Interlude: Rising Storm

Jaku district

The sea of dark heavy clouds stretched onwards towards the horizon, wind howling and picking as rain poured towards the ground.

Streets were empty and the only cars left were police cars as they patrolled around, from the outskirts, a Quattro stood next to a police car, dressed in emergency clothing though for two of the figure, it was far too small and the other far too large.

"All citizens evacuated, detective Tsukuachi?" The tallest of them motioned his head as they kept an eye at the hospital.

"Yes."

"The targets?"

"No movement. The typhoon situation is in our favor."

"From what I've seen, he'll make an appearance. So there's no need to worry about it, Gran."

That statement seemed to drop the temperature to near freezing and silence that wouldn't be out of place in a graveyard.

"Good, we'll nail the bastard." Gran Torino resolutely said as his fist clenched tightly and eyes narrowed. "We took a chance by letting him escape for two years, all to force him to come into this location."

"How's the Kamino side?"

"Endeavor is prepared on his side alongside the newer rookies, they're just waiting for the signal," Tsukuachi reported and let out a relieved sigh. "Thankfully, he seems to be not making too much of a fuss."

"The man's a professional despite my...misgiving about him."

"Indeed, Nighteye, when it comes to hero work, there's no one more professional than Endeavor." All Might gave a thumbs up to that, much to the laughter of everyone.

"If he heard you say that, he might blow his top." Nighteye relaxed, feeling more at ease as he looked towards the hospital. Once again, flashes of how the future might turn up went to the back of his mind and the failures that came.

Not this time.

A glance of his watch had him straightened as he gestured to the rest. "It's nearly time."

That had everyone focused themselves again as Tsukuachi took his leave to return to his position, leaving the three of them.

"So, you found your successor?" Gran Torino stated, a grin on his face as he looked towards All Might.

"Indeed, I have to pass the power to him just yet." He looked at his hand before gripping it tightly into a fist. "Which is why, for this fight, I'll return and pass it to him."

"It's a promise." All Might ended his words as his power, One For All, bloomed to his response and filling it with more strength than usual.

"Hmph. I have yet to approve of him." Nighteye said with a huff and pushed up his glasses. Seriously, what was All Might thinking?

"Didn't you find a promising rookie yourself?"

Ah yes, that first year.

"As of now, he's utterly useless." He mercilessly said before coming to a smile. "But he has the heart for it."

"Pheh, look at the two of you, finding a new successor." Torino dismissed it with a wave of his hand. His weary old bones can only shake their head at the two but at the same time, a blossoming pride that they finally found themselves in the role of a mentor.

"Don't forget that feeling, you got something bigger to live for now."

That got a resounding nod from the both of them as they looked towards the impending grounds that'll no doubt be a battlefield.

"We're going to win."

"It has been a month after the Sky Egg incident, since then, Captain Celebrity recovered and is now slated to be leaving to the United States. Quoting that he has still had plenty of things to do-"

Click

"We now interrupt your regular channel to broadcast an emergency warning of an incoming typhoon Sheev, makings it way from the Island of Okinawa-"

Click

"From the city expected to be hit are Naboo, Gunga, Jaku, Kamino-"

Click

"And we're back! Purchase persimmons, grown at the fields of-"

Sigh.

Ayuna Tatewaki switched off the radio as she drove the van into the bay usually reserved for ambulances. Swiping the rainfall off the front of her van one last time, flinging off accumulated rain to the sides.

It didn't take long for her to find a spot as she flashed her ID pass to the security guards before they waved her in. She hadn't worked here for years since she had her first child but many of them still recognized her by face.

Killing the engine, taking off the safety belt, and zipping up the emergency worker uniform, she quickly opened the van door and greeted the others waiting for her with a smile. "Hey, it's been a while! The blood tanks are all at the back like usual!"

"Brought any souvenirs for us from Tokyo?" One of the staff asked as she led the way and opened the van's door. Revealing large metallic chillers as they're wheeled onto a cart, its heavyweight sending it creaking.

"Nope, I couldn't get any on such short notice." Ayuna waved it away as she unloaded another chiller before hollering to the sides. "Alright, next one! AB+ and O!"

This continued as the last was unloaded and rolled into the hospital, giving her a chance to stretch her arms before moving to close the van's door.

Got lots of work, at least I can rest easy with -Hmm? Her eyes went to the sides and caught a familiar portable chiller before widening her eyes as she clicked her tongue.

Bending and picking it up, she opened it briefly to take a glance and shut it immediately. Sighing, eyebrow twitching in annoyance and nearly flinging her arms up in resignation.

Shoot, I brought it with me. Curing inwardly at her absent-mindedness. She had planned to drop it to Recovery Girl today but had been rushed into standby with the blood tanks instead.

Can't leave it here. Ayuna brought it along, a wry smile as she carried it with one hand and closed the van doors harder than necessary. Rubbing the nape of her neck, wondering why she was picked again before answering it on her own.

Sometimes being the only specialist with a blood quirk isn't as fancy as it turns out to be. Shoulders slacking and drooping as she forced herself to get away from the pouring rain and inside to the rest area immediately.

The clop of her shoes echoed past the empty and quiet halls, a scarce contrast to the outside. Beyond the few security guards, emergency workers, nurses, or doctors that were elected to stay behind, it was a ghost town.

Taking an elevator, going in, and pressing the fourth floor before the door closed. Leaving her with the faint humming of the air-conditioner. Eyes drifting to the reflective surface of the walls.

She looked haggard, black rings, and her usual short hair had grown longer now. She looks similar to how her son, a pang of annoyance came as she often chastised him to sleep early.

I need a longer vacation. Sighing, she tugged idly at the end of her hair. Perhaps she should braid it together?

A ring across her phone snapped her attention as she dove a hand into her pocket. A quick slide later to reveal who it was only sent her further into annoyance, taking a deep breath before answering it.

"Ayuna Tatewaki speaking."

"Ayu! You're stationed at Hospital Jaku right?! So how's the weather there so far?!" A cheery voice came from the phone but Ayuna knew better.

"Chitose Kizuki, no." She got right into the crux of the matter and admonished the latter with a wave of her finger right to her phone.

"Surely you won't deny an old pal the chance to get an exclusive interview!" Chitose was undeterred as she continued happily, much to Ayuna's irritation as she can imagine Chitose flicking her hair backward. "I wanted to know what it's like for those brave workers that'll be working as the typhoon passes right by them!"

"It's old news and I'll like it if my family doesn't get involved any further." Tapping her fingers as she restrained herself from ending the call then and there out of politeness and respect.

" Here I was, wondering if I should drop by to say hello," Chitose replied nonchalantly. "Not to mention we're close friends during college, our reunion dinner group missed you, you know?"

"...I have been busy." Ayuna coldly said through an impassive face. "Between hospital work, and you know, relocation to Tokyo."

"Yes, yes, for your husband's work right?" A sigh came before a quiet moment passed between them. Chitose then dropped the formal tone as a pin drop could be from the background followed by a creaking chair. "I really was looking for a scoop you know?"

"It's hard to tell with you, sorry." Similarly, Ayuna's shoulders dropped downwards.

"And you're too uptight. Relax, relax!" Chitose encouraged her warmly. "Let's meet up properly, somewhere nice. I know a nice cafe at Musutafu."

"So long you're paying. Sure."

"You wound me, Ayu!" A dramatic gasp came from the other side of the phone, breaking Ayuna's tension as she heard the elevator finally reaching the level.

"I'll bring some souvenirs." She strolled out and into the hallway, deciding to leave her friend with some news. "It's going to be a boring night, everyone's evacuated, and barring some sudden incident, there won't be any large scoop."

"Ah, standard stuff. Well, I won't take too much of your time. See ya!" The call ended with a click and Ayuna shelved her phone back.

Chitose wasn't bad but sometimes she was far too obsessed with certain stories that she thinks are compelling. Usually, she can just dismiss it as some dramatized story since there are always more important matters.

But this time, it was her child in the spotlight.

Initially, it was the standard praise and focus on the heroes. Then it focused on what was the next reaction.

All Might, in his usual standard fare, promised to resolve and find the culprits. Which canned any further criticism.

So it turned to the survivors instead.

Ayuna gritted her teeth as she felt her hackles and blood boil.

She was going to murder whoever leaked out the security camera footage to the public. Thanks to that, everyone saw her son fighting against the villain.

How dare they? The sheer gall that some of the media had, using her child as a tool to push for a looser restriction on quirk usage in public. All the while, completely ignoring that they nearly died if it wasn't for Fatgum and All Might.

That's why when Chitose called her a week after the incident asking about an interview, she snapped.

Though a tinge of guilt came to her since Kurogane had to go and buy a new phone for the house afterward.

Taking another deep breath, two fingers on her wrist, eyes closed as she stood outside of Dr. Ujiko's office. A moment passed and feeling her pulse returned to normal did she knock and opened the door.

"Hello, ! Sorry for intruding." She entered with a smile, head peeking in first and making her entrance.

"Ah, Ayuna! It's been a while." Ujiko warmly greeted her as he stood up from his seat and walked towards her. Hand extended before he gestured for her to come in. "Please, take a seat! I'll make some tea for you!"

"Haha, no need for that." She politely said but Ujiko insisted as the latter had already moved to put on the small kettle in his office alongside the biscuits. It seems like the good doctor had already stocked up his office just for today's weather.

"Do you mind if I keep this in your chiller for the moment?" Ayuna wiggled the portable cooler.

"Sure, are those your extra blood packs?" Ujiko replied without turning back.

"Yup, just in case." She fibbed to him as she placed her cooler in the chiller nonchalantly.

No need for him to know. Ayuna dusted her hand, eyes glancing out of the window as it continued to pour heavily.

"Doctor?" A feminine voice called, followed by a sudden knock that caught Ayuna's attention and she wondered who it was.

"Oh? Please, come in."

Entering with Ujiko's prompting, Ayuna saw an equally beautiful woman with much darker red hair than her. The long braided ponytail end was stylized much like a scorpion stinger as it swayed to the sides with each of her movements.

Wait, it's real? Observing it closer, it was indeed real. Proven as Shaula held the door open with the stringer and moving it like a third limb.

"Here are the results for patients 452 and 567, they'll need a bit more dosage and adjustment-Oh, we have a guest?" She then noticed Ayuna with raised brows, quickly, she bowed towards her. "Apologies for not noticing you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Ayuna waved it off and returned the bow. "Are you new here? I have never seen you before."

"She came in a week after you left and is highly recommended!" Ujiko swept his hands to the side as he eagerly introduced Shaula, much to the latter's chagrin. "I interviewed her for that matter."

"I'm Nemurenai Shaula." She nodded with a smile to Ayuna before raising her head, her pupils even having a red stinger pattern that contrasted against the aqua blue. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Crack!

Ah shit.

"It wasn't me!" Crona panicked as they held their mother's favorite porcelain cup, the handle broken cleanly.

Chill. Just pick up the pieces from the sink and glue them together back later.

Crona nodded mutely as they picked up the pieces despondently. The thought of their mother scolding them had them shivering and hard to breathe-

Their neck arched backward and a long exasperated sigh came from them.

"Calm down, I'll deal with it if you can't," Kurono said as he looked at their reflection from the tap, Crona squatting in the corner of the kitchen in fear.

Taking a look at the outside, rain poured heavily with the strong wind creating a near white curtain of water. He could barely see the house opposite of him. Nearly all areas are under a lockdown or heavy traffic.

They couldn't even visit the hospital where Toga and Ojiro were recuperating.

"Well, better get to working out since we have the whole day." He sighed and continued cleaning up the dishes.

…

…

…

…?

Ayuna's breath hitched as she opened her eyes, seeing the unfamiliar surroundings as she stared at the open skies.

Snapping upwards, her entire body felt cold and soaked. Hair clung to her face messily as blood rushed to her head but long trained and instinctual usage of her quirk brought it at a much sedate pace.

"-et them out of here! It's not safe!"

"All units, move! I don't care if there's a typhoon on the way, move or die!"

Huh-?

Only then did noises return to her ears as she looked around her surroundings. The heavy clopping steps echoed loudly as numerous police force busily moved similarly injured or unconscious, all of them dressed in heavy vests, helmets, and armed with rifles or submachine guns.

"What's going on?! What happened?!" She quickly rose to her feet, seeing the situation, and went to help others as the dry jacket covering her slid down. "You, don't move him like that!"

"You're awake?!" One of the officers spotted her as she adjusted the weight of another injured person clenching a bleeding wound on the head to better support him. "Never mind, get the rest out of here!"

"What's going on?!" Ayuna repeated, annoyed but shoving it down as she looked around. It can't be, last she remembered-

Nighteye came into the room, not even a word as he quickly subdued Dr. Ujiko by launching some high projectile from his fingers.

Protest came between them as Ayuna and Shaula interfered before being shoved aside, saying that Ujiko was in league with villains.

Afterward, darkness overtook the whole room.

It ends there. She can't remember anything else.

Shaking her head, Ayuna reoriented her focus. There were people injured here and she can't let anything else get in the way for the moment.

Moving ahead, they're made their way towards the outskirts of Jaku district, already from afar, she can see dozens of police doing the same. Carrying and moving the injured ones.

No, there had to be more. Ayuna realized as they ran over to her before taking over. "Steady him, he has a head injury and possible concussion! Lay him flat and make sure he doesn't lose consciousness!"

"Ma'am, where are you going?!"

"Back there to help!"

"No, evacuate the area! It's far too dangerous!" A police commissioner that seemed to be made out of rocks quickly intervened as he held her by the shoulders firmly.

Ayuna wanted to pull away but the sheer gaze from the commissioner stopped her from protesting. She took a deep breath, steadying her blood flow, and forced a calm expression onto herself.

"Understood."

"Thank you for understanding."

"Send me to the hospital where you're sending your injured. I'll treat them all." Leaving past the multiple tapes, Ayuna focused on what she could do. She was trained for emergencies but she didn't specialize in it.

No, she'll be far more effective at the hospital and operation theatre if things come to a head.

Guided towards an ambulance filled with injured people, it was ready to leave and she hitched a ride

Now that she was on familiar grounds, it finally allowed her to scope things out.

The first thing she noticed was the dark plumes of smoke from afar, then looking towards it, the fires were spreading around. Her heart nearly stopped when she recognized the epicenter of it.

Staring intensely, the ambulance managed to reach a road clear of any obstruction and it gave her a good view of the district.

Ayuna blinked multiple times, eyebrows narrowed in confusion at first before rising upwards in shock, and then, terror.

Jaku hospital wasn't just burning, it was gone entirely. The area looks as if a massive meteor had just devastated the area.

But what took the cake was the multiple tornadoes swirling all around, one formed next to a large fire and the updraft carried the fire to create an orange hellish glow. The rain, so heavy, now was barely a drizzle for miles away.

It didn't end there as the very skies themselves had lightning striking and lashing out frequently. Thunder rumbled continuously and sharp ones that sounded suspiciously like bombs going off echoed.

Ayuna was not a firm believer of the afterlife but if there was a scene that described hell on earth, it would be this.

"Hmph. Aren't you the cunning one, All Might?"

Toshinori Yagi, or better known as All Might, restrained the urge to just lash out at the man who stood in front of him even as mini-tornadoes formed all around him. Created not from quirk but rather, the aftermath of their attacks.

"Letting me escape once, all just so to pin me to a corner as you take both the doctor and my facilities! Truly, a magnificent plan, I never knew you had it in you!"

Standing on a pile of rubble and looking down on him, was a man that came from the chaotic turbulent times when quirk first emerged, later becoming the ruler of the underworld of Japan, one who was a century ahead of him in terms of experience.

All For One.

Grinning and smiling amusingly, arms outstretched. "So who was it who truly devised such a ploy?"

Yagi remained focused and calm, even as All For one babbled on. He just needed a few minutes more.

"Was it Nighteye? That lad certainly has the mind for it, no, perhaps it was Gran Torino? He certainly has the spite and spirit to execute such a long-standing plan after I murdered Shimura!"

Yagi shifted his body to the sides as his fist clenched tightly and blood rushed to his head at the mere mention of his master name, how dare he-?

No, no. Calm, endure all of it.

"You talk too much, All For One."

"Haha! So it was him!" The latter laughed as he threw his head backward. It slowly died as All For One raised an arm. "I'll be sure to leave him last,"

Yagi's eyes and reflexes heightened themselves as the world stood still, One For All working in tandem as he burst forward.

"CALIFORNIA-"

Ions of positive and negative charges energy came right behind Yagi, hackles rose as the scent of ozone filled his nostril.

The air around All For One solidified and then pushed outwards like a wall.

A quick snap of the wrist as a ripple akin to a mirage haze was shoved to the sides, missing its mark while leaving only devastation in its wake.

All For One moved. Bearing straight towards Yagi like a bullet as he too pushed the air aside like it was made of mud from sheer speed.

Both of them charged towards one another, fist raised.

Yagi saw All For One own fist grew horrifically large, muscles and veins bulging as numerous other quirks came to the forefront. Ready to decimate him through sheer strength.

In response, One For All flared itself as green lightning covered Yagi partially.

"SMASH!" Yagi howled, releasing his power into a single punch.

Both fists then met one another head-on.

Reality warped.

Bend.

Strained

SHATTERED.

At the epicenter, everything flew backward from the point of impact, air, building foundation, concrete asphalt, pipes, water, and clouds as a dome spread out past them and further beyond the district.

Only then, did the sound followed.

It was like the heavens themselves balked at the clash and the clouds parted at the oncoming force.

Yet it was not over.

From that void, air rushed back in and forcefully engulfed the two as debris tore upwards to the skies. So violent was the speed and power, that it formed a barrier of wind with them at the center.

The two didn't tear their eyes from one another even as they prepared another strike.

"All Jaku hospital workers evacuated, Jaku district is clear. I repeat, Jaku is clear-" A static came from his suit, made only possible due to his old friend Shield as Nighteye informed him.

This time, All Might didn't hesitate.

One For All finally unleashed itself to its full potential, filling him up to the brim with energy that was cultivated over the years. His muscle and body grew, and it was fully charged!

Responding equally fast, was All For One, who prepared another strike, this time enforced by countless physical augment as well as any other quirks to further strengthen and reinforce his blow.

Today, there'll be no quarter nor retreat.

With a wordless cry, the two once again met one another with an onslaught of titanic blows.

"For today's new report, after five hours, typhoon Sheev lost its momentum and failed to proceed further than Jaku district!"

"Despite this, Jaku is left heavily damaged and thanks to the wind damaging strength, has ignited a gas pipeline!"

"Fortunately, everyone has been evacuated promptly at the anticipated arrival of the typhoon but emergency workers stationed there were injured in the process trying to stop the fire from spreading."

"We wish them a speedy recovery as heroes dispatched to the area have ensured the situation is under control. In other news, seismologist has reported a magnitude of five on the Kawasumi scale-"

Ojiro only sighed as he looked at the news and gazed outside as things finally calmed down. How Toga managed to sleep throughout the thunder and flash of lightning surprised him.

But seeing the slowly clearing skies and the warm glow of the bright sun cheered him up.

Looks like the storm is finally over.

There's one more interlude before we get to the proper start. I know I said there's only one but I really like the flow. So I split the Interlude chapter into two.

I also wanted to really draw the sense of scale and destruction that prime OFA and AFO is capable of dishing out, hopefully, I managed to deliver it through my limited skill.

As usual, comment and ask away.