Heyhey! Its been… oh shit its been a month. Went to Tennocon, pretty excited about the Whispers in the Walls and WF 1999. I love that DE continues to expand on the game in new and creative, batshit ways. Story obviously isn't going to rely heavily on WITW, which I accepted when I started to write this, knowing that void content would come out that invalidates my headcanon. It is what it is, I probably wont use anything from the next 2 Warframe major updates unless it works well enough with what I've established. Its fanfiction so I can do what I want, even if I'd rather stick closer to canon. At least we hopefully will get some actual characterization for the man in the wall.
In other news Genshin 4.1 be coming soon, and we will finally get a look at Arlecchino (My beloved). Fontaine has been a blast to play so far, the Archon quest was really good. I've also been playing Guild Wars 2's newest expansion which took some time away from writing.
This chapter will be split into 2 parts.
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CW: Animal experimentation and abuse, graphic human/animal & very graphic human/human violence
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Welcome to Deika City, Home of Detnerat the Meta Liberation Association. As part of a deal struck with the HPSC and Prime Minister, free quirk usage is permitted within city limits. Please keep in mind that traffic and safety laws still apply. Violators will be fined.
Visit the wondrous attractions offered by our humble city. Are you looking for work? Detranet is an equal opportunity employer always looking for new employees regardless of quirk status!
Want to let loose with your meta ability? Head on over to our Stress Release Zone, where you are free to blow away the day's problems. Standard entrance fees apply.
Notice: The Hearts and Minds Party is looking for volunteers for the affordable housing project.
# # # SHOW THIS PAMPHLET TO ANY DEIKA BOOKSTORE TO RECEIVE A 75% DISCOUNT ON YOTSUBASHI RIKIYA'S HIT BOOK: A NEW PATH TO LIBERATION | RE-DEFINING THE MLA # # #
-Deika City Tourism Pamphlet Page 1, 2242
==VI==
[Tau Residence, June 1st, 2242]
"Say, Natah," Ordan asked through bites of sauce-soaked salad. "Have you gone to visit your brother?"
Ignoring his meal's disgusting amount of soy sauce, she shook her head. "According to the doctors, he's still in a coma." Erra's condition hasn't improved mentally. His burns had healed halfway and would still leave some scarring but his mind remained dormant.
"Will you ever go see him?"
She stared out the window, watching Haylee leave to hang out with her friend. "I… I don't know. He's my brother but after what he did…"
That was understandable. Helping a psycho Orokin brainwash your sister into reigniting a system-wide war then draining her life force into your mother's corpse and then trying to enslave said entire system was a bit of a dick move, to put it lightly.
Her whole family situation could be described as a massive clusterfuck. Her father had tried to kill half the people in this house on multiple occasions, and her brother was a manipulative asshole who'd desecrated the corpses of her mentors and murdered her allies. And that was just her biological (mechanical?) family.
On paper, Haylee was Natah's child. Most of the Zariman children had never met the Lotus in person, but nearly all shared the love for their surrogate mother. Haylee was no different, but she was still fiercely independent. Natah spent most of her time in hero training with Ordan. It didn't seem like Haylee had a problem with the amount of time spent with them as long as she knew they were coming back. After all she and Natah had been through it was understandable that she had separation anxiety. If Haylee was awake when they returned from training she would hug them, and sometimes she would sneak into their rooms at night to sleep at the foot of their bed.
Neither Natah nor Ordan knew how to approach it. He'd never had kids, and while Natah styled herself a mother she had very little experience in parenting. They didn't want to push Haylee into something she wasn't comfortable with, and the girl seemed fine with them being in her life, but that was all.
If they couldn't be her family, they would be her friends. Speaking of friends, he was absolutely overjoyed that Haylee had one. He hadn't met this "Midoriya" kid yet, (and no, he wasn't counting lying on the beach half-dehydrated and atrophied as a meeting) but he seemed like a good kid from what he'd heard.
"Ordan." Natah tapped him on the forehead. "You spaced out again."
"Ah, sorry. What were we talking about again?"
Sometimes he forgot he wasn't a Cephalon anymore and went into long inner monologues. His brain worked faster than the average human but he couldn't change his perception of time like he used to.
"Erra."
"Oh right, your brother -the asshole- deserves what happened to him. If he kicks the bucket tomorrow I wouldn't shed a single tear. That said, he is still your brother. Even if you won't ever forgive him for what he did to you, you should at least get some closure in case he doesn't pull through."
Natah idly stirred her drink. "I'll… think about it."
==VI==
Hunhow sat outside on the bench. Another day stuck in this home, but free from the nuisances of the Tenno girl and the Cephalon. Sometimes he wished he was still buried under Uranus's deep oceans. It was preferable to being forced to live among humans. To make matters worse his daughter was still insistent on her hero career. Despite his promise to not hurt the humans it did nothing to erase his utter contempt for them.
Like most days, everyone was out of the house. Hunhow (barely) entertained himself by watching human television or reading books Natah brought him. Sometimes he just sat outside for hours on end watching the birds that landed in the garden. The silence made living here almost bearable. Almost.
Ding dong!
His peaceful Sunday morning was interrupted by the chiming of the doorbell. Natah told him that he needed to answer it in case it was something important like a delivery. He opened the door. No one was there. His anger flared. "A waste of my time."
"Down here, Mr. Tau!" A voice squeaked from below. He looked down to see the creature from that blasted hero school smiling at him. The mammal waved at him.
"That's right. It's me, Nezu, the one who could be a dog or a mouse or a bear, but more importantly... I'm the principal!"
Hunhow stared down at him. "I do not care for your theatrics. What do you want?" He growled. Natah or Ordan usually dealt with those two heroes when they did their checkups.
"You've done very well these past few weeks in staying to your agreement, so I thought I would come to have a little chat!" The rodent squeaked. "Follow me, the car is waiting."
Hunhow's wrist monitor beeped, signaling he was allowed to leave the premises of the house. "Where are we going?"
"To see your son of course!" The door to the vehicle popped open and he hopped inside, motioning for the destroyer to join him.
==VI==
"It will be a somewhat long drive to the hospital. Tea?" Nezu offered a steaming cup that he'd whipped out from an unknown location. Begrudgingly he accepted.
The two were seated across from each other in the car. The driver's compartment was sealed off, allowing the two complete privacy.
Hunhow tipped his head back and let the drink drain into his throat to avoid spilling it.
"Interesting. One of the heroes teaching at U.A. has the same issue with drinking." Nezu said, thinking of Ectoplasm.
Uninterested, Hunhow simply nodded. "Seeing my son is not the only reason you came today. So I will reiterate. What do you want?" His four eyes bored into the small white-furred creature before him.
"I supposed nothing gets past you." Nezu chuckled. "My reasons for coming here are only partially altruistic. Partially to allow you to visit your child, but I also am here to sate my own curiosity about you. Tell me, Mr. Tau, why do you hate humans?"
"I believe Natah has already informed you."
Nezu nodded. "She told us parts of her history, but I wanted to hear your perspective."
"And I do not feel like sharing my reasoning with you."
Nezu poured some sugar into his tea and slowly stirred it before taking a sip. "I see. If you don't wish to talk, that's fine. However, I would like you to listen to what I have to say."
Hunhow grumbled.
"Did you know that several agencies have classified you as an SSSS-Rank Supernatural threat? They had to make an entirely new threat category just for you."
The original ranking system for villains was F to SSS, and the same scale was applied to non-quirk supernatural threats as well. F-Ranks were generally harmless small-time criminals, while an S-Rank required at least one top ten Pro hero to face. SS-Ranked threats were city destroyers and SSS-Ranks could take on an entire nation's armed forces. Hunhow's new rank put him as a threat to multiple countries.
"Riveting. Why is this important to me?" Hunhow asked in a bored tone.
"It means that the organizations that run the world behind the scenes are watching you. You are a potential global threat bound by the word of one woman. Forgive me, but that doesn't inspire confidence."
It would've been so much easier to kill Hunhow while he was starving. Admittedly that was a mistake, but not one he'd made lightly. Natah had been fully willing to kill her father and he could've instructed her to carry the deed out instead of talking the Destroyer of Worlds down. The only reason he didn't was the slight possibility that, no matter how confident Natah was that she could kill or cripple a weakened Hunhow, she could be wrong. Given the results, he believed he made the right call.
But that was a decision that only some of those in charge agreed with. Understandably, they'd been furious he let such a threat live. Others understood the pressure and time constraint he was under. He also had a selfish reason of satisfying his own curiosity. Said curiosity had no influence over his decision though. It was simple logic based on the information he had that trying to kill Hunhow would've ended up badly for everyone involved.
There was still a contingency for killing him, although it was far more expansive than the original plan. It involved the world's top heroes, both current and retired along with the military of several countries. All Might, Endeavor, and Rex Lapis would draw Hunhow's attention, allowing Alice and Star and Stripe to use their powerful reality-bending quirks to cripple Hunhow's damage adaptation. Then several thermonuclear missiles would be deployed to put him down for good. The plan was an absolute last resort, as it would likely kill all the involved heroes as well as millions of civilians and reduce Japan at the minimum to an uninhabitable wasteland.
Or they could get Hunhow on their side for good. It wasn't the first time that they allowed good or neutral-leaning supernatural beings to live among them or allow certain… concessions for those that weren't worth the effort of putting them down.
"Simply put, they are worried if something… unfortunate happens to Natah that you will rescind your promise." Honesty was the best policy in dealing with Hunhow. "In such a case you will be eliminated."
Nezu felt a sudden pressure from the killing intent Hunhow exuded. The man leaned in close across the car cabin, inches away from his face.
"You dare to threaten me, rodent? You're playing a very dangerous game."
Every instinct told Nezu that he should run, or that the predator in front of him was so dangerous that he was already dead. He ignored it and met Hunhow's fury with a smile.
Hunhow stared him in the eyes for a few seconds, the mammal before him not betraying any fear. "Hrmph. Impressive." The murderous aura faded. "I thought you were bluffing or a fool. It seems you are neither. You do possess the means to kill me, although I doubt it would be easy." The fact that Nezu had stood up to him, unflinching showed the creature had guts. Either that or he was suicidally insane. "You have my attention. Continue."
Nezu gave a him a toothy grin. "With the risk you pose, they are willing to strike a deal to ensure your continued pacifism. Per the agreement between the two of us, you will be allowed to leave your home and live among humans. They simply want to know your intentions should that happen."
Hunhow glanced out the tinted windows, watching the humans wandering the streets as they drove by. "Truly, I haven't put much thought into it. I am not Natah. She actually likes Humanity for some reason. My children are the only thing I care about, so if I must… tolerate them to be with my family, I will. I wouldn't expect you to understand."
Nezu raised an eyebrow. "Really? Allow me to humor you with a story..."
==VI==
30 years ago…
"Once upon a time, in a faraway lab, a certain test animal was born with a quirk."
A blue-gloved hand reached into the cage, pulling a small shivering white-furred animal out.
"Fascinating. Finally, after countless years, I've finally done it! A quirked animal that can understand human speech!"
"Animals with quirks were nothing new. They were, however, very rare and only as intelligent as they need to be to use their quirks. I was born with a quirk called High-Spec that granted me intelligence far beyond most humans. Of course, it didn't come immediately."
The rodent was strapped to a table below an array of long pointed needles. Its beady eyes filled with terror as it processed the new environment around it. Behind the scientist, a floating green torso appeared and pulled syringes from its hands.
"My intelligence didn't come with a way to speak. The lead scientist used his "quirk" to steal traits from other animals, as well as a human for their vocal cords. I believe I used to be a stoat before the alterations."
Months passed, and the chimera went from a small blob of white fur to what he is today. All the while undergoing numerous tests by the scientists there. They made him do mazes standard for lab animals before moving on to language and eventually higher-level things like math and engineering.
"The scientists worked for a now thankfully defunct pharmaceutical company, which had a long history of attempting to make humans immortal for hundreds of years. They whispered about "the perfect life form" or something like that. Nothing that you need to worry about, Mr. Tau. Regardless, my existence was nothing more than a side project for those scientists. The lab and all their tests were all I knew. I wasn't taught anything about the outside world."
"Alright, back in the cage Subject 6." One of the scientists pointed to the steel cage. "Go on, get!"
The chimera looked up from the screen he was working on. "No," He squeaked. "I want to finish this."
"Dammit, get in the fucking cage!" The masked scientist shouted. "Shifts almost over and I wanna go home…" The man muttered under his breath. He grabbed ketch-all pole from the wall and approached the animal.
"As much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't nearly as refined as I am now. I learned everything they taught me very quickly, but I was still an animal. And when animals get cornered…"
The scientist did what he and his peers had done countless times. Subject 6 watched out of the corner of his beady eyes as the loop approached. When it got close, he darted out of the way and tried to scurry between the man's legs.
"Little shit!"
The scientist reached down and grabbed the chimera by the scruff of his neck all while the animal hissed and clawed at the man. He wriggled his body, trying to break free, and nicked the man in the leg with his claw.
"Motherfuc-"
The scientist opened the cage and haphazardly tossed Subject 6 inside before slamming the door shut.
"You rabid little freak," The man growled while clutching his leg. "You think you're special just cause you got brains? You're nothing but an abomination we cooked up in the lab. If we tell you to do something, you do it." He slammed the door shut and shut off the lights, leaving Subject 6 shivering in the dark and nursing a few new bruises.
"I quickly grew to hate the scientists there, but I was smart enough not to show it. They believed I was their property, so I played the part. When they tested me, I downplayed my intelligence, all the while my quirk grew with me. Until one day…"
He'd swiped multiple electronic scraps from the devices the scientists made him build. Apparently, his size made him the ideal candidate for maintenance, albeit with a shock collar on to keep him in line. They put their guard down around him, all while his intelligence grew.
He played their game long enough, and finally one day they slipped up. He stole a keycard from one of the scientists on the day some important investor was due to arrive. With a beep and a click, the lock to his cage slid open. He immediately darted toward the wall vent. The vents were small enough that only he wouldn't be followed, just like when they made him do repairs for their machines.
Subject 6 spared a cursory glance toward the other caged animals. Some stared back with unintelligent eyes, others cowered in the back of their cages.
"I'd only been taught practical science skills. In terms of experience, I'd say I was about as smart as the average college student pursuing a degree in science. It was all I knew. I wasn't like the other animals. They didn't see me as one of them. I was either prey or too much like the humans that tormented them daily." Nezu sipped some of his tea. "And I had no concept of empathy."
If he freed the others they would only be a hindrance or slight distraction. His time was limited. If they hadn't noticed his escape on the cameras yet they would soon. He was riding on the hope that they were distracted by their visitor to notice. All he needed to do was find a way to the control room. The chimera froze in the vent, sensing several individuals walking beneath him. A hooded man in a black trenchcoat accompanied by several scientists.
"My master is very interested in your research in quirked animals. Despite their rarity, your organization has been able to procure multiple prime specimens." The hooded man asked.
"Mr. Razor, while we appreciate your benefactor's interest, surely he would find our research on immortality far more beneficial to-"
The scientist was cut off as he was lifted and slammed against the wall by an unseen force while several knives floated by his neck.
"You would do well not to presume my master's desires. He knows of Nebula's past research and has found it… lacking. You offer nothing that he does not already possess." Razor held out a hand and the knives retreated back into his coat. The scientist dropped back to the ground on his hands and knees. "Now, tell me. What quirked animals do you currently possess, and can you breed them to produce quirks en-mass?" He asked another scientist, Subject 6 recognized as the one who created him.
"W-well, currently we have six quirked specimens. We have a weasel with a lightning quirk, a turtle with a stealth quirk, two foxes with hardening quirks, a dog with extendable whiskers, and our prize specimen, a chimera I made with my power with a quirk that grants him intelligence on par with a human." The man gulped. "I can remove biological traits and organs from one creature and transfer them to another."
Razor approached the nervous scientist, backing him up against the wall. "Does this include the ability to transfer quirks?" He asked angrily.
"N-no! That would be a death sentence if I tried to do that!" The man exclaimed.
"Why would it… ah, I see now." Razor backed off, allowing the man to breathe a sigh of relief. "The ability to give and take quirks is a power that only my master is worthy of. It would've been unfortunate if you had been a possible rival." He threatened in a tone of near-fanatical reverence before pausing. "Then how was it you were able to acquire so many quirked animals?"
"Selective breeding based on survival of the fittest along with several genetic improvements with my ability, at least with the chimera. The rest were naturally born. Unfortunately, our attempts to pass the quirks to their offspring have been unsuccessful so far, and impossible with the chimera. Overuse of my abilities makes a creature infertile, especially with hybridization. That thing is like a mule or… well you get the idea."
Razor nodded.
Subject 6 used that opportunity to scurry further down the vent while the group continued on.
==VI==
There was one guard in the control room, lazily flipping between the security screens. Nothing ever happened in the labs. He clicked past the quirked animal block, before quickly backtracking once he realized what he saw.
Subject 6's cage was empty.
"Shit!" The man reached for his radio only to be interrupted by the overhead vent slamming into his head. He fell to the floor, dazed and bleeding from a shallow cut on his head. "What the-"
Subject 6 pounced at the downed man, jabbing a sharpened piece of metal into the guard's throat. He gagged as blood began to fill his lungs. His attempts to put pressure on the wound were negated by two slashes to his tendons and a swift cut to his jugular. By that point, he'd already passed out from the pain and by Subject 6's calculations, he would bleed out in a minute or two.
Ignoring the dying man, he hopped up onto the control console. This station had absolute control over every security aspect of the facility. Door controls, air filtration… and defense systems. He also had access to everyone's security credentials and profiles for their quirks.
"I had my first taste of freedom and all the tools at my disposal to stop the scientists from hurting me ever again. I'd never used their system before, but thankfully I was a quick learner."
From his view of the cameras, he could see the tour group approaching the animal testing area. It was likely they were going to show their intimidating visitor the quirked animals. It sure would be a shame if he were to disable their security clearance once they entered…
He turned up the volume slider while his gaze darted around to the other screens, clicking on the boxes highlighting each scientist to see their quirk and preparing a strategy to eliminate each group throughout the complex. With a few keystrokes, the room with a fire-quirked scientist began to vent pure oxygen. In another room, the machines began to kick into overdrive while the exits and vents locked. All across the compound the sentry turrets and traps activated, waiting for his signal.
"And this is where we have our specimens." The lead scientist gestured to the cages, before noticing the absence of one chimera. "What!"
The door sealed itself shut behind the group.
"What is the meaning of this!" Razor whirled around and grabbed the scientist by the throat. Two spectral hands emerged and grasped at the villain's arm only for the cloaked man to slide back and pin the scientist against the wall with his knives.
"This isn't us!" One of the other scientists explained.
"Correct!" Subject 6's voice echoed from the intercom. "Hello everyone!" His voice could be heard in every room throughout the facility. Judging by the panicked and confused expressions on the cameras, many realized the doors weren't working.
"What the hell?" One of the men shouted at the lead scientist. "Since when is he smart enough to override our security!?"
The man paled, realizing how it had transpired. "Dear god, he hid his true intelligence from us."
Subject 6 cackled. "I see one of you figured it out! Do you want some extra snacks as a reward?"
The lead scientist used his ability to free himself from the knives pinning him to the wall. "You!" He pointed to one of the scientists. "Get that door open."
One of the subordinate scientists ran over to the door panel and began to type in the emergency codes.
"Oh, I don't think so!" The chimera chimed in over the intercom. With a flash the controls on the door exploded in the man's face, killing him instantly. "You all are going to be good little test subjects for me now." He giggled.
"Shit shit shit!" The lead scientist stammered. "He's in the control room!" His gaze shifted to Razor. "We need to get out of here. He has access to everything!" He froze in fear from the sheer killing intent pouring from the villain.
"I do not take orders from you, scientist, especially not when it's your incompetence that led to this situation in the first place. I will take care of your vermin problem because it affects me, and trust me, my master will hear of this assuming I don't kill you myself. Consider our offer of partnership terminated!" He placed his hand in front of the door, the reinforced material crumpling under the telekinetic pressure until it came loose. He waved his other hand, ripping one of the cages off the wall and hurtling it through the door. The cage caught the upper body of one of the scientists who wasn't paying attention and sent him splattering against the door, breaking it off the mount and flying into the hallway.
He turned to the remaining scientists. "Prove yourselves useful and I will spare your lives" Razor grabbed the lead scientist by the collar of his labcoat and dragged him out. "Tell me where to go, you cretin."
==VI==
This was turning out far better than he expected. The scientists were scrambling around the labs trying to escape, their former projects turning into death traps. Most had already been killed during attempts to get to the surface. The only group that had made any headway was Razor's group. The villain was the only person he had no file on but it seemed he had a powerful telekinesis quirk that grew stronger the closer he was.
"This might be a problem…"
Of the original group, only three remained. The head scientist, one of his assistants, and Razor. The other two assistants had been killed by an electrical trap a few floors down. With the progress they were making, perhaps it was time to consider escape. Did the labs have a self-destruct protocol?
On the screen, the group progressed to the next hallway only for two machine guns to pop down from the ceiling. Razor and the head scientist were able to protect themselves with their abilities but the remaining lackey wasn't so lucky and was shredded by the gunfire. Razor pushed with both hands and sent the bullets flying back into the gun emplacements.
"I'm getting tired of this shit!" Razor yelled. "Fuck your experiment. When we find that little rat he's dead!"
The remaining scientist glared at the villain. "If anyone's killing him it's going to be me. Then I can salvage something out of this mess." He spat with newfound confidence. Apparently, when he got angry enough he was able to stand up to Razor's death threats.
Suddenly an explosion rocked the facility. One of the labs that Subject 6 pumped full of pure oxygen had detonated thanks to a panicking scientist with a fire quirk, just as planned. The resulting blast took out most of the lower floors, and since he'd disabled the fire suppressants the rest of the facility would fall soon after. The last thing he does before disabling the computer system is clear a path for his escape.
==VI==
"Of course, my luck wouldn't last."
The sound of a door being telekinetically ripped from its housing echoed through the loading docs. He should've known they would catch up to him. Razor emerged from the cloud of smoke followed by the coughing scientist. His mask was cracked and cloak tattered from the flames of the burning labs.
"You!" Razor screeched. "I'm going to skin you alive you little fuck!" The villain's right eye was visible and bloodshot from the smoke. He'd lost what little semblance of reasoning he had left. A sliver of a smile could be seen as the man realized the creature at the other end of the docs was trapped. The doors were still sealed and he could see the white-furred experiment attempting to bypass the lockdown.
Subject 6 turned and glanced back, a glimmer of fear showed for a split second in his beady eyes. The doors would be locked down for a few more minutes, so he needed to stall. If either of them got within range it would be over. He knew the doctor's power all too well from the modifications the man had done to his body. Razor's quirk was some sort of telekinesis with an unknown range. He obviously couldn't reach him from across the bay but that wouldn't stop him from throwing things at him.
"Your death will be slow. I'll your flesh off one strip at a time… no… that would ruin your pelt… I'll pull all your organs out and stuff you… slowly." Razor cackled, trying to think of the most painful way to preserve Subject 6's corpse while inflicting the maximum amount of pain.
"I told you I would deal with him." Razor had completely forgotten the scientist behind him was still alive. Even then, he'd discounted the man as a pathetic weakling and hadn't realized the man was using Razor.
"『Super Freak』!" Razor felt a large syringe jab through his back armor and something shifted in his body. His legs immediately gave out and he crumpled to the floor.
"What… what did you do?" He gasped. The figure behind the scientist reeled a cord with a needle tip into its fists.
The scientist struck a pose by one of the pallets. "Leg muscles from an arthritic dachshund, paralyzing venom gland from a quirk enlarged spider, and a brain tumor from a dying cancer patient, along with the genes for an advanced case of cystic fibrosis. Congratulations, you're a chimera now."
Razor tried to speak but all that came out was foam. The venom was making it hard to breathe. He'd landed next to an oxygen tank dangerously close to the encroaching flames.
"I can't have you destroy my hard work. Subject 6 is too valuable for you to kill, and I do need something to deliver to your master after this… debacle. A shame, you were useful in aiding my escape from that death trap…"
"Razor, you must be wary. If you encounter a stand user, you must be on guard, for their abilities do things that even quirks cannot accomplish…" Razor remembered his master's warning.
He'd let his rage blind him, and the scientist had used him to escape the labs unharmed. That slimy fuck was trying to salvage something to deliver to All For One to secure a place at the Demon Lord's side now that the lab was a lost cause. He could still use his quirks… and kill that-
Razor didn't finish that though as the oxygen tank next to him detonated, tearing his arm off and leaving a gaping hole in his ribs. His limp body smacked into a pile of crates with a sickening crunch.
Subject 6 looked back to see his tormentor approaching.
"Subject 6… look at all the trouble you've caused!" The scientist and the entity behind him clapped their hands. "To think you've been hiding just how intelligent you truly are. I'm almost proud like a parent watching their child win their first softball game." He mused before his expression shifted to anger. "But I cannot allow some lab rat to outwit me in my own facility. Don't worry, you won't die, but I can't have you ruining anything else." The thing behind the doctor extended its arm, tentacle syringes extending from its knuckles.
"I was cornered, and there wasn't anything I could do to stop him."
Subject 6 threw a piece of scrap at it, but it was punched out of the way.
"I think I'll have 『Super Freak』 remove all your ligaments so you can't move."
The needles were just about to make contact…
Shunk!
『Super Freak』 faded away and the doctor looked down at his stomach to see the jagged metal pipe sticking out of his gut, turning his white labcoat a deep red. "What!?" He coughed and whirled around, summoning his stand just in time to deflect more pipes flying at him.
"Dorudorudorudorudorudoru!" The stand cried out, knocking most of the pipes away and blocking the rest which bounced harmlessly off its body.
The doctor collapsed to his knees. "How the hell… are you still alive?"
Across the room, Razor hovered in the air, streams of blood swirling in and out of the holes in his body. Blood leaked from his wounds constantly, only to be caught by the floating stream swirling in and around his body. "If… I'm… dyin… taking you… both.. with me…"
"He shouldn't be able to move with everything I did to him! Wait… don't tell me… he's using his quirk to puppet his body and keep himself from bleeding out?! How is he still conscious, the pain-" The paralyzing venom. It had a numbing effect. The gland he'd inserted into Razor's body was supplying him with a constant stream of venom, and numbing the pain blistering pain of a gaping chest wound. "And still, he's keeping himself from bleeding out and breathing with a missing lung just with his quirk! He must be running purely off autopilot, and it won't last long… but he doesn't care about surviving."
Another round of pipes and tools rose up around Razor, forming a shield. With a sudden burst of speed, he hurtled himself across the room, blood and scrap flowing around him.
"Shit! I need to kill him here and now." He looked down at the pipe embedded in his stomach. "If I kill him, 『Super Freak』can seal the wound before I bleed out. Razor is running on pure instinct, and his body won't last."
Subject 6, seeing an opening on the distracted doctor, leaped at his exposed back with claws extended right as Razor charged forward.
"Dorudorudorudorudorudoru!" his stand punched the incoming scrap to the side. The doctor staggered back, attempting to stay outside the range of Razor's quirk. Subject 6 slammed into his back and began to claw away, sending both of them stumbling toward Razor.
"You stupid rat! You're going to get us both killed!" He reached back only for his arms to be restrained by Razor's quirk. A wave of intense pressure washed over his body. Before he could utter another word Razor crushed his entire body into the ground. His stand screeched and turned to dust leaving only Subject 6 floating in the air.
Razor looked absolutely dreadful. Awakening his quirk and pushing far beyond its limits had rapidly deteriorated his mental state. His right eye had completely ruptured and viscous blood was leaking from his nose. His remaining eye was glassy and unfocused. It was obvious he was on death's door.
"You… little… fuck…" He gurgled. He raised a finger, sending a jagged piece of metal slashing across his right eye. "Peel your… skin off…" The villain coughed, before dropping Subject 6 to the floor. The man collapsed, hitting the ground and splattering the area with his floating blood.
"After killing the scientist, he attempted to torture me. Fortunately, his body gave out before he could deal any lasting damage."
==VI==
A few minutes later the door to the secret lab opened. A small white-furred mammal scurried out to see the sun for the first time.
==VI==
"I fail to see why you are so endeared to humans after suffering under them during your upbringing," Hunhow grumbled. "Why do you debase yourself to live among those who tortured you for years? Does the constant reminder of their actions not grate on you? Do you not desire to return the pain inflicted on you a thousandfold?"
Nezu stared at him with those beady little eyes of his. "At first, yes, I did want them to suffer." The car rolled to a stop in front of the hospital entrance. "But that was me that knew nothing of the real world. The first few years were an adjustment, but eventually, I realized something. If I were to seek revenge and return that pain to them, would I be any better than they were?"
Hunhow stayed silent.
Nezu rubbed his paws together. "Now, I think your son has waited long enough, hasn't he? I think our little discussion can wait until later."
==========================VI==========================
Lawful good MLA? How the hell did that happen? Go go gadget canon divergence.
Villains Introduced (and summarily killed off:
Nebula Lead Scientist:
Stand:
『Super Freak』(Named after song by Rick James)
Has the ability to remove organs, genetic traits, and diseases from humans and animals and insert them into a new host via the corded needle tendrils that emerge from its fists. Does not work on transferring quirks for reasons that will be established later.
Stand cry is part of the romaji for ニードル (Needle) Nīdoru.
In Durarara!'s Naritaverse (or more specifically in the prequel Bacano!), Nebula was an organization that used its cover as a company to research immortality. Here, the immortals from Baccano don't exist, so instead they are an offshoot founded by a former Member of the Speedwagon foundation who fled during the dawn of quirks. They still are trying to get immortality but they go off SWF data on beings like Kars and DIO (among other monsters in this fic). All For One only noticed them when he and the Doctor were getting started on quirk experiments for pre-nomu (They are not based in Japan, the facility Nezu was in was in China).
The scientist acted submissive but when his research was threatened he was the more dangerous opponent once he got the drop on Razor, especially since Razor could not directly damage his stand. He had a vast collection of samples to put into Razor to put him out of commission. He doesn't get a name because he's a bitch.
Razor:
Quirk: TK Field
Razor has a powerful telekinetic field that surrounds him in a circle. He can extend it like a rubber band, strengthening it in some parts while leaving other parts undefended. Think of it like a radar chart you would see in an RPG for stat alignments. As shown, once he went under a quirk awakening he was able to use it to keep his blood flowing outside his body and keep himself alive despite being paralyzed, crippled, and dying.
Razor is fiercely loyal to AFO, being one of his lieutenants about 30y pre-story start. He has no relation to the Genshin character. He was sent to recruit Nebula into AFO's fold to assist in quirk research. Due to Nezu's breakout, AFO's research was delayed and he had to rely solely on Garaki's efforts.
Originally he was a character I came up with for something else with no powers, just a guy in a cloak who was really good with a knife named… Slice. Since MHA already had a character named that I changed his name to Razor, completely forgetting about the Genshin character (I'm not changing it again.)
Tune in next time for Hunhow visiting his comatose son and Nezu making a dangerous power play!