Lighters

by Fezzgator

Out on a job for the mayor, Michiru is pulled away from her world and dumped in one that, at least on the surface, is paradise. Along with a cranky chimera who hates monsters, a girl who barely talks and a group of misfits displaced from across time and space Michiru will try to find her place. Plus crossovers with Slayers!, Xenogears, Final Fantasy 6, Escaflowne and more!

12. Chapter 12

Three days didn't sound like a long time. In the grand scheme of things, it really wasn't. However, if one was to be foolish enough to walk up and tell one Michiru Kagemori that, they were sure to get punched in the face. For three days and nights the sounds of building construction had been non-stop, and as the tanuki girl lay in her bed, awoken by the resumption of hammering, trucks backing up and cranes, she resolved to never take even an off-hand comment made by the principal of this school lightly ever again.

The only time any of the remaining residents of the lighter house could find any peace and quiet was when construction of the new student dorms stopped for breaks or building inspections or the like. These breaks were always far too short and made life for Michiru, Zelgadis and Emeralda a living hell. As the only three under house arrest, they were the only ones not allowed to find other accommodations while the new buildings were being erected.

Hina and Mob had gladly gone off with Ranma, fully aware that whatever training he had in store for them would pale in comparison to the suffering wrought on them if they stayed. Shinra had opted to stay at the hospital and kept Terra company during the day and stayed with a friend at night. The only one to share in their pain was Jun, who came by to give lessons as best he could, the classroom on the far side of the house being the "quietest" in the building.

Just now though it was still well before dawn and Michiru decided to try and drown out the noise with a shower. Feeling slightly refreshed, Michiru had just put on a new set of clothes when there came a knock at the door. Her hair still wet, she called out "Hold on!"

The person on the other side of the door, Zelgadis, heard something else entirely and he proceeded to open the door. The sight that greeted him gave him pause, as he stared at the girl across from him, a towel over her head. Her human head. "Michiru…do you shower as a human?" Zelgadis finally managed to say.

Frowning as she took the towel, bunched it up and threw it at the chimera, she angrily replied "Damn it Zel, I said hold on!"

Pulling the damp cloth off his head and unceremoniously dumping it on the ground beside him, an annoyed look on his rock encrusted face, Zelgadis answered "Geez, I'm sorry, I thought you said come in, alright? I just had a question about this character is all."

Taking a breath to calm herself, her hair dry enough, with a series of sparks, the girl once again took on her beastman form. Seeing the questioning gaze return to her companion, she glanced away and said, a bit embarrassed "What? I always bathe as a human…it doesn't clog the drain if I'm not covered in fur, ok!?"

Already well into regretting ever knocking on the tanuki girl's door, Zelgadis threw his hands up "Yes, I get it, makes sense, sorry I even asked! I'll be down in the classroom when you get a chance to answer my question, ok?"

Starting to feel guilty herself at her self-conscious reaction, Michiru called after Zelgadis as he turned to leave "Why don't you ask Emmy? She's been picking things up so fast it seems unreal."

Grumbling, the chimera stopped to answer but didn't turn around "Because it's about context. Emeralda has been learning very fast but you're the one who was raised with this. A lot of the nuance and subtlety isn't as easily memorized out of a textbook, you know?"

"Right, sorry, I'll help you Zel. I'm sure we can see what's got you stuck...again." Michiru replied cheekily.

Rolling his eyes, the chimera led the way across the house. As the two walked, the sound of heavy trucks coming and going and the distant sound of orders being barked was unavoidable. The view that Zelgadis had enjoyed just a few days earlier had been first marred by the construction and then removed completely as the new structures rose to block it entirely. Not that anyone would want to be outside anyway with all the noise and terrible smells the vehicles expelled along with the smoking of the workers themselves.

The two housemates bore it, any speculation as to when it would end having gotten stale after the first day. Zelgadis had taken to cursing Principal Nezu however and Michiru hoped her rocky companion could let go of the grudge once this hell ended. As the two neared the classroom, the tanuki girl asked the obvious and yet rhetorical question "So…I haven't seen Emmy yet. Is she?"

"In the training hall? Yes, as usual she's training." Zelgadis finished, a hint of concern in his voice that Michiru picked up on.

"You're worried about her?"

"Well, I've only known her for a week so I can't really say I know her enough to say if this is normal. That being said, she's been very distant." Zelgadis answered as he held the door to the classroom open for Michiru.

"Maybe she's just trying to drown out all the noise?" Michiru offered as the two sat down.

"Perhaps. I will say I thought that losing Xellos may have been what was bothering her so last night I tried to tell her just how much he deserved it. She didn't take it well."

"Zelgadis! You didn't!" Michiru exclaimed, disappointed.

Confusion claimed the chimeras face as he looked up from the page he was about to point out and tried to defend himself, "What? It's true! I thought it would make her feel better to know the world was a better place with that monster out of it."

Michiru sighed as she looked down at where she thought Zelgadis was stuck "You know, for someone who claims to have learned magic, and swordsmanship and researched gunpowder and astronomy, your kind of an idiot."

Glancing away, the rock-encrusted man grumbled "No, it's just people are too damn complicated…"

"Look, jackass, you want my help or not?" Michiru countered, starting to get annoyed.

"Yes, sorry. The sooner I can get to reading again, the better."

(X)

Sometime later Jun approached the lighter house, his white scarf trailing behind him as he watched the construction in the distance. A briefcase in one hand, a large bag full of groceries in the other, the former hero looked over at the work being done on the new dorms. It was a marvel that Principal Nezu had pulled everything together necessary to get so much done so quickly. Sure, there were still teams working and massive trucks still parked about in front of the structure to obscure a lot of his view but it was clear to see the progress. The area had been landscaped and even if the lower floors were hard to see, the upper ones looked as near to complete as his vantage point could allow.

Still, Jun was sure his charges wouldn't really appreciate the engineering and logistical feat that was being performed here just outside their door. It had to be miserable having to put up with all the noise, the massive lights they turned on to keep working at night and the terrible smells that were inescapable even with all the windows closed. It had certainly made his lessons the past three days more challenging.

The three had come a long way already, which was good because things were about to change quite a bit again on the three poor displaced souls. After a curtesy knock, the silver-haired man let himself in. Seeing no one was in the common area, Jun put the food in the refrigerator and headed to the education wing, guessing all three were up and doing something to take their minds off the noise.

Sure enough, the former rescue hero saw Michiru and Zelgadis working at language in the classroom which meant Emeralda was in the training hall. Jun was eager to get Hitomi back into the house to talk to the three, most especially the distant tan girl. Leaving the other two for the moment, Jun headed to the gym-like room and sure enough, before him, covered in sweat and working through a kata she likely picked up from Ranma was the eye-patched girl herself.

Emeralda was focused, an extremely hard worker and clearly very intelligent but very closed off. Jun worried about her the most since the few words she did speak made it clear to him she blamed herself for the loss of Xellos and her eye. Unfortunately, there was only so much time in the day and Jun had other matters to attend to. Waving his free hand, the silver-haired mentor called out "Kasim-san! Please join myself and the others in the classroom, I have something to share with you all!"

Instantly, the greenette stopped her training. Turning, with a quick bow, Emeralda called back stoically "Yes, sensei."

Returning the bow with a nod, Jun left the girl to clean herself up a bit as he headed back to the classroom. Stepping inside and heading to the lecturer's desk, Jun set his briefcase upon it as he spoke "Glad to see you two at it so early. Zelgadis, you've shown great improvement already and I am sure that is at least in part due to Michiru's help. Thank you both for working so hard."

Though Zelgadis and Jun had more or less reconciled, the chimera was still not one to be talked down to or take compliments, so without looking up, answered back "Back home I was an avid reader, I'm just doing what I can to regain a favorite past time, that's all."

Michiru, ever the optimist, frowned in annoyance at her eternally grumpy housemate before brightening as she added "Thank you Sanada-sensei, but don't let Zel fool you, he's pretty stubborn!"

Chuckling a bit as Zelgadis made a sour face at the tanuki girl's comment, an act that only seemed to brighten her smile, Jun choose to bring things back to business, clicking open his briefcase, saying "Be that as it may, once Kasim-san arrives, I have some things to discuss with the three of you."

Michiru and Zelgadis both became more serious at that statement, and the three of them didn't need to wait but a few moments before Emeralda entered, nodded to her housemates and took a seat to the chimera's right, her features still showing the signs of exertion.

"Right. With all three of you here, I wanted to give you these." Jun started, pulling out three small envelopes and holding them up for the lighters to see.

Michiru was the first to comprehend what was likely contained in those envelopes, voicing her thoughts as she asked "Are those?"

"Your IDs? Yes, they are. It's taken longer than usual given the circumstances, but you three are now formally citizens of Japan and these are your IDs and seals." Jun answered, delivering the good news with a graveness that belied the supposed positive nature of the news.

That graveness was lost of Michiru, who sat up, an excited smile on her face as she asked, "So does that mean we've been cleared with the police?"

That excitement faded quickly when Jun quickly replied "No, it does not. These are two different matters. If anything, now being formally on the books would make it easier to put you through the justice system."

A frown having never left his face, Zelgadis, with his arms crossed as he sat back in his seat, dryly asked "Then there isn't anything to report on that front. More time sitting here then. Wonderful."

At that, Jun put his hands behind his back as he briefly looked up and coyly said "I didn't say that either, Zelgadis. I just said that the receiving of ID's was not itself an indicator of any change in the investigation you three are under."

All three lighters looked surprised at that bit of news and it was Emeralda who quietly spoke first "So then, what is there to report, Sanada-sensei?"

A ghost of a smile played on Jun's lips as he began to recall the meeting he had just come back from…

(X)

An hour ago, Hero Public Safety Commission HQ

Jun stood at attention facing the president of the HPSC at her desk, Detective Tsukauchi standing to her right. The president didn't look especially perturbed but then, she usually kept a neutral expression, so it was hard for Jun to tell. It was, however, rather odd to be called into HPSC headquarters so early in the morning.

After presenting himself and greeting the two of them, the president got right to the point, saying "Sanada-san, Detective Tsukauchi has concluded his team's investigation into your lighters little foray into a major rescue mission."

Those words were meant to be an admonishment, her words cold with a hint of disapproval. Jun made sure to slightly move his head down and avert his eyes to express his contrition without being so rude as to interrupt with an apology. This seemed to please the ash blonde head of the HPSC, who motioned for the detective to begin his report.

Pulling out a small, folded stack of papers from his coat, the detective began reading allowed "My team and I have come to the conclusion that the events leading up to the lighters presence in Camino Ward were not the result of coordinated conspiracy. Instead, this appears to be the result of taking advantage of happenstance by multiple lighters for different reasons and no specific central goal in mind."

A wave of relief washed over the silver-haired former hero, though he dared not show it, knowing that he was still responsible for these events happening even if there were to be no serious charges. Bowing, Jun thanked the detective "That must have been a great deal of work to get your report done so quickly, thank you Detective."

Said detective let the professional image slip a little as he sighed before offering "You're right, it wasn't easy. That fast food manager was especially hard to get a hold of. Apparently, he had run off to a leadership training camp in Hokkaido."

Noting that the president herself looked interested, Jun ventured "Is that so? How did you get him to cooperate then? He has been known to talk his way out of trouble before."

"Oh, we just threatened to fine his restaurant out of existence. He wouldn't be able to so much as flip a burger in this country once word got out about putting that much heat on his company, I assure you." The detective explained, a proud smile gracing his rather plain features.

Her focus returning to Jun, the president spoke again "Sadou Maou will still be facing fines for his role in getting those kids the info they needed to act on their impulse to go home. We also have other plans regarding Maou-san but that will be for later. I am also seeing to it that Yoshifumi and Shadow Rider offer community service as well."

Noting that the president hadn't gotten to the perpetrators themselves, Jun realized she was waiting for him to ask and after a moment of silence, obliged her "You have yet to mention Michiru, Zelgadis and Emeralda. What of them President?"

Instead of answering, the middle-aged woman opened a folder on her desk and looked at the paper contained therein before speaking "I've read your latest report, Sanada-san. You say that the three of them are committed to serving the public, as heroes if possible. Was this something you suggested to them?"

Shaking his head immediately, Jun replied emphatically "No, President! This was something they determined themselves. My impression is that they had planned, hoped really, that what they were doing wouldn't harm anyone and they felt they could correct that wrong."

"So, you're saying they have the makings of good heroes then?" The president pressed, her expression hard, trying to bore into the man before her.

"I do, without question. They have the skills, and it seems the experience to take on our greatest threat without batting an eye. With polish, they would be a great help." Jun continued, his speech more impassioned than before.

Holding her gaze a few more moments, Jun was pleased when the president broke and glanced down, signaling he had convinced her, before she surprised him by saying "Would you concur with your employee, Principal Nezu?"

The familiar sound of the cordial white mammal that was Jun's boss boss came over the speaker of the phone on the president's desk "Oh yes, I very much agree with Luminaire's assessment! As far as their ability to handle deadly situations and combat, they show great promise!"

It shouldn't have been surprising to Jun that Nezu had been included in this meeting. Still, one could tell how the woman before him had risen to her station. She wasn't afraid to mislead and put people on the spot. Clearly it was wise to either be very good at playing the political game with her, or to be as honest as possible. Politics had never been Jun's strong suit.

"So then, you intend them to become heroes under the commission's eye, ma'am?" Jun ventured.

"So long as we can have them, yes, Sanada-san. We have just lost our greatest asset in keeping crime and villainy down, Jun. Frankly, we need every tool we can get. So long as these three keep their noses clean, we want them out there making a difference. If they can do that, then we can overlook this second...indiscretion."

Jun smiled despite himself but quickly regained himself before responding "I'll do my best to get them ready as soon as possible, President. What kind of timetable are we talking here if I may ask?"

It was his fuzzy employer than responded "Pending a test I plan to have them take a in few days, they are to join 1-A in two weeks to test for their provisional hero licenses."

Jun had trouble containing his surprise, blurting out "Two weeks?! Students don't usually take the provisional exam until their second year, and you want them there less than a month after getting ripped from their own worlds?"

Unfazed by the break in Jun's composure, the president coolly replied "And if their internships go well, I want them out in the field by the end of the year. Given your assessment and their apparent eagerness to help and, likely, to get home, I think the sooner they can be out, the better. Make no mistake, we have no intention of allowing lighters to continue to come to this world, Sanada-san. I want these three to be the last and I want them out of our hair, understand? We have enough trouble with our own problems let alone taking care of interdimensional kidnapping victims."

Taken aback by the president's blunt feelings on his charges, Jun nonetheless nodded as he replied "Yes, Madam President. I understand."

"Good. You are dismissed. Thank you for your time, Sanada-san. I trust there will be no more alcohol induced slips in judgement on your part going forward."

Those last words were delivered as a clear threat. There was no kindness, no warmth in that comment. If anything like this happened again, the consequences for all involved would be dire.

(X)

"So let me get this straight." Zelgadis incredulously attempted to summarize "Our punishment is to do what we were already going to do? You'll have to excuse me if I find that a little hard to believe."

"Well, it's not like with other citizens who become heroes, where if they fail or decide to retire, they can. You three have no choice here and can't step away until your term is up or you get home, whichever comes first." Jun clarified.

"Will our training count toward that term?" Emeralda astutely inquired.

"Detective Tsukauchi clarified that for me afterward that it would, but again, you are being put on an extremely fast track so don't expect that to be much of a reprieve. I texted the principal afterward to find out more about the test you'll have tomorrow and was told the proctor would be around later today to give you the details." Jun explained.

Trying to cut off Jun before he hit them with one of the many questions on this society he had been peppering them with the past three days, Zelgadis hastily blurted out "Texting. A form of instantaneous text-based communication. Like an instant letter."

Michiru, very much a child of a more modern world, chuckled at his enthusiasm and patted the chimera on the head in as patronizing a way possible. She was rewarded with a growl and getting poked by the chimera's metal-like hair which brought a satisfied smile to Zelgadis himself.

Jun, for his part let the two goof off. He knew they were sleep deprived and had done well in their studies regardless. "Correct Zelgadis, I appreciate you anticipating my question but please raise your hand beforehand. Remember that respect is treated quite seriously here in Japan so try to restrain yourself as much as possible. Now, before I hand you your ID's, please recite you're your cover stories. Michiru?"

Standing, the tanuki girl briefly flashed back to her days as a student, raising to answer a question for the teacher. Before her change into a beastman anyway. The pause left everyone else wondering if she had somehow forgotten her story but then she spoke, confidently and clearly "Michiru Kagemori, age eighteen, from the town of Jedetsu, Japan. I was kidnapped by a quirk trafficking ring a year ago. My quirk is Animorph, which lets me modify parts of my body, usually into other animals. No living relatives. Oh, and I'm a late bloomer, my quirk not coming in until a year and a half ago."

Nodding, Jun smiled and held out the envelope "Well done, Michiru. Please continue to be a mentor for these two." Said tanuki girl beamed and as she had some days earlier, extended her arm to impossible lengths to grab the card.

Once she sat, Zelgadis rose, following Michiru's lead, standing straight and speaking clearly and without the sarcastic edge his speech often carried "Zelgadis Greywards, twenty one, from the Netherlands. I, too, was kidnapped while studying at Tokyo University, having put my hero training on hold to study finance abroad. My quirk is Elements, which allows me to manipulate any of the four elements; Earth, air, fire and water when I am in close proximity to them (Which is stupid and annoying by the way). No living relatives."

Jun's smile this time was a bit strained as he said "You're opining aside, well done Zelgadis. I am sorry we had to saddle you with a language so different than the one you're learning now but since you didn't want to change your name and we already have French and English speakers on campus, it was the best we could do."

Glancing at Michiru with a bit of a scowl, Zelgadis got up and went down to actually take his own envelope. Recalling their exchange days earlier, the chimera went back to his seat and plopped back down grumbling about not showing off.

Finally, it was Emeralda's turn and the other three in the room all had varying degrees of concern, not for her ability to memorize the material, she was by far the best out of all of them in that regard. No, it was her quiet demeanor that gave them pause in their confidence of her delivery.

They need not have worried becasue the tan young woman rose and began speaking loud and clear, if stiffly "Emeralda Kasim, age eighteen, from Italy. I, too, was visiting Japan to see its famous heroes up close when I was kidnapped as well. My quirk is Cell Manipulation and allows me to shape my body into any inanimate object I can conceive of. I grew up in an orphanage but developed a fondness for Japanese culture. Because of poor connections I was never able to get into one of the few hero schools back home."

Jun nodded, his smile this time as warm and encouraging as he could muster as he spoke "Very good, Emeralda. You need to work on eye contact and with practice, your delivery will be smoother but I'm proud nonetheless. Please take your envelope."

To the surprise of everyone in the room, Emeralda raised her arm, shifting it into an extended metal claw that plucked the package out of their teacher's hand. With her prize in hand, the greenette took a moment to look straight at Zelgadis before the tiniest of smiles briefly flashed across her face. The chimera, who up till that moment looked as surprised as anyone, immediately shifted to an annoyed frown, which in turn got Michiru to burst out laughing.

Waiting a moment to let the moment play out, Jun brought his three newest students back to reality as he raised his voice to draw their attention "If you three are quite done, I have one more small piece of news that may be of interest. The principal also wanted me to tell you that with no formal charges pending, he is reducing your confinement to the campus grounds. You are no longer stuck in this house."

Relief became immediately apparent on all three lighters, Michiru going so far as to pump her fist after shooting up out of her chair and exclaiming "YES!"

As the moment passed and silence settled in the room, Michiru suddenly realized something. Looking at the others in the room, she asked "You guys hear that?"

"Here what?" Zelgadis replied, a bit confused.

"That's just it! I don't hear anything!" A bunny leg enhanced jump later and Michiru was on the ground level of the room and rushing out the door.

The others, Jun included, followed suit, trying to keep up with the furry member of their odd little troupe. They caught up to her standing outside and starring off to the side of the house. When the others caught up, they turned to follow where she was looking. All there was to see was a line of well landscaped buildings and nothing else. No mixing trucks. No semi-trucks. No endless teams of foul talking and chain-smoking construction workers. It was over. The nightmare was finally over.

For a moment, the group was once again overcome with joy. That was until Zelgadis realized it, clenching his fists and looking up at the sky as he exclaimed "That damn mouse only let us off now that the construction's over! DAMN THAT BEATY-EYED RODENT!"

Said "rodent" at that very moment was enjoying his morning tea, perhaps a bit more smugly than normal.

(X)

Later that afternoon, Michiru, Zelgadis and Emeralda sat watching TV, an exercise that Zelgadis found tedious. It was, however, one required of him by Jun as a quick way to get pointers on culture and technology. Michiru had been left with a list of show types they were supposed to watch and specific points to keep an eye out for. She was also suppose to point out something if the other two missed something she felt was important.

The group had just begun watching the news after the sorcerer-swordsmen had declared he'd had enough of talk shows. The anchor on the TV spoke as a photo of a store came up over her shoulder "…In other news, yet another convenience store in Musutafu has been robbed. The MO fits the previous robberies that have been plaguing local clerks each of the last four days. As before, no one was hurt, and eyewitnesses took note of how cordial the robber was. Heroes showed up too late to catch the perpetrator in the act and he remains at large. For more on this, we turn to our own former hero…"

"Geez, I guess crime really has started raising since that night in Camino ward, huh?" Michiru asked out loud to no one in particular.

"A question for Sanada-sensei." Emeralda quietly replied.

"Huh?" was Michiru's intelligent reply.

"She means that without knowing how crime was beforehand, we can't really make that kind of judgement, unlike those idiots we were watching before, so we should ask someone like Sanada." Zelgadis clarified.

"Right, right, of course! I knew that, I just-" *KNOCK KNOCK*

All three turned their attention to the door before Michiru leapt up, glad for the distraction and declared "I'll get it!"

The tanuki girl wasn't sure who to expect. Jun had told them the other lighters would start to return now that construction was over but they wouldn't need to knock on their own door. Maybe one of their new neighbors? Pulling the door open, Michiru's warm smile faltered a bit at the sight of the disheveled and disinterested vestige of Shouta Aizawa. His greeting was as bored and bland as he looked, saying "Hello again Michiru Kagemori. May I come in?"

Stepping out of the way, Michiru replied "Um, sure Aizawa-san. Is…there anything I can get for you?"

The other two had at first only starred but Emeralda quickly grabbed the remote and muted the sound before the exhausted looking man stepped in and glanced over and spoke, a subtle difference in his voice denoting disapproval as he said "You're watching TV? Not a very productive use of your time."

"Tell me about it!" Zelgadis quickly called out before anyone else could speak.

Briefly glaring at the chimera, Michiru explained "It's an assignment from Sanada-sensei. It's supposed to be a way to help us acclimate to this world."

If the UA teacher disapproved, Michiru couldn't see it. After a moment, the odd man said "I suppose there is some sense to that. Anyway, I'm here to let you know that I'll be your proctor for your test tomorrow. You'll be working as a team in a simulated villain attack. Being a test, know that there will be surprises, just like any encounter in real life. Just be prepared for combat. I'll have some UA gym cloths for you upon my arrival tomorrow. Any questions?"

"I thought Sanada-sensei said we couldn't leave campus. It kind of sounds like we're being tested off campus?" Michiru hazarded despite the intimidating aura the disinterested man was projecting.

"The test site is also a part of campus. Don't jump out of the car on the way there and you'll be fine. Any other questions?" Shouta dryly replied.

"That's it? You can't tell us anything else?" Zelgadis grumbled.

Somehow looking more annoyed, the underground hero countered "This is meant to be as real as possible. Often times, especially when first on the scene, you'll have precious little intel to go on. You didn't think we were going to let you take the provisional exam as representatives of our school without proper vetting, now did you?"

The chimera frowned but couldn't find fault in such reasoning and opted to look away. With the lull in conversation, the erasure hero felt the need to address the feeling of being watched he'd had for a while now when he turned to look at the third, far quieter member of this otherworldly trio. Indeed, Emeralda seemed to be outright glaring at the disheveled older man, doing nothing to mask the hostility she seemed to be radiating.

After a moment of the two locking gazes, Shouta frowned and finally spoke "Is there a problem, Kasim-san? I don't recall having done anything to earn such a scornful look. Care to elaborate?"

Letting out a breath, the greenette briefly closed her eyes in an effort to calm herself before she finally answered, her voice far calmer than her expression conveyed "No, Aizawa-sensei. You have done nothing wrong. I…apologize. It will not happen again."

With an affirmative grunt, Shouta turned away, addressing the trio one more time "I'll come get you after I've greeted your soon-to-be neighbors."

At the mention of neighbors, Michiru perked back up after looking concerned for Emeralda in the recent exchange and asked "If the façade on the building is true, that'll be class 1-A, right Aizawa-sensei?"

"Yes, they're my class, so don't cause them any problems, understand? They're a handful but there is a lot of potential among them. I expect you all to get along."

Looking a bit sheepish, the tanuki girl replied "We've…actually already meet several of them, in Camino."

"Yes, I'm aware of it. I will be addressing that with the class. I would advise you to see to them about it. It will be important that you all be on the same page pending the results of your exam. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a nap."

Watching their proctor unceremoniously pivot, put his hands in his pockets and begin walking away, Michiru called out "Just you watch! We'll ace your exam!"

In response, Shouta only seemed to slump further as he walked. Mentally though he was cursing how kids could be so damn annoying, no matter what universe they came from.

(X)

With word getting out from Jun that construction was complete, the veteran lighters started making their way back to their home. Mob and Hina were the first to arrive, despite coming all the way from Yokohama. The two approached the front steps of the house to find Zelgadis studying his Japanese text slumped forward, his head in the book.

Knowing full well the reception she would get, Hina bounded up before coming to a stop to the chimera's side and leaning in, a cheery smile on her face as she exclaimed "Aren't you the studious one! Did you miss me my little kohai?"

The rock-encrusted sorcerer at first didn't react at all but when Hina didn't move, refusing to leave without a reaction, Zelgadis finally turned to glare at her as hard as he possibly could. The showdown was interrupted by the oblivious, or well-timed, insertion of Mob into the conflict as he waved and kindly asked "Hello Greywards-san! Are you doing alright with everything that went on the last few days?"

Deciding the whole exchange was childish, Zelgadis broke away his stare-down with Hina and addressed the plain telekinetic "It was as miserable as you can imagine. Thank you for asking, though Mob. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to my room for some privacy."

As the chimera retreated into the house, Hina looked very satisfied with herself, even as her ever present friend gently chided her "That wasn't very nice, Hina"

"Maybe not, but he's just so damn teasable! He's so serious all the time, it's great!" Hina explain in between giggles.

Being as quiet as he was, Mob couldn't bring himself to voice his opinion that it was this same attitude that had soured Shinra on Hina. Instead, the accountant-in-training said nothing and followed his fellow telekinetic into the house, finding Michiru at the table, showing Emeralda videos of previous UA sports festivals on her phone.

Seeing Mob and Hina enter, Michiru's face soured as she said dryly "Oh. Well, that explains it."

Before she could repeat her cutey act, Hina was struck with indignance at the tanuki girl's comment, storming up to her "And what is that supposed to mean!?"

Turning her attention back to the video, Michiru responded matter-of-factly "Zelgadis. He had gone outside to enjoy being outdoors and he came storming in a minute ago without a word. Should have known it was you."

At that, Hina puffed her cheeks but was able to calm herself after a moment. Clearly the tanuki was a lost cause. That left one more to try and convert. Adapting a sweet disposition again, the blue-haired telekinetic stepped over to Emeralda's side and said "Clearly the furry one doesn't appreciate the other members of this house. What about you Emeralda, my quiet kohai? Did you miss me?"

Touching the screen of the phone to pause the video, the tan-skinned girl looked up at Hina's expectant face and explained "I am now aware of what the terms senpai and kohai mean, Yoshifumi-san."

Hina wasn't liking where this was going but still felt compelled to ask. "If that's true then you'll start calling me senpai then?"

Emeralda's emotionless expression didn't change when she replied, "Though you are technically correct to use these terms in reference to our different arrivals in this world, no, I will not be using that term, nor will I respond when addressed as you suggest."

Genuinely annoyed, Hina stomped her foot and had to push back the urge to knock this near mute through the wall. Perhaps sensing a tantrum coming on, Mob again stepped forward to redirect the conversation "What are you two watching? It sounded like a fight."

Grateful for the change in subject, Michiru quickly jumped in, cheerfully saying "Oh yeah! We've been watching old videos of previous UA sports festivals!"

Curiosity seemed to knock the fight out of Hina as her attention turned back to the small screen of the phone, asking, "The sports festivals, huh? What for? Want to get to know the students that'll be living nearby?"

"We're scouting potential opponents." Emeralda said, blandly.

Hina looked confused as she asked "Opponents for what? Did the principal already assign you to some job helping other students?"

Waving the blue-haired girl off, Michiru clarified "Nah, turns out our probation for our stunt in Camino is to get fast-tracked to being heroes and before they send us out to get our provisional licenses in a couple weeks, we're getting evaluated tomorrow. Emeralda and Zelgadis think they're going to use students to serve as villains."

"It's only logical." The greenette added.

"Well, that sounds like it's going to be a challenge. Who's running the test?" Mob asked as he too moved to look at the phone.

"The hobo-looking one who brought us to the teachers a few days ago. That Aizawa guy." Michiru answered, a finger to her mouth as she looked up thinking about the odd man.

The two telekinetics looked at each other, concern evident on their faces. "What? What's with those looks?" Michiru nervously asked.

"It's just that…" Mob started

"…that guys got a reputation for being pretty harsh." Hina finished as the two of them looked at the tanuki girl.

Alarmed, Michiru's eyes widened slightly when she thought back to their earlier encounter "Emmy…you were glaring at him pretty hard. I hope he didn't take it personally."

"What!" Hina blurted out. "From everything I've heard about the guy, it's best not to piss him off and you were giving him the evil eye? You have any idea what he'll do to you?"

"Nothing" was Emeralda's simple and cold response.

"Excuse me?" Hina replied, as confused as annoyed by the other girl's quick dismissal.

"Aizawa-sensei is a calculating, rational person. He doesn't let emotions get in the way if he can in his decision-making. If anything, he would be trying to figure out why I did it. As to why I did it, it was his eyes. I've…seen those kinds of eyes before. I…dislike people like him."

Crossing her arms, Hina smugly said "Well, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black."

Looking down, the greenette took a long breath, trying to calm the tumult of emotions that comment stirred. After a moment of awkward silence that featured Michiru glaring at Hina, Emeralda spoke, almost too soft to hear "Its…not that I don't want to be more expressive. I'm…just not very good at it. Sorry."

That made Hina feel terrible immediately and she looked away herself, rubbing her arm in embarrassment, which surprised Michiru. After a moment, Hina spoke, her voice contrite "Oh, well then, I'm sorry too. Kinda hard to tell, you know, since you don't talk much. Listen, we'll go get unpacked. Sorry to bother you. Seriously though, good luck."

Standing in stunned silence as the blue-haired telekinetic spoke, Michiru broke into a warm smile as Hina finished and did her best not to spoil the moment as she said, "Thank you Hina."

Emeralda ventured looking up at Hina as well, and nodded, a tiny smile briefly appearing on her lips.

With that, Mob and Hina left the girls to their research. Eventually, Michiru and Emeralda left too as the day grew long. Eventually, Shinra arrived at the house as well, glad his waiting to come home meant he didn't have to see the faces of those damn new lighters.

(X)

Even as he starred up at the large building that would be his home while he studied at UA, Izuku was still having a hard time believing this structure didn't exist a few days ago. The level of planning and logistical coordination had to have been staggering! But then, given how intelligent their principal was, it shouldn't have been surprising.

The building itself looked inviting without standing out and had a personal touch, as each dorm had its own name emblazoned above the entrance, theirs being Alliance with 1-A above that. Still, as the freckled boy admired his new home surrounded by his fellow classmates, his attention wondered off to the left where, through the trees, he could make out the lighters home. With everything going on convincing his mom to continue allow him to study at UA and All Might and Kacchan, there had barely been any time to think about those four people he had encountered that night in Camino.

Had they rescued Shadow Rider? Were they ok? All Might had said it wasn't his place to say and now it was nagging at the young hero-in-training, the urge to walk over and find out growing with each pasting moment. Well, it was, until he realized Aizawa-sensei had been trying to get his attention.

"Midoriya! Pay attention!" The perpetually grumpy underground hero snapped.

"Ekk! I'm sorry Aizawa-sensei!" the inheritor of All Might's power squeaked out, about facing and standing at attention as several in the class giggled.

Pursing his lips in annoyance, Shouta started again "As I was saying, given everything that has happened, I'm glad we were able to bring class 1-A back together."

At that point, several of Izuku's classmates chimed in about how glad they were they could come back as well but the freckled young man's mind had again returned to that night in Camino. As Aizawa began explaining why he thought the faulty was allowed back as well, the thought occurred to Izuku to simply ask his teacher about what had happened. After all, the lighters already lived on campus so the teachers should know what's going on with them, right? The more Izuku thought about his interaction with those four, it occurred to him how some of the things they said were very strange. It was almost as if…

"…Midoriya. Iida. You five are the ones that broke the rules and went to rescue Bakugo that night." Shouta spoke gravely, bringing Izuku back from his speculation and into the ire of his teacher.

After a moment of awkward silence, their teacher continued "Based on your reactions, I assume the rest of you were at least aware of their plan. I'm going to set aside several issues and just say this: If it weren't for All Might's retirement from the hero scene, I would expel everyone here except Bakugo, Jiro and Hagakure."

Izuku tensed up. Aizawa was right to be angry and the thought occurred to the freckled greenette that teaching a class he felt that way about could present issues, wouldn't it? That train of thought died though when Shouta continued "The five of you who went, of course. But also, the remaining twelve who didn't stop them. You betrayed our trust. Even if it was to keep your friends from getting into trouble. In order to regain our confidence, you will need obey every rule to the letter, and live as model students."

Having said all that, building pressure on the gathered students with his overbearing presence and threatening overtones, the shaggy excuse for a hero then simply turned and said with about as much cheer as his dour personality could muster "Now. Look alive. Enjoy your new home."

The gathered students stood there, any and all enthusiasm for their new home sapped from them. Sensing the mood, it was the fiery Bakugo, of all people, who brought life back to the class by dragging away their electric wielding classmate and forcing him to discharge so much power it triggered the side-effect of his quirk: making him a walking, drooling moron.

As the rest of the class's mood lightened at the blonde's display of idiocy, Izuku saw a chance to ask their teacher if he knew anything about the group he had met that night in Yokohama.

"Excuse me, Aizawa-sensei, I had a question." Izuku managed to get out as he approached the slumped form of his instructor.

Pausing and visibly sighing, the exhausted older man didn't turn when he spoke "Yes, Midoriya? I would have thought after what you pulled you may want to keep a low profile for at least a little while. What do you want?"

That comment stung the hero-in-training, a sign that his teacher really was upset at him for what he and the others had done. It may not be wise to bring more attention to the events of that night, but he had to know. "Aizawa-sensei! When we were in Camino Ward, we ran into some people who said they were lighters. They stayed behind to rescue a downed hero while we rescued Kacchan. Do you…know how they are?"

A deep frown stretched across Shouta's face. The main reason he had not turned to face his student was he feared this may be what he wanted to talk about. The boy was always sticking his nose in if he thought he could help. It was his best and his worst trait. Still, he was going to find out eventually, might as well tell him now. "I'm going to see them now, actually. I'm supposed to proctor an evaluation exam for them before I double back to check on you all."

That was a relief for Izuku to hear. Clearly, they couldn't have been too bad off if they were taking an exam, right? His voice much lighter, Izuku said "That's good! I'm glad to know all four of them are doing ok!"

"Three."

"Ex…cuse me?" Izuku suddenly croaked, a weight suddenly pressing on his chest.

"I'm only evaluating three lighters. That's all that came back from Camino. Frankly, I find the whole exercise infuriating. My expectations for them aren't especially high. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to keep. Have fun moving in."

Izuku was so stunned by the implication of his teacher's words that he entirely missed the older man once again leaving on such a non sequitur. It was going to be very hard to focus on moving after that.

(X)

Emeralda and Zelgadis stood by quietly waiting for Michiru to step back in the house to announce Aizawa's arrival. Each wore some of the casual wear Jun had purchased for them, their own original cloths showing too much wear and tear. Zelgadis especially disliked not having his cape and kept his hood up despite knowing it was going to be hot day.

The silence between the two was a pleasant one, both content with the others presence when the tanuki girl burst in, waving her hands about "He's on his way! I just saw him with our new neighbors so get ready!"

Emeralda firmly nodded and the chimera grabbed his sword belt and strapped it on, half expecting to be told he couldn't have it, even on private grounds.

As the trio waited for the knock on the door, a curt "Hey" could be heard as the shark toothed Shinra stepped into the room. Michiru and Emeralda regarded the young man neutrally, but Zelgadis wore a scowl as the pyrokinetic spoke again, less sharply but an edge still present in his voice "I heard you got Aizawa-sensei for this little test of yours."

"Yeah, whats it to you?" Zelgadis shot back, his arms crossed.

"Hey, no reason to get defensive man, I just thought I should warn you, he's pretty harsh."

"Yes, that was the impression we got from Hina and Mob. Do you have anything else to add?" Emeralda spoke coolly to the usually abrasive former fire solider.

Frustrated at the lack of reception, Shinra pursed his lips and looked away as he took a breath before again focusing on the three as he said "Yeah, unlike those two, I've actually had him as a teacher. He's infamous for lying to his students to get the best results. I'm just sayin' that whatever he tells you, there's going to be more to it."

Raising an eyebrow as confusion played on her furry face, Michiru spoke next "Why are you helping us? I kind of got the impression you hated us, Shinra."

The words had barely left Michiru's mouth before Shinra defensively answered "I don't hate you! I barely know you! I'm just pissed you didn't listen to me and made things harder, that's all!" Then, looking down and away, embarrassed, the flame user added "And I still am, but if you're going to make up for it, then I figure it's the heroic thing to do to help the best I can."

That brought a smile to the tanuki girl's face, and she was about to thank him, knowing neither Zelgadis nor Emeralda would likely do it, when the much anticipated knock on the door came. Not in the mood the see the dreary underground hero, Shinra retreated upstairs as the remaining three went to answer the door.

The underground hero was greeted by the trio but before he could hand over the standard issue UA gym uniforms, Shouta noticed Zelgadis' sword and flatly refused to let him take it. At the very least, Shouta let Zelgadis know that if he really wanted to use it going forward, it was going to need to be blunted. Now with one less sword, the group changed and headed over to Ground Beta, the urban training center often used for training exercises.

Waiting for them was Jun and Hitomi, who looked less than excited to be there. The five greeted each other, all while the three new lighters took in the simulated cityscape that was to be their testing grounds. Michiru was just about to make a comment about the insane wealth of the school to have even more property when their proctor snapped them to attention when he spoke, his voice dead serious "Pay attention, I'm only going to say this once. We don't just let anyone take the provisional license exam. Usually, second year students take it and rarely first years given special circumstances. To let people who haven't set foot in a hero classroom is unheard of, so you'll have to clear a pretty high bar."

Seeing no hesitation in the eyes of the three before him, Shouta noted just how hardened Zelgadis and Emeralda looked, as though they had seen their share of shit. Michiru looked determined too, but it was clear whatever she had been through before her arrival hadn't brought quite the same level despair as the other two. Shouta continued "One of the most dangerous parts of being a hero is to be the first responder in a crisis. Can anyone tell me why?"

"Lack of information." Emeralda answered simply.

Mildly impressed, the eraser hero had to fight back a smirk as he confirmed the greenette's answer "Correct. The less you know going into a situation, the less prepared you can be. Sometimes even the best heroes can prove ineffective going into a situation they don't have the quirk to handle. That is what we will be testing today. The three of you will be responding to a villain attack as the first on the scene with no other information other than that it is happening. You have one hour to bring order to the situation. Jun will give you each headsets so you can communicate with each other and us should the situation require it. Good luck."

Without waiting for questions, the shaggy-haired teacher turned and walked away, willfully ignorant of the sour looks his back was getting from the three test takers. After a moment, Michiru turned to Jun and sarcastically remarked "Is he always a ray of sunshine like that?"

Glancing at his retreating colleague, Jun replied diplomatically "He's…never been one for the niceties of life. Even as a student, he was distant and serious. It's just his way, even if it seems like he is being a bit shorter with you three. You did run off after all."

Michiru sighed as she took the headset and capture tape Jun offered her, commenting "We've got a lot to make up for and I don't care what that grump throws at us. You two ready?"

Zelgadis and Emeralda nodded, having watched Michiru put on the headset to be sure they had it right before the blue-skinned swordsmen looked over at the silent counselor "Hitomi, is everything OK? You look concerned."

Startled a bit at being mentioned, Hitomi forced a smile as she stumbled to answer "O, Oh, yes, Zelgadis, I'm fine! I'm just not very fond of watching anyone hurt each other is all. Sorry if I worried you!"

Coming from someone who worked for an institution devoted to teaching people to fight, this seemed like an odd sentiment to have but it at least meant the older woman cared and that was enough for Zelgadis to nod and Michiru to smile, Emeralda doing neither since she was already looking out to the testing zone, focused.

"Good luck everyone. The test will start when you hear the siren." Jun explained as he and Hitomi turned and walked the same direction as Shouta did. As they walked off, Jun and Hitomi turned and waved one more time even though they knew it wouldn't be seen by the trio.

(X)

As the three stood waiting for the siren to sound, Zelgadis bitterly complained "He really didn't give us much, did he? We don't know the lay out, we don't know how many there are, we don't know anything about them, what they're objective even is and they fucking TOOK MY SWORD AGAIN!"

Looking ever so slightly annoyed, Emeralda chimed in "This is a test, likely against students. It wouldn't be wise to use lethal force in such circumstances."

"Damnit, I know! I just hate the idea of having to dull my sword to even use it anymore. This world is awful."

Unfazed by the gloomy chimera, Michiru cheerfully said "Aww, it's not so bad Zel! Bet you don't have these fancy pieces of tech that let us talk even when separated back home!"

Grudgingly, Zelgadis admitted the tanuki girl was right "OK, yes, the technology here is impressive but unless it can make me human again, it doesn't matter."

"Zel…" was all Michiru could get out before the long-awaited siren blared into their ears. The three dropped any wandering thoughts they had and braced themselves. No sooner had the alarm stopped did a series of explosions go off in the distance.

With nothing else to go on, the three charged forward, Michiru on point with her enhanced hearing and smell. At first the morphing beastman wanted to take flight to get a better view but Zelgadis shot it down as to risky since he couldn't protect her with his barrier magic from up there. Before long, after taking cautious stock at every intersection they came to, the trio came to one where Michiru could hear an odd whirling sound.

The three pressed against the side of the building at the edge of the intersection, Emeralda now in front. Coming to the edge, the greenette shifted her arm into a metal pole with an angled mirror at the edge. Slowly, she slid her arm out, allowing the three of them to see their opponent.

A block away, at the next intersection, a young woman could be seen floating there. The girl was wearing a blue skintight suit with lighter shades of blue on the chest and arms which matched her light blue hair that ran almost to her feet and had two bangs that swirled upwards like horns above her head . The girl appeared to be emanating swirling yellow energy from her feet and her arms, which also had aqua colored wrappings on the forearms.

The girl was also attempting to laugh manically as she sent blasts of that swirling energy from her arms into some unseen structure that caused another explosion. Pulling her arm back, Emeralda looked over at her teammates, who had pressed uncomfortably close to her to get a better look at the mirror. Frowning at the contact, the other two took a step back and Emeralda calmly asked "Thoughts?"

"This looks too easy." Zelgadis quickly assessed. "Just one person, out in the open, attacking? It's a trap."

"Agreed" Emeralda replied. After a moment of silence, the two turned to look at Michiru, expectantly.

Seeing her teammates eyes on her, the tanuki girl shrunk under their gaze "What? Why are you two looking at me like that?"

Deflating a bit, Zelgadis quickly snapped back "What do you mean, what? What do you think? Do you agree? Do you have a plan?"

Her eyes growing wide as she unconsciously took a step back, Michiru replied confused, "Do I have a plan? Why would I have a plan?"

The other two briefly looked at each other before again looking at the tanuki girl, Emeralda responding plainly "Because you're the leader."

"Wait, wait, when did I become the leader here? Aren't all three of us being tested?" Michiru quickly and desperately responded.

Zelgadis put his hand in his face as he grumbled "Well…you lead us in Camino and it was you who so passionately declared that we would make up for our mistakes, right?" Emeralda quietly but vigorously nodded in agreement.

Throwing her arms up in exacerbation, the tanuki girl declared "Alight, fine! I'll be the damn leader! But I think you two have more experience fighting, so tell me what you think, ok?"

Chuckling, Zelgadis crossed his arms, looking more than a little satisfied "Fair enough. I think two of us head out there and take her on. We'll still have the numerical advantage while allowing us to keep one in reserve for when the trap is sprung."

Pressing her hand to her chin thoughtfully, Michiru agreed "Makes sense, but which two should go?"

"I would be best suited for the reserve position." Emeralda answered, without further explanation.

"Um, ok? Is it because you can't fly?" Michiru chanced and her fellow morpher nodded.

"Well, alright then! Let's do this!" Michiru declared, pumping her fist.

(X)

"Huh" Shouta said as he stood in the control room with Jun and Hitomi, watching the three on the monitors.

A knowing smile gracing his lips, Jun felt the need to ask anyway "Something surprise you, Aizawa-san?"

"I'll admit I expected your students to just rush in, quirks blazing, given their little stunt a few days ago." Shouta answered, his attention still focused on the monitors.

"I've only known them for a little while, Aizawa-san but I'll tell you, rough as their start has been, these three have great potential." Jun explained as he glanced at the perpetually worried looking Hitomi, who sat by, watching nervously.

Sparing a moment to glance at his former teacher, Shouta simply grunted affirmatively as he returned his attention to the monitors. It seemed they had decided to split up. It wasn't a bad plan. But then, a plan was only good until everything blows up around you.

(X)

Nejire Hado, one of the top three students in U.A.'s senior class, dubbed the Big Three, was curious, energetic, outgoing and cheerful. One thing she wasn't was a villain. Yet, as one of the top students at the school, when she wasn't off working at her internship, she and her two classmates sometimes found themselves serving as the bad guys in mock battles against underclassmen. This one had been unusual for several reasons, not the least of which was the suddenness of the request. It was also still summer break and it was against just three people, and they were lighters no less.

Nejire had met other lighters before and was especially fond of the sweet and warm Terra. She didn't know these three new ones though. All she knew was what Aizawa-sensei had provided info about new lighters quirks and instructed them not to hold back. It all seemed odd to the periwinkle-haired young woman as she tried her best to sound menacing as she blew up another car down the street.

Nejire was just beginning to wonder if her opponents would even show up when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught the glimmer of an arrow of flame heading right for her. Quickly dodging, the top hero-in-training twisted toward the arrow's origin, sending a swirling blast in that direction.

The space where her opponent had stood exploded in brick and mortar debris as the blue-skinned guy she had been told was named Zelgadis had already begun running down the length of the building's roof away from her, some energy gathering in his hands. Getting a good look at her attacker, Nejire got excited since he looked all dark and moody, just like a certain fellow Big Three member she knew! Still, she knew she couldn't let him get off whatever he was about to shoot at her!

With both arms pointed at the rock-encrusted cutie, Nejire was about to send him out of commission when she was caught from behind and above by a pair of talons that latched onto her shoulders and began driving her to the ground. After sparing a moment to confirm it was the shape-shifting Michiru that had caught her off guard, Nejire winked and declared "Not bad!" as she re-doubled the swirling power keeping her aloft to slow her decent to the ground.

"Oh, no you don't!" Michiru declared as the two slowed down. When the combatants were about to touch the ground, Michiru used what little momentum she had left to fling herself forward, bringing Nejire along with her. Caught off guard and disoriented as she swung in an arc upside down, the periwinkle-haired fake villain smashed into the ground back first.

Stunned, the fake villain found herself unable to resist as Michiru, now joined by Zelgadis, put the capture tape on her. Looking down at the girl, Zelgadis had a look of pity as he asked "Hey, you going to be ok? That looked like it hurt."

Taking a moment to let the pain subside a bit more, Nejire giggled as she replied "Hehe, that was so cool, you two! I have, like, so many questions! But I don't think you'll have time for them!"

Helping the third-year student to sit upright, Michiru looked confused for a second before her ear's twitched and she heard footsteps "She's right, two more are coming!"

Turning to face back toward the intersection Nejire had just been attacking, Michiru and Zelgadis saw the young man who had been with Fat Gum on their trip from Police Headquarters walking toward them with a girl he had wrapped up in what looked like octopus tentacles?

The girl in question had a two toned green skin-tight costume herself, mostly obscured by the tentacles but her huge head of brown-grey hair couldn't be missed. Though her mouth was covered, she looked scared and was trying to call out, muffled sounds being all that could be heard. Instead, the two lighters were treated to the saddest excuse for acting either had seen as Tamaki stuttered out "Y, you two! If…If you know what's g, good for YOU…Let h, her go! Or…or I hurt this girl!"

Michiru and Zelgadis looked less than convinced as the two briefly exchanged glances. With a nod from the chimera, the tanuki girl replied, "What guarantee do we have that you'll release her if we let your friend go, huh?"

Looking a bit flustered under his hood, Tamaki bit his lip and looked about as if he was trying to remember what he was supposed to say. Finally, the unsure kidnapper answered "Th, the only thing I can…can guarantee is…I will hurt this girl if you don't listen!"

Turning back to Zelgadis, Michiru whispered "Somethings wrong here…you know, besides this guy's ability to say a line."

"Agreed. The hostage is dressed like a hero but we were explicitly told we were the first responders. Let's do this but I'll be ready to blow them back if something goes wrong. I don't think we can stall them long enough for Emeralda to swing around behind them." Zelgadis answered back.

"Got it." was Michiru's response as she walked back over to Nejire and helped her to her feet. With the smiling fake villain in front of her, Michiru called out "Alight, let's do this! On three!"

After the countdown, the two prisoners began walking forward. As the two came close to each other, the green clade girl suddenly pulled a knife from her belt and called out "NOW!" as she cut Nejire's tape and started furiously shaking her head.

Large tuffs of her hair started raining down, but by this point Zelgadis had seen all he needed to and called out a wind spell, blasting the three back with a wall of wind. Tamaki braced himself by latching onto a signpost with his suction-cupped tentacles from one arm, catching the large-haired girl with the other. Poor Nejire though was sent tumbling down the street, coming to a stop several blocks away and again left lying on the ground stunned.

The blast of air was enough to stun the three villains but many of the tuffs of hair simply blew upward before gently falling to the ground again. Once they did, in a puff of smoke, each turned into mini versions of the now revealed to be villainous green-clad girl. In a disarmingly cute voice, each yelled "Charge!"

Both Michiru and Zelgadis took a few steps back as a horde of chibi girls flooded toward them. "Michiru! Take to the air, I'm going to try and knock them all out at once and I'm not sure if it'll cause the buildings to collapse! Emeralda! Are you still on standby?"

"No, I heard your talk of another surprise attack and have swung around the block to attack the en-" The greenette explained over the headset before she was cut off.

"Emmy! Are you ok?" Michiru called to no response. Worry clear on her face, Michiru instructed Zelgadis "I'm betting Aizawa-sensei doesn't want us to cause any more damage than we have to, so do your best, Zel. I'm off to see what happened to Emmy!"

Looking apprehensive, the swordless swordsmen shot back "Michiru, if you leave its one against three, plus these…things. I don't know if I can hold them for long!"

"I'll hurry, Zel, I promise!" Michiru responded, her arms becoming wings before she shot up into the air.

"We'll see." Zelgadis grumbled before he threw his hand to the ground and called "Dug Wave!" A fissure began to form in the earth in front of the chimera and expanded forward down the street, shooting earth and debris everywhere as the tiny doppelgangers were thrown about, exploding into puffs of smoke.

The main thrust of the attack centered on where the three villains were still recovering from Zelgadis' blast of wind. Nejire had just managed to rejoin the other two when the fissure formed under them. Nejire shot up into the air and Tamaki grabbed the green-clad girl and swung up onto a nearby rooftop as the ground where they had just stood exploded.

Zelgadis flew up to an opposite rooftop and looked across the urban chasm at his opponents. He now had at least some idea of what the three could do. As long as he kept his distance, he could keep them at bay for awhile. How long? Only one way to find out.

(X)

Meanwhile, moments earlier

Running down the sidewalk alongside the far side of the building to Michiru and Zelgadis' left, Emeralda moved as fast as she could. The greenette moved in hopes of taking the villains off guard while they were focused on her friends. In the back of her mind Emeralda knew she should have told her teammates what she was doing but she rationalized that away by telling herself that Zelgadis' lament that she wouldn't make it in time to affect the exchange had been indirect instruction to do just that. Barring any other surprises, it was a sound move even if circumstances had changed once she got there. Naturally, though, a surprise did, in fact come.

Just as she was explaining what she was doing to her teammates over the headset, a very naked man literally came through the wall and attempted to clothsline her. Though she was caught off guard, Emeralda did have the presence of mind to throw herself out into the street to avoid the attack. The sudden change in direction and change in momentum made for a very ungraceful landing, the greenette tumbling several times before coming to rest on one knee and facing her opponent.

Said opponent stood clothes less but otherwise made for an imposing figure with his broad shoulders and muscular body. Along with his shining blue eyes and short blonde hair and a tuft pointing upward in front, the young man stood confidently as he declared "Wow! I'm impressed! You're not even phased, are you! Well, second times the charm!"

With that, the young man began charging at Emeralda before he seemed to disappear. The Amber-eyed girl only took a moment to wonder what had just happened before she went back to considering where he was coming from next. Emeralda knew he had failed at a side attack so it is either her blind spot on her left or behind. Odds were... "Behind!" the greenette declared as she turned just as the blonde came barreling toward her. With enough time to get her arms up to defend herself, the naked villain feinted for her head before swinging for her mid-section.

Emeralda had just enough time to shift her left hand into a shield to block the punch but when his arm simply phased through it, she panicked and threw herself backwards again.

Not letting the amber-eyed girl get her bearings though, the blonde charged forward again, this time angling toward Emeralda's blind spot. As he did so, he called out "Not bad, but not good enough to save the hostages!" before he disappeared again.

"Hostages? Aizawa made no mention of-" The distraction had worked as the cloths less villain appeared to Emeralda's left and took another swing, this time connecting and sending her to the ground sideways. This clearly wasn't working for the greenette. The blonde attacker kept catching her off guard but now she knew he was focused on surprise attacks. Now Emeralda asked herself if the assailant could hit what he couldn't catch?

As the blonde disappeared again, Emeralda took off down the road toward the direction of the other villains, and sure enough, the naked guy appeared where she had been just moments earlier. That was useful information indeed. Unfortunately, things got complicated when Michiru came flying in, talons bared as she dove feet first at the naked blonde, yelling "Put some clothes on weirdo!"

The morphing tanuki girl hit only asphalt as the odd young man had disappeared again and Emeralda knew exactly what was coming, calling out as she shot forward "Michiru! Get out of the way!"

Still confused as to what had just happened, Michiru only had time to turn and face toward her friend before the blonde appeared again. Emeralda flung herself forward in time to take the hit, which sent her falling into her fur covered leader.

The two landed in a heap but Emeralda pushed herself up immediately, despite the pain in her face. The naked villain for once just stood there, taking a moment to finally introduce himself "You're a tough one, Kasim-san! The name's Lemillion and I gotta say, it's been awhile since anyone has lasted this long against me like this! Congrats!" he finished earnestly as he gave her a thumbs up.

Standing firm, her eye narrowing, the greenette replied coolly, her scarf's two tails billowing in a sudden gust "I have no intention of simply lasting, Lemillion. I intend to defeat you." Then, Emeralda reached up and yanked her eyepatch off, surprising Michiru, who was just now getting back to her feet.

"Emmy…your, your eye! It's completely healed! How?" Michiru exclaimed, suddenly oblivious to their situation.

Keeping her eyes focused on the naked Lemillion, Emeralda replied "Now is not the time Michiru. He can phase through matter, but he can't fly. I think I can handle him, please head back and help Zelgadis. It seems there are hostages we must also find."

A bit hurt at the dismissal and fully expecting that answer, the tanuki girl nodded, shifted her arms back to wings and took off, a few feathers left behind, falling between the two combatants as each starred the other down.

"A bit of a lone wolf, aren't you, Kasim-san? A shame. The best heroes know how to work together!" Lemillion declared as he disappeared again.

Despite knowing that her opponent likely could only attack where she currently was, Emeralda stood still, waiting for the attack to come. When it did, again from behind, she was ready. Glancing behind her to confirm her attacker was there, as she had against Tomura, the amber-eyed girl focused and her whole body began to pixelate. As Lemillion swung his fist, he passed right through Emeralda, various tiny cuts and punctures left wherever his body had passed through. This time it was the blonde's turn to be surprised and in that split second, Emeralda's arm became a mallet that she sent flying into her opponent's midsection, sending the naked blonde tumbling sideways until he hit the wall.

"You misunderstand. Against another opponent, I would gladly welcome Michiru's help. It's just in this case, I was better suited to taking you on alone." Emeralda finally answered as her opponent stood back up, his body showing signs of road burn in addition to his injures from his failed attack.

As he phased into the ground below him, Lemillion spoke one last time "I guess we'll find out if that's true soon enough! That was a great fight, Kasim-san! I can see why Tamaki keeps talking about you! I look forward to our next fight!"

(X)

"She beat Mirio. Not bad, hmm, Aizawa-san?" Jun stated the obvious, a hint of pride in his voice as he nudged the disheveled younger man.

Taking a step away to avoid the contact, Shouta refused to look his former teacher in the face as he begrudgingly agreed "She did. No simple feat I will admit, though she failed to capture him, if we're giving an honest assessment."

"True." Jun conceded as his smile widened "But the test isn't over yet, now is it?"

Ignoring the question, the underground hero posed his own to the third member of their little watch party "What about you, Kanzaki-san? I'm curious to know what you've thought of things so far?"

Jumping a bit at having been addressed when she was sure she was being left on her own, Hitomi took a moment to gather herself before answering "They seem to be handling everything well enough, though the way Emeralda threw herself at Mirio's attack…the look on her face, it was like she didn't even care what happened to her..."

Dryly, Shouta replied "Well, she did just regrow an eye. Regeneration wasn't in the information you provided in your report, Sanada-sensei. It seems we still have some unanswered questions."

Focusing on a monitor showing Emeralda rushing toward the others, Hitomi almost whispered "Yes, we most certainly do."

(X)

By the time Emeralda got close to her teammates, Zelgadis had been keeping the other villains at bay by staying in the air to neutralize the green-clad girl's quirk and was keeping them more or less pinned to the rooftop with a constant barrage of wind and fire spells. Michiru swooped down and picked the greenette up to take her to a rooftop to avoid attacks by the three villains. As she carried her friend, Michiru felt the need to say, "I always forget how much heavier you are than you look, Emmy!"

Embarrassed, all the amber-eyed girl could manage as she was set on the rooftop was a subdued "sorry" as she focused down below.

Realizing how rude that had sounded, Michiru quickly added, "Oh, no, I didn't mean anything by it, Emmy! I just meant I was surprised is all! Your very fit, after all!" When she only got a nod in return, Michiru felt even worse.

The morphing tanuki girl was brought back to the moment when Zelgadis called out from above "We doing this or what! I can't keep up forever!"

"Right, right, sorry!" Michiru called back as she flew over to where the chimera floated. After a firm nod, Zelgadis stopped his attacks and Michiru called down "We know about the hostages! Make this easy for all of us and tell us where they are, and no one has to get hurt!"

Glad for a moment to breath, the three villains, now joined by a clothed Lemillion, or Mirio Togata, took a moment to talk amongst themselves. The heroes didn't know what they were talking about but whatever the blonde said had the cloaked Tamaki blushing furiously. After a moment, Nejire floated up, closing half the distance between the villains and heroes when she replied "Like, we'll never tell you where they and the bomb are!"

From down below Tamaki could be heard yelling in frustration "Hado! They didn't know about the bomb!"

"Wait, there's a bomb too!" Michiru blurted out, quickly looking at her teammates, panic briefly flashing in her eyes.

"Michiru, we already have our hands full with the four of them, how are we supposed to find hostages and a bomb too?" Zelgadis questioned, as he readied another blast of magic in case any of them tried anything.

No obvious answer was coming to the newly minted leader of the heroes. Looking around, hoping something, anything would come to her, Michiru struggled to answer "I…I don't…"

Then, over the headset a familiar, if irritating voice could be heard "With the best back-up you could ask for, of course!"

Michiru's eyes went wide at the realization, wishing she could pinch the bridge of her nose with her wings. A moment later, the sound of walls being smashed in the distance could be heard as someone approached. As it stood, all Michiru could do was lament "Don't tell me…"

"That's right, baby, Formidable's here and it's time to get antsy!"

(X)

I thought, for sure, that with the big event I had this past month that I would struggle to get this next chapter out in time. Somehow, I managed to not only do it but it turned out to be the longest chapter yet. I was glad to finally get some more characters in the mix with the other two members of the Big 3 even if I've been less than kind to them thus far. This next month should be fairly quiet, so I don't expect much to get in the way of a chapter on time. That won't be true in June when I get to spend some time on a deserted island, away from everything and everyone. If I'm really lucky I'll get a good buffer built up so that I could do the unthinkable and release two chapters in a month. However, the life of a toddler's father is an unpredictable one so I dare not commit to anything yet. Just know I'll be back next month with the rest of the fight and a dorm room competition!