Huntik Heroes
Chapter 8
Sorry this took a while but I wanted to get some more done with my more popular stories for now. That and I needed to come up with a few good extra ideas on how to go about on this mission with the tagalongs. Also, I use the No POV in my stories for more of a reader view into the matter. About like what a comic or similar reader might try to read it. Now then, on with the show.
(No POV)
While Izuku and Asahi were getting some basic scans of the area with their holotomes, they heard the rumbling behind them and ran to see what was going on. Izuku saw five of his classmates and one extra he didn't know next to the collapsed entrance and asked, "What are you doing here?" On the other hand, Asahi knew who the other was.
"Reiko? Is that you?" Said girl looked up and saw the floating lights next to the seekers. Ida was the first to get up and start checking the collapsed part of the cavern. While he was panicking on how they would get out Kirishima decided to say what he wanted to Asahi. "Look man. I'm really pissed about that whole brainwash thing you did to me earlier. And while I know we're in a dangerous situation right now, I still want an apology for that."
Asahi is a bit confused but thinks back and realizes that he didn't apologize for that. And while part of him wants to snark back at him, the more sensible side wins out. "You're right. Sorry about that. I just annoyed by all the talk of quirks and everything when they've made the world worse." This shocks most standing there and even Ida trips after face faulting. Izuku on the other hand just face palms.
Mina though is the first to say some more to both of them. "I remember a little bit from when we were kids. And Midori I know you had some weird skills, but you've never really told me what is going on. So, and I'm guessing you both are getting tired of explaining all of this, but can you tell us what is going on? And who or what exactly you are?" And while Reiko isn't saying the same thing, Asahi can tell she is thinking it from the look in her eye.
The seekers look at each other before sighing. They were still waiting on their holotomes to finish scanning so at least they had some time. Asahi decides to start first with the true history of the world around them. About the powers and creatures that have been in the world since time immemorial. Reiko is more and more amazed at what Asahi is a part of, while the rest are even more shocked that there have been heroes of greater capability than All Might. Let alone the fact that Asahi is descended from two lines that have saved the world multiple times.
"So… All the creatures of myth and legend from around the world. They are actually those titan things you summon?" Ida asks, and the seekers just nod. Reiko decides to speak up next talking about more of the history, "And over 300 years ago your ancestor fought against multiple dangerous entities to save all of civilization?" "Technically, both 300 years ago and 10,000. The one 300 years ago married into the Casterwill family. So….. I'm actually related to the noble houses of the Casterwill's." At the mention that he is a noble, Ida is the first to bow before someone he views as higher status. Asahi just waves him off, saying that the status didn't really matter to him for the most part.
Kirishima on the other hand had a different thought. "These powers you guys can use. You said any quirkless person now has the potential to use them?" Izuku nodded before taking over the explanation. He mentioned that the ancient enemy that Asahi's family faced is growing stronger. "And unfortunately, they will a lot of prime recruits and candidates. Ashido, you remember Bakugo right?"
At Minna's nod Izuku goes into explaining the bullying he had experienced thanks to being quirkless. All of them looked down and thought about the fact that even if they wouldn't be one's to push them around. "I hate to admit it, but I don't know if I'd really be willing to defend a quirkless person." Denki said with a look on his face that showed he was disappointed with himself. The others all looked to each other and mentally thought about what they may do.
Before they can finish though, Izuku continues his explanation. "Yeah, and unfortunately it's that mentality that is giving the Blood Spirals more recruits. If it hadn't been for Asahi, there could have been a chance I would have joined them. And with all the loneliness, hate and anger I probably would have felt, I doubt I would have felt remorse at taking anyone with a quirk out."
While Ochaco is a bit frightened by that statement, she knows he has a point. And besides, "But he did find you. And you made a friend who would try to show you some of the good. And while we may not have earned a lot of trust given what we've done today, I hope you both can think of us as friends at some point." She says with a warm smile on her face. Reiko in turn smiles as well, looking to Asahi.
Once that was said though, both boys holotomes started beeping. They picked the devices up and it showed 3d map of most of the caverns. "This is impressive technology. Where did you get it?" Ida says while chopping his hands. "Its mostly standard issue tech for seekers. We use holotomes to get missions, scan maps, and titans." Izuku says before demonstrating with his Caliban.
"Caliban. Attack: 8 Defense: 4 Type: Meso titan warrior. Size Average. Special ability: power attack". While the others are ooohhhing at the graphics and descriptions, Asahi decides to show his strongest titan. "Terros. Attack: 6 Defense: 6 Type: Krono titan warrior. Size Large. Special ability enduring body." Most are also ooohhing at that but Eijiro points out that, "Wait. The smaller one has a higher attack. How does that work?" Asahi chuckles a bit before explaining that the size usually can add about another five to ten points of power to each stat. "Depending on how big it is. Also, it's more of a general application. Reiko saw how strong my Terros was."
"Okay we may have to split up Asahi." "I agree. These caverns look like they are leading to a similar point. But its hard to tell what that point is." With that the groups divide up. Asahi with Reiko, Mina and Eijiro. And Izuku guiding Ida, Denki and Ochaco. "Listen you guys. You have to listen to us with whatever happens. Okay." Izuku says with a severe look on his face.
Asahi backs this up with a similar look before saying, "We know what we may be dealing with. But you guys….. well frankly and no offense: Don't belong here. I'll probably explain on the trip." While most of them are confused, Ochaco and Reiko agree quickly.
With a nod the boys bring out their titans. "Red Searcher!" "Springer!" As they were doing the summoning, their classmates were looking on in interest. At the sight of the Yama titan, most of them were a bit creeped out. The girls however were gushing over how cute Springer looked. All of the sudden, Springer jumped from Asahi's shoulder to Reiko's and nuzzled up to her face. "Oh my gosh that thing is so adorable!" Ochaco and Mina gushed.
"All right that's enough. We'll go down the right tunnel. Izuku you go left." With an affirmative, the groups head out. As they are walking the seekers keep moving their Boltflare lights around. "I was wondering Midoriya, what is generating that light?" Ida asked after walking for a while. Izuku just looks back at him and sighs before just casting another Boltflare. Ida has a moment where he looks sheepish, while Denki and Ochaco laugh a bit. A little after this they walk through an area with what looks like metal sticking out of the walls.
"Be very careful here." And just as he says that Denki trips over a rock. "Ow what the heck." The blonde says as he pulls out his phone to check at his feet. "Kaminari don't!" But it is too late. Denki turns on his flashlight and it bounces around setting off some traps. Ida looks around before deciding to try and grab all of them. But Izuku moves first, shouting "Touchram!" and blasting both Ida and Denki back. He then grabs Ochaco around the waist and Hyperstrides away before casting Ropetrick on a stalactite above. When the traps go off, Ida sees a variety of effects that he would have impossible for him to dodge. Denki on the other hand looks like he is about ready to wet himself from all the danger he just put himself in.
Once the traps have reset, the two boys hurry up and see both Izuku and Ochaco blushing while they are hanging from the ceiling. Once down Ochaco sheepishly thanks Izuku. "No problem. Remember what we said at the start? Listen to us." Izuku says pointedly to Denki. Who tries to defend himself by saying, "How was I supposed to know what was gonna happen!? I'm not a treasure hunter!"
"I don't understand. Why did Kaminari's light set off the trap when yours didn't Midoriya?" Ida asked and the other two also looked to him. Izuku just sighs with a smile before saying, "Boltflare is a magical light. I passed by because this is an area for seekers only." This shocks the rest and realize more of what Asahi meant. They really didn't belong there.
While that is happening, Asahi is faced with his own magic puzzle. "Huh. Looks like some man'yogana here. Let's see what it says." As he said that he maneuvered his Boltflare closer. "Dude why don't you just use your phone's flashlight? It probably brighter." Eijiro says reaching into his pocket. Asahi turns back and rushes at him grabbing his hand. "Don't do that! No one take out your phones and use the light. You'll either get all of us killed, or badly injured." With how serious his face is, the others heed his advice.
"Okay. Now let's see here. The separation of night and day? What does that…. Oh! Springer!" Asahi called out and maneuvered his light around a few other places. "There. The old symbol for moon. And this one here is sun." As he said that, both Springer and Asahi touched the symbols and a wall opened up. "Whoa. What was that about?" Mina asked seeing two amulets on a pedestal behind the wall. Asahi picked up the amulets but could only bond with one. He scanned it and it said the one he bonded with was a Barrage titan.
Asahi then explained, "This was a treasure hidden by the last ones to use this cave. Aside from the traps, they wanted to make sure that those who would gain this power, would know their legends." Mina and Eijiro are confused but Reiko had an idea on what he meant. As well as why they had to be extra careful.
"This cavern is supposed to be for seekers only. Isn't it?" Reiko asks and the other two have an even more confused look. Asahi on the other hand smiles before saying, "yeah. The last ones to use this set of caves were a group of powerful seekers." This makes the other two panic a bit before getting closer to Asahi, so they have a better chance of surviving. After a few more traps to avoid and eventually meeting up with Izuku's group, the seekers realize what the last challenge is. And confirm who originally used this cave. They reconvene at a center point with a strange round stone blocking their path.
"Okay this may sound weird, but we need someone to dance in front of this stone. We'll play some music on our holotomes." All of the others are confused, but Mina is happy to dance and show off a bit. "This probably won't be anything like what you think, but we'll try to change it a bit so you can dance to it." At that, a slightly techno version of kagura music starts playing. While Mina has no idea what is going on (let alone how to dance to that kind of music) she eventually gets into a rhythm and performs some impressive moves. The other members of her class are impressed with her athleticism (and Eijiro paying close attention to her). Eventually as the music stops, the large rock flashes and moves to the side.
When they walk in, Ida is the first to gape in amazement at the priceless Han era paintings and golden treasures. Ochaco however passes out at the sight of so much gold, jewels and treasures. The others are amazed at the sights before them, with three of them looking to grab as much as they can take. This isn't what the two seekers are looking for though. They walk up to a special pedestal with a sword, a bronze mirror, and a magatama necklace.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Izuku says to Asahi. Who nods before saying, "Yeah. Each of these has a titan. But which is which?" Reiko decides to walk up and put her own thoughts in. "This is the cavern of Amaterasu, isn't it? That was what was up with the answer puzzle you solved earlier, and why we needed Ashido to dance. Amaterasu was a seeker, wasn't she?" While the other members of their group are stunned, both Izuku and Asahi are impressed.
"Dead on. She, Ame no Uzume, and Susanoo were all seekers. This was her cave. While in the legend she shut herself in here after an incident Susanoo caused, the Foundation believes it was a place she went to protect her treasures, and train with her powers." This stuns the others even more. Not one but three of the primordial gods of their country, were in fact seekers! Ordinary humans who could bond with creature of incredible power.
Reiko then walked up to the pedestal with the mirror and grabs the artifact. Both Izuku and Asahi are surprised and ready to jump in case something went off. But nothing happened. Reiko then presented the mirror to Asahi. "The mirror was the object used to surprise her so she would come out of her cave. It stands to reason that it was the artifact that represented her." Asahi takes it, but notices something odd.
But he puts that aside for now as the other two artifacts disappear. He then looks to her with a smile saying, "You had a feeling something like that was going to happen right?" Reiko then looks up at him nodding before explaining that the other 2 were fakes to lure treasure hunters. Asahi nods before saying he needs to read up more on his mother land. Reiko and Izuku laugh at that while the others are more and more confused. Izuku eventually finds a new titan though, this being a Yama titan called Ronin.
At the mention of the name, a few of them wonder if this is where the title of ronin from the feudal eras came from. "Well let's see what he can do." Izuku says before scanning the titan. "Ronin. Attack: 5 Defense: 3 Type: Yama titan warrior. Size: average. Special ability: dual wielding". With that done the two seekers give a specific instruction to the rest of the group.
"You guys can take one thing from here. ONE! And sorry but we will be erasing some of your memories. It's better that no one comes up here and tries to loot this place." Ida at first wants to say that this belong in a museum, but Asahi stops him. "I know what you're thinking, and while I would like to put these on display; we can't risk it. There are a few things here that are cursed."
At the mention of a curse the group panics again, but Ochaco decides to ask a bigger question. "If I took something and sold it, would that be alright?" Most of them are confused at why she is questioning that, and she tells a bit about her family. Asahi hms a bit before saying, "How about this instead: Izuku and I are going back to my house for a debrief. If you want, you could sell the piece you want to take to my father, and he can keep the item safe. Until you feel like you want to keep it."
Ochaco is surprised at the offer but agrees. Ida commends Asahi for his offer and asks to take one of the paintings. Mina, Eijiro and Denki instead opt for a few other pieces. Eijiro taking a sword, Denki taking a jeweled pendant, and Mina taking an impressive jade ring. Ochaco then chooses to take a golden cauldron, removing the item's gravity so she can carry it. Reiko on the other hand said she had a request once they left. With it done and the mystery solved, the seekers lead their group out of the cavern.
"How come the entrance is open again?" Denki asks. Asahi looks back before saying, "It was meant to keep those who hadn't earned the treasures or weren't worthy trapped. Since we were here, and we solved the puzzles, they entrance was reopened for us." As they are walking away and back to the park, they wonder how they will hide some of their treasures they had taken.
At the end of the trail, Shiro-san is waiting with a limo for Asahi and Izuku. "Young master. Master Midoriya. I take it there were a few complications on the mission?" He says while looking at their classmates. Asahi coughs, before mentioning that they need to meet with his father and the chairman for a debrief. Shiro-san raises his eyebrow but allows all of the group to ride to the Lambert home.
Ochaco was already a bit out of her depth with learning Asahi was from an important family. But after seeing the car and his family home, she was a bit intimidated and slightly jealous of his family's wealth. It was when they entered that the two seekers' classmates met Asahi's parents. At seeing how warmly his mother and father greeted him and Izuku, they all relaxed a bit. "I gotta say, your dad looks pretty manly with that eyepatch." "Indeed, he does young man. Though that wasn't what made me fall for my husband." Haruka said while tittering a bit to the side. With the kids calming down, William invited them to the tearoom to discuss a few matters.
After they all had a drink of green tea, William decided to get down to business. "Now then, I know Asahi allowed you to take some things from the vault. However, I have to strongly advise that you leave the artifacts in question with me. Some of those could put rather large targets on your backs. For you young Ida I would say that you could probably keep that one you have. I take it you had something in mind with the painting?"
Ida stood up and bowed before explaining his reasoning. "The painting is of the battle of Susanoo against Yamato no Orochi. In many ways it is a symbol of justice and what heroes should strive for. I was thinking of giving it to my parents or my brother." William nodded before Eijiro asked who his parents were, and he went of a spiel of pride about his brother and family tradition of being heroes.
William smiled a bit more at the mention of being a legacy of heroes. "It seems we have something in common with that. Eh young Ida?" "Indeed Lambert-sama. And while I know you may want to stop me from saying that I do want to show respect to a man who has helped protect others longer than many pro heroes could." Ida says bowing again. While the others are hesitant to give up the treasures they took, they know William makes a good point.
Denki asks, "But we can still get them when we're a bit older right? Like maybe after we become pros?" Haruka decides to speak up and agrees with the young man's suggestion. "At that age you should be better able to handle something this expensive." Denki's smile falls a bit and acknowledges that it is something that would come with age and experience. Mina and Eijiro acknowledge this as well and give the artifacts to Shiro-san.
Ochaco is the next one to speak, and she just asks right out, "how much would you be willing to pay for this cauldron I brought back?" She sets the object down gently and returns the gravity to it. It still thuds a bit on the ground but doesn't leave a mark on the hardwood. William and Haruka take the time to examine the piece. From the intricate etchings and detail work of the gold to the gems around the rim and the writing along the side. After a few minutes, William walks out and comes back with a check for Ochaco. When she looks at the amount, she all but passes out again. She had never seen that many zeroes in her life. Even Ida was shocked by the amount William was willing to offer.
"I may have another offer as well." Ochaco shakes out of her stupor and looks up at William. He then goes on to explain that they could use a good construction company to help develop a few areas around the town. "Unfortunately, when they find out I'm from overseas and quirkless, they're all quick to turn up their noses." At hearing that, the students realize there is much more bias towards these people than they ever knew.
But Ochaco knows her parents wouldn't turn them away for those kinds of reasons. So, she agrees to pass on the offer to them. As she is saying that her eyes start to well up with tears. "Wait. Why am I crying? I'm sorry I don't-" Before she can finish William had walked over and patted her head endearingly. All with an easygoing smile on his face. As she started to cry more the man and his wife pulled the girl into a hug, while she let out as many happy tears as she felt were needed.
While watching this Ida and the rest were more and more impressed with the compassion and kindness these people had shown. Eijiro even broke down in manly tears himself, while Mina was getting misty from the amount of happiness and good, she had seen. Asahi and Izuku on the other hand weren't surprised, and Reiko was smiling at the nice scene before her.
Once that was done, and Ochaco had relayed William's offer to her parents, they said it was time to Simplemind them. Eijiro was a bit nervous given what he had been through with said spell. When William noticed this and asked, Asahi came clean along with Eijiro telling what had happened. Both Haruka and William were disappointed, and William gave Asahi a light smack (Gib's smack) to the back of his head, before saying he was grounded.
With that done, they wiped part of their memories dealing with where the cavern of Amaterasu was. All except for Reiko. She had asked to keep her memories and to come along for the other treasures of the gods. While a bit skeptical William was willing to allow it, when Izuku explained she figured out the history of the cave as well as which treasure represented Amaterasu.
"Not bad. I guess it couldn't hurt. I think we could allow it for now. Now then, let's get you all home shall we." Asahi though looked like he wanted to talk a bit more with Reiko, but his mother stopped him. "You can talk with your girlfriend after your punishment has ended." At the mention of girlfriend, both Reiko and Asahi blushed up a storm. Mina on the other hand was in full shipping mode and slipped alongside Haruka to tease the two a bit more.
"Okay that's enough. Like I said, let's get these kids home. Shiro. If you give him your addresses, he'll drive you home." William said with a smile. Then he turned to Asahi with a light frown before saying, "as for you young man. You're going straight up to your room and working on your homework. Without the internet. You know I can make a deadzone around an area. And no games or shows for a month. Also, no talking to your girlfriend outside of school."
At hearing he would be without internet, a few like Mina and Denki were extra dramatic. But Asahi knew he did deserve it. He had done just like their enemies the Blood Spiral. Even if he had only done it in light fun, he still abused his power. When they walked out, Reiko and Asahi spent a few moments just talking about various myths and stories she would like to talk about with him. As she was getting in to leave, she looked back at Asahi with a light smile. Asahi in turn was smiling too.
One the way back Mina was prodding Reiko more and more about her and Asahi. Izuku decided to help her and suggested to Shiro-san to drop Mina off first. While Mina was awing, Reiko just looked over at him and mouthed a thank you. Izuku for his part was talking a bit with Ochaco and Ida about what the next day at UA could be like.
And the first mission is written. I've got some long-term plans in mind, but I may have to put them on the back burner. Some of my other stories need attention. And others have grown popular rather quick. So please review if you enjoy or have a critique.