ONE'S JUSTICE
CHAPTER EIGHT
Chapter 8: New Threat
She never thought she'd see him this soon no matter how much she had longed to see him. She couldn't stop the small amount of tears that leaked out as she gazed at him amidst the previous explosions.
He was taller.
He was even more handsome than she remembered.
But as she looked at his eyes as they met, she shivered slightly.
He was also darker now, she could hardly see the light in his eyes that she had always seen back then.
"Well, I didn't think I'd run into any of you so soon." Ken said as he turned towards them. "But you're in my way."
With that he charged at them.
Earlier, Hours Ago…
The shadows wrapped around Ken like a second skin as he approached the Hunters' base, the low hum of activity within barely audible over the distant roar of the city. He paused, inhaling deeply, allowing the energy in the air to pulse through him. It thrummed with potential—heat, electricity, wind—all waiting to be bent to his will. With each breath, he drew in the ambient energy, sharpening his senses and heightening his focus.
Ken crept through the shadows of the sprawling warehouse base, each step measured and deliberate. The low hum of machinery and the distant sounds of muffled conversations filled the air as he moved deeper into the heart of the Outcasts' territory. The dim, flickering lights cast long shadows that danced across the concrete floor, hiding him from view.
"Remember, Ken, you're looking for any data on their operations and leadership," La Brava's voice chimed through his earpiece, steady and reassuring. "Stay sharp."
"Got it," he replied, his voice low and controlled. He was acutely aware of the dangers that lurked around every corner, but confidence steadied his movements.
After meeting with Stain and reading through the folder given, he had spent the last couple of days trying to find out about the group. Eventually he had managed to locate this base thanks to La Brava and Curious information gathering skills.
As he advanced through the maze of crates and equipment, Ken's mind momentarily drifted to memories of Izuki. Once quirkless like many of the Outcasts, she had fought for recognition and respect. The thought stirred something deep within him—a mix of nostalgia and regret. It reminded him how far they had both come, yet how precarious their paths had become.
He didn't know why, but he had been about his former friends a lot these days.
"Ken, focus," La Brava urged, bringing him back to the present. "You need to find that terminal."
He nodded, even though she couldn't see him, scanning the area for a control room. After navigating through a series of narrow corridors, he spotted a door marked with a flickering red light. A surge of energy pulsed through him, and he approached cautiously, pressing his ear against the door to listen.
The faint sound of typing and low voices drifted through. He pushed the door open slowly, sliding inside. The room was dimly lit, filled with computer screens and scattered papers. At the center, a terminal blinked, displaying lines of code and schematics.
"Perfect," Ken whispered, moving swiftly toward the terminal, keeping his senses heightened for any signs of interruption.
"Okay, I'm patching you into the system," La Brava said, her tone focused. "You'll have to bypass their security protocols. I'll guide you through."
The former hero in training settled into the chair and began typing, following La Brava's instructions as she provided real-time guidance. His fingers danced over the keyboard, accessing files and extracting information about the Outcasts. Lines of text flashed before his eyes, revealing the inner workings of the organization.
"There it is," La Brava said, excitement creeping into her voice. "Look for any mention of leadership or key members."
As he scrolled through the files, a series of names caught his attention. He frowned slightly. "They're all quirkless… this whole organization is made up of people who can't use quirks."
"Exactly! That's why they're so dangerous; they're relying on technology and tactics to level the playing field," La Brava explained. "This could change everything for us."
"Plus this is going on globally. " He said. "They're recruiting people from all over the world."
"That explains the heavy armory. They coil take on an army." La Brava added.
Ken's thoughts drifted back to Izuki again. He recalled how her quirklessness had shaped her determination and resilience, qualities that had inspired him. But now, he shook his head, focusing on the task at hand.
Keep looking, Ken," La Brava urged. "We need to know who their leader is."
He navigated deeper into the files until he found a document labeled "Leadership Overview." As he read, his eyes widened. "It's just an alias—no real name. Whoever this leader is, they're keeping their identity hidden." He growled in frustration.
"Can you get more details?" La Brava pressed.
Ken scanned the data. "There are plans for a major operation… they're planning something big, targeting quirk users."
"Download that information! We can't leave empty-handed," La Brava insisted.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway, snapping Ken back to the present. He quickly downloaded the information, his mind racing. He had to move, and fast. The guards would be alerted soon.
As he exited the terminal's interface, he sensed the energy shifting around him—a warning of the guards' return. Ken slipped into the nearest shadow, feeling the familiar cloak of darkness embrace him. He took a moment to gather himself, focusing on the energy surrounding the approaching guards, feeling their heat signatures grow larger as they neared.
He needed a distraction, something to pull their attention away while he slipped out. He focused again, channeling energy into a small electric charge. With a flick of his hand, he sent it sparking across the room, igniting a nearby fuse box. The box crackled to life, bursting into flames and casting flickering light against the walls.
"Fire! Over there!" one of the guards yelled, and in an instant, chaos erupted. Ken took advantage of the distraction, darting through the now-crowded corridor, his heart pounding with exhilaration.
He weaved between guards, feeling their energy surge as they rushed to contain the fire. With a well-timed push, he converted energy into a gust of wind, blowing debris into the path of a few guards, creating further confusion.
Ken moved like a wraith through the chaos, slipping into another corridor that led to the exit. He could sense the path ahead was clear, but the tension lingered in the air. The thrill of danger heightened his awareness, his senses firing on all cylinders.
Finally, he reached a heavy steel door that led outside. Just as he placed his hand on the cold metal, the sounds of alarms rang out alerting them of his location.
"Over there!"
'Shit!'
Ken blasted down the doors and began make fun for it as the sounds of heavy footsteps and gun shots rang out from behind him.
Suddenly an explosion rocked the whole base knocking him down momentarily before he got up and looked around.
"Of course they'd plant explosives." Ken growled lowly as the gun shots and panic yelling snapped him out of his thoughts.
The powerful vigilante sprinted through the dimly lit warehouse, the sound of chaos echoing around him. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning debris. He could hear the faint crackle of fire and the distant shouts of the Outcasts as they realized their base was crumbling.
Explosions had rocked the structure just moments ago, a violent reminder of the danger he faced. He could feel the vibrations of the ground beneath him, a rhythmic warning that the very walls were starting to cave in. With each footfall, he channeled energy into his legs, propelling himself forward with bursts of speed, dodging falling beams and shattered glass.
Behind him, gunfire erupted. Bullets whizzed past, narrowly missing him as he ducked into a side corridor. "Ken! You need to get out now!" La Brava's voice crackled in his ear, urgent and filled with anxiety.
"I know!" he barked, focusing on the sound of her voice as he scanned for an exit. His heart raced, not from fear, but from the thrill of the chase. But he managed to keep calm as he looked to escape.
"His over there!" He heard from below through the explosions and crashing metal.
Ahead, the corridor opened into a vast loading bay, the high ceilings lined with crates and heavy machinery. Ken's eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. He noticed a large, shattered window at the far end, framed by twisted metal. It could be his way out.
Summoning energy, he formed a barrier around himself, a protective shield that would absorb any stray bullets. He dashed forward, feet pounding against the concrete floor, his pulse quickening as the sounds of pursuit grew closer. He could hear the angry shouts of the Outcasts as they realized he was escaping.
As he neared the window, he felt a surge of heat building within him. With a quick motion, he released it in a fiery blast toward a stack of crates, igniting them and creating a distraction. Flames erupted, filling the room with thick smoke and obscuring the vision of his pursuers.
With a final burst of energy, he leaped toward the window, channeling his quirk to soften his landing.
He crashed through the glass, shards scattering in all directions, and rolled to absorb the impact on the other side. Pain shot through his shoulder, but he pushed it aside, he had endured far worse anyway, focusing instead on getting to his feet. The night air hit him like a wave, refreshing but filled with urgency.
More gunfire alerted him of his situation but before he could get far, a massive explosion rocked and shook the earth, lighting up the night in a blaze, the shockwave knocking Ken back.
"You okay over there?" La Brava's voice crackled through the comms earning a groan from Ken who picked himself up from the rubble and debris and stared at the now destroyed base.
"For the most part." He answered.
Ken then fished through his pockets before pulling out the drive had been given.
"At least the info we got is in tact."
"That's good."
"La Brava, I need you to
Suddenly, the comms crackled, and a calm, cryptic voice interrupted. "La Brava, your interference is no longer needed."
"What? Who are you?" Ken demanded, his heart racing as he recognized the voice of the unknown leader.
"Ah, Ken. A pleasure to finally speak. But let's not waste time with introductions. Your focus should be elsewhere."
"Why are you doing this? What's your goal with the Outcasts?" Ken shot back, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
"Goals are subjective, aren't they? Unlike that brat Shigaraki and his ragtag group, what matters to me is the shift in power. The quirkless will rise, and those who stand against them will fall. Like heroes, for instance."
"Heroes?" Ken felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"
"They're closer than you think, Ken. Perhaps you should pay attention."
Before Ken could respond, he felt a sudden shift in the air, a telltale sign of an incoming attack.
"Spiral Blast!" a voice rang out just as a powerful surge of energy streaked toward him.
Ken instinctively dodged, rolling to the side as the spiraling blast narrowly missed him, sending a shockwave that rattled the ground.
'I have some terrible luck.' He thought with a groan. He recognized the voice and attack anywhere. He looked to his side to see that it was as he had already known, Nejire Hado.
Before he could catch his breath, he heard the unmistakable sound of heavy wings flapping, creating a gust that whipped through the air. A large shadow loomed over him, and he glanced up, heart pounding, to see the towering form of Ryuku in her dragon form, majestic and imposing.
A small gasp caught his attention as he looked to his left and stared at the last person with them.
Ochako Uraraka hadn't expected to find him here. To find the former hero now turned vigilante here of all places amidst the crumbled base. She stared at him with wide eyes as he met her stare with a cold gaze.
"Ken?"
"It's been a while." The vigilante said. "I didn't expect to see any of you guys so soon." He frowned. "But you're in my way. So move."
Well that's it for this part, next chapter may or may not be shorter. Anyway, that's all. Till next time.
Read and Review.
Peace.
