A/N Rocky Road
Alt title: Grand Ace 4 wins the NEWB Trivia game!
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Crywolf178: I mentioned early on that MHA and Worm's power system were eerily similar and that OFA reminds me of the Butcher, and All For One reminded me of The Faerie Queen. Hell, even the whole remnants of the original thing that both have going on is there.
GideonBlackthorn: It WOULD happen, if not for two things. 1, the timing. Kitsu was seeing to Amy and Mark at 6pm, The Butcher killed Jack close to midnight. The timing wouldn't add up. 2, the current Butcher has, issues. And wants to do things, nice.
ArcanFlameVeil: I never said who the Butcher was. But it was hinted at many times.
His green eyes
Black messy hair
Freckles
The only mentioned members of the Teeth currently are from MHA
The outfit described every time he shows up is that of EvilDeku.
But no, never mentioned outright who it was.
Grimnosh: Thing is, Broadcast is very persuasive. Communication is its whole deal. So, it managed to essentially say "Hey, come on. My host is clearly out for the count. Just, help me out here?"
And [Shaper] was like
"Fine, I'll, do a thing. Just hurry up and get your guy out of here."
As for Bonesaw, find out.
As for Cherish, it was mentioned a few times earlier. But Jessica Jones is one of Heartbreaker's victims (taking the place of the Purple Man) and Jessica is hunting down his kids as a means to get to him. And is in Brockton Bay hunting down Regent.
And Cherish doesn't have anyone anymore. And, seeing as Jessica still has morals, and Regent is like, 14. And Cherish is 20. Guess who is now the higher priority?
RadChaos897: Jack fell down and broke his crown! Then got curb stomped and drowned in a two inch puddle of rainwater. BTW, the whole reason I kept writing about the weather and how it was beginning to rain, was purely to orchestrate the two inch puddle.
Bonesaw actually has very little to do with Kitsu's trigger. If you go back and read it, she's kinda just there. So Kitsu doesn't have as much an issue with her as she does say, Jack, Mannequin, The Siberian or Crawler. So, death is on the table, but not really the go to.
Basically, the setup for Amy was IV's connecting her blood vessels to an outside purification pump in order to not have it go through her liver and thus eliminate the need to pee. Bonesaw was basically testing different forms of stasis. And yes, Kitsu accidentally pulled a tube.
As for the Hawk Tua? I uh, did not know what it meant until your comment prompted me to actually google its meaning. So, new canon! Hawk Tua is a tired Kitsu abbreviating Hawk to you! In which she genetically modifies hawks to kamikaze the nine.
ProtoKitsu doesn't like pizza. It's two oily and the oil and cheese get into her feathers. Instead, she likes pretzel sticks, gummies, mangos, smoothies, lattes and soft tacos.
Also! Kitsu, is currently four foot two inches tall. She grew two whole inches over the summer!
Bradlysteak: I had Izuku Butcher planned before you started following. Also, I agree. Kitsu is cute.
InfiniteShadow3: Missy wasn't upset with Kitsu killing. She was upset with how unnecessarily cruel her methods of killing were. And the fact she killed people who were not on the Kill list, and were fleeing.
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Also! I drew a picture of Kitsu, it's in my channel on the author's discord server I'm a part of.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
(Text)
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-Boat Graveyard, Sunday, October, 3rd, 8pm-
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Kitsu POV
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I finish up with dad. Regrowing his scalp after removing the jar containing his head and brain. I truly don't know what all Bonesaw did. Just that whatever she did, she left clear enough leads to undo it. Like and artist leaving references in their drawings to help them recall what they wanted to do. Or, something like that. I don't know, I'm not an artist.
"This is… bologna!" Bonesaw calls out. "You're the plant girl! Nature and forests are your motif! No one told me you could biokinetically manipulate animal matter! That's not fair!"
"Life's not fair." I say as I turn around. Stepping out of the shipping container as I awkwardly carry Dad in my arms.
I step out to see the girl up against the wall. Upside down with her back to the wall and her head to the ground as she kicks the wall.
"No!" She says, tilting her head to glare at me. "You're just a cheater!"
"I will stab you again." I point at her.
"Mlnn!" She sticks her tongue out at me.
"My god, there are two of them." Mom covers her face and groans.
"I am nothing like that psychopathic/rude little girl!" Me and Bonesaw say at the same time. "I'm much better and way cuter! Stop that!"
"Are Mark and Amy alright!?" Mom demands.
I turn to her and nod. Setting Dad down outside the shipping container, right next to Amy.
"Yep!" I give a salute. "Buuut, I'd call an ambulance anyway. Mainly because I have very little confidence in myself. I mean, I got them out alive. Buuuut~ I'm sure I missed a thing or two."
"Oh my god." Mom covers the sides of her head as she paces back and forth.
"I could give them a look- eep!" Bonesaw starts to say as she rolls over and sits up against the wall. Only for Mom to toss a spear right above her head.
"I'm not letting you anywhere near them you heartless monster!" Mom says as she starts walking, another spear in hand as she marches over to scared little girl.
"Brandish, Brandish stop!" Firebreather says as he jogs over and steps in her way. "Carol! Think about this!"
"Fire, you better move or so help me god." Mom glowers.
"Carol, you're about to kill a little girl." Firebreather protests. "Just, take a step back and think."
"I must agree Brandish." The Marquis says as he walks around and puts himself to Mom's side. "As much as I detest her actions, she is but a child. You know how I feel about going after children."
A few moments of this standoff is all I care to endure. So I take this time to speak up.
"If she doesn't do it, I will." I say calmly, earning Firebreather and The Marquis's attention on me. "And I really doubt either of you can stop me."
"I will certainly try." The Marquis says with a pointed glare.
"Do or do not, there is no try." I give a shit eating grin.
"Yoda!" Firebreather says with a snap of his fingers and a grin. "That's Yoda, from Star Wars." He looks to Mom and The Marquis. "I just recently saw that with, um… not the time, got it."
I'm starting to think Crystal likes Himbos.
"Gimme one good reason." I cross my arms and turn to the side.
"Because childre-" The Marquis starts.
"You said Jack was a master." Gully says softly from the other end of the boathouse.
Looking over to the pale girl I resurrected. She shakily gets up, much to Jenny's protests.
"I'll be fine." She assures the metallic girl before turning to me. "You told us that Jack is a master who subtly extends his influences onto others."
"I did." I nod.
"Were you lying?" She asks.
"No." I say firmly.
"So, then Bonesaw is mastered?" She asks, and I see where this is going.
"Am not!" She shouts. "I just have loyalty! Unlike some people!" She glares at me of all people.
"I'd rather not have loyalty to a man willing to torture my family in front of me and then kill my dog… Riley." I glare at the girl, causing her to freeze with wide eyes at the mention of her name.
"H-he didn't-" She starts to stutter out.
"Every time you walked into a different room to help one, the other got worse." I point out. "Use your brain, or at least whatever's still yours you have left."
Bonesaw looks about how I imagined I looked when Mom slapped me.
"Fucking, forget it." Mom says as her weapons dissipate and she pulls out her phone. "Nine one one? Yes, this is-"
Thinking on it, I shrug and look away from her. Quietly planning how I'll kill her off later when it's assured we won't need her for Dad and Amy. They're not waking up, so until I know I don't need her. She lives, I guess.
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-Boat Graveyard, Monday, October 4th, 1am-
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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I watch as the first responders tape the entire dockyard off. First responders attending to Amy and Mark as they're carted off into they're ambulances for transport. Gully and Firebreather riding with Amy, while we'll be riding with Mark. Jenny flew off to go get Pinky and look for Ben.
While Bonesaw is in a strait jacket being shoved kicking and screaming into the back of a PRT transport.
As it turns out. Apparently, everyone knew about this little venture except for me. Well, me, My sister, her husband and Eric. Even Crystal knew, but chose to go along with not saying anything.
"Rather sad state of affairs." The Marquis comments as he walks up to me, one arm behind his back as he watches Amy's ambulance leave the scene. The other holding an umbrella as he makes it under the outcropping of the roof where I'm staying dry.
I don't answer him. Choosing to keep the relative silence as the PRT make their reports.
"Nothing?" He says dryly. "Figures."
"What are you still doing here?" I level a glare at the man. "You saw Amy, you know she's safe. That should be enough for you."
"This may come as a surprise to you." He says, losing his ever present smile. "But it's not. I would like to be a part of her life, I missed out on ten years with her. I'd like to-"
"Over my dead body." I uncross my arms and face him. Where he meets my glare with one of his own.
"I've already broken several of my rules tonight, Carol." He utters my name as though it were a slur. "Needless to say, I'm not happy about that and would very much appreciate not being force to break-ah!"
He winces and grabs his side, flinching back as we both look down at Kitsu. The little fox in question having a knife in hand.
"Staaaaab." She says dryly as the knife disappears in a sparkle of light.
"What the, why would you do that?" He asks with a look of confusion as he holds his bleeding side.
Kitsu turns to around to the EMT and waves her arms.
"Medic! Medic!" She calls while waving her arms. Causing EMT to rush over.
'That's-' I don't know how to feel about that as the on site medics starts to attend to him. 'Clever?'
"What? No!" The Marquis pulls away from them as they try to look at the wound. "I am refusing service!"
"Are you sure sir?" One of them asks.
"Yes!" He says, before I hear. "I want to bleed out! Let me die in peace and end it all."
His mouth didn't move. I swear it.
"Sir, I can't let you cause harm to yourself." The EMT says as I see him make a hand sign behind his back. "I'm assuming you're just-"
"Watch me peasant!" He says, and I see his mouth move that time.
But I know him. He'd never talk like this. This is Kitsu.
"Sir!" The man says as two more EMT's come over and start restraining him. "Under Section twelve of Massachusetts General Laws I am placing you in hospital restraint!"
"Like I care about your laws! Your blood-soaked legislature has no meaning to me!" He says while struggling. "For I am the king of France! Hon hon! Oiu Oiu!"
I watch the odd exchange with, very mixed feelings.
I decide to reach over and just rub Kitsu's head. Earning a happy squeal from the little girl as she leans into me.
"I missed you." She nuzzles her head against my hip.
"Yeah well, get ready to be sick of me soon." I say as I reach down and pick her up. Holding her on my hip. "First thing when we get home, you're getting out of those ratty clothes, getting a shower, and you're not leaving your room."
"For how long?" She asks as her ears splay back.
"Yes." I say as I start walking where The Marquis parked his rental. Kitsu making an illusionary umbrella to keep us dry as we walk.
"Dang it." She sulks.
"That's what you get when you runaway and cut contact for weeks." I stress as we pass the police tape and keep walking.
Before remembering I can't drive. And that we're meant to ride with Mark.
… Look it's been a long day.
"Brandish!" I hear a deep, masculine voice call out.
'Fuck me.' I mentally groan as I turn around and get met face to face with Armsmaster as he marches over.
"Oh great, it's this guy." Kitsu groans as she slumps in my arms.
"You stay quiet." I tell her with a sideways glare.
"Rmrmmm." She grumbles but doesn't give any further statements.
"Armsmaster." I address the armored man as he marches over.
He turns his head and looks to Kitsu for a brief moment. And I see her stick her tongue out at him through my peripherals.
"We'll need you to come with us and give detailed statements as to what happened here." He says as he looks back to me.
"The on sight sergeant has my statement." I say before I turn back around.
"With all due respect ma'am, this is not a matter of law at the local level." He calls out.
"On what grounds?" I ask with a glare as I turn back around to him.
"On the grounds that the individuals involved are a matter of national security." He says.
'That is such a load of shit it isn't even funny.' I think as I glare at the man.
"That would be true." I say as I set Kitsu down. "If a state of emergency was announced, giving federal authority jurisdiction over all local proceedings."
"Brandish, Carol." Armsmaster says in a low tone. "Don't drag this out, trust me when I say you don't want that."
"That depends on what this is." I stand my ground.
"This, is a lot." He stresses. "A lot that can't be said in public."
"Does it have anything to do with the Birdcage breakout?" Kitsu pipes up, causing me to flinch and slowly turn towards her while Armsmaster turns directly to her.
"Who told you?" He asks in a sharp tone.
"Um, I have eyes?" Kitsu says as she crosses her arms and leans her hip to one side. "Yeah, The Marquis and Ebon showing up in Brockton all in the same week? Doesn't take a genius to notice."
"Kitsu, stop talking." I hiss before turning to Armsmaster. "If you need us, you have our address."
I turn back around, intent on getting out of sight before calling for a taxi to take us to the hospital. Anything to avoid the PRT at this point.
"If you walk now!" Armsmaster calls out. "Victoria's tenure with us can't be-"
I don't get to say anything before I notice the sudden wetness cascading down on me. Turning around to the sound of metal hitting the wet concrete. Seeing Kitsu on top of Armsmaster. Her hands around his neck as he lies prone on the ground.
"I'm sorry." Kitsu says as I start jogging back to her. "But it sounded like you were about to threaten- hey!" I pick her up off of the asshole in shining armor. "I was doing a thing!"
"Yeah, a thing that'll get you arrested." I say as I hold her and start walking again. "Do you want a record?"
"Want? I set records." She crosses her arms with a huff. "Besides, it's not like they can or will keep me contained."
I take a deep breath through my nose as I realize she's right. I know she's right. The only thing keeping her out of trouble is-
"If you get arrested I will not be visiting you." I say sternly.
"What!?" Her voice cracks. "Why?"
"Because-" I stop as I spot a man walking down the street. Thin, athletic form. Soaked from the rain, and dragging a dead body.
"What the." I softly mutter, before Kitsu looks in the same direction I am.
"Oh, that must be the guy." She says.
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Kitsu POV
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"What, guy?" Mom asks.
"A uh, less than legal representative." I say awkwardly, not wanting to admit I've been talking to villains. Again.
"Kitsu, what's going on?" Mom asks as she starts walking backwards toward the police once more
"So, I had a bunch of plans to get rid of Jack." I start to explain as we reach the police crime scene again. "This was Plan T."
"Plan T, what was the plan, know what? No, it doesn't matter." Mom says as she sets me down as soon as we reach Armsmaster, who has wordlessly pulled out his halberd and taps it on the ground.
"Am I to take this as admittance of collusion with villains." Armsdick asks as the man gets within view of the police lights.
"Well, seems I've given the wrong impression." The Asian man says in a soft, unimposing tone.
'Wait, he sounds familiar.' I think to myself as I focus on him. Taking in his bartender attire. White dress shirt, black vest, black dress pants, black dress shoes, red tie.
"I am Armsmaster, here on the authority of the PRT. Identify yourself!" Armsmaster shouts.
"Me?" He asks, looking and showing a warm smile on a soft, innocent face. "Well, legally my name is Katsuki, Katsuki Bakugo."
'No you are not.' I think as I realize who he is. 'How is, that makes no sense! All Might is still around. And the rules of quirks don't apply here!'
"Katsuki Bakugo, identify the individual you are carrying." Armsmaster demands.
"Oh, how suspicious of me!" He grins and rubs the back of his head. "Sorry about that! It's been a bit of a rough week for me so my mind is elsewhere."
"Stop stalling!" Mom demands as she conjures two axes. Nearly blinding me with the sudden flash as the rain sizzles and steams on contact with the weapons of light.
"Right, sorry." He nods, and with a strength that betrays his figure, he throws the body at us. The mangled corpse rolling and landing a few feet away. "I'm led to believe there's a reward?"
As if on cue, the body rolls on its back to face us. Displaying the flattened and bloodied face of Jack Slash. The infamous serial killer and leader of the now disbanded Slaughterhouse Nine.
A tense silence stretches over us as the cops get into a defensive position. The on duty sergeant calling in for more PRT backup as the rain continues.
It's just now dawning on me that I'm the only one that can clearly see the green eyed man. Well, maybe Armsmaster as well. But he doesn't count.
"You understand we'll have to verify the body as well as your claim?" Armsmaster asks as he relaxes his stance.
"I believe that'll be alright." He says as he puts his hands in his pockets.
"Please keep your hands out of your pockets." Armsmaster says immediately, and Katsuki complies. "So, you understand we'll need to take you in for a statement?"
"I was hoping we could do this a bit more, flexibly." He shrugs. "I can say what happened, you can record it. When you verify the body we can meet back here in a week."
"That's not how this works." Mom says as she keeps her guard up. For all we know, you just killed an innocent man and dropped him off. Claiming he's Jack Slash to cover yourself."
"I never said who it was." Katsuki says with an easygoing grin.
That causes a tense silence to spread over the scene. One that stretches on way too long.
"Ugh!" I throw my head back and groan. hearing several PRT gunmen aim their weapons at me out of reflex. "Can we please get this over with? What's with the Mexican standoff?"
"Ah, Kitsu, I was hoping to meet you." He says with a bright grin that would've appeared friendly, if not for the current circumstance.
"Me?" I point to myself, now very confused. "Did Hellfire send you?"
"In a manner." He gives a dubious bob of his head. "I'd like to speak with you on a few things. But I can see now is not the right time." He says as I hear a motorcycle pull up.
"Oh!" I snap my fingers as I finally piece together where I know him from. "You're the guy from the Chinese buffet!"
Katsuki chuckles at my words and turns around. Shaking his head softly to himself as the gunmen turn their attention back to the retreating man.
"Katsuki Bakugo!" Armsmaster calls. "You do not have permission to leave!"
He stops, and slowly turns back to us.
"Kitsu, we're leaving." Mom says quietly as her weapons fade, and she puts a hand out to force me back.
"Why?" I ask.
"Just move." She grits out and turns around, pushing me along past the line of PRT.
"Brandish!" I hear Miss Militia say as she reaches the line. "And Kitsu? It's good to see you in-"
"As much as I'd love to continue with the pleasantries." Mom says as she keeps pushing me towards the ambulance that Dad is being set in. "We need to get going."
"But what about-"
"Ma'am you can't ride in here." One of the EMT's puts a hand out to stop Mom and me from entering the ambulance.
"Um excuse me, that is my husband in there." Mom points out as I try to focus on Katsuki and Armsmaster's exchange.
"You will keep your hands where I can see them and remain where you are." I hear Armsmaster say.
"And what of her?" The EMT points to me.
"Is that a lawful order?" Katsuki asks.
"Brandish, what is going on?" Miss Militia asks.
"Yes." Armsmaster says firmly.
"Look." Mom puts a hand up in frustration. "Miss Militia, not now. I need to make sure my family is safe and that's not even mentioning how I'm going twenty hours on four hours of sleep."
"Then I guess I have no choice but to comply." Katsuki says calmly. "Sorry If I set you on edge or anything."
'I have a bad feeling.' I think to myself as I look to the EMT. 'Priority one, get Dad and Amy to the hospital safely.'
I disconnected them from Bonesaw's stasis machine. But I don't know what all is wrong with them. I just know kinda how they're supposed to look on the inside. They still haven't woken up, and I'm not trusting a word Bonesaw says about their condition.
… I also don't understand half of it.
"Ma'am if she's not injured or a relative-" I flick my ears, causing him to look down to me for a split second and make brief eye contact as I activate my Love Me power. "-then she… fuck it." He says under his breath before looking to me and kneeling down from the bed of the ambulance. "Hey kid, promise not to mess with all the shiny wires and stuff?"
I glare at the man. Not liking the tone he's taking with me.
"How old do you think I am?" I ask with a furrowed brow.
"Ten?" He offers.
"I'm thirteen." I cross my arms, meanwhile in the background I hear Armsmaster confirming Katsuki's I.D.
"Alright Mr. Bakugo, I apologize for any previous hostility I may have displayed." I don't believe it as I hear Armsmaster confirm that the soft spoken, black haired and green eyed man is Bakugo.
"It's alright sir, I imagine you've had a long night." Katsuki says.
"Look kid just, I'm too tired." The EMT sighs to himself before standing up. "Don't break anything."
"Cool." I say and jump into the back of the ambulance while Mom deals with Miss Militia.
"Look, you can verify my statement with me at the hospital." Mom says as she climbs into the ambulance with me. "But I'm not sticking around here and you have no legal grounds to detain me further."
Objectively untrue, but I see what Mom is doing. She's making herself unbearable to deal with in the effort of getting the authorities to allow us to leave.
This, never works. Unless you're a well known prosecutor and hero.
"Very well, we'll see you later." Miss Militia relents. "And Kitsu, You should-"
Mom closes the ambulance door.
"Just drive." She turns around, walking past the EMT in the back to the seat closest to dad.
And I promptly kick the EMT's shin for staring at her butt.
"Ah!" He hisses and turns to me with a glare. Wisely choosing not to say anything as he sees my unimpressed look.
I walk past him and stand next to mom.
"Hey kid." Says the EMT currently posted in that little cubby spot between the back and front cab. "You need to sit before we can take off."
"I can't." I say and flick my tail. "You don't exactly have inclusive seating."
"Rules are rules kid." He shrugs and leans back. "Hey Rebecca! We, Rebecca?"
I lean over and watch as the driver's side door to the cab opens and a nondescript girl climbs in and takes the seat. Buckling up as she puts the car in drive.
"Sorry about that, had to take a piss." Rebecca says as the ambulance starts moving.
"Where?" The guy in the barrier spot asks. "We're at the abandoned docks in the-"
"Don't worry about it." The driver says snappishly. To which the guy raises his hands defensively.
The ride goes on in relative silence. Aside from the one time the guy demanded I sit down, to which I stuck my tongue out at him and told him to make me.
"So, is there anything I missed while I was gone?" I ask Mom.
"Static Shock is being sent back to Dakota." Mom says softly as she reaches up and pulls her mask back to reveal her tired face. "Oh, and you gave Vicky lupus."
"I'm sorry what?" The EMT I mastered at the door asks.
"Shush you." I shoo him with my hand as I look to Mom. "Is that why I haven't seen her?"
"Yep." Mom says as she leans back and crosses her arms. Closing her eyes as she lets out a sigh through her nose.
"Oh, oops?" I shrug with a sheepish grin.
"You saved her life." Mom says tiredly. "That's what matters."
"Capes." I hear the barrier guy mutter as he rests his head in his hand, before turning around to address the driver. "Rebecca, do think- where are we going?"
"Shortcut." She says.
"Becks this is North Homer, we need to head to Brockton General along East Ranake." The guy says. "Are you good?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Stop making a big deal of it." She says as me and Mom snap our attention to the front of the truck.
"Becks, you can't gulk!" The man tries to say before getting cut off as I smell fresh blood.
"Jeez." I hear the girl sigh before, her voice warping midway as the man falls back to us. Holding his neck as blood spurts from it. "Five more minutes!"
She then reaches back and shuts the metal divider door.
"Tim!" The door guy says as the man bleeds out.
'Why is my life so interesting?' I ask myself with a roll of my eyes as Mom shoots up with two light axes. Stepping over the man bleeding out as the other EMT treats the man currently breathing through a new hole.
I get up with a sigh and follow Mom. Stepping over the man bleeding out under me, and letting my tail wipe over his face. Giving a brief enough contact for me to enhance my perception and heal his cut before I lose contact and keep walking.
'You know, there's a certain irony in trying to kill a man in an ambulance with a known healer in it.' I think to myself as I cover my ears. Protecting myself from the sound of Mom cutting the hinges of the door and kicking it in.
"Whoa!" The girl in the front seat driving says and swerves hard.
Turning around in a panic, I grab the gurney Dad's on and keep it stable as the ambulance runs on two wheels for a few seconds. Activating immovable to keep us still inside the car as everyone gets tossed to the right.
"Careful!" I hear the woman giggle. "I only need the cutie in the back to make it. The rest of you are optional."
She reaches out and tilts the rearview mirror down. Showing her sharp, golden eyes and blonde hair.
"Make your next choice carefully~" She giggles.
I feel my head burn as I stare through the divider. Mom, having been tossed to the side with the car's wheelie, grits her teeth and snarls as she looks at the driver from an angle. Her weapons dispersed when the car tossed her, she doesn't do anything.
"Can either of you two drive?" Mom snaps her head to the two EMT's.
The one who had his throat slit shakes his head. And I cut my master power on the other as he says he can.
I calmly look back to the front, then to the back of the ambulance. And head for the back.
"Kitsu, what are you doing?" Mom asks as I reach the door and break the latch.
"I just got done saving Dad and Amy from being hostages." I say as the doors swing open to the dark, wet city streets. "I am not going through this a second time."
"If you leave, I might crash the car!" The woman says excitedly.
"Do that and I'll make sure you live." I threaten as I look back to meet her gaze in the rearview. "Besides, I never said I was leaving."
I leap up and let physics take over and carry me out of the ambulance. Landing on the ground with a splash, gritting my teeth as I bear the shin splints and start running.
Running up to the back of the ambulance, I use my illusions to close the doors. Jumping up, I land on the back step and bend the doors shut. Making sure no one gets tossed out by accident as I climb to the roof.
Sure enough, the ambulance starts swerving hard. Forcing me to crawl with my fingers dug into the roof of the vehicle as I crawl towards the front cab. Rain falling heavily as I close my eyes, and use my biokinesis to give me a second lens over my eyes that keeps the rain from messing with my vision.
Making it to the cab, I crawl to the edge of the windshield. Getting in position, I slide down the front on my belly. Sliding to the front of the car, I enhance everything as my feet hit the ground and I push against the car. Not activating Immovable because I don't want to flip the car.
Holding back the car is easier said than done it seems. With the wet roads, I just can't get any traction. Not unless I literally dig my feet into the ground and become a post in the ground. Which again, will flip the car. And it takes all of ten seconds for the soles of my shoes to completely scrape away. Leaving me on the padded beans of my feet.
'Wait, it's a car.' I think to myself as I get an idea.
I don't know a lot about cars. Other than you can drive on slashed tires no matter what horror movies would tell you. But I do know the radiator is important. And that it's in the front.
Putting a fist through the grill of the ambulance, I watch as thick white smoke starts billowing out of the hood. Soon the car starts swerving as I wrench my hand up and toss the hood up.
Jumping up, I put a hand to the engine block and start siphoning the heat. Topping myself up as I look around for an idea of what to do. I spot the battery and figure messing with that should do something. Grabbing the thick red and black wires, I yank and listen as several things click and just stop working.
I jump back, putting my hands out to slow the car down. Only to mentally curse as it starts hydroplaning. Swerving to the side and skidding. I grab onto the grill and activate Immovable.
Crink!
And watch as the grill rips off, the ambulance still skidding. Albeit much slower. The back of the ambulance now moving in front as it hits a park car. Pushing the car onto the sidewalk and into a wall as the ambulance comes to a dead stop.
I wince as I realize how bad I messed that one up.
Quickly running over to the ambulance. I rip the back doors off of the hinges.
"Shit!" One of the EMT's falls back onto the ground with a shallow splash. Groaning as his head makes a dull thud against the sidewalk.
Ignoring that, I spot Dad's gurney turned over, with said man flopped over on top of Mom. Who is groaning as she slowly gets up.
The EMT who had his throat slit rolls over with a hiss. Holding his hand to his chest.
"Mom! Dad!" I shout as I jump into the back of the ambulance, sidestepping the EMT.
"I'm fine." Mom says as she stands up, holding onto Dad as she reaches a leg out and kicks the gurney back over. "Check him."
Mom sets him on the gurney and turns towards the divide leading to the cab. Just in time for the driver side door to pop open.
"Fuck." Mom curses under her breath as she turns around and heads out of the ambulance.
"Hey!" I call out after checking on Dad and ensuring he's okay. "Wait for-"
I don't get to finish that statement before blue flames explode out and cover the ambulance back doors. Stopping Mom from leaving just as she was about to step out.
"AAGGHAAA!" The EMT from earlier screams are short lived as he dies relatively quickly.
The flames stop and I run over to the exit of the doors, past mom and looking outside. Looking to my left, I spot the black long coat wearing, messy black hair of Hellfire walking down an alley towards us. Blue flames licking his shoulders.
"Hellfire!" I call out angrily as I hang off the side of the ambulance. "What the hell!?"
I hear the splashing of footsteps as the girl from the driver's seat skips over. Blonde, shoulder length hair and pale skin. Wearing a skin tight white suit that shows her thin and lithe form.
'Then legs!' I look her up and down, before focusing. 'No! Bad! Sexualize later when they're dead- okay that doesn't sound right. Stay focused!'
"Sorry 'bout that Helly!" The woman says with a cheerful voice as she approaches the man. "She kinda jumped and started tearing the engine apart. Was way crazy."
"I can tell." He says cooly with a sideways glance to the girl, before looking back to me. "Sorry about that little boss, but I got my orders. You understand."
'I really, really don't.' I think to myself as I start regretting calling in a favor from Hellfire. Because it seems that whoever he's with, is absolutely nutty.
"Or, you will eventually." He says.
Feeling the hairs on the back of my tail stand on end. I turn around and spot another… no wait. That's Katsuki, or Izuku. Or maybe some weird combo of the two. Slowly walking across the street towards us. Somehow not making a single sound as he does so.
Looking around, I start to recognize the area we're in. The east slums, not too far from the abandoned trainyard I was staying at.
'Wait, did anyone get Pinky?' I think to myself.
I hear a thunk, and feel the ambulance rock above us.
"Damn kid." I hear a raspy voice above. Following the sound, I look up to see a man with shoulder length gray hair and a pale complexion. Black trench coat decorated with stitches that look meant to stand out. "You sure as hell know how to make a scene."
He gives a wide, creepy grin as I start to smell the charred corpse. My nose crinkling in disgust at the smell, and the man squatting above me.
"Sorry for the rude invite." I hear next to me, snapping my head to my right. I see Katsuki leaning on the edge of the ambulance. Looking down to his hands while fiddling with his white gloves. "But, I wanted a word with you." He looks up. "Only real way I could do it without the PRT getting involved. Sorry, I really am."
"Who the hell are you!?" Mom asks as she hops out of the ambulance.
"Mom!" I reach out to stop her, but fail to.
Thankfully nothing happens. Katsuki just looks her up and down. His demeanor changing as his face loses its softness.
"Back in the truck you old hag." He sneers. "This ain't none of your business."
"And neither is it yours!" I say with a smile as I do not have the patients for this.
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong." He grins confidently, his eyes glowing green as arcs of green static start flicking around him. "I don't need her."
He pushes of the side off the ambulance and faces me. Grabbing the side of the ambulance, and ripping the side off with a casual yank as the rain suddenly stops as though on cue.
He tosses the piece behind him, his eyes never leaving mine as I use my master power. And wince as I get a headache, feeling the tether snap back before reaching him.
"Oh?" He grins menacingly. "You're just a host of surprises."
"We'll make this plain and simple." The gray haired one says. "In the interest of, cooperation."
Katsuki snaps his fingers. His eyes lighting up in recognition as he smiles with an aha face.
"Right! Thanks Decay." He says with a smile to the man. "I know this seems a bit much."
"You hijacked an ambulance, kidnapped us, killed an innocent EMT and are now surrounding us." Mom points out.
The thing she doesn't say, is how the only reason we aren't fighting back is because we aren't willing to risk Dad. Sure, someone died and there's another innocent bystander in the ambulance. But at this point, it's a matter of priorities. I'd serve the EMT on a stick if it meant getting Dad to the hospital with no issues.
"I know, I know." He holds his hands up in defense. "It's a bit excessive. But we only wanted to get you somewhere we could talk."
"Hell of a way to-" Mom starts
"Not you." The raspy voiced man says.
I suddenly become very aware of all the eyes on me as I stare into the green eyes of the man five feet away.
"How about this." He says as he kneels. "One hour, I just want to talk one on one. You and me. In exchange, we'll leave, right now."
"She doesn't have-" Mom starts.
"Only if you give me your wallet." I hold a hand out, causing him to blink in surprise.
"Um, I'm not-" He starts.
"Give me your wallet and everything in it. And I let you walk away." I say seriously.
A silence stretches over the scene. Only broken by the other three here breaking into laughter.
"Ah! Oh that's fucking gold!" Decay bellows out as he falls back on the roof of the ambulance. Kicking his feet as he laughs.
"I like her!" The blonde girl says manically. "She's got spirit!"
"Oh, oh man." Hellfire says as he leans on a wall. "Better hurry up boss, or the girl might break your knees!"
I might at this point.
"Alright then." He shrugs, giving a soft smile as he reaches into his pocket. Cutting everyone's laughter short as he holds the brown leather wallet out in front of me. "A show of faith. It has everything, driver's license, social security card, bank card. Everything."
"Okay?" I say as I tentatively reach out and take it.
"Good!" He says and stands up. "We'll talk tomorrow then! Your hiding spot on the tracks sound good?"
I feel my veins go cold as he says that. My hideout in the train yard isn't exactly hidden. But it's out of the way enough that I'd know of anyone nearby trying to find me. And I didn't know about these people looking for me.
I'm still not even sure I know who these clowns are!
"Alright then." He nods and walks past us, stopping to look down at the charred corpse for a moment. Before shaking his head and moving on.
"It goes without saying but." Decay says before hopping off the roof and landing a few feet in front of us. Turning to us with a deranged grin. "If you don't show up, we'll just come find you."
"Come on guys." Katsuki calls back as he goes through the alley Hellfire came from. "Leave them be for now."
"Bye bye for now!" The blonde waves as she skips away.
"See ya." Hellfire says as he turns around and just walks away.
Decay eyes us with a predatory grin. Before giving a short chuckle and shoving his hands in his pockets. Shaking his head as he calmly walks off and follows the others.
As soon as they leave our sight. Or, at least my sight. Mom collapses. Falling back onto the back step of the ambulance. Smothering her face in her hands as she gives a muffled scream.
I reach out and put a hand on her shoulder. Giving her soft pats.
"There there." I say calmingly. "It's not your fault."
"Don't patronize me." She says tiredly.
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-Brockton Bay General Hospital, Monday, October 4th, 1pm-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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"So, you gonna have your happy reunion with your long lost girlfriend?" Dennis says dramatically, fake swooning next to me as we walk down the halls.
"Clock, I swear if you, just, pull a you." I manage to get out, putting a hand up to act as a divider between us. "Then, I'll… just don't."
"Don't what?" He asks with a laugh. "Call you kissy Missy out of nowhere-"
I stretch the floor under him right as he takes a step. Forcing him to do the splits.
"-Rrrraaaah ha… haaaa." He pants out in pain as he rolls to his side mid fall. Saving himself from the worst of it.
"Say that, ever." I turn to face him. "And every puddle you step in will be ten feet deep."
"Noted." He gives a thumbs up with one hand while rubbing his thigh with the other. "Oh god I think I pulled something."
I turn back around and head for the doors. Not bothering to check with the nurse as I warp the space between the double doors and walk through the halls towards the hero wing.
About a minute of walking past doctors, nurses, rooms and security. I look up and down the halls. Looking for rooms H one through five.
Finding the rooms in question, I walk down the hall and focus on my extrasensory field. The bit of my power that tells what I can and can't effect. Finding the odd shape of area I can't effect inside room H two. Alongside the shape of a man laying down.
The thing that makes the shape I'm looking for odd. Is her tail and ears.
Warping the miniscule space between the door and wall, I expand it and step in. Earning the raggy clothes wearing girl's attention.
"Missy!" Her eyes light up and her ears perk as she gets up from the chair she was sitting backwards in. Running over to me. "I'm so glad to see-"
Slap!
She's cut off as I slap her.
"Oww!" She holds her cheek as she looks to the side. "What is it with people slapping me lately?"
"If people are slapping you it's because you deserve it!" I tell her as I remove my visor. "Seriously? Two weeks and nothing?"
"I was trying not to put you in danger." She says softly with a nervous, worried look up to me.
Either I've gotten taller, or she just looks shorter the way she is right now.
"Don't give me that crap." I huff out with a glare. "Two, weeks. I get that I was on ice for half of that but not once did you reach out. No visit, no calls, no texts, not even a dm on Parahumans online! You ghosted me! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? Like I'm secondary to you! I come as an afterthought to whatever you're doing."
I finish my rant. Panting heavily from having said that all in one breath as Kitsu stares at me with wide eyes.
"Well?" I say as I spread my arms out in exasperation. "Say something!"
"You're hot when you're mad." She blurts out with a blush.
"What?" I feel my anger get put on hold as I try to compute what she just said after everything I told her.
"I'm sorry!" Her ears splay back. "You just started yelling and being all take charge and then yelled at me to say something and it was the first thing that came to mind!" She says quickly.
"Well if that's the case then prepare for me to look like a runway model!" I raise my voice as I take in what she said. "I pour my frustration out to you and your first words are, you're hot? Do you not get it? I'm upset with you! I'm mad that you didn't so much as send a text saying you're alright. Something, anything to let me know you were at least thinking about me."
"I, I, I'm sorry." She says softly as she looks down at the floor.
"Sorry's not going to be enough." I cross my arms.
She doesn't look surprised when I say that. So I can at least rest assured in knowing she's taking me serious.
"I-I… I don't know." She says softly. "I, don't have anything I can, I don't know."
"Oh you have plenty." I say as I uncross my arms. "For one, you have yourself."
"Huh?" She asks as she looks up.
"You owe me seven dates, at least." I say as I poke her chest for emphasis. "Consecutive, with thought put into them. You're paying for anything and everything. And you best believe I'm going to be kissing you and petting your tail."
Kitsu stares up at me with a blank, almost disbelieving expression as I finish.
"So, you're- Mrph!" I cut her off by grabbing her face and pulling her in for a kiss. One I have to crane my neck down a little for as I hold her close.
And loosen up a little as I hold her too close and she presses against my gut.
"I'm glad you're okay." I say as I crane my neck up and rest my chin on her head. "I missed, you."
"Wasn't it just a week for you?" She asks as I feel her hands wrap around my midsection to return the hug.
And I hear her sniffing me.
'Little weirdo.' I think to myself.
I've noticed she does that anytime she hugs someone. It's a her thing, I'm sure.
"Too long." I say as I want to squeeze her tight, but can't because of my stupid body. "You stink."
"I, haven't bathed in a while." She mutters.
"I can tell." I say simply as I rub her back.
"Mean." She mutters into my padded chest plate. "You're new hero suit sucks. Too much armor."
"Deal with it." I say simply, and roll my eyes as I watch her tail wag a little faster.
'How do I keep forgetting that she likes it when I'm a bitch.' I think to myself.
"I'm sorry." She mutters quietly.
"Just promise you won't run off against a team of villains on your own again." I sigh tiredly.
"Umm, about that." She chuckles nervously.
"What." I demand to know as I pull back and stare her down.
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-Abandoned Tracks, Train Yard, Monday, October 4th, 4pm-
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I sit on the roof of the abandoned shed I called home for the last week or so. Crawler's corpse is still tied down to the tracks just a bit away. I left it there because I genuinely couldn't be bothered to move it. Or dispose of it.
Someone will get rid of it eventually. Maybe.
'Maybe I should get rid if it?' I think as I kick my feet over the roof's edge. Humming a made up, nonsense tune as I just wait. 'If it doesn't get moved soon, then there's a chance I could get in trouble. Wait, he had a kill order so… would I? I mean people with kill orders aren't really considered people. So does leaving him there count as littering? Or would it be illegal dumping? What's the difference?'
I'm brought from considerations on the legality of just leaving the corpse to rot, when I hear the sounds of footsteps on the soft gravel. Looking down the ways, I spot the Izuku lookalike calling himself Katsuki. And then I smell it.
Food!
'No! Bad Kitsu!' I admonish myself. 'He's the enemy! Bad guy!'
But free food.
'You don't know if it's for you, and even then it might be drugged.' I think to myself as I watch the unassuming man walk towards me.
"Morning!" He gives a bright smile, putting a hand up to shield his eyes from the sun while looking up to me.
"It's afternoon." I point out.
"Just a greeting." He gives a good natured scoff.
"Yeah yeah." I say as I push off the roof and land on the gravel with a soft crunch. "You gonna say why you're here?"
"Well, first." He holds up the brown bag with the red logo of a stereotypical Mexican man. Sarape, sombrero and thick mustache. "I was thinking we could have a chat over lunch?"
Taking a whiff.
"Pass." I refuse him outright. Crossing my arms over my chest and looking away. "I don't like burritos unless they have cheese."
"Fair enough." He shrugs and sets the bag down. Putting his hands in his pockets. He gives me a bright smile. "So, you probably want to know what this is about."
"Very much so." I say, losing my patients for this. Though, not really wanting to head home just yet.
I'm grounded as soon as I step in the doors.
"Well, it's simple but a bit, well it's a bit awkward to ask." He says nervously and starts scratching his cheek while avoiding direct eye contact.
"Wait." I say as I start piecing everything together.
He's obviously Hellfire's boss. Hellfire keeps calling me the new boss. He claims to want to talk to me, sent a double agent to try and kidnap me and Mom. Set up this whole meeting to get us a private moment. Brought me lunch!
"I get it now!" I say as I feel my eyes go wide.
"Wait." He stops in his track. "Really?"
"You want to sleep with me!" I point an accusatory finger at the pedophile.
'Why!?' I ask myself. 'Why do I keep running into these creeps!?'
I guess it's my fault for thinking that trucker I hitchhiked a ride from a few months ago was the last of them. Then again, I did manage to go a few months without running into anyone with grabby hands.
Children petting my tail not included.
"What?" He asks, caught off guard at being caught red handed. "No! Nothing like that, the opposite in fact."
"Yeah, and I'll bet you're just here for a cupcake!" I say as I pull my phone out. "I'm calling the police, creep!"
I'd kill him outright, but I reserve that for molesters. Not intended molesters. They just get the social ruining.
"No!" He calls out, and I watch as a black tendril reaches out and grabs my phone.
"Hey!" I say as I keep ahold of my phone. "Nyo! I can't wreck another one!"
'Wade will kill me!... Socially!' I think frantically. He has all my socials!
"You're not calling the cops." He says in a dark tone, his demeanor changing in an instant as green static flickers around him. "I'm not here for, that. So just calm down, and listen to me."
He lets go of my phone, the tendril disappearing into thin air as he lowers his arm. Taking a deep breath, he runs his hand through his messy black hair.
"I'm sorry." He groans as he paces back and forth. Hands covering his face. "I just, I snap sometimes. I didn't mean anything by that."
"Yeah, sure." I say as I start backing up, intent on bolting the fuck out of here.
"I'll just, look." He says and holds his hands up, earning my curiosity just enough to not bolt immediately. "Cards on the table, I need you to kill me."
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"Why do people keep asking me that?" I mutter to myself.
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Bonus
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Japan, 7 months after the sinking of Kyushu
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Inko Midoriya POV
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Dear Miss Midoriya
Due to recent events and acts of god outside anyone's control, we regret to inform you-
I look at the public aide form.
Dear Miss Midoriya, we must unfortunately inform you that due to unforeseen events-
I look to the landlord's notice.
Due to recent events and various factors. Rent has been increased from-
"Mom." I'm pulled away from my reading as I look up to my eleven year old boy. My poor son, hair dyed blonde like a delinquent. He's clearly uncomfortable with it, and it breaks my heart to make him do this. "I, do I really have to do this?"
"I-I'm sorry sweetie." I say as I keep my voice in check. Getting up from the table to walk over, giving my son a hug he no doubt needs. One he doesn't return. "I'm sorry but, it's the only thing we can do."
He's so thin. Even with me giving him my rations, he's still withering away.
"I, this feels wrong." He sniffles.
"I know sweetie." I say softly as I feel my heart break. "But, but it'll get better. I promise. Now." I pull back and give him a smile. "Like we practiced."
"My name is Bakugo Katsuki." He says with a sad look. "I'm eleven years old, my mom is Bakugo Mitsuki. We were lost in the crowd of refugees during our family visit to Kyushu. Dad didn't make it."
My heart breaks as I coach my son in how to steal the identity, of his best friend.
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The Butcher
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Birth Name: Izuku Midoriya
Legal Name: Katsuki Bakugo
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A-class
Sex: Male
Gender Identity: Male
Relationships: Deceased Mother and Father
Age: Early 20's
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 170 lbs.
Ethnicity: Japanese
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Emerald Green
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Classification:
Trump 10: Enhances any ability gifted to him.
Breaker: Capable of channeling and storing potential energy, transferring the stored energy across his body.
Shaker: Able to emit a large smoke cloud on command.
Mover: can extend tendrils of black energy out to attach to various surfaces and pivot between surfaces. Can also attack and manipulate the tendrils like extension of his own body.
Striker: Able to redirect and refocus kinetic energy with a touch. Able to enhance any pain they inflict.
Thinker: Able to sense danger and emotions at short range.
Stranger: Immune to Master effects. Can cut off others ability to detect him with one of their sense at a time. I.e. is able to become soundless, scentless, invisible, ect. But only one at a time.
Master: Upon being killed, will have their powers and subconscious transferred to their killer. If the killer isn't a parahuman, then it moves to the closest parahuman.
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Personal profile
Born Izuku Midoriya on Japan's mainland in 1988. Leviathan's attack on Kyushu had a rippling effect on Japan's economic and social stability. In the chaos left in the wake of Kyushu sinking, Inko Midoriya assumed the identity of her friend, Mitsuki Bakugo, who had died in Leviathan's attack alongside her husband and child. And furthered the deception by claiming Izuku as Bakugo. Using the combined assets of her and her dead friend, she fled to America in hopes of a better life.
This series of events deeply scarred Izuku. Not the least of which was from the fact he had to play the role of his dead friend for years in order to avoid deportation. It is around this time that Izuku triggered with a Trump power.
Eventually, while attending therapy in San Franscico. The Teeth had passed through. Caught in a hostage situation, Izuku was forced to kill The Butcher in order to save a family from being gunned down.
His previously unknown power made itself known when he started hearing voices. Voices that drove him back to The Teeth where he has been fighting a losing battle in his head over the last five years.
Izuku is naturally kind hearted, but the death of his friend and subsequent uprooting of his life and need to assume his friend's identity have left him with a warped sense of self. Even before The Butcher, Izuku struggled with questions of identity.
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A/N
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Ask questions!
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More comments! I want them all! Every one of them! Especially speculation, I love speculative comments.
Fuel me my NOOBIANS!
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Find me in my channel, newb's-grotto, on the discord.
Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro