"Well, well, well," Power Broker said, watching as they all entered the chamber. "You've all returned safe and sound then." He looked over at the tied up kids and blinked. "And with even more than expected. Well, you certainly go above and beyond, I'll say that much for you."
"Just shut up and pay us already," Taskmaster grumbled.
"Certainly. The money will be wired to your accounts momentarily. With the added bonus, of course," Power Broker told them, tapping away at his phone.
"Where are they heading off to anyway?" Titania asked as several goons came forward to begin moving the kids around.
"Oh everywhere really. I have eight interested clients, each one paying for a certain number. Of course, with the 12 extra you've brought, I can now raise their payments each."
"Great. Pleasure doing business," Taskmaster said, bored. Now that the job was done, he just wanted to head off, find a bar, and relax for a little while before he sought out his next job. Maybe the Bar with No Name. He did always have a good time there.
"All of you," he said, drawing the team's attention, "hand back those tranquilizers I gave you. They're expensive and I don't want any going to waste."
That was one way to put it. He'd managed a while back to steal the tranquilizer gun from a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and found it to be some of the most potent and fast-acting tranquilizer serum he'd ever come across. Unfortunately, it cost time and money to make it, something a wanted mercenary like him didn't have a lot of. He'd managed to procure so much since Power Broker had paid for all his equipment on this venture. Still, he'd used up way more than he'd wanted to. He should be able to get a bit more with the new payday, but still. What a waste for a few kids.
He eyed the brats being hauled away, wondering where they were headed off to. He had known from the beginning what they were. A new type of mutation different from the mutant X-gene or the Inhuman DNA strand. Something altogether unique. And, to the right people, extremely valuable. Just a few days of studying those kids and learning all about them and their world had taught him that. He could already guess a few of the people who'd want those kids to study and experiment, and they weren't people he ever wanted to mess with.
Well, none of his concern anymore.
"Come on honey," Absorbing Man said to Titania. "Let's go celebrate our new payout at that Korean place."
"Ooh, I like the way you think."
"See you around chumps," Spot called, vanishing through one of his holes.
"Well, at least I had some fun," Bullseye muttered. "Though I am still itching for something. Maybe I'll go see if ol' DD's around."
"Care to share some vodka?" Titanium Man asked Abomination.
"Da."
"See you for the next job boss," Black Ant waved to Taskmaster who gave a slight wave back.
"Oh Mr. Masters?" Power Broker said, stopping Taskmaster from leaving. "One last thing before you go."
"What is it?" he asked tiredly.
"Could you list the abilities of the dozen new subjects for me."
Taskmaster sighed and grabbed the paper in the man's hand, writing briskly all the powers and abilities he recalled. "There. Happy?"
"Very much, thank you. Have a great day."
"Whatever," Taskmaster muttered, making his way to the exit. As he did, he noticed that the A.I.M. agents alongside the Super-Adaptoid were remaining behind as well as Madame Masque. That put two of the eight names to the certainty list.
Those kids. He did feel a little guilt for them, but they were training to be heroes. He'd had a taste of that after the whole Civil War mess several years back and found it lacking in almost all areas for him. What a waste. Better to make some money. Though that system they had in place at that world was actually a little more suited for his talents.
Still, those kids were now thrust into a whole new world. He smirked, wondering what would come from this. He'd been around when the Silver Age of heroes began after almost seventy years of small-time stuff and only rumored heroics. When the Fantastic Four came crashing back down to earth, when Thor cracked the sky, when the Hulk shattered everything, when Iron Man blazed across the skyline, when Spider-Man came swinging. The X-Men, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, the Wasp. And, of course, the Avengers.
With every debut, with every arrival, the world had changed. Now, what kind of change would these kids bring?
"I am way too sober for this kind of bullshit," he muttered, shaking his head, and made his way to the Bar with No Name.
"Ah, hello there," Power Broker said, smiling widely at the eight screens.
Honestly, he had thought that when he delivered the information of the other world to his clients, that would be the end for him. But then, the offer came in for him to fund the operation to collect a group of powered individuals. And, well, he did love making money.
He'd been even more surprised when certain individuals came forth as well to join in as he figured they would have preferred to handle it themselves. However, it soon became apparent to him that he was being used as a proxy in case something went wrong so that nothing would lead back to them. Rather clever of them all. Not that he minded. He could make sure nothing could be pinned on him either.
He'd chosen a school as a large group in one place was needed and kids were better suited in that regard as adults were usually more powerful. Still, judging from the injuries the team had sustained, those kids had not gone down without a fight. A given since they were in a hero training school. Not really the choice Power Broker would have made but apparently strong subjects were required. Not that it mattered anyway. He wasn't the one collecting them all. He was just the broker between it all.
"What is it, Broker?" the first screen said, the voice harsh. "Was the mission successful or not?"
"Most successful indeed. Moreso, in fact, for my team managed to acquire 12 new subjects. I am now sending you the abilities they have to see if you have any interest in collecting them as well."
A minute passed as all individuals looked at the latest information. Then, the bidding began anew. Power Broker soaked it in, moving from screen to screen and paycheck to paycheck until all 12 new subjects had destinations.
"Well that's 2 new ones for Numbers 1 and 2 leading to 4 and 5 for each respectively, a surprising 1 extra for Number 3 to get 4, 2 new ones for Number 4 that leads to 5 total, only 1 more for Number 5 to get 4, 2 more for Number 6 that puts them up there at 4, one more for Numbers 7 and 8 that only gives them both 3. And that concludes our business gentlemen. A true pleasure doing business with you all. Numbers 3 and 8, your people will be delivering the subjects immediately. As for the rest of you, I can only assume they're on their way."
"I will have agents pick them up shortly," Screen 1 said.
"My bots are already on their way," Screen 2 informed him.
"We expect them to be delivered at the requested address," Screen 6 said.
"I have sent some of my people," Screen 7 told him.
"As have I," Screen 5 added.
"My ship is already there," Screen 4 said.
Power Broker was already aware of that, having seen the ship appear on the base's scans. "Very well. Your subjects will be loaded up on right away." He snapped his fingers and several of his agents immediately got on it. "For Number 6, we will have your subjects sent as soon as possible. And I will await the other agents. Make sure they have the right confirmation codes or I cannot process your requests. That will be all for now. A true pleasure doing business."
"Do not make any plans on betraying me," Screen 2 said firmly and Power Broker felt a chill go down his spine from the hard glare. "You may be useful now, but that doesn't change the fact that I could obliterate you with a flick of a finger."
Less, if Power Broker wasn't mistaken.
"The same goes here."
"And here."
"And don't even think about failing either. Or my entire organization will end you."
"Now, now, gentlemen. Let's all relax. This venture has been nothing but successful! So why waste time with threats and the like. With these subjects, you will have the power to change the world. To get ahead of all the other superhumans out there. A new dawn is coming and you've taken the first steps. And nothing can-"
"Goodbye," Screen 2 said before signing off.
"Well that was a little rude," Power Broker muttered.
The others all followed suit, leaving him in the dark. He sighed once before regaining his smile. While part of him was always interested in these abilities, he was far more curious about what these powers would do in the hands of certain people. Every one of those kids had a unique ability and soon would be under the control of very powerful individuals and/or organizations. Ones that had proven to be great threats to the world several times. He couldn't help but grin as to what the future held now.
Though, of course, the sudden influx of cash was his main concern. With it, he would be able to expand his operations tenfold. That was what it was really all about.
"Hmmm."
Reed Richards was, by nature, a very curious man. He liked to delve into the mysteries of the universe and beyond, always on the search for the answer to the point where many, even some members of his own family, had dubbed him a mad scientist. And he had to admit, his research had led him astray many times before, causing him to overlook his friends and family more times than he could count. And he also knew it had been happening again.
But he couldn't help it. The same kind of energy signature repeating over and over again each day for the past two weeks. Like clockwork. It seemed like a dimensional gateway but it was over too quickly for him to get a solid reading on it. All he knew was that it was happening once a day for the past 13 days straight.
Until tonight. Then, it happened again. Twice in fact, in the span of twenty minutes. Again, he was too slow to look into it. But it proved that whatever this was, it was escalating in some way.
Dimensional invasion? A message of some kind? A rift between worlds? The possibilities flooded his brain, forcing everything else off to the sides. What could this possibly all mean?
Whatever it was, he could find out.
"Honey!"
"Yes dear?" he said, turning away from his desk to face his wife, Susan Storm, who was giving him the usual eye roll with a light smile.
"Dinner's ready," she told him in that voice that informed him this was not the first time she'd told him.
"Ah, understood. I'll be there in just…right now. I'm coming right now," he finished awkwardly, seeing Sue's expression change ever so slightly.
"That's better. You know, Ben thought it would be fun to play some poker over dinner."
"Oh…I'm not too sure about that."
"Agreed. Such activities are for after dinner, not during the meal itself."
"Oh, uh, yes dear," Reed nodded, though personally he was thinking that he sucked at poker. Ben beat him every time they played.
He glanced back at the table with all his machines and equipment, analyzing this latest phenomenon, before turning away again. There was no harm in leaving it alone for now. He had better things to do, like eating with his family. Yes, it could wait.
The first thing Iida felt was a bright light on his closed eyes. He blinked, coming back to consciousness. What had happened? He expected to feel the sheets of his bed but something felt off. There was something…cold around his arms. And the gravity didn't feel right. That light…it wasn't the morning sun.
Then it hit him. The attack. The speedster. And that woman in the mask. Everything that happened. He had been knocked out. He must have been captured.
His eyes shot open and he grimaced when he saw it was true. His arms and legs clamped tightly in metal bands, held up in the air in an X position several feet off the ground.
He took a look around and saw it was some sort of laboratory. There were machines and desks all around with boards filled with different equations as well as lab sets and robotic equipment, many of which were prosthetics of some kind. One computer screen was analyzing DNA strands while another was looking at the human body with the feet being highlighted.
"Uhhh…"
Iida's head whipped over to the side and he sighed both in relief and frustration when he saw his fellow classmates Shoji and Mineta dangling next to him as well as a Class B student. Kamakiri, he believed. Seemed even the other class had been attacked.
"Whass…what's going…on?" Mineta mumbled, waking up.
"Ii…Iida?" Shoji said slowly, waking up as well.
"What…the hell?" Kamakiri asked, angry. "Why…why are my arms like this? What the hell's going on?"
"We've been captured," Iida reminded them.
"We have?" Mineta shrieked. "Oh no! Now what do we do? What can we do? I don't want to die! I haven't touched any girl's boo-"
"Oh shut up you little wimp!" Kamakiri snarled. "You're supposed to be a hero, right? So act like one."
"Shoji," Iida inquired, ignoring Mineta's whimpering, "you think you can use your powers to get out of here?"
Shoji went silent for a moment and Iida could only assume he was trying to use his powers. "No," he finally said, sighing. "These bonds are too strong. And they're covering my entire arms. Whoever did this knew my power. I can't duplicate anything with them on."
"Damn!" Iida growled. That was one idea out the window. He gritted his teeth and tried using his engines but the metal clamps sealed them tight. He could feel them turning on, feel the heat growing from it, but nothing was happening. Whatever these clamps were, they were fastened on tight. He soon had to give it up before he wiped out his engines.
"Are we going to die?" Mineta mumbled, shivering.
Iida wished he could offer words of comfort but he had none. After everything him and his class had gone through, he had thought there was nothing they couldn't handle together. And yet a group of villains had yet again infiltrated U.A. and wiped the floor with them. He had been forced to flee in the last attack but this time he had been witness to the whole thing. It had never really been a contest. Another reminder of why they were just students.
He looked around again, trying to find any sign of his other classmates, but there was none. They were either in a different part of the lab or somewhere else entirely. They could possibly be safe and weren't captured, which was the hope. Or they could be dead, his greatest fear.
"Did you see what happened to the others?" he asked.
"No. I got knocked out pretty quickly. Midoriya, Tokoyami, and Aoyama were still up and about when I went down," Mineta told him.
"So there's a chance for them," Iida nodded. "Good. What about you two?"
"I'm not quite sure what to say," Shoji replied. "I wasn't even aware we were under attack."
"What?" Mineta gasped. "How could you not know? Those villains torn apart the Heights Alliance like it was nothing."
"Yeah. Even we could hear it from our dorms," Kamakiri chimed in.
"I remember…something in the night. I felt a small prick at one point and then…nothing. Then I woke up here."
"They must have gone after you first," Iida theorized. "Probably because you were the most likely to sense if something was amiss."
"Right. That makes sense."
"For us, we got attacked when we were trying to escape. Some big villain came after us and took out Vlad King like it was nothing," Kamakiri almost snarled. "Honenuki almost had him but someone took him out and then the villain broke free. Then I felt a prick and that was it."
Iida had also felt a small prick, right after he took down the one called Speed Demon. So instead of going for all out brawl, they decided to use tranquilizers and such to stop their victims. Such cowardly moves could only be the work of villains.
"So how do we get out of here? I can't use my blades like this!" Kamakiri said.
"We'll just have to wait until the heroes come find us," Iida said firmly.
"But…didn't the first hero go missing almost two weeks ago?" Mineta asked nervously. "And there have been no leads, so…how do we know the heroes will even find us?"
Iida opened his mouth but nothing came out. He didn't know what to say to that. He didn't know how many of them were captured. Perhaps all of them or maybe, hopefully, just them. He hoped with a more brazen attack, more heroes would be involved. The school itself would make it their top priority. Everyone would, in fact. But still, not one of the missing heroes had been found. So…where did that leave them then.
He was interrupted from his thoughts when he heard a clanging sound coming from above. He looked up and blinked in surprise, seeing the lab wasn't just around them but stretched quite a ways upwards with much larger machines, each one more complex than the next filled with flashing screens and plenty of switches and dials. Some looked like lasers, others looked like containers, some resembled scanners, and others seemed like engines. Put one thing they all had in common was that around them were thick metal bars that stretched from floor to ceiling, connecting them all. If Iida wasn't mistaken, they almost looked like they were meant for…gripping?
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The noises came again, louder this time and from directly above them. Iida strained his neck, trying to see. He could just make out a figure descending, but something was off. It looked like whoever it was had…multiple limbs. It must be their captor or at least an underling of some sort.
"Whoever you are, you won't get away with this!" he cried.
"Yeah!" Kamakiri agreed. "As soon as I bust out of this thing, I'll slice you apart."
"You've made a grave mistake," Shoji added.
"Wh-what they said!" Mineta added.
"My, my, you are a rowdy bunch aren't you?" their captor replied, the clanging noise becoming louder and louder as he descended. "Would have preferred some quiet ones, but oh well. Guess I'll make do."
He finally came to a stop right in front of them, two loud CLANGS reverberating around the lab and they all got a good look at him, gaping a little at the sight.
"Sh-shoji?" Mineta muttered. "Don't tell me-"
"No," Shoji replied, clearly just as surprised. "I have no idea who this is."
Standing before them was a balding middle-aged man in a green leather suit and round goggles around his head. But his main feature were the four large, metal tentacles stretching out from his back, holding him up high above the floor.
"No idea, huh? Well that makes sense, given where you're from. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Doctor Otto Octavius. Better known to many as Doctor Octopus. Now," he said, leaning towards them with an evil grin, "what should I do with all of you?"
Jiro was the first to hear it. The sounds of multiple voices, feet scuffling around hurriedly. Given her power, she'd trained herself to tune most stuff out, especially when she was sleeping. But this was different. It was like a fog over her brain that was only slowly lifting, no matter how fast she wanted it to go. She had a hard time thinking and remembering. She felt anxious for some reason, like there was something she needed to do or something wrong. But she had no idea what it could be.
The voices were becoming louder and there were other, stranger sounds as well. Gears grinding, energy pulses, other stuff she couldn't quite make out. What was all of that? Usually, when she woke up, she could hear the faint sound of her hallmate, Hagakure, either snoring or making her own way out of bed. So what was this? Was there some sort of emergency or something? Was something wrong…
That buzzing. She'd heard a buzzing sound last night, one loud enough to wake her up. And when she had she'd seen…seen…
That dart. That pricked her arm. And then…nothing.
She'd been drugged. And kidnapped.
Her thoughts became so much clearer as she fought for consciousness, doing her best to push the fog away. She blinked, her eyes flinching from the harsh light. The voices were louder now as were millions of other things. She winced, tuning things out a little more. As she did, she noticed a few more things, like the bindings around her arms. They weren't metallic, almost rubbery in fact, but she couldn't make any headway with them, like they were stronger than steel.
"Look, one of them's awake."
The next thing Jiro knew, she was being dragged up onto her knees painfully. She had to resist the urge to cry out.
"Pay respect girl. You're about to meet the master."
Jiro glared, her vision finally clearing. She was surrounded by a group of armed villains in what appeared to be yellow beekeeper outfits though on closer inspection it was more like hazmat suits. What the hell was all this?
"Uh…"
Jiro's gaze shot to her side and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Kaminari next to her. Ashido was there as well as one of the class B kids, the one with the drilling power. Kai…something or other. So they'd been kidnapped as well. She wondered how many more of her classmates were here. Hopefully none.
"Kaminari?" she hissed.
"Huh?" He looked up at her, blinking for a few seconds, before his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, Jiro! Hey, why are you-"
"Shut up!" one of the goons said, smacking Kaminari over the head with his gun.
"Ow!"
"Kaminari!" Jiro gasped as her friend slumped over, groaning in pain. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I think so…"
"Hey! What did I just say? Keep quiet!" the goon barked. Jiro seethed but there was nothing she could do. The odds were currently five to one and they were tied up with two of them still down.
The goon walked over to Ashido and the class B kid and suddenly hefted them up, shaking them. "Wake up!" he ordered. "The boss is almost here."
"Huh…wha…Uraraka, stop shaking me, it's…whoa!" Ashido gasped, her eyes flying open.
"Wha…what?" the class B kid cried, waking up as well. "What's…oh shit!"
"Good, you're up. Now pipe down!" the goon snarled.
"Hey, what's your deal you wannabe beekeeper? What do you want from us?" Ashido demanded.
"Hey!" the goon yelled, raising his gun. "I am not a beekeeper! Why does everyone think I'm a beekeeper!"
"Take a look in the mirror!"
"Ashido!" Jiro hissed, trying to get her friend's attention. "Don't antagonize them!"
"I keep telling everybody we need to change our looks. We do look a lot like beekeepers," another goon said.
"Shut it Dirk! No one asked you!"
"I'm just saying!"
"Well don't! Especially in front of the-"
"He's here!" one goon shouted and instantly all the other goons stood at attention. Jiro tensed, dread filling her. These goons had been talking about this mysterious master the past few minutes, their voices dripping with both fear and respect. Whoever it was, it couldn't be good.
Two large doors to the side suddenly burst open and Jiro gasped as a large, hulking figure walked through. It looked almost robotic, colored a faded shade of green with blank features. Still, the way it walked, causing the ground to quake slightly with each step, only put Jiro more on edge. Was this him? The boss?
Then the second figure entered the room and all other thoughts were driven from her mind.
"Uh…" Kaminari said.
"What the…" the Class B kid muttered.
"Is that…what I think it is?" Ashido asked.
"Certainly seems to be," Jiro muttered. She knew she should be terrified right now but all fear was erased by the weirdness of what she was looking at.
"So, these are the subjects then?"
"Yes, master."
"Excellent!" The figure floated over to them, glaring down at them menacingly. "If what was reported on them is correct, then they shall further our goals tremendously. "Especially this one," he added, looking at Kaminari who stared back, gaping.
"What…uh, what are you…exactly?"
"Ah, introductions!" the figure exclaimed, floating a little higher. "I am the supreme commander of Advanced Idea Mechanics, aka A.I.M., an organization dedicated to world domination through the power of science and ingenuity. I am the Mechanical Organism Designed Only for Killing. I am MODOK!"
All four of them blinked, taking that in stride, before Ashido asked, "but why are you a giant floating baby head?"
"ARGH!" MODOK shrieked. "Why does everyone say that? Why? Yes, I am floating. Yes, my head is gigantic. But in no part am I babyish! Why does everyone always add 'baby' when there is nothing about me even remotely babyish."
"I don't know man, those arms and legs look a little babyish to me," Kaminari muttered, making Jiro snicker despite herself.
"And wouldn't your name be MODOFK?" the Class B student asked. "You know, cause of the 'for' there?"
"ARGH!" MODOK shrieked again, clutching at his giant head with his tiny arms that almost had Jiro snickering again if the villain's glare at them didn't make her blood go cold. Before she could think, two cables shot out, striking Ashido and the Class B kid in their chests. Instantly, they started shrieking, sparks shooting off from the cables.
"Ashido!" Jiro screamed.
"Stop it!" Kaminari yelled at MODOK who grinned back. After a few more seconds, the cables retracted and Ashido and the other guy slumped down, panting madly.
"People always underestimate me. Think less of me. But I prove them wrong each time. You are my prisoners now, and you will aid me and all of A.I.M. in our plans. If you attempt to flee, this is but a taste of what I will do to you. Do I make myself clear?"
Jiro glared, hating feeling so helpless right now, but they didn't have many options right now. They just had to go along with it for now and hope for the best. "Yes."
"Yeah," Kaminari grumbled.
"Good. Now, you three," MODOK told Jiro, Ashido, and the Class B kid. "Take them away to the main operating chamber. Find out how their abilities work by any means necessary. Our latest models of LMDs and adaptoids will become so much stronger from this. It's too bad we couldn't get our hands on some of the other subjects, but I'm sure we can always take them by other means."
Other subjects? Jiro questioned. That meant they weren't the only ones. They had been kidnapped and sent to different locations. Scattered around. Her heart sank at the realization. It was already hard enough thinking of how to get them four out, but now the others? When she didn't even know where they were? The impossibility of it all was pressing down on her, threatening to crush her.
"As for you," MODOK said, turning to Kaminari who audibly gulped. "Yes, you were the one I wanted most of all. Electricity manipulation, wasn't it? I've wanted to get my hands on those Electros for years now but their powers are too finicky. But you? Yes, yes with your power I can charge my machines for years to come."
"You're…you're going to turn me into a battery?" Kaminari gasped, sounding both horrified and offended at the same time. Jiro would have rolled her eyes at his attitude if the situation wasn't so serious.
"Well, I'll also add your capabilities to the adaptoids and such. But yes, that will be your main purpose. Take him down to the main power generator and tell Dr. Rappaccini to begin the tests."
"Right away sir," the A.I.M. agents said, saluting.
Jiro felt them yank her to her feet as they dragged her away alongside Ashido and the other guy. But not Kaminari. She felt her heart skip a beat at that realization. She stared at him and felt her heart skip another beat as he stared right back. When she'd first woken up and realized he was there, she had felt a tiny bit of relief at the idea that while she may be captured, at least he was there with her. But now she just wished he was as far away from this place as possible. She didn't like to see his normally goofy face filled with fear.
"Kaminari," she muttered, trying again to break free from her bonds to no avail. Then, they passed through a door and he was gone.
When Yaoyorozu woke up, it was in a gasp as she sprang upwards from her bed. She half expected to see that woman standing over her, ready to strike her again. But there was no one. Yaoyorozu sighed and for a few seconds allowed herself to think that it had all been a bad dream, that she was safe back in her dorm room and that there hadn't been any attack. But that hope died swiftly as she actually took a good look at her surroundings which were definitely not her room. It looked more a refugee center or something with several threadbare bunkbed cots spaced around, her being on the top bunk of a cot in the corner. The walls were a faded white with one door and only a few windows around though the bars around them did set off warning bells in Yaoyorozu's mind.
"Where am I?" she muttered. She wanted to believe she was in some sort of recovery room but they would have taken her to the hospital. No, the only logical conclusion was that she had been captured after all and was now being held prisoner somewhere.
She could feel herself start to panic so instead she took a few breaths, focusing. She needed to concentrate on how to get out of here and she couldn't allow herself to spiral. First thing first, she had to take in all of her surroundings. She couldn't see any cameras around but that didn't mean anything. Whoever these people were, they'd be foolish not to have them.
She hopped down and moved over to the nearest window. However, she'd barely made it any a few steps when she heard a soft moan behind her and whirled around in surprise.
"Who- oh, Komori?" she blinked in surprise, seeing the Class B girl in the bunk beneath hers. "Oh no, they got you as well?"
"Huh?" the mushroom girl moaned, squinting at Yaoyorozu, rubbing her eyes. "Yaoyorozu? What are…oh. OH!" she suddenly squealed. "We…we were attacked and then…oh no, we've been captured, haven't we?"
"Yes, it seems we have," Yaoyorozu said sadly. She was still in her pyjamas from when they'd been attacked. She wished she had her hero outfit with her. She'd feel more battle ready and prepared with it on.
"Well, it looks like it's just us. That's something," Komori commented.
"Yes. But Asui went down with me. So why is she not here?" Yaoyorozu asked. That's what worried her. There'd be no real reason to send her somewhere else as there were plenty of other cots. That left Yaoyorozu with three theories. One: that she had managed to get away somehow as Yaoyorozu hadn't seen her go down, having blacked out first. Two: that she had been taken before Yaoyorozu woke up. Or three: that she was somewhere else entirely.
Whatever one it was, she couldn't worry about it now. She had to focus on getting herself and now Komori out of here. She hurried over to the windows but was disappointed to see that they didn't look out anywhere except one but that just showed a small courtyard. The rest just showed a hallway that seemed to loop around most of the room.
"What is this place?" Komori muttered. "And what do they want from us?"
"I don't know," Yaoyorozu replied, confused as well. Why go out of the way to capture a bunch of students anyway? Ransom? Whatever, she couldn't worry herself over that. Right now, she had to focus on escape. She lifted up her shirt a little and used her power to create a cell phone.
She'd barely even started making it when an alarm suddenly went off, startling her, and several small devices popped out of the ceiling to turn into gun turrets, all pointing at Yaoyorozu.
"Subject Q3, please refrain from ability usage or else you will face disciplinary action," a voice from the walls spoke.
"Disciplinary action?" Yaoyorozu questioned. "What is going on here?"
There was a clicking sound and she turned towards the door just as it opened, revealing a blonde man in one of the most expensive suits she'd ever seen, even more expensive than what her father wore.
"Momo Yaoyorozu and Kinoko Komori," he greeted, raising his hands high with a wide smile that didn't match his eyes. And the way he said their names showed he wasn't even attempting to pronounce them correctly. "Welcome, welcome. I am so honored to have you on board."
"On board?" Yaoyorozu asked in disbelief. "On board what?"
"Why, our little project of course. We're going to revolutionize…well, a lot of things. Especially with your help. That power of yours…mwah!" He gave an exaggerated chef's kiss. "That is going to change everything."
"Who are you?" Komori asked nervously.
"Oh, I am so sorry. I never properly introduced myself. How embarrassing. My name is Simon Krieger. And I'm sort of the boss of this whole thing. Now come on, I'll give you the tour."
"The tour of what?" Yaoyorozu asked, getting a little tired of the man's attitude. "And we haven't agreed to anything. You know you kidnapped us, right?"
"Kidnapped?" Krieger looked astonished when she said that, taking her aback a little. "My dear girl, that is a nasty accusation. You should be careful throwing out words like that, you know."
"He's not denying it," Komori muttered.
"Now then, shall we go. Your friends are awaiting you."
Yaoyorozu would have shot up if she wasn't already standing up. "Our friends? You mean…"
"A, uh, Rikido Sato and a Jurota Shishida."
Yaoyorozu let out a small breath. So they weren't alone after all. She felt a rush of emotions, relief, fear, concern, hope. But she couldn't dwell on any of that now.
"Why did you capture us?"
"There's that word again," Krieger said, his charming smile still plastered across his face as he wagged a finger at her. " The reason you're here, well, I thought I already told you. You're here to unlock your full potential."
"Who are you people?" Komori demanded.
"Oh, right. I am the President of the Roxxon Energy Corporation. And I am going to help you push your power to its fullest so we can all change the world. Now come on, let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
"Hey! Let us out!" Kirishima yelled, punching at the door. But even with his hardening, the steel door wouldn't budge. He could go unbreakable but he didn't want to use it up just yet when he didn't know what was waiting on the other side.
"Give it a rest Kirishima," Ojiro told him from the other side of the room. "We'll think of something. There's always Plan B."
"Yeah, but I hate Plan B," Kirishima replied, looking back at him and Kendo and the large window behind them, showing a large city splayed out before them with the sun rising in the distance. Plan B was for him to use his hardening to jump out the window all the way down to the street below. While he should survive, it wasn't a guarantee but that wasn't why he hated it. He would be forced to leave Ojiro and Kendo behind and he also had no idea if anyone would be walking around below where he could strike them. Too many risks for it to be a viable option.
So that left them with sitting and waiting for whoever was behind this to arrive. Kirishima hated this plan too.
They had all woken up about thirty minutes ago, when the sun first began to rise, and found themselves on the top floor of what seemed like a penthouse. A strange place to be after being kidnapped. They'd done some exploring but besides the fancy furniture and shiny floors and walls, there wasn't much to note. That was, until, Kendo pointed out one particular skyscraper in the city skyline, recognizing it as the Empire State Building. In New York City. 6700 miles from Tokyo.
"WHAT?" Kirishima and Ojiro had yelled.
"It may be a replica of some kind but…it looks authentic to me," Kendo said, trying to hide how scared she sounded.
"We…we were flown across the world?" Kirishima gasped. "How…how is anyone going to find us now? How will we get home? How-"
"Stop!" Kendo barked. "We won't solve anything by freaking out. We need to find a way out of this place. Or find some way to contact a hero here."
Roughly thirty minutes later, they came up empty. Other than the windows and door, there was no way out. They were stuck here, prisoners to whoever their captor was.
Kirishima slumped down. What were they going to do now? He supposed there was nothing they could do but sit and wait. But he hated that idea. He didn't think Bakugo would do something like that. Hell, he'd probably still be blasting at the doors. Though actually he could escape out the window pretty easily.
He was interrupted from his musings when he heard sounds coming from the other side of the door. He instantly shot up, the others doing the same. A few seconds later, there was a clicking sound as the door unlocked.
"Get ready guys," Kirishima said, already hardening his arms in preparation.
"Right!" Ojiro nodded.
"Let's show these chumps what a mistake it was to mess with us!" Kendo agreed.
The door opened and they all charged at once. However, Kirishima faltered as a large, bald man entered the room dressed in a fine white suit, a cane in his hand. For a split second, Kirishima thought it was Fat Gum who'd come to rescue them. But no, this was not his mentor. This guy was older with no hair and no costume. And there was an air of menace about him in direct contrast to Fat Gum's lively and friendly personality. But their body mass was similar, leading Kirishima to wonder if they had similar Quirks. If so, this would not be easy.
"Red Gauntlet!" he cried out, throwing a punch. Though he didn't put all his power into it, worried if he did, it might sink into the man's belly like with Fat Gum. Instead, though, something else happened. The man's cane came about and pushed Kirishima's arm to the side, leaving him open. Then, the man's free arm zipped forward and grabbed Kirishima by the throat.
"Aren't you an energetic bunch," the man said with a voice that felt like it could crush rock. "I haven't even introduced myself and you're already attacking me."
"We don't need introductions from a villain like you!" Ojiro cried. "Twirling Tail Dance!" He leapt at the man, his tail twisting around rapidly, but the man just raised Kirishima in front of him, letting the tail strike him instead.
"Oh! Sorry Kirishima!" Ojiro said, coming to a stop.
"Don't wo-" he didn't get to finish as the man threw him suddenly right at Ojiro, faster than he could react. He struck his friend hard, knocking both of them down. "Ugh!" he moaned. "Sorry."
"What is this guy's power?" Ojiro muttered.
Kirishima looked up to see Kendo eyeing the man warily. "I…I don't think he's used it yet."
And that scared him enough given how easily he handled them.
"Are you ready to talk?" the man asked, his expression stony.
"What do you think?" Kendo asked, raising her fists.
"I guess not." The man lifted up his own arm and carefully removed the cufflinks from his suit. "Very well. We'll talk afterwards then."
"Don't underestimate us!" Kendo cried, running at him. As she did, her fists enlarged, coming at the man for a super punch. But he didn't flinch. Instead, faster than Kirishima thought possible for a man of his girth, he dodged around the fist and grabbed her arm, using it to yank her forward suddenly and slam his arm across her chest, downing her in one blow.
"Kendo!" Kirishima cried, getting up. "Come on fatso, let's go again!"
He'd hoped that would at least get some kind of expression from the man but he remained stone-faced, just regarding him casually. "That is your mistake."
Kirishima growled and swung his fist as hard as he could, this time going all out, but again the man moved faster than Kirishima realized, grabbing both his fists around the wrists and holding tight.
"This isn't fat," the man told him right before kicking Kirishima hard in the chest and thrusting him down to the ground where all the air exploded from his lungs.
"I don't care what it is, you're still going down!" Ojiro yelled, launching another attack of his own. But again, he was too slow as the man caught his tail midair and used it to hurl him against the wall.
"No coordination, no strategy. And apparently you are supposed to be training as heroes. How utterly sad," the man said chillingly. "Now, are you ready for that talk?"
"Who…Kirishima growled from beneath his foot, "are you?"
"I am Mayor Wilson Fisk. And I have some questions for you."
Uraraka woke up to a jostling sensation. For a split second, she didn't understand what was happening, wondering why her bed was shaking up so much. Then it all came rushing back. The battle in the dorms. The dart hitting her and darkness enveloping her.
She'd been captured.
That one fact floating through her mind made every blood vessel she had go cold. She'd been captured by the villains, held captive by them. All it took was to take a small look around to see she was lying on the floor in the corner of…whatever this was, her hands and feet bound so tightly it hurt. She couldn't even touch her fingers.
Calm down, she tried telling herself but it was hard when every part of her just wanted to panic. She thought after everything that she would have a better handle on this but she guessed she wasn't there yet. How had this happened? U.A. was supposed to be more secure than ever and yet a group of villains had managed to abduct her and take her away? And not just her, she'd seen Ashido get hit as well. Who knew who else was captured?
Her thoughts immediately flashed to a certain green-haired boy and her face turned red. Was he captured as well? She wished with everything she had that he wasn't. He was strong, one of the strongest of the class. If anyone could make it out, it was him.
I have to stay calm, she told herself, doing her best to slow her racing heart. There was a way out of this. She just had to find it.
It was then that she felt something behind her. She turned slightly to get a better look and gasped softly as she saw someone else tied up. She didn't know his name but he was one of the Class B students. The one that shot dragon scales. Rin something. And next to him was the American exchange student, Pony Tsunotori. And behind them was…
Uraraka felt both relief and fear at the sight. Mostly fear as she wished her friend was far away from here. But also relief because if anyone could help her through this, it would be Asui. Her best friend, outside of Deku.
So it was just them four. But, she knew for sure that Ashido had been taken. Maybe she'd been resuced? Or, more likely, she'd been taken somewhere else.
Uraraka shook her head. She couldn't dwell on any of that. She had to focus on her and her friends now and how to get them all out of here. Judging from the jostling and the feeling in her stomach, she guessed they were on a plane. She took a look around from the corner of her eye, trying to stay as motionless as possible. She was shoved into the corner of the plane in the dark, so it was easier.
She could make out at least a dozen armed villains in tight green jumpsuits milling about the plane, most sitting down doing various activities with only a handful up and about. All of them armed.
"Yeah, we're on our way now."
Uraraka looked over at the voice, spotting a large figure standing in the middle of the plane, his back to her. He seemed to be the only one in a black outfit that left most of his arms bare and some mask over his head.
"Don't worry, everything's under control. We should arrive in a couple hours," he said. Uraraka listened more intently, hoping he'd say where that was. "Packages are all secured as well."
He turned as he said this and Uraraka instantly, relaxed, closing her eyes as well to assume the position she'd been in earlier. She wasn't sure if he would look this way, but she didn't chance it, keeping her eyes closed and trying hard not to squeeze them shut. She had to make this look natural. She kept expecting him to suddenly grab her out of nowhere but instead he just kept talking.
"Just make sure you have my money ready, ok? Great. Pleasure doing business, Zemo." With that, Uraraka heard a click as the call ended. Then she heard footsteps and had to stop herself from tensing as they came towards her, stopping only inches away.
"So what's so special about you kids, huh? Why you got so many people after you like this anyway?"
So many? Uraraka wondered. Maybe that was why there were only four of them here. So the others were elsewhere. But where? And why? She wanted to know that just as much as this guy did.
"You can open your eyes now, you know."
Uraraka barely stifled her gasp. Did he know? How? She'd been so careful.
"You're in a different position than you were in the last time I checked. And, your breathing's different as well as the way you're tensing different parts of your body. So just get up. At this point it's just annoying."
Uraraka was tempted to keep up the façade for a bit longer, just to try to prove him wrong, But she was more worried he might kick her or something out of annoyance so instead she just sat up, looking at him fully. His face was obscured with a mask that looked like it had a skull emblazoned over it. His shirt also had a white cross on it that looked like…bones.
"There we are," the man said. "I'm your escort to the headquarters. Name's Crossbones. Now, maybe you can tell me why everyone seems to want you so bad?"
"I…I don't know," Uraraka replied honestly. "We were just taken from our rooms in the middle of the night by you people. Seems like you should know more than us."
Crossbones nodded. "Then I suppose it will remain a mystery. Well then, little girl, we'll have to wait and see for what you're capable of. For your sake, you'd better be stronger than you look cause otherwise you won't last very long."
"Where are you taking us?" Uraraka demanded angrily.
"Thought I told you, the headquarters. You are currently prisoners of Hydra. Let's see if you have what it takes to survive."
"Hello?"
Todoroki looked around carefully, both arms ready to use either ice or fire. He'd woken up a few minutes ago, lying on the ground. Considering his last memory had been of the villains on the rooftop with all his classmates tied up, he'd been both scared and confused. He'd assumed he'd wake up in some lair or dungeon or something like that. But instead, he…well, he didn't know where he was.
At first glance, it seemed like he was in the city. He woke up on a street with buildings lined around him, which was why he was confused. And that confusion only grew when he realized there were no people around. Or vehicles. In fact, it was just the buildings, nothing else. No traffic lights, no street lamps, no crosswalks, no benches, not even a single trash can. Just solid gray buildings with nothing on them except perfectly symmetrical windows.
The tiny flare of hope that he somehow escaped or been rescued died then. But, who had kidnapped him? And why leave him here? What exactly was this place?
He had started walking and made it three blocks before slamming into an invisible wall. He could see the line of blank buildings ahead of him but was completely blocked from reaching them. And no matter how much ice and fire he used, it didn't break.
What do I do? he thought, looking around desperately. He had no idea where he was or what to do. And he was completely alone. That was the worst part. If the others were here, he could handle this. But he was by himself. So what could he do?
It only took him a second to come up with the answer. Keep going, obviously. Midoriya wouldn't give up. Neither would Bakugo. They'd keep going no matter what, keep trying to find a way out of here. So it didn't matter if he was alone. He was still standing and still had power. So he'd find a way through this, no matter what.
With that settled, he focused back on the invisible wall. He needed to know how big it was, get an estimate of his apparent cage. With a stomp of his foot, a pillar of ice formed, rising up about 50-60 meters before stopping all of a sudden, another invisible wall blocking it.
"But why put a barrier all around?" Todoroki wondered, looking up at the buildings that went beyond the hidden wall easily. Did that mean if he went inside one of them, he could climb up them past the wall? Definitely something to check out.
But he hadn't even made a step when there was a loud buzzing sound, reminding him of Present Mic's commentary from the Sports Festival. It did not give him a good feeling.
"Ah, now that all of you are awake, we can begin," a voice spoke, echoing all across the fake town. "You are understandably confused about your present whereabouts and accommodations. I did it to simulate your homes to the point where I still cared. Your, uh, Quirks, as you say, are quite a novelty to me and I am eager to see them in action and see how they differ from other mutations."
Todoroki frowned. What did he mean by that? Quirks…a novelty? Where? Who was this?
"So, I will be testing you to see your abilities at their full potential. The results, hopefully, will be very much worth all of this trouble."
He wants to study our Q uirks? Todoroki thought in confusion before grabbing hold of that word. Wait…our? So I'm not alone? But, where are they then?
He looked around, as if they would suddenly materialize, but still nothing.
"As some of you have realized, you are quite trapped in there thanks to the barriers. Now of course, you could try to break through them but I do recommend that as your current location is quite…deadly for that particular outcome. Allow me to demonstrate."
Before Todoroki could begin to ponder that, the invisible barrier suddenly shifted, vanishing completely. He gaped for a second but the sight was quickly blown from his mind as the new background left him completely shocked. He felt like his heart might have stopped, that his brain had just fried. He couldn't really even comprehend what he was seeing right now, could barely even breathe.
Lights. Wherever he looked, he saw tiny, twinkling lights. Hundreds of them, probably more. But they were scattered so far apart and were so small, just tiny dots in an infinite void of darkness. He'd seen images of it before but never imagined seeing it in person. Never thought he'd get the chance. And yet here he was, staring right at it.
Space. He was in space.
"As you can see, there is no escape. So make yourselves comfortable and know all work done here is for the benefit of the next stage in evolution."
BOOM!
"Agh!"
"Someone stop him!"
"He's too damn fast!"
"DIE!"
Bakugo let off another string of explosions, taking down even more of the villains. He didn't even bother to watch them fall, already blasting his way down the corridor as fast as he could. He had no idea where he was or who these people were. All he remembered was fighting that skull-mask guy before everything went dark. Which meant, as much as he hated to admit it, he'd lost.
The very thought made his blood boil and his teeth grind. He wanted to be the next number one pro, better than All Might was in his prime. And yet he'd been taken out so easily. Like he was nothing. He couldn't let that stand. And he was going to prove it right now by blasting his way out of here all by himself. He'd already been captured once in his life and because of that, All Might wound up losing his power and retiring. He refused to let something like that ever happen again. No, this time he wasn't weak. He was far stronger. And he would make it out of this all on his own.
So as soon as he'd woken up in that damn, bare room, he'd blasted away at the door. But the damn thing hadn't given in…at first. It had taken him using AP shot as well as a maximum blast of firepower, all without his gauntlets, to finally break it down. He could still feel a light throbbing in his arm but it fortunately wasn't as bad as it would have been a few months ago. His training had seriously paid off. All the worse for these guys.
"There he is!"
A whole wave of fresh goons suddenly appeared with guns but they were far too slow.
"AP shot, Auto Cannon!" Bakugo roared, scrunching his hands together to create a barrage of explosions against his opponents, laying five of them out flat in the first few seconds. The survivors only had time to scream out as Bakugo came flying at them, catching them with twin explosions from his hands and knocking them out flat alongside their comrades.
"Weak bastards," he muttered, breathing a little hard. Not that he cared. The more worked up he was, the more he sweat, and the more power he had.
He looked down where the goons had come from, already hearing more on the way. He grinned and was off again with another explosion, blasting down the hall to meet them.
"Enough."
The man appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Bakugo's face and sending him crashing into the ground. Bakugo managed a small groan before shaking it off and rising up again. "Who the he-"
"Stop."
The foot came down, slamming into Bakugo's back and holding him fast against the ground, preventing him from getting up. He couldn't help but be reminded of his fight with All Might in the Final Exams. Not a good comparison.
"Get. The hell. Off me," he said, moving his hand.
"Make me," the man said bluntly.
"Then you asked for it," Bakugo growled before tensing his arm, feeling all his muscles and sweat glands tremble as he unleashed another maximum blast of firepower right up at the man. The explosion rocked the whole building, blasting away at the walls and through the ceiling above. Bakugo felt the weight of the man's foot lessen and was instantly moving, blasting his way to his feet again. But he'd only just done that when the hand flew out from the smoke and latched onto his throat, slamming him into the wall this time, cracking the plaster and a few bricks behind it.
"You are a tough one," the man said, his figure now appearing out of the smoke. "It seems I chose correctly from the catalog. But did you have to cause such a racket? You woke me from my nap."
"I'll be more than happy to make it permanent for you," Bakugo glowered at him, readying his arm for another blast despite the pain roaring across the limb. "Here, have a taste of-"
BAM!
The man's fist rocked into Bakugo's stomach, causing his whole body to shudder from the blow. He would have doubled over if the man's hand hadn't blocked him. Blood trickled from his mouth and he felt a sharp pain cutting through him from his stomach. That blow…it did feel something All Might would throw. Who the hell was this guy?
"Had enough yet?" the man asked, tilting his head. "Or would you like to have another one?"
"I…will kill you," Bakugo muttered, spitting a wad of blood out. "Do you hear me? I…won't be beaten…by some lame All Might…wannabe."
The man raised an eyebrow at him. "What the hell is an All Might?"
Bakugo would have gasped if he had the energy. How the hell did this guy not know who All Might was? Everyone in the country, hell the world knew. So how did he not know?
"Who…are you?"
"Ah, finally a sensible question. I am Count Nefaria, criminal overlord," the man said. "And you, currently, are my property. In a sense anyway, I did technically pay for you."
That enraged Bakugo to no end. "You think that you can just-"
"Oh do shut up, your words are becoming rather tiresome," Nefaria sighed. "These Quirks of yours or whatever they're called had better be worth all this trouble. I'd hate to think I spent all that money on a waste of time."
"What the hell…are you talking about?"
"I have you here to see if you truly do have the potential to change the world," Nefaria told him. "You and your comrades. So let's so find out, shall we?"
"Move it!"
Deku grunted as he was shoved forward painfully. He almost reached to rub the wound but the large cuffs completely enveloping his hands stopped him.
"Hey, calm down lady," Sero complained behind him.
"Silence!" the woman threatened, raising her spear menacingly at him. "Or suffer the consequences!"
Sero clearly wasn't happy about it but he stopped talking. Deku knew what he was feeling as he was feeling it as well. He wanted nothing more than to break out of these cuffs, take on these villains, and get out of here to make sure everyone else was safe. But he couldn't. It wasn't just that the villains here all had weapons and armor, but mainly because he honestly didn't think he could break out. He'd been trying to at least make some headway but whatever these cuffs were, even with the power of One-For-All, he couldn't make them budge.
He'd woken up a little more than an hour ago in a small, blank room with only a bed and a toilet. The good thing was there had been a large Plexiglas window and, while he hadn't been able to break though it due to some energy field over it, he was able to see some of the others including Sero, Tokoyami, and the class B student Ibara Shiozaki. Honenuki was there as well but he'd only learned that later, when this woman and the men at her side came to take them away, slapping the cuffs on them all. Of course, that hadn't stopped Tokoyami and Shiozaki from going on the attack. However, before they'd even begun, they were on the ground writhing in pain.
"What kind of fools do you take us for?" the woman had demanded. "We implanted small chips on you that will go off the second you make any aggressive motions. Now, would you prefer to experience more pain or would you prefer to get in line?"
"Who are you people?" Deku had asked.
The woman had given him a hard look. "You will soon find out."
They had been marched down hallway after hallway, through several rooms as well. As they did, Deku tried to absorb as much as he could about the place. It was strange, like a blend of a modern building and a classical castle from the medieval era. The walls were lined with paintings and suits of armor but he was pretty sure some of those suits were watching him. The paintings too, the eyes always seemingly following him.
There were cameras as well, his eyes spotting a few. Possibly. They were hard to see but they seemed like they were cameras. Everything about this place set him on edge. There were barely any people around. He only ever spotted a handful and only from a ways away as whenever they saw them all coming, they quickly left.
Where are we? he wondered, desperate for any sort of clue that could help them. But so far, he had nothing. They could be anywhere, be the prisoners of anyone. He gritted his teeth, remembering that moment on the rooftop. He had been stupid then. He'd just rushed in blindly and that man in the skull mask had beaten him effortlessly. It hadn't even resembled a fight.
"You came here, almost at your limit, against all of us, with no real plan? That's just stupid kid."
Those words kept ringing in his ears. He could have left and gone for help, could have watched them from a distance and followed safely, could have done several other things once he sat down and thought about it. But he'd just charged in like he usually did. No plan, no strategy. Just a willpower because for some reason he thought that would be enough. He guessed Kacchan had rubbed off on him more than he thought.
Now he was here, captured just like all the others with no idea if someone was coming. He knew they would be trying their best, but this somehow felt different than what happened at the Training Camp. These guys felt…different. Stronger for sure. But definitely more experienced.
Deku eyed them again. He couldn't get a read on the goons marching alongside them. Their faces were covered and their movements were so…robotic that it was hard to figure them out. But the woman. She walked in such a way that she clearly took pride in what she was doing. She had a long cape on and had some sort of metal mask over her face so Deku also didn't know what she looked like. But at least he understood her a little based on her voice and mannerisms.
But…she clearly wasn't the leader. That was who they were going to now, it seemed. So then…where were all the others? Why weren't they here? Were they already with this leader or were they somewhere else. Deku gulped, thinking of all his friends, trapped in hopeless situations. He had to get out of here as fast as he could to go help them. Though they were far from helpless. He almost smirked, thinking of whoever might be holding Kacchan. His friend would not be held quietly, although that might be more dangerous. He instantly frowned again, imagining Kacchan with the same implant, forcing him to go along quietly. That would be torture. Were the others like that too? Deku clenched his fists beneath the cuffs, anger filling him. He had to get out of here, no matter what. He just had to.
He was interrupted from his thoughts when they slowly came to a stop in front of a pair of massive, wooden doors.
"Who are we meeting, the king?" Sero asked sarcastically.
"Oh you are meeting someone far more important," the woman replied. "You will show respect in my lord's presence. You will bow your heads and not make eye contact. When addressed, you will refer to him as 'my lord.' And you will show gratitude."
"Gratitude?" Deku hissed, the rage inside growing stronger. "You want us to show gratitude? For capturing us and our friends? For-"
"Silence!" the woman hissed, her spear striking Deku on the head. "Hold your insolent tongue."
"Midoriya!" Tokoyami almost cried in alarm.
"You ok man?"
"Oh lord, give me the strength to-"
"My lord will give you nothing!"
"Your lord is one of cruelty and wickedness. My lord will help save us from this accursed place."
"How dare you insinuate such things!" the woman cried, raising her spear again. But before she could bring it down, Deku moved, rushing forward to stand in front of Shiozaki, blocking the villain's path. She glared down at him and he glared right back, not budging an inch.
This lasted another moment before the woman finally looked away. "Bah, we've wasted enough time here as it is. We cannot leave my lord waiting. But know this, boy. There will be a reckoning."
As she stalked towards the door, Deku heard all the others let out a collective breath of relief.
"Thank you, Midoriya," he heard Shiozaki say.
"No problem. I was happy to," he replied.
Before he could say or do anything else, one of the guards shoved him roughly forward. "Get moving."
Deku frowned at the voice. It sounded robotic as well. Were these people actually robots? He didn't have long to ponder it as the doors opened up, but it was something he kept in the back of his mind.
They were all marched through the doors to a large room, more of a mini-house, with a wide carpet and a long dining table in the center. Facing it, against the wall, was a throne and seated in that throne was a figure dressed in a long green cloak as well as a green suit with a belt around the middle.
"Welcome to my home, honored guests," the figure said, turning towards them, and Deku felt his heart clench at the sight of the man's metallic body, covering his arms and legs as well as the mask cross his face that seemed to radiate fear. "I am Doctor Doom."
"We're tracking it now sir."
"Hmmm," Fury said, stroking his chin. "Just the one? What of the others?"
"Too hard to tell at the moment. A few disappeared as soon as they appeared. But we know for sure that both Hydra and A.I.M. were involved and it's looking likely that Roxxon was as well."
"Three major powers," Fury muttered. That idea didn't sit well with him one bit. What were they all up to. "Alright, get me intel on any others that might have been there as soon as you can. In the meantime, keep an eye out on that one. We can't lose it no matter what. And get me-"
"He's already on his way, sir," Coulson told him with a hint of a smile on his face. "He seemed to know as soon as we did."
Fury bit back a chuckle. "Yes, that seems to be his M.O. That or his girlfriend told him. Either way, easier for us. Now let's go find out what these SOBs were up to."
And we are now officially in the Marvelverse. Sorry it's really just villains right now but that will soon change. Still, hope you liked all the villain introductions there. Some big names with a couple small ones as well.
Just to say, this universe will be sort of a Marvel hodgepodge of the various media from the comics, movies, TV series, and games. So it won't be like the MCU version of the heroes or the comics version but my own versions based off of whatever I prefer. You'll see soon enough. For example, Iron Man won't be like his MCU counterpart i.e. he won't be married but maintain his single, bachelor lifestyle. And in no way will I ever bring up Zeb Wells Spider-Man. EVER!
Another thing, the whole multiverse thing will only be really between these two worlds. So no doppelgangers except maybe Spider-Gwen or characters like that. Otherwise it gets too confusing.
So, just so you know, I keep up to date with my favorite Marvel comics releasing now like Daredevil, Thor, Iron Man, Avengers, Hulk, and so forth, but what I've really been doing is reading all the main Marvel comics released from August 1961 (Fantastic Four #1) onwards. Just finished 1971-1981 order and still going strong.
In the middle of John Byrne's Fantastic Four and it is great. Not Lee/Kirby great, but still pretty great.
Just started Roger Stern's Amazing Spider-Man and it is so much better than his Spectacular Spider-Man work. And, just started Bill Mantlo's second run there which is pretty good thanks to Cloak and Dagger.
In the middle of Doug Moench's Thor run. Just waiting for Simonson.
Started JM DeMatteis's Captain America and waiting for it to get good.
In Jim Shooter's second Avengers run and...it's not as good as his first. Only highlight really is everything to do with Hank Pym.
Bill Mantlo's Incredible Hulk started strong but is now just dull, but I hear it gets good again so fingers crossed.
Denny O'Neil's Iron Man is...(NO MICHELINIE AND LAYTON, PLEASE COME BACK!)...ok. Just one issue in at the moment.
Frank Miller's Daredevil is...well there's just no words is there? But I'm sad cause it's ending soon. And it won't reach those heights again for a while. SIGH!
Chris Claremont's X-Men continues to be amazing. Never been a big X-Men fan but this is still really good.
Stern's Doctor Strange is just kind of dull right now and he's my second favorite character so that's sad.
Doug Moench's Moon Knight continues to swing between really good and just mediocre.
Mary Jo Duffy's Power Man and Iron Fist is fun, but not really anything more than that.
Moench's Master of Kung Fu was pretty good, but now is just boring. And still racist.
Stern also doesn't know what to do with Ghost Rider. So far, no one does.
JM DeMatteis Defenders had a strong start but is weak now.
Sorry for all that, just wanted to make my commentary. If you read til the end, thanks. Anyway, leave a review if you can. Also, still check out my blog at imagineworlds . org with all my rankings of favorite Marvel comic story arcs. The 1971-1981 rankings will be starting up soon as soon as I finish my rankings of One Piece story arcs. Thanks again for reading and til next time.
