I-Island of Fear
"And now, our guest of honor, All Might, the Symbol of Peace!", announced the MC of the I-Island Expo. All Might flashed his signature smile as he walked onto the stage. David was there too, quietly clapping along with the other Heroes in attendance. As his sunken eyes gazed out the party attendees, he noticed that Izuku and his friends were missing, though he did text him saying that they were on the way. But then, he noticed someone else missing. "Hey, David, wasn't…", but All Might was interrupted by some goons kicking down the double doors! Just then, lights in the floor fired lasers that tied up the Heroes like ropes! "Evening, ladies and gentlemen", said the leader, a man with a metal mask that looked like several bandages wrapped around his head, "If it isn't obvious from the state of your bondage, we're in control of I-Island now. At this moment, the tower is being shut down and the security robots are holding people captive in their homes and hotels. Simply put, no one is going to save you. I-Island is in the palm of our hands, so be thankful we're showing you leniency".
"What do you want, Villain?", snarled All Might. "Him", said the leader as he aimed his gun at David, "Take his partner too". At once, one of the goons transformed his hands into swords and pointed them at David's back, forcing him forward. The other goon held a gun against Sam's head. "Get moving", he said. Sam and David were forced out of the doors as the leader leveled his gun against the captive Heroes. "You won't get away with this!", cried the MC. "Hmm, yes I will", said the leader as he stepped out of the ballroom, "Doctor, lock down the tower. I want no interference".
At the same time, as Izuku and the girls got to the venue, alarms started blaring. Eri instinctively hugged one of Kyoka's legs as the noise intensified. "What is that?", asked Camie. Suddenly, Iida, Kaminari, and Mineta arrived, pushing a cart of clean plates. "Ah, the Mineta alarm, of course", chuckled Setsuna. "No, that's the intruder alarm", said Melissa. Just then, a set of metal walls closed down the hallway!
Izuku rushed forward, only for a metal wall to cut him off from Eri and Kyoka! "Eri!", he cried. "Hang on", said Iida as he raced to the wall, activating his leg engines. With a single, boosted kick, Iida shattered the wall, creating an opening for everyone to get out! Izuku transformed into the Green Gorilla and pounded the metal wall, eventually punching a hole into it! The ape ripped through the hole, only to find his sister and Kyoka missing! He sniffed the air and looked down the hall, which was wide open. "Midoriya, wait up", cried Kendo. The Green Gorilla turned back into his human form as Momo, Melissa, Kendo, and Ochako ran over. "They went that way", he said, "I'm going to go get them and try to figure out what's happening".
"I think we know what's happening", said Melissa as she pulled up her phone. Izuku saw an audio text from All Might and hit the play button. Everyone gathered around to hear the villain's speech about how the island was under their mercy and that they took David and Sam away with them. "Do we know where the villains took them?", asked Ochako. "No", said Melissa, who looked like she was on the verge of tears, "They could be anywhere on I-Island and the Heroes can't save Papa". "Then, we need to find out how they took over the place", said Kaminari. "Kaminari's right", said Izuku, "The sooner we find out how they took over I-Island, the sooner we can put a stop to it, free the Heroes, and save your father."
"That could totally work...to send us into maximum overdrive to our own cemeteries!", said Camie in a panic, "How are we going to do that without a one-way ticket to Bummer Ville?" "I can break into the system", said Melissa, "I've had to safe-crack a program when dealing with stubborn robots". "I can possibly get through electric barriers". "I can create anything so long as I have the lipids to do so", said Momo. Kendo simply grew her hand and used the gigantic appendage to crush a piece of broken metal. "That settles it", said Izuku, "You guys go with Melissa and get those systems back online. I'll go find Eri and Kyoka". "Alone? Not on my watch", said Ochako firmly, "I'm going with you". "As am I", said Yui. "Face it, Host Body", said Monkey from within Izuku's mind, "We are going to need all the help we can get".
"Alright", sighed Izuku, "Who's coming to help find my sister and Kyoka". At once, Ochako, Mina, Iida, Camie, and Yui stepped forward. "Thank you", said Izuku, "The rest of you, help Melissa and Momo in any way you can. Find Todoroki and Bakugo if you need to". Just then, the sound of explosions from outside filled the air. "Found them", said Setsuna. "Where would the central computer system be?", asked Kendo. "It would have to be the Central I-Island Tower", said Melissa. "As soon as I find Eri and Kyoka, we'll meet you there", said Izuku before he transformed into the Green Gorilla and gathered up his team in his arms. "Good luck, we're counting on you", said Camie. The Green Gorilla sniffed the air before taking off.
Over at the Central Tower, David and Sam were forced up the stairs to the front entrance when Wolfram got a call. "What is it, Doctor?", he asked. "I have detected a increase in temperature near the party venue", said Dr. Merlot, "No doubt the ape and his friends are on the move like you predicted". "It's happening too fast", said Wolfram, "How soon until the Asset gets here?" "About thirty minutes depending on how fast the device does its work", said Dr. Merlot, "I would suggest leaving Daigo and Nobu to guard the front until then". "Right", smiled Wolfram.
Back at the party venue, two of the terrorists assigned to guard the captured Heroes got an alert on their radios. "There's movement in the labs", said one of them. "Better go check it out", said the other, "You guys stick around here. Make sure they can't move". "Don't worry about it", said another terrorist, "Not even the grand high All Might can escape from these hard light ropes". Unfortunately, it seemed true, and to make matters worse, All Might had begun to realize that he was nearing the final hour of his strength. Any second now, everyone would see his true form.
Down below, Kyoka gripped Eri's hand like a vice as she checked every door, hoping to find a way out, finding only locked doors in her path. As Eri hurried alongside her, she noticed Kyoka humming a tune. "What are you doing?", she asked. "Oh, whenever I get nervous, I calm myself by thinking about what I love most, music", said Kyoka. "Nervous? Does that mean you're scared too?", asked Eri. "Absolutely", said Kyoka. "But how can you be a Hero if you're scared?", asked Eri as she looked over her shoulder down the dark hallway. "Eri", said Kyoka as she knelt down beside the girl, "Everyone gets scared sometimes, even Heroes. What separates Heroes from those they help is that they don't let their fear control them. If Yaomomo were here, she'd probably say something like: 'Bravery is not but the absence of fear, but the drive to continue despite it's hold'. You know, that sort of thing".
"So, how do I be brave like you?", asked Eri. "It's not easy", said Kyoka, "Music calms my nerves, but the fear doesn't go away." "Maybe you should sing louder", said Eri, "If you sing loud enough, you might forget to be scared". Kyoka chuckled at Eri's logic. "Tell you what, squirt", she said, "When this thing is over and the Heroes have won, because they will, I'll sing for everyone". "Promise?", asked Eri. "I promise", said Kyoka upon finding a door that wasn't locked, "This must be the labs they use for chemistry. We'll hide in here until either the Heroes show up or the crisis blows over."
Outside, Melissa, Momo, Kaminari, Mineta, Kendo, and Setsuna met up with Todoroki and Bakugo, who were both whipping off their coats as the girls surveyed the smoking wreckage of some security robots. "That takes care of those tin-can bitches", smirked Bakugo. "There's only five of them", said Setsuna. "So far", said Melissa. "Then I'll end those ones next", said Bakugo, pointedly ignoring the large amounts of ice sticking out of the robots. "I suspect we're needed elsewhere?", asked Todoroki. "You could say that", said Kendo. "We need to get to the Central Tower before more of these things come after us", said Mineta. "OK, how do we get their?", asked Todoroki. "It's a ten minute walk that way", said Melissa, "Five if we run". "Then let's go", said Setsuna as she took off. "Damn it, Setsuna", Kendo muttered under her breath as the rest of them ran after her.
Back inside the venue, the Green Gorilla stopped to sniff the air, making sure not to lose the scent he had picked up. By now, his team was walking alongside him, hoping that no one was looking for them. Camie looked over her shoulder, still panicking. "I should be with them", she muttered, "Am I making a mistake? Am I a coward?" "You are valued member of the team", said Yui bluntly, "You're time to ascend is narrowly upon you". Camie didn't know whether to feel relieved or unnerved. "She's right", said Mina, "You can't doubt yourself at a time like this. There's too much at stake". Just then, they heard a noise. "Everyone against the wall", said Camie. Ochako, Mina, Iida, Yui, and the Green Gorilla all hugged their backs against the wall as Camie let out a breath. Strange, glimmering smoke filled the hallway. The two terrorists looked down the hall. "There's nothing down there", said one of them, "Let's keep going. We're almost to the lab".
There was brief moment before the rest of the Hero students moved away from the wall. "What was that?", asked Ochako. "I can breath out smoke that makes fools see stuff", said Camie. "They're heading to the labs", said Iida, "Two to one shot that's where Kyoka and Eri are hiding." The Green Gorilla didn't hesitate as he bounded down the hall.
The terrorists kicked down the door to the lab and trained their guns throughout the room. Unseen, Kyoka hugged Eri tight, hoping the terrorists would just leave. "Check under the tables", said one of them. Damn it. As she felt the terrorists getting closer, her jacks picked up the sounds of stomping heading straight for the lab...and it was only getting louder. Kyoka smiled. Eri couldn't see it, but she heard something crash through the wall! "What the Hell is that?", cried a terrorist. Then, gunshots filled the air, along with a thundering roar! One of the terrorists went flying into the wall, knocked out by the impact! Kyoka then heard the sound of a fist slam the other terrorist into the ground! Then, silence.
Cue Song: Skull Island by Tom Holkenborg
"Is it safe?", asked Eri tearfully, "Is the monster gone yet?" "That's no monster", said Kyoka, "He's…well, see for yourself". Eri slowly walked out from behind the table, finding herself face to face with the Green Gorilla. Eri let out a whimper, causing the ape to back away. He considered turning back, only for Kyoka to stand up and gently say: "She needs to see this side of you. Show her who you truly are".
The Green Gorilla grunted softly, slowing crawling over to Eri. Eri nervously took a step forward, summoning every once of courage she had in her tiny body. She couldn't help but be reminded of the "nice monkey" from the movie she saw on the plane, considering the utter power emanating from the big ape's presence alone. The Green Gorilla slowly pointed towards Eri, allowing her to touch his mighty finger. As Eri felt the rough, leathery texture of his hand, she looked into the glowing eyes and noticed something familiar about them. They reminded her of… "Izuku", she cried as she hugged the Green Gorilla's head. The ape turned back into his human form as he embraced his sister.
"Thank goodness, you're all OK", exclaimed Iida. "No thanks to those walls", said Kyoka, "Let me guess: terrorist attack?" "Looks like", shuddered Camie. "All we know is that the others went to the Central Tower to help free the Heroes upstairs", said Mina. "Getting there will be an issue", said Yui, "Those security robots are under the control of the terrorists". "So someone needs to distract them while we get to the Central Tower. Any takers?", asked Mina. Izuku transformed into the Green Gorilla, a grim expression on his face as he pushed Eri over to Kyoka. He stared down the punk girl, his silent order to protect his sister quite evident. Kyoka only needed to nod.
Momo pulled out her phone at the sound of a text. "Looks like we're getting back-up", she said. "What do we need back-up for?", asked Bakugo, "There's only two guys!" "That my be", said Melissa, "But if we go in too fast, we'll be sitting ducks". Bakugo scowled, another opportunity for greatness slipping through his fingers.
Back at the venue, security robots were already patrolling with their guns trained on the doors. "Sector 9 is covered", said one of them, "No biotics detected". Suddenly, the robots noticed some falling over and looked up to see the Green Gorilla perched atop a ledge. The ape stood upon his hind legs and let out a thunderous roar as he beat his chest!
The party goers inside heard the roar as the building shook."What was that?", asked a woman with a green dress with peacock tail feathers on the back. "Trouble, of the best kind", said All Might with a smile.
The Green Gorilla leaped off of the building and dug his hands into the concrete of the opposite building as the robots aimed their guns at him. "Biotic, return to your dorm at once", the commanded, only for the Green Gorilla to fling some debris at them, crushing the robots on impact! Just then, a whole legion of robots activated their jet-packs and flew up to confront the ape. "Last chance", said the robots, "Stand down, or be put down". The Green Gorilla thought about it...before taking off running! He leaped of the edge of the building and onto a rooftop, with the robots flying after him! They fired upon the ape, only to find their bullets not stopping him as the Green Gorilla leaped onto another rooftop!
The robots were formidable opponents to some Heroes, but unlike the Atlesian Knights, they weren't as durable or as well-adept at combat. This was evident when three of the robots landed ahead and fired upon the Green Gorilla, only for him to roll forward, using his entire body weight to crush them! He slammed his right arm into another three, shattering them before he leaped off of the building!
He grabbed onto an electric cable and used it to swing to the edge of a building! The Green Gorilla latched onto the side, smashing through parts of the outer wall before leaping to another cable and swinging on that like it was a vine! The Green Gorilla kept up the pace, swinging on cables and running over rooftops as the robots pursued! Suddenly, he realized that he had made it to the sea wall and the robots had cut him off from any escape! Two of them flew forward, only for the Green Gorilla to shatter them both with a single punch! More robots tried to pile onto him, zapping him with tasers and stun batons! The repeated jabs almost hurt the Green Gorilla. Almost.
He then transformed further, growing to twenty four feet! The robots flew in all directions as the Green Gorilla threw them off, shattering against the ground! The enlarged Green Gorilla them stomped down on more of the robots before slamming his mighty hands onto the rest of the flying robots! "Retreat! Retreat! Back to base!", cried one of the robots. As the Green Gorilla roared and beat his chest, the robots dropped their weapons and flew off in terror!
The Green Gorilla looked out at I-Island and realized that he had somehow swung over to an area the furthest away from the Central I-Island Tower. The city lights illuminated a path straight towards his friends, as well as the terrorists in charge now. He couldn't help but feel like he was being lured into a trap. If that was the case, the Green Gorilla did not want to disappoint. He leaped off of the sea wall and began his journey anew, ready for the next challenge the terrorists would throw at him.
"How much longer?", asked Wolfram. "Just fifteen minutes", said Dr. Merlot, "More than enough time to sit back and watch the imminent fireworks". "Will this beast be enough to kill the ape?", asked Swordkill. "Believe me, this monster will, nay, must be the one to kill the Green Gorilla", said Dr. Merlot, "It is the only way my master can succeed". Suddenly, a tremendous explosion shook the building. "What was that?", asked Swordkill. "No, no, no", muttered Wolfram, "It's too soon! Swordkill, the computers. Keep them from getting there!"
To Be Continued…
Gorilla Fact: Like humans, gorillas have unique finger and footprints. But in addition to those, they also have unique noseprints, which are a set of wrinkles on the nose. Scientists often use these noseprints to identify gorillas out in the field during study and observation in the wild.