Chapter 8 - They're Here
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"So, this is what Frank sent you?", asked Forged as he and Trickshot discussed the reveal of the Punisher's last report.
In the Quinjet, Forge, Trickshot, and Odin discuss the recent discoveries in Finland. From what Black Knight had listed off in his part of the report, they were able to fend off increased government forces that were mobilizing in more urban areas. Unfortunately, it was a distraction to allow the Hydra officials to evacuate all scientists in the facility they were meant to infiltrate. Alongside the scientists, the Hydra agents hidden among the government's law enforcement were able to retrieve the Zodiac relic from a rebel station and send it to a safe house deep in the capital city of Helsinki. Regaining the Aquarius Gauntlets is now a top priority for the two SHIELD appointed vigilantes. After the victory of the countryside, the two made their way to the city and planned to infiltrate during the night. However, someone else had other plans.
The Black Panther. A title and identity fit only for those who inherited the role as ruler of Wakanda. In Finland of all places. It's no secret that the meteor that hit a specific area in Africa fourteen years ago had made a major mark in the continent's history. When that huge space rock crashed into the Earth, the geology of the continent's eastern region changed. In the year 2160, new mountains formed, and rivers were born. It has seemed that the wildlife had a rebirth as most of Africa's fauna gained population growth. However, tragedy had struck once the reconstruction had begun.
Three months after the impact, purple fog had been a frequent occurrence in the region in between Ethiopia and Kenya. It doesn't affect the plants and animals negatively, but it was a whole other story for the people living there. Through a collaboration with the SHIELD organization and African governments close to the region, investigations were set up to discover how people fair to these new conditions. Turns out not so good. Reports of failing immune systems and organ failures erupted from every corner of the land. Many were dying from a mysterious illness that the locals believed it's a curse of the purple fog. Any who were exposed to it for so long are fated for death.
The governments of Ethiopia and Kenya had agreed to a full quarantine of any region of land that touched their borders. In the first month, the two countries suffered major instability in economy, social infrastructure, and public health. So much so that SHIELD had to send more assets to manage the growing mess and avoid the beginning of another civil war epidemic in the African continent. After the summer of that year, the number of deaths by the mysterious illness had lessened. Unfortunately, the number of missing people had started to grow immensely. Investigations had become more frequent and concern for the lost people of the quarantine ate at the citizens of the regions. It had become so drastic that Director Carter herself had to arrive on site and aid in the undertaking.
As Carter made leeway in restoring power to the local governments, she found several connections that tied the missing people with those who have been reported to have survived the illness. The hospital records confirmed this as multiple families came forward with admittances that their relatives, young and old, haven't arrived home after being declared cured. After much tracking and coming through surveillance systems implanted since the beginning of the quarantine, new sightings tell of groups of people who journey from their homes in Kenya and Ethiopia to an isolated valley region where the border ends at a massive riverbank. With their destination set, the director and a small squad of SHIELD agents ride to the valley to find the missing Africans. What they ended up finding, did more than just change the game.
After three hours of trailing through jungles and plains, Director Carter and her team had ventured straight into what could be considered as paradise. Glorious rock structures that makeshift as temples and capitals. Greenery that complemented the streets and homes. Cars and boats sharing in entwined and harmonized roads. Exotic animals domesticated and walked next to groups of children. It truly looked like paradise on Earth. It was not surprising to her that such a place had a very reactive security system and a fast infantry of guards to respond to it.
In the first five minutes of being in this new civilization, the security forces responded in kind. African men in blue aimed their guns. African women in red readied their spears. The civilians behind them crowd around the scene as the SHIELD agents take a protective position around their director. With the help of a translator among their group, Carter was able to request an audience with the captain of the security force in front of her. One of the red dressed women stepped up and addressed themselves as the leader of the unit of female warriors. She was tall, at least an inch taller than the director.
"I am the captain of the unit and head of the royal guard. You are to return where you came now. If you remain, imprisonment is all that awaits you.", enforced the female leader with all her authority.
The SHIELD agents were getting nervous. Some of them weren't planning on being put on a life sentence just for doing a little discovering. They stopped their thinking as they saw their Director standing right in front of them. Acting as a barrier keeping the spears away from her agents, Carter took the little African dialect she learned and brought her full point across.
"I am Director Margaret Carter, leader of the SHIELD. I am here to perform an investigation on the missing people of Kenya and Ethiopia that have been sighted to migrate to this point of the region. The SHIELD organization only wishes to return them to their concerned families. They have done enough mourning for those they've already lost. All they asked of us was to find those that ran away from their hospitals.", affirmed Director Carter as she stood in front of the Captain. The spearhead is a mere inch from the Director's stomach.
"I know you know that they are here. So, I'll ask you this, why would they wish to return?", asked the Dora Milaje captain. The SHIELD Director thought about her answer, and she needed to stay on neutral territory. Less she endangers her squad and fails to secure a diplomatic mood with the law enforcement of this newly established tribe.
Tribe, however, wasn't the right term for it. With her reincarnated memories, she obviously knows what these fierce warriors are trying to protect. These people, this city, and this newborn cultural society. Not to mention the location and coordinates where they stand. In front of her, this will one day become the technologically advanced nation of Wakanda.
But how? And when? For now, the what.
"For family maybe. Homesickness. Or possibly, for a temporary rendezvous to retrieve some family who are aware of this place. I would understand that you most definitely have tried. Miss Eola Mortsang.", answered Director Carter.
The women in red that were behind their captain tensed up. They looked to their leader who's eyes narrowed at the foreigner. With all remaining silent, said foreigner continued talking.
"Miss Eola Mortsang, you lived in the southern Kenyan city of Nairobi all your life. Along with your late husband, Rewsaw Mortsang. From your medical history, both of you and him were infected with the mysterious illness that comes with the purple fog. To make it even more severe, you were seven months pregnant.", explained Director Carter. She was going to go further, but the sound of the bottom end of the spear handle hitting the stone road stopped her.
"That's enough, I'm not even going to ask how you know any of that.", demanded the captain with some edge.
"We're SHIELD. We're supposed to know." Said Carter like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Both women were now staring at each other. One side with coldness and the other with heat. The Director was about to try to level with the Dora warrior. Until, more Doras had arrived with two unique people that they escorted. One by one, all around the scene knelt to one knee in fealty. The only ones left standing were the SHIELD agents and the Dora Captain. It was then that the Director saw them. The most important people in this man-made paradise. A tall African man in a black and purple military attire with a panther pelt wrapped him. Locking arms with him, a curvaceous African woman dressed in vibrant purple and gold dress.
"Captain Eola, who are our guests? They should have been stopped by the border tribe before stepping foot on the city.", questioned the newly arrived man.
"My apologies, my king. We were performing our mid-day routines, and the motion sensors still haven't been repaired yet since the attack last week. We were only able to catch up to them thanks to our informants in Kenya.", informed Eola to her royals.
"Enough excuses, Eola. We can't afford to have a weak infrastructure in both our security and military. Those raiders plan to rally against us. We can't appear weak to any enemy.", scolded the queen.
"Yes, my queen.", said a solemn Eola. She would then stand to her King's right. Said King turned his gaze to the group of foreigners and their leader.
At first glance, the Director could tell that the man in front of her held an air of dominance. As if the only home he ever knew could only be kept safe as long as it is being carried by his shoulders. Something she could relate to, unfortunately. But it was his eyes that told of two things that this royal held to high regards. Power and diligence. It is important to be on good terms with this King if SHIELD and Wakanda are to have good relations.
The Royals escorted the Director and her SHIELD agents to the grand chamber. The SHIELD agents and Dora Milaje were instructed to guard the outer entrance. This would ensure that the Director and the King with his queen can speak on neutral grounds. There, they discussed the matters of the missing people investigation. It took many hours, but the two sides were able to come to an agreement. Although, the terms and conditions of such arrangements were kept secret from the public knowledge as well as those not in the royal family. This meeting would be what allowed SHIELD and the newly developing Wakanda to have some form of cooperation. One will not interfere with the other, nor will they interfere with the former. It was until Finland happened.
"Okay, so how do we deal with this Forge?", asked Trickshot.
"I'm going to have to make a call to Peggy. But, she's probably still going through negotiations with the Icelandic President. So I'm going to have to send this directly to her myself. And since the current matter here in Iceland is all cleared up, you two are coming with me.", informed Forge.
"I'm only going because I need a lift off this island. I say I deserve a week off. Besides, it doesn't really sound like Frank is asking for help.", reasoned Trickshot who took a seat at the copilot chair.
"He is not wrong for rest. Mjolnir can sense the exhaustion that the Archer carries. Perhaps I can lend assistance to your SHIELD warriors.", offered Odin, raising Mjolnir proudly.
"Tempting, but no go. You're not a pro-hero, so no unsanctioned heroism. Nor are you affiliated with SHIELD. But, a meeting with Peggy should change that.
"Very well. After one last night in these lands I've been calling home, I will go with you and join SHIELD. May one day through our cooperation, you brave Midgardian warriors aid me in returning to Asgard.", proclaimed back to Asgard.", Odin considered it logically.
"Awesome, we'll stay on the island for the rest of the day and we'll make enough time to get back to the Helicarrier. Hopefully, Frank and Percy can keep the king entertained till then.", explained Forge optimistically.
"For the longest I've known Frank, the one word you don't use on him is Entertained.", said a grumpy Trickshot.
"Verily, come my friends. The festival is about to commence. Many sweetmeats and fresh meads are waiting for us.", proclaimed an excited Odin.
Spinning his hammer exuberantly, the young god flew back into town to enjoy the grand feast. The two SHIELD agents watched in mild amusement as they walked out of the quinjet. It was odd to see so much excitement and joy in someone who was supposed to be a universal level being. At least, that's what Trickshot believed. Forge reminded him that this Odin that they know now is still just a teenager and still has yet to be proven worthy of what will one day be called the Odin Force. Such a thought was still unbelievable to the both of them that the current Norse pantheon is eons behind than the one they once knew back in their original Earths.
Upon their pondering, Trickshot was then reminded of their own youths that also have their own affairs to deal with. He wondered if those kids are having any progress in their objectives. Not just as bodyguards for that green-haired boy, but as students in some hero school. Even with a hero license, he believes those kids will show this Earth exactly the kind of heroes they truly are. He and everyone back on the Helicarrier just hope that they don't break any laws or bloody their hands.
… Meanwhile at USJ Facility. April 24, 2174 …
"EAT IT BITCH", roared Sabertooth as he delivered a strong jab to the jaw of Tomura. This was followed by hard kicks and evasive maneuvering that led to clawed jabs. The crusty skinned villain muffled a groan from the impacts of the clawed fists that pelted his upper body and lower jaw with bruises. The action burst a vein and blood was all that he tasted as he angrily swiped an open hand across the Canadian's upper body.
"SHIT", miffed Sabertooth as the decay quirk ate away at all of his coat and a large portion of his chest skin. Ripping the ruined coat off his body, the young Canadian revealed the sight of his injuries healing themselves. Tomura was briefly surprised at witnessing a healing factor beating his decay quirk. He supposed he'll just have to keep disintegrating the annoying foreigner in front of him.
"Come on, is that all you have running for you? I figured the leader of a horde of ugly rejects wouldn't be a one trick pony. But like every other bub I've met so far in this weird country, you're just dogshit.", said a grinning Sabertooth as he circled the weakling who's anger was bubbling at this point.
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you, damn SHIELD dog.", said a frustrated Tomura as he ran forward to the savage Canadian. It had become a close-quarter battle between claws and disintegration. A claw swipe is dodged. A touch is blocked. Despite his efforts, the scrawny villain knew that this was a losing battle. The foreigner was better skilled in fighting and anticipated every move he made. He might as well have been in slow motion in the eyes of the SHIELD youth. His on the fly analysis ceased when he felt Kurogiri warping him out of the fight and next to him. The next second, Nomu had thrown the American teen to where Tomura used to be. From the small crater, Eddie Brock pulled himself up and shook his head rapidly to regain stability. The two foreign youths noticed that the three villains had started to circle around them and they looked at each other. With a nod, they knew their positions.
"Back to back.", commanded Creed. The Canadian and American were now facing opposite sides, their backs nearly touching. Kurogiri then summoned several warp portals all of each in the teens' perivale vision. Tomura's hands rapidly pop out to try to tag any of his opponents. The foreigners dodged and backhanded the strikes. It came to the point where Eddie grabbed the dry hand and pulled out the annoying pest from his safe little void.
Kurogiri tried to pull him back, but the American swung the little man away from the portal and threw him to the ground. The action caused a bone in Tomura's arm to break. The scrawny man breathed as he tried to get up, but he was then pinned further down by the Canadian. "For a first debut as a villain, you could have done this better.", mocked Creed. At this point, the dry skinned villain was seething and at his limit. The slashes were way too deep and these SHIELD youths are more trouble than they were meant to be. If what he learned from Kurogiri about how difficult the other two SHIELD youths from entrance were, then these two cemented the fact that these foreigners are way too dangerous to let live.
"NOMU, KILL THEM.", Tomura ordered with so much hate. The hulking beast immediately zoomed at the only worthy opponent it recognized. Eddie noticed last second and threw Creed away from the approaching monster as it rammed into the black suited teen. Kurogiri quickly warped the dry skin villain to his side. The monster tried to crush the muscular teen in a bearhug, but the youth slipped right through the big arms. With the opening presented to him, the American turned his hands into long scythe-like blades and slashed the beast's stomach deeply. To his surprise, he witnessed the wound quickly healed and two fists smashed him into the ground.
Eddie tries to reform to get out of the crater he's in, but the fists just keep coming. "Screw it.", said Eddie as he transformed into a treading stream of Klyntar mass and pierced through the upper body of the Nomu. Reforming into black suit, he checks to see if destroying the heart would put it down. Apparently it didn't, for the Nomu healed the gaping hole in its body. "Oh come on.", said Eddie to himself. He looks to his right to see Sabertooth twisting left and right to ease the stress on his back after getting thrown.
"How about a little warning next time, Slime.", said Sabertooth with irritation.
"Next time, I'm just going to let you get hit.", said Eddie tiredly.
"Yeah well, from what I saw. You and the guys have gotten a bit more acquainted with the head freaks here. Mind filling me in?", queried Sabertooth.
"You didn't interrogate the villains you were with?", questioned Eddie.
"I was having too much fun. Now hurry up and tell me. It's looking this way.", demanded Sabertooth as Nomu regained concentration on the two of them.
"We know smokey dapper over there is their getaway plan. You already met dry hands who can basically turn people to dust by touching. The big guy is their main weapon. He's supposed to kill All-Might.", elaborated Eddie.
"Well, can it?", asked Sabertooth as he readied his stance. Unknown to the American teen, the Canadian's mind was running through a possible idea that could work. Hopefully.
"How am I supposed to know? What I do know is that nothing I can do can kill it.", informed Eddie as he was going through everything possible he was willing to do to take Nomu down. But with his classmates watching, the list was short.
"Have you tried eating it? Maybe the big ass exposed brain sticking out of its head.", suggested Sabertooth nonchalantly.
"I'm not eating anyone during a school day. The teachers know, but not our classmates.", shot back Eddie as he refused to go that route while others were around him. To him, the staff will just be very alarmed and cautious with the carnivorous diet of his Klyntar side. And what will the class think? That their classmate is some secret cannibal.
"Seriously?! Look at that thing. It's barely human. I doubt anyone will care about what happens to it.", argued Sabertooth as he was now more certain to pull off his plan. With or without Eddie's consent.
"That's not the point and besides, its healing is way better than mine. You remember that.", countered Eddie, annoyed.
Just as Eddie thought that Creed was about to argue back, his emotional sonar quirk informed him that the Canadian teen was about to do something maliciously. Sabertooth then pounced toward the Nomu on all four and dodged a downward punch by sliding in between its massive legs. With his claws, he slashed off chunks of the back of the knees. With the monster lowering, he jumped on top of its head and stabbed his claws into the exposed brain. With a heave, he tore a chunk out of the cranium.
Before Nomu could reach for Sabertooth, Eddie pulled the Canadian teen back to his side with two black web lines. Before he could chastise his teammate for his loose cannon actions, the latter splattered the brain chunks across the American's face. This made the young Brock panic and frantically wipe some of the brain material off. Looking at his hands, blood and pink, meaty bits were all he saw as the rustic scent reached his nose area. His heartbeat had become more audible and the drumming had only made his own mind numb to anything else.
The young Eddie Brock was then locked in a trance as a small hole slowly formed on the mouth area of his black mask. A long pink tendril snaked out of the opening and began licking off the bloody brain chunks.
With his black mask clean, the small opening then got bigger as tears and rips started to form in the same area. Finally, the mouth formed and opened to reveal rows of sharp white teeth with the tongue wiggling wildly.
Sabertooth watched in satisfaction as his teammate was finally letting the real animal out of his cage. The now carnivorous Eddie Brock was shaking with excitement and frustration. For so long, he has not tasted brain this good before. The Canadian got closer and got the slobbering American's attention.
"Hey, Venom. You hungry?", asked Sabertooth with an enthusiastic grin. A smile so wicked that it bared sharp canines.
"Yeah, I'm starving.", growled Eddie as he now responded to being called Venom.
"You see that big ugly purple thing? The villains are gonna use it to kill All-Might.", said Sabertooth as he pointed at Nomu.
"Yeah.", said Venom, already knowing that detail.
"Then, they're gonna use it to kill Green Bean.", explained Sabertooth as he pointed to the top of the stairs.
"No.", growled Venom disapprovingly. He didn't like the sound of that.
"And after, they're gonna use it to kill Frog Girl.", explained Sabertooth with a much more sinister grin.
"NO.", shrieked Venom angrily. He absolutely hated the sound of that.
"Then how about this, Venom. You kill that bastard before All-Might gets here and he is all yours to eat.", explained Sabertooth his grand plan to use Venom to defeat the villains.
With no room to refuse, Venom turned to Nomu and began to morph into a taller, more muscular version of himself. He pounded the ground and pounded his chest. With his newly formed toothy mouth, he let out a blood curdling roar that echoed throughout the facility.
"RRAAAAAAAAAAAGH", roared Venom as he leaped toward Nomu and sent long piercing tentacles into its body. The tentacles then traveled through the augmented body as they punctured the lungs, heart, and the all so delicious brain. Damaging the Nomu's brain actually reset the monster's behavior. Without its cranium, it lacked the cognitive awareness to respond to commands and thus couldn't move or retaliate. The massive black tendrils then lifted the monster up in the air, throwing it a few feets up. Sprouting back his wings, he shot straight into Nomu and brought it higher. With a solid chomp into Nomu's neck, the carnivorous American dive bomb himself and his prey back into the ground.
Quickly webbing the purple monster to the new crater, Venom pounced on Nomu and started to dig in on the first real, meaty meal he had in years. With teeth and claws, the monstrous Klyntar hybrid was slowly disfiguring and mutilating the freak of nature. Unknowingly or uncaringly, the ravenous American wasn't aware that this was being seen by those around him. Tomura shigaraki and Kurogiri were surprised by the SHIELD youth's unwelcomed transformation. The hand covered villain was livid and yet in awe. This foreign kid in front of him was once calm spoken and had a stoic professional way of fighting. Now, he was ferocious and animalistic. He had somehow become stronger and even had the gaul to start eating his new All-Might killing pet. The dark warp villain calculated the possible outcomes of their current situation. From what he remembered from the last time he spoke to his master, he was informed that the SHIELD organization could become quite the wildcard in the future. Though they were tasked to eliminate any faculty and students that stood with All-Might, they must also keep in mind any other unpredictable variables to their operation. And as always, the master was right. If not more so. First were the two foreign boys from the entrance, especially the one with brown hair and green eyes. And now this one who turns into a monster to rival their Nomu. whether it be by the students, Eraserhead, or the SHIELD youths, one thing is for certain. All-Might will arrive soon.
"Tomura, we must leave immediately. All-Might will be here any moment. We've lost today.", alerted Kurogiri. This caused the hands covered villain to scratch the left side of his neck frantically.
"NO. NOMU CAN STILL FIGHT. WE JUST GOT TO-", Tomura was then interrupted for a second time by the feral Canadian who tackled him.
"Think you can just forget about me, bub?", mocked Sabertooth as he once again sent a series of vicious punches repeatedly. To the villain, it felt worse now. It was like being bashed by two bricks. Frustrated with the foreigner on top of him, Tomura with all his strength reached and grabbed the Canadian's neck.
Sabertooth could feel it. The skin was breaking down too quickly and his regeneration was doing its best to keep the decay away from his windpipe by giving everything to the muscle surrounding it. It was going to be close, but Sabertooth wasn't going to let some scrawny punk do him in. Quickly, he grabbed said punk's neck and let his claws sink in the fake hands covering it. Soon enough with a strong enough grip, the claws had eventually pierced the skin. Now, it was a game of cry uncle. Who was going to let go first? Whoever did would, because they would be dead then. Both snarling at one another. Their lives literally in the hands of the other. The claws were about to reach the windpipe of the villain, but the decay touch was getting closer to destroying the windpipe of the SHIELD youth. It was about to end in a mutually destructive tie, but someone else got involved.
Suddenly, Kurogiri swooped in and scooped up the bleeding Tomura from Sabertooth. The scrawny pale villain was clutching his neck to stop the bleeding, but his rage wouldn't be smothered by a near death experience. With what was left of his strength, the angry pale villain yelled out one last order to his Nomu.
"NOMU, KILL THEM ALL TIL THERE'S NONE LEFT.", roared Tomura as he was sucked into Kurogiri who turned into a small warp gate. Once he saw the amount of blood that his master's disciple was losing, the warp villain knew it was time to go. The SHIELD youths were far more dangerous than they believed. Two of which could have killed him and these two could have killed Shiguraki. In an instant, both villains disappeared from the scene. Leaving a bleeding Sabertooth to clutch his own neck.
"That's right.*cough*. Run. *cough*. We'll hunt you. *cough*. Eventually.", mocked Sabertooth weakly as his healing factor had started to heal the exterior of his neck. As he remained there on his knees, the Nomu let out an echoing roar that was loud enough to disoriented Venom to stop his consumption of augmented flesh. The next moments were too fast for the American and Canadian. The Nomu slammed both hands into the Klyntar hybrid's head, splattering it into black slime. Next, the dark muscular beast punched the headless body of the American into the air and quickly stood back up to orient itself back to a more ready stance. The headless body then slammed to the metal ceiling, leaving a huge dent. Falling back to the wrecked Central Plaza, the Klyntar's body was slowly regrowing its head back. However, the Nomu leaped and grabbed the American's leg mid fall. Shifting its massive frame, the monster threw its opponent at the still grounded Canadian.
As he finally steadied his breathing, Sabertooth stood back up just in time to see Venom's huge muscular body slam him back into the ground. As the Nomu landed on its feet, a clawed hand breached out of the rubble and pulled out the Canadian who was pissed.
"Venom. What the hell happened with freak? I thought I told you to eat the damn thing whole.", growled sabertooth as stood back up once again into a readied stance.
"The food fought back. The crazy guy said something to it. Made it faster. Strong. More dangerous.", growled back Venom as he too got up from the ground with several small tendrils beginning to writhe in frustration. His emotional sonar sent signals in the last minute of something triggering in the head of the Nomu.
Sniffing the air, Sabertooth could get the same feeling as he smelled the drastically shifting scent of the monster in front of him. It was as if all of its quirks were activating all at once, which told the Canadian what he needed to know on why this thing was dangerous in the first place. There were at least four quirks in its body and all were put to max. Looks like this final boss was going to be a major pain in the ass.
"The plan hasn't changed. With everyone out of the way, we just got to keep this thing down long enough to find a way to kill it.", said Sabertooth as he looked to see most of the class back at the top of the entrance. He spotted a familiar head of green hair. He sighed in relief that Izuku had made it out unscathed.
Just as he looked away from the class and back to the Nomu, Sabertooth could see that the monster was a few feet away and getting closer. Venom quickly got past the Canadian and rammed himself into the lumbering mass. Said Canadian dodged in time to avoid getting hit by the two alpha beasts dragging one another through the plaza. Figuring that he had nothing else better to do he ran after the two brutes.
… Meanwhile, Back at USJ Facility Entrance …
"Woah. Is it me or is Eddie Brock scarier than usual?", asked Mineta, a little shaken by the spectacle of the American teen's power.
"No kidding. Both him and Creed are just taking on that big guy like it's one of the grunts that Aizawa fought off. Not a shred of fear in either of them.", said Sero in awe and slight intimidation.
'Was this the power he used on the zero pointer back then.', thought Shoji as he continued to observe the foreigners do battle with the monster.
"Eddie-chan was winning a while ago, but now he's back to square one.", said Tsuyu with her usual normal facial expression, but now there is a slight hint of worry. She had also noticed the sudden change in the young Brock's behavior. He fought more savagely than how he dealt with the villain back at the flood zone. Then, he was stoic and direct. Now, it was like he had become an animal in a way.
'I really hope this change of yours isn't too drastic, Eddie-chan.', thought Tsuyu worryingly.
Unknown to the students, Victor von Doom had his own thoughts on the situation. That fool Sabertooth just had to pull out their trump card so early in the school year. Considering the threat however, he'll allow it for once. Looking down, he's currently crouching next to a downed Aizawa. The poor teacher was barely breathing and the wounds were beyond repair. If it wasn't for Recovery Girl and possibly Eddie if they'll allow it, then there would be no way this man could ever return to being a pro-hero. Even with the current medical practices and technology. So much damage, yet the will to live could be felt. Literally felt, for the young Doom was currently keeping him stable with his particle manipulation quirk. Just then, he's Ochako Uraraka, Mina Ashido, and the pro Thirteen kneeling to the otherside of the unconscious Eraserhead.
"Is he going to be okay, Victor?", asked Ochako worryingly. Her big glassy eyes begging for some assurance from the pair of cold calculating green ones that stare back at her.
"Yeah, you're doing something to his body to help him. That's what you're doing, right?", asked Mina, a little frantic with her hands balled and close to her chest.
Looking at the two girls in front of him, he questioned the need for such panic. He forgets that they aren't SHIELD youth and are just hyper teenagers with biological powers. Also, the sudden use of his first name gave a slight pause. Neither have earned his respect let alone tolerance to use it. For the sake of the situation, he allows it for now. But next time, he'll remind them all. Not just for his train of focus, but they'll just confuse him and Creed. Honestly, it was annoying to have to share the same first name with that animal.
"What I'm doing is keeping his body and constitution stable for the sake of the natural healing process. In terms of "okay", that's far too generous to describe him. Bloody strife is what I would call him. He's lost nearly a gallon of blood, half of his bones are broken, and a large fracture of the side of his skull has slightly ruined his left eye. My full diagnosis, well, he should have been in the emergency room ten minutes ago.", explained Doom plainly. Spoken as if the person he was aiding meant anything to him. Looking back at the two girls, they were on the verge of tears and shaking violently.
"Relax, will you? My quirk is keeping him stable through a process I call Particle Stasis. I stopped any more blood from leaving by closing his wound. I reconnected each broken bone fragment into their respective shape. His eye is a whole other issue, but it could be recoverable once its equilibrium has reconstitute itself with the proper blood flow returning. To put it simply, I gave his outside back its shape. We can only hope his inside isn't too broken. Once All-Might arrives, Eddie Brock will restore him completely.", explained Doom frustrated. It was then that Thirteen came to the three and knelt down next to the girls.
"He's going to be okay. I've known him for a while now and I've heard he's been through worse from Present Mic. He's just as concerned for you as you are for him. If not more so.", said Thirteen calmly and assuringly. Her gentle tone doing its job on soothing the girls' spirit as they looked to their downed teacher a little less scared now. Now with them relaxed, the pro-hero looked to the Latverian SHIELD youth who was constantly shifting his left hand slowly through several angles. The odd motions allow flowing streams of green misty energy to spread throughout Aizawa's body. Intrigued, she decided to test his boy's character.
"From what I've heard you say, you're technically helping Aizawa in a way. Just not in a way that is a form of healing. That's an impressive ability that your quirk can do and I've seen you with your friend capture that warp villain with ease.", examined Thirteen with admiration. Although her words were kind, she noticed that it didn't do much to change the boy's cold expression. Nonetheless, he responded back.
"Did I Aizawa debrief you on our quirks and backgrounds? He seems the type to make deterrence protocols with his fellow heroes if things are out of order. Whether it be those he fights or those he's in charge of monitoring.", queried Doom as he wanted to test the pro-hero's character as she was doing to him. Immediately, Thirteen looked down anxiously at being caught. She honestly didn't want to do it, but with how cautious Aizawa was about having foreign students. SHIELD enlisted ones at that.
"Right. Well, he seemed pretty sure that the SHIELD youth members that enrolled already had the most in basic and semi-advanced training. He thought it would be more efficient to put your squad on guard duty since this exercise was taking place outside of the school grounds.", explained Thirteen a little flustered. She didn't really have anything bad to say about SHIELD in general. It's just that she prefers to stay out of politics since the controversy around pro-heroes and SHIELD agents was far too heated for her. Ochako and Mina looked at her in confusion. They thought that Doom's squad actually were taking part in the rescue training. Why the exclusion?
"If Aizawa truly believes that being a more restrictive teacher to my squad than the rest of the class could improve the balance of progression of power among his students, then he's wasting his time. And frankly, very hypocritical from his beliefs on how the hero-based educational system is an utter failure. Nevertheless, my squad will always prevail through his mistrust for SHIELD.", proclaimed Doom with no care for the clash of ideals. He could care less for how this institution thinks about the organization he is in service for. Eventually, he and his squad won't need their involvement with their real mission. Izuku Midoriya will learn to realize that only through him, Victor von Doom, and the assistance of said Latverian's teammates that he will reach his full potential. For now, the two groups will just have to play nice with each other.
"But that isn't really fair though. As far as we've known you guys, you just seemed to be okay with being students like the rest of us. Yeah, you're super spies in training, but we're on the same team if you think about it. We're all just trying to be heroes.", said Ochako with sadness and a little determination trying to leak out. Mina knew what Ochako was trying to say and put a caring hand on the brunette's shoulder.
"So what that your SHIELD youth? You guys are cool from what I've seen. You guys are strong, skillful, and so brave. You're trying to save Aizawa-sensei, Eddie and Creed are kicking butt, and Erik is out there right now saving everybody who's lost out in this place.", said Mina with her cheery nature slowly returning. Doom notices that her eyes brightened more at the mention of the young Magneto. It's likely that the time that she had with the German teen as his partner in the battle training made a positive impression. The young Latverian sighed and gave in to the praise that the three were trying to convey. At least for the sake of the situation.
"All that you need to be concerned about right now is your safety. Upon his orders, Aizawa knew my squad is capable of protecting everyone and that's all I needed as motivation to do just that. With everything occurring, it might also be best to keep a record of our adversaries.", explained Doom to assure them that everything is under control. While maintaining a connection to the homeroom teacher, he turns his direction to the teen with tape dispenser elbows.
"Sero, are there still any villains in the plaza?", asked Doom to the skinny teen who was still focused on the Nomu throwing around the two other SHIELD youths. Said boy jolted a little by the sound of Doom's voice. With quick realization, Hanta Sero peered throughout the plaza and counted rapidly to get the number of all the villains that were still there.
"Well from the looks of it, all the henchmen that Professor Aizawa took down are still out of it on the ground. Though, we did just see that foggy looking guy warp away with someone. I think that guy just screamed something and the big guy just went berserk on your friends.", explained Sero as he recalled the events that happened.
'So, those pathetic excuses for leaders just left their men for dead and put their monster on a kill switch. Abandoning their forces and fleeing is predictable, but to do so without seeing All-Might first is questionable.', thought Doom analytically. A hunch came to his mind, but he'll need to prove it to make sure.
"Shoji, you've had your ears out to scan the environment for any commotion. Can you recall anything you heard from the plaza that led to that behemoth's newfound savagery?", asked Doom to the multiple armed teen. Said student with multiple limbs looked back at the conflict and turned back to Doom.
"As far as I could have heard, it sounded like the one that escaped with the help of that warp villain was in serious pain. I could only guess it was Creed who hurt him since Eddie was dealing with the monster the whole time.", explained Shoji. The multi-arm teen even recalled the snarls and belittling remarks that the Canadian had made toward the pale villain. Everyone who listened felt unnerved by the foreigner's actions. For a hero in training, he acts like a real bully.
Doom scoffed at the scenario given him. Of course Creed would cost them the only culprit worth questioning. However, the odd exchange he had with Kurogiri was actually quite revealing of the true context of this poorly planned murder attempt. By emitting his quirk through his hand, the young Latverian had actually planned to just combust the villain from the inside. Hopefully leaving enough alive to be brought back for interrogation. However, that didn't happen. Instead, the two individuals had gone through a sort of mind mending process. He didn't feel anything from his own mind get sent to the enemy, but he did feel something enter his memories through surges of neurons. Flashes of the annoying adversary's memories had seeped and spread throughout his perception of his mindscape.
It started with a bright operating light above his point of view. Next, two shadowy figures eclipsed the brightness as they spoke to one another. Though the voices were muffled, Doom could make a strong assumption that both were grown men. The two mysterious cohorts had then moved the operating table vertically and moved it toward the further reaches of the laboratory. The next series of moments were more operations done to what the young Latverian could tell was a slow and painfully reconstructed body. There was no mirror to see who the body belonged to. That alone told him that this series of nightmarish surgeries was meant with no amount of care for who the patient was. The sensation of air deprived lungs and a dead heart cemented the possibility that this Kurogiri is a dead man walking in the most literal sense. But why? What was the end result for all this effort in meddling with a corpse?
That's when he saw it. The pale hands of the body raised themselves onto eye level and outwardly summoned a black cloud with a purple hue. With each test to summon more dark clouds, their properties slowly changed into that of hovering vacant void. Until finally, the memory of the first successful warp portal had been shown to him. A figure then walks out of the portal. A tall man in a black suit and tie. His head is covered in a black synthetic material attached to a bulky collar-like device with tubes running through it. Once the individual came face to face to the standing corpse, he spoke and his voice was loud and clear for the Latverian to hear.
"For now on, your name is Kurogiri, protector of my future. I am your master now.", said the mysterious man coldly and oppressively.
"Yes, master.", said Kurogiri obediently.
The pieces of this morbid puzzle were thus fully presented to the young Doom. The memories had ended then, but he could surmise the most likely overall meaning behind this incident. Kurogiri had mentioned that they were there to kill All-Might. They brought a monster to do just that. The moments of the surgeries had revealed that the warp villain wasn't just a key player in this organization, but a very efficient pawn to act as a herald for their so-called master. This would mean that he was actually here to see whether this attack worked or not to report back to his true leader. But why leave? The Nomu was still operational and can still fight. The warp gate villain would have to still stay to see when the creature fights All-Might to know the end result. Instead, he abandoned the plan to secure the safety of the false figurehead of the attack force. Whatever damage Sabertooth did to the proxy leader was so severe that this whole effort was prematurely nullified. "The protector of my future". Could this individual be so important to the real mastermind behind all this that his own creation immediately put his programming above even the mission? Yes. Yes, that's it. An army of pathetics grunts that knew no better. Putting all the chips on one bet. To lure All-Might specifically.
'This whole farce is completely up to chance in every sector of its operation. The only two factors to take into account is All-Might's arrival and the Nomu the enemy brought. If the goal was to test the beast's abilities against the number one hero, then they should get their results in two different ways. If All-Might did die to this Nomu and noone was here to report it back, then they could just wait til the next day or more for it to be public information. Or maybe. No. That can't be it. This monster would have to consider precious cargo for that to be the case. Instead, they left it behind like the rest of the grunts. No, this wasn't for it. It was for All-Might. The plausible proofs for this to be the case are practically everywhere. The students. This facility. Even the incident with the news crews during lunch period. All of which are cemented by the fact that these villains dedicated the flow of this attack for the newfound knowledge that All-Might is a Yuuei teacher.', thought Doom very analytically. As he continued to make Aizawa's condition to maintain a level of stability, he thought further to why a hero like that being a teacher matters so much. Unless. Unless.
That's when realization hit the mind of the young Victor von Doom. The reason for all this nonsense would have to be because the villain knew. All-Might was getting weaker. So they tested the waters to see if there was any chance they could take to begin the process to finally be rid of the number one hero. All so that countrywide crime can become more likely in the future. The true results they were after are the current scale of his power. And if that's the case, then any show of his power is valuable data.
Victor von Doom then turned his gaze to the person at the far right end of the top of the step. There, his objective looked down to the fight between his squadmate and Nomu. concern, worry, and analytical calculations that ran on panic and constant rambling. A pathetic and sad sight, but held by one who doesn't truly grasp his absolute value in the grand scheme. And also, unbelievably predictable. The act to put his boot on the lower step proves that.
"Midoriya, don't you dare take another step down. If your plan is to throw yourself into that mess, then you'll be giving those villains the only victory they'll ever get from this invasion.", Ordered Doom in mild frustration. All the students and pro-hero looked to see that the Latverian was right. Izuku Midoriya was about to go down the steps.
"Nothing that Creed and Eddie are doing aren't working on that big villain. They need the help to slow them down. Or at least some help to put some sort of pressure on it to make it weak enough to not use its quirks efficiently.", defended Izuku as he wanted to help Creed in whatever way he could. Hearing his case, some of the students there wanted to agree too. However, remembering that Eddie Brock mentioned that Nomu was there to fight All-Might. How could they themselves stand a chance against such an enemy. Maybe if they were with Todoroki or Bakugo, but even that was a long shot.
"Are you crazy, Midoriya? It was scary enough when the three of us were stuck on that boat with all those fish guys. Now, you want to take a bigger, scarier looking villain that even SHIELD is having a hard time with.", said Mineta with shock at the green-haired teen's need to put himself in danger.
"You might want to rethink this, midoriya. We don't really have any means of slowing it down. From what we've heard when we got here, everyone was having a hard time with the Kurogiri guy. Eddie really drove it to all of us to stay from this Nomu thing.", clarified Tsuyu as she looked at Izuku with a gloved finger to her chin.
"Creed and Eddie can try to dodge its attacks, but that can't put any significant damage to keep it injured or disoriented enough to give them time to recover. Maybe if they had enough force to back them up…", said Izuku as he still defends his case on helping in the battle in the plaza. He then looks at his hands and thinks if he has just enough control over one for all, then he could be enough to beat Nomu. Before he could think of it any further, Doom stopped him doing anything he didn't want.
"If this is out of concern for my squadmates, then it is appreciated and unneeded. They knew the risk and willingly went head first into danger to preserve everyone's lives. And besides, the goal isn't to defeat that beast. The true objective is to keep that thing busy so that it doesn't go after anyone else. Considering that they both have healing factors, they're the only ones that can do this and come back alive. They do this so that All-Might will have enough time to arrive and save us.", explained Doom to all that were there so all opinions of leaving the safe zone could be squashed. A part of him slightly puked at the thought of needing safing, but with so many that he and his squad were responsible for. He will begrudgingly set aside his pride to say that 'yes, we need All-Might'.
And then, as if heaven had answered their prayers. Their savior arrived to end the struggle as a loud crash could be heard from everywhere. Dust clouds covered the whole destroyed entrance as a glooming figure was walking toward the group. As the image of the person became clearer, the students that were there took a breath of relief. Those that were at the steps smiled at his sight with eyes of admiration and respect. Ochako, Mina, and even Mineta had begun to cry. Izuku among them was locked in a state of pure joy and appreciation at how their chance had gone thanks to his idol finally arriving. However, he did notice one thing about his favorite hero that wasn't normal. All-Might wasn't smiling.
"HAVE NO FEAR. FOR I AM HERE.", proclaimed a booming voice filled with determination and stoicness. His face, a scowling and teeth gritted expression as a vein pulsed was visible on his neck muscle.
"IT'S ALL-MIGHT.", cheered the students with vigor and excitement. Only Victor von Doom didn't share in the excitement. For he was more tired than anything else.
"It's about time.", said Doom tiredly.
… Meanwhile at the Mountain Zone …
Minutes before the number one hero's grand entrance, the last standing crowd of the villain attack force had cornered three Class 1-A students. As two prepare for the intense skirmish with the array of criminal scum, one skinny little blonde man is just shrieking as he avoids getting hit. At least for a while, until one among them reminded him how useful he was.
"You're our human stun gun.", said Kyoka Jiro irritated as she kicked Denki Kaminari into a villain. This caused the villain who got bumped by the blonde to undergo immense electrical shock. This then leads to two other grunts foolishly falling into the trap and getting shocked themselves.
"You two should really coordinate your attack better.", chastised Momo Yaoyorozu who finished throwing a metallic net at the electrified bundle.
"Sorry, I'll just ask if you guys need saving.", said Jiro with sarcasm as she and Momo held their ground.
For both of the girls, Jiro and Momo saw two large thugs charging at them. They prepare their weapons for the brutes, but two other individuals arrive just in time. From the left, one villain got slammed by a shadowy force that came from below. It was none other than Fumikage Tokoyami with his dark shadow. From the right, a muscly tail with a fluffy yellow top whacked its intended target to the ground. The arriving aid came from the tenacious Mashirao Ojiro.
"Are you alright? You got a whole lot more than the rest of us from where we were.", said Ojiro with concern.
"Looks like we came just in the nick of time.", said Tokoyami stoically as a dark shadow formed behind him.
"Whoa, where did you guys come from?", asked a dumbfounded Jiro. The two arrivals responded by pointing their thumbs to the view behind them. The two girls looked to see Kirishima and Bakugou decimating the villainous crowd.
"These maggots are just as pathetic as the one back at the ruins zone.", roared Bakugou as he blasted away three villains at once.
"Hope you don't mind us taking all the fun.", said a cheery Kirishima as uppercutted a thug and sent him toward his cohorts.
While this was happening, Kaminari picked himself from the villain pile he accidentally made. He was grateful that he didn't have to use up too much of his spark. Otherwise, he might end up looking like an idiot. He noticed Koji Koda coming up to him and helping in removing the metallic net.
"Thanks Koji.", said Denki as he and his silent classmate regrouped with Momo and Jiro.
The sight of the new students arriving to help their classmates discourage some of the villains that were on the sideline. However, they built up their remaining confidence and were about to charge into any damage they could. Before they could, however, they felt their weapons and gear becoming heavier than they usually were. The next second, their own weapons started to levitate and hit them instead. Slashes and blunt hits befell the villains as some even started to levitate themselves as their bodies were brought to the air by their metallic gear or their buckles. They then slammed into each other as cries of pain grew louder. Their tired and beaten bodies were brought up higher and suddenly allowed to drop to the spectacle was something to behold for the students that were there. As if ghosts were there to fight the villain, Momo, Jiro, and Denki were awestruck by what power could do this.
"Pretty freaky, huh? Erik really knows how to pull the coolest tricks with his magnetism. You should have seen him when we picked up Koda, Tokoyami, and Ojiro. Talk about manly.", explained Kirishima with excitement as Bakugou next to him scoffed at the SHIELD youth's power. To him, it irked him that throughout their trek around the facility the foreigner told him what to do to better rescue their class. Katsuki Bakugou doesn't need anyone to tell them how to fight better.
Upon hearing Kirishima's explanation, they saw that he pointed up and looked to where showed an astonishing sight. Up in the air, Erik Lesher was floating with six metallic chairs to his side. One of the chairs had someone still sitting. Looking closer, the one that was still sitting was actually Toru Hagakure who was waving her gloved hand to the group. Descending to the ground, the German boy and invisible girl walked to the group. With all the villains down for the count, the scene seemed safe and secured. Everyone relaxed knowing that they were done fighting for now. But not everything appears as it seems, below them there was an electrical type villain who was biding his time and striking at the opportunity to take a hostage. He could feel through the dirt he's in. There was a group a bit away and two pairs of footsteps right above. One was lighter. A girl probably. A little more inches left until he strikes.
A body then erupts from the ground with a hand covered in bright electricity. The group of students realized too late as some tried to take a sprint to stop the suddenly appearing bad guy. The target of the villain's choice was Toru. She was shocked and could barely move as she tried to turn to see her attacker. In the attacker's case, he was aiming for the girl. But there was a problem for him, he couldn't see a girl. It was then that he noticed boots and gloves just floating there. His eyes shifted to a taller teen dressed in black.
'Fuck it. I gotta hit something.', said the thug. The culprit appears to be an adult wearing a blue skull helmet and a battle vest. He drove his electrified fist at the German teen, nearly grazing Toru whose face was a centimeter away from the attack.
Erik Lesher didn't move. He didn't look. He didn't even care. For this trash.
"Really.", said Erik coldly as he reached for the hand that dared to come at him. His own hand grabbed the offending limb as the villain tried to output all of his static into the teen. Toru and everyone watched as the villain struggled to pull his hand away. In his struggle, the villain emits more electricity into the German teen, but said teen didn't show any expression of pain or agony at being electrocuted. He just stood as he gripped the fool's hand so hard that he broke a finger. As this was occurring, Erik transferred the electricity to free hand and turned the static into an electrical ball of purple magnetic energy. The young Lesher then slammed his energized palm into his enemy's torso. The result being the last remaining villain hit with immense pressure of a raw blast of electromagnetic currents. The thug was then shot into a stone wall side of the mountain.
"To think, scum like that breathes the same air as me.", said Erik mockingly. The students, excluding Bakugou, were shocked at the intimidating display of power.
'He can channel other energy into magnetic energy. His magnetic quirk has so many functions.', thought Momo analytically. From her experience with Doom, everyone of the SHIELD youths in their class are so skilled with their quirks. It was as if they had already accomplished in reaching the full development of their power before even coming to Yuuei.
'With power like that, they would already be pro-heroes at this point. Why be assigned to Yuuei if SHIELD had allowed them to go beyond years ago?", wondered Tokoyami with perplexion. He saw for himself when he witnessed Erik come to their aid with Bakugou and Kirishima. He and Koda were simply using bait and switch tactics to take down the few villains they could. When they finally reached the exit of the storm zone, the large group of villains were waiting for them. The bird teen was ready to use dark shadow to defend both of them. However, the explosive blonde and the hardened redhead had arrived with a very explosive and hard hitting entrance. But it was when the German teen made his move.
The villains that Tokoyami and Koda had already taken down had gotten back up. They came to aid their villainous comrades in one last attempt to capture and kill the students. However, their final charge had turned into a horror scene from a scary movie. One by one, each villain was dragged by an invisible force into any window or doorway of the surrounding buildings. Sounds of pain filled grunt and cries could be heard as all were thrown out and slammed into a pile. Erik Lesher then appeared in front of the group of students from the blown exit of the storm zone. His helmet constantly hid his face in pitch black darkness. His blank white eyes being the only things that stick out.
Back with the current event with the now expanded group of students that included Momo, Jiro, and Denki, Erik Lesher brought everyone to attention. He claps his hands to gain their eyes.
"Alright, everyone. As far as we're concerned, this should be everyone that we could find. Other than Todoroki who by the ice trail has gone to the direction of the main entrance of the facility, he should be safe if he had planned to regroup with the others. Aoyama is a bit concerning though. I'd figure with someone of his unique personality, he would be easier to find.", said Erik to all as he motioned his hand to make the disposable metal weapons of the villains levitate. Leather wrappings and plastic handles were swiftly removed as the metal was reused to be an extra set of chairs for the three newly rescued.
"Now then, let's return to the rest of the class. Hopefully, the situation in the plaza has resolved itself. However, I suppose that loud roar we all had heard a while ago should indicate that it hasn't.", said Erik calmly as the students around had their own question about that sound they heard. Before he could answer their questions, they all turned to the direction of the plaza as a loud eruption of dust and smoke could be seen at the main entrance.
"Whoa. Okay, what was that?", asked Denki as a slight nervous chill tingled inside him.
"That has to be the help. We've seen Iida make it out of here for long time now.", said Kirishima with hope that they had finally won back the USJ.
"It must be. Iida doesn't seem like the type to fail. Now then, let's regroup with others and see who came to our aid.", said Erik with finality as he shifted the chairs to everyone's positions. All took their seats, except for Bakugou.
"I'm going to the plaza on my own.", said Bakugou deafinitely. All turned to him and Erik wasn't pleased.
"No, you won't.", said Erik as the chair quickly morphed around Bakugou's body and held him tight. The explosive blonde tried to use his quirk to destroy the metal binding him, but it didn't work. Erik walked up to him with his arms crossed and a cold stare. The young Bakugou could only glare back.
" If you won't listen to me as a fellow student concerned for your safety, then you'll have to listen to me as the nearest symbol of law enforcement available. Our homeroom teacher instructed a squad of highly trained SHIELD youths and a pro-hero with the task of securing the well-being of the whole class. Even if you're being an annoying toddler, Mister Bakugou, you'll need to suck in that pride and let professionals fight the larger threats. Letting you and Kirishima fight off the cannon fodder was already beyond the limitations that Aizawa was willing to allow us. Now behave.", said a stern Erik as he started to levitate from the ground.
The students witnessed the scene between their two classmates. They knew to not encourage dangerous thoughts like entering danger so blindly, but the authoritative figure here was someone no older than they were. Despite their similar age, the young German was still SHIELD and that meant following their lead if their teachers weren't around as the current law enforcing superiors. And also, he did seem like the one with the plan. Thus, the students willingly sat on their respective metallic chairs which started to levitate to the German teen. Bakugou just growled at how he kept getting belittled by the foreigner and shouted profanities towards them. Erik simply sighed and kept flying with everyone.