AshenOne: Whoops, my bad. On a previous thumbnail for my story, I drew Jotaro's new outfit. It's his part 6 outfit with the color scheme of his OVA outfit, black and red with a bit of yellow spritzed in.
CoolK: The stranded ice could definitely work, I think it would be interesting for some of the class to see just how much the SBR changed them.
Euphoria: Kyoka can be pretty scary at times. And Valentine is currently going through a redemption arc. He is starting to care for Johnny and Gyro, he is finally realizing he has made some serious mistakes. So, Valentine is going to be on their side, although he will still have some villainous tendencies.
Nocringeman: Hi, this is for when you get to this chapter. I love your comments on my story, they've gotten me to crack up a few times. I'm glad you've been enjoying it so much.
Also, my PMs are unfortunately not working right. I can still receive them, but I can't reply or send anything. If anybody has ideas, just know that I can read them and that I will probably like them, and I'm terribly sorry I can't respond.
Jotaro sighed. "Yare yare daze Mic, what the hell is going on?"
"Someone messed with my voice amplifier!" Came an extremely high pitched response. Midnight doubled over in laughter as Present Mic desperately fiddled with switches, trying to revert his voice back to normal.
"You sound...*snort* like a chipmunk!"
"NOOO! MY BEAUTIFUL VOICE!"
Jotaro's frown deepened. "I don't have time for your shenanigans. You're all acting like children, when we should be doing damage control."
"This IS damage control Jotaro! We need to lighten the mood! You should learn to cut loose every once and a while, have fun, go on a date with m-"
"No."
"DAMMIT!"
"She's right man! Lighten up!" Present Mic said with a grin.
"It's very hard for me to take you seriously with that voice."
That's when the door to the teacher's lounge was kicked down, and Toshinori went straight into his buff form. "All right, which one of you had the AUDACITY, to cover the toilet seat in PLASTIC WRAP?!"
He immediately deflated and coughed out blood, but kept his furious expression. "That was AWFUL!"
Jotaro raised an eyebrow and turned to the other two. "Alright, which one of you did it?"
Both of them shook their heads as Jotaro narrowed his eyes. "Keep in mind that we are adults, and that we act as role models for the students. If they start imitating this, I'm going straight to Nezu."
"What a hard ass...hey, maybe it's the same person who tampered with my voice amplifier!" Present Mic said.
"I'm sorry...Alvin?" All Might said with a smirk.
"This is the definition of cruelty..."
As the three teachers discussed their theories on who it might be, they failed to notice that Jotaro's stern expression was slowly morphing into an amused smile.
Uraraka's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Kyoka's concerned face, which quickly turned into relief.
"Jiro?"
"Hey...how's your head?"
"It's throbbing...but I think I'm okay."
Kyoka pressed her lips together. "You probably have a minor concussion, can you stand?"
"Y-yeah, I think so."
Kyoka helped her up, and Uraraka's eyes widened as she noticed the blood running down the front of Kyoka's shirt. "Jiro, you're hurt."
"Yeah, but it's not like I haven't been hurt before. Remember the Raid?"
"Yeah, I guess one cut is nothing compared to something like that...where is everyone else?"
Kyoka shook her head. "After Mineta ran like a coward, everyone else panicked. I had to cause a cave-in just to keep people alive, but everyone else was scattered. You're the first person I've found."
"Oh...I hope everyone's okay."
"Well, we're gonna make sure of that, come on."
"But...Shigaraki, and everyone else...shouldn't we just wait for backup? We kind of failed...I failed."
"Uraraka."
The gravity girl was silent.
"Ochaco."
Uraraka slowly looked up as Kyoka put her hands on her shoulders. "We only fail when we stop trying. I know things look bad now, but we have to keep our heads held high. We aren't out of the fight yet."
Uraraka slowly shook her head. "I messed up, and I was defeated almost right away...I'm sorry Jiro, I don't think I was the right pick for this mission."
"I didn't pick you for your quirk, Ochaco, I picked you for your heart. You are one of the kindest people I ever met, and I believe that you are the glue that holds people together. You might up a room with your mere presence. I need you to smile Ochaco...so that everyone else can too...can you do that for me?"
"Yeah..." Uraraka have Kyoka the biggest smile she could muster. "Yeah! Let's do this!"
"There's that optimism! Come on, we've got friends to find and villains to kick!"
The two girls ran deeper into the caves, unaware that a figure was following them. Beru slowly summoned Excalibur. "So they survived...don't worry my love, soon I will bring you their HEADS."
Mineta felt like shit.
He had ran from Shigaraki, believing that his classmates were right behind him. Instead, he had left them behind to face their deaths.
Was he even a hero?
That's when he saw it, a gleam in the dark. He slowly reached out and felt around carefully, until he bumped right into Mina's butt.
"HEY!"
Kaminari turned down his glow and grinned. "Mineta! Boy am I glad to see you're alright! Any sign of the others?"
"No...I ran before..." Mineta began to tear up. "I'm...I'm no hero...I think they're probably dead, and it's all my fault..."
Kaminari's face fell. "Jiro...she was trying so hard to lead us. I know she wasn't the best at it, but she really tried, and now she might be..." He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
How that he thought about it, was he ever going to find a friend like her again? The playful bullying, the friendly banter...why did he ever take that for granted?
"What do we do now?" Mina asked. "We're..."
"Not out of the woods yet." The three turned around to see Kyoka walking towards them, Uraraka close behind.
"JIRO!" Next thing Kyoka knew, she was being squeezed by a sobbing Kaminari. "YOU'RE OKAY! WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEEEEAAAAD!"
"Take it easy Sparky, it'll take a lot more than a few knives to kill me."
"I'm okay by the way, thanks for asking." Uraraka said, before stumbling.
"Says the girl with a concussion, sit down Ochaco."
"Not...a bad idea...ow."
"That was uncharacteristically sassy of her." Mina noted. "Okay, now that we know everyone's okay, did anybody find a way to call for help? I'm sure Mr. Joestar could sav-"
"I sent him back to the helicopter." Kyoka said, and Kaminari went from hugging her to shaking her. "ARE YOU NUTS?! HE WAS OUR ONLY CHANCE OF GETTING OUT OF HERE!"
"Wait, he's an adult, why did he even listen to you?" Mineta asked.
"Because I'm the leader, and we aren't leaving without that sword." Kyoka said, her gaze fixed on Mineta.
"You're kidding, Shigaraki is out there! He's probably still looking for us! You can't just call yourself the leader after that shitsh-" Mineta said, before Kyoka grabbed him by the collar and lifted him clear off the ground with a stone cold glare.
"That shitshow was because SOMEONE didn't get the team memo. We didn't work together, and we paid the price for it. Shigaraki is just a man, a very weak man who can't hold a candle to his former self, and the sword lady? We can TAKE THEM, but you need to get your head in the game and start working with me!"
"B-but..."
"We aren't running away, and that's final." Kyoka said. "At least, I'm not. Neither is Uraraka. You guys can try to escape, but we will not be going with you." Kyoka dropped Mineta, and he landed on the hard cave floor. "If you want to leave, you can...but you won't be leaving as heroes."
"Jiro...we're kids. You're asking us to risk our lives." Kaminari said. "We should let the pros ta-"
"Did I stutter?"
Uraraka stood up. "I don't care how young we are, I'm not giving up! I know that Kyoka is a true hero, and she knows what she is doing! We're training to be heroes guys, we should start acting like it!"
Mina looked down, and then she stood up. "Jiro and Uraraka are right. If we don't take a stand now, what makes us any different from the people who do nothing? We're better than this!"
Mineta got up from the floor, and pushed past Kaminari. "M-Mineta?!"
"I ran away once before...and you guys got hurt. I know I've got a lot of work to do..." Mineta looked at Kyoka with tears in his eyes. "But I want to be a hero too! I won't let you guys down again!"
Kyoka's mouth fell open. "W-well, I didn't actually expect you to...you know what Mineta? Maybe there IS hope for you after all." She turned to Kaminari, who was staring at her as if he was looking at a completely different person. "Come on man...MINETA beat you to it. It's time to step up Kaminari, it's not fun and games anymore. This is REAL."
"Jiro, I would love to...but, look at us! You're bleeding! Uraraka is about to pass out, Mineta is a coward, an-"
"Fine, suit yourself." Kyoka said, turning around. "We've got a job to do...I can't say that I'm not disappointed, but I respect your decision."
"Jiro, I'm just worried that we aren't prepared enough."
"I already know you don't have faith in me. It's fine, I'll contact Mr. Joestar to come pick you up, that way you'll be safe."
"I'm worried about YOU!"
"I'm going to be just fine, MORE than fine...because I have my team backing me up. It's just a shame I don't have YOU...goodbye Kaminari, and good luck."
"Jiro..."
The group began walking away.
"Guys..."
They disappeared around the corner.
"GUYS PLEASE! I'M SORRY OKAY?! I JUST DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO HURT, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE!"
That's when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "That tunnel goes around in a circle, we were coming back." Kyoka said.
"Y-you tricked me?"
"I wanted you to come to your senses. I'm not leaving you behind, but-"
"I'm sorry...I just...I don't want to lose you guys, and if Shigaraki kills you or something..."
"Kami, do you trust me?"
"...yes."
"Then you should know, I won't let that happen. We WILL beat them and take that sword, I promise. I just need you to believe we can."
" *sniff* I can do that."
"Good."
Kyoka helped Kaminari to his feet, and he smiled at her. She turned around just as he was leaning forward, and he fell flat on his face.
"Alright...Mr. Joestar, everyone is accounted for and ready to go!"
"Good job Jiro...you know we're taking a huge risk right?" Joseph responded.
"If I am correct, I believe that is kind of YOUR thing."
"Heh heh heh...go get em' kid."
"Alright! Kaminari, you go in front, be our light! Ashido and Mineta, cover the back. Ochaco, you're in the middle. We stay in this formation until we get into an open area, got it everyone?"
"GOT IT!"
"Hey is that a different jacket?"
"Focus, Lighting Rod."
Valentine pushed the two apples together, and watched as they destroyed each other. The broken D4C hovered behind him, twitching as it used it's power.
"You're still very weak, aren't you D4C? Frankly, I'm surprised that you are returning...why, I wonder? Why now?"
The stand disappeared, and Valentine sighed. "I don't know what to do about this. I've never been so uncertain about something before."
"Why, may I ask, are you uncertain? Your stand is returning, that's it." A voice responded.
"Detective, here to bother me again?"
The Detective stepped out of the shadows. "I would like to inquire about the nature of your death...if you would be so kind as to answer."
"Stop trying to interrogate me. I'm not the source of your spiritual cataclysm, so stop inquiring."
"People don't just regain stands, Funny Valentine. Especially a stand as powerful as yours, you would've had to make a deal with someone. Who is it, who gave you your stand?"
"I don't kn-"
"TELL ME!" The Detective slammed his hand on the table, catching the attention of Momo, who was walking by.
"Valentine, please stop trying to scare people, I'm already bothered by your presence."
The two ghosts watched as Momo left the room, before the Detective slammed the table again. "I AM SICK OF YOU VALENTINE! YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT, OR-"
"No, YOU listen Detective." Valentine grabbed the Detective by the shirt and pulled him in until they were nose to nose. "I have told you, multiple times, I am not responsible for any supernatural crimes. However, I must say that you radiate the foulest stench of evil I have ever encountered in both life and death. I don't want a monster like you anywhere near me...or the people I have grown to care for."
"The dead should not worry about the living...after all, they will join us one day."
"I would like to prolong that as much as possible...tell me Detective, you seem familiar with D4C's abilities..." The broken stand reappeared and raised a fist threateningly. "Do you wish to see if they work on ghosts?"
The Detective wrinkled his nose. "This isn't over Valentine." He smacked Valentine's hand aside and disappeared into the hallway, passing through Hagakure on his way out, causing the invisible girl to shudder.
Valentine pulled the chair out and sat in it, ignoring the fact that Hagakure was still in the room. What the hell is going on?
Kyoka froze as she was briefly blinded when a glint of light was reflected into her eyes. "Hold it!"
The group stopped as Kyoka held a hand up. "Kaminari...can you take a few steps back?"
Kaminari did as he was told, activating his quirk, and the gleam returned. Kyoka slowly turned her head upwards...
A sword was embedded in the ceiling.
"There it is...that's Pluck, it has to be. Of course Santana would hide it somewhere where humans couldn't reach..."
"Who?"
"Er...the theif. He was a...vampire, yeah, a vampire...Ochaco, are you well enough to use your quirk?"
"I-I'll need a minute...besides, look at the ceiling..."
Kyoka pulled Kaminari closer to her to get the light nearer. Sure enough, there were cracks and fissures all along the ceiling.
"I see...so he cracked the ceiling so that way the sword would be the only thing holding it up. If anyone were to remove it..."
"WAIT!" Mineta said, pulling a ball off of his head. "What if I reinforce the ceiling with my balls? Then we can pull it out safely!"
"That could work...but don't you think it would be a bit painful? You'd have to use a lot of them..."
"I need to make up for running away somehow...I'm willing to do it."
Mineta began ripping off balls and throwing them at the cracks, securing the ceiling. Tears filled his eyes as blood began to leak from his head, but he continued until Kyoka put a hand on his shoulder.
"That would be enough Mineta...thank you, you didn't have to do that."
Kyoka then turned to Uraraka. "Can you float?"
"If Mineta can push through the pain, so can I!"
Uraraka touched her fingers together and began to float towards the sword. Her head began to feel fuzzy, and she began to drift to the side, but an earphone jack touched her shoulder. Kyoka was sitting on Mina's shoulders and was extending her earphone jacks. "Take a deep breath Ochaco...I'll guide you."
Uraraka smiled as Kyoka directed her towards the sword, and she grabbed onto the hilt. With a mighty heave, she pulled it free. Immediately, she was overcome with an odd warmth, and she slowly floated down and handed it to Kyoka.
Kyoka examined the blade, and looked the the word embroidered on the side. "Pluck...are you alright O-"
"I'm fine...actually, I feel great! It's like my concussion just...went away!"
That was...that was Jonathan Joestar's Hamon. I can see it glowing faintly on the blade...it feels like Johnny...
Kyoka's earphone jacks shot up as footsteps filled her eardrums.
"Alright Beru, are you sure they went this way?"
"Positive my love."
"Don't call me that."
"Yes Tomura..." The swordswoman sounded hurt. Kyoka pressed her lips together, glancing at the ceiling in concentration. The ceiling...
Kyoka looked around the side of the open area, where an underground stream was running from the sewers.
"Welp, bad news guys...I hear Shigaraki, he's coming this way..."
"WHAT?!"
"Good news though..." Kyoka looked up at the ceiling again, with a mischievous grin on her face. "I have an idea."
Shigaraki grinned when he spotted Kaminari's light. These kids...how did they survive so long at the USJ?
Beru summoned Excalibur and whirled around the corner, pointing the sword stand at...
Kyoka.
Kaminari was generating electricity in the stream, turning the water into a giant electric field. The only person on their side of the stream was Kyoka, who was glaring at the villains with intent.
"That's a nice knife you got there..."
"Insults will get you NOTHING, girl." Beru said, narrowing her eyes. Shigaraki stepped forward with a wide grin. "She's right, it was a bold move, sacrificing yourself...but it was for nothing. We can't let you tell the heroes that we are down here, so I'm afraid you'll all die."
"Really, you don't look like you can even walk over here, let alone kill me."
"You DARE-" Beru stepped forward, put Shigaraki put a hand in front of her. "No...no, I think I'll be the one to take care of her..."
The former leader of the League of Villains approached Kyoka, his footsteps echoing throughout the cave as he radiated murderous intent. "I may not be at my best...but I can still grind you into dust. I'm sick of people not taking me seriously...just because some stupid immortal bastard wormed his way into the spotlight. Maybe..."
Shigaraki laughed, his sunken face morphing into a sadistic grin. "Maybe a few dead kids will change that..."
Shigaraki's face fell when he noticed that Kyoka was smiling too. "You know, I can see why it was so easy for Santana to kick your ass...you think this is all a game, don't you? And you don't like that you're losing..."
"What the fu-"
"Observe...MINA NOW!"
Acid was hurled at the ceiling, and melted Mineta's balls. Without proper support, the ceiling crashed down on Kyoka and Shigaraki, but Kyoka quickly inserted her jacks into her boots.
"HEARTBEAT BOUNCE!"
The speakers on the bottom of her boots fired her straight into the air. Just then, Uraraka soared over and caught Kyoka, bringing her over to the other side of the electric river. Shigaraki screamed as boulders fell down on him, and then went silent.
Beru reached for Shigaraki, screaming his name, before turning to the group seething with rage as the caverns came crumbling down around her.
It didn't matter, because the heroes fled the scene as the debris sealed off the room. Kaminari held up Pluck victoriously. "YEE!"
"He's gone dumb..."
"It doesn't matter, we did it! We beat Shigaraki!" Mina said, pumping her fists into the air.
"I'm sorry I ever doubted you Jiro!" Mineta said, sobbing. "Your plan was amaziiing!"
Kyoka smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her head. "Oh I don't know..."
"Really Kyoka...you did great." Uraraka said, putting a hand on her shoulder with a grin.
Just then, spikes erupted from the ground, surrounding Kyoka on all sides, and began spinning around, separating Kyoka from her teammates. Kyoka fell through the floor, and Mina quickly grabbed Pluck from Kaminari and threw it down after her.
Kyoka landed in her back as Pluck landed right next to her. As she rolled over, groaning, Beru approached coldly.
"I get you think you're so smart...burying Tomura like that...well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut those little ear things of yours off and turn them into a necklace for that."
"For an inhuman monster who is incapable of love?"
"I took care of him, helped him recuperate from what Santana did to him. I saw his humanity...he's never had love, so he doesn't know how to show it. I was so close...I loved him...and you might've just KILLED him."
Why am I getting deja vu right now?
"Screw it...you know what lady? You're even more delusional than I thought." Kyoka said, picking up Pluck and holding the sword out in front of her to meet Excalibur.
"Let's dance."