"AHHHHHHHH!"
Screams. Screams filled the halls of a Foot laboratory. The screams of dirty pirates made of paint, and screams of the scientists and ninjas getting assaulted by said paint pirates.
"Gah!" Shouted a ninja as he got rendered unconscious via Yo-Yo to the face.
Karaki and Tsubu casually walked through the chaotic halls of the laboratory, with two massive sand hands behind them, courtesy of Tsubu.
They eventually reached a room with a safe in it.
CRACK!
Karaki slammed her Yo-Yo into the keypad, destroying it instantly, and adding to her quirk's power.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! TING! TING! CLANG! CLANG! CRUNCH! THUD!
Karaki kept hitting the door with her Yo-Yo, over and over and over again, doing more and more damage to the door, until it burst through the doors completely.
Inside, were dozens of cylinders full of a weird green and black glowing goo.
"Well, this seems important. Let's nick it!" Karaki said with a wicked grin.
Tsubu used his sand hands to grab all of the cylinders and bring them with them.
KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM!
Meanwhile outside the Cloud Splitter was raining down fire on any vehicles trying to escape, while more painted pirates came down on ropes to make sure no stragglers could get through, while other pirates came up, passing up boxes of any valuables they could find
Pai was on the bridge, painting the chaotic scene in front of her with a wistful look on her face. "Wonderful! I must immortalize this on my canvas!"
"Everyone! We need to leave! The heroes are coming!" Rorou told everyone over his earpiece.
With that, the first of many raids for the night came to an end. As the pirates retreated, leaving the fake paint pirates behind to watch over the ninjas and scientists and make sure they didn't escape or destroy incriminating evidence. So once the heroes came to check out the ruckus, they knew what to do.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
By the time the sun rose, all the Cloud Splitter was once again high in the sky, unreachable by most, and undetectable to all.
All the Sky Pirates had regrouped and were now once again speaking to Izuku via the Seer.
"So you managed to raid 15 out of the 72 bases we knew of." Izuku summed up.
"Sorry boss, but we just ran out of steam," Karaki answered. She Tsubu, and Suru all looked extremely fatigued, and everyone else was at the very least, tired from being so active all night long. Although Kaza didn't seem phased in the slightest.
"No, in all honesty, you did more than I expected," Izuku told them. "Remember that you all are, invaluable to me. If you feel like you're at your limit. Stop. Not to mention being too prolific will only bring more attention from the heroes. So it's probably for the best that you stopped."
"Ah thanks, boss, I think that's the kindest thing anyone's told me without being affected by my quirk," Yoko said honestly.
"That's sad." Karaki pointed out.
"So what did you take?" Izuku asked. "Did you get any Mutagen?"
"You mean that glowing goop stuff? Yeah, we got loads of it." Karaki said.
"I also managed to, convince, some of the captured scientists, to write down what they've researched, and all that it entails," Yoku explained.
"We also managed to steal quite a few weapons, and drain some of their bank accounts," Rorou explained.
"Excellent work everyone. I'll send you a location to drop off the notes and a few samples of the Mutagen. Destroy the rest of the Mutagen, and sell the rest of the stolen goods on the black market." Izuku instructed. "After that, feel free to do whatever you please for the next few days. I'd say you've earned it."
"Will do," Kaza said as Izuku logged off. "Alright, everyone rest, I'll wait for the boss to send us the drop-off location."
"You sure you don't need to rest Captin?" Yoko asked.
"I'll rest when the job is done," Kaza told them. "Now get going, time's not something you can afford to waste."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Two days later, Izuku was in his office calling Nezu.
"Well, I think it's safe to say that so far the operation has been a resounding success," Nezu said. "Now we've acquired a sample of the mutagen for analysis. Although it's a shame we can't send it to your lab without arousing suspicion from your staff."
"The head of my research branch is a very moral person, which is a good thing but it can also lead to some issues." Izuku sighed. "I feel dirty saying that."
"There is no person in power that gets to keep their hands clean forever," Nezu assured him. "So long as you know where to draw the line, and make sure never to compromise on certain things."
"You say that but I'm already compromising so much," Izuku said. "At this point, I don't think I have to right to scold Yonda anymore."
"I wouldn't say that. You do these things because you have to, she does what she does because she enjoys the feeling of power." Nezu explained. "If anything, I'm the one that can't claim the moral high ground here…I often do anyway, but that's because I'm a hypocrite. Speaking of Yonda. I was wondering if you had any interest in allowing her to Intern at U.A.? She seems to have wonderful potential, but it seems like you're having difficulties with her."
"That's one way you could put it." Izuku massaged the bridge of his nose. "Recently Shiruku's shown interest in becoming a hero as a side job, and Fu suspects she had something to do with it."
"I think I could give her some…proper guidance," Nezu said, with a bit of glee in his voice.
"I'll think about it," Izuku said. "By the way did you transfer Zuko's sister yet?"
"Of course. Can't have her staying in that area after what happened." Nezu said. "The heroes are…well they're having the expected reaction. That is to say, they are extremely confused, and concerned."
"Well as long as they can't put together that I let them take the ship then we're fine," Izuku said. "None of them can reach the ship nor can they find it. And so long as you keep All Might away from them, we should have little issue."
"If they truly managed to defeat Ms. Jaga then I believe you are correct," Nezu said. "Let's hope they can continue to exceed our expectations."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kaza gave out a long yawn, as she finally awoke from her well-deserved nap.
It had been two days since they'd given Izuku what he asked for and took their break, and she spent most of that time either sleeping or eating.
So now that she was fully rested, what now?
She sighed, got up, and stretched a bit. "Guess I better go make sure everything's working well."
Kaza didn't know exactly why Izuku assigned her as captain, and she didn't much care. She'd do the best she could to keep this literal ship afloat. For all their sakes.
Speaking of which.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What the fuck am I looking at?" Kaza asked as she stood in the engine room
The engine room was one of the larger rooms on the ships. As it housed all the Fractals that were used to give the ship its various abilities, as well as the things powering it. A Chaos Engine, and a pseudo-Chaos Emerald. This emerald wasn't like the other emerald, as it acted more as temporary storage for chaos energy, and wasn't fully charged and self-sufficient like the actual emerald.
As one could imagine, seeing a giant, pulsating, glowing flesh egg where your engine is supposed to be, was a bit vexing.
"I have no idea." Rorou stared at the whole mechanism in awe. "I've spent nearly my whole life, studying machines, I was at the top of my class at every engineering class I have ever been to. I received offers from people around the world to work for them…and I have no idea what the fuck this is."
"Great, wonderful. The only mechanic on this whole ship has no idea how this ship works." Kaza sighed while massaging her temples. "Just, great."
"Oh no, I can repair the ship for the most part. While the machinery is a bit foreign, I understand how it works." Rorou explained. "That egg things and these crystals give off unique energy, which is used to power the ship and its features. There's a lot more to it but I doubt you'd care."
"I don't, thanks. So you can repair the ship?" Kaza asked.
"That's what I just said. So long as none of the crystals or the egg thing get damaged." Rorou told her. "I have no idea how any of those things work, and even if I did, I don't think we have the necessary materials to replace them. Fortunately, this is the most heavily reinforced and guarded room on the whole ship. No one but All Might could possibly damage the engine room from the outside of the ship. And if we're fighting All Might we're already thoroughly screwed."
"Well your not wrong." Kaza sighed. "Fortunately Nezu said we shouldn't have to worry about him."
"Yeah, man it's so nice being not real villains." Rorou chuckled.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next stop was the cafeteria/kitchen/food storage.
Thankfully, there was a bit of food on the ship when they got it so they'd been fine for the past few days, but of course, this was beginning to dwindle.
Kaza sighed as she looked at the food supplies.
SLAM!
Suddenly the door to the food storage as Tsubu and Karaki walked in. "Time to eat!"
"You two!" Kaza barked, causing Tsubu to flinch and Karaki to raise an eyebrow. "Want to explain why over half of our food is gone?"
"Ah…w-well you see-" Tsubu tried to explain himself nervously. At least having the decency to look ashamed.
As opposed to Karaki who looked slightly annoyed. "We got hungry, so we ate. What do you want us to just not eat when we're hungry? That's pretty heartless considering all you did for the past two days was eat and sleep like a bear."
"Well if that's your attitude, you better be prepared to do the shopping then," Kaza said, giving her tiny teammate an intimidating glare, that had little effect. "You too Ukog! I'm having Rorou land the ship somewhere discreet, and you two are going to go out and buy food and supplies."
"Eh, fine." Karaki shrugged. "At least we can get some more booze. Not like it's the worst thing in the world."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I am filled with hate!" Karaki shouted as she was now on the bridge with Tsubu and Kaza, wearing a pink dress made for children. With little pink bows in her hair giving her pigtails.
Tsubu was standing a respectable distance away, wearing a green hoodie and jeans. "Uh, does she really have to wear that?"
"You two need to be disguised. Otherwise, you'll get caught." Kaza explained with a smirk, having enjoyed forcing Karaki into the outfit. "People will be less likely to look at a father-daughter duo and think they're villains, so for once you being a loli is actually useful."
"Never! Get me out of this or so help I'll-agh!" Karaki's protesting was interrupted, as Kaza's tail grabbed her by the neck, and lifted her to Kaza's face.
"Listen here you little shit." Kaza glared, letting a bit of fire come out of her mouth. "You eat most of our food and drink most of the alcohol. You smell like shit because you almost never shower, you leave your clothes all around the damn ship, you never wash dishes, and you never clean after yourself. This, and fighting are the only thing you're useful for, and you WILL pull your fucking weight. Is that understood?"
"Yes! Yes! I fucking get it! Ack!" Karaki said while Kaza choked her.
Kaza released Karaki from her grip and left Karaki gasping for air. "Good."
"Ah. Where did you even get this damn thing?" Karaki asked while rubbing her neck.
"Oh, that's mine," Yoko said. She had been sunbathing in a bikini off to the side. "I accidentally packed some of my clothes from back when I was a kid. I didn't want to throw it out because that just seemed like a waste, especially when it's your size."
"Bitch." Karaki muttered while wondering what she'd do to get back at her later.
"Alright listen up, here is what you two are going to do," Kaza said. "You are a father and daughter. If anyone asks, she's ten. The mother is working overseas, you live uptown, and your names are Machi and Gai respectively. You're going to go to several stores, not just one, buying all that at once would be suspicious. Got it?"
"Man you really thought this out huh?" Tsubu noted.
"Someone has to," Kaza muttered.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So we have a problem." Kaza was leaning in the doorway to Pai's room.
Pai's room was probably the one with the most personality on the ship.
It was covered with various paintings of monsters, ruined cities, and death. Currently, Pai was painting one of their recent attacks, their ship raining down fire on a building while people ran for their lives.
"And what would that be?" Pai asked as she continued working on her art.
"I don't like you," Kaza admitted. "I can't possibly understand how you could think death and destruction are beautiful."
Pai sighed. "Then it seems like we have a disagreement. So be it. Many people don't understand my art. At the very least you are honest about it."
"Yeah, but those people don't have to work with you," Kaza said. "If we're gonna be teammates, we need to have some level of trust. Even if it's just a bit."
Pai paused for a minute, before letting out a deep breath. "Very well then. I will try to explain to you my muse, so long as you try to understand. I do not wish to waste my time, Captain."
"Good neither do I. I'll try to be open-minded but I can't promise I'll suddenly understand you or some shit," Kaza admitted honestly. "That good for you?"
"That's the best I can ask for," Pai said. "Then let us begin. To explain my interests we must first go back to my early youth. When I was younger, I had a little brother. His name was Hametsu, and I adored him more than anything. We would play together in the gardens every day. We would use my quirk to create animals that we'd dance with together. It was a blissful time. However, as you are well aware, all good things. Must come to end, and my brother fell from the top of the stairs. Ending his life in an instant."
Pai sighed, but despite what she said she wore a small, sad smile on her face. "No one came for a while. And I was too stunned to scream. It was like something had grabbed onto me, a feeling more powerful and intense than anything I had seen before, which had taken control of my mind, body, and soul. Soon I found myself moving without me commanding myself to move, and I was at my dead brother's side. I could not stop myself from memorizing every detail, despite how much agony it caused me. His blood painted the floor, and his once cheerful eyes, now glazed and lifeless. His once warm hands, now cold. Hehehe."
To Kaza's surprise, Pai actually started to giggle a little bit. "It's absurd, isn't it? How precious and how fragile human life is? We'd run up those stairs thousands of times! And yet just one mistake, and he was gone! It happened in an instant! We had so many plans! So many dreams! And in just a second all of that was gone! Because of a staircase! It felt like the world no longer made sense. Like I had lost my mind along with my brother. I honestly couldn't tell you what emotion I was feeling at the time. Grief, agony, sadness, anger. I can't say for sure it was any of those, just a tightening feeling of pain clouding my senses. Eventually, though, someone did find us, and I was taken away. But even then, all I could see was my brother. I had memorized every little detail of his corpse in my mind, so much so that I could tell what the morticians had changed when I next saw him. Although I paid little attention to it. With all the blood gone, I didn't just view him as my dead brother, but as my brother's corpse. As a symbol of the memories we shared. My brother was dead yes. But those memories we shared, the bond we had, every word spoken. Was immortalized, and set in stone. There I could see every memory we shared, leading up to his death, and I wondered what memories he had apart from me. And quickly I felt…at peace. The pain flew away, and soon I remembered the precious life we shared. I love my brother, nothing will ever change that. His dead body was a symbol of the life he'd lived, with me. That was my awakening. That was when I realized what beauty was to me."
"So you thought your dead brother's body was beautiful…because you saw it as a memento of your bond?" Kaza asked, trying to understand this insane line of logic.
"Not just our bond! But of his life! The life I'd treasured so much!" Pai exclaimed. "I could see the story of his life unfold, begging to end, and I love it. Its ending caused me pain, but only because I loved the story so much…But of course, I could not view his corpse forever. But I still longed to see it. That, was when I started to work, on my first masterpiece. My brother's body. At first, I tried painting him from when he was at the funeral but that body had too many alterations for my liking. So then I painted him from right after he fell down the stairs. It was good at first, but still, I thought I could improve. Perhaps take some creative liberties, and after much time, I created a masterpiece I have yet to outdo. My brother lied in my arms, as I kissed his forehead with a tear rolling down my eye, and a smile on my face, many of our toys, drawings, and other things we held dear, were scattered about, covered in his blood. Completely symbolizing the life and death of my beloved brother. And everything he meant to me. It was only after I painted that, did I cry for the first time since his death. Tears of sadness, but also, tears of joy."
Kaza was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to process any of what she just heard. "Where were your parents during this?"
"Grieving mostly, although when they did see my masterpiece, they were…not as enthusiastic as I," Pai explained with a sigh. "That was when a first learn that many others would not view my art the same way I did. I tried to tell them this piece was a celebration of his life, but they could not view it as anything other than his death. They urged me to create pieces of when he was alive, but they just didn't feel as powerful! Painting of when we played together and when we ate together, could only show one moment of his life, maybe a bit more, but never the full story. Only my masterpiece could show that. The bond we shared, that death, powerful as it is, could never take away from us. But of course, an artist does not make one piece, and then never again. I needed to make more. Paintings that could capture that same sense of finality, grief, and completeness. That was when I started to see the art of destruction and death. When villains attacked, people would show their true colors in the face of such power, and when buildings were destroyed you'd end of a history. Of a place where who knows how many people had lived or worked, and created wonderful memories, or terrible ones. I began searching up histories of places that were to be destroyed, or people that had just passed away and trying to imprint their importance on paper. The end of a thing, cements its signifies. A beauty, that surpasses all, in my opinion. That, is why I am, the way I am. That is my muse, my reason, to live, until my own, gorgeous end."
"...So you went mad with grief?" Kaza summarized after hearing all that.
"Perhaps, but I don't truly care if I am considered mad or not. What matters, is immortalizing the beauty of life and death." Pai finished. "So, captain. Do you still dislike me and my art?"
"...No," Kaza answered eventually. "I'm not gonna say I understand a thing about any of what you just said, and to be honest, I don't want to. But I get that you are not just some kind of sadist. Still think you're insane though."
"Eh, better than most." Pai shrugged, looking pleased. "You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders captain. I am glad Mr. Midoriya picked someone as diligent as you to lead us."
Please review and have a nice day.
