Here it is, the 126th full chapter of Miraculous Quirks released on time as always. The third semester continues to plow on towards what is coming and the students at U.A. continue to train and get stronger and one such way they get stronger is through the random team up missions. Well, now it is time for one such mission that a few select students have been chosen for and all the students share a similar trait that the hero in question is looking for as he gets ready to test the students. There is one slight catch to this, the pro in question in unquestionably the strangest hero in all of Japan so the students are going to be in for a wild right. Anyway, that is all the administrative stuff that I have for you, however, and there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer so I will end this note here. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from y'all. That is all I have for this pre chapter note so that means that it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the 126th full chapter of Miraculous Quirks.
Disclaimer: I do not own either of these great works of fiction.
Chapter 126: Abyssal Travelers
"Hmm."
"Hmm."
"It's just a blank piece of paper."
"Yeah I got nothing on mine either."
"So, who sent it and why just us?"
"No clue, it is rather odd."
Tokoyami heard the mutterings as he walked through the common room of the dorm one night as he was getting ready to go to bed. The third semester was progressing well for Class 1-A as they did their work studies, trained at school, dealt with normal class work, and now added the random team up missions to it. The latter weren't as frequent after the first batch that saw all the students get assignments as they now just came for various students without warning, often with other schools, with the occasional specific selection team ups coming in. It was the latter that was currently the issue.
The archaic natured student realized it right away as he passed Midoriya and Agreste sitting on the sofas with the low table before them both with blank pieces of paper before them that had been opened from envelopes that had been addressed to them. Neither knew what it was about so they were both confused hence the mutterings.
However, the moment Tokoyami saw the papers he knew at once what they were as he too had received one and unlike his friends, he had figured out what it meant. He also knew that these two had gotten one as well thanks to deciphering his own and while Agreste made total sense given who'd been selected he didn't get why Midoriya had one.
"You two seem dismayed." Tokoyami said as he approached them. "Why?"
"Huh oh hey Tokoyami." Adrien said looking up at the avian headed boy. "Yeah we're a bit confused here."
"You see we both got letters about a team up mission that we've been assigned but all they had was a blank piece of paper in them." Izuku said holding up the paper. "It seems like it's some goof or mistake."
"No, it's neither, they are legit assignments." Tokoyami said.
"They are?" Adrien asked as Tokoyami took Izuku's paper from him. "You sure?"
"Yup, they just require something extra to read what is written on them, which when you see what the contents are you'll understand." Tokoyami said as he pulled out a cigarette lighter neither knew he carried and lit it behind the paper at a safe distance from it but still close enough for the heat to get to it. "They are special instructions so to speak for those who have been summoned."
"Summoned?" Izuku asked.
"Great." Adrien said with a sigh as words began to appear and he got a bad feeling about this. "Seems like…yup we've gotten called into a team up mission by someone with an extremely eccentric personality. This has got to be one of those special selection team ups, no way the HPSC would send us something this elaborate for a random assignment."
"It would seem so." Tokoyami said as the writing revealed the title on the page as 'Chosen Ones' with Adrien, Izuku, Tokoyami, and Kuroiro of Class 1-B's names on it along with a map and instructions on how to get to the location and a statement on the side that told them when to be at the specified location. "Our next team up is from a hero who understands the abyss it seems."
Tokoyami was right as on the left side was written 'I await you in the abyss on the eve of the full moon' so it was clear that a pro with a similar personality to Tokoyami and Kuroiro had requested them. Adrien's gut was telling him that this was not going to be a productive team up and that it might be even stranger than he was already expecting it to be so he was starting to get worried about it.
"Alright so the next team up for me is with you two and Kuroiro from Class B." Izuku said as he looked over the instructions that had been in invisible ink. "But, er, I don't get the abyss stuff, I'm not really into this sorta thing the way you and Kuroiro are Tokoyami."
"It is an intriguing turn of events for destiny has chosen all of us to walk this path on the eve of the next full moon." Tokoyami said which was in a few days' time. "A summoning of those who see and know the abyss from a pro who knows the abyss well. Kuroiro and I are travelers who have walked the path of the abyss and stared into it while Agreste has already entered and come out it's master for he bents the darkness to his will and commands it in ways that we can only dream of."
"Er…" Izuku said unsure how to handle the more archaic and eccentric part of Tokoyami's personality. "But why me then? I don't have any experience with this stuff at all and I certainly don't know any heroes who are into it either."
"That I cannot explain for destiny works in mysterious ways." Tokoyami said. "But it wouldn't surprise me if a hero who travels through the abyss is one who keeps a low profile for he or she must have embraced the darkness to know the darkness."
"If I had to guess then your selection has to do with that black tendril thing that you can do now Midoriya." Adrien said as he realized that this pro knew that Izuku could now use the black tendrils of Blackwhip though of course few knew what precisely the tendrils were. "Whatever it is, this pro has noticed it somehow, likely due to being in the shadows for those pros tend to know more than others, and decided that you have command over the abyss to some extent."
"Ah yes that would make perfect sense." Tokoyami said with a nod understanding it now. "Midoriya can command the abyss as well but a different part than you can Agreste. Where you use the abyss's raw destructive power to wipe out what is in your way, though thankfully not organic material, Midoriya uses the darkness to capture those who have let darkness overcome them and fallen to evil."
"The abyss has many aspects and uses that those who have stared into it can command once they accept and embrace it." Adrien agreed deciding to play along with it as Izuku just got more and more confused. "All four of us have tapped into a power that it holds to make it our own in our own ways. Now we should rest, we've been summoned by a pro and I for one know that a gathering of such abyssal warriors as ourselves is one fated to push the limits of what the abyss can handle from those who do not fear the hold that it has on men's hearts."
"Agreed, we shall make this journey together as aspiring pros." Tokoyami said as Adrien rose, and began to head to their respective rooms leaving a Izuku there as he was more confused than ever about what was going on. "And learn from a true pro about the nature of the abyss from a hero's perspective."
Izuku was confused for two reasons. The first being just how strange things had turned out after realizing what the letter said as he wasn't one to understand the abyss as Tokoyami called it and while Agreste never gave off that he was like that he did seem to be able play into it with Tokoyami, so he clearly understood it to some extent. Izuku didn't so he decided to move on and focus on the second confusion, which hero had requested them?
Izuku knew a lot about the pros and even without a name he should be able to figure it out by the context of the summons, he'd worked on improving that after failing to realize that his first team up was with Mirko and as a hero fanboy he should really be able to do that. However, this one was just so far beyond what he knew about heroes that he couldn't for the life of him think of which hero had summoned, no better to focus on simply calling it requested, them for this team up.
In the end Izuku just had to give up on figuring it out and decided to go to bed and wait and see who the hero was when they arrived at the team up location on the eve of the next full moon. Anyone this odd would have to be someone he'd never heard of which intrigued Izuku as there were few heroes he didn't know about, so he was ready to see who this pro was and learn from him. Unfortunately, Izuku had no idea what he was about to walk into.
The next day the four aspiring heroes got off the train where they were told to get off and followed the instructions they'd been given to where the hero had his or her agency. Given the instructions and the time seeing as it was as night was falling that they got off and headed to where they were to go. None of them had a clue and as they walked the 7 minute walk to the agency Izuku realized just how out of depth he was with this given the strange eccentricities of Tokoyami and Kuroiro and how Agreste seemed to just play into them as it if was nothing.
"Who would have imagined that it would be us three." Kuroiro said as they walked already in their hero costumes though with their school uniforms in cases to change into for the return journey once the mission was over. "Those who travel through the abyss all gathered together once again just like in the joint training matchup we had, with Midoriya for added fun of course."
"Huh?" Izuku asked confused.
"Our fates are intertwined Kuroiro, this is not a surprise to me." Tokoyami said simply. "I was awaiting the day that we met a pro who understood the abyss like we did, it would seem that the HPSC's team up program has given that pro the chance to do summon us to a meeting like this."
"Oddly, I'll actually agree with." Adrien said as they found the entrance according to the message but it turned out to be stairs down implying an underground agency of sorts, so they began to walk down to it. "For some reason I can't shake I have a feeling that something is about to happen for which I was destined for me to be here."
"Such is the way of those who know the abyss." Kuroiro said as they reached the bottom of the stairs and walked along a dimly lit corridor until they came to a large set of metal doors carved with 5 archaic designs, one in each corner that were the same with the 5th one in the center where the seam was that had a different design to the other 4, all inside rings with archaic writing in a script none of them could identify. "Ah so this is the place that the message said to go. Fitting given how we were summoned to this location."
"Yes and the timing is just what you'd expect." Tokoyami said with a nod. "I await you in the abyss on the eve of the full moon. We are here at the time and before an imposing gate no less. This is certainly a pro who knows the abyss."
"Yes but which pro summoned us." Adrien said, which they were all thinking, and as he said it the doors before them began to open. "Ah well let us find out then."
"Right on time as I predicted you would." A male voice said as the doors fully opened and the quartet stepped into the room that was lit with a series of real candles along the walls and a candle filled chandelier above them. "The moment has arrived and so have you, my chosen ones. Fumikage Tokoyami, Izuku Midoriya, Adrien Agreste, Shihai Kuroiro, welcome to the Abyssal Temple and I am the master of this realm in which I go by the name Odd-Eye. Yes, it is I, the Edgelord Hero: Odd-Eye who has summoned the chosen ones of U.A.'s first year hero course to my domain."
The whole summoning thing was bad enough, though they'd come at the appointed time so it was more they were punctual than the man predicted their arrival, but it was made even creepier to the students who appeared as the speaker in question was siting on a throne at the far end of the room. To add to it all the throne had been placed at the tip of a pentagram that was carved into the ground with rings and more archaic script in the rings around the pentagram.
Standing on either side of the man were 4 people who were clearly sidekicks, two for each side, wearing archaic robes with white shall things over them and paper masks over their faces that had a single eye drawn in the center where two should be as if they were cyclopes and a design beneath them that was different for each. Still, none of this was as bizarre as the man facing them.
Odd-Eye, the Edgelord Hero, lived up to his name and moniker as he sat on his throne looking at them, legs crossed and right fist resting against his face with a smirk gracing his lips. The hero, who none of them had ever heard of thus confirming Izuku's theory about the hero as even he was at a loss as to who this man was, was pretty young, probably early 20s, with neck length messy hair and a slim build.
His costume was just as strange though it reminded Izuku a bit of Gentle Criminal a little only the jacket was jet black and not dark blue with a smaller collar and skirt flair to it, black pants tucked into matching boots, gloves with the same symbol that was carved into the ground on the backs of them, and several belts on his arms, waist, and neck for some reason. To complete it, and possible due to an on the job injury that would testify to his skills as a pro, the man wore a simple black eye patch over his right eye.
"There is no need to be wary of what you see around me young ones." Odd-Eye said as the students walked in as the door closed behind them, Izuku really confused, Adrien's gut senses now on high alert as he knew that he'd heard of this hero before, but he couldn't remember where or from whom, and Tokoyami and Kuroiro impressed by the room as it was clearly living up to it's title of Abyssal Temple. "These people with me are my contracted familiars, there is no reason to be concerned about them."
"Er, we're your sidekicks sir." One of them said in a tone that said he was used to this oddity.
"Yeah you pay us to be here." Another said. "Remember?"
"Also, this is your agency, not an Abyssal Temple no matter how archaic you make it." A third said. "Please use the proper terminology sir, you're already strange enough as it is."
"Aww come on guys, I for one like it, so why not play into it." A new voice said, and it was one Adrien knew extremely well. "It's all part of your brand, not that anyone actually knows that Odd-Eye exists that is. Plus, you got all the good cheese here."
"Of course." Adrien muttered to himself in French as, of all things, Plagg flew out from behind Odd-Eye's head to float next to him while eating a large amount of cheese. "As soon as I entered I should have known that there was a chance that he'd be here. So, this is where you've been going."
"Er, Mr. Odd-Eye, sir." Izuku said unsure how to address the strange man as he pointed to the odd, floating creature that kinda looked like a black cat and really similar to something he'd seen before but with everything going on he couldn't place it at the moment as there was so much to take in that he couldn't fully process the situation. "But what is that thing?"
"And why is it eating cheese at a rate even Aoyama would be impressed by." Tokoyami added as Plagg wolfed down the rest of the wheel of cheese he had and flew to get some more. "Truly that thing must come from the abyss to be able to put away that much food in relation to its body. That or it's a Quirk that is part of the whole thing."
"Hey kid, I'm a sentient and ancient being, don't call me a thing." Plagg said as he ate some more cheese while floating back up to his position next to Odd-Eye. "Name's Plagg mind you, get that right Tsukuyomi. I expect better treatment from an aspiring pro who has taken the name of an old friend of mine for his own."
"Er…" Tokoyami said unable to know where to begin as he tried to understand what the creature before him even was let alone what it was saying.
"That thing…" Kuroiro began before Plagg glared at him. "Er, Plagg, is abyssal sure but that's all I can make out."
"I'm going to ban him from cheese for this." Adrien muttered again in French as he did his best to keep his composure. "Even for him this is bold."
"Ah I knew you'd be the chosen ones as you can see this little demon as well." Odd-Eye said gesturing to Plagg.
"Demon is right." Adrien grumbled. "I'll give Odd-Eye that."
"Er, sir, we keep telling you that we can see that creature as well." The fourth sidekick said. "Though unlike you we don't believe what it says it is."
"Nonsense, how can this be anything but the demon of darkness, the embodiment of destruction itself, the immortal being known as Plagg." Odd-Eye said in a tone that told Adrien that the man actually believed what he was saying, which given that it was the truth only added to strangeness of what was going on. "Or as he calls himself, a kwami. Though why he only eats cheese is still a mystery, but we do what we can to satisfy the true manifestation of the abyss."
"Yeah that's just not believable." One of the sidekicks said. "We keep trying to tell you that but you refuse to listen, not that you listen most of the time sir."
"Er…" Izuku added. "Yeah that just looks like something someone has made with a Quirk or it's some extreme heteromorph. Cool though."
"Pure destruction, even though he is clearly not what he says he is I can respect that title for it is part of the abyss." Tokoyami said as Adrien just blinked at what he was hearing. "Very much like Cat Noir here actually, I can even sense some familiarity between them as travelers of the abyss. Fate truly must be active today to bring us here."
"Yes, destiny has a way of showing us such thing." Kuroiro said. "So I for one am fine with this abyssal creature being here no matter what he actually is."
Adrien decided that it would be best to just keep quiet as he continued to stare at Plagg in shock as Plagg smirked and contentedly ate his cheese as if nothing was amiss. Somehow, and Adrien was sure as shit going to find that out, Plagg had crossed paths with this utterly bizarre man before them and because of whatever delusions that Odd-Eye seemed to be under was able to accurate convince the pro of what a kwami was while at the same time convincing no one else because, well the odd in Odd-Eye's name was clearly well earned. At least this explained Adrien's gut feeling about this team up mission.
"Yes it has all fallen into place as I predicted it would." Odd-Eye said seemingly satisfied with the acceptance of the creature floating next to him as he rose from his throne and began to walk towards the students his arms out to his side as he walked. "For to use the parlance of this mortal realm we inhabit you four before me seek to become heroes. However, to truly be a hero you must hurl yourself into the depts of the abyss so that you can gain the praise of the innocent masses that a hero seeks to protect while inspiring dread in those who would wish to do this realm harm."
Odd-Eye stopped before them as he continued his speech. The students were just confused at this point, even those with the more archaic personalities were just listening to pro before them though Izuku was being attentive as he was always willing to learn what he could from a pro. Despite the manner in which it was being delivered it was still clear that Odd-Eye had a lesson for them so Izuku was keen to learn what that lesson was.
"But in all of this I ask you a question that many ask and one which may tear our realm asunder one day; are we gods or devils?" Odd-Eye asked them as he looked at all the hero students before him. "For no matter how noble a hero is, no matter how valiant his or her deeds may, or will, be, do not doubt that a hero is still but a mere human and all humans hold dark truths deep within them, some buried so deep even the digger does not know where they are buried. To truly become heroes, though, you mut be able to conquer those dark truths and to do so that will depend on the outcome of that inner battle all must wage over them. Thus, I say this my chosen ones, stand firm and be tested by me!"
At that Odd-Eye lunged at them. Instantly Tokoyami and Kuroiro, who were on the edges of the group, leapt to the sides having understood the nature of the speech and deciding that it was best to not find out what Odd-Eye was going on about. Adrien just leapt over the hero with a forward flip though he twisted to keep an eye on the strange man that was now bearing down on Midoriya who hadn't realized in time what was going on and it was now too late for him to avoid Odd-Eye.
Adrien needed answers from Plagg as soon as possible but first he had to learn what he was up against as Odd-Eye reached Midoriya and placed his hand on Midoriya's head, gently. What happened next was unexpected to say the least.
"All Might and me, we're the coolest heroes I can think of." Izuku said, his eyes wide and a smile on his face before he suddenly realized that he blurted it out and went bright red but Odd-Eye never let go of him though the pro's smile got wider as he continued his contact with Izuku. "Wait, what? I just blurted out some old notes I made back before I came to U.A. while daydreaming of my goal of becoming a hero. Why'd I do that?"
"Yes, yes, there is the darkness that lurks within you Izuku Midoriya and I shall drag it out of you, all of it." Odd-Eye said with a laugh as Izuku began to start talking about how he wanted to All Might's sidekick and that the great names the he'd want to go by were Might Jr. and Mighty Boy with the same face as before only now bright red. "For you see, my Quirk allows me to plunge into the mental depths of whoever I tough and thus dredge up the darkness within and awaken it. For this reason, my Quirk is called Mind Reaper."
At that, and Izuku's continued to mumble though what he was saying was drowned out by the maniacal laughter and continued rantings that were coming from Odd-Eye. It was a strange power to go with a strange man but very quickly the other three realized just how dangerous such a Quirk could truly be as one of the sidekicks, one with a fire symbol on his mask, explained it in plain language to them so that they could understand what they were suddenly up against.
"Cutting though the archaic explanation that our boss likes to use." The sidekick began. "Mind Reaper allows him to reveal whatever you're trying to hide such as embarrassing bits of your past so long as he's in contact with your body and as you can tell it doesn't have to be skin to skin contact seeing as he likes to wear gloves. It's not as offensive as other Quirks but one touch can bring a villain to his or her knees from shame alone, unless that villain as a Quirk that relies on shame or embarrassment but that's really rare."
"How brutal." Kuroiro said as Adrien got serious, he couldn't let this man touch him then as he had secrets he didn't want divulged given the truths that he was hiding. "Truly he brings out the darkness within and makes those he touch face it once more."
"Ha, that I do." Odd-Eye said as he let go of Izuku who collapsed into a heap on the floor from all the embarrassing stuff he'd mentioned. "And now it your turn you three. I will plunge into all your minds to make you face the darkness you hold so deep within your very souls so that you can become the true heroes you all desire to be my brethren in the abyss."
At that Odd-Eye showed his agility as he turned and leapt at Kuroiro from where he was standing before Midoriya. Before the boy could move and meld into blackness, Odd-Eye had reached him and grabbed his wrist in such a manner that Kuroiro couldn't meld into Odd-eye' costume at all, not that he could now that Odd-Eye had Mind Reaper active.
"He, he, I have no dark history like Midoriya has." Kuroiro said with a chuckle that was very quickly revealed to be bluster to try and avoid openly admitting it the way that Midoriya had.
"Do you not, Shihai Kuroiro?" Odd-Eye asked with a grin as he looked the student in the eye and revealed that even if the recipient didn't speak he still knew the darkness within and Odd-Eye had no problem divulging another's darkness aloud. "For it appears that you are in the thrall of your own self-consciousness when you are around the fairer sex. Yes, you cannot meet a maiden's gaze for you believe that they may like you in that way, especially the girls in your class, and it makes you grow meek around them. There is one in particular who has your eye, an aspiring idol with…"
"That rings no bells at all." Kuroiro said finally talking as he knew exactly who Odd-Eye was referring to and he was not going to let the man say Komori's name aloud or reveal anything more to identify her to the others though Adrien at least had already guessed who Kuroiro had a crush on. "None at all."
"Woah, he's lying." Tokoyami said as Adrien kept his mouth shut to try and find the opening he needed to go and grab Plagg for a few quiet words with the kwami.
"Yeah, look at that blush." Izuku said finally looking up and seeing how red Kuroiro's face was, which given that his skin was as black as the abyss was saying something.
"Ha, see you do have darkness within you that you must overcome to be a pro for as a pro we will work with the opposite sex on a regular basis so you must be able to communicate with them to be successful my abyssal brother." Odd-Eye said as he let go of Kuroiro who collapsed like Izuku had and turned to rush Tokoyami with a speed that was faster than expected. "And so, you are next to be plunged of the darkness that you carry within you, Fumikage Tokoyami. Surrender to my power and reveal the abyss lurking in your soul!"
At that, a now madly grinning Odd-Eye laid his hand on Tokoyami's head while the other students called out to their friend or told him to flee from the pro that had summoned them. However, Tokoyami just stood there stoic and impassive, leaning back slightly from how Odd-Eye had was holding him as if nothing was a miss and after an awkward pause it became clear that nothing was actually happening.
"This is unthinkable." Odd-Eye said after a moment his smile falling from the surprise of it. "In all my time as the drawer of the dark abyss that lurks within the hearts and souls of man I have never met a being who can resist the pull of their own darkness until now. How is this possible?"
"Know this Odd-Eye." Tokoyami said seriously. "There is nothing in my past that could mortify me in the way that you desire me to face. I have already accepted and embraced the abyss and have come to welcome it's comforting embrace. I may not command it at will like Agreste does, but I have my own way of making the abyss mine. There is nothing your power can do to a being like me."
"Ah, yes, I see, at long last, you're an everlasting edgelord, a true, awoken one like I am." Odd-Eye said as it hit him and suddenly his manic grin returned in full force as Odd-Eye ripped off his eye patch revealing that his right eye was perfectly normal with no scaring around it showing that he only wore the eye patch for show which was fitting with him. "At long last I have found another for it has been centuries since I encountered such a being. This is what I have sought out and to think that of the abyssal travelers of U.A. I would find him there. You, Fumikage Tokoyami, are truly worthy of receiving my true power!"
"Odd-Eye took off his eyepatch, we've never seen him do that when he uses his Quirk." one of the sidekicks said. "This is truly something unexpected."
"Not that it means anything, his right eye is perfectly fine." Another said. "So all this was purely for dramatic effect."
"Also, you're in your 20s as far as we know sir though you don't share your real age with anyone, not even us." A third sidekick said as Odd-Eye cackled away. "It's not been centuries, no one here is that old."
"Speak for yourself." Plagg said as he continued to watch the show with amusement eagerly awaiting Adrien's go. "I'm millennia old thank you very much."
"Now behold!" Odd-Eye yelled not caring or even hearing the chatter going on around him. "You're abyss, Fumikage…"
"Odd-Eye!" A deep sinister voice roared interrupting him as Dark Shadow burst from Tokoyami almost as large as he was when he went full darkness mad when Tokoyami lost control and punched the pro in the face as he burst out. "Stop harassing Fumikage!"
"Boss, whatever you just did drew something out of that kid." One of the sidekicks said as he caught Odd-Eye before he hit the ground. "Something that's clearly pissed off at you now, not that you don't deserve it mind you."
"Ha, ha, I was so seduced by my own power thanks to Fumikage Tokoyami's resistance that I got lost in it." Odd-Eye said as he wiped a trickle of blood from the corned of his mouth and steadied himself to look up at the large, angry form of Dark Shadow with no hint of remorse for his actions in his voice. "And that power has awoken this abyssal monstrosity before me."
"Dark Shadow." Izuku said his eyes wide. "He's almost as bad as he was during the training camp."
"I've never seen it this angry before." Kuroiro said as Odd-Eye began to laugh even more manically than before.
"It's in control compared to the training camp but I've never seen Dark Shadow this in control while angry as well." Izuku said as Tokoyami failed to control his friend. "He's defending Tokoyami rather than just running wild like back then."
Normally Adrien would do what he could to help reign in a rampaging Dark Shadow, especially as apparently a manically cackling Odd-Eye wasn't a sign that he had a plan to handle a situation but rather that he was basically up shit's creek without a paddle and had no idea what to do, as this was the perfect time to deal with Plagg. Adrien trusted Midoriya to be able to sort it out, he didn't know Kuroiro well enough to assess him, so he took the opportunity to leap away and at Odd-Eye's throne where Plagg was still floating next to while everyone else was distracted by the chaos Dark Shadow was causing.
Before Plagg could react, Adrien grabbed his kwami in his right hand as he reached the throne, planted his left foot on the top of it to leap off to the wall above. He then pushed off the wall the moment he reached it to backflip and twist aiming for the chandelier. As it was actually a proper candlelit chandelier it wouldn't help him as much, but it did show him the perfect spot, so Adrien just grabbed one of the branches of hit with his free hand and used it to swing towards his destination before pulling himself off with a flip that thankfully didn't send the chandelier or the candles crashing down to the ground.
All his experience allowed Adrien to twist and flip in the air and land on top of, of all things, an actual gibbet cage that was hanging from the ceiling on a thick chain for some reason that even in the oddness around them made no sense to Adrien. This wasn't just a standard binding cage either, it was a full bird cage style and high enough to avoid Dark Shadow's rampage as they tried to get him under control but couldn't with the meager candlelight in the room, so Midoriya was asking for more light. This was just what Adrien needed as he used his free hand to pull down his face covering and glare at Plagg.
"Alright, quickly before they find some lights, which I don't doubt that a man like Odd-Eye has stashed away somewhere, what are you doing here Plagg?" Adrien asked in a low voice sticking with French so that they couldn't be eavesdropped on if they were overheard. "How the hell did you end up knowing that pro and why does he know exactly what you are?"
"Oh, they'll be fine, there's a stage light somewhere here, Odd-Eye loves to use them for some dramatic effects and so that he gets just the right lighting for his monologues." Plagg replied in French completely unconcerned with the situation below them or being in Adrien's hand at the moment. "He's a great guy like that, true weirdo of the highest degree so my kinda buddy to hang out with."
"Yeah I gathered, the man has a few screws missing and the rest seem to be all be loose though he does understand a lot about being a pro, more than many I'd say after that speech he gave us." Adrien said. "But that doesn't answer the question, how the hell did you wind up here? I don't mind, you're free to do as you please I won't restrict you even if I still wear the ring, but I do want an explanation as to why I am running into you here of all possible places."
"Not much to it really." Plagg said as if it was nothing. "I came across him on my travels one night by pure chance while looking for some old spirits I know in this area of Japan. He may seem odd, mainly because he really is unbelievably odd in a good way though, but he's still a competent pro who patrols and takes down villains in the area while never taking credit for it as he likes to be mysterious, so much so that he's basically unknown in the hero world and even his age isn't clear just ask that hero fanboy with you and he'll confirm that not even he's heard of Odd-Eye that's how unknown he is."
"Oh, I intend to ask Midoriya about him when we get back." Adrien said. "But go on, how'd you wind up hanging out with him?"
"It's simple, I noticed how odd and dark he was and realized that he would make a great human to chill with when I had a few moments to spare and was in this part of the country." Plagg said. "Over my long life I've found many like him to do so. I actually told you about him a while back, he's a total wackadoodle so I think you just brushed it off as if it was nothing."
"Why do I feel like some of these satanic cult things are tied to you." Adrien said as he recalled Plagg mentioned Odd-Eye in the past now that Plagg reminded him. "And yeah I recall that, didn't know he was a hero though and there's been so much going on that I totally forgot about him."
"Because they are, I've shown up at many a summoning to get free food from them and just have a good time as they think I'm some kind of demon." Plagg admitted giving Adrien the benefit of the doubt regarding forgetting about Odd-Eye. "And I did so here during one of Odd-Eye's more enthusiastic moments. He actually thought I came because of that and asked what I was so I told him the truth, that I am the kwami of destruction, the embodiment of it in this world, and that I like cheese especially camembert and other French ones."
"Of course you would do that." Adrien said. "So you've got a good stash waiting here for you."
"I need to diversify where I get my cheese from after all." Plagg said without any shame in his trickery to get cheese. "And Odd-Eye believed me straight up which actually helped because he's so strange that his sidekicks just thought I was some heteromorph or support item that was messing with him but he won't listen to them. I mean come on, if you didn't know the truth would you believe him?"
"No, I wouldn't so I can see that." Adrien said with a sigh. "But still, don't you kwamis try to avoid telling people what you are? I know you can't use your powers without a holder, but you can still mingle normally, right?"
"We can but I liked that I could be true with Odd-Eye just as I can with you, Marinette and that Momo girl who Kaalki now lives with and not simply claim that I'm some new generation of heteromorph or a creation of someone's Quirk." Plagg said. "And no one else believes it so it's great fun. I only come from time to time but when I heard that you were summoned for a team up with Odd-Eye, I swear I had nothing to do with it Odd-Eye chose you because he believes that your Quirk is an abyssal Quirk even if he doesn't know that you truly do command pure destruction, I knew that I had to be here for this. This was bound to be fun, and boy is it."
"Fine, that all makes sense coming from you, but I won't be touched by him so you're getting my ass out of this." Adrien said as suddenly a stage light was ignited below and Dark Shadow instantly weakened. "Now."
With that Adrien let go of Plagg before he backflipped and landed next to Izuku and Kuroiro as Tokoyami was chiding Dark Shadow for his tantrum while a sidekick explained that Odd-Eye kept the light there to give himself proper lighting just like Plagg had said to Adrien a moment ago though in less detail. It was only as he was done that they all realized that Adrien was back with them.
"Agreste, where were you?" Izuku asked.
"I saw that that little, er, demon thing as Odd-Eye calls it was in the path of Dark Shadow's potential rampage, so I rescued it." Adrien lied. "Figured it was for the best and I'm not really able to fight Dark Shadow like some of the class can so I was helping where I could. Good job subduing him."
"Yes Adrien Agreste, I thank you for assisting the kwami for he is the true abyss that we all know, his stomach alone proves that, and shouldn't be harmed." Odd-Eye said now completely composed again with his eye patch back on for some reason. "And do not forget that light is born of darkness. We who dwell within the dark merely shined a light upon the monster to banish it back to the darkness from whence it came."
"Actually, you just stood around and laughed boss." A sidekick pointed out. "You didn't do anything to help the situation that you created for everyone to deal with."
"Semantics." Odd-Eye said with a wave of his hand. "Now, it is your turn Adrien Agreste."
"Don't worry Odd-Eye, I was able to get a read on him when he rescued me." Plagg said floating down with yet more cheese to spare Adrien as he owned his friend that much even if he really wanted to see Odd-Eye use Mind Reaper on Adrien. "He's got his darkness well under control seeing as his Quirk creates the destructive darkness known as Cataclysm which he has bent to his will thanks to U.A. That is a sign that he has already achieved what you were going for with these heroes in training. Plus, if you were to unleash his Quirk like you did with Tsukuyomi's then you'd have to rebuild the Abyssal Temple and replace all that is within it for only one force can restore what Cataclysm destroys."
"Great now that thing is playing into it as well." One of the sidekicks muttered. "This is just our agency and a rented space at that so we really can't destroy it."
"I see, then I shall trust your judgement oh wise kwami of destruction." Odd-Eye said with a bow to Plagg as Plagg just ate the cheese continuing to show that his stomach was a bottomless pit just as the abyss was meant to be while ignoring the sidekick's words. "Very well then, I have accomplished my mission and taught you students well. You may leave now and use what you learned to become great heroes in time."
"That's all you wanted from us?" Izuku asked a little confused. "Not a patrol or to go catch some villains? Just a chance to make us better pros by facing darkness within ourselves?"
"Yes, you are all abyssal travelers like myself, so I saw fit to make sure you faced that darkness within in order to become better heroes in the future." Odd-Eye said in a magnanimous tone. "So, there is no need to thank me."
"Wasn't going to." Adrien said though he did bow to Odd-Eye respectfully. "But still, we are grateful for the lessons that you've imparted today. We will use them to become stronger pros and we wouldn't have had to learn that we needed to face this had it not been for you Odd-Eye."
"Yes, thank you." The other three said with a bow even if two were still embarrassed at what had happened to them thanks to Odd-Eye's Quirk.
With that they rose and left without another word as they didn't really want to remain longer than was necessary with Odd-Eye. It wasn't until they were back on the street and heading to the train station, after changing into their school uniforms before leaving the agency as it would be easier to head back to school in their uniforms, that they finally began to discuss what they'd been through.
"For all that we went through one thing is clear." Tokoyami said as they walked breaking the silence. "Odd-Eye is a fellow communer with the abyss like we are. A pro who has traveled it for many years and taught us what we must overcome, a valuable lesson indeed."
"Destiny selected us for this for sure." Kuroiro said. "Be it for good or bad though I do not yet know."
"It was definitely fate." Adrien said. "She chose us to face this hurdle for a reason though we must figure out that reason on our owns."
"Yeah I still don't get what you guys are on about." Izuku said. "Or why I was included in all of this but I did learn some good lessons that I will use to become a better pro in the future."
"The abyss works in strange ways." Adrien said with a grin as he played into it a little. "You have been chosen by it as a commander of an aspect of the abyss Midoriya, embrace it and I am sure that black stuff you do will get stronger."
"Huh, I could at least give it a shot as any advice can be used to grow." Izuku said thinking on it and all that they'd been through and as he did it hit him, and he looked at Tokoyami. "Though I gotta say, I was surprised that you didn't have anything in your past that you were embarrassed at Tokoyami."
"I'm more surprised that Agreste got out of that." Kuroiro said. "And thanks to that strange heteromorph guy who's clearly messing with Odd-Eye while also knowing the abyss well at the same time. Certainly a strange character that Plagg was."
"I figured that guy out so he helped me out as he actually likes Odd-Eye and enjoys the man's company." Adrien said. "And I agree with Midoriya, I'm impressed Tokoyami, few can accept the past and not feel embarrassed by it, that's not easy to do. Few can truly avoid the embarrassments of the past."
"Indeed, I have embraced that darkness already, so I have overcome it just as Odd-Eye was trying to do with Midoriya and Kuroiro." Tokoyami said. "It was just refreshing to hear a pro understand it to some extent even if his methods are slightly questionable despite explaining it in plain Japanese."
"That's not actually true Fumikage." Dark Shadow said appearing from Tokoyami's back as Izuku tried to understand what about Odd-Eye's speech was plain Japanese but then again the man was a lot like Tokoyami in terms of archaic interests so it wasn't really a surprise that Tokoyami understood it without an issue. "Why, it wasn't until grade school that you used to…"
"Enough, do not speak of that Dark Shadow." Tokoyami said forcefully and Dark Shadow dutifully shit up and looked like a scolded child as he floated out next to Tokoyami while they kept walking which was cute. "Thank you."
It was clear that there was something embarrassing there but that Tokoyami didn't want to speak of it. How he'd kept it from Odd-Eye was a mystery but they all decided not to question their friend on it as it was clearly personal and he quickly added to it all as they walked and the moon rose above them to catch their eye with its baleful glow.
"Guys, can we all agree on one thing." Tokoyami said as they looked up to see a red, near full moon, in the sky. "Here under this rising crimson moon on the eve of it's fullness, let us never speak of this mission to anyone nor to each other again for it was a challenge that we all overcame but at a personal cost which we will address on our own. I trust my fellow abyssal travelers to hold to this."
"Agreed." Kuroiro said with a nod. "Destiny brought us here to that Abyssal Temple this fateful night to be challenged and we have been so, let us never mention this again nor what we learned."
"Works for me." Adrien said and he'd make sure Plagg understood that as well when he next saw the little troublemaker. "Let's get back to school, that was enough training for one day and emotional training can be more draining than physical training at times so we deserve to take the rest of the night off."
The others nodded and Izuku just went along with it. Clearly there was darkness there, he had his own dark secrets with some of the embarrassing ones having been revealed by Odd-Eye's Mind Reaper Quirk, so he got it and agreed that this should remain between them. Still, it had been some decent training, and as such Izuku wasn't complaining as they made their way back to U.A. and continued on with their third and final semester of their first year as heroes in training.
Well there it is, the only chapter in this series that will be solely based off a chapter from the team up missions manga, in this case one for the second volume of that side series, and as you can tell there was a specific reason for selecting this chapter, it was the perfect one to adapt as there's no way Odd-Eye wouldn't have requested Adrien as well. Throwing in Plagg for good measure was just some additional fun to liven the whole thing up some more. For anyone wondering I actually mentioned Odd-Eye briefly back in Chapter 59 so there is actually a reference to him though it's vague and doesn't actually confirm he's a hero as I wanted to preserve this chapter's fullness when the time came. With the length of this story I do sometimes forget what happened way back when but I will try to make sure that I don't mess up when I can. Anyway, that is all that I have for you for this fun chapter so I will leave it off here. As always, if you like it or have any questions please let me know in reviews or PMs, I will try to answer them as best I could and post any questions asked between uploads at the start of the next chapter and do follow and favorite this, so you are alerted to future uploads. Do keep the reviews coming as I like hearing from y'all as you enjoy my work, it motivates me to keep producing the best work I can for y'all to enjoy. Until next time.
Stringdog
