boxes drop down from the sky, knocking them to the ground!

They groan and hiss in pain, while their Leader peers up and spots a scrawny green-haired junior high student backing away from the edge of the second level.

As he's running to the door, Henzu spins around and calls out to Izuku. "Run for it, Iz-er, I mean, Green! Run!"

Izuku instantly takes off the moment Henzu darts out yelling. "O-okay!"

He runs over to the opposite wall and peers down over the ledge to a stack of crates. Summoning his courage, he hops over the railing and onto the pile. He quickly moves to climb down but slips falling backwards towards the ground. "Aaahh!"

He lands with a heavy oof in Henzu's waiting arms. "I got ya! Now let's move it!" he drops Izuku on his feet and takes off with the greenette hit on his heels.

"Hey! Get back here!" The Leader and his thugs shout as they scramble over all the fallen crates and junk. "There's nowhere you can hide, bro! We'll find you!"

Henzu and Izuku burst through the door and make a beeline through the parking lot. They race past the vans and trucks and even a faded Dodge Charger that instantly catches Henzu's eye. He even slows down just enough to admire it some before taking off again after Izuku.

The two make it to the fox hole, tossing aside the boards and slipping through the fence and into the street before taking off in a full sprint away from the mafia hangout.

Meanwhile, the Tracksuit mafia members burst through the door as well, but they don't see the kids anywhere.

The Leader glares into the distance, upset and frustrated that they got away with the loot. "Bros." he turns to his cronies and asks. "Who thought it'd be a better idea to play videogames than watching the loot?"

They all peer away acting innocent and oblivious.

The Leader grows in frustration. "Find those kids, bros." He reaches into his back pocket and produces an old school revolver. "Or the Boss man's gonna sends us all to our graves."

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Skraaaaaeeeee…!"

The last of the Nullvoiders fly past and away from the maze of floating asteroids, shrieking off into the ever going distance.

Izuku and Nue lie down or rather up on a floating mass of land, gravity pulling them up and forcing them to stand upside down. Izuku pokes his head up over the rocks watching as the last of the Nullvoiders trail off into the distance. "I think we lost them."

Nue scoffs, poking his head up too. "You mean I lost them."

Izuku shakes his head at Nue's ridiculous claim. "Does that really matter?"

"Yes, because I saved your life!" Nue barks.

Izuku barks back. "It was my idea to escape!"

"I would have thought of it, eventually!"

Izuku lets out muffled groans, biting his tongue in exasperation.

While he's distracted Nue takes the chance to grab him and pin him against the rock bed.

"W-what are you doing?!"

"Truce over!" Nue explains with a cruel grin. "I just needed you to escape those monsters."

"Are you really that dense?!" Izuku yells, not caring if the Nullvoiders hear him or not. "Look around you! We're trapped inside the Null Void! A prison! A hell! Be reasonable! If you kill me you're killing your only chance of escaping."

"I'll escape."

"No you won't! Neither your powers or mine can break us out of here! We have to be smart about this! We need to use our combined intellect, skills, and power to break out of here!"

"Grrr." Nue snarls in frustration, hating the fact that both Deku and Vilgax have the same opinion about fucking cooperation.

"Now are you gonna let me go? Or are you going to kill off your only chance of making it out of here alive?"

Begrudgingly Nue lets him go.

"Ah, so he can think." Izuku mumbles, whipping off the dirt from his hoodie and pants. "Look, I think I have a plan."

The irritated Nue is quick to interject. "What percentage?"

"What?"

"What percentage of a plan do you have?"

"I don't know!" Izuku tries to come up with a quick answer. "12%."

"12%?! Hahahahaha!"

Izuku shakes his head in exasperation. "That's a fake laugh."

"It's real!" Nue grins, flashing his gnarled fangs and teeth. "Maybe I should go along with your plan. At least that way I can watch those things eat you alive."

"Maybe they will, maybe they won't. Either way we can't stay here." Izuku summons his resolve to stand before Nue and offer him an official deal. "So, do you want to get home or not?"

Nue stares at Izuku like he just said something rather stupid. "Are you really gonna trust that I won't betray you?"

"No, I'm kinda expecting you to. But if you're smart you won't."

"Hm. Fine! Have it your way, Deku. I'll listen to you but that doesn't mean I have to like it!"

"That's fine. I'll get us out of this one way or another."

"Whatever." Nue rolls his eyes. "What's your plan anyway?"

Izuku smirks, taking a moment to feel like the smart one of the two, especially since it used to be Henzu that came up with the plans.

[FLASHBACK]

The duo lean against a dumpster and wooden fence, both keeled over trying to catch their breaths.

Between every breath, Henzu breaks into a fit of laughter. "That was awesome! That was awesome!"

"N-no, that wasn't." Izuku sweats nearly on the brink of tears. "It wasn't awesome. It wasn't!" He shivers in fright just thinking about what those gangsters might do to them. "I-I should have just gone home!" Izuku peers over to Henzu who's still clutching onto the little leather box. "Maybe-maybe if we just return it they'll let us go?"

"Doubt it." Henzu frowns, shaking his head. "They won't let us just walk away. We know too much. And if it were me I'd want to teach the punks that stole from me a lesson."

Izuku shudders, collapsing to his knees in dismay. "They're gonna kill us!" he wails, tears gushing out from his eyes like a water fountain.

There's so many tears that Henzu has to shield his face from the splashes. "Calm down, you got nothing to worry about."

Izuku cuts off the tears enough to speak. "I don't?" He asks while sniffing.

"I'm not gonna ditch you alright. We've got each other's backs and as long as we do that we'll be just fine."

Izuku sniffs. "Are-are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure!" Henzu grins while helping Izuku to his feet, patting his shoulders reassuringly. "We got this."

Izuku smiles, feeling a bit better with Henzu's reassurance.

Henzu's grin suddenly turns greedy and excited. "Besides, we're totally gonna split the money 50/50 after we sell this thing off." He flashes the leather box like it's an unmarked check.

And based on what those mafia guys were saying that might not be too far from the truth.

He grins, moving to open the box and see what exactly is inside.

However, he hesitates as Izuku brings up a good point. "You won't be able to sell it if they catch us."

"Hm, good point." Henzu agrees while pocketing the box. "We'll worry about the sale value after we get out of here. If we can make it back to Musutafu they'll probably back off especially with so many heroes running about the place."

Feeling much more hopeful despite the dire circumstances, Izuku quickly picks up on what he's saying. "I get it! It's like a Safe Zone in a video game! If we make it back home they'll have to leave us alone!" he bows his head in dismay as some unfortunate points pop into his mind. "Too bad home is still miles away, it'll take us a few hours to get back on foot, maybe even longer if the Tracksuits are looking for us.

Henzu smiles in approval, agreeing with all of Izuku's points. "Now you're thinking like a criminal."

Despite Henzu's version of a compliment, Izuku shrinks in on himself, feeling very guilty and dirty despite not actually stealing anything himself.

"Chin up, dude!" Henzu slaps him on the back, accidentally shoving the lightweight forward in the process. "We may be better off than you think. Come on, I know a place where we can grab a ride. It'll be fine."

"O-okay-I guess…"

And so with Henzu once again taking the lead he heads east inorder to procure their ride. They slip through the alleyway, trying to keep off the main streets just in case the Tracksuits really are after them.

To which they are, in fact they never lost the teens, but instead hung back sitting inside the Leader's Dodge Charger that's parked just down the road between several other cars.

The Leader and his goons watch the teens slip away and disappear into the alleyway.

The leader smirks as they slip away. "They're heading east."

The biggest thug leans over from the passenger seat. "Should we tell the Boss?"

The Leader looks at him like he's insane. "Bro. Do you want to be the one to tell him?"

The thug quickly shakes his head in response.

"That's right." The Leader spins around so he can address the other two. "We don't say anything until we get the loot back. Got it?"

They all nod in response. "You got it, bro."

"Good." He turns around, starting the car back up and slowly driving after the teens.

The bald mafia member pipes up from the backseat, "Bro, shouldn't we grab them now?"

"Naw, bro." The Leader shakes his head as he races down the road, peering through the gaps in the buildings and sure enough spotting the teens working their way through the back alleyway. "Not until we know exactly how they found out about our hideout. Those little bros are working for someone. I know it. Otherwise, how else did they know about our loot?" He speeds up, planning to cut the teens off. "Bros, let's go crack some skulls!"

[End of FLASHBACK]

Izuku walks along the narrow winding trail before coming to a sheer drop leading into the red void. He peers up spotting another giant maze of rock and earth. Already having gotten used to the Null Void's strange backwards gravity, he jumps and rotates his body around, floating up and landing on the maze.

Nue watches him walk upside down before leaping up and joining him, feeling like everything just flipped and became right-side up again due to his change in perspective. "What was the plan again?" He asks more to annoy Izuku than anything else.

And it works as Izuku's visibly irritated by the question. "I just told you the plan like five times already!"

"Yeah, I know but I want to make sure I heard you right!" He smirks. "You mutter too much so I couldn't make everything out."

Izuku sighs in defeat, giving in and explaining the plan once again. "There's this guy named Kolar in here and he made a machine that was able to hack into the Null Void Projector."

"Which was that gun looking thing that shot us in here."

"Right. Anyway, if we find him or better yet his machine we might be able to do the same. Or at least be able to contact my Dad."

"There's just one problem with your plan." Nue gestures towards the vast open nothingness of ethereal red. "How are we supposed to find a tiny machine in all this?! This place is huge?! I mean, it feels like it can go on forever!"

"I…have an idea about that."

Nue turns to see Izuku taking off his hoodie. "Why are you stripping?" Izuku blushes in embarrassment. "I'm not stripping! J-just take this!" He holds out his hoodie for Nue to take.

Nue takes it, taking note of how surprisingly comfy it feels. 'It's so warm but it breathes. It must have been expensive.'

"I fought Kolar recently, like right before you came crashing in and attacking us." Izuku explains while dialing up the appropriate alien. "So, I was thinking that his scent might still be lingering on me."

"Lingering on you? So… did you kick his ass, or did he kick yours?"

Izuku quickly turns away so Nue can't see the truth written on his face. "I-I'd like to think that I kicked his!"

Despite having his back to Nue, Nue can tell that he's bullshitting him.

"N-never mind, just hold up the hoodie after I transform!"

"And what exactly are you gonna transform into?" Izuku smirks back at Nue. "Cannonbolt's not the only new guy on the team, you know. So, Nue say hello to Wildmutt!"

He slams down on the Omnitrix and transforms and much to his delight he actually turns into Wildmutt.

"Raggh! Raggh!" Wildmutt yaps in delight, sticking his tongue out and panting with glee at being the right alien.

"Ha ha!" Nue laughs! "You really are a little bitch!"

"Raggh!" Wildmutt barks in protest.

"Here." Nue holds out the hoodie for Wildmutt to sniff. "I hope this works, for your sake."

Wildmutt leans in and gives the hoodie a good sniff. And upon the first whiff he quickly regrets not washing this thing all summer. He meant to but he always forgot to take it off whenever they stopped off at a laundromat. Because right now it reeks of all sorts of scents both familiar and strange. He can sense something that smells a lot like caramel, then there's the distinct odor of swamp water and rotting fish, followed by greasy oil, a lot of smoke with a hint of car exhaust, and some cheap perfume. And then finally after making his way through the web of odors he finds a strange unfamiliar scent that he can't quite place but it smells of sweat, laser fire, smoke, and testosterone.

"Arwooo!" Wildmutt howls into the air before taking off in a full bound.

"Don't you dare ditch me!" Nue shouts while sprinting after him. "Hey! Don't ignore me! Say something, dammit!"

"Arwooo!"


Back within the depths of the Mt. Fuji Plumber Base a patrol of Security Battle Droids are hard at work, tidying up the mess that Kolar and his antics left behind.

In particular, the older model of the Null Void Projector is a complete and utter mess. The control panel's been smashed in, the machine itself is bent and cracked in places while red sparks dance off its frame.

But none of that seems to bother the droids as they continue on with their respective task.

One droid in particular doesn't seem as content with his task as the others as he's forced to scrub away at the burned stained floors. ^Yup this is about the worst job in the droid security force.^

Much to his dismay a panicked Hisashi bursts into the chamber, sprinting across the newly scrubbed floor, leaving a trail of dirt and smudge behind.

^Oh, no. They're back.^ The droid groans while Chopper wheels inside while carrying Kraab on his head.

Meanwhile, Hisashi hurries over to the control panel and scrambles to try to get it to work again but a red spark zapping his finger deters him. "Dammit!" he slams his fists into the already busted system.

He spins around calling out to the security droids. "Hey, what happened to the Projector?!"

One of the droids stops sweeping in order to answer. ^Apparently the convict known as Kolar sabotaged the system.^

Another droid quickly chimes in from the background. ^He also smashed it!^

The first droids shrugs. ^I mean it was kind of obvious, right?^

^It was to me.^

Hisashi groans at their lack of usefulness. "Chopper, what do you think? Can you fix it?"

Chopper wheels over and gives Hisashi a very dower shake of his head. ^Wa wa-wop wa.^

Hisashi looks visibly dejected in response to Chopper's answer. "Yeah, you're right. Not even you can fix this on your own."

Kraab too seems dejected, feeling like getting Izuku back might be close to hopeless. "I…I can help too, you know."

Hisashi appreciates the offer, but they'll need more than a cyborg "I know but it won't be enough."

The doors to the chamber slide open once again and 2 in-a-half voices call out with rather cheerful demeanors minus one, however.

"Oh, my it appears we may have stumbled into a rather depressing scene."

^That's not good. We should cheer them up!^

^Or not… Cheering up others sounds exhausting.^

Kraab spins around first and wonders aloud. "Who's the rat?"

"Hahaha! I am no rat! Or maybe I am! Who knows?! But I can tell you that I am the one and only Principal Nezu!" Principal Nezu laughs gleefully at Kraab's confused face.

^One-One is here too!^ One-One cheers from beside him before Sad-One quickly takes over with a depressing sigh. ^But I don't want to be…^

"Magister Nezu?!" A hint of a smile forms on Hisashi's face as a sliver of hope begins to rise within him. "You're here already? Wow, that was fast."

Principal Nezu strolls inside the chamber, somehow commanding respect and authority among the Security Droids despite his chipper smile. "Of course, I rushed over here the moment I found out that one of my dear students was trapped in another dimension. I hope you don't mind but I did have to borrow your ship to make it here on time."

Hisashi waves it off. "Listen, I don't care what you have to do or take as long as it gets me my son back then I'm okay with it."

"Good. Because I will need to rely on you if we're going to do this." Principal Nezu then turns back to address the Security Battle Droids. "Everyone we need all hands-on deck, no task is too small or big for us. We need every droid in the facility here and now."

The droids stand at attention and salute in response. ^Roger, Roger!^ They hurry off either back to their tasks or to go gather up the rest of their brothers.

With a chance of a rescue now in their sights, Hisashi turns towards the Null Void Projector with his head high and full of hope. 'Hang on Izuku we're coming to get ya.'

He turns just in time to see a Security Battle Droid hand over a small box to another one of the bots. ^Take this upstairs and be sure not to drop it.^

The carrier droid turns to walk away but immediately trips, tossing the package into the air. ^Wo-woah! Ow!^ He yelps as the box bounces off his head.

The still standing droid shakes his head in disbelief. ^Those 631s are not the brightest lights on the ship."

Hisashi sweatdrops at their antics, feeling like his chance at getting his son back might slip through their fingers. 'It…might just take a while though.'


"Rawr! Rawr! Raggh!" Wildmutt barks and growls while traversing the Null Void with such agility and speed. "Rawr!" He roars, following the faint yet growing scent trail with his nostrils flaring and tongue hanging out.

"Wait up will ya?!" Nue shouts using XLR8's speed to catch up. "Where are you even taking us?!"

While still in a full sprint, Wildmutt tries to respond. "Rawr! Rawr! Raggh!" He leaps high into the air landing atop a floating labyrinth of earth before taking off again.

Nue jumps after him with an infuriated scowl. 'God dammit Deku, fucking talk to me! Do you have any idea how hard it is for me not to be freaking out right now?!' In fact if he still had the ability to sweat he'd be sweating buckets just from looking at the endless red void. 'This is insane! And not the good kind. Look around! You were right, this place is a living hell!' He's even 50% certain that he saw some DOOM-looking Imps and Cacodemons running around a few miles back. 'What the hell has my life become?! First aliens and now other dimensions? What's next, time travel?' God he sure hopes not.

But he doesn't dwell on it for long as he continues to sprint along, following behind the hound that is Wildmutt. The transformed Izuku strides through the Null Void with such ease and confidence. Sprinting along and leaping bounds with such drive and determination.

Nue frowns, watching Wildmutt run off ahead. 'For real how are you so calm right now? How can you even think straight? You were never like this back then… I was the one that always had to bail your scrawny ass out of trouble. More or less anyway…. I guess you really have changed.' As they run, he glances down at his own transformed body which quickly resummons his frustrations and anger. 'But so have I, Deku. So have I.' He sprints across the meteor even faster, aiming to show up the drooling mutt. 'You may not need me! But I've never needed you Deku! I'll never need anyone again! You hear me?!'

However what Vilgax said before reenters his mind like a terrible bee sting to the brain: '"One soldier cannot win a war; it takes an army. You are a soldier, and these are your comrades. With all of your combined intellect, skills, and adaptability along with your tenacity and versatility there won't be force on Earth that can stop us."'

And then there's what Deku said too: '"We need to use our combined intellect, skills, and power to break out of here!"'

'They're both crazy.' Nue thinks with a frustrated grimace. 'They don't know what they're talking about. But I'll show em. I'll show em all that ain't nobody can walk all over Henzu Uuichi! Nobody!'

He roars out, airing his frustrations. "Dammit, Deku can you at least tell me what's going on?! Where in the actual hell are we even going?! Huh?!"

"Ragh?" Wildmutt skirts to a stop, rotating his head around back towards Nue.

They both stare at each other, Nue awaiting a response while Wildmutt eyelessly stares back.

And then the Vulpimancer breaks into a cocky smirk as if to mockingly say: Oh, now you want to listen to me?

"Shut up!"

"Grgrgrgr!" Wildmutt snickers to himself, preparing to take off and follow the trail again as Nue catches up to him.

But then off in the near distance he picks up a new yet similar scent to his own, along with the sound of claws slowly, cautiously dragging along the dirt.

"Grrrrr." Wildmutt lowers down, listening in carefully for any signs of danger.

Nue smirks down at Wildmutt's changed demeanor. "Hey what's the matter, now? Cat got your tongue?"

"Grrrrr!" Wildmutt's back bristles up, his quills standing on end as the strange similar smells begin to waft in from all sides.

Nue instantly picks up on the signs and peers up, his arm becoming a blade as his tendrils and claws stand at the ready. "What's out there?"

"Grrrrr!"

They stand at the ready, fangs bared and claws ready with every second Wildmutt becomes more and more on edge. And as a result making Nue more and more on edge himself.

As they hold their breaths and listen, they can both make out the sounds of heavy beastly breathes and growls, quietly echoing out from behind the jagged rock fields surrounding them.

And then just as they're both about to lose it and make a run for it, they appear.

"Grrrrrrrr."A pack of feral Vulpimancers with blue-mutated fur and long slender tails stalk forward from behind the rocks and shadows. Each of them growling and hissing as they surround the intruders that dare encroach on their territory.

"More mutts?" Nue scoffs, smirking down at what he thinks is a cowering Wildmutt. "This what you were worried about? Sheesh, what a scaredy cat." He relaxes, nudging Wildmutt forward. "Well go on, make nice with the other monster dogs. Haha!"

"Raagh! Raagh! Raaawr!" The feral Vulpimancers bark and roar into the air, airing their anger and outrage for the entire Null Void to hear.

"Grrrr." Wildmutt trembles under their fierce roars, but refuses to move, letting them know that he's not gonna roll over to the likes of them.

Nue backs away, suddenly realizing that this is no playdate. "Deku, what do they want?"

"Raaagh." The feral Vulpimancers bare their fangs, drool salivating from their maws as their long alien tongues lick at their sharp jagged fangs.

Nue braces himself as the pack begins to circle in on them. "I guess it really is a dog eat dog world."

"Grrrr." The feral Vulpimancers growl dangerously before what appears to be the alpha roars out and pounces towards the duo. "RAAAWWWR!"

[FLASHBACK]

"ACHOOO!"

Henzu nearly jumps out of skin from Izuku's unexpected sneeze! "Dude, quiet!" He harshly whispers back, peering up, making sure they weren't spotted or heard.

"Ah, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" Izuku begs, with a constant stream of tears dripping down his face as his knees buckle and shake with terror.

"It's fine. Besides, we're basically home free now."

Izuku snivels, wiping away at his face. "We are?"

"Duh, of course. Just look around you buddy."

He does even though he already knows that they snuck their way to a used car dealership. It's a little rundown place attached to a mechanic's garage with old makes and models lining the parking lot while a large glowing sign reads "Bigman's Cars" hangs high above the dealership.

"All I see are a bunch of old cars."

Henzu smirks at Izuku's naivety. "You see cars, but I see our ticket out of here." Pressing his hand to the asphalt, he uses Osmosis to absorb the ground and turn his own arm into asphalt. "Now which one do we want?"

Izuku nervously looks around for something Henzu would like. "What about that one?"

Henzu follows Izuku's finger over towards the end of the parking lot, where a beautiful faded-maroon Dodge Charger sits at the corner of the lot.

Instantly dread and uncertainty well up inside Henzu as he eyes the car warily. "Wait a minute, haven't we seen that car before?"

Izuku shrugs. "I don't think so?"

"Are you sure about that, bros?"

Henzu and Izuku freeze in place, both slowly turning around, their hearts dropping to their stomachs when they find the Tracksuit Mafia waiting for them from across the lot.

The Leader smirks while his three cronies menacingly wield bats and crowbars. "Sup, bros?"

Izuku quivers and shakes, unable to respond as tears well up in his eyes.

Looking like he might fall over, Henzu props him up from behind while trying to gaud the gangster.

"Sup?" He smirks, trying to be snarky. "Mind telling us how you found us?"

"We never lost you, bros" The Leader snickers, his eyes leaning over towards the green-haired kid. "You were easy to track down."

Henzu frowns. 'Normally, I wouldn't be but…' His eyes drift over towards the cowering Izuku, specifically to his iconic green hair and oversized yellow backpack.

"You bros got something that doesn't belong to you. And my bros and I would like it back."

Henzu smirks back, trying to bullshit his way to turning the situation into his favor. "Sure, you can have it back. For the right price."

"Price?" The leader smirks, amused and somehow not insulted by Henzu's daring offer, almost like he's impressed that the kid even tried it. "What, you some kind of businessman, bro?"

"I consider myself an opportunistic entrepreneur."

"Hahaha! Is that right! You got spunk, bro. I like that. But spunk isn't enough to save you."

In response his fellow bros snicker along with him, each one giving their preferred melee weapons a spin or a pat.

Henzu continues to smirk in a way that says he thinks the gangsters are nothing but an amusing joke. It doesn't really affect them as Izuku looks like he's one second away from pissing himself scared.

The Leader 's attention drifts back towards the green-topped pissant. "And what about you, bro?"

Izuku jolts up, terrified, wishing he could just disappear and fade out of existence. "M-me?!"

"Yeah, bro. I'm talking to you, Green."

"O-oh- I-I-I uh-uh-!"

Henzu smirks, stepping forward in order to defend his friend while still antagonizing the gangsters. "Hey! That's Mr. Green to you!"

Izuku jolts in surprise at the unprompted nickname.

"Mr. Green?" The Leader frowns, raising a questioning eyebrow towards Henzu. "And what does that make you?"

"It makes me…" Henzu pauses trying to think of something that would sound both cool and badass. 'Hmmm, but what?'

Izuku's mind is racing at hundred miles per second, his thoughts swirling around in a panic as his eyes desperately search for a way out. But with the gangster's question in mind, he locks onto a grossly pink-colored Elantra that has its hood propped open.

Thanks to his fear and panic he shouts out without thinking. "Pink! He's Mr. Pink!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The tracksuits break into gut wrenching laughter. "Mr. Green! And Mr. Pink! Hahaha! Bros! That's hilarious! HA!"

Henzu finally loses his smirk, replacing it with an annoyed and betrayed scowl. "Why am I Mr. Pink?!" He shouts, whacking still terrified Izuku across the shoulder.

"I-I don't know! It-it was the first thing I could think of!"

"Why can't we pick our own colors?!"

"Y-You didn't for me!"

"You are already green!" Henzu defends, grabbing at Izuku's head and shaking it around. "It's decided for you already!" He lets go, turning away with a fold of his arms. "Then at least make me something else. Like Mr….Purple. Yeah, Then how about I'm Mr. Purple?"

Izuku shys away, muttering under his breath. "I don't think it's a big deal…"

Even though he said it rather quietly, Henzu still managed to hear him. "If you don't think it's a big deal then do you want to trade?"

"I…I don't want to trade."

"See!"

Meanwhile, the Leader manages to pull himself out of his fit of laughter and redirect the attention back to himself. "Hey, bros. This ain't no god damn city fucking council meetin ya know."

Henzu and Izuku or rather Mr. Pink and Mr. Green quiet down with their full attention back towards the gangsters.

"Now listen up," The Leader snickers into his hand. "Mr. Pink. There's two ways you can go about this situation: my way or the highway." He slides his thumb across his neck as he says highway. "Now what's it gonna be, Mr. Pink?"

Henzu gives an exaggerated thoughtful expression as he strolls forward through the car-filled lot.

"I think…" He stands beside the pink Elantra, his eyes quickly locking onto the car's exposed battery. "I think…" He smiles, leaning down and touching the battery. "I'll take the highway."

Using Osmosis, he quickly absorbs enough energy to toss a bolt of electricity at the Tracksuits, blasting them back in an array of sparks and electricity.

"Aaaahhh!"

Henzu immediately spins around and shouts. "Get to a car!"

Izuku spins around and takes off, coming to a stop beside the same Dodge Charger. "What about this one?!"

The sound of cement smashing through glass can be heard, and Izuku snaps his head up as Henzu breaks into a crumby sedan.

"I'm not smashing a 68 Charger, come on!" He defends, unlocking the car and jumping into the driver's seat.

Izuku hurries over, sliding into shotgun.

He hits the dashboard repeatedly as the dazed Tracksuits wobble to their feet. "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!"

Henzu rewires the car after a few attempts the car's engine roars to life. "Hell ya, baby!" Shifting gears and slamming down on the gas pedal, the car races off and through the lot, leaving the gangsters behind in its dust. "Hahahahaha! So long motherfuckers! Hahaha!" He flips them the bird as they drive off.

In a fit of anger, the Leader roars at his goons. "After em, bros!"

They all rush over to their hidden green vans and trucks that are all labeled with the words "Trust A Bro" in big bold letters. While the Leader himself rushes over and slides into his 1968 Dodge Charger.

Meanwhile, the cheap sedan bounces off the curb and onto the pavement before racing off through the pothole littered street.

"Hahaha! Woah!" Henzu sticks his head out of the window, shaking his head and enjoying the wind in his face as nearly drives off the road. "Woah-Hahaha!" We're home free now!"

Gripping onto his seat belt for dear life, Izuku gives a terrified shake of his head.

"Oh, come on, that wasn't so bad. Was it? "

"Y-yes! Yes, it was that bad!" Izuku shakes and quivers, his knuckles turning white from holding the seat belt so tightly. "Also, since when did you have a license?! We're not even in high school yet!"

Henzu gives him a nonchalant shrug, acting like it's no big deal. "You don't need a license to drive a car."

"Yes. Yes, you do."

Henzu waves him off, acting like he's the crazy one.

Izuku finally relaxes enough to sit back, although he shakes his head in disbelief, while dragging a hand down his sweaty face. "I should have never come with you…"

Henzu scowls at him, offended by the comment. But his gaze softens upon seeing just how exhausted and terrified his friend actually seems to be. "Hey, man."

Izuku turns to him.

Henzu looks him in the eye and gently states. "I got your back."

Izuku blinks back, not expecting such a touching truth. But it's not unwelcomed as he returns it in kind. "And…and I got yours."

A genuine smile stretches across Henzu's face. "Hell ya."

He turns back to face the road, his eyes quickly checking the mirror as he does so. Upon checking the rear view mirror, he frowns before becoming visibly worried and pressing down on the gas harder.

The car jerks forward in response, throwing them into whiplash.

Izuku frowns, concerningly. "Why'd you speed up?"

Henzu tries to play it cool despite the fact they are going 80 km/h on a 30 km/h road. "No, reason. Eh eh eh-AHH!" He screams out as their rearview mirror is shot clean off the car by a well-aimed bullet!

Izuku flips around in response to the gunshot, and he is both shocked and terrified to see the Tracksuit Mafia chasing them down in their vans and Dodge Charger.

The Leader glares at them from inside the Dodge Charger with a pistol held out through his window. "We're coming for ya, bros!"

"They're gonna kill us!" Izuku cries out at the top of his lungs, tears gushing out in waves, and flooding the floor of the sedan.

"They'll have to catch us first!" Henzu punches it.

As the sedan races forward, Henzu peers back at the Tracksuits from the side mirror. He glares at them while challenging them. "Come on, bros. Show me what you got."

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Come on, bros! Show me what you got! Raaggh!" Nue roars out, catching two pouncing feral mutts by their throats before swinging them back and slamming them into the ground simultaneously.

"Raawwr!" One of the feral Vulpimancers leaps at Nue's downed form but it's bashed away by Nue's malleable tendrils before being blasted away with a jet of water.

"RAAAWWRR!"

Peering over he watches as Wildmutt claws and snaps at a trio of feral Vulpimancers.

The three beasts have the mutt surrounded from all sides, but Wildmutt's far more stubborn than they realized as the mutt holds his ground, spinning round while slashing and biting at them forcing them back.

"Raawwr!" Another feral beast charges Nue from behind.

Nue spins, slamming his tail into the beast, knocking it forward towards the trio of beasts.

The thrown Vulpimancer slams into one of his packmates, knocking them both away and giving Wildmutt the opening he needs to lash out at the remaining two.

"RAAAWWRR!" He roars, pouncing and pinning down one of the feral monsters before back clawing the other while growling for it to stay away. "Grrrrr."

Meanwhile, another feral Vulpimancer slams into Nue's side, knocking him over before he blasts it away with a powerful wind gust.

"They just keep coming!" He shouts as more and more of the feral aliens get up or appear from within the crevices of the meteor.

"Grrrr." Wildmutt growls in agreement, backing away from the encroaching Vulpimancers.

Nue backs away too until both he and Wildmutt are standing back-to-back while surrounded by the starving pack. "So, you got any more brilliant ideas?"

"Grrrrr." Wildmutt does not.

"Grrrrrrrr." The feral pack stalk closer, despite their prey's fierce struggling they feel so confident in their numbers and strength that they see no need to back down.

And just as they are about to charge in for the kill, they all freeze in their tracks, their heads snapping up and turning towards the same direction, out into the distance. Even Wildmutt's attention is snapped away, as he jerks up and looks out towards the same distance.

Nue frantically tries to figure out what's happening. "What? What's going on?"

Out from the far distance of the void, amongst the giant meteors and labyrinths of rock and earth, he hears it. He too can hear the rumbling of ground being torn through while a beastly reptilian roar echoes throughout the void, growing ever louder as it approaches.

"Arwoo!" Whimpering in fright, the feral Vulpimancers take off, sprinting past their prey with their tails tucked between their legs.

Nue and Wildmutt watch them off with odd, perplexed looks. "What was that about?"

"Ragh?" Wildmutt peers up towards the massive labyrinth of rock floating miles above their heads.

"RWAAAAAHHHHHH!" A resounding reptilian roar booms out from inside the massive labyrinth and a giant reptilian worm-beast shoots out of the earth. It's massive jaws filled with fangs so large that they can crush a truck. Its forehead is like that of a hammerhead's with giant red-eyes protruding out at the sides.

Nue is taken back at the sight of the giant worm as it dives in and out of the earth. "What is that thing?"

The whimpering Wildmutt shrinks in on himself. "Ragh! Ragh!"

And although he doesn't understand a word Wildmutt said, Nue still got the message. "Yeah, I don't think I want to stick around and find out either."

And so they both take off in the other direction, hoping to put as much distance between them and the giant worm before it notices them.

But unknown to them, it was far too late for that. The worm slowly raises its head, looking up or rather down from its topsy-turvy position and quickly spotting the fleeing Wildmutt and Nue.

But rather than roaring out and giving chase, it quietly watches them disappear into the distance. It hums to itself as if curious about the odd duo. And as its red-eyes linger over the strangely ornamented Vulpimancer, its left eye flashes to a purplish-pink color, and it remains that way as the worm begins to slither its away across the massive labyrinth, climbing its way down towards the duo's previous location.

[FLASHBACK]

Gunshots ring out followed by the sound of bullets piercing through metal and glass.

A crying Izuku holds his head as a bullet whizzes past his head. "Why did you have to egg them on?!"

Henzu flinches as his side window is shot apart. "It's called banter! And it's cool!"

"No! No, it's not! Aaahhh!" Izuku screams as one of the vans slams into them from behind. "Wh-what do we do?! We can't go home now, they'll find us!"

Henzu manages to slip the car away down an alleyway, drifting as he turns before bolting down the next road over. "I know! I know! Quick take my phone!" In all the panic he tosses Izuku a little flip phone.

Izuku frowns thinking to himself that this isn't Henzu's normal phone and that it must be one he uses for quote-on-quote work. "W-why?!"

"Just do it!"

"O-okay!" He flips the phone open. "Now what?!"

"There's only one number on it! Call it!"

"R-right!" He clicks the call button and waits, hanging on for dear life as the mafia's trucks and Charger crash through the street behind them.

It takes a few seconds before a guy's shrill voice answers. ["Aw, Henzu buddy-boy! Where are you? You're late! I thought you'd be here already."]

Henzu calls out from the driver's seat. "Hey sorry man! But we're in a tight spot here."

["Hm, how tight?"]

More gunshots ring out, bouncing off the sedan's sides.

["Oh, never mind, I think I get the picture."]

"Listen! I'm gonna try to make my way to the hideout but I just can't shake these guys!"

["I got it. I got it. Don't you worry. Just make your way over here and allow me to take care of the rest."]

"Thanks man! I owe you one!"

["One? You owe me several after this. Alright, gotta go I'll be there soon."] And with that, Henzu's unknown "friend" hangs up.

Izuku frowns, nearly dropping the phone when one of the trucks smashes through a mailbox while it tries to ram them. "Who was that?!"

"No one!" Henzu replies, keeping his eyes on the road. "Just a friend of mine."

Izuku gives him a very suspicious look. "The one that told you about their heist?" he jabs a thumb back towards the pursuing vehicles.

"Yup!"

More gunshots rang out after the Leader reloaded his pistol.

Izuku ducks down, nearly pissing himself as his head rest is blown clean off his seat. "How is he supposed to help though?!"

"Don't know!" Henzu leans over, roughly grabbing Izuku by his head forcing him to duck down lower. "Just keep your head down and hold on tight!"

Shifting gears he steps on the gas, forcing the car into overdrive.

But despite his speeding getaway the mafia's green van is still able to keep up, gaining ground on them as the bald driver howls with laughter.

"He's gaining!" Henzu screams after peering back at the pursuing van. He looks over to Izuku and shouts. "Do something!"

"Uh, uh, uh." In a panic Izuku looks around until he finally remembers that he has his backpack on him.

He reaches in looking for anything that could help and ends up pulling out a paper bag lunch. He thinks for a moment before an idea pops into his head.

As Henzu swerves the car past a garbage truck Izuku leans his out the window wheels scrambling to open the bag.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Henzu screams, fearing Izuku might get caught away in the rushing wind.

"This!" Izuku screams, tossing the bag back at the pursuing moving truck.

His lunch bag goes flying through the air, its continents spilling out and splashing across the truck's windshield in a gross display of chewed meat, rice, and sauce!

"Waaaahh!" The largest of the mafia members screams as he tries to turn on his windshield wipers but he only ends up making the mess even worse.

WHAM! With his vision obscured, he slams right into the back of a parked delivery truck, causing soda and chips to fly everywhere from the impact.

"Hahaha!" Henzu howls with laughter. "That was great!"

Izuku sniffs as he sits back down. "T-thanks."

"What's the matter?!"

"It's just that…I was saving my leftover Katsudon for later." He sniffs, holding back his tears despite the great tragedy.

But having the Leader's car slam into theirs from behind quickly snaps him back to reality. "They're still on us!"

"Hang on!"

As they come upon a fenced off construction site, Henzu swerves car right through the fence blocking the site off!

"Ahhh! Look out! Look out! Move!" Izuku screams as they race past construction material and standing girders. "Ahhhh!"

Henzu miraculously weaves in and out of the stacks of glass, boards, and cement without crashing into them once. But the mafia don't have just as much luck as the van instantly crashes into a pile of iron girders, forcing it to a stop while the Dodge Charger is able to snake around and continue its pursuit.

The leader smirks as he too makes it through the construction site. "Ehehe, good try bros."

Izuku pales as the car jumps over the curb and back onto the main road. "What is with this guy?!"

Henzu's head snaps up as he spots a familiar route up ahead. And so he turns the steering wheel hard, causing the car to drift before he straightens up and takes off through a narrow alleyway.

He speeds through but it's such a tight squeeze that he misjudges it, and they bump and bang against the dumpsters and trash lining the sides of the alley. Their clumsiness however clears the way, giving the mafia Leader more room to breathe as he chases them into the alley.

"He's gonna catch us!" Izuku screams, watching in horror as the Leader closes the gap.

The Leader breaks into a maniacal grin just a few more seconds and he'll have them!

However, as Henzu and Izuku race past an opened garage, a massive dump truck suddenly and without warning races backwards, slamming itself against the opposite wall.

"Woooaaah!" The leader slams both his feet onto the brakes, his car's tires screeching to a stop just inches away from crashing headfirst into the dump truck's side. "What the heck, bro?!" He shouts, watching on as the thieves' car races away into the distance. "Dammit! Rahh!"

Izuku peers back and a surprised grin stretches across his face when he sees that the Leader has been cut off from them. "What just happened?!"

Henzu breaks into a wide grin. "My buddy happened. Hahaha!"

Meanwhile, a rat-like being with spiky quills for hair and an orange jacket grins from inside the dump truck as he watches Henzu and Izuku escape. "Ehehe, like I said buddy, you owe me several for this."

At the same time, the groaning Leader watches on in frustration before he gets a call from inside his pocket.

He answers albeit tepidly. "Hey…boss. Listen, I lost the loot."

There's a disappointing growl coming from the other end of the line.

"I know, I know, boss! And I'm sorry but we had some rats messing with our operation." The leader peaks up as a rat-like person scurries out from the dump truck's driver seat. "But don't you worry, boss. I think I know exactly how to turn this around."

[End of FLASHBACK]

Nue and Wildmutt slide down the side of a floating mountain of rock and alien terrain before Wildmutt rams himself into Nue's side, shoving them both between a stack of rock pillars.

The two scramble behind the rocks, pressing their backs against the pillars while holding their breaths.

They listen out for the sounds of crumbling earth and a reptilian growl fading into the distance before they finally breathe again.

Nue stays pressed against the rocks. "Do you think it's still following us?"

Wildmutt's gills flare, sniffing the air, before he turns and gives Nue an unsure shrug. Sniffs. "Ragh."

"Great." Nue rolls his eyes before looking around at all the strange arch formations and pillars adorning the floating mountain of rock. "Ah. Even better, we're lost."

Wildmutt raises his head into the air, sniffing around for Kolar's scent. "Ragh! Ragh!" He grins, becoming excited as he bounds away.

Nue follows after him. "Are we close?"

"Ragh! Ragh!" Wildmutt reaches the end of the floating mountain, finding a floating mass of rock just meters away.

He leaps up, reaching out towards the floating mass of rock.

Midway through his jump, however, the Omnitrix flashes red and times out, leaving Izuku just shy a few inches from grabbing onto the floating mass. "Waaahh!"

Nue leaps up and over him but as he does he grabs Izuku with his tendrils and swings him over towards the floating mass of rocks. "Dude, that time out feature freaking sucks ass."

"I know! I know! But there's nothing I can do about it!"

"Right." As they land, Nue unceremoniously tosses Izuku onto the ground.

Izuku lands with a thud before propping himself up and dusting himself off while throwing Nue a judgmental look. "You could have put me down softer; you know?"

Nue smirks back. "Yeah, I know."

Izuku glowers at him but lets it go, not wanting to be dragged into another argument. "Come on, it's not far." He begins to lead the way up the vertical side of the giant floating mass. But he stops and turns back towards Nue holding his hand out as if expecting something.

Nue stares down at his hand confusingly. "What?"

"My hoodie?"

Oh, right, he forgot he tucked it away. "Here."

He pulls it out and tosses it over to Izuku who immediately pulls it over his head. He turns away, continues to the vertical walk while struggling to get the crumbled-up hoodie back on.

And so with his back turned, Nue takes a pause as his gaze lingers over his ex-friend. 'God he's so naive. It'd be so easy to kill him.' His tendrils slowly slither towards Izuku's back. 'He's distracted. No one would ever find him. And he's defenseless. It'd be so easy.' His tendrils stop short of even grazing the teen's aura. 'So, then why am I hesitating?'

Izuku stops as he can feel Nue's eyes drilling into the back of his head, he slowly turns around giving Nue enough time to pull his tendrils away.

Being none the wiser, Izuku blinks back at Nue, wondering what could be wrong. "You coming?"

Nue averts his gaze before giving him a curt nod. "Y-yeah…"

Figuring it was nothing, Izuku shrugs, turning his back again to Nue so that he can lead the rest of the way up.

'Why?' Nue thinks in frustration as he quietly follows behind Izuku. 'It would be so easy. So then…why?'

[FLASHBACK]

"Woooaaah wee!" Henzu howls as he parks the getaway car right into a large open-spaced garage with dim lighting and car parts all strewn around in a chaotic mess. "We made it! Hahaha!"

He parks the car, jumps out, and rushes over to close the garage door. "That was a riot! A riot! Hahaha! And the best part, we still got this!" He pulls out the small leather box from his pocket.

A shaking Izuku collapses out of the junked car, his knuckles bone white from gripping his backpack so tightly. "T-that was ter-terrible. I-I thought we were going to die!"

Ironically his face turns green, and so he rushes to his feet and beelines it for a nearby bucket where he proceeds to upchuck the other half of his lunch.

Henzu gags at the smell. "Dude, I know you're Quirkless but are you sure your Quirk isn't blowing chunks?" He turns away, walking off to grab something.

A teary eyed and sickly looking Izuku wipes away at his mouth. "I-I hope not. I don't think I'd like a power like that one."

"Here."

Izuku looks up to find Henzu offering him an unopened water bottle.

Henzu gives it a little shake. "Take it."

Izuku slowly almost begrudgingly reaches up and grabs it, opening it slowly before taking a sip. "T-thanks." He says rather curtly, averting his eyes away from Henzu.

Henzu frowns, he can hear the hint of anger in Izuku's voice but the cinnamon roll's too nice to let it show. But he can tell, he can always tell. "Listen man." Henzu starts as he turns away while shyly rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry for dragging you into this. If I had known that it would have gone this way I would have never brought you along."

Izuku blinks, taking a moment to soak in everything he's saying.

"I just thought. That it might be fun. It'd be me and you just have some fun." Henzu defends with a not-so confident shrug as he actually feels a little guilty for dragging the Quirkless Izuku along. "I went too far I guess."

"Yeah, you did go too far." Izuku somberly agrees. "I didn't want to be here. Someone like me…someone like me can't be here. I'm not like you or Kacchan…"

Henzu lowers his head, hating how Izuku's already putting himself down despite his own actions. "I know. That's why I wanted to bring you along."

Izuku snaps up at him in questioning surprise.

"Look I know I said I thought it'd be fun if you were here, but I also thought that "hey if this does go wrong in a fun way that is it might toughen you up."

That was his logic. And yeah, it's kinda messed up but to him it made sense.

Henzu leans down, taking a seat beside his friend so they can be at eye level. He drags a hand down his tired face before rolling his head over and telling Izuku how he really feels. "The world's a tough place. It likes to keep people that have nothing down. You can't let it alright. You have to stand up and push back anyway that you can. You hear me?"

Izuku does hear him. He does…but he's not so sure he wants to hear that right now. But even so the fact that Henzu was looking out for him does touch him. And despite the results he can at least appreciate the intentions.

"Bro, that was some real inspirational type shit right there."

The duo instantly shoot up to their feet, panicked and scared as they spin around to find the same Tracksuit mafia members inside the dark garage with them.

Henzu groans into his hands. "Seriously?! Again?! Dude, what's with you just popping into existence?! Seriously we gotta put a bell on you or something!"

The Leader chuckles at Henzu's rant. "After all the trouble you caused me, you're still mouthing off, bro? You either got guts or you're just plain stupid."

Shrinking away, Izuku mumbles under his breath. "It's probably the latter."

"Dude!" Henzu shouts, feeling betrayed. He shakes it off and turns his attention back towards the thugs. "How'd you guys even find us this time?! I know for a fact we lost you!"

"Oh, you did, bro. But your friend was more than happy to rat you out after we had a little man to rat talk." Talk as in beat the crap out of the rat until he gave up what the Leader wanted to hear.

Henzu internally yells out. 'Fuck you, Argit! I'm gonna punch you in the face next time I see you!' He takes a quick breath, preparing himself to do some damage control. "Listen…bro. Clearly Mr. Green and I are way over our heads here. Why don't we just hand this back to you and we'll all go our merry ways?" He flashes them the old leather box as an offering.

However, the Leader's response is the last thing Henzu wanted to hear. "No chance, bro. It's too late for that. You caused us a lot of trouble, bros. Now the boss bro wants to have a word with you both."

Henzu instantly turns stock white when he realizes what's about to happen. "Y-your B-boss?"

Izuku quickly picks up on Henzu's sudden fear, and as a result he becomes even more fearful and shaken. "Hen-Er, Mr. Pink?"

Henzu tries to play it cool but fails miserably as he cannot hide the distinct fear in his voice. "T-there's n-no need for that!"

"Sorry bros but this isn't up for bro-gotiations." The Leader snaps his fingers and from within the shadows of the garage more members of the Tracksuit mafia step out and into the light. Others pour in from the windows, smashing their way inside while others break in through the doors.

"You came into our turf. You stole our property" The Leader cockily smirks while shaking his head. "Not cool, bros."

Izuku gulps, hugging his backpack close to his chest as if it'll shield him. "M-Mr. Pink…what's gonna happen to us?"

The trembling Henzu looks over at Izuku, he debates telling Izuku it'll be fine but when in fact there's no way he convincingly tells him that it is. And so he tells him with full honesty that it's not. "Mr. Green. Um, what exactly do you want written on your…tombstone?"

[End of FLASHBACK]

As they weave their way through a narrow winding tunnel, Izuku stops as they approach a tall narrow entrance within the rocks. "This has got to be it."

Nue frowns. "How can you be so sure?"

"Look." Izuku points to the side of the wall where a strange alien symbol has been carved into the rock. "Kolar must have put these here to help him find his way back. And look at the ground, look at how worn down it is." The rock underfoot is smooth with loose dirt kicked to the side making a social trail for them to follow. "He must have gone through here a hundred times."

"Which means our ticket out of here is just around the corner."

"Exactly!"

They both break into wide grins before taking off down the winding narrow trail. In his excitement Nue leaps up, jumping off the side of the wall, and leaping ahead of Izuku making it through the exit first and into a wide-open valley. But the moment he enters he stops and turns back, grabbing the sprinting Izuku and throwing him back through the tunnel and pinning him against the wall.

Thinking Nue's attacking him, Izuku scrambles for his S.A.G.E. Gun. "What are you-Hmph?!"

Nue covers his mouth, but instead of attacking him, he holds a finger to his own mouth before harshly whispering. "Quiet! Do you want to give us away?"

Izuku frowns in confusion as Nue willingly lets him go and they both very cautiously reapproach the tunnel exit and find themselves before a nest of miniature reptilian aliens.

The miniature aliens are running about the place like some sort of hyper weasels or something or other. They have so much energy and mischief in them as they yelp and shriek at each other with their large circular jaws that are just lined with rows of sharp jagged teeth. Despite their size of about three feet they are quite bulky with stout bodies. Their skin is bluish-green all around with black claws and talons on their arms and feet which they happily use to tear apart all the scrap metal lying about the nest.

Nue frowns watching as the little hyper weasels tear into their meal. "What are those beasts?"

Izuku shakes his head, watching in horror as the beasts are clearly chewing away at a large device with satellite looking antennas protruding out of it. "Whatever they are, they're wreaking havoc on Kolar's machine!"

"They're what?!" Nue seethes, shoving Izuku aside as he charges right at the little Havoc Beasts.

"Nue, no!" But Izuku's calls go unheard and in vain as Nue calls the blue-skinned Havoc Beasts out.

"Hey, pudgy gremlins!"

The horde of Havoc Beasts all stop and turn towards the unwanted intruder.

"Get away from all that! You hear me?! Raaagh!" Nue roars as he throws himself right into the middle of the large horde.

Izuku shakes his head, slapping his own face in the process. "I shouldn't even be surprised."

"Raaagh! Hahaha!" Nue howls in glee as his fist and tail bash their way through the relentless Havoc Beast horde.

The Havoc Beast let out guttural high shrieks of outrage as they leap and claw over each other to get to Nue.

He bats and blows them away, but they keep coming like an unrelenting wave of claws and teeth.

*PZZZZZ! PZZZZZ! PZZZZZ!*

Green bolts of plasma stun and blast the little creeps away, giving Izuku an opening to run in and take Nue's side.

Nue smirks down at him as he catches one of the toothy gremlins in his Lodestar-like claw. "Decided to help out, huh?"

Izuku fires his S.A.G.E. Gun at the incoming beasts before responding. "I'm just here to make sure you don't smash what's left of that machine!"

"Just be honest. You wanted a piece of the action too! Didn't ya?"

Izuku huffs and turns away, focusing on blasting the creatures away instead of responding.

"Hahaha!" Nue chuckles at Izuku's reaction as he turns and slams his fists into the ground, generating a small wave of crystals to crash into a portion of the scurrying and shrieking horde.

The other Havoc Beasts that were not caught up in Nue's crystal wave let out an ear-piercing shrieks and howls as they thrust their heads forward and unleash streams of fire from their throats.

Izuku leaps back as the tips of his hair are singed away by the flames. "Woah! You guys got some gnarly halitosis!"

He quickly grips the recharged Omnitrix and transforms. Thus, allowing Water Hazard to take center stage.

"Here, have some mouthwash!" Water Hazard quips before he hoses down the fiery creeps away.

The Havoc Beasts clearly don't appreciate being soaked to the bone and as such begin to shriek even louder and breathe even more fire as they lunge and claw at Water Hazard's feet.

The Orishan backs away until he's standing back-to-back with his ex-friend and temporary ally. "There's no end to them!"

"I know!" Nue shouts as he electrifies a group of incoming Havoc Beasts. "Isn't it great? Hahaha!"

Water Hazard rolls his eyes as he produces a massive wave that washes away more of the circular jawed monsters.

As they fight, Nue breaks into a fit of maniacal laughter that definitely borders on insanity. "Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"

And Water Hazard is definitely thinking he's crossed the line of insanity already. "Just what's so funny?!"

Nue flashes him a dangerously gleeful grin. "I was just thinking that this is just like old times! Wouldn't you say, bro?"

While punching a pouncing Havoc Beast, Water Hazard does remember, shivering at the thought while a single tear slides down his cheek. "Please, don't remind me…"

[FLASHBACK]

"You know whenever I look back at this memory…" Tears threaten to spill out as Izuku whimpers and sulks. "I am going to cry."

"Hahahaha!" The Tracksuit Mafia break out into fits of laughter, each one jabbing fun and laughing at their captives' expense.

And why wouldn't they laugh? After all they got the two little punks tied and bound while riding atop of plastic coin operated kiddie rides. Fittingly they stuck Izuku atop a green dragon while Henzu was, ironically, stuck atop a pink pony.

The kiddie rides slowly sway back and forth as the twenty Tracksuit Mafia members bust a gut while laughing.

"Hahahaha! It's going and going and going! Hahaha!"

"Ehehehe! I love it, bro! Ehehehe!"

"Bro, look at Mr. Pink! Hahaha!"

"Where's your tough guy act now? Hehehe!"

"Big strong Mr. Pink riding a pony! Ehehehe!"

"Smile more! This is fun for us too, bro."

Henzu can only silently glare back at them as they got his hands bound behind his back with a layer of duct tape. And while stewing in his anger, he is busy plotting various ways to punch their teeth in.

Meanwhile, Izuku whimpers in place, shying away in embarrassment and terror with his hands taped to the dragon's head. His backpack sits just out of reach, discarded and tossed off to the side like it was nothing.

However, much to their relief the kiddie rides screech and break to a halt as the rides come to an end.

"Oh, oh! Again! Bro! Bro put in another yen!"

"We don't got any more yen, bro!"

Izuku is visibly relieved by the news. "Oh, thank god…"

Henzu, meanwhile, calms down enough to take in their surroundings. And with no big surprise it looks like the Tracksuits brought them to some abandoned warehouse. 'How original…'

Seriously, it's so standard with newspapers and tarps covering the windows, trash littering the floor, and moth-eaten couches and furniture strewn about. The warehouse looks like it was meant for chemical production as barrels of unknown chemicals and acid sit in massive piles and stacks all across the large building. There is also a second level to the warehouse, where workers used to climb up to in order to access the various machines for chemical production.

But despite all that…it's still just another warehouse.

"This is a nice place you got here." Henzu eyes the stacks of rusty, leaking barrels of hazardous chemicals sitting nearby. "Not creepy at all."

Despite his sarcasm being relatively good humored, one of the Tracksuits guys is constantly offended by his comments. "Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! You're kidding. I know you're kidding. So, don't kid, okay!" He's clearly irritated, and obviously feels very self-conscious about it as he rants on and on, coming up with excuse after excuse. "Because it was getting very hard to find a place. Now, all warehouses are being converted into lofts! So, how can I get something better?! Huh?!"

The biggest of the group tries to calm him down. "Bro. Bro. Bro."

The scrawny looking dude cuts him off, slapping his hands away. "But he's criticizing!"

Henzu rolls his eyes, but he's grateful for the distraction as he wiggles his hands behind his back. He manages to get his fingers to touch the plastic of the kiddie ride, turning his hands into plastic. And with that he tries to subtly cut his way through the tape but as the arguing gangsters settle down, he quickly tries another attempt to stall for time.

"Can I speak to your manager? This is like talking to furniture." He scans the crowd until he spots the same Leader guy from before with the skull t-shirt and muscular build. "You look like you got more brain cells than the rest of them." Henzu comments, drawing all eyes towards him. "Look, I get it. We caused you guys a minor inconvenience. But I mean you guys got what you wanted already. So, why not let us go? We keep our mouths shut about all this. And we all go our merry way."

The Leader chuckles softly, amused by the fact that the kid's even trying to pull one off on them. "No deal, bro." He grips the leather box in his hand, holding it up to admire it before stashing it away into his jacket pocket. "Sorry to tell you this but you two bros caused quite the stir around here." He turns away as if not wanting to tell them the bad news directly to their faces. And with an almost regretful hush he turns back and says. "So much so that our boss noticed."

All blood drains from Henzu's face as he gulps back in sudden unbridled fear "You're B-Boss?"

"Yeah, bro. He's on his way here right now. And let me tell ya, bro, he isn't happy."

Henzu smiles nervously, internally panicking in fear while still trying to talk his way out of this. "Well, I mean if I was in charge of a bunch of moronic dipshits like you I wouldn't be a very happy person either. Ha ha ha…ha?"

He's slow to realize his mistake as each and every one of the gangsters are now glaring daggers into his skull.

Izuku shrinks back, leaning over and whispering into Henzu's ear. "You're making it worse…"

"Yeah…my bad."

As Henzu sulks, the doors to the warehouse suddenly swing open. The Tracksuit Mafia instantly go quiet as they all shrink back from the looming shadow before them.

A set of heavy steps stomp forward, echoing out like cinder blocks being dropped to the floor. The crowd of terrified gangsters part ways, allowing a massive stone-wall of a man to march forward.

"Being robbed hurts. Not physically, but from what it does to your pride." As the wall of a man approaches, he glares down at the trembling teens, while speaking out in a deeply husky voice. "So, congratulations, boys. You two are the first to ever hurt the likes of me."

Towering over the captured boys is a brick wall of a man with a wide yet muscular build, and a mean scowl on his face. He has a cleanly shaved head, and his skin is as pale and rough as a granite. Heck he even looks like he's made of granite, since he has such thick stone-like skin. And despite being the boss of the Tracksuit Mafia he himself is wearing biker gang-like attire from the leather jacket, to the leather boots, and even a red bandana wrapped around his neck.

Henzu remains frozen before the man, his fear is so intense that he forgets all about trying to free himself and instead wonders if begging for his life is a better option.

The stonewall of a Boss glares down at the boys, leaning in close as if to get a whiff of their fear. "What's the matter, boy?" he locks eyes with the frozen Henzu. "You look like somebody just walked over your grave." His eyes then drift over towards the shaking and whimpering Izuku. "And you look like you're gonna piss yourself."

Much to Izuku's own embarrassment… he might have, albeit just a little.

"Do you know who I am?"

Izuku fearfully shakes his head.

"No?!" The Boss man throws his head back in an offended scoff, fainting being hurt. "Now I really am hurt. Did you boys really have no clue who you were stealing from?"

Izuku doesn't answer. But he's not sure because of the fear pumping through his veins or it's thanks to the little self-preservation he has telling him not to answer the man that can crush his skull.

But he doesn't have to answer as someone else does.

"Teppeki Hakaishi."

Silence befalls the warehouse as everyone's attention including Teppeki Hakaishi's, is drawn towards the scowling Henzu.

Henzu continues on. "You…are the mob boss of Musutafu. The invulnerable stonewall." Henzu glares back up at the mob boss with a look of fear yet defiance in his eyes. "You're Tombstone."

Tombstone's stone-cold expression breaks for a moment as he smirks at the kid's response. "That's right. And do you know how I earned my name?"

Henzu gulps, his hands subtly fidgeting behind him as he does. "I've heard rumors. The main one being you beat a pro hero to an inch of his life. And when he was recovering all, he could tell the police was that it felt like you were smashing a…tombstone against his skull."

"Well then let me clear up those rumors. They're all true."

The kids and even some of the gangsters gasp with fear.

Tombstone smirks at their reactions. "My Quirk, Granite. Ensures that no one can hurt me. It makes me invulnerable to bullets, fire, and more. Ha! Hell, I bet I could even take A Detroit Smash from All Might himself and still walk away." He glares down at the boys, eyeing them as if trying to figure out their Quirks. "And what about you boys?" He reaches out, grabbing the fake pony by the head. "Can either of you reckon that you can bare the same?" With one simple clench he crushes the pony's head to dust.

Izuku gulps in response, imagining if it was his own head.

However, Henzu just glares on, choking back his own fear. "Y-yeah, I recon."

Tombstone smirks down at him, finding his attitude amusing, like watching a growling puppy act like it's a guard dog. "You got stones, kid. I like that. Stones like that will get you far. Well, as long as you're not sent to an early grave that is."

The teens shiver at the clear and ominous threat.

"Listen here, boys. My gang's got a reputation to protect. If word gets out that two punk kids stole from us." He shakes his head at the thought. "Well, that'd be bad for business." He pauses, taking a moment to think before offering up what's about to happen next. "You boys got two choices, boys. Option one: we bury you both 6-feet under."

Henzu chokes back his fear just enough to speak. Or?"

"Or," Tombstone smirks. "you can work for me."

A shock courses through the boys as they double take at Tombstone's offer.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Henzu asks while raising a very questioning eyebrow.

"This gang needs some new blood. Especially some that's as insane as you two are." After all, they did try to steal from the mafia. "What do you think, boys? Think you can run with the big dogs?"

Despite one of the options being certain death, Henzu grins at the prospect of Tombstone's second offer. 'A job? With the Tracksuit Mafia? Not exactly the most well-known or respected groups out there but it can work.' He grins greedily as his mind races with all sorts of possibilities from drug dealing to shake downs. 'They'll be a great steppingstone for me.' Like a nicely set up staircase to walk all over of. 'I'll play nice for now, but I'll have all these chumps under my feet in no time. I'll make this gang my own. I'll do what I want! When I want! Ha! It's perfect!' He pauses before considering one other detail. 'But I'm generous and I'll make sure my right hand man's taken care of too! It'll be great! Right Izuku-...?!'

Henzu's mind goes still as he finally looks over and witnesses Izuku's horror-stricken face. He settles down, sitting back into his bonds as a feeling of guilt rides up inside of him like a twisting knot.

Tombstone slaps his shoulder, startling the kid in the process. "So, what's it gonna be, boys?"

Henzu takes a pause, his eyes darting around the room for a way out.

As they think, the gangsters all silently wait for their answers, even the Leader from before looks interested to hear their response.

After a minute or so Henzu gives in, letting his head hang down in shame.

He looks over at Izuku who shrinks back in fear at the look in Henzu's eye.

"Sorry, bro… But we ain't nobody's lapdogs!" Henzu spins his head back up, shouting right in Tombstone's face.

Tombstone remains unflinching while his goons are all stunned, gasping out in surprise. Although the Leader smirks, having to hold back a laugh at the kids' guts.

Henzu smirks allowing his cockier nature to take over. "We make our own rules! And ain't nobody tells us how to live our lives! You see me and him, we're outcasts. The freaks. The blacksheeps that just can't fit in. There ain't no one looking out for us except us." He throws a smirk back Izuku's way, trying to be reassuring and confident. "We've always got each other's backs, no matter what."

Despite the terrifying circumstances, Izuku is touched by Henzu's words so much, so he breaks into a tearful smile as snot and tears drip down his face.

In the background, the Leader smiles on, nodding in approval, impressed by the little bros' brotherhood.

However, Tombstone can't exactly get behind that kind of loyalty. "I admire your grit, I really do. But you made your choice. Boys!"

Upon his summons, the Tracksuits all gear up with bats, crowbars, and sledgehammers as they lurk closer towards the bound-up punks.

Acting like he's just dealt with trash, Tombstone turns away and begins making his way out of the crowd of Tracksuits. "Make sure you leave them where no one will find them."

The frowning Leader of the thugs gives him a curt nod. "Sure, boss bro."

Tombstone doesn't acknowledge him any further as he stomps his way back towards the exit.

The biggest of the Tracksuit Mafia thugs steps forward with a chain in hand. "Sorry, bros. But boss' orders." Despite the apology he is still flashing them a crooked tooth grin.

Nonetheless, Henzu responds with a nonchalant shrug. "Hey, no sweat man. I get it, it's just business." While he says that his plastic-skinned hands finally cut through the tape, and so a cocky smirk stretches across his lips. "So don't you take this personally either."

The thug frowns, totally confused by the comment. "What?!"

Henzu lungs out, grabbing the chain and instantly absorbing the metal with Osmosis, his skin turning to metal in the process. Before he swings his fist up and into the thug's face.

"Gaahh!" The thug gags in pain when his jaw is punched up towards his skull as a few of his teeth are spat out in all directions.

The other thugs gasp in shock when the biggest of them goes down.

"What?!"

"Yah!" Henzu leaps up, and when he does, he grabs the kiddie ride and spins around, tossing it right at the incoming thugs.

The headless pony slams into them, knocking them back.

"Time to go!" Henzu reaches over, using his steeled fingers to cut Izuku free of his bonds.

"Ahhh! Okay!" Izuku scrambles off the plastic dragon, tripping as he does and landing face first on the ground. While he's down he spots his backpack and with a fearful grin he scurries his way over, grabbing it and holding it close to his chest like it's a soft blanket.

"Stop lying around and start making a break for it!" Henzu screams, pulling Izuku off the floor by the scruff of his shirt.

"S-sorry!" Izuku screams as Henzu drags him across the warehouse and through the gauntlet of stumbling thugs.

As they run, they bob and duck their way through just barely dodging the bats and crowbars being swung at their heads. As they run Izuku scrambles through the contents of his bag, looking for something, anything that can help!

As they run the scrawniest of thugs leaps out, aiming to grab the kids before they can escape.

"Not so fast, bros!"

Amongst his panicked searching, Izuku grabs something that could help. "Waahh!" He screams, pulling out the item with his thumb pressed hard against the trigger.

A liquid orange spray dowses the thug's face, causing his eyes and nostrils to flare and burn. "AAAHHH!"

Henzu shoves the thug back and into the other thugs before grabbing Izuku and running. "Pepper Spray?! You had pepper spray on you?!"

"Yeah, w-well, I never got a chance to use it until now! Ahhh!" He screams while spraying another thug in the face!

They run right towards the exit where Tombstone stands, watching the mess of a fight go on with little to no interest. However, a trio of gangsters cut them off.

"Waaahh!" The two panic, trying to stop but they end up sliding across the floor and to the side where they both crash into a stack of rusting barrels.

The barrels come tumbling down, crashing against the floor, just barely missing the teens, and spilling out their green oozing contents all across the floor.

The acidic chemicals eat away at the floor, the splashes causing the thugs to scramble back in fear of having their faces melted off. Even Tombstone looks worried as he actually leaps back a bit avoiding just the smallest of splashes that would have landed on his boot.

While pulling himself free of the fallen barrels, Izuku pauses when he witnesses Tombstone's reaction, but he doesn't have time to think about it as he scrambles back from the pooling chemicals and incoming thugs.

"Wahhh!" Tears gush from Izuku's eyes, which splash some of the thugs in the face as he scurries back and away. "We need a hero!"

"Seriously?!" Henzu frowns, shaking his head in disappointment as he slams his metal fist into another thug's stomach. "Man up dude! Before they kill us!"

"HAA!" A grinning thug swings his bat down on Henzu's head but the wooden stick snaps in half upon impact.

Henzu turns, throwing a nasty scowl at the thug who shrinks back with a sheepishly apologetic grin.

While Henzu deals with him, one of the bigger thugs approaches the cowering Izuku with a cold cruel smirk. "Whatcha got, bro?"

With a gulp, Izuku slowly raises his fists, but he nearly stumbles over because of his shaking knees.

"Hahaha! Okay, bro." The thug leans over, lowering his head to Izuku's level with his chin out. "Give me your best shot, bro."

Izuku's fists shake and tremble like a pair of wet noodles shaking in the wind. As he's about to curl up and cry he eventually notices the heavy weight of his backpack strapped to his shoulders.

The thug grins smugly with his eyes closed and his chin out as he waits for the pathetic paper-soft punch from the kid.

"WAAAAaahhh!" He gags in pain when, what feels like, a bag of bricks slams into his glass jaw.

He goes down while Izuku jumps back with his swaying backpack in hand.

Henzu's jaw drops at what he just witnessed. "Dude, what's in there?!"

"M-my schoolbooks." Izuku admits before another thug lunges at him. "Waah!" He screams, swinging his backpack like a wrecking ball into the guy's gut.

"Hahaha!" Henzu laughs, leaping up and jabbing his steeled elbow into a guy's back before pushing him away. "Keep it up, man! Hahaha!" Henzu then turns towards the rest of the thugs, as well as Tombstone who is indifferently watching from beside the exit. "I thought you guys were a gang, not an afterschool club."

The rest of the thugs hang back and scowl, however, their Leader doesn't seem to care as he makes his way through the crowd. "Oh oh oh oh! The boss bro was right, you little bros got some real stones on ya." He smirks, leaning back and offering a fist bump to several of his goons. "Let's find out how much."

The goons grin back and return the fist bump, and upon doing so an orange glow illuminates from what appears to be their brains. The orange glow is so bright and ominous that it outlines the front of their skulls leaving an imprint of orange glowing skulls on their faces.

Despite the clear signal that something is up, Henzu still insists that he can take em on thanks to his steeled skin. "Bring it on, dude!"

Izuku shakes his head. "Hen-er, Mr. Pink, wait! I-I think he's using his Quirk!"

"So, what?!" Henzu charges in at full speed. "There's no way they're a match for my Quirk! Ha!" he throws himself up into the air, using himself as a heavy projectile with the aim of knocking these punks on their asses.

However, it only takes one of the thugs to reach his hands up and catch Henzu by the shoulders and hold him in midair without breaking a sweat.

Henzu blinks as the thug grins back at him. "WHAT!?"

"Rah! Hahaha!" The thug cackles as he spins Henzu around and tosses him aside, away from his friend, like he was a sack of potatoes.

Izuku yells out after his friend. "MR. PINK!" He suddenly freezes in place, shakily turning around when he realizes that he's left all alone before the mob of gangsters.

The Leader smirks at the kid's reaction. "Cool, ain't it, bro?"

"Is-is that you're Qu-Quirk?" Izuku manages to choke out through all the fear, his love of Quirks somehow still managing to leak out despite the impending doom. "It-it must be a support type. D-does it amplify other p-people's strength?"

The Leader whistles, impressed. "You got all that from seeing it once? Wow, bro, you're really smart. But you're right little bro." The Leader grins as he offers another fist bump to one of his goons, who returns it and his skull immediately begins to glow. "My Quirk, Fist Pump, allows me to give my bros a little boost. It gets them juiced, making them stronger, faster, and way more dangerous than normal."

To prove his point one of the skull-glowing goons takes the pipe he was holding and bends it.

Off to the side, away from his friend, Henzu listens in, sweating a little nervously at the sight. "T-that's cool. But can it make them smarter?"

The Leader actually chuckles at that. "Funny, bro. But let's see how funny you are after my bros and I are done with you."

The goon's all grin and smirk as glowing outlines of their skulls glow brighter and more ominous.

Henzu nervously sweats at the sight as he reaches down and absorbs part of the concrete floor. While Izuku trembles backwards while tears pool in his eyes.

The Leader breaks into a wide smirk before unleashing his gang upon them. "Face it, bros. You're in over your heads."

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Face it! We're in over our heads!" Water Hazard screams while trying to pry off all the Havoc Beasts that are crawling and clawing across his armored body.

Nue lands with a crash before he dowses Water Hazard with powerful jets of water that manages to wash away the swarming Havoc Beasts. "Would you quit being such a spaz?!"

Water Hazard wipes the water away from his face before throwing Nue an offended look. "I'm not a spaz!"

"Huh, yeah you are!" Nue laughs before racing off with XLR8 speed, ramming his way through against the swarm of creeps.

"You jerk." Water Hazard mutters before having pieces of scrap metal tossed his way.

Shielding himself with his arm he looks over and is stunned to find some of the Havoc Beasts tearing apart Kolar's large machine.

"Hey! Stop that!" He scares the shrieking Havoc Beasts away with a flood of water before he calls out to Nue in a panic. "We need to defend the device otherwise we're never getting home!"

Nue looks over just as another group of Havoc Beasts scrambles towards the machine. "Get away from that! Raaagh!" Nue jumps and lands before the machine, cutting off the terrified Havoc Beasts' path. "I'll kill you all! Raaagh!" He roars, scaring them so much that they scurry away out of fear.

With them gone he turns to check on the machine only to find its control panel and satellite antenna busted and chewed apart. "God dammit! Look at what they did!"

"It's not too late!" Water Hazard reassures as he slams his fist into several pouncing creeps. "My Dad knows we're in here. If we can at least secure a base, we can wait it out until he gets here." Basically, they need to be able to stay in one place and defend it until Hisashi can reach them…somehow.

"Okay, sure, but how long will that take?!"

Water Hazard ducks as a Havoc Beast lunges at his head before giving Nue a shrug. "I don't know! I'm pulling all this out of my ass! Now are you gonna help or not?!" He shouts as he blasts several of the Havoc Beasts away.

However, with everyone he washes away, more and more slide into view with hungry eyes and salivating rows of teeth.

Water Hazard nervously prepares himself for the fight, backing away so that he can defend the device properly along with Nue. 'I'm sorry about this Dad. But I promise I'll be home soon.'


'I promise I'll get you home soon.' Hisashi promises as he finishes pulling on his glove and the last piece of his red-cladded Plumber suit.

And with it he finally returns to the large echo chamber containing the old model of the Null Void Projector. Inside he finds patrols of Security Droids all hard at work on repairs like a colony of ants. And leading it all is their queen or rather their king, Magister Nezu.

Hisashi or rather Cinder approaches, making his way through the hurrying droids. "Have you guys made any progress yet?!"

Nezu turns to address Cinder while One-One, Chopper, and Kraab are all at work with welding and rewiring the control panel and nearby circuits. "Your timing couldn't be more perfect."

Cinder watches as Chopper places the last panel back onto the control board. "You fixed it?!"

One-One happily shakes his head/body. ^We sure did! Isn't it swell?!^ He then droops down in a sulky manner. ^Yeah, now can we fix the void that leads to a never ending pit of despair…?^

Everyone just stares in response to Sad-One's comment, before Kraab sarcastically rolls his eyes. "Wow. Aren't you a little ball of contradictions?"

^Thanks. I'm so glad you noticed…^

Ignoring them, Cinder turns back towards the white-furred chimera. "Magister Nezu?"

Principal Nezu offers him a reassuring smile. "Yes. This Null Void Projector is fully repaired and functional."

"Alright, then." Cinder takes his respirator and pulls it up over his mouth before turning his gaze towards the gates of hell. "Hang on Izuku, I'm coming for you."

However, Principal Nezu slides in and dashes his plans. "Oh, I'm afraid you won't be."

"What?!" Cinder cries out in shock, nearly falling over in surprise. "What the hell?! Of course I'm going after him! My boy's in there!"

"I'm afraid you miss understood me." Principal Nezu explains before turning towards the spherical bot. "One-One."

^Aye aye, sir!^ One-One rolls his way towards one of the nearby control panels where he hops up and plugs himself into a conveniently One-One sized port.

Upon entry a swarm of Plumber-standard drones fly in with white facades and circular, red-spotted eyes.

Principal Nezu smiles up at the drones before explaining their presence. "We cannot risk any more lives entering the Null Void as such we will use these drones to scout out and search for the dear boy."

"Brilliant!" Cinder gushes before pausing when a problem arises in his head. "Wait, but won't we lose their signal the moment the portal closes?"

Principal Nezu's smile turns dour in response. "Yes, we would. That is why we will not be closing the portal."

The sudden silence and fear is so palpable that one could hear a pin drop as even all the droids freeze in place.

And of course, it's Kraab that breaks the tension with a sarcastic comment. "I always knew you Plumbers were insane, and now I can say the rumors are true."

For once, Cinder wants to agree with him. "Magister Nezu there…there must be a better way."

"I'm afraid there isn't." Principal Nezu admits with a sad frown and somber shake of his head. "Your son and my student are trapped in there, and we need to do all we can to bring him home. I understand the risks, that is why I need you here." He needs Cinder here where he better serve the operation and help save his child. "With any luck he will find the portal before long. But we cannot put all our hopes in that alone." Principal Nezu then turns to address the rest of the droids such as Chopper, One-One and Kraab. "C1-10P shall monitor and take control of the Projector's systems. Meanwhile, One-One shall monitor the drones' progress."

One of the Commando-Security Droids steps forward. ^Sir, what about the rest of us?^

"The rest of you have a very important task." Principal states before declaring out to the rest of the Security Droids. "Everyone, we need all available droids and combatants here immediately. We need everyone to prepare a defensive perimeter around the projector. We must not let anything other than Izuku Midoriya through."

The Security Droids all stand at attention and salute. ^Roger! Roger!^

The patrols hurry away, sorting themselves throughout the echo chamber as they prepare themselves to hold the line.

Some of the Security Battle Droids however don't feel so confident about it as the others, though. ^I got a bad feeling about this.^

^Quiet! And get ready.^

^Okay…^

Using his one claw, Kraab throws himself onto one of the Security Super Battle Droids. "Mind if I borrow this?"

He doesn't wait for an answer as he's already hacked his way into the droid, taking it over and causing its eyes to glow yellow instead of red.

As Kraab's hacked body prepares its artillery, Chopper inserts himself into the control panel and waits for Magister Nezu's command.

Cinder grips his Amenonuhoko and gives it a roundabout spin between his hands. Through his respirator he controls a wisp of a flame to snake around and ignite the two ends of the spear, illuminating the ends in a red burning glow.

Even Principal Nezu prepares himself to defend the line as he takes up a massive white-metal blaster that's more akin to a bazooka than a gun.

Principal Nezu then nods his head and gives Chopper the signal. Upon his signal, Chopper activates the projector, summoning forth a massive red vortex before them all.

"Everyone, steel yourselves before the doorway to hell." Principal Nezu remains steadfast as the pull of the vortex whips about and animalistically demonic roars howl through from beyond the void. "And pray that any devil that pours forth, shall find themselves before God's judgment."

Upon his declaration, a green grotesque beast appears from inside the void. The monster's upper body slightly resembles that of a horribly mutated frog, with long muscular arms that are twice its own height with sharp black claws on each hand. Jagged fangs protrude out from the monster's black lips, while black crystal-shaped spikes extend out from its shoulders, all while being carried on stout bacteriophage-like legs.

The Wigsillian Org Beast unleashes a predatory roar as its hungry eyes settle upon the droids and Plumbers before it.

The Org Beast roars out as it charges forth with his claws swinging forward and a fiery breath plumes from its maw while an entire army of its brethren pours out through the portal.

The army of droids rattle and shake before the howling monsters, but Cinder summons his courage and throws himself before the beasts with his fiery spear being swung around him. "I'll send you all back to the pits of hell!"


"How are there so many of them?!" Water Hazard finds himself once again being swarmed by the nipping Havoc Beasts. "Let-let go!" He flails, thrashes, and kicks trying to shake them off. "There's too many!"

"Getting tired already, Deku?!" Nue laughs as he blasts away more of the Havoc Beasts with a powerful wind gust. "Come on, I already took out like thirty of these creeps!"

"Please, don't make this a competition!" Water Hazard whines as he shakes off and blasts away the Havoc beasts that were clinging to him. "And if it was a competition then I want to point out that I already took out like thirty-four of these guys."

A single Havoc Beast leaps up at him but Water Hazard blasts it away and into the rocks.

"Thirty-five!" Water Hazard corrects a little too excitedly.

Nue growls in annoyance before spotting more Havoc Beasts and frying them with an electrical blast from his tendrils. "Oh, would you look at that, I'm at 35 too."

Water Hazard glares back, sticking his arm out to the side and washing away five more monsters. "40."

The two glare at each other as their fiery need to compete takes over and they rush into action.

Nue slams his fist down into a pile of shrieking monsters. "42!"

Water Hazard sprints by and tackles his way through the aliens. "44!"

"49!"

"47!"

"53!"

"55!"

They both go in and blast away the Havoc Beasts with jets of water and electricity while simultaneously declaring out. "SIXTY!"

With that, the last of the Havoc Beasts go down, leaving both Water Hazard and Nue in sour moods.

"A tie." Water Hazard groans while glaring daggers at Nue.

"Dammit!" Nue's fist smashes itself into the ground. "Raagh! I want a recount!"

Water Hazard rolls his eyes at Nue's request. "Come on." He quickly swoops down and scoops up the torn off scraps of metal. "Let's…just start repairing this thing and get home already."

"Fine." Nue spits, using Lodestar's magnetic pull to gather the scattered pieces.

As he levitates the metal over his head he moves quickly and shoves past Water hazard causing him to trip and fall. "Hehehe, oops."

Water Hazard bites back his tongue as he stares daggers into the back of Nue's skull. 'Dad what's taking you so long? Cause I have no idea how much longer I can take of this…'


Meanwhile, back on Earth inside the Mt. Fuji Plumber Base.

"Magister Nezu!" Cinder screams as he flips into the air and delivers finishing strikes to several Org Beasts with his Amenonuhoko: Dual Burn. "I don't know how much longer we can take this!"

The Null Void Chamber is nothing but chaos, like a scene of hell spilling into their own world. Fires rage across the chamber and walls while monstrous Org Beasts and Nullvoiders pour out through the portal. The beasts claw and tear their way through the battalions of Security Battle Droids, leaving most of them in pieces.

^No! No! Ahhh!^

^There's too many of them!^

^But I just got promoted-Gahhh!^

"Hahahaha! Isn't this such great fun? Hm?" A deranged Principal Nezu cackles in maniacal glee as he fires off powerful laser beams into the incoming horde. "Hahahaha!"


"They must be so bored without me." Grey Matter mutters to himself as he rewires the inside of Kolar's satellite-like machine.

He's been at it for a while, first as Izuku helping with gathering the chewed up and torn tech and scrap and then after the Omnitrix recharged things really got moving as Grey Matter was able to put his intellect and diminutive stature to good use.

Also…it doesn't hurt that Nue actually knows his way around machines. Probably thanks to his background in mechanics as it was one of the few non-criminal things he liked back in junior high. And there's the fact that he does have a little of Grey Matter's own intelligence hidden somewhere inside that raging ball of muscle and spite.

"Put that flux capacitor in between here." Grey Matter directs from inside the machine.

"You got it." Without complaint Nue places the strange misshapen alien device inside the machine allowing Grey Matter to rewire it on the inside.

"There." Grey Matter claps his hands once the device is in place, sticking his head out up towards the top of the misshapen machine that's just a hotpodge of various alien tech all strewn together.

Stationed atop of the car-sized machine are an array of satellite-like antennas, one of which seems to be unaligned.

"Now readjust that antenna about 45 degrees up."

Nue's tendril slithers up and readjusts said satellite.

Meanwhile, Grey Matter takes a floppy-disc like device that's as thick as a dictionary and places it into the port located atop the machine. He then tries to shove it in but it won't budge thanks to the warped porthole. He even tries to jump on top of it to get it in, but he just doesn't have enough weight or strength to do it.

And so, with a defeated sigh, Grey Matter hops off and directs Nue over to the stuck port. "Here pound this in will ya?"

Nue swings back his fist and prepares to smash the machine. "Raagh!"

"STOP!" Grey Matter screams jumping in the way with his arms flailing over his head. "Gently."

Nue frowns, acting like Grey Matter should have clarified from the start before reaching over and pushing the device into the port with a single finger allowing it to slide in like a cassette player. "There."

"Perfect. Now onto the next part." Grey Matter prepares to walk away and start the next job but he hesitates, taking a moment to pause and glance back at Nue with a curious yet somewhat sorrowful look.

Noticing Grey Matter's odd look, Nue frowns. "What?"

Grey Matter answers him, not in a condescending or spiteful way, but one that's rather honest and somber. "It's just that when you're not trying to kill something, namely me, you can actually follow orders really well."

Despite the compliment of sorts, Nue still finds a way to be angry about. Taking offense especially after hearing Vilgax's words in his head again. "Shut up! Another word out of you and I'll squeeze you like a Panic Pete!"

Grey Matter angrily glares back but after a moment his expression softens to that of exasperation and pity. And with a look of judgment on his face he turns his back to Nue in a display of disappointment and annoyance.

Nue scowls in response to the gesture. "What was that?"

Folding his arms, Grey Matter continues to look away. "What was…what?"

"That look. That condescending look. And the fact you didn't say anything. What was with that?" Nue snarls, demanding an answer.

But Grey Matter shrugs it off, still refusing to look Nue in the face. "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

That was the wrong thing to say as Nue's irritation begins to spill over. "Oh, no. You're plotting something aren't you? Aren't you?!"

Grey Matter rolls his eyes in response, finding Nue's accusations off base and annoying. Because of course he's not plotting anything, he's not like that.

But Nue would beg to differ. "I knew it! You were planning on ditching me here after it's all fixed?!"

"What?! No!" Grey Matter finally reacts, appalled that Nue would think that he, a hero-in-training, would do such a thing. "I'm not you, you know! I wouldn't do that."

A part of Nue wants to crush Grey Matter under his fist but he holds back. "You're right. You're too much of a goody goody. Always were."

Instead of responding, Grey Matter finally turns to look at him with his arms folded and with that same disappointed yet judgmental look in his eyes.

"There's that look again."

Grey Matter frowns. "This look?"

"Yeah, that look." Nue growls, leaning in close. "What's with it?"

Giving in, Grey Matter sighs and tells him what it means. "I was just thinking."

"Thinking what?"

In response to the question, Grey Matter throws Nue one nasty scowl, one that's filled with mirth and disappointment in himself. "Thinking about how I could ever have been friends with someone like you."

Nue's insides boil while a sharp pain pierces his chest, making his insides twist and churn. "Yeah, me neither. I can't believe I wasted so much time on a scrawny ass wimp like you."

"And I can't believe I allowed myself to be dragged around by a braindead delinquent for as long as I did." Grey Matter turns away again, unable to look Nue in the eye anymore. "I am so glad I moved on."

"So, am I, pipsqueak." Nue turns away as well. "And let me tell ya, I much prefer my new…team over you."

"So, do I." Grey Matter glances back at Nue's monstrous form and spits. "Monsters should be with monsters."

"Yeah." Nue jabs his finger into Grey Matter's back, making the little alien stumble and fall. "I couldn't agree more."

Grey Matter glares back but he holds back his tongue as pulls himself back onto his feet. "Let's just get back to work. The sooner this thing is fixed the sooner we can be rid of each other."

"You took the words right out of my mouth." And with that Nue marches away to collect more of the machine's ripped away pieces while his insides still churn and twist with unfamiliar emotions and bitterness.

With him gone, Grey Matter is finally able to take a breath while massaging the bridge between his eyes. "Just take it easy Izuku. Just fix up this machine, boot it up, go home, and you never have to deal with another psychotic megalomaniac ever again."

A resounding boom followed by the crashing of rocks caving-in on each other explodes out from the entrance of the rocky valley. And standing atop the fallen rubble is the engineer behind their salvation, Kolar. And he is pissed.

"Get away from my device!" He roars, leaping down with an assortment of weapons and blasters strapped to his body, most likely the same weapons back from Plumber Base that got sucked into the Null Void when the portal was opened. He looks worse for wear, his body littered with fresh cuts and scrapes mostly gathered during his journey across the Null Void in order to get back here. But the most striking scar is the fresh laser blast located on his face as his upper right eye has been burned away by a well-aimed plasma bolt courtesy of one Izuku Midoriya.

Grey Matter screams out in terror at his sudden appearance. "Waaah! K-Kolar!"

Kolar's three remaining eyes scan the valley, and he quickly spots the Omnitrix's familiar design strapped to the little Galvan. "YOU!" He roars instantly, recognizing the symbol as part of Izuku. "You did this to me! Raaahh! I'll kill you for what you did! RAAAHH!"

Kolar charges forward, his desire for revenge taking him over as he pursues to smash Grey Matter into Grey Matter even if it means smashing his machine along with him!

However, Nue leaps in and catches Kolar's fists midair, holding him in place between himself and the machine. "Woah! Woah! Woah! Easy, man. I mean I get it, I want to squash the bug too." He shoves Kolar back, throwing him across the valley. "But if anyone's gonna off him. It's gonna be me."

Kolar rips out the BFG and Lancer. "Fine! Then you can die with him! Raaaahh!"

He open fires blasting an array of lasers and bullets at the two.

To shield them, Nue quickly produces a thin wall of crystals before he turns and shouts back at the little Galvan. "Shit, dude! What did you do to this guy?!"

Grey Matter sheepishly rubs the back of his head in shame. "I…may have sent him back here. Oh, and I may have blinded him in one eye."

"YOU DID WHAT!?" There's no way Deku would do something like that! And if he did then, admittedly, that's kinda badass of him.

"Hey, he was trying to kill me!" Grey Matter defends as laser fire continues to rain down on their position. "And he was gonna send other innocent lives here. I did what I had to!"

*BOOM!* Nue's crystal wall is blasted away into shards of glass.

Nue shields himself as laser fire begins to rain down upon them. "Yeah, well, now we gotta do whatever we can to survive!"

*BOOM!*

[FLASHBACK]

"Bros…?" The Leader stares in bewilderment at what he's just witnessed. It should have been impossible, so much so he's still not sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him. And if it wasn't a trick then it had to be one of the most impressive but also weirdest things he's ever seen.

"How?" That is the question. After all, how did these two punk kids take out all of his pumped-up goons without so much as taking a scratch themselves? "How did you bros win with just a water hose, a ladder, some pepper spray, and a banana peel?!"

Dangling from chains above is a terrified Izuku who clings to the chains like a monkey while a pile of gangsters lie unconscious on the floor below him. "H-Honestly, I-I have no idea."

Coming up from below is Henzu who seems just as impressed and confused as the Leader is. "Seriously, I don't think we'll ever be able to replicate what just happened."

Leaning against the entrance is Tombstone who watched the events all go down with an amused scowl. "Embarrassing."

The muscular Leader of the now unconscious group of gangsters pulls out his pistol from under his tracksuit jacket. "I didn't want to do this, bros. But I have no other choice."

He takes aim and fires, but the bullets harmlessly spark off Henzu's steel overcoated body.

"Cut it out!" Henzu screams as he charges, slapping the pistol away, before his fist collides with the thug's face.

The muscular Leader stumbles back, holding his jaw and possibly a broken nose. "Damn you, bro!"

"Lame sauce." Henzu snickers while taking the pistol and bending it, rendering it useless. "You went to your gun so quickly. What's the matter, did your Quirk run out of juice?"

Izuku slinks up behind him and offers up a nervous explanation. "H-he must not be able to use his Q-Quirk on himself."

"Ha! Now that's lame!"

The Leader scowls, rolling up his sleeves as he prepares to throw down, but he's stopped as a cold stone-heavy hand grips his shoulder from behind. "Boss bro?"

Tombstone grips his underling's shoulder harder before leaning in and telling him off with such disdain. "Pathetic."

Just before the Leader can ask him to elaborate, Tombstone lifts him up with just one arm.

"B-Bro? Wh-what are you doing?!"

Tombstone responds with such coldness even for his already deep gravelly voice. "What I should have done from the start."

He tosses the Leader aside, throwing him against the wall of the warehouse so hard that the siding cracks.

"Gaah!"

"Useless." Tombstone spits before gazing out towards the rest of the defeated mafia. "Every last one of you." He lets out a heavy sigh like that of an old veteran who's seen his fair share of combat and thrills. "But I shouldn't be surprised. They just don't make criminals like they used to. Not since All Might took to the streets." He glances up towards the defiant Henzu and the quivering Izuku. "But you kids wouldn't know that." His eyes drift over towards the groaning Leader who is just barely conscious enough to prop himself up. "None of you know. But let me tell ya the time before All Might was a ride." He smiles at that, the old memories washing over him like the embrace of an old friend. "The world was like an open road with nothing but fresh pavement for us villains to cruise across as we pleased. Everyone felt like they were on top of the world, and if you had the strength then you were untouchable."

His smile soon disappears as his disappointment makes itself known. "But look at us now? Villains are weak and cowardly; we hide and flee at the mere mention of the word hero. We're so pathetic now that snot-nosed kids can take out an entire gang!" He slaps his face at that, it's so sad that he could shed a tear. But he's bigger than that, tougher than that. "Back in the day being a gangster meant something, it was terrifying. It had power! But now, now it's nothing more than an after-school club for twerps and their weakass Quirks."

The downed groaning Leader scowls angrily at that.

Heck, even Henzu finds it way offensive. "Dude, way harsh."

"HA!" Tombstone bellows with laughter. "If you think this is harsh just you wait and see what's coming!"

The Leader struggles to get it, holding his aching side and possibly broken ribs. "B-Boss?"

"I ain't your boss no more. Hell from here on out the Tracksuit Mafia's done for." Good he never did like the name anyway. "Big waves are coming soon kids. So big that the boat's gonna sink and I'm jumping ship before it's too late." From inside his leather jacket, he pulls out that old worn out leather box, the very one Henzu and Izuku stole and got them into this mess at the start. "And this is my ticket to a better ship."

The Leader can't believe his ears, his boss, the big bad Tombstone, is running away? "Y-you're bailing?"

"Yeah, I'm bailing. Because there are bigger players out there getting ready to throw stones into the pond. And I'm gonna make sure I'm one of those stones." However, there's something he must do before that can happen. Firstly, he got to deliver the loot to his client. And secondly, well it involves getting his hands dirty. "I can't have any loose ends." He turns his cold indifferent gaze towards the two teens. "And I'm gonna start with you two." He slams his fist into his palm and grinds his fists together like taking a whetstone and sharpening a blunt blade. "I'm going to enjoy grinding you both into dust."

The trembling Izuku clings to Henzu's arm for safety. "Wh-what do we do n-now?!"

"Isn't it obvious?" Henzu grins as he absorbs part of the cement floor. "We fight back! Raagh!"

[End of FLASHBACK]

"No! If we fight back, he'll end up blowing up our only way home!'' Grey Matter screams while clinging to Nue's shoulder for dear life. And he has to as Nue speeds this way and that in order to evade Kolar's laser fire and grenades.

"Then what do you suggest, wise guy?!"

"You need to hold his attention for as long as you can while I finish fixing the machine!"

"How long will that take?!" Nue shouts out just as he leaps away and a resounding green blast of energy tears through the ground where he stood.

Grey Matter shields his face in front of the blazing heat before responding. "I'll go as fast as I can, but you have to hurry!"

Nue does, speeding over in a circle to distract Kolar long enough and allow him time to drop Grey Matter atop the machine.

"Now remember to keep him off of me while I work!"

Nue scowls, annoyed with Grey Matter's taking charge. "Why do I have to do all the hard work?"

"Fine, you wanna switch?" Grey Matter sarcastically asks while gesturing to the misshapen and seemingly unorganized machine.

"I'm good."

"Thought so. Now get going!"

"I'm going. I'm going!" Using Terrapin's gusts, he launches himself high into the air, taking Kolar's attention and laser fire along with him. "I've been needing a new sparring partner! Hahaha!" He howls with maniacal laughter as he plummets down to the ground with breakneck speed.

Kolar just barely dives out of the way as the massive ball of muscle and alien DNA crashes into the ground with a wickedly mischievous grin.

"But I'm warning you, I don't like to play nice!"

Kolar backs away and growls out in spite. "E Chu Ta!"

"Raagh!" Having heard that curse come from Psyphon enough times before, Nue instantly takes offense and charges the blaster-wielding maniac.

*BOOM!* With a well-aimed shot from the BFG Nue is blasted back and into the rocky walls of the narrow valley just beside the working Grey Matter.

Grey Matter grimaces, hissing in pain just from the sight of Nue getting the shit smacked out of him. "Ooh, that looked like it hurt."

"It didn't!" Nue barks, prying himself free and rushing back into the fight.

"It sure looked like it did." But Grey Matter let's it go as he gets back to rewiring the busted machine.

As he tinkers and ties some of the chewed-up wiring back together sparks fly out and fry him, cooking him alive before the machine quickly runs out of juice.

The cooked and singed Grey Matter quivers as he shakily let's go of the fixed wires, his eye twitching as he exhales a puff of smoke. "Okay…now that…hurt. Ow…" And he collapses taking a small break while his body stops twitching.

[FLASHBACK]

"OW!" Izuku wails as his forehead smacks into a low hanging pipe.

"Why are you stopping?!" Henzu shouts while grabbing his shoulder and shoving him forward while they both hurry away in a panic!

"Raaahh!" Tombstone roars, bursting through the pile of crates behind them, shattering the crates to nothing but splinters and nails. "Where are you two going?! Get back here and face me like men, why don't ya?!"

"N-no thanks! I'm not ready to be a man!" Izuku screams as he and Henzu race through the depths of the pipe and tin barrel-filled warehouse.

"Use your pepper spray on him!" Henzu shouts as they run.

"I can't!"

"Why not?!"

"It's empty!"

"Dammit!"

Just as they get enough distance between them and Tombstone, Henzu pulls Izuku behind a large machine and tells him to run. "Split up! He can't follow us both!"

"What?! Hey wait-!"

But Henzu's already gone, having already bolted towards the other end of the warehouse.

And so not wanting to have his skull bashed into his neck, Izuku takes off in the other direction just as Tombstone smashes his way through the large machine like an indestructible Kool-Aid man.

"Oh, yeah! Hahaha!" He maniacally bellows before deciding to go after the much whimper and scrawnier Mr. Green.

"Aaahhh!" Izuku screams as he ducks and slides between the pipes and stacks of crates. "Why is he going after me?! Wahh!"

While Tombstone crashes and stampedes through the warehouse, a lone orange-jacket wearing rat slips inside through a busted window.

Argit dusts himself off as he slips behind a few rusty barrels. "Alright, let's see what we got in here."

He didn't come so much as to help but after being forced i.e. paid to give up Uuichi he decided 'Hey, maybe I can still get some more money off of this job.' And so here he is hoping to swipe some more loot and money while the Tracksuit Mafia deals with his friend.

So he's quite surprised to find most of the Tracksuit guys lying unconscious on the ground, their leader wincing in pain as he tries to hobble away, and finally their head boss, Tombstone, tearing the place apart while chasing down Uuichi and his broccoli-headed friend!

"Ah, geez." He places a hand on his snout, dragging it down his face in an attempt to wipe away the guilt. "Oh, well I'm sure they got this."

As he says this he watches as Uuichi leaps onto Tombstone's back but the much stronger villain throws him back and slams him against the wall.

'Ow! Maybe not…' Admittedly he feels a little guilty here, like there's a small chance this is his fault. 'Huh, maybe I can still get ahead in this.' He grins before slipping back outside through the same window.

Upon slipping outside he wipes out a burner phone and begins to dial. 'After this Uuichi we're even.'

Back inside the warehouse, Henzu and Izuku are very much struggling against the enraged Tombstone.

"You think you can hurt me, boy?" Tombstone seethes while Henzu bats him with a crowbar.

But the metal bar just bends and twists with every impact against Tombstone's skin.

"Damnit!" Henzu throws the bent crowbar at Tombstone's head, but it harmlessly bounces off as he charges forward like a bull.

Henzu just barely dives out of the way as Tombstone's head smashes into the wall.

With Tombstone temporarily immobilized, Henzu uses Osmosis to absorb part of the cement floor and leaps up, throwing his fist forward.

"Gaahh!" Henzu wails in pain as his fist cracks against Tombstone's nearly indestructible hide.

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Tombstone questions as he pulls himself way from the crumbling brick wall. "No one and I mean no one can hurt me." He grabs a loose brick and crushes it between his palm. "Which means no one can stop me."

While Henzu tries his best to block Tombstone's devastating punches, Izuku watches on while cowering behind a massive tower of piled up barrels. 'Nothing can stop him?'

That line doesn't sit well with him. Not at all. There's no way a Quirk like that, even Tombstone's, is that powerful. And if it was, how come he's never heard of such a villain before today? No, there's got to be a way to stop him. 'All Quirks have a downside to them, and he's got to have one too, but what?'

And so observing as Tombstone's fist smash into pipes and crates, shattering them, and all the while he never even flinches in pain.

'He doesn't feel pain. And his skin is indestructible, but…'

He watches as Henzu ducks and Tombstone's fist once again smashes into a pile of crates, however, this time a crate of heavy metal pieces collapses on top of him. And the weight of the crate actually throws him to the ground before it shatters, and he shoves himself back up to his feet.

'That's it!' Izuku thinks with a grin. 'H-he might be indestructible, but he doesn't have superhuman strength! He's just really muscly!'

He peers up at the towering stack of barrels as well as the number of chains dangling nearby. 'W-we can beat him!'

[End of FLASHBACK]

"How am I losing to this guy?!" Nue roars in pain as he takes a nasty shot to the shoulder.

He rushes back, smashing his fists into the ground, breaking enough of the ground free for him to prop up as cover.

While still tinkering with their way home, Grey Matter calls out why. "You're using your powers all wrong!"

"Shut up! I know what I'm doing!"

"No you're not! Just listen to me! Okay?!"

"No! I can do this on my own!" He does not as more blasts from the BFG keep him at bay.

"Just hear what I have to say at least!"

"Fine!" Nue spits, speeding by and generating a crystal wall for cover. "What?!"

"He's firing lasers so just use Feedback's tendrils to absorb them!"

Nue stares back at him in confusion. "Feed…back? Oh! I remember it's that tall Cable guy!"

"Yeah, the…cable guy." Grey Matter sighs before continuing on. "The tendrils. Your tendrils can absorb energy, including lasers!"

Nue scowls, puffing his chest out like his ego took a hit. "I knew that I just forgot is all."

Grey Matter oh-so wants to roll his eyes at that but doesn't just cause he knows Nue will pick a fight with him over it instead.

Nue leaps over his crystal wall just as Kolar once again fires the BFG.

His tendrils whip forward, and the conductors instantly get to work, absorbing the devastating blast of energy until it's nothing but electricity coursing through his veins.

"Woah now that feels good!" He's so energized far more than just downing three Monster drinks and some quote-on-quote candy. "Now what?"

Grey Matter smirks back and tells him. "Now fire back!"

Nue's grin widens as he turns and thrusts his arms forward and powerful beams of lightning shoot out from all four of his arms.

Kolar summons all his strength to leap away, watching in horror from midair as the lightning cracks and thunders across the valley, tearing through the ground and blasting it apart in a brilliant explosion of light and thunder!


In the distance, the giant monstrous worm peers up at the sound of thundering explosions. It scans the floating red horizon until it spots lightning off in the distance.

The monster's left violet eye gleams voraciously before it begins its journey towards the excitement.


Meanwhile, Nue is having the time of his life as the lightning dissipates. "Ahahaha! Awesome! That was awesome!"

Even Grey Matter seems to be having a good time. "See, I told you!"

Meanwhile, Kolar clings to the nearby rock wall, dangling from it like a muscular gorilla. "So you can absorb lasers?" He uses his two free hands to grip the BFG and Lancer. "Then let's see just how much you can take?!"

Nue grins up at him, his tendrils ready to be fed some more. "I can take anything you throw at me! Raagh!"

[FLASHBACK]

"Aaah!" The cement coated Henzu is thrown across the warehouse, his back crashing into a steel beam before he collapses. "Ow. That hurt." He groans as his skin turns back to normal.

"Henz-Er, Mr. Pink!" Izuku calls for him, grabbing him by his collar and doing his best to hoist him up before pulling him along.

Henzu nearly trips while trying to keep up with him. "Izu-Mr. Green? What's going on?"

"Come on! Just follow me!"

He drags Henzu away, back towards the exit only stopping as they reach a massive stack of chained-up barrels that stretches past their heads.

Izuku peers out, spotting the exit. "Let's hurry!

But before they can move Tombstone dashes in, intercepting their path. "Where do you think you're going, boys?" he stomps forward, forcing the kids back against the stack of barrels. "I'm not done with you yet."

Izuku tries to be confident, tries his best to act like Bakugou and Henzu, but he's just too scared to pull it off. "Y-yeah, y-you a-a-are."

Henzu frowns, leaning in and whispering his concern. "Izuku?"

Izuku whispers back. "J-just f-follow my l-lead. I-I think I-I k-know what I'm d-doing?"

"You think?!"

"H-Henzu, y-you…you have to trust me."

Trust him, huh? Does he even have to ask? "I trust ya."

Izuku smiles, albeit shaky, but he's honored that his friend can trust him with life like that.

"Raaah!" Tombstone charges like a speeding train. "I'll crush you all!"

Henzu grips Izuku's arm, tugging at it, waiting for him to give the signal. "Izuku? Izuku? Izuku?!"

But the greenette holds himself, staying where he is. "N-not y-yet." He whispers.

Tombstone reels back his fist, his aim is clear: their skulls. "RAAAHHH!"

"NOW!" Izuku grabs Henzu and shoves them both out of the way as Tombstone speeds past.

The massive stonewall of a man crashes into the stack of barrels, causing chemicals to spill out as a few stray barrels slip out and fall to the floor with echoing bangs.

Tombstone struggles to pry himself free from the stack as heavy chains hang down.

Izuku pulls Henzu along before dropping a chain into his hands. "Now pull! Hurry!"

Henzu follows the chain up to the tall stack of barrels and instantly gets the idea. "You got it!"

He and Izuku pull together with all their might which is just enough to bring the heavy stack of barrels and chains down on the mob boss.

"Raaahhhh!" Tombstone screams as a mountain of barrels cave-in on his head.

They clash and crash against each other, their contents spilling out into pools of chemicals. All the while Tombstone finds himself pinned, unable to move against the burning chemicals, dented barrels, and heavy chains. "Get these things off of me! Ahh! Ahh! It burns! Why is it burning?! Grrr!" He begins to scream as the chemicals slowly begin to cause irritation to his marble pale skin.

Henzu breaks into a haughty laugh. "HA! I guess you're not as indestructible as you first thought." He grins over at Izuku, feeling like he's a dad after seeing his boy's plan workout. "Nice work, Mr. Green." He says the last part a little jokingly.

A very relieved Izuku grins back at him. "T-thanks, M-Mr. Pink."

Henzu pats him on the back before walking off to taunt the chained-up gang boss some more. It'll be a big boost to his ego apparently.

But while his back is turned, Izuku spots a familiar worn leather box on the floor. Figuring it must have slipped out of Tombstone' pocket during the fight, he leans over to pick it up.

While those two soak in their miraculous win, the Leader of what used to be the Tracksuit Mafia throws himself over the side of a busted window before peering back inside. "Woah, those little bros actually took him out." He's impressed but also hurt both physically and mentally in regard to his pride. But he was never one that did things for pride, he always saw himself as a businessman in all honesty. And it appears that the Tracksuit Mafia is no longer profitable.

And so, he cuts his losses, wobbling his way to the nearest moving truck, too hurt to even go searching for his own car. He groans in pain as he pulls himself inside.

Once seated he peers out the side window and into the night. And he is so glad he bailed when he did as police lights can be seen far into the distance.

And so with no time left to waste he takes off, speeding around the warehouse and even past his Dodge Charger that's forced to abandon as the sirens come into earshot.

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Dude! Is it fixed yet?!" Nue yells out as he and Kolar are pitted in a test of strength.

"It…is…Now!" Grey Matter grins, pulling away from the last of the fixed up wires.

He leaps up and around the machine, making his way to the control panel where he proceeds to punch in the appropriate signal. He even punches the activation button but the machine refuses to start. "It won't turn on! Dang it! It must be out of power!"

Nue blasts Kolar away with a powerful whirlwind from his chest cavities before rushing over to the machine. "Out of the way!"

He jabs his tendrils and Lodestar-like claw into the machine and using both Feedback and Buzzshock's powers he sends surges of electricity into the machine.

It works as the machine begins to power up.

"Good! Keep that up!" Grey Matter leaps over and slams down on the activation button.

And immediately the machine lights up, its antennas and satellite dishes all shooting upward and begin to while as they pinpoint in on the signal from a Null Void Projector.


Org Beasts roar into the battle-scarred chamber as the portal to the Null Void swirls behind them while more and more of their brethren pour through. The grotesque beats tear and claw their way through the Plumber Base's Security Droids but for every five they take down one of their own goes down as well.

"Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee! Skraaaeee!" Nullvoiders fill the air with their shrieks and howls as they descend down upon the resisting droids and Plumbers.

But despite facing a demonic horde the droids remain steadfast before their enemies.

One commander even takes it upon himself to direct his fellow bots. ^Concentrate fire at Sector 11374265!^

One of the other Security Battle Droids pauses in confusion. ^113…7-what was that again?^

^Just fire right there!^

But even with a little command, there is no commanding this chaotic battle as fire, lasers, and swings fly through the air while the droids and Plumbers go to war.

And what a gruesome war it is. As droids use their fallen comrades as shields and points of cover against the onslaught of claws and teeth. Even more droids go up in flames due to Org Beasts' flaming breaths. Some droids are all but malfunctioning, damaged and put into a daze as they hobble around looking for their lost limbs. But they are persistent as those that have even gotten themselves torn in half claw forward to fight with their brothers.

A burning red spear slices through the horde, beating them back and away from the control panel. Cinder unleashes spiraling flames high into the air which burn and consume the circling Nullvoiders.

As the burning Nullvoiders drop out of the air and even fall back through the portal, Cinder spins around and shouts over to One-One. "One-One have there been any signs of Izuku yet!"

^None so far!^ One-One responds from inside the port of the control panel. ^He's probably already been eaten alive…^

From down below, Kraab has his hacked Super Battle Droid mow down some Havoc Beasts that managed to slip through. "Hey, Cinder!" He calls, waving towards the portal. "Something is happening to the portal!"

Cinder looks over as does Nezu as he just blasts away more of the incoming Org and Havoc Beasts. And they are stunned to watch as the portal phases in and out of existence until the demonic creatures stop pouring through.

"What's happening?!" Cinder shouts out, not sure what to make of it.

Principal Nezu, however, does. "Hahaha! My that boy is a clever one."


Inside the Null Void a portal opens up high above the heads of the rocky valley.

Grey Matter grins up as the portal phases into view. "There it is! It worked! It worked! I can't believe it worked!'

After generating another crystal wall for cover, Nue pauses. "What?! You didn't even know if this would work?!"

Grey Matter shrugs. "I did say I had 12% of a plan, didn't I?"

"Whatever! Let's just get out of this shithole, already!"

Nue scoops up Grey Matter and makes a jump for the portal, using Terraspin's wind powers to float his way up.

From down below Kolar instantly spots the portal as he follows Nue's path upward. "A portal? No way am I passing this up!" He grabs several sticky grenades from his belt and tosses them up as high as he can.

The grenades fly through the air and explode just as they're about to reach the freaky duo. The explosions burn and throw them off course, forcing Nue to come crashing down.

All the while Kolar's haunting laugh echoes through the air. "Hahaha! Thanks for opening the door for me! I'll be sure to close it on my way out!"

[FLASHBACK]

After getting his metaphorical kicks in at making fun of a man that can crush him with one hand, Henzu finally leaves Tombstone alone enough to pat Izuku on the shoulder and direct him out. "Alright, Mr. Green. Let's get out of this shithole already."

Izuku pockets something away while smiling and nodding in agreement.

"No. No! No! No! NO!" Tombstone shakes with rage from underneath the pile of barrels and chains. "I'm not about to let you walk away and ruin my rep.! NO WAY!"

Somehow, someway his rage allows him to summon the strength he needs to rise and break himself free of his bonds like a raging Hercules.

"Run!" Henzu screams as he pulls Izuku away just as Tombstone lunges at them.

Tombstone's fist swings forward and smashes right through one of the larger pipes that's weaved its way through the warehouse.

Steam of oxidized chemical pours out creating a thick mist throughout the entire warehouse like a thick foggy blanket.

Henzu and Izuku duck behind several crates, keeping their heads low in the mist and steam as Tombstone too disappears from view.

They hold their breaths, listening for any signs of Tombstone but instead what reaches their ears are the sound of approaching sirens.

"Police sirens?"

Henzu immediately shoots up to his feet. "We better bail!"

He takes off with Izuku in tow, they dash through the warehouse while keeping an eye out for Tombstone, but they end up spotting the exit first.

They break into wide grins as they spot it but before they can so much as take a step a thick rusty chain whips through the mist and cuts them off.

"Oh, no you don't." Tombstone emerges from the mist like a ghost, no like a haunting tombstone appearing within a foggy graveyard. "You're not going anywhere. Not until I send you both to your graves."

Izuku and Henzu shrink back as a deafening silence is taken over by the ever-growing hum of haunting sirens.

Tombstone's grin turns deadly, gripping the chain like a mace, and lurking forward like a stone-cold reaper. "Say hello to the maker for me, will ya?"

He moves to charge when suddenly a section of the wall behind him is smashed in and a glorious heroic light shines in.

"HAHAHAHA! I AM HERE! BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL LIKE A HERO!"

Everyone gasps in shock from Izuku to Tombstone. "All Might?!"

"NO!" Tombstone swings around, panic and fear clear in his eyes as he comes face to face with the Symbol of Peace! "I won't go down like the others! I'm indestructible!" He screams while throwing his fist forward at the hero's skull.

But it never connects as All Might nonchalantly catches the incoming fist with one hand. "TOMBSTONE, RIGHT? I'VE HEARD MUCH ABOUT YOU." His ever-brimming smile turns sarcastic and taunting. "BUT IT LOOKS LIKE I HEARD NOTHING BUT RUMORS."

Tombstone begins to shake, ironically, he somehow turns so pale one would think he saw a ghost.

"DETROIT SMASH!"

All Might unleashes his signature move, blasting Tombstone through the entire warehouse. His not so indestructible body crashes through the pipes, crates, and barrels without slowing down, not until he smashes through the opposite wall. Where he lies defeated, laying down like a heavy stone in a pile of bricks.

"AND THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT." All Might grins while scanning across the warehouse and all the unconscious mafia members and dissipating mist. "HUH, I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED HERE?"


"All Might! It's really All Might!" Izuku all but drools with fanboy delight while he's literally dragged away by the back of his shirt. "I can't believe All Might just saved us! The rumors about him being in town were true! I knew it!"

Henzu shakes his head as he drags Izuku beside the warehouse and along its parking lot. "I know that's why we gotta bail!"

"No! Wait! At least let me get his autograph!"

"Shut it you nerd! Before you get us caught!" Henzu drags Izuku into the parking lot but as they make their way between the moving truck and vans, he quickly spots the Leader's beautiful 1968 maroon-faded Dodge Charger.

And he just can't take his eyes off of it.

Izuku frowns up at him in worry especially as the sirens and police lights grow louder and brighter. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Henzu smirks, unable to look away from the car. "I just got a really good idea."


Meanwhile, back inside the warehouse Detective Naomasa files into the building with several officers shadowing him.

He stops at the doorway, surprised to see his old friend already inside before giving him a small greeting. "All Might."

Somehow All Might's massive grin grows wider. "AH, TSUKAUCHI HOW ARE YOU, MY FRIEND?"

"Good." Naomasa greets with a tip of his hat. "But what are you doing here?"

"OH, WELL TO BE HONEST I WAS JUST ON MY WAY HOME AFTER HAVING A LITTLE CHAT WITH PRINCIPAL NEZU WHEN I HEARD THE CALL TO ACTION."

Naomasa gives him a skeptical look. "Call? As in the police scanners?"

"YOU KNOW IT GOOD BUDDY!"

Naomasa smiles, shaking his head in mild amusement. But a part of him has to wonder what he could have possibly needed to talk to Principal Nezu about. 'A teaching job perhaps? Naw. No way All Might would make a good teacher.' He can't help but laugh picturing All Might in a suit and tie while standing at a chalkboard while kids yell and scream. 'Eh, I bet it'd be entertaining at least.'

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Hahaha! Thanks for opening the door for me! I'll be sure to close it on my way out!" Kolar's haunting laugh echoes through the air as he rushes towards the high risen portal.

Using his immense strength he leaps so far into the air he could clear a building.

Grey Matter gasps in horror. "No! We can't let him through otherwise he'll just trap us back in here!"

Nue begins to panic as he watches Kolar rise up towards the portal. "Then what do we do?!"

*BEEP!* The Omnitrix begins to count down and within the sudden panic Grey Matter comes up with a reckless idea. "Throw me! NOW!"

Upon hearing the panic and the tell-tale sign of countdown, Nue doesn't even hesitate to grab Grey Matter and throw him up like a baseball after Kolar.

"Waaaaahhh…!" Grey Matter shrieks as he flies through the air, keeping his body straight for maximum distance when he times out and Izuku finds himself flying through the air just behind the descending Kolar.

"Oh, no you don't!" Izuku clamps down onto Kolar's, his momentum and weight is just enough to steer him off course and away from the portal. "Ha! Got you!"

Kolar comes crashing back down to the ground, but he catches himself and uses a spare arm to grab Izuku by the collar and hoist him up. "Correction. I have you." He growls right into the boy's face.

And like that, Izuku suddenly realizes that his last-ditch attempt at stopping Kolar wasn't exactly Grey Matter's smartest ideas.

"No! We got you!"

Kolar frowns in surprise. "What-GAH!"

Nue comes crashing in, his diamond fist slamming into Kolar's face and slamming it into the dirt while his tendrils wrap around Izuku and pull him away.

Izuku's head almost spins from the whiplash as he's pulled away. "N-nice timing!"

Nue smirks as he feels mighty superior about now before he accelerates away towards the high floating portal.

Kolar pries his face out front he ground, and his anger only explodes as he watches the two teens speed away towards their only exit. "No. Not again! I will not…" He rises to his feet, weapons drawn and ready to fire before roaring out for the entire Null Void to hear. "ROT IN THIS HELL FOREVER!"

"RWAAAAAHHHHHH!"

An earthshaking reptilian roar explodes out as the massive leviathan of the reptilian worm-beast bursts out from the massive rock wall behind Kolar.

The giant worm-monster's red-eye and purple-eye instantly lock onto the fleeing Nue and Izuku before roaring out and charging forward like a runaway train. Its fangs and weight slamming into Kolar and his weapons as it crashes forward with a shattering roar. "RWAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Izuku pales, fearing for his enemy's life. "Do you think he's alright?!"

Nue doesn't even try to sound sympathetic. "I'm sure he's fine, but we won't be!"

He then uses Terraspin's flight to leap into the air.

"RWAAAAAHHHHHH!" The dual-eyed worm-beats slithers after them from below.

"Fly faster! It's gonna catch us!"

"I'm trying!"

Izuku looks down watching as they make barely any progress with Nue only using Terraspin's ability to fly. It's not enough, they need more of a boost but from what? As he searches for an answer his eyes are drawn to the battery-like appendages sticking out of Nue's shell-like back. "Use Buzzshock's powers to zip us up!

"What?!"

"Combine my little battery-guy's power to become electricity with the flying turtle's power!"

Not sure if it'll work, Nue gives it a shot anyway focusing on accessing Buzzshock's own flying ability with Terraspin's. And somehow it works as green electricity dances off his body and combined with Terraspin's flight Nue is able to zoom away as the worm-beast lunges after them.

"Wooaah! So long sucka! Hahaha!" Nue cheers as wind whips at his face.

"RWAAAAAHHHHHH!" The worm-monster roars as it chomps and misses its prey before beginning to plummet back down, unable to keep its air time.

As it falls its red and purple eyes lock onto Izuku and the red-glowing device around his wrist. And with the portal so close as well it gives up and relents as a dark vapor is expunged from its maw, and it's purple glowing eye vanishes becoming a hue of red like the other.

The dark translucent vapor slithers up towards the escaping duo and vanishes among them as they near the portal.

"RWAAAAAHHHHHH!" The confused worm-beast comes crashing down onto Kolar's machine.

"Aaahhh!" Nue and Izuku cry out as they zoom away through the portal just before the vortex seals away and vanishes.


Cinder cuts down the last of the Org Beasts while the Security Droids continue to shoot down the last of Nullvoiders and Havoc Beasts. He spins around and watches in horror as the portal begins to phase in and out while the Projector itself begins to spark and malfunction.

"Chopper! What's going on with the portal?!"

^Wa wa!^ Chopper yells back, trying his damnedest to save the projector before it completely fails on them but it's just too old of a model, it's gonna give!

Their fears are only confirmed as the machine begins to shake and tremble like it's about to go up in smoke.

And in a split second then the swirling portal widens and implodes in on itself, taking any droids and monsters along with it in a flash of bright red sparks and heavy smoke.

The chamber goes silent as nothing but the sound of settling dust and smoke fill the entire room.

Cinder tries his best to peer through the smoke, trying to see what became of the Projector. "Does anyone have eyes on the portal?!"

A low miserable groaning sound can be heard off to his left. "Uh, I don't."

He spins around to find Izuku sitting there with a hand to his head. "Ah, I don't feel so good."

"Izuku!" Hisashi rips off his respirator, tossing it aside along with his Amenonuhoko in order to embrace his son in a bone crushing hug.

"H-hey, Dad! Gah! You're…squeezing me too tight."

Hisashi sniffs while whipping at his eyes but he never lets Izuku go. "Just let me have this."

Izuku does and even returns the hug as well as the smoke around them settles revealing the totally demolished Null Void Projector and a massive room filled with defeated monsters and droids.

But before Izuku can ask what exactly happened here an all too familiar cheery voice cuts in. "My oh my what a touching sight this is."

Izuku looks over to find one white-furred chimera smiling over at them. "Principal Nezu?!"

Principal Nezu smiles on, glad to have his student back safe and sound. "Well, you certainly know how to make quite the entrance, Mr. Midoriya. And might I add that was certainly a marvelous escape." Heck he's still wondering if he should be giving him a round of applause for it at the very least.

"Marvelous?" Kraab scoffs, his hacked droid body missing, lost somewhere amongst the rubble and casualties. "That escape was one of a kind! I have never seen anything as badass or batshit crazy as what you just pulled! Talk about epic!"

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll do anything like that again." At least Izuku hopes not.

^It sure nice to have you back Mr. Izuku.^ One-One greets with a smile before his more pessimistic personality takes over. ^Is it though? I liked it better when he wasn't here…^

^Wa wa wa wa.^ Chopper laughs undoubtedly agreeing with Sad-One, albeit with a sarcastically humorous tone.

"I missed you guys too." Izuku rolls his eyes but he's still genuinely happy to see them.

While they all reunite with Izuku, the remaining Security Droids all watch on feeling a little confused and left out.

^Who is that?^

^I have no idea.^

^I didn't know heads of cabbage could talk.^

^Yeah. Weird, right?^

Overhearing them, Izuku looks over to which the droids kindly wave back in greeting.

He returns it but continues to look around at all the defeated monsters and droids, as well as all the battle damage riddling the walls and floors. "What happened here?"

Hisashi gives him a sheepish smile since he doesn't really want to go into too much detail right now. "I'll tell you later but first you have to tell us what happened to you in there. How did you survive? How did you escape?! And what happened to your friend?!"

"Um, well he's not my friend." Izuku corrects before peering around for said ex-friend. "But he should be right…here?"

No he is not. With the smoke completely gone, Izuku can finally see that there's no sign of Nue anyway.

Hisashi jerks up in surprise. "Wait, he-he came through the portal too?!" After seeing only Izuku return, he thought that Nue was left behind or ditched somewhere inside the Null Void.

"You didn't see him?!" Izuku gasps, he could have sworn he flew in with Nue.

Nue was carrying him! So, how did he make it through but not Nue?

Principal Nezu quickly gathers the remaining droids' attention. "Quickly did anyone see one Henzu Uuichi pass through the portal?!"

The Security Droids shake their heads and give the little mouse-creature confused shrugs.

^I didn't see anything. Did you?^

^No.^

^No.^

^No.^

^Not me.^

As they all drone on in their own stupidity, Kraab gives them all a deadpan stare. "Wow, that's a lot of eyes not doing anything."

Although if they all used their eyes to look up they would have noticed the oddly shaped tunnel in the ceiling.


Nue breaks through the surface of the Earth and immediately gulps in the fresh mountain air. He falls to his knees exhausted especially after tunneling his way up.

"Ugh. But wh-what happened?" One second, he was zooming through the portal and the next the portal implodes and he's inside a secret base?! "A…base?" He says between breaths. "A base…those heroes have a secret base? In Mt. Fuji?"

Damn, that's annoying but also kinda cool.

But if this is a base then that must mean they have security measures here too.

"Ugh." Although he's utterly exhausted, he manages to get back up and begin his trek back through the woods and to his ship.

But he doesn't get far before he peers back at his cave-ined tunnel that would lead him back inside the mountain. He pauses, considering if it's worth going back through and doing what he came here to do in the first place. But after everything he's just gone through…he just can't bring himself to do it. Not now at least.

And so with his head hung low, Nue makes his way back to his ship but not without looking back and muttering to himself. "I'll be seeing you soon…Izuku."

He turns away and vanishes thanks to XLR8's speed and bit of Buzzshock's own for good measure, allowing him to zoom away and leave nothing but a trail of dissipating green electricity behind him.


A medical droid scans Izuku's arm, using said scan to analyze his injuries and overall health.

And while the droid does its job Izuku is doing his best to get comfortable in his bed, thankfully the Rustbucket's bunks provide the perfect support.

Too bad he can't really relax with his Dad worriedly hovering nearby. "How is he, doctor? Give it to me straight. Is he okay? Is he sick?! Is anything broken?! Is he DYING!?"

The medical droid answers him with a calm robotic tone. ^There are no permanent or life-threatening injuries. There is nothing but a number of minor abrasions.^

"That's quite the relief." Principal Nezu stands nearby listening in. "You are either very lucky or you were just that capable at staying alive."

Izuku definitely thinks it's the latter. "I… I think I was just lucky. And…I did have someone…watching my back."

The adults frown and exchange a look of concern and intrigue, but they don't comment on it.

Hisashi continues on giving his son a relieved smile. "Well, I'm just glad to have you back and in one piece. Seriously, if anything happened to you…" He pales as he thinks about the looming grim reaper's grasp. "your mother would kill me…"

Izuku frowns at that, giving his Dad a very skeptical look. 'Would she though? Maybe by drowning you on accident with her tears?'

Principal Nezu smiles up at Izuku. "Well, you had quite the adventure today. And I for one would think you deserved a nice long rest. Doctor?"

^I have nearly treated all his injuries.^ The medical droid responds. ^And once complete I will be stationed nearby to provide further assistance.^

"Thank you." Principal Nezu turns to address the father. "Mr. Midoriya."

"Yes?"

"Please, come with me. There's quite a mess out there and I'd like to make sure everything is tiptop before we depart."

They already have One-One, Chopper, and even Kraab overseeing the repairs right now. But he, rather an organic being, has a chance to oversee the procedures instead.

"Of course, right behind you, sir." Hisashi turns back to his son and says. "Call me if you need anything."

Izuku smiles before resting his head back onto the pillow. "Okay. I will."

Hisashi smiles and follows Principal Nezu out of the RV. He actually ends up following the little mouse-dog-bear thing through the maze of hallways and tunnels for a little while before he finally decides to address the white-furred chimera.

"So, what exactly is it you want to discuss with me?"

Principal Nezu stops turning back and frowning up at his subordinate.

"I've known you long enough to know when you're making an excuse." Hisashi explains. "And the only reason you gave the one you did is because whatever it is, you don't want Izuku to hear."

Principal Nezu has to give him props, he does know him well. "Please, don't think ill of me. I didn't want to concern him because I didn't want to worry him any further. He needs to rest both his body and mind."

Hisashi can understand but they are far out of earshot, so he would like an answer.

Principal Nezu's usual cheery smile is gone, replaced with a somber almost grim frown, but one that is still calculating trying to formulate and plan around invisible disasters. "I'm concerned, worried, about what this all means."

Hisashi frowns, unsure of which part Principal Nezu is worried about.

"The villain, Nue, his presence here has me very worried about the state of things." Principal Nezu begins to explain in detail. "How did he know where to find Mr. Midoriya? Is he aware of what's happening? And is he aware of aliens? And if he is…then is the rest of the League aware as well?"

And most importantly 'Does All For One know?' Although Principal Nezu wouldn't dare say that out loud.

"We've always operated with the mindset that our earthly conflicts would remain separate from our own duties. And despite the overlaps we rarely had issues such as this." Principal Nezu bows his head as if this is a personal failure on his part. "I'm afraid that there's moving parts that we are unaware of. Gears are turning that we are unable to see. We are but actors upon a stage but we've failed to recognize the performance behind the curtains."

Hisashi thinks he understands. "We're living in the calm before the storm. But Nue's presence…was like a stray lightning bolt that struck too early."

Principal Nezu nods, very much agreeing with Hisashi's logic. "There are forces at work. Whether it's Vilgax, The League of Villains, or something else we must take this as a sign."

"A sign of what?"

"A sign that we shouldn't become complacent." Principal Nezu warns. "We cannot afford to procrastinate any further. We must use this as an opportunity. An opportunity to fortify and prepare ourselves for this impending storm."

"How do you suggest we prepare?"

Principal Nezu takes a moment to think. "Tell me, where is the Null Projector? The more mobile version that is?"

"I have it back inside the Rustbucket but I'm afraid it's been damaged." Hisashi explains.

"That is fine. I would like you to give it to me. I will be overseeing the repairs myself."

Hisashi frowns with concern. "Magister?"

"Leaving it here would be…inconvenient. Especially if we require its services. As a last resort of course but having it at least as a deterrent would be beneficial."

"Right, I-I understand." Although Hisashi would like to disagree, after gaining Izuku back he even thought it'd be for the best to keep the Projector in disrepair, but it appears that he assumed too quickly. However, there is one thing he rather not assume too recklessly. "There's something else I am concerned about."

Principal Nezu peers up at him, waiting for him to air his concern.

"If by chance, some small chance, that the League does know about aliens…do you think that they also know about the Omnitrix?"

"We don't even know the Omnitrix."

"Sir?"

"What do we really know about the Omnitrix?" Principal Nezu asks more to himself than to Hisashi. "I'm embarrassed to say that we hardly understand it or its true function. What is its purpose? Is it truly a weapon? And who created such a brilliant device?"

It's shameful to think that they don't have a single answer to any of these questions.

However, Principal Nezu has never been one to leave such intrigues without possible solutions. "But perhaps we can learn something."

Hisashi perks up, listening carefully to Principal Nezu's words.

"I have an assignment I'd like you to complete. I will be sending you to I-Island to visit an old colleague of ours so that he may make a proper analysis of the Omnitrix for us. In truth, he's been requesting I send him the Omnitrix since the Sports Festival, but I've been holding out in favor of Mr. Midoriya using that time to properly learn its functions on his own."

"I understand." Hisashi thinks the plan over and actually cracks a smile as he looks on the bright side of things. "Heh, a trip to I-Island, huh? That'll be one way to end the summer. When do we leave?"

"Your trip will coincide with I-Island's I-Expo which is a week from now."

"A week? So, we got a little time before then to ourselves."

"Yes, and if I may I suggest that you do try to stay quiet and not be so indiscreet as you have been during these last few weeks."

"Hahahaha…" Hisashi sheepishly laughs it off. "D-don't worry, sir. That shouldn't be a problem for us." Hopefully. "Besides this works out, I only had one more stop planned for this summer anyway."


Meanwhile, back inside the Rustbucket, the medical droid shuffles away after finishing its tasks of wrapping Izuku's arms in bandages.

And now the teen can rest, laying back in the bunk and covers. But he can't rest, his mind won't let him, because he can't help but reflect on the day. He thinks about it all: the Null Void, the monsters, aliens, but mostly he thinks about both him and Nue. How they fought. How they cooperated. How they bickered and competed. And how through the whole thing…they saved each other.

'It…it was kinda like the old days.' Izuku thinks, raising his left arm up over his head.

He stares at the Omnitrix, not really examining it, but rather looking at what it means to him. But more specifically what it means about him and Nue now.

[FLASHBACK]

A rusted garage doors automatically folds open and the stolen faded-maroon Dodge Charger rolls into the dark and worn down mechanic shop.

"Hahahahaha! We made it! We really made it out of there!" Henzu laughs as the car screeches to a halt and the doors come back down.

Izuku sits in shotgun and has a look around the dark oil-stained shop, grimacing as he spots a rat scurrying away along the wall.

He's been here before, once before and he made a point not to come back here. The building is actually condemned but it's owned by Henzu's quote-on-quote business partner, apparently the guy's a rat. Izuku assumes it's metaphorical. Anyway, this partner gives Henzu the run of the place and that's why Izuku doesn't like to come because it's also where Henzu gets his "business" ventures done.

"Woah!" Henzu leaps out the car, he practically skips around the muscle car as he admires its make and figure. "What a score?! Hahahaha!" He can't wait to start working on it, it's gonna be his baby, his magnum opus, his ride!

"Am I right, Izuku-...?" Henzu settles down as he watches Izuku nearly tumble out of the car.

He's shaking. Or rather he's shaken by the ordeal. As his adrenaline finally washes away forcing the green-haired teen to finally break down into a trembling mess.

"Hey, Mr. Green-er, Izuku."

Izuku peers up at his friend, his emerald eyes gleaming with fresh tears.

Henzu shys away from those eyes, there's even a hint of a blush but he shakes it away and tries to apologize but it just comes out way too awkward and forced. "Look. I, um, don't-don't think I'm going soft, kay? Cause I'm not! And I can admit when I screwed up! Okay? But…look, er, you see-Gah! Dammit it, I'm messing this up. Let me start over. Look I-"

Izuku frowns, his head tilting to the side. "Are…are you trying to apologize?"

"Yeah, that!" Henzu grins excitedly before becoming awkward again and struggling to apologize. "Look it's my fault you got dragged into something you shouldn't have. This…this was my bad. So, sorry."

Okay that was nice, well actually it was the worst apology he's ever heard but Izuku's still touched. It's not like he gets a lot of apologies by the scumbags in his life, but Henzu…Henzu actually means it. And he might be struggling to do so but that's because he means it.

And Izuku can appreciate that so he should be honest with him too. "Yeah, it-it was your fault. And yeah I-I really didn't want to be here. It was terrifying. And I-I thought we were both gonna get hurt or-or worse…"

Henzu frowns, honestly feeling quite bad and guilty for bringing his less risk-taking friend out for this.

"But…it was exciting also." Apparently, it was fun too as Izuku actually cracks into a broken smile. "He…he…Hehehehe-Hahahahahaha!" He bellows with maddening laughter that's outright disturbing.

So much so that Henzu freaks out and thinks that he might have broken Izuku's sanity!

But no he didn't break him, if anything…he helped him to feel stronger than he ever has in his life. "And in a way…it was probably the closest feeling I had to being a hero." A sad yet happy smile graces Izuku's lips as he says this.

Henzu pauses, not sure what he means.

"I mean it was like we were going on patrol." They snuck around the crime-ridden part of town. "We were recovering a stolen item." They took the leather box that the gangsters stole. "We were in a pursuit." The exciting car chase. "We had codenames." Albeit stupid ones but still. "We fought a bunch of crooks." Okay, Henzu fought most of them but still. "And we sort-of took down a real-life villain." The infamous Teppeki Hakaishi A.K.A. Tombstone. "And even though it was scary and we almost died…I'm-I'm glad it happened. Because it…kinda felt like we were heroes. So, I guess I should thank you. And I hope…one day we can do this for real."

That's a big leap in logic but Henzu doesn't interrupt, not wanting to dash Izuku's small sliver of joy. "Ehehe, wow, you must be insane." He mutters. "Even more than I am."

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Henzu teases before feigning disappointment. "I was just thinking it's too bad we never got away with our original prize. I mean I love the car." And believe him he loves it. "But we never did find out what was in that box to begin with."

Izuku smirks, or at least tries too but it's no way as confident as Henzu's. "Y-you want to find out?" He pulls out the worn leather box from inside his pack.

Henzu's astonished! "YOU HAD IT THIS WHOLE TIME!?"

"Y-yeah, T-Tombstone kinda d-dropped it at one point. So, I…t-took it."

Henzu smirks in response. "Shit, I gotta give myself credit here. I really am a bad influence on you, aren't I?"

Izuku snickers at that. "Yes. Yes, you are." Izuku then takes the box and holds it out to Henzu with a small blush. "H-here…I…I want you to have it."

Henzu reels back in surprise. "Me? Why?"

"Because…because you …you had my back."

Well how can he say no to that?

With a smile Henzu gives in and accepts the gift. He takes a moment before opening it, trying to guess what could be inside. Maybe a gold ring, some one-of-a-kind gemstone, a secret flash drive even, and if it is any of those things, how much would it sell for?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

And so, he rips open the kid and the two have a look inside. But reality has a cruel sense of humor as they are both shocked and disappointed by what they find inside. .

Henzu deadpans as he stares into the box. "It's…"

Izuku too just stares. "A…"

And then they both mutter out in disappointment. "Watch…"

Inside the old worn leather box is a just as worn vintage Rolex watch. The watch's once silver body has been faded and rubbed down over the years, and the leather straps are chipped and tethered. And even the glass covering the clock is cracked. But somehow the little hands are still ticking away almost like it refuses to give up its purpose.

"AAAAHHH! SERIOUSLY!" Henzu roars while he pulls at his hair in frustration. "WE RISKED OUR LIVES FOR A BROKEN WATCH!?"

Frowning, Izuku gently pulls out the watch and has a look at it. "Hm? If I were to guess, I think this watch is about 200 years old." Which would mean it was created the same time that Quirks came into existence. "So-that's pretty cool. It-it's nice. R-right?" He smiles, embarrassed and shy as he holds up the watch for Henzu to take, after all it still is his gift to him.

And not wanting to reject a gift, Henzu begrudgingly gives in and takes it but not before teasing Izuku one last time. "Yeah, well maybe I can get some change off of it at the pawn shop."

"You're so mean!" Izuku gasps.

Henzu chuckles at his reaction while flipping the watch over so he can examine the back. He pauses, eyeing the back of the watch curiously. "Hey, Izuku take a look at this. What do you think it means?"

Frowning Izuku leans over and has a look. But not even he can make out what it is…


Meanwhile, unknown to either Izuku or Henzu, across town where one would think businesses would be closed and silent while their customers are at home and in bed there is still a hint of activity.

A tattoo parlor sits wedged between two overbearing buildings and inside there is only the hum of a single tattoo artist at work.

The artist is solely focused on his task, giving it his full concentration. Unlike the man who's watching him work without much interest.

The man watching him sits back in one of the empty chairs, somehow not scuffing up his purple business suit and fluffy pale scarf as he does. And despite the no smoking sign posted outside, he still lights a smoke and sticks it between his crooked teeth.

Giran grins, letting the smoke pour through his teeth before pulling the cig away. "It's too bad about Tombstone. But then again, he hasn't exactly been a good investment. He was never the smart bet, so I knew it was a matter of time before he was put down." He looks over to the artist's true customer, the Leader of the Tracksuit Mafia, who is currently lying ever still on the laid-back chair as the artist works.

He long ditched the tracksuit revealing his sleeveless black shirt and his ripped tattooed arms.

"Still though my client isn't gonna be too happy that you lost his watch."

The Leader rolls his eyes in response. "Whatever, bro. That thing was a piece of junk anyway."

"I know but it was more of a sentimental piece if anything."

"Well in that case, you tell your bro that I'll make it up to him one day."

"And how are you going to do that? Sorry, friend but the Tracksuit Mafia's done."

The Leader smirks ever so slightly as to not disrupt the tattooist's work. "It's like they say bro, when one door closes. You bro-up and smash your way back through that door."

Giran smirks, finding the guy's answer amusing. "Is that right?"

"You bet, bro. This is a new opportunity, bro. With the Tracksuits gone I can finally flex and do things my way. I'm gonna make it big, bro. Just you wait and see."

"Well even big plans gotta start off small." Giran grins as he begins to fish for his own opportunity. "And it just so happens that my client is looking for some new personnel. But since I like you I will tell ya that's more grunt work if anything."

"No way, bro. I ain't stupid. There was a reason I was Tombstone's number two." And it wasn't just because he was good at busting heads. "I ain't gonna be some bro's pawns."

"So, then what do you have planned?"

He breaks into a wide grin as the artist finishes allowing him to sit up and have a look in the mirror he's handed. "I'm striking out on my own, bro. I've heard rumors of some sweet black-market support items. I'm gonna look into it. Bet there's gotta be some good business in that." He smirks down at his reflection before smirking over at Giran. "Be good and I might just cut you in, bro."

Giran grins back at him before sticking the cig back into his mouth. "Now you, my friend, are a smart investment." He exhales, allowing smoke to cloud around the ceiling. "So, is this a new start then?"

The Leader moves to adjust his hair, making sure that it stayed up after stopping to get it dyed and shaved. "You got that right, bro."

"Well a new start means a new outlook. And a new outlook means a new identity."

"You got that right." The Leader stands up revealing his new identity to the underworld. And it is striking with a total face tattoo that resembles a skull while his hair has been dyed orange and set up in a spiky mohawk. "So, do me a solid, bro, and from now on call me Fistrick."

[End of FLASHBACK]

Izuku sighs as he just stares into the Omnitrix, into the alien watch, as he does, he actually cracks into a pained regretful smile. "It's almost ironic that a watch is what tore our friendship apart…"

Especially when…when it could have cemented their friendship like it did once before. What could have been, he supposes. Maybe there was a way they could have stayed friends. A way to keep Nue out of crime. Maybe. Maybe. All these maybes but the reality is that their friendship is over. It has been and it will stay that way. As long as Nue's the villain and he's the hero. That's just how it is…?


Vilgax is surrounded by darkness with the only light source being the holographic image of SevenSeven. "I see. Good, I see things are proceeding well. Continue to report back with any new information."

SevenSeven gives the overlord a nod of his head. "Haey, haey, eevtwhar. M'i lnyo eehr sa a aoemc os eevtwhar."

Psyphon watches from the background while hidden by the darkness but then light suddenly pours into the hexagon-lined dome.

Psyphon turns his head around to find Nue staring back at him. "Ah, you returned and here I thought we were rid of you." Darn he really had his hopes up, oh well.

Nue growls but doesn't say anything as he wanders inside and the passageway seals itself behind him, throwing them all once again into darkness.

Upon his entrance, Vilgax glares at Nue dangerously before harshly scolding him with a threatening tone. "And where have you been?"

Nue averts his gaze before answering. "I…went out."

"I know." Vilgax looms closer, sending a chill down Nue's spine. "Why?"

"None of your business."

"If it puts my plans in jeopardy then it is my business. Now tell me the truth before I peel it out of you myself." Vilgax's claws flex and clench, dangerously gleaming in the lowlight.

Nue scowls like he's gonna snap back but his lower left hand lowers down and pats his pocket. Feeling the circular object inside he calms down enough to respond without sounding sarcastic or spiteful. "I…went to go see an old friend. I-I needed to talk to him, it was nothing."

Vilgax's glare narrows dangerously. "And what exactly did you need to speak to them about?"

Nue pats his pocket as he thinks about what to say. And after a moment of contemplating, he gives Vilgax his honest answer. "About what you said earlier. About all that teamwork stuff. About combining our intellect, skills, and adaptability to become an unstoppable force."

Vilgax doesn't say a word and instead listens, permitting the young villain a chance to state his case.

"I think I get it now." Nue explains. "Rather than working against others, I need to work with others. Let them see things and do things that I can't. And if I let them do what they're good at. I can do what I'm good at. I see that now." He gives a jagged fanged grin while he holds his crystal arm up into a blade form while green electricity dances around it

The green light illuminates Vilgax's face but his expression stays cold and indifferent even as he observes Nue's progress. But even so he is quite impressed and is priding himself over this potentially unstoppable soldier. "Your friend must be very wise if he was finally able to get that lesson through your stubborn skull."

Nue smirks cockily. "Yeah, well, it helps that he's stubborn too."

Vilgax tucks his arms behind his back as he straightens up. "I will look past your disobedience this time but next time I will deal out the proper punishment. Understood?"

"Whatever you say…boss."

Vilgax nods his head in approval, "Now gather around we have much work to do." He then turns away to address the others. "We all do. All eight of us."

Standing off in the vast darkness are the rest of Vilgax's recruits from the hologram of SevenSeven, the slinking Psyphon, the tinkering Rojo, the ax-wielding Sunder, the sun scorching Ragnarok, and the looming Techadon.

"Prepare yourselves, all of you. Our real preparations start now. So brace yourselves because when I'm done with you not even the Plumbers will be able to stand before your power."

Several of them grin at that while others look on indifferently.

Nue is one of the latter as he's more occupied with counting how many of them there are. "Just eight of us? You really think that's enough?"

"No." Vilgax admits before a holographic version of planet Earth appears in midair. "In fact I have my eyes set on one last potential." He turns his eyes, locking onto the alien signal emitting from the middle of the pacific ocean. "And I shall await to see exactly how they will fair."

Nue's not exactly paying attention anymore as instead his mind wanders about this new group or eight soon to be nine. He can't help but think that this group will certainly have a negative impact on the world. Whether it's now or later this is definitely gonna be something he wants to see play out. But it's not just them there is still the League…when he was pawned off it felt like things were finally beginning to form up there too. Both alliances have their plans, their goals, and their resources are at work readying the downfall of heroes and society.

One way or another, whether it's one or the other, society is in for a rude awakening.

As he thinks his lower hand rubs against his pocket once again, and this time he can't help but pull out the circular item inside. From out his pocket he pulls out a broken silver watch and takes a moment to look at it for the first time in what feels like forever. It still has that broken face and chapped leather straps, but the hands are still relentlessly ticking away even after all this time. And so, with the watch in hand he flips it, turning it over to read the strange inscription on the other side. He eyes it fascinatingly, giving a light chuckle at how fitting it is, as he reads the words, "Tous Pour Un, Un Pour Tous."


THE PREVIEW:

Izuku: You know it's funny, but I never did find out what Henzu-I mean Nue did with that broken watch. I bet he sold it.

Grey Matter: Perhaps he did. But even with a superior intellect such as my own it is nearly impossible to calculate how exactly a mind like Nue's operates.

Izuku: Yeah…I guess I'll never know for sure.

Grey Matter: Mostly likely not but I would not focus on such things. What has me concerned is the new alien you just acquired.

Izuku: Huh? New alien? What new alien? What are you talking about?

Grey Matter: I'm talking about the new alien that just suddenly appeared in the Omnitrix. Why not have a look for yourself but please…use caution.

Izuku: Um, sure. Just give me a sec… … … … Whattt? Whattt? Am Iii? This guy doesn't feel quite righttt. Hehe, but he's got a cool power thoughhh. I guess some aliens are just a little creepyyy.

Grey Matter: It's a vast universe with all sorts of possible evolutions living or nonliving organisms can take.

Izuku: I guess that's something humans and aliens have in commonnn. We're all a little freakyyy.

Both: Next time: Ch.61 Freak Show!

Grey Matter: For my next experiment I hypothesize that an incorporeal being is far scarier than any jester.


So, was the wait for this chapter worth it? I think it was, I mean so much was set up through this one chapter alone: the Null Void and its inhabitants, Nue's development, character history, Fistrick's introduction, setting up the events of I-Island, Vilgax's plan, and a new alien that's sure to cause more problems later down the line!

Now let's jump to what you guys really want to hear. Yes, a certain spectral presence will have their official debut next chapter. I know a lot of you have been waiting for this alien to be introduced and now that time has finally arrived. Or at least it will arrive. In truth I have no clue how long the next chapter will take me to write up but it shouldn't take as long as this one did.

As for next time, it is the last chapter I have for this Road Trip Arc and it will feature a new alien (duh), an old enemy/enemies, and a friend/classmate too.

And then once "Ch.61 Freak Show" is complete we will move on to the "Three" Heroes arc. But more on that next time.

***ARTWORK*** Just a reminder that the artist, Voidv25, has artwork of Henzu Uuichi A.K.A. Nue on his file on Deviant Art.

*I wanna clarify that the timeline of the Flashbacks takes place about a few weeks or so before Izuku finds the Omnitrix.

*This chapter had quite a bit of inspiration from the Hawkeye series especially in regard to the Tracksuit Mafia. They just fit so well since Fistrick talks the same way they do.

Also, I know Wilson Fisk A.K.A. Kingpin is their boss, but I changed it to Tombstone because I didn't want to do Kingpin dirty like that. So, I went with a Spider-Man villain that I thought would be okay to use once and not use him again. So, to clarify this was Tombstone's only appearance, at least for what I have planned.

*Speaking of characters that I do have plans for there's Fistrick. I have further plans for him and his Quirk later on. For now, I wanted to use this as his introduction.

*And finally, there were quite a lot of Star Wars easter eggs here: the Battle Droids interactions and Kolar yelling "E Chu Ta." There was even a line from Guardians of the Galaxy in there. But the Easter Egg I liked the most was the "Reservoir Dogs" bit with Mr. Pink.


Responses for "Guest" reviewers from Ch.59:

Atom king: I have nothing this chapter is just so incredible with the reference and introduction to the null void gun and an possible dark past of the plumbers with nezu using the null void projector and the unexpected appearance of nue, and with izuku and nue being suck into the null void that is awesome plus I did like that moment between izuku and Hisashi with izuku sharing bit of his childhood with a story about a school trip to Mt Fuji

that great character development.

CreateGunner1209: If you thought that was great character development then you must have loved Ch.60. Along with its references, the Null Void, and flashbacks.


Shark: Henzue was a pleasant/terrible surprise. Can't wait to see how Izuku gets himself out of this jam and the inevitable angst and self doubt in the next chapter; from both sides . Also I grinned ear to ear when Izuku said "clanker". I loved Clone wars when I was a kid and still do now, so any type of reference is solid in my book.

CreateGunner1209: I love Clone Wars and I love that you enjoyed Ch.59 so much. I hope you love Ch.60 as much as I do.


Guest: Have Izuku and Henzu/Nue meet Kwarrel and have help Hensu/Nue return to normal like his Ben 10 counterpart did for Kevin and have him survive and have Morgg be arrested.

CreateGunner1209: Sorry but as you already read I didn't go with that route. But I think we can agree what I had was just as good if not way better


Paradox: I simultaneously love and hate cliffhangers and you have pulled off a masterpiece of a cliffhanger. I am really looking forward to both the secrets of the omnivores story. I have to ask what the odds are if one of the, uninitiated, hero students getting pulled along in the alien madness when no one really has time to explain. I just look forward to all the confusion and stark realizations that can come in the future. Also, looking forward to the baby chills, I've been imagining how that could go for a while and honestly it should lead to some embarrassing and hilarious talks. This is a great story that leaves my mind brining with theories. Especially cannot wait for Izuku to gobsmack Xylene by explaining the truth of the Omnitrix. Should be a pleasant reality check for her

CreateGunner1209: Cliffhangers are a powerful tool. On one hand your readers hate you but on the other they come back for more. And yeah I definitely think my story has the strength of allowing readers to predict and theorize what will happen in the future. And it's great to hear what you guys say because it does help me develop future chapters.


Theamazingowl234: Was a bit disappointed that Kolar didn't join Vilgax's roster of alien comrades, he would have looked bad ass beside them since he had to me the coolest tetraman design in the series. But hot damn Henzu is back with bang and Izuku's reaction to the Null Void is perfect. The Null void was always a shady moral thing that the Series never actually touched upon and had treated it so casual later on. Always surprising us author!

CreateGunner1209: I agree Kolar did have the coolest Tetramand design. And hey you got him one more time in this chapter. Although they might be the last we see of him. Unless I pull that "Oh I actually survived" BS or something. Anyway i hope the Null Void was full of surprises for you as well along with the rest of the events of the chapter


Guest: THIS WAS A REALLY COOL CHAPTER. I GOTTA ASK THOUGH. WILL GHOSTFREAK BE SHOWING UP SOON? YOU FORSHADOWED HIM IN THE OTHER SERIES SO I WAS THINKING THAT HE WOULD BECOME IMPORTANT ONE OF THESE CHAPTERS. ALSO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, YOUR MY FAVORITE FANFICTION RIGHT NOW

CreateGunner1209: I'm assuming you read the chapter already and the PREVIEW so let's be real here. Yes :)


Dreadbot: I really like this chapter I like how you included the battle droids from Star wars in the Carbonite war Droid from horse unleashed I hope we see more of them I like how you introduce the null void I like all of the many different weapons you included I really thought the ending was interesting can't wait for what happened next please keep writing

CreateGunner1209: I hope the long wait was worth it. I think it was and hey you got more battle droids out of it too


Doc: Great chapter as always! Good to see that I was at least on the right track. My question of the day is... Will I see a green stand in further down the line, sorry but I don't remember if anyone has brought this up or not. And I don't have to but any chance you could do more young justice Easter eggs?

CreateGunner1209: A green stand? I'm confused, I mean I get it: Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. But which alien are you referring to? And as for references to Young Justice I will try, most (all) references are usually thought up on the spot


Guest: Well look at the chapter it's called afterlife shift and donkangrejo leaves squidward and spongebob all night alone in krustacio kascarudo and squidward tells bob a horror story

the omake can be of izuku ochaco and mina staying alone all night at the plumbers' base and one one tells them a story it would be fun

I wonder if Shinso could find out about the aliens and want to be a plumber as well, what weapons would he use?

It would have been great if the young plumbers appeared and helped save Eri

patelidey and torino are friends and they visit each other sometimes when i imagine them

Do you think that you could do some modifications of the vilgax army and that this one. It is also made up of members of its own species and different alien species, not many, just a few like 4 or 5 or even just aliens who only wanted to join their little army and not just machines and those strange creatures.

or finally could you do the intro as the intro of the peacemaker series was very funny

Sielos esperaba que cuando izuku fuera al basio Kraab fuera con el megustan sus nombramientos juntos

CreateGunner1209: I know the episode very well and in english it's called the HASH SLINGING SLASHER.

I am saving the Plumber's Helpers for later.

Due to work Patelliday doesn't visit too much but he is in regular contact with Gran Torino

Well as you just read Vilgax is doing exactly that and has been for a while

I still need to watch Peacemaker I have been procrastinating on it (been too busy writing this last chapter)


DeadCool14: LET'S GOOO! I hope there's one badass final alien for the next one (speaking of which you forgot to mention Upchuck in the OP)

My God the references

Man that blaster is so cool! Deku's gonna have a lot more use for his belt. Also are you gonna give a reason as to why Rook has the Omnitrix symbol on the Proto-Tool? Like maybe everyone on the Dekusquad would have it somewhere on them at somepoint, like a pin or something?

Also I imagine that when Rook shows up he would feel very comfortable in Japan since it's very similar to Ravonnah since it has farm lands and people address each other by their last names

When Eri shows up will she only hang out with ML-E and the other kids? Like Kouta, Samidare and Satsuki, Mahoro and Katsuma and Young One?

Yeah you should watch it, it's incredible, you only need to watch the first part to get Dio tho, it's only 9 episodes. Oh and 'wryyy' is something Dio says, apparently it means "vampire noises" lol

There's something wrong with the picture of Uraraka and Bakugou in the Tv Tropes page, I tried to fix it but it doesn't work, do you know what's wrong with it?

Are you gonna do Destroy All Aliens? I think there could be some conflict between Azmuth and his dad that is a parallel to Izuku and Hisashi, but reversed, in which Azmuth is the one that left and his dad is very angry (partly at Azmuth and partly at himself) and cold towards him but when he leaves for Earth and is presumed dead Dadsmuth is very remorseful.

I think you could do IzuOcha really well, I'd imagine it would be just like their friendship in this story but adding more kisses, hugs, dates, teasing and just general awkward dorkness. And probably the same with Kamijirou (and maybe Kirimina but that's just me. I love that ship.)

Oh and one really touching moment they could have is that when Deku gets the more OP aliens, or just Alien X, he'd have a breakdown over how he's basically a God and can do anything and would be freaking out over succumbing to it and trying to take over the universe to make it better, which could stem from him using Alien X to save Ochako from OFA, since if he abused his godly power to save his friend, who says he won't use for other things he wants to change, and then Uraraka would comfort him by saying that him having all that power and not using it makes him even more amazing and then they would talk about how much they mean to each other and how they inspire each other and then they could confess their feelings for each other.

How would you handle Deku's ego if you do the Highbreed Invasion? I feel like everyone would be ok with it if he got a bit of an ego, since he needs confidence. He would brag about it but wouldn't be obnoxious.

If Ma Vreedle shows up, would she be friends with Inko and Mitsuki?

Speaking of which, will Inko and Rei become friends?

What would be Hisashi's reaction to what Deku did to Vulcanus? I'm guessing he would raise his allowance

Will everyone know about Deku's most OP aliens or would he keep them secret until like the war?

Can you make Cow Lady from Two Heroes the mother of Pony Tsunotori from Class B?

Would Kaminari's mom flirt with Hisashi if they met up? Of course not knowing he's married. I feel that he inherited that from her

Will Uraraka get the rivalry with Shigaraki instead of Deku? Because it would be kinda weird, given that the reason they work as rivals is due to their similar backstories and different ideologies and same Uraraka and Toga due to their motivations and outlooks on life

This part is an idea I came up with and I really like it and want to share it, but it's also a suggestion if you wanna use it, you don't have to, just throwing the idea out there. If you do consider using it then delete it from the comment so people won't get spoiled:

If Spanner shows up, could you have him be Shigaraki, or more accurately Tenko? Because I really like that theory that Shigaraki will be turned into a baby by Eri and adopted by Deku. Because I think it would be a cool way to show the duality of his character, with his personality combining things from both his upbringings and his relationship with Devlin compared to Deku and Henzu. And it would be nice to see how his life would be with a good father and a family that would always help and support him and to have some nice sibling moments with Eri if she's adopted by Deku as well, which would also fit because Ken actually has a sister in canon called Gwendolyn, she's that girl that's at his birthday party. Also because of their connection to dogs, and… y'know, TENko.

CreateGunner1209: Fixed Upchuck has been added to OP.

I wasn't planning on having a reason for the Proto-tool to have an Omnitrix symbol. I mean they never explained why in the show. I might try but we'll see

Oh I already plan for Eri to be part of a trio with Kota and ML-E.

Also I have no idea how to fix anything on TV Tropes. I have no idea on even how to add stuff to the site

As for the Alienx X idea…that kinda seems a little too much for my taste if I'm gonna be honest. It's not a bad idea but I think I'm gonna go a different route with Alien X.

If I did the Highbreed Invasion I don;t think Deku's ego would skyrocket in anyway. Yes he'd be more confident but the DNAliens were a secret invasion so he can't draw attention to himself

I have plans for Ma Vreedle but I rather not give it away.

Funny you ask I was gonna reveal later that Hisashi also blew up Vulcanus' body a long time ago too. So it would be a pot calling the kettle black situation

People (at least members of Class 1-A) would know about Izuku's more OP aliens

Cow Lady? Maybe if I can slip it in

Mrs. Kaminari would flirt with Hisashi? IDK I don't think so

As for rivalry stuff between characters. Again I don't really like to delve into character development and such in Guest review as I fear spoiling story elements for other reads that rather not know

Not gonna lie the Spanner idea is actually pretty good. Sadly…I am not gonna do it. I would like to say more on why but you will have to wait until I am finally able to start the spin-off timetravel/dimension hopping story


Guest: I know uaraka and ashido will be jealous of deku new toy

CreateGunner1209: Yeah, but remember it's no toy


Guest: I'm surprised hatsme isn't drooling over the Omnitrix

CreateGunner1209: To be fair as of now she just thinks it's a unnecessarily fancy watch.


Guest: Have Izuku and Henzu/Nue meet Kwarrel and have help Hensu/Nue return to normal like his Ben 10 counterpart did for Kevin and have him survive and have Morgg be arrested.

CreateGunner1209: Nope, as you read I had other plans.


501awesome: Hey author just want to point out than in Season 2 Episode 2 of Alien Force, "Darkstar Rising", Magister Prior Gilhi mentioned that the Galvan's had a say in some Plumber affairs. Just wanted to bring this up as I thought you could use it in some interesting worldbuilding. By any chance would you have any of the other Magisters from Ultimate Alien Force such as Prior Gilhi, Labrid and Hulka be appearing in this fic's future, or at the very least namedropped. Because I felt that they could do very interesting for this fic as the Plumbers are more played into in this story earlier than in the OG Ben 10 series. Just curious it's fine if you don't want to use them though. Have a pleasant week.

Sincerely, a excited fan/reader

CreateGunner1209: Thanks I will remember that. And yes more Magisters will appear at some point or at least be namedropped.


Guest: Now that I remember, there is another very funny spongebob thing and that is when he gets stuck in the abyss and the bus does not pick him up

one where it happens to ochaco that would be very good

could you do it?

CreateGunner1209: Maybe I would need a good setup. And I have one but I'm gonna wait until I introduce a new story element.


Guest: All For One is literally Vandal Savage. That is all. All jokes aside, I really like how Bakugo And Uraraka's realtionship is handled in the fic. Their obviously platonic one. *Glares at Kacchako* Jkjk. Still, I'm really curious if you're doing a Bakugo redemption arc like the manga or if Henzu takes his place.

CreateGunner1209: FINALLY! FINALLY someone got the parallels! THANK YOU! Yes, I have modeled AFO's and Vilgax's partnership off of Young Justice's Vandal Savage and Dark Seid alliance. As for redemption, Bakugou is definitely getting redeemed for sure.


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CreateGunner1209: No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

1. Write a review while logged into your account so I can find your story.

2. Tell me the title of the story.

3. I don't get the appeal of My Little Pony.

4. This is a terrible way to ask people to read your story.


Metal Lizard: Any more Bounty Hunter's that Vilgax will send to get the Omnitrix? because there are more than a few would would get Omnitrix for any reward like.

Armaggon-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Lobo-DC

Urdnot Wrex-Mass Effect

Krrsantan-Star Wars

Scaramouche-Samurai Jack

ok if Scaramouche does make a appearance I think that it would be funny if he and Kraab knew each other like rivals as maybe say he on the top Bounty Hunters' Guild list then Kraab and to have him see that Kraab is now just a head I can only imagine on how to Scaramouche will react to that.

CreateGunner1209: Only one left but they're no bounty hunter.

That said I have actually been really wanting to throw in Lobo and even Armaggon as well as Cad Bane. Oh but I love your ideas especially Krrsantan and Scaramouche. I can't guarantee that they will all even get a line or major role but maybe they can get a cameo here and there.


Guest: If he's wants to get home he'll have to finds parts he'll need grey matter , Brian Storm, Jerry rig and upgrade

CreateGunner1209: Close, just Grey Matter and a reluctant Nue.


Guest: Huh for a brief moment there it seemed like Henzu cared about Inko when he yelled at Hisashi. Now I lowkey hope he runs into her cuz I kinda wanna see how that would go. Actually did henzu ever interact with Inko cuz I honestly can't see that #bestmom turning him away or being cruel or neglecting him

CreateGunner1209: Oh he did, he definitely did. No one can hate Momidoriya. And yes they did react and Inko is aware of Henzu;s friendship with Izuku. And although she thought of him a bad influence she never had the heart to not offer him a meal and kind words.


Guest: Oh I serious hope we see some flashbacks of Henzu and Izuku together back during middle school

CreateGunner1209: Wish sort-of granted.


DevilishMan87: You know when I was re-reading some of the earlier chapters I realized something in chapter 13. If Ochako actually knew more about how to use One For All then she most likely would have beat Todoroki. I mean if she could speed herself up using One For All and get close enough to touch Todoroki while activating zero gravity he wouldn't be able to fight and most likely be rendered useless. Since he refused to use his fire and ice doesn't operate the same way since every time he uses it Todoroki seems to need to be able to touch a solid surface to generate ice and I doubt he could generate ice well enough to use himself as a solid surface to attack Ochako. Crazy to think how they both developed so much.

CreateGunner1209: Yeah they both have. And actually I had a hard time deciding who should fight Todoroki because both Izuku and Ochaco would have won against him. I think I made the right decision though


DrakeDragon: I like to think that if Midoriya would get merchandise to fill his room again they would all be based around Thirteen since she was the first person to support and believe in his dreams.

CreateGunner1209: Perhaps


Guest: I can't wait to see his classmates freak out when they see swamp fire regeneration abilities

CreateGunner1209: Swampfire? But Wildvine'ss already here


Guest: Will he meet azmuth before or after the training arc camp

CreateGunner1209: After…way after


Guest: When does he start tapping the watch to switch out alien's

CreateGunner1209: Later


Guest: I would like to see deku meeting the original cannon of my MHA

can you just imagine two deku mumbling him telling them about their his festival

CreateGunner1209: One day when I finally start the spin-off story


Guest: IZUKU MIDORIYA X MINA ASHIDO

BEN TENNYSON X KAI GREEN

KATSUKI BAKUGO X OCAHOKO URARAKA

KEVIN LEVIN X GWEN TENNYSON

CreateGunner1209: Noted


Guest: hey do you think that in the movie of two heroes or rather three heroes there could be a bistaso to professor paradox that in the fourth dr melisa or deivi's laboratory there is a photo of how the famous scientists that melisa says he was a famous scientist of the United States but that after an experiment disappeared

saves I think another very funny spongebob omake would be when he invented some baller pants

and that in this story izuku is transformed into an insectoid and is wanting to practice his grandpa and everyone starts asking him for favors

CreateGunner1209: I already have Professor Paradox's backstory set so that actually might not work. It wasn't a bad idea though, actually it's really clever but when I introduce him it will make more sense why it won't work. Besides I already have a ton of references and cameos lined up for "Three Heroes" which is how I've personally been calling the move event for my story


Guest: So tell me who would you want to ship luzku with in canon or your story

CreateGunner1209: I didn't set out to right ships but in relation to the main canon/manga I'd say Ochaco. As for fanfiction in general I don't have a preference for any one ship


Matrix: I have some ideas for two chapters.

1. Izuku encounters denki, jiro, and mineta on one of there stops and learns that denkis dad seemingly died before he was born and when he shows them a picture of him which leads to this wham line

Jiro: um kaminari that's a photo from a gift shop.

And when denki is shocked about it he confronts his mom where she tells him, when she was doing a assignment in America she encounters a villain named electro who raped her and when denki finds out that he is in town he confronts him and is nearly killed by him but defeats him when he is assisted by mineta, jiro, izuku, and his mom in stopping electro.

And for the second chapter it is called we create or own demons.

2. Hisashi and izuku encounter tezuka and tokoyami again explaining that they are after an escaped prisoner who is prisoner 775 and wants revenge against tezuka for unlawfully inprisoning him and he reveals that most of the arrest she made were innocent aliens much to her horror and nearly kills Her until izuku intervenes with his new form chamalien afterwards she brings this information to her boss who demoted her which she is ok with and gains character development.

And here are vilgaxs victims when he appears.

1. Death arms

2. Burnin

3. Native

4. Manual

5. Air jet.

And that's all I got right now I will think of 4 more pro heroes that would be offed by vilgax.

CreateGunner1209: 1. It's not bad but I am not comfortable touching the subject of rape. So I would change that and say that they were in love but had a falling out. Also I actually tried having an Electro Easter Egg/reference during the start of Ch.57 Under the Sea. But it went under the rather as it was a lowkey Spectacular Spider-Man reference.

2. Actually there's a lot that doesn't make sense with this one. I mean I get it but it wouldn't work. 1. Nezu would have known for a long time and done something about it. 2. The reason Chamalien was imprisoned in Ben Ten was only because he was an alien and he did nothing wrong. So in MHA where he could pass as a Mutant human would mean people would think he's human. So if he got arrested it must have been because he actually did commit a crime. Also there's a thing called due process

As for Vilgax's victims. I'm sorry but I don't think that's gonna work or at least your choices like Death Arms, Burnin, Manual, etc. I mean I get it but I'm gonna do things differently

Thanks anyway I do appreciate you sharing


Farouk: Deku around people.

Listing every good traits about them and compliment them about it and show some respect.

People around Deku.

Listing every flaw he got, every mistake he made and making fun of him about it & rarely show any sign if respect to him. Ppl respect and care about him but refuse to show it.

CreateGunner1209: Seems on point. I take inspiration from a lot of Spectacular Spider-Man and Batman Beyond for a lot of this stuff. It keeps the main hero humble and so much more heroic when they keep fighting the good fight


Guest: Story is progressing nicely, but I have a question that I'm not sure if you answered yet or the thing I'm asking already showed up and I'm just dumb, but will a Mr Smoothy shop open in Mustafu or near UA in the future? It would be cool if Mr Smoothy becomes a primary or secondary setting in future chapters.

CreateGunner1209: Mt. Smoothie actually already exists but I am waiting to give Izuku a reason to go there. Waiting on a pair of aliens to introduce him to the place ;)


Guest: You know there someone can teach luzku work his aim and his skill is garrus he good at all weapon and know to do if he ever get Surrounded he will be best teacher for luzku than snipe and is hondo is still pirate with crew or his he by himself scamming people and getting away with it

CreateGunner1209: I am not familiar with him, sorry


Guest: I would love too see bullfrag meeting tsuyu parents her father giving him a hard glare

CreateGunner1209: Maybe as an Omake


Guest: Can't wait until deku uraraka and ashido start plumber's boot camp

Are the new recruit's are gonna be call poozers like in green lantern

CreateGunner1209: Shoot I have been saying "pousers" instead of "poozers" for this entire story…shit I messed up