A Gorilla in our Midst
Momo dodged another kick from Gran Torino as she readied her staff! As soon as the old man came flying at her, she slammed her staff onto his back, knocking him flat on the ground! "I'm so sorry", said Momo. "For what, zygote?", asked Gran Torino as he got up and dusted himself off, "The enemy would've been taken out instantly by an attack like that, especially if they were going as fast as me back there. Just don't telegraph like you did just now. Had I been just a little quicker on the draw, you'd have been dead meat, zygote". "I'm sure I would be", said Momo. "I can't for when that happens", said Gran Torino, "If he were here, I'm sure that gorilla zygote would agree". "Izuku? Yes, I suppose so", said Momo. "You suppose so!?", asked Gran Torino, "Lady, I've seen that look in enough people's eyes. He's in love you". "In l...that's impossible", said Momo, "I've seen him look upon others in such a way". "I don't know about that", said Gran Torino, "I just know it takes a special person to make someone feel special". Momo thought about those words for a moment. Izuku was the one who comforted her after Mineta's cruel prank, but at the same time, he was kind to everyone he knew. Though, if you asked Momo, being kind isn't the worst thing one can be. Suddenly, she heard something at the window and looked to see nothing, but taped to the window pane was a letter.
"Looks like you've got your first stalker, zygote", sighed Gran Torino as he looked over the letter, the chicken scratch on it apparently declaring the author's undying love for her, "I've had my share of these kinds of notes back in my youth". "What did you do?", asked Momo. "At first, I ignored them", said Gran Torino, "When that didn't work, I fought back. I was lucky. Only had a couple at a time. Not sure how this might affect you, but Toshi had his share of creeps. If you have any concerns, and I mean ANY, come to him or I." "And if this stalker decides to pay me a visit?", asked Momo. "Give 'em Hell, zygote", smiled Gran Torino.
Elsewhere, Bakugo was not having a good time. Not only was he forced to leave his grenade gauntlets behind, but Uwabami was hogging all the attention as they were patrolling the streets, posing and blowing kisses to photographers. "Remember, if you work hard enough, you'll have fanbase of your very own one day", she said. Bakugo merely scowled as he folded his arms. If he could switch Internships, he would, but that rat of a principal had told him when they started that all decisions were final. Those bitches had tricked him, he realized, too late to do anything about. He was stuck playing dress-up with a snake slut who love no one but the lady in the mirror. Oboro's words echoed in his mind as she smiled for the cameras. She had no right to call herself a Hero when all she did was sit still and look pretty. She didn't have the strength to be a Hero to anyone, not to these photographers, not to the Faunus living in Morei, and sure as Hell not to Bakugo. 'This may be the worst Internship ever', he thought, 'No one else has it as bad as I do'.
On the other side of town, Mineta scowled as he scratched the side of his ribs, the French maid outfit he been forced to wear chaffing at his side. "No slacking", said Mt. Lady as she twirled a whip, "When you're finished scrubbing the floor, clean the toilets inside and out!" "Worthless demon", muttered Mineta under his breath. Mt. Lady then cracked the whip! "Yes ma'am", he said as he scrubbed the floor harder. "Hmm, maybe I should add this to my list of equipment", said Mt. Lady.
"Well, I think that's enough patrolling", said Uwabami. "We've barely done any patrolling", said Bakugo, a low growl evident in his voice. "Nonsense", said Uwabami, "We've done a lot in our short time out here. You've become so patient while we got out pictures taken. I know you're more interested in the combat side of heroics, but that's only a small part of being a Hero. Trust me, you'll be doing most of what we did earlier than just fighting. Now come on. We still need to check up on the agency staff". Bakugo couldn't believe what he just heard. Not only did Uwabami try to lie about how good he was, she lied about there being no fighting in heroics, the bitch. He clenched his fist in rage as he followed her back to her agency, having given up hope that something interesting would happen at this Internship.
Over in Hosu, Iida suited up in his armor. Tonight, Stain was going to pay, not just for what he did to his brother, but for killing all of those heroes. Manuel, a man wearing a green jumpsuit with a fin atop his helmet, would be taking him on patrol as soon as the sun went down. What his mentor didn't realize was that he had a police scanner on his person, and he had been monitoring reports of Stain's activities enough to figure out where he could be heading next. Yoroi Musha usually operated in the western end of Hosu, and his killing of Pop*Step took place in the north. This likely meant he was heading east. Iida's thoughts were interrupted by Manuel's arrival. "You ready, newbie?", he asked. "Absolutely", said Iida.
"The sun sets", declared Dr. Fate, "The anointed time is upon us." "Before we begin", said Monkey as Izuku's face changed, "I need your word that no harm will come to my brother". "Then you shall have it", said Dr. Fate. "Wait, that's it?", asked Monkey. "Oh my Gods, just do the thin already!" "Yeah, hurry up already!", said Jin. "Very well", said Dr. Fate. With the wave of her arms, she summoned a giant pair of scissors above Izuku. She clenched her fist, causing the scissors to close, cutting Izuku and Monkey apart. Izuku looked to see his ape half turn to blue smoke and fly into a small capsule around Dr. Fate's neck. "Will he be OK?", asked Izuku. "Indeed, though you surprise me", said Dr. Fate, "Many people would charge at someone who took their other half, clawing and screaming". "Maybe, but you gave your word to keep us safe", said Izuku, "Not to mention, you're one of the few people to believe in me, so there's that". "Indeed", said Dr. Fate as she pointed at the air, summoning glowing gold portal, "We best be off. The child won't be able to save herself". With that, Dr. Fate, Jin/Twice, and Izuku walked through the portal and into an alleyway.
Momo slipped into the red leather jacket that made up the final portion of her new Hero costume before looking herself over in the mirror. The rectangular holes on the sides of her pant legs provided the right amount of clearance for her skin, while the kneepads would keep her knees from getting cut on concrete or other hard surfaces. The red jacket was zipped up over a top with no back to allow her to create large objects when she opened the flap on the back of her jacket, with the jacket itself covered in zippers along the sleeves and chest. Pretty much the only thing that carried over from her old costume was her tan belt, though the bookshelf had been replaced with a pouch that held her book. "You ready, zygote?", asked Gran Torino from the other room. "I'll be right there", said Momo.
Soon enough, the two of them were walking through a park. "If your stalker is still following us, they won't be able to hide out in the open", said Gran Torino, "Remember, stay where I can see you". "I don't think they're going to come out here", said Momo. "You'd be surprised", said Gran Torino, "Some people are shy and hide away online. But people like your stalker crave the spectacle of a good hunt. Keep eyes peeled and your ears open. A place like this with you in it is like a stadium: all eyes on them". Momo sent out a small surge of One for All throughout her body as she sharpened her senses. She snapped her head back as a shadow passed over her. "It's just a squirrel", said Gran Torino, "Trust me. I have a feeling we'll be meeting our shadow in but a moment". "Well", said Momo as she nervously unzipped part of her sleeve, "I hope they know better than to attack us". "Look on the bright side", said Gran Torino, "We aren't being thrown at the wolves just yet".
Over in Hosu, Dr. Fate tossed a small capsule to Izuku. "When you liberate the child, use that to transport yourselves to the East Side". "What if I need to contact you?", asked Izuku. "My mind can be in many places at once", said Dr. Fate, "Should you require assistance, I will be there. Now, how's our distraction going?" At once, alarms inside the compound went off as at least twelve clones of Twice ran out of the building, followed by several masked goons. "The time is upon us", said Dr. Fate as she summoned some portals, "Go forth, Izuku. Liberate the child". They then both leaped into their respective portals.
Izuku landed in the center of a dark hallway. He hid behind a crate as several Yakuza guards ran past, brandishing swords. Izuku wasn't sure about it, but he thought he heard one say they were being attacked by the shadows. Either way, he carefully made his way down the hall, hoping the sounds of his pounding heart didn't give him away as he got closer to the steel door. The guard nearby was grabbed by his shadow and slammed head-first into the steel door, the after-image of an ankh appearing soon after. "Guess that's what they meant by attacking shadows", mused Izuku as the ankh broke the lock. "Hello?", he asked as he opened the door, "Is there anybody in here?" He heard a shuffling in the corner and looked to see a young girl with a white hair, red eyes, and a single horn growing from her forehead. As Izuku got closer, she shrank in fear against the wall. "It's OK", said Izuku as he held out his hand, "I won't hurt you. I promise. What's your name?" "E...Eri", said the girl fearfully. "My name's Izuku", he said, "I'm going to get you out of here". "Why?", asked Eri, still hugging the wall, "I'll only hurt you. I'm cursed. You should leave me here". "I can't do that", said Izuku gently, "Curse or no curse, I can't let them hurt you again". "But I deserve it", said Eri quietly. Izuku's heart broke at those words, because he knew the feeling all too well. "No one deserves this", said Izuku emphatically, "I'll make sure they won't hurt you if you come with me". He held out his hand, waiting for the girl to take it. Eri slowly crawled over and let Izuku hold her hand before letting him pick her up. Just then, a loud boom filled the air.
Upstairs, Twice had knocked over a table of chemicals, causing them to explode! "Sorry!", he cried. "No I'm not! He doesn't speak for me". Just then, a man with sleeveless, furry shirt, long, black hair, and a gray mask moved in, making some of the clones fall over. "What the Hell?" "Feeling drunk, are you?", asked the masked man sinisterly, "Like you can't stand? Stand up straight!? Same here!" Before the man could ramble some more, a glowing fist sent him flying into the wall, knocking him out instantly as laughter filled the air! As his goons fought off the Twice clones, Overhaul fired at the walls, searching for the source of that sinister laughter! "Show yourself, goddammit!", he shrieked with rage. Suddenly, Jin disappeared through a portal on the ground, along with the fallen members of the Shie Hassaikai as Dr. Fate stepped out of a shadow on the wall!
"Overhaul", Dr. Fate said as she casually used fireballs to knock away his guards, "Your crimes have destroyed the lives of too many people. Your Angel of Death awaits". "Rapper!", cried Overhaul. Just then, a big man with a black mask and flowing, red hair ran over and punched Dr. Fate! She quickly leaped back to her feet and used her energy shields to block two more punches from the Rapper before a third broke them! She then summoned chains that tied the Rapper to the floor as she fired several lighting bolts at him! But then, the Rapper pulled the chains out of the ground and used them like weighted whips, wrapping up Dr. Fate before pulling her into his knee at high speed! Then, the Rapper punched Dr. Fate sending her falling onto the floor! "Hold her still, Rapper", said Overhaul as he removed his glove, "I want to end her personally".
"Monkey, I know you and I aren't on the best of terms, but if he succeeds, the life of that girl and your brother will end. I ask that you lend me your power, if only for this briefest of moments". Suddenly, Dr. Fate snapped the chains, sending a shockwave that sent the Rapper flying back! She then turned into a bigger version of the Green Gorilla, with glowing gold eyes, black skin with gold veins, and a height of at least twenty feet, big enough to stand through the roof of the compound as she let out a fierce roar! "Retreat", said Overhaul as he and the other members of the Shie Hassaikai fled. "Rapper, come on", said a goon with a mask over his mouth and blond hair.
At that moment, Dr. Merlot noticed something on his computer screen. "Looks like your monkey has made another appearance in Hosu", he said. "At last", said Kurogiri, "Send out the Grimm". "Is that really wise?", asked Dabi. "If society is to look upon us as victors, we need to shake it's fragile timbers", said Kurogiri ominously, "Send the Nevermore after the ape and any Beowolves and Death Stalkers are to attack in random areas to keep the other Heroes occupied." "Already on it", said Dr. Merlot. "You do realize that once they realize what we have, they'll never stop coming for us, right?", asked Lady Nagant. "Yes", said Kurogiri, "I almost pity them."
Back at the compound, the Super Green Gorilla slammed her fists onto the roof, raining debris down onto the fleeing Shie Hassaikai! The ape then shrunk back down to her default form, allowing Dr. Fate to take two boxes of bullets and use a fireball to destroy the rest! "Let's see how he makes them on his own", said Dr. Fate as she stepped into a portal.
"Time to go", said Izuku as he held Eri close. Just then, Overhaul kicked down the steel door. "Give that cursed child to me, you dirty heathen!", he screamed wildly. "Not happening", said Izuku as he tightened his grip on the frightened girl, "You will not harm her! You will not touch her! Why!? Because, I am...outta here!" He threw down the capsule and disappeared with Eri in a puff of blue smoke as Overhaul reached for them! He ran through the smoke and touched nothing. "Sir", said one of his goons, "The bullets! They're destroyed". With the loss of his life's work and the only way he could restart it gone, Overhaul did the only thing he could do. As the goon backed away fearfully, Overhaul flipped over the bed, shatter the stone walls with his punches, and shrieked towards the sky!
"Woof, he sounds mad", said Izuku as he and Eri appeared in an alleyway on the other side of Hosu. "What was all that noise?", asked Eri. "Probably my mentor and brother making a mess", said Izuku. "What's a mentor?", asked Eri. "That's someone who's like a teacher", said Izuku, "They take people on as their personal students. When we get out of this, you'll meet another of my mentors". "OK", said Eri, not quite understanding. "Now, just where are we?", asked Izuku as he looked at his phone's map function, "OK, we're in the East Side of Hosu, just a walk away from the lair. We'll be there in no time of we keep walking through the alleys". "What's your brother like?", asked Eri as Izuku carried her down the alleyway. "He's like my other half", said Izuku, "Trust me, when my face turns into something different, that's him talking. Well, that and his voice sounds different than mine. Believe me, you'll know him when you see him".
At the same time, Todoroki and Endeavor were on patrol. "Remember, boy", he said, "The skills Burnin' and I have taught you may be great, but against an opponent like that beast, Midoriya, they may not be enough. The goal after we are done out here is to combine your skills with the flames with your physical prowess". "Yes, Father", said Todoroki flatly. "Mind if I join?", asked a voice. It was Thomas Azure. "Azure", growled Endeavor, his fire growing hotter. "That's my name, don't wear it out", said Thomas with a wink. "What are you doing out here, Sensei?", asked Todoroki. "Oh, just following up on my little chat with your father here", said Thomas with a smile. Before things could get more heated, a loud roar filled the air! Thomas turned and gasped in terror. Endeavor would've reveled in his fear were it not for the attacking Beowolves, wolf-like Grimm that stood on two legs, swinging their deadly claws as a Death Stalker, a Grimm that looked like a scorpion, started smashing buildings with its stinger!
Back at the park, Momo and Gran Torino saw smoke in the horizon. "What the heck is going on over there?", asked Gran Torino. Just then, Momo heard something shuffle past and motioned for Gran Torino. "We're not alone", she said. Suddenly, Momo turned to see a girl with blonde hair in twin buns, a tan cardigan, and black skirt approaching her. "Momo? Is that you?", the girl asked. "Yes?", said Momo, her body tense as the girl got closer, "Why do you ask?" "I was thinking about how cute you look", the girl said, "But you'd look even cuter covered in blood!" Then, she pulled out a knife and leaped forward!
To Be Continued…
Gorilla Fact: Gorilla babies have often been observed playing games similarly to human children. They've been seen playing either tag or doing a conga line through the jungle.