Yu didn't bother to hide the look of disgust that she aimed at the dilapidated building. It was definitely an apartment building once upon time – couldn't house more than six occupants. It had a small lot surrounding it meant for vehicles and a waist-high, brick fence that clearly defined its perimeter. All in which were not gracefully experiencing the test of time. The paint had chipped here and there; wood endured festering rot while the concrete and asphalt cracked, allowing buds of green to peek through.
Yu pushed her hands into her jacket's pockets. "We're in the middle of suburbia… Why the hell is a place like this still standing…?"
"We're going to check out this building," announced Kamui. "There was a complaint filed with the local police last night. About random people going in and out of the place." He produced a key from his pocket and unlocked the gate in the brick fence. "This building is owned by the History Preservation Society – it's a look and don't touch."
"Preservation?" echoed Ashido. "Sorry, Mr. Woods, but this place is falling apart."
Midoriya stepped forward, hooking his thumbs in his belt straps. "They're making a statement."
"About what?"
Shinso knocked a knuckle against a plaque that was nailed into the brick fence. "It's a Quirk-Containment Complex."
Midoriya stepped through the gate, following Kamui. "Those heavy-duty shutters are a dead giveaway."
Ashido recoiled a bit as Shinso stepped through. "Oh my god…" She then followed suit. "So, what? They're keeping it to rot?"
"The old ideas rot away before our very eyes," said Kamui. "We've left the 'out of sight; out of mind' mentality, and traded it in for a more accepting society."
"Is it even safe to go inside?" asked Yu as she swung the gate shut behind her.
"For normal people? No." Kamui wasn't focused on her, but the interns before him, lecturing on and on. "Which is why people like us need to make sure they don't get themselves hurt. A rule, however: don't wonder off and stay close together."
Yu waved her hand as she leaned against the brick fence. "I'll stand guard out here." She shrugged, "Lot's about big enough for me to stand and grow; if we need to scare some children." She let slip a mocking tone towards the end of her sentence.
Kamui was definitely fighting back a sigh. "That'll be fine. A group of four is more than enough to look around a place like this."
"I don't know how I feel about keeping a place like this around…" muttered Ashido.
Midoriya shrugged, "At least, it's a glorified museum piece. A few of these complexes are actually still in use."
"Seriously?"
Shinso nodded, "Yeah, back when I was living with my Dad, the ads make out the shutter thing as 'high-end' security."
Midoriya recoiled, "That's… awful…"
"It's pretty gross," said Ashido.
"And stupid from a business standpoint." One orb on his visor flattened while the other widened into a large circle. "It's the same line they spat to get people to move into these places. That and record-low rent."
Kamui chuckled, "It's so nice to see that all of you are so educated."
Yu smirked, crying out from the fence. "That's an old person's line!" She pointed at him like she was a toddler on a playground. "You sound old!"
It was his turn to recoil now; everyone gets one. "No, it isn't." He looked around at the interns. "I'm not!"
"I didn't say anything," stated Shinso.
"You're the youngest Hero I know!" claimed Ashido.
"You're not that old!" cried Midoriya.
"That… old…?" echoed Kamui.
A little too loud, Midoriya muttered, "I've said too much."
Yu chuckled to herself as her intern vehemently tried to correct his mistake as Kamui entered denial. "I totally thought this whole thing was going to be a complete pain, but… this is pretty entertaining…"
-XXX-
"Not the greatest impression…" Izuku pulled out Masai from his back. "Would probably be way worse if he recognized me…" Shinso pulled out his electrified escrima sticks. "This helmet was a great idea – glad I went with the blacked-out visor…" Ashido pulled out her grenade launcher with a bit of giddiness.
Kamui chuckled, "That might be a bit overkill, Ashido. Let's pack it away for now."
She deflated, "Aw…"
"Before we move forward, I should ask, Midoriya, what's your Quirk?" asked Kamui. "It'll help me strategize the best formation for us to search in."
Izuku's heart skipped a beat, causing him to fumble. "Oh! Uh… um…" He forced a chuckle while meddling with the chin of his helmet. "I… Actually…"
Ashido skipped in front of him, raising a hand and waving it. "He's super smart!" She chuckled awkwardly, "But not like… 'super' super, but definitely above average."
"It doesn't sound like much, but well, he made his suit and gear," said Shinso. "Even my suit and our Maneuver-Belts."
Kamui nodded, "Oh! I see." He stepped toward Izuku, patting his shoulder. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. We all come in different shapes and sizes; all that matters is how you use it."
"Pfft," let out Takeyama.
A glare was immediately shot her way by Kamui. "Shut up."
"It's way grosser when you're touching his shoulder," added Takeyama.
Kamui's hand left Izuku, spitting, "You're such a child!"
"And you lack self-awareness," she stated.
Kamui's palm met his masked face, "I'll take point. Shinso, Midoriya, take either side of the door." He pointed to his other intern. "Ashido, take up the rear—shut up." His pointing finger immediately swiveled to the other Pro.
"I didn't say anything!" cried Takeyama.
His eyes narrowed, "You thought it, though." He shook his head before turning back to his intern. "You said you can make non-acidic slush, yes?" Ashido nodded. "If anyone gets past us, it makes running difficult for them."
"Gets past us…? Kamui Woods is the Hero when it comes to capturing villains… There's no way anyone gets past him…" His head swiveled as he looked over Shinso and Ashido. "They lied for me… Even Mount-Lady isn't saying anything and she has my file…"
Shinso chuckled, whispering while nudging Izuku's shoulder. "Did your heart grow three-sizes or something?"
"W-What? N-No! Shut up," stuttered out Izuku. "H-How'd you know that?"
Another laugh. "You don't have to take it personally. Last thing I want to find out is that one of my favorite Heroes is an asshole."
Ashido brought her hands together, winking and whispering, "Plus, it'd be really awkward for the rest of the week." Her fists landed on her hips. "But, once we prove ourselves, he won't be able to argue! I mean it's just a little, white lie. Can't be that big of a deal, right? Right."
Kamui called out, "Hey, everyone form up."
"Aye, sir!" cried Ashido, pumping her fist.
"Come on, let's go be 'urban explorers'," said Shinso, nudging his friend.
There were three apartments on the ground floor with three more on the second. Kamui started with the center-most on the ground floor. Awkwardly, Izuku and Shinso posted up on either side of the door. Both had seen plenty of action movies where the good guys stack on the door before breaching. However, what was in the movies was different from reality. "I actually can't see jack from this angle… Judging by how Shinso's looking, he can't see much either…"
Kamui instructed, "I'll enter first. Shinso, keep your gaze fixed on the left side of the room as you enter. Midoriya, same for the right side. Each room will have a bathroom, a restroom, and a closet. All perfect hiding places. Follow along the wall, and open any door you come across. If it is a small enclosure, do a quick search and then close it. If it leads to a larger room, do not enter, we will return to that once we secure the main room." He looked over his shoulder. "Ashido and Mount-Lady will maintain the perimeter until called upon."
Ashido seemed to deflate a little bit more. "Oh…" She coughed before straightening her back. "Uh, I mean—you got it, Boss!"
"Now…" The Pro took a breath before knocking his knuckles against the front door. "This is Kamui Woods! Is anyone—" His eyes widened when the, supposedly, locked door creaked open. Grips tightened on their weapons as they looked at either side. "Stay focused, and remember your instructions."
As directed, Kamui entered before Izuku and Shinso followed swiftly behind. The word 'preservation' in the Society's name gave them all a certain impression. The material may be rotting, in a controlled manner, but they all expected the inside of the apartment to be a partial facsimile of what was. However, it was anything but…
The walls that were meant to separate the three apartments were gone. Evidently, each was knocked down, leaving only the support beams to hold up the ceiling and floor above. Bundles of wires were pulled from multiple gaps, reattached together in seemingly random assortments. Remnants of wood and drywall decorated the rotting floorboards. Two doors remained on the far sides of the enclosure, but not old and rickety ones like the entryways. Instead, these doors were made from a strange weaving of plastic-like tubes.
"It's not… supposed to be like this, right?" asked Shinso.
Kamui shook his head. "No, it is not." He called out, "Ashido! Come in here."
"Yes, sir!" Ashido jogged in before skidding to a stop. "Woah! What the…"
He pointed, "Those doors. They're made in a fashion that is way too organic. I'm betting they were made by a Quirk – could be traps." He directed her. "Melt them, I don't want to risk it. Midoriya, back her up."
"After you," offered Izuku.
She chuckled, cocking a brow. "Thanks." She pumped her fists. "Let's melt some doors."
They walked towards the door, and… it was almost imperceptible, at first. With one step forward, the way that the light peaked through the windows seemed to hit it in a different way. Another step; another way. It was when they were only a meter away that they could clearly see that the plastic tubes were writhing in their presence. Frantically moving as if the mass was trying to get away from them.
Ashido nudged Izuku's shoulder. "Uh… Let's not get any closer, big guy." She lifted her right arm, pulling one of the bulbs attached to the outside of it. "That's what these babies are for." She clicked the top of it before softly lobbing the bulb at the lintel above the door. Little mechanical legs immediately extended from the device before spewing a wave of grey, blue-ish slosh below. The tubes waggled and flung themselves as they melted and fell apart. "Top button triggers 'Spider-Mode' which leads to…" She wiggled her fingers at the display of acid. "Acid Rain~!"
The slosh rolled towards their feet, causing Izuku to step back. She eeped before tapping her gauntlet and pulling a cylinder from her waist and tossing it into the slop. The bulb clicked shut as the metal of the cylinder sizzled against the acid, but didn't melt. It's top half popped open before a spew of powder caked the bubbling acid, causing it to quiet and soon be inert.
The orbs on Izuku's visor upturned into crescents. "Woah, that's awesome!"
Ashido grinned. "I know, right?"
Izuku crouched, observing how the acid turned into a simple, slime-like material. "I really gotta do a study on how your acid works…" He chuckled, shaking his head. "This is just piquing my curiosity." He rubbed his chin. "Capable of melting a basic material like plastic, but neutralized easily by something like… Baking soda…?"
"Hey! Got it in one!" She patted his head. "You really are smart."
The orbs narrowed as he tilted his head. "Thanks?"
Ashido tapped another button on her gauntlet and the bulb released its grip from the wall, landing in the slush. "Oh, crud…" She tiptoed through and picked it up, brushing off the sludge. "Let's get through the other door."
She jogged over to Shinso while Kamui walked up. "Midoriya, keep your distance. I'll search through it." He stepped towards what was clearly a closet. "Fresh clothes… They've actually been ironed…" He rummaged through it. "Clothing is an assortment of streetwear, a few uniforms, and…" He crouched, picking up something from the ground. "Clothes fit for a toddler…"
Izuku peeked past Kamui's shoulder. "Aldera uniform?"
"You can tell?" asked Kamui over his shoulder. He stood, looking over the outfit. "You're right. That's a school in the nearby area…"
"So, what? A runaway family moved in?" offered Shinso as acid rained on the other writhing door..
Kamui wrangled through the hanging clothes, "Yes, with a man who works at a convenience store, as an electrician, a mechanic… office-worker… this one even has a teacher's lanyard attached to it…"
"Wait… Are these like disguises?" pondered Ashido as she tossed another cylinder over.
"I can't deny that it seems that way," said Kamui.
Ashido peered through the entryway. "Well, it looks like it's just a restroom over here."
"A weirdly clean one," noted Shinso. "You'd expect mold or something, but nothing." He stepped into the room, disappearing from sight. Soon, it was followed by the noise of a running faucet. "The plumbing works!"
Izuku blinked before looking at the wall near one of the doors. He walked over and flicked up a switch, bringing light upon a third of the large room. "Looks like whoever was here got this place back on the grid."
"Okay, so…" Ashido shook her head. "There's no way someone's been living here, right? I mean, the plumbing and the electricity's working, sure, but there's no place to even lay down."
After exiting the restroom, Shinso crossed his arms. "Not to mention, this 'renovation' got rid of three kitchens, two bathrooms, and three bedrooms. If anyone was trying to live here, they made their lives even harder. And we're in a Quirk Containment building. These walls weren't just wood and drywall; they were heavy-duty metal underneath that."
"So, the real question is… what would they need all this room for?" asked Kamui.
Something fell on the floor above, causing a waft of dust and powder to fall.
"Maybe… this might be our chance to ask?" offered Izuku.
-XXX-
Hitoshi was about as huffy as Ashido was when Kamui had them wait in the front, parking lot with Mount-Lady. "We're interns, I know… I was hoping for a real case or something…" His arms were crossed as Midoriya's thumbs found his belt strap while Ashido blew raspberries and kicked her feet. Midoriya was still the closest to the building, pacing near the staircase that led to the second floor. Ashido and Hitoshi were about midway across the lot while Mount-Lady was leaning against the brick fence.
"Think there's anyone actually up there?" asked Ashido.
Hitoshi shrugged, "Maybe – could just be a raccoon or something…"
"I am Kamui Woods! Is anyone in there?!" he shouted. "This building is no longer suitable to be lived in. It is also the private property of the HPS and you are not allowed t—"
An explosion of dust, splinters, glass, and metal erupted from the second floor. The shockwave threw Hitoshi and Ashido back and to the ground while Mount-Lady was thrown onto the sidewalk. Windows on the ground floor were cracked while the entire building quaked. A form sailed over all of them and across the street, crashing against the far building. Kamui landed on the far sidewalk with a thud.
Hitoshi shook his head as he sat up. Thrown downward instead of away; Midoriya was already pushing himself onto his feet, trying to pick up Masai from the ground. Though, his stance was short lived as a large, muscular man leapt from the cloud of debris. His fists slammed on Midoriya's head, bending him forward, before a hit from the villain's knee straightened his back. A large hand wrapped around Midoriya's throat before blue light sparked from his knuckles. Blue electricity raked Midoriya's body, bringing Hitoshi, Ashido, and Mount-Lady to their feet.
The man pulled Midoriya's limp body close as two others stood out on the balcony as the debris settled. One was a woman with white, segmented skin – her hair was akin to plastic tubing. The other was a brunet: almost entirely normal-looking if not for his arm which had expanded into a strange amalgamation of bone and flesh in the shape of a 'cannon'.
Hitoshi's eyes looked over the three. "Plastic-Woman over there's probably responsible for those doors… Mr. Arm-Burst there just rocked us… and… Electrocutioner has…"
"No one moves!" demanded Electrocutioner. "Or I'll fry this boy so hard that his eyes will burst from his damn helmet!" He gestured to the two above and waved the dangling boy. "The four of us are gonna be leaving… and you lot aren't budging from those spots…"
"L-Let's just calm down, okay?" offered Shinso, raising his open palms. "No one needs to get hurt—anymore."
Electrocutioner's face contorted for a moment before he shook his head. "Look, I don't want to hurt anyone, k—" His blue eyes clouded over as his jaw hung open.
Hitoshi chuckled before saying, "Let him go now."
"You're not in the position to make demands!" shouted Arm-Burst, aiming his arm below.
Plastic-Woman's eyes widened as she watched Electrocutioner release Midoriya. "Hey! What the hell are you doing!?"
Hitoshi began to run forward as Ashido quickly followed. Mount-Lady's shadow quickly engulfed all of them as she grew taller and taller. His eyes followed his falling friend, but instead of collapsing against the ground, Midoriya dropped into a roll, spinning once on his feet. A hook launched his belt and ran through Arm-Burst's shoulder before he threw his whole body into yanking him downward.
The Plastic-Woman lunged for Mount-Lady who swiftly swatted the villain into the nearby building, through grass and crashing within.
Arm-Burst's 'cannon' arm shifted into a normal one before he pulled at the hook. "You bastard! You were faking it!?"
"It tickled," mocked Midoriya before he reeled the hook whilst lunging for the man.
Arm-Burst was pulled towards Midoriya, but, with one hand pulling on the hook, his other arm restructured into the 'cannon'. His elbow bloated like a frog's throat before a torrent of wind fired into Midoriya's gut. The force shot the teen backwards; the momentum helped Arm-Burst rip the wire free from his shoulder. Midoriya collided with the Electrocutioner and they both crashed into the first-floor apartment.
Hitoshi shouted, "Midoriya!"
The Plastic-Woman leapt from the window she crashed through, lunging for Mount-Lady. The Hero tried to catch the villain but her plastic-like hair exploded from her scalp, wrapping around the giant swinging hand. The tubes began to crawl up Hero's arms, trying to shake the villain off. The tubes detached from the woman's scalp as she used the momentum to fling herself closer to Mount-Lady's head. Another set of tubes roared from the woman's scalp, wrapping around the Hero's throat.
Mount-Lady fell back as she tried to shake off the crawling villain, crashing against the building behind her and raining glass upon Kamui Woods. Who coughed awake underneath her shuffling feet.
"Mount-Lady!?" cried Kamui as he looked up. He spotted the Plastic-Woman before shooting wood from his hands and using gripping roots to pull himself up the building's surface. As he soared over the roof, he shot an extension of wood from his arm, latching onto one of Mount-Lady's horns, and swung himself at the villain, tackling the woman and throwing them both off the giant woman. He then used the villain as a crash-mat as they skidded across the asphalt. When he raised his head, he noticed that the plastic tubing was still constricting around Mount-Lady's throat and hands. "Ashido!" he called out. Tubes shot up from the fallen villain, wrapping around the wooden Hero and lifting him into the air. Wood expanded from his body, forcing the tubes away. "Help Mount-Lady!"
"You two, aren't going anywhere!" spat Arm-Burst, aiming two 'cannons' at the pair. "You made Akuma just do what you wanted." He smirked and chuckled, "Boss would've loved your Quirk."
"Oh yeah?" Hitoshi spoke with the utmost seriousness. "Apple-feet."
Arm-Burst's face contorted, "What the f—"
Hitoshi pointed at the villain. "Now, stay." He rushed towards the giant woman. "Come on, Ashido!"
"O-Okay!" shouted Ashido, following after. "Are you gonna get me up there?" Her gauntlet filled up another bulb before she removed it and loaded it into the launcher.
"Yep!"
"Can you do that?" she asked.
"We'll find out!" said Hitoshi before Ashido clung to him as he fired off a line from his belt. A burst of air roared from the back of his belt as they both lurched into the air. She let out a cry as they soared upwards. "Fuck… she's throwing off my trajectory…!" Their flight began to dip more and more towards the building rather than Mount-Lady. "Dammit…!" He gripped the back of her top as he retracted his line. "Sorry, Ashido, but you got this!"
The momentum of the returning line and a burst of air helped him spin them both through the air. "What're you—" His palm pushed against her back, throwing her rightward and aligning her with Mount-Lady. "Shinso!" She gritted her teeth as she had let Hitoshi fall before taking aim with her launcher.
With a burst of gas, the gun fired the grenade at the bundle of plastic wrapping around the Heroine's hands and throat. Using the recoil of her launcher, she was spun through the air which allowed her to swiftly toss another cylinder from belt towards the same spot.
The acid ate through the plastic and hissed against Mount-Lady's skin and costume. Which allowed her to rip her hands free and extend her fingers before the cylinder landed and exploded into powder. As acid turned to harmless sludge, Mount-Lady moved to catch Hitoshi in her palm before taking a giant step to catch Ashido in the other.
Once Hitoshi and Ashido were placed on even ground, Mount-Lady dug her fingers against her arms and neck, removing whatever specs of plastic remained. She then turned her gaze upon the Plastic-Woman as she threw a car at a flying Kamui Woods. The Hero just barely managed to dodge the vehicle which allowed the Heroine to easily catch it.
Kamui landed on a streetlight, nodding to Mount-Lady, before looking down upon the villain. "Give it up!" Mount-Lady placed the car down. "It's just you now! This doesn't have to escalate any further."
Hitoshi blinked when Ashido broke into a sprint back towards the building. "Where are you going?"
"Midoriya!" she cried.
"Oh shit…" muttered Hitoshi before sprinting after her. "Electrocutioner was in a trance, but Midoriya slammed into him… With that much impact, there's no way he stayed under…!" He shook his head. "Crap…! Can't believe we left him alone with that g—"
The sound of broken glass cut his thought off as they came to a stop in the lot. The Electrocutioner was out cold underneath a broken window, and his face looked like he had gone ten rounds in a boxing ring. Both his and Ashido's gaze snapped towards the form that fell against the front door's frame.
"Midoriya!" shouted Ashido, rushing over.
Midoriya almost fell against her, but was just barely able to keep his balance. "Ashido, Shinso! Are you guys okay? What's happening?"
"Us?!" she laughed incredulously. "We're fine!" She shook her head. "Are you hurt?"
He was panting, "Bruised, but… I'll be fine…" He shook his head. "I'm… more tired than anything else…"
"How? You got flung into a building!" questioned Hitoshi.
Midoriya jerked his chin towards Electrocutioner. "It helps that he took the brunt of it all." A shrug followed, "Pretty sure he's cracked more bones than I have."
"We're sorry we didn't come to help you sooner," said Ashido.
"You had your own problems to worry about, I'm sure," offered Midoriya. His head turned towards Arm-Burst who still stood stiffly in the lot. "What's up with that guy?"
"In a trance—my Quirk."
Midoriya straightened his back, causing a few pops along his spine. "Oh, neat. Think its my first time seeing that."
"TITAN'S RISING!" cried Mount-Lady.
The three looked over to see Mount-Lady grow to her maximum height, throwing her fist skyward. The Plastic-Woman slipped off the giant woman's knuckles, falling limply towards the ground. Only to be swiftly caught by Kamui Woods.
"Oh, thank god… It's over… That was way too much on our second day…" said Ashido, deflating.
Hitoshi nodded, "I was hoping for a little action, but yeah… that was… really unexpected."
Midoriya nodded for a moment. "…" Which was before he asked, "Think we're still getting lunch? I could go for a pork-cutlet bowl…" Hitoshi and Ashido's heads slowly swiveled to look at him. "What?" He caved and became defensive. "I'm hungry, okay? That was exhausting! And I was told we were having lunch."
-\ XXX /-
AN: Alright, I have to go to work soon, so I'll keep this short. World Building followed by an action sequence. Acid stuff, brainwashing, and an off-screen fight. A lot of stuff will be addressed in the next chapter. So on and so forth.
And so, thank you for reading and criticize away!
Update Window: August 20th - 30th
Intended Due Date: August 20th - 25th
