Welcome back to "Through the Rough", everyone! Last time, our heroes were still reeling from their first encounter with the villains, with some big secrets being revealed. And from here on out, things aren't gonna be the same.
Now it's time for Class 1-A and the Shining Star Heroes to fight with all they've got against their foes, and likely, against their demons. They'll have to go beyond in order to win, so let's see if they can! Enjoy!
THROUGH THE ROUGH
With his few dozen drones roaming about, Killer was scanning the factory upon the island, narrowing his eyes curiously. Standing behind him were Wizard, Clown, and Brigandine.
"Anything?" the former inquired.
"They were there," the Master Code Quirk user confirmed in response, "Seems we'll joining Nine and his troupe to the peninsula after all," he added, chuckling a little.
"We should've done them in a bit more, it seems…" Clown realized, stretching his arms.
"It matters not," Brigandine stated, "There is no honor in trickery for battle," he proclaimed.
"Ugh, you're all about that sentimental crap…" Killer muttered.
"Enough," Wizard said, getting his colleagues' attentions, "Today, we're ending this," he declared, raising his staff up high, "We kill the Shining Stars, finally severing that tie to Ziggy they have," he affirmed, "And with that, we'll truly be satisfied," he added as seagulls flocked on the coast, flying off.
"I'll keep drones posted around the main island then," Killer decided, tapping icons upon the holographic screen over his arm, "Something tells me those kids could be hatching a plan here," he noted, narrowing his eyes.
"Heeheehee…" Clown giggled, "Well, don't let us ruin your fun…" he remarked, heading off alongside Wizard and Brigandine. The Master Code Quirk user scoffed. At that moment, he noticed the seagulls coming towards him, flying by and squawking.
"Ugh…" he groaned, "We could've just ended things last night…" he complained. However, he blinked in surprise, taking notice of something from within the bird flock. It was an armored Weisz, who dove down to his shock, punching him squarely in the face and sending him flying back. He crashed into the factory in a flurry of dirt and dust, tumbling to a stop upon his back. "Gah…!" he yelped out in pain, slowly getting to his feet.
"Sorry about the sucker punch," a familiar voice apologized, getting his attention as he turned to see Hermit walking out from the shadows with Koji, "But we figured you were gonna pull some tricks," she mentioned as she placed her hands onto her hips, equipping her Battle Dress.
"Inja…" Killer growled. Weisz then leapt into the building, landing behind him.
"Her name's Hermit, you jerk," he pointed out as he clenched his fists, "And weren't you two friends?" he inquired on to the Dark Star's surprise, "She told us her story with you," he mentioned, taking on a ready stance, "Sounds to me like you were close," he added curiously.
"Hmph," Killer scoffed, readying his tentacle-like appendage, "That was a long time ago," he noted, "And besides," he continued, "I don't have all those memories like Inja does…" he affirmed, "It'll take more than just words to convince me to stop…" he proclaimed, drawing energy blades from his arms.
"I see then," Hermit said, stepping forward and letting a light envelop her body. The Dark Star turned to her, widening his eyes. Under his helmet, Weisz widened his. The female android's appearance had changed, with her gaining an older looking body, her hair became more voluminous and longer. A pair of wing-like protrusions appeared on her upper arms and a pair of rabbit ear-like extensions from her headphones.
"Whoa…" Koji uttered out.
"Th-Th-That's your… Overdrive?!" Weisz stammered in shock.
"You're kidding…" Killer growled out. His opponent cracked a smirk, putting her hands onto her widened hips.
"What, you can't do this, too?" she inquired of him, "Too bad…" she remarked with a wink. The Dark Star lunged out at her with his blades at the ready. However, she blocked them with her arms, much to his shock. "Anima! Arsenal!" she called out, "Take out the rest of the drones!" she advised of her students, "I'll handle him," she promised.
"Understood, Hermit!" Koji responded.
"Y-Yeah, got it…" Weisz stammered, still sounding a bit shocked by the Master Code Quirk user's appearance. Killer growled.
"Why you…" he snarled.
"Hm," Hermit huffed, "And here I thought you liked girls like this…" she commented.
X
Using her bladed hair like stilts to raise herself up high, Kiruka looked into a pair of binoculars to see what was going on at the peninsula. It was the only other place to look after she, Chojuro and Nine had discovered the whole island had seemingly been abandoned. As she continued her observation, her two comrades stood off and stared towards the peninsula in the distance. The masked man of the group glanced back, seeing the trio of Dark Stars approaching. He narrowed his eyes curiously.
"Where's the other one?" he inquired.
"Killer's scouting the main island in case our enemies are attempting to try anything," Wizard answered as he came to a stop.
"Should we check in on him?" Clown inquired curiously.
"Delay that," Nine insisted in response, "I'm certain that all of them are at the main island now," he affirmed, clenching his fists, "Slice," he called out, enticing Kiruka to make her way over, with her bladed hair still acting as stilts before she lowered he feet to the sandy ground.
"They've set up base at the mountain," she told him, "The boy's there," she added. The multi-Quirk user narrowed his eyes onto the ruins in the distance.
"Then let's proceed," he advised, leading the way as his comrades followed behind him. From the castle ruins, everyone had moved into their designated positions. Izuku was with Katsuma and Mahoro atop the highest plateau of the area, looking over the wall. Mezo, Kyoka, Rebecca and Mashirao were also there, with the former three acting as reconnaissance as they used their senses of sight, hearing, and smell respectively. The Dupli-Arms Quirk user was looking through a scope at his right eye, gasping lightly as he noticed something.
"There they are," he said, seeing that Nine and his cohorts were approaching the peninsula, "There's six of them," he pointed out, "They're taking the path you predicted," he added to Izuku, who stood defensively in front of Katsuma and Mahoro.
'Yaoyorozu, Aoyama…' he uttered inwardly, 'we're counting on you!' he exclaimed through his thoughts. Further down the mountain, the Creation Quirk user was looking through her own scope at their oncoming foes. She looked absolutely exhausted, ready to pass out at any moment as sweat trickled down her body.
"Okay…" she breathed out, kneeling atop a hill as she was perched over something large blanketed by a camouflage covering, "we've only got twenty seconds…" she pointed out, "Get ready…" she advised to Yuga, who was positioned behind a stone pillar, nervously awaiting his part of the plan, "Navel Laser to max output…" the class deputy instructed, enticing him to make the opening at the center of his belt glow a bright, sparkling blue.
"Energy charge…" he grunted out, sounding strained as the light grew brighter. The villains had arrived at the peninsula, now making their way up the mountain.
"Five… four… three… two… one…!" Momo tiredly counted off as Yuga grimaced with agony from readying his laser. With that signal, he stepped out from behind the pillar, aiming the opening towards their foes.
"Allons-y, Can't Stop Twinkling!" he exclaimed, "It's… my SUPERNOVA!" he roared, unleashing a giant laser beam that streaked down. Nine merely lifted his right hand and formed a set of layered energy barriers to block it, while Clown, Brigandine, Kiruka and Chojuro hopped back. It didn't seem to faze the masked villain as he stood firm and unaffected, as Wizard stood behind him. Yuga felt his stomach strain from the continuous blast, gritting his teeth. But he was determined to push through it. The openings at his shoulders and knees started to glow brightly. "Plus… ULTRAAAAAAAAA!" he screamed, now firing off multiple rays down at his foes. They caused Clown, Brigandine, Chojuro and Kiruka to run off in opposite directions in order to evade them, also avoiding the resulting explosions.
"Attacking from a distance…" the Armor Quirk user noted aloud.
"Heehee…" Clown giggled, "They're certainly feeling feisty after yesterday…" he remarked with a wide grin.
"Don't lower your guards!" Wizard advised seriously, "I'll stay with Nine for the time being," he decided, stepping forward and raising his staff. Rather easily, he began absorbing the laser beam that his masked colleague was blocking.
"Ah!" Yuga yelped, "This is bad!" he exclaimed in panic.
"Just keep firing!" Momo insisted, readying herself as she grabbed the camouflage blanket, "We have to make them think this is our only option…" she grunted out, "This is it!" she yelled, taking off the camouflage covering to reveal a pair of long-barreled cannons, "I made these… using the last of my lipids!" she grunted out, grasping their handles, "One final attack… and then I'm spent!" she shouted, pulling the handles down to fire. One shot just missed Kiruka and Clown by a half a dozen yards as an explosion of fire engulfed the area behind them.
"Terrible shot!" the former remarked as she turned around… and then the ground beneath her feet shifted, "What?!" she screamed before the ground caved in, with her and the android falling down, though the latter chuckled all the way. Meanwhile, the shot headed towards Chojuro and Brigandine actually exploded just behind them, propelling them over a hill as they fell into the trees. The bulky android took hold of his colleague as they fell, with a plume of dust erupting soon after. Momo fell onto her knees and panted heavily.
"Phase one… is complete…" she breathed out raggedly. Meanwhile, Yuga slid down the hill as he finished firing his powerful laser, now exhausted as well.
"Um… I think some leaked out…" he noted in embarrassment, clutching his aching stomach.
"It worked!" Mezo said from the vantage point, "We split them up!" he pointed out.
"Yes!" Mashirao exclaimed with a pump of his fist.
"It sounds like they're getting the villains in place all right," Kyoka mentioned as she listened on carefully with her earlobes still plugged into the ground.
"Perfect," Rebecca responded as she nodded, "Izu, looks like we're on track," she told her boyfriend, who nodded back.
'So far, everything's going to plan,' he inwardly noted, glancing back towards the hillside that was now littered with clouds of smoke and dirt, 'We've got this,' he assured to himself, 'We can protect everyone,' he declared through his thoughts. Two silhouette made their way through the smoke, being Nine and Wizard as they continued their approach. However, the latter slightly opened his eyes in surprise to see a familiar figure shooting down towards them.
"Magimech Attack…" Shiki started to bellow as he reared his right fist back, closing in on his targets. The masked villain readied another energy barrier, but his foe smirked. He instead landed down and flexed his arms mightily. "GRAVITY CENTER!" he roared. The force of gravity intensified around his two foes, causing them to grunt with pain.
"So… this is what the Demon King Hero's power is like…" Nine muttered out.
"It won't mean anything once I drain his power from him…" Wizard affirmed, sticking his left hand out. However, he gasped in surprise to see Rikido suddenly lunge out at him with his right fist clenched.
"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared, landing a strong right hook to send the Dark Star flying back.
"What?!" Nine exclaimed in surprise, only for Witch to suddenly close in on him with her Battle Dress deployed.
"Edens Glitter!" she yelled, opening her right hand to conjure a pillar of light that struck her foe, making him gasp in agony.
"Witch, we'll meet up with you in a sec!" Shiki assured, grabbing Rikido and flying towards the shoreline, where Wizard was.
"Right!" the Shining Star Hero responded. Nine growled, firing off a volley of lasers from his fingertips at her. However, she dodged them, running by him down towards the shore. He was ready to pursue her, but rescinded with a sigh, instead deciding to focus his efforts on getting to his goal. He then glanced off to the side, spotting Hanta running down towards him.
"Tape Shot…" he began, having several strands of tape coming out from his elbows as they were attached to a cluster of boulders floating overhead, "Trident!" he roared, swinging his arm to fling the rocks down at his foe. In the meantime…
"Release!" Ochaco exclaimed, pressing her fingertips together as they glowed a bright pink. Along with Hanta's, another cluster of rocks she had made weightless beforehand started to fall towards Nine. He reacted by simply raising his right hand and fired off purple lasers that blasted through each and every one before they could reach him.
"Move it!" Hanta yelled, enticing Ochaco to run off to the side behind him as he kept swinging down boulders with his tape at their lone foe. However, he took notice of the Tape Quirk user, attempting to fire a single laser beam onto him. He narrowly managed to shoot off a tape strand and pull himself away in time as the laser struck the ground in a fierce explosion. Meanwhile, Ochaco was pressing her fingertips against several large rocks piled around, running to touch each one.
"Sero, now!" she cried out. Strands of tape attached to the now weightless boulders as Hanta flung them out towards Nine. He blasted them again with his lasers, letting the rubble remaining fall past him.
'Make the villain use his Quirks!' Ochaco noted to herself, tapping her fingertips together again.
'Wear him out!' Hanta remembered, swinging his left arm to fling more boulders.
'We can do this!' the two of them declared inwardly at the same time as a huge array of rocks was about to crash into Nine. Down in the cavern, the light from the created hole illuminated the pile of rubble from the surface above. It was suddenly sliced to pieces as a huge explosion of dirt occurred. Kiruka arose from it.
"The plan's to split us up, huh?" she guessed, brushing her red hair back.
"Ohohoho…" Clown giggled as he hopped onto his feet, "Those rascals are clever, aren't they?" he assumed, "Then again, I doubt they managed to pull this off alone…" he mentioned curiously. All of a sudden, globs of colorless acid struck the stalactites above, melting them off of the ceiling as they started to fall. The red-haired woman took notice, flipping back as she drew a set of claws from the fingertips of her gloves. The Dark Star skipped aside, having a cannon-like barrel protrude from his right arm. They took notice of the attacker up in a small corner of the cavern, being Mina. Kiruka quickly fired off needle-like projectiles of her hair towards her.
"Yikes!" the Acid Quirk user yelped, running off to evade the projectiles as they pierced into the walls and ground nearby. Before Kiruka could attempt to pursue her, Dark Shadow rushed in and clashed a pair of metal claws against hers, making sparks fly as she jumped back. "Nice!" Mina whispered out, peeking from the corner to see Dark Shadow retract to Fumikage, covering the upper half of his body like a suit of armor.
"Ashido, leave the rest to us," he remarked, taking hold of the metal claws in his hands, "The darkness will be our domain…" he declared firmly. Kiruka licked her lips.
"You cheeky boy!" she remarked, letting strands of her hair harden to form sharp blades.
"Hey," another voice chimed in, getting their attentions as they saw Sister approach alongside the Dark Shadow Quirk user with two bladed whips readied in her hands, "You really think I'm gonna let the kids have all the fun?" she inquired, letting off a smirk.
"Oh?" Clown uttered, "Perhaps your last nightmare wasn't scary enough…" he presumed, taking on the appearance of a menacing, dark-skinned clown, "I'll be certain it's permanent this time…" he vowed. Sister licked her lips.
"Bring it, circus freak…" she remarked as a retort.
Elsewhere on the peninsula, Chojuro and Brigandine were walking about aimlessly after being separated from their comrades, arriving at a nearby set of waterfalls flowing into a small river. The former scoffed with frustration
"Well, they got us on our own…" he muttered out. The bulky android looked around, only to spot a set of discarded gloves and boots.
"WARP REFRACTION!" Toru's voice suddenly exclaimed, followed by a bright flash of light that blinded the pair before her. All of a sudden, a long tongue splashed up from the water, wrapping around Chojuro's right ankle before pulling him as he yelped. It turned out to be Tsuyu's handiwork as she retracted her tongue, swimming away before she could end up caught in the wave of ice freezing the water.
Meanwhile, Brigandine opened his eyes to discover that his partner was gone. Before he could do anything else, he found himself ambushed by the glowing red energy blade of Homura, who slashed past him. He let out a grunt, but stood tall.
"So your plan was to separate us?" he inquired of the Soul Blade Quirk user, who stood her ground as she gripped her blade tightly, "I find that rather disingenuous…" he admitted.
"Is it not disingenuous to battle me by yourself, knowing that you are my master's counterpart?" Homura questioned back to his surprise, "Kapa Yoroi…" she began, "in Valkyrie's name, I will defeat you!" she vowed.
"Hmmm…" her opponent huffed.
"You got this, Homura!" Toru called out, having reclaimed her gloves and boots, "I'm gonna head into the mountains to help the people!" she decided.
"Much obliged, Hagakure," the Soul Blade Quirk user responded gratefully, "Have at thee!" she challenged of her foe, lunging out at him. In the meantime, Tsuyu hopped out of the water elsewhere, just before it was frozen up completely.
"Tsu, you okay?" Eijiro asked as she jogged over alongside Tenya.
"Yep!" she croaked in response with a nod. Meanwhile, Shoto was the one who had frozen the water, kneeling upon the ground with his right palm pressed against it. Flames emitted from his left shoulder, balancing his temperature.
"He's trapped!" the Hardening Quirk user excitedly noted with clenched fists.
"Our plan worked!" Tenya pointed out, "And it seems Kogetsu's already engaged with that android…" he mentioned as he glanced off down the riverside, hearing the sounds of metal clashing.
"Homura…" Shoto uttered worriedly. All of a sudden, he and his classmates could see the ice breaking up, trailing towards them. They took ready stances as their foe burst up from the iced pond with a huge splash, landing onto the surface safely as the ice cracked beneath his feet.
"Didja have to go and freeze me like that?" he rhetorically asked as he stood up, "And splitting us up?" he inquired on, rolling his shoulders, "Then again, I guess you couldn't really do a damn thing to us the last time…" he recalled.
"It's time for round two," Shoto declared, readying himself for battle with his classmates.
"Heh," Chojuro chuckled, "You think this is a joke?" he questioned, pulling out a cigar from his coat and sticking it into his mouth, "Nah, kid…" he said, lighting the cigar with his own breath of fire "Today, I'm serious…" he remarked, glaring at his foes. Eijiro hardened his right arm.
"Oh trust me, we are, too!" he shouted back in response.
"Now that the islanders are safe, we can go all-out!" Tenya noted, clenching his left fist.
"Let's stop this guy," Shoto said, letting a cold aura waft over his right arm.
"Recipro… TURBO!" Tenya bellowed as the mufflers in the both of his legs spewed out blue flames as he stayed in a lunging stance, "It's time to end this!" he declared.
"Yeah!" his classmates all agreed. Their opponent clenched his arms, having feathery wings suddenly shoot out from his arms. He gritted his teeth as he glared at his foes.
"Bring it on, then!" he challenged.
X
"Weiss Cannon!" Weisz yelled back at the factory, having formed small machine guns over his arms as he fired onto the drones roaming about. They fired back, enticing him to duck behind some nearby trucks with Koji.
"We can't let any of these drones get into the factory!" the Anivoice Quirk user pointed out, "They could help that guy get an edge over Miss Hermit!" he mentioned worriedly.
"We can't let 'em get anywhere…" his armored classmate muttered, "If that jerk's able to have these drones of his go off to where the kid is, we could be in big trouble…" he noted grimly, forming a pair of machine guns upon his shoulders, "Lucky for me, I know a thing or two about how to take 'em…" he affirmed confidently, jumping out, "WEISS BARRAGE!" he bellowed, firing off multiple shots that took out six of the drones.
"Whoa…" Koji uttered in amazement, "Just like from that movie!" he realized.
"You got it," Weisz responded with a chuckle, followed by needing to fire on a few more. Inside the building, Hermit was continuing to push Killer back with her continued barrage of punches and kicks. He grimaced with each hit he took, finding himself back into a corner.
"HAAAAAAA!" the Shining Star Hero roared as she thrusted her right fist out at her foe. He barely managed to duck away from it, rolling forward and breathing heavily with exhaustion. "Boy, you really haven't improved…" his opponent pointed out with a chuckle, "I thought you'd do better…" she admitted with a smirk. Growling, Killer stood up and had markings expand along his face, with his hair growing out crazily.
"Don't think you're the only one with Overdrive, Inja!" he shouted, lunging out at her, "I've got you outmatched in programming!" he proclaimed.
"Maybe…" she responded, swinging her right leg up and striking him upside the head, "But I doubt you can physically last longer than me…" she remarked cheekily. A blush streaked across his cheeks. Then he blinked in surprise.
FLASHBACK
"Hmm…" Kira hummed from his seat in the cafeteria, staring at the girls that passed by curiously. More specifically, he was staring at their chests. Approaching the table with a tray in her hands, Inja noticed what he was doing. He whacked him upside the head with her tray. "OW!" he yelped out.
"Perv," his classmate muttered, sitting across from him, "Why are you always here staring at those girls anyway?" she inquired of him.
"I'm just curious as to how girls develop so quickly," he responded, "Puberty's one thing, but it feels like I'm seeing bigger and bigger boobs every day…" he pointed out.
"I wasn't asking you to tell me why…" Inja grumbled out. Kira huffed.
"You know, I'd stare at you more if you had bigger boobs," he pointed out, causing her to flinch as she took a bite of her rice. She whacked him on the head again.
"DUMBASS!" she roared angrily, causing almost everyone in the cafeteria to turn and look over at them, "You don't just say stupid things like that!" she yelled, seating herself down in a huff, "Geez…" she grumbled on.
"Sorry…" Kira finally apologized, making his classmate sigh, "I know there's more to people than just their looks," he pointed out, reaching his right hand over to take hold of her left, "That's what I like about you, Inja," he admitted, "You're brilliant, especially for someone who wasn't gifted enough to get a Quirk…" he complimented, making her blush a little.
"And if I got bigger boobs, I'd be perfect, right?" she presumed, causing him to grimace.
"Okay, I really am sorry!" he vehemently apologized, clapping his hands together, "Just promise me one thing…" he requested to her surprise, "Don't change that brilliant side of you," he advised, "It'll take you far, I'm sure of it," he affirmed.
"Kira…" Inja uttered, letting off a tiny smile.
END FLASHBACK
Regaining his composure, Killer flipped back, drawing more tentacle-like appendages from his back. They shot out at Hermit, who blinked in surprise before hopping away from them. Missiles were then fired from the tentacle-like appendages, which she flipped back from with ease.
"In Overdrive, my Ballistics Simulator's constantly running," she pointed out to her foe, "Figured you'd know that, since our Quirks are the same," she mentioned, only for him to keep firing onto her. In reality, he was cloaked, standing in the corner with his arms crossed as he watched the battle continue.
'You really are something, Inja,' he admitted inwardly with a grin, 'It's true, I can't access the full power of Overdrive like you,' he confirmed, 'While my Quirk's an Ether-type, it's not one my body's capable of handling of handling that kind of boost,' he confessed through his thoughts, 'But that doesn't mean I can't beat you,' he noted to himself confidently, 'Right now, you don't even realize that you're fighting a hologram,' he mentioned inwardly, 'And while it keeps you distracted, I'll have my drones make sure those kids aren't going to be a problem any—' He stopped himself upon noticing no icons upon the holographic screen that came up.
"You're kidding…" he muttered with a grimace.
"Thought it was weird you were coming at me with all the same moves…" Hermit's voice noted, getting his attention as he gasped to find her in front of him, rearing her right fist back, "You really thought I couldn't tell the difference between the real you and a hologram?" she inquired rhetorically, slamming her fist into his face, "LOGICAL ARM BLAST!" she bellowed, sending him crashing through the wall as he tumbled to a stop upon his back, wincing with agony. He opened his eyes to see the Shining Star Hero approach him, enveloping herself in a flash of light before she turned back to normal.
"Inja…" he growled out.
"My name's Hermit from now on," the female Master Code Quirk user stated firmly, "As much as I hate to admit it, that life's behind me…" she confirmed, "And so is yours," she added. At that moment, Weisz arrived, placing his right hand upon the Dark Star's chest.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" he stammered in question.
"According to Hermit, she said you needed to get scrapped," the Machina Maker Quirk user responded to his shock, letting his armor peel away, "Sounds rough, but I think it's what needs to happen," he affirmed, letting his markings glow brightly upon his hand.
"W-Wait!" Killer stuttered. Hermit turned away. "INJA!" the Dark Star bellowed with tears pricking his eyes, "Are you really gonna let him kill me?!" he inquired emphatically.
"You're already dead, Kira," she retorted in reply, making him gasp in astonishment, "Though I guess now…" she continued, looking up at the sky as tears pricked her eyes, "I can at least say goodbye…" she noted. Killer grimaced with frustration, but resigned himself to his fate. He was shattered apart in an instant, left in pieces that scattered about the lot. Hermit exhaled a deep, sad breath. Weisz stood up.
"You sure we couldn't have done anything else?" he inquired of the Shining Star Hero, "Sounded like you two were more than just friends…" he pointed out.
"Yeah… I guess we could've been…" Hermit admitted with a sniffle. She wiped her eyes, turning to face him. "Let's get to the ruins," she advised, "We need to protect the civilians now," she insisted.
"Right," Weisz agreed, hurrying off with her as Koji went and joined them, leaving behind the remains of Killer's body.
X
"Thank you for your help, Sugar Man," Witch said gratefully to Rikido, who was hurrying off from the beach, "Make certain no one leaves the caverns until we're certain of their safety!" she advised seriously.
"Right!" the Sugar Rush Quirk user responded, "You two be careful!" he insisted of his teacher and Shiki, who stood off against Wizard.
"I see…" he uttered in realization, "You were planning to take us down one by one, then divert the remainder of your resources to protecting the islanders," he realized thoroughly.
"Witch, you should stay back," Shiki suggested of his teacher, "I know this guy means a lot to you…" he pointed out.
"No, I won't run this time," the Sorcery Quirk user declared as a retort. Wizard planted his staff onto the sand.
"Kokai Majo," he said, causing the Shining Star Hero to tense up, "If I recall correctly, you and I weren't the only ones who perished together that day," he pointed out, "There was someone else," he mentioned to her surprise, "Our unborn child…" he added.
"Why are you attacking us?!" Shiki shouted in question, "Shouldn't you be happy you get the chance to see your wife again?!" he inquired on, "Even if you're both machines, you've still got hearts!" he noted emphatically, "You can still love each other!" he added, clenching his fists.
"Those are empty sentiments now, son of the Demon King," Wizard retorted, "What your grandfather did to us nulls any good will he may have had," he mentioned callously, causing the Satan Gravity Quirk user to growl, "If you wish to stop me, then try," he challenged. With that, Shiki lunged forward, flying out at his foe in an instant.
"Shiki, wait!" Witch cried out.
"Magimech Attack…" he began, rearing his right fist back as it became cloaked in a greenish light, "GRAVITY FIST!" he roared, thrusting it out onto the Dark Star. To his surprise though, he saw that his foe had seemingly blocked the attack with his staff, which appeared to be pulling in his energy lines.
"Surely, Kokai told you about my Quirk, did she not?" he inquired of his opponent, "I don't just drain the energy of my foe's attacks, I can also steal the energy of any Ether-type Quirk user," he pointed out, while Shiki grimaced. However, he cracked a small smirk.
"Yeah… I know…" he confessed to Wizard's surprise, "But don't think that's gonna stop us!" he roared. All of a sudden, Witch dashed in, rearing her left fist back as it crackled with an electrical energy. She slammed it against her foe's torso, making him wince as he slid back along the sand. He slowed to a stop, glaring at his foes.
"Shiki, I would advise against that tactic the next time," the Sorcery Quirk user advised.
"Yeah," her student responded, "Besides, we can't fight this guy forever," he pointed out, "We've got more important things to worry about…" he added seriously, clenching his fists. Meanwhile, Pino and Mosco were in the mountain cavern with the residents of the island. The little android looked to the entrance worriedly, wondering just what challenges the teachers and the students were up against.
"Hey!" a voice called out, getting her attention as she saw both Toru and Rikido enter the cave, "Everyone okay so far?" the invisible girl asked, approaching alongside the Sugar Rush Quirk user.
"So far, yes, moscoy," Mosco answered, "And now that the two of you are here, there's more protection for the islanders," he added.
"Have the villains been separated as planned?" Pino inquired.
"Yeah," Toru answered, "Homura's taking on that big lion guy, while Todoroki and the others are fighting the wolf man…" she explained.
"Is Kogetsu really gonna be alright fighting him alone?" Rikido wondered worriedly.
"She's the one who said that a former friend of Valkyrie's should be dealt with by her alone," the invisible girl noted in reply, "But yeah, I'm worried, too…" she admitted with concern. Pino looked back towards the entrance.
'Witch…' she uttered inwardly as her eyes shook. Back by the hillside leading to the ruins, plumes of dirt were erupting with each blast from Nine's lasers.
"Dammit…" Hanta cursed, "We can't even slow him down!" he pointed out as the masked villain continued his approach, unfazed by the multitude of rocks sent his way as he blasted them apart.
"Let's try this!" Ochaco exclaimed, turning around and pressing her fingertips together. Above Nine was a huge cluster of rocks. They started to fall, crashing onto him in a huge flurry of dust. The Zero Gravity Quirk user grimaced. Her face started to turn blue as her cheeks puffed out.
"Uraraka!" Hanta cried out in concern. She gave the Tape Quirk user a thumbs up in reassurance, all while having her right hand over her mouth to keep herself from puking. All of a sudden, they saw several more lasers shoot out from the cloud of dirt, much to their shock as they noticed Nine still approaching. He threw up a set of layered barriers to block the rest of the rocks sent his way as they kept crashing down, followed by blasting them apart with his lasers in a massive explosion.
The resulting blast sent a stray rock flying, crashing into Hanta's helmet and breaking off the right half of his visor. Meanwhile, Ochaco screamed as she was sent flying a few yards, losing her helmet as she lied upon the ground. Nine raised his right hand toward her as his fingertips glowed. Luckily, Hanta was quick to swing over and grab his classmate before she could get struck by his lasers. They hurried away.
"Almost time for our main attack!" the Tape Quirk user pointed out to Ochaco, who nodded, "You gonna be okay?" he asked of her, noticing how queasy his classmate looked.
"I'll push through it," she assured, forcing a grin. The two of them kept evading the lasers sent their way as they were drawing closer to the top of the hill.
"I'm here! Balls ready!" Minoru's voice cried out, getting their attentions.
"Mineta!" Hanta exclaimed. The lecherous teen shot a thumbs-up, standing before a huge pile of rocks being held back by log stakes.
"Let's bury this guy!" he yelled to his comrades. They arrived on the scene, with Ochaco being down onto her feet, allowing her to run over quickly.
"Come on, you can do it!" Hanta cheered as she took hold of the log stakes, making her fingertips glow a bright pink. She clenched her teeth and then puffed out her cheeks. She had already lifted so much weight already… Meanwhile, Hanta was doing what he could to keep Nine back just a little longer, flinging other small boulders he found to snare in his tape. He easily dealt with them by blasting the rocks with his lasers and shielding himself with his energy barriers.
"PLUSSS…" Ochaco started to bellowed as the log stakes started to lift up from the ground in a burst of dust, "ULLLLTRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" she screamed as they floated upwards, allowing for the huge pile of boulders to tumble down. Hanta quickly shot a strand of tape to wrap around her, pulling her weakened form away before she could get caught in the rockslide.
Nine lit his fingertips on both hands, swinging them forward to unleash his lasers onto the huge cluster of boulders. However, he only blasted so many as the rest appeared to tumble over him.
"Now, here we go!" Hanta yelled, readying a strand of tape from his right elbow that he had wrapped around Minoru's waist as he was flung into the air. He tore off the bandages around his head.
"Super… Grape… RUSSSSHHHHHHHHH!" he exclaimed as he tore off two sticky balls from his head, "WAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" he screamed, flinging them one after another onto the boulders, making them stick together as they piled up, "TAKE THAT AND THAT AND THAT AND THAT…" he shouted over and over despite his head bleeding profusely with every ball he tore off, "ANDTHATANDTHATANDTHATANDTHATANDTHAT!" he repeated rapidly. Every last boulder was stuck together, seemingly entrapping the villain. "How'd you like that, loser?!" Minoru shouted mockingly down to the apparently submerged villain.
"Way to go!" Hanta complimented to his comrades, pumping his fists as he held onto the strand of tape his short friend was attached to.
"Wow…" Ochaco uttered in amazement, "We did it…" she realized… right before her face went blue again as she puffed out her cheeks. She couldn't hold it in this time though, vomiting onto the ground.
"Whoa, you okay?!" Hanta asked immediately in concern. Meanwhile, Minoru landed down on one of the boulders.
"Serves you right…" he remarked tiredly as his head bled still, "Don't mess with Class One-A…" he added as he stumbled around. The moment he found his footing however, he noticed a bright yellow glow coming from cracks in the boulders. "Ah!" he gasped.
"MOVE!" Ochaco screamed upon noticing. But it was too late. In just an instant, the boulder pile was shattered into pieces, while the water over it blew apart. The huge gust of wind that followed blew back the three students heroes in loud yelps.
"The rocks didn't stop him!" Mezo cried out from the high plateau as he looked into his scope. Izuku went over to his side, grimacing in realization.
"The three of them can't keep fighting him!" Kyoka added desperately.
"Everyone…!" Rebecca gasped out in concern. Izuku looked back at Katsuma and Mahoro, seeing how nervous they seemed with how the battle was playing out. Down at the top of the hill, Ochaco was struggling to get up. Hanta had risen to his knees, while Minoru was unconscious. Nine still approached them.
"Ergh…" the Zero Gravity Quirk user grunted, standing up with Hanta as the he picked up Minoru in his right arm. They were now just in front of the castle ruins, right before an entryway into the catacombs. Nine was prepping his left fingertips, ready to fire lasers onto his foes.
"Is that all?" he wondered, throwing back his hand to form an energy barrier that blocked a familiar sparkling blue laser zooming toward him from behind. A burst of dust enveloped him upon the laser's impact with his shield. It originated from Yuga's belt, as he was being held up by Momo, who had his left arm over her shoulders.
"Aoyama…" Ochaco uttered in surprise.
"Yaomomo…" Hanta said, amazed that she was still able to move.
"You all need to get out of here…!" she advised weakly to them out of desperation. Unfortunately, she and Yuga ended up caught in a landslide caused by a blast of air Nine had fired off.
"It's no use…" he remarked disdainfully, looking back at his foes. They took ready stances, albeit nervously. "Playtime is over," their opponent stated. Pinkish-purple energy crackled from his fingertips like lightning as he was prepared to do away with his foes once and for all. However, a familiar figure ran towards the ledge above and jumped down towards him. It was Katsuki.
"HRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" he roared, blasting himself over to the masked villain before firing off a powerful explosion onto him. Unfortunately, he ended up getting blown back by the set of layered energy barriers his foe created, landing onto the ground and sliding a few yards away.
"You're still alive…?!" Nine questioned, remembering how badly he had beaten the explosive teen in their last confrontation. Surely, he would've perished then if not later afterwards. Unless…
"Yeah, guess you should've hit me harder!" Katsuki growled mockingly in response, gnashing his teeth together.
"Bakugo?" Mezo said from the high plateau as he continued to look through his scope, "What's he doing?" he questioned, knowing that this wasn't part of the plan… But all of a sudden, Izuku suddenly lunged over the wall. "Where are you going?!" the Dupli-Arms Quirk user asked. Rebecca noticed.
"Izu!" she cried out to her boyfriend.
"Take care of Katsuma and Mahoro!" he yelled to her and the others as he hopped down the next ledge towards the battlefield. The Shimano children made their way over to the wall.
"Mister Deku…" they uttered out worriedly.
'We won't stop now!' Izuku inwardly declared, activating his Full Cowling as red lines of energy flowed up his body, followed by green sparks of electricity crackling around his form.
"RRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Katsuki roared as he fired off blast after blast from his gloved hands down at Nine, who continued to shield himself with his yellow energy barrier.
'If I can't protect those two, then I can't call myself a hero!' Izuku yelled to himself, leaping down at full speed towards the masked villain. As his rival continued his explosive assault, he zoomed by with his left leg at the ready
"Saint Louis… SMMAAAAAAAAASSSSHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared, swinging it down at Nine fiercely. He blocked the kick with another set of layered energy barriers as wind blew about fiercely.
"Deku…!" Ochaco gasped upon seeing that he entered the fray. His foot pressed hard against the conjured shield as the wind continued to rush around him.
'My attack doesn't have to be at full power…' he noted to himself, gritting his teeth tightly, 'I just need to make him use his Quirk!' he instructed through his thoughts. All of a sudden though, the barrier suddenly blasted him back like a springboard as he went hurdling into the air. Katsuki blasted himself up to him, taking hold of his rival's right hand with his own. He then began using his free left hand to fire off rapid explosions to spin himself around and gain momentum as he and Izuku were enveloped in smoke.
"EXXXX… CATAPULLLLTT!" he roared, flinging his rival down towards Nine in an instant. With a much fiercer kick trailed by green lightning, Izuku struck the barriers again and actually pushed his foe back as he was enveloped by an explosion of dirt and dust. Both he and Katsuki landed down, standing side by side. As the cloud of dirt cleared, it revealed the energy barrier surrounding the masked villain like a sphere. It came down as he stood up, seeing how far he had been pushed back.
"Not a bad effort…" he remarked, sounding impressed. Izuku balled his fists tightly.
"We're just getting started!" he stated fiercely.
"Now we'll kill you!" Katsuki added in declaration.
X
Back at the riverside, Homura breathed heavily as she faced down the imposing figure of Brigandine. Even though it was much easier to face him without worry about Chojuro or another villain arriving to assist, he was still a challenge. For one, her sword wasn't even leaving so much as a scratch on him.
"My body was previously torn asunder by a hero from Japan," he noted, "My Quirk wasn't fully integrated back then, but with this new body…" he continued as he smacked his fists together threateningly, "Now, I'll have nothing to hold me back," he affirmed.
"You're quite confident…" his opponent noted, narrowing her eyes with contempt.
"And why shouldn't I be?" Brigandine inquired back, "It's regrettable that I can't battle Valkyrie myself, so I'll have to make do with you," he concluded, stepping forward, "My Armor will not be penetrated by your Soul Blade," he proclaimed.
"So you believe…" Homura said, aiming her blade forward as she lunged out at him, "SNAKE BITE!" she exclaimed, thrusting her sword into her target's torso. He let out a grunt, but only moved back a mere foot to her shock. He then smacked her aside with his right arm, sending her tumbling back along the ground. She quickly got to her feet, leaping away as her foe almost slammed his left arm down onto her, shattering the ground in the process. She grimaced.
'If I'm to take a direct hit from him, I'll be helpless…!' she realized, summoning forth several blades in midair.
"ODIN STRIKE!" she bellowed, having the blades shoot down at the Dark Star. He crossed his arms over his head; his body appearing to fortify itself as it shined brightly. Dust billowed as the blades struck continuously, enveloping him in a cloud. Landing down, Homura narrowed her eyes, wondering if the barrage was enough.
"Pitiful," her opponent remarked, making her blink in surprise. All of a sudden, he lunged out at her through the dust. "This is a disgrace to Valkyrie's name!" he proclaimed, striking the Soul Blade Quirk user fiercely with his right fist, "ARMORED PRESSURE!" he roared, sending her flying as she crashed through a few trees before hitting the ground. She lied upon her back, gasping for air as blood trickled down her head.
"Val…kyrie…" she uttered out, clenching her teeth in frustration. Even after so much training, especially in the wake of her teacher's passing, she still felt weak. Remembering how it was revealed that both Weisz and Rebecca achieved their Overdrives before her made her all the more inadequate. And yet…
FLASHBACK
"HAAAA!" Homura roared, swinging the wooden sword she had down into the snowy air, "Huh…" she exhaled. She was dressed in a training gi, standing just outside of the dorm with her feet bare in the snow. Looking at her hands, she saw how blistered they were from training. Though they were becoming irritating, she ignored the pain, continuing to swing her sword as she could see each breath she exhaled. As she kept practicing, she didn't notice Shoto and Katsuki walking towards the dorm. The former spotted her.
"Oh, Homura," he greeted, getting her attention, "You're training in this weather?" he inquired curiously, while an annoyed Katsuki trudged off into the dorm.
"Yes," the Soul Blade Quirk user responded, "I know it may sound silly, but I like being outside in this colder weather," she confessed, "The heat always seems to get to me, after all…" she mentioned sheepishly.
"Well, don't stay out too long," Shoto advised, about to head inside. Homura looked away sadly. She gripped her wooden sword tight in her right hand.
"Shoto…" she uttered, getting his attention as he stopped before the door, "do you think I'm weak?" she inquired of him, much to his surprise as he blinked, "Granbell, Steiner and Rebecca have all achieved their Overdrives at this point," she listed off in recollection, "Even Kleene used hers to stop her brother," she mentioned, looking down ashamedly, "No matter how hard I train, it feels like everyone is getting further ahead of me…" she admitted sadly with a sigh, "Without Valkyrie to support me…" she continued, "can I really be someone to live up to her place as a hero?" she inquired. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user turned to her.
"You and I both know you're not weak in the slightest," he pointed out to her shock as she widened her eyes slightly, looking up at him, "Aside from the Sports Festival, you fought people like the hero killer, those Nomu, and other villains, too," he listed off in remembrance, "You shouldn't underestimate yourself," he advised, giving her a warm smile, "You are strong, Homura," he affirmed.
"Shoto…" the Soul Blade Quirk user uttered out.
"Come on," her classmate beckoned, "I'm sure you'd like some hot tea to warm up with," he inferred.
"O-Oh, yes!" Homura stammered, heading into the dorm with him. She was glad that he was so supportive of her. And with that support, she'd carry herself going forward…
END FLASHBACK
Her eyes jolting open, the Soul Blade Quirk user managed to bring herself up to her feet. She breathed heavily, staggering forward step by step. Back at the river, Brigandine had already turned around, walking away.
"Apologies, Valkyrie…" he said, "Your student disgraced your name," he noted bluntly. All of a sudden, a red energy blade pierced into the ground in front of him, enticing him to stop. He turned around to find Homura there, panting as she gripped her blade tightly in her hands.
"I am not finished yet…" she proclaimed, taking on a ready stance.
"You say that as you bleed?" her foe inquired. Homura said nothing, glaring back at him. "Very well…" he responded, smacking his fists together before charging toward his opponent. She took a deep breath, gripping her blade tightly.
'Valkyrie… Shoto…' she uttered inwardly as her energy lines expanded along her body, which started to transform, 'Please watch me!' she requested through her thoughts, opening her eyes.
"ARMORED PRESSURE!" Brigandine bellowed, thrusting his right fist out at the Soul Blade Quirk user. She blocked the attack with her blade, which had transformed. It was now an oriental longsword, which she gripped tightly. She herself now had an appearance similar to that of a fox. Her hair became white with a pair of fox-like ears at the top and gained a large, bushy tail. Both her legs became darkened and gained red markings, while her arms were covered in more intricate patterned marks. Her outfit changed into that of a fur-collared, decorative light-colored kimono with a pair of fur-collared sleeves with dark-colored shades and markings, matching those on her legs, and were shaped like flame clouds, and held by a dark-colored obi tied by a pair of strings with a sakura flower on it.
"Warrior Maiden Single-Sword Attack…" she began as her foe gasped lightly, "DRAGON FLASH!" she roared, slashing him downward across his chest, forcing him to slide back several feet. He stood firm, however.
"Impressive…" he said, "But it won't be enough to defeat me," he affirmed.
"We shall see," Homura retorted, lunging out at him. He grabbed some large rocks scattered about the ground, chucking them towards his opponent. She easily slashed through them, closing in.
"Fortify Protect!" he exclaimed, crossing his arms over his head to endure another round of slashes from her, only sliding back a few feet. Again, there were no significant marks to his body.
"Huh…" the Soul Blade Quirk user exhaled, "It seems you are quite formidable after all…" she admitted.
"Why face me alone then?" Brigandine wondered aloud, "Even if you were as strong as Valkyrie, why take the challenge alone?" he inquired on. Homura gripped her blade tightly.
"Because she would not want her friends to get hurt in the process," she responded, "And besides, I have all the support I need," she affirmed, much to his surprise.
FLASHBACK
"Hup!" Mahina exclaimed as she swung the wooden sword in her hands, with the summer sun beating down on her in the courtyard Japanese-styled home. Sipping his tea while seated at the porch, Kapa watched on and smiled a little.
"You don't wanna leave, do you?" he inquired of her, getting her attention.
"Heh," she chuckled, putting her wooden weapon down as she walked over to the porch, "Honestly, it'd be nice to live it up in Japan for a change," she admitted, "The traditions back home kinda get stale…" she added as she sat down beside her companion.
"And yet…" Kapa began for her, causing her to huff as she grabbed her cup of tea.
"I don't wanna leave home behind," she confessed, sipping her drink and sighing contently, "Without a Quirk like you, I still haven't gotten the chance to find my place in the world," she confirmed, looking out at the sunny sky overhead, "But getting the chance to take everything in until I find that place…" she continued as she inhaled a deep breath through her nose, exhaling contently, "I'll be sure to find it," she affirmed.
"Would you like me to help you?" Kapa inquired. Mahina laughed.
"Please…" she muttered out, "Just because you're the one with a Quirk doesn't mean I always need you protecting me," she noted to his surprise, "Last I checked, you're not a hero, either," she pointed out, taking another sip of her tea.
"That doesn't mean I can't protect the woman I love," her companion retorted, much to her shock as she spat out her drink.
"Wh-Wh…Where the hell'd that come from?!" she questioned with a blush streaking across her face.
"Have I not said it before?" Kapa inquired back.
"Uh… I…" Mahina tried to say, turning away and sighing, "You don't need to worry about me, Kapa," she insisted, "I promise… I'm gonna find my place in this world," she vowed with a smile.
END FLASHBACK
'Mahi…' Brigandine uttered inwardly. At that moment, Homura lunged at him again. He took notice, charging toward her as well.
"Warrior Maiden Single-Sword Attack…" she began.
"ARMORED PRESSURE!" her foe bellowed, thrusting his right fist out.
"KITSUNE PERFECT CIRCLE STRIKE!" Homura roared, slashing downward. At that very moment, Brigandine's fist struck her squarely in the torso, sending her flying back as she crashed upon the ground, sliding to a stop. Her body transformed back to normal as her sword dissipated from her hands. She grimaced, barely managing to sit back up. The dust blew about, revealing her foe still standing. However, he didn't move. A huge gash went diagonally down his torso.
"H…How…?" he stammered out.
"That charging attack…" the Soul Blade Quirk user responded, staggering to her feet, "You heighten your defenses and use them for a full-frontal assault," she pointed out, "but at the risk of lowering your defense," she mentioned, "Had I not seen that opening, I would've never wounded you…" she confessed, clutching her stomach as she winced. Brigandine stared at her for a moment. More cuts appeared along his body.
"Did… they tell you about Valkyrie's past…?" he inquired as he trembled. Homura blinked in surprise.
"Yes… they did," she confirmed after a moment, "I had no idea she was from America," she admitted with a small smile, "I'm grateful she was a part of my life," she said.
"…As was I," Brigandine affirmed. With that, his body finally broke down into pieces. Homura sighed with relief, falling over onto her right side in a grunt.
'Shoto…' she uttered inwardly as her eyelids drooped, 'I hope… you can see my strength someday soon…' she noted to herself, losing consciousness. She was victorious in her late master's name.
END
I was planning on going a bit further with this chapter, but I think this is a nice place to wrap up. Two of the Dark Stars are defeated, leaving just five villains left to take care of. How will our heroes handle them? We'll see.
Thanks for reading, everyone!