Victims and Pedigree [Shinja]

Anderson and Walker backed off a bit, the lips service seeming to work. The room got quiet as Shinja spouted off at the mouth. The Baron's eyes never broke from Shinja. Heroes were terrible liars... Maybe it was a flaw of being too just. Jet talking to someone like Nocturne? It wasn't the Jet they knew, but neither was the bastard becoming a vigilante. People change... This was enough to make Red snap and walk right up to Shinja and kicked her right out of the chair. "I'm pretty sure I said we weren't talking about my brother." She'd halt at The Baron putting his hand up. He'd cough up a bit more blood before standing. His ire was palpable,  his bloodlust- even more so. He'd wipe the blood from his mouth, and nod.

"Yes, then it sounds like we were given all the correct info. We've made all the right preparations to kill the number 10 hero." It had been quite some time since their last top ten. They normally would do controlled hits, but Nocturne was old enough to witness Aeronaut's death, and still maintain a seat among the highest for so long. To an extent, the dusk hero was japan's old reliable. The group made no effort to help Shinja up, in fact Walker and Anderson would point their guns to her, and suggest to get back seated. Red would find herself back onto the wall.  It was impressive. Just a motion of confidence, cause the worry to wash away. The Baron was no small timer, who got spooked by a challenge. Cerberus trusted him to do away with Aeronaut and he did. If KK and his team confidence trusted him to kill Nocturne, he would. Albeit, there was a bigger picture he didn't know about. 

"What of Tanzo?" Red asked, since Shinja was the one who brought him up. Walker smiled, " SHOT EM! He ain't dead but he damn sure ain't happy. He had help though, there were two unidentified quirk users."

Anderson would follow up, "So, with Shinja in our hands. Does that make the fighting force 4? Nocturne, Tanzo, the lightning user, and that slasher. Those other two aren't on the dusk agency roster... are they new? And do we know if there are other agency members about?"

"There's been an assailant knocking off our guys in town. A steam user." Walker said pointing to his walkie talkie. 

"Hmmph. I guess he's building his agency up. Black Hawk and Bo are on watch, currently. It's not like we don't have any lack of fire power. " The Baron noted, Red nodding in agreeance. 

"He told us everything. How you managed to bring down Aeronaut with the help of Cerberus... and the villain KK. About how the police couldn't be trusted, that they had been part of the plot and still were. Didn't you think it strange, that Tanzo saw you coming a mile off? That we so readily gave ourselves over to you?"-From Shinja

"Like birds of a feather, you Aeronauts are equally as stupid... He lent himself an opening to save someone and we shot him out of the sky. Should that opportunity come up again, those boys will be the ones to do it this time." At this point  Anderson gun was pointed at the ceiling whilst Walker kept his gun directly at Shinja. The two grinned wide as their gunning abilities could exceed expectations. The baron would stand at the sound of beeping. He'd snap his fingers at the ready. Seemed there were approaching targets. A tall boy, and two girls. This was that Tanzo person, and likely the others his gunner mention. 

The missing piece was this November person. Team Confidence, eh... That Hosu group led by KK. He didn't know too much about it, in fact as much information KK could deliver, there was even more information left out. He hadn't seen Kunimi since he was one of the heads of cerberus, a mere boy...-doling out instructions like a general. He reminded the veteran of the days of war... GLORY! If a boy could plot out the destruction of Aeronaut of the top ten, then plotting the destruction of Nocturne would be a piece of cake for the now adult strategist. Shinja said KK wasn't keen on keeping Team Air raid around much longer... Why would that be? It's not like that last mission was flawless... in fact, he threatened to kill Kunimi when it was all said and done. Was he really the type to hold grudges on a useful task force? No single person could cause that much damage to the illustrious te-... He flinched. Shinja, Tanzo, unknowns, Jet, Nocturne, November and likely more unknowns. There were too many variables and unknowns, very unlike KK's usual style of being 20 steps ahead. It was chaotic and brash. 

Red would speak whilst her grandfather tried to catch up on a chess match he didn't know he was a part of. She'd push passed some of the fact to get personal testimony. Shinja sounded like she knew exactly who this November was. "What makes you think a dumb steam user can do anything to aid you? We lured you in, we can outman and outgun your friends with our quirks, and beat Nocturne with all the prep we've done. " To Red this was simple math. To The Baro- he'd break out into a coughing fit, blood escaping his lips. The sounds of a jet roaring could be heard as he outstretched one arm.  A small thing, it looked like a toy jet, would roll up to his shoulder blade before stopping. It's engines would roar, before driving off his fingertips and taking flight. The further it got from his person, the larger it got, sharply cutting turns and making it's way out of the cave. 

"Her friends are here." He exclaimed. Red would sprint off ready for action. The Baron would remain still, as did Anderson and Walker. The vet would lay a map out in front of himself, and land one finger on exactly where they were. If Shinja paid attention, he'd be missing an eye, as it were the pilot of the jet he just let out. "In times of war it's sometimes necessary to give your adversary due respect. So in respect for Nocturne, I'll be sure your friends die swift and painle-" The light would shut off. In fact, all electronics would die down. Kako had killed their grid. Some time would have to pass for the lights to cut back on. 

The villains didn't panic at all. The baron stayed quiet training his eye on the map, whilst Anderson chimed in. "If you move, you'll be saying good morning to grandpa up in heaven." Walker would shine a bright flashlight in Shinja's face. Their quirk fired a laser, so IF they had to shoot, it would only lend them more visual aid. Their trick shot quirk was a dastardly one. 

There's be a serious rumble, sliding rock and stone caving in on the initial entrance. With an eye rolling back into place, and a wipe of blood from his mouth, The Baron looked up to Shinja. "A tenacious group. I wished there were more like you in the underworld, but you've been raised wrong from the seed. " Ironic coming from him. He'd point down the hall. There was more than one was in, and he'd release another jet to fly out towards the mountain's peak. The incoming issue, was when his almost immediately rolled back into place, and he had another coughing fit. As the plane came out, it would only show the young vigilante a way in. He'd look up from the blood-splattered map at Shinja. There'd be a stout silence that would follow and a tension that could be cut with a knife. Both gunners would look at the man with concern, their attention slipping from Aeronaut in this very moment. 

"If I could do myself the favor. I'll curse you know with my last breath." Perhaps he knew all along his time was coming. He knew very well the power of the tongue, and would line Shinja up with a furious speech. "If you want to truly know and understand the light, you'll have to become one with the dark. Even if it's for a brief moment. I intend to haunt you until that hell presents itself for you walk through. " A shaky finger would point at the girl. This man was rotten to the core, and it seemed as if he were staring at something above them. Perhaps it was the grim reaper coming to take his soul. He'd smile big, with a violent glare at the young girl just before the light left his eyes. A final word to everyone on comms. "Proceed as planned. Nocturne dies TONIGHT!"

Both gunners would nod, before running into the distance, leaving Shinja alone in this dark lair? For what reason. Red's jets could be heard blaring loud as she destroyed some of the cave in a grieving fit of rage. They would lament on their own time. Now things were kicking in to high gear for all involved. Villains would have to eliminate all heroes and vigilantes involved, even the incoming Nocturne. The heroes would have to subdue as many as they could until reinforcements arrived. 

A text would bypass her own message, one from Nocturne-"I'm glad you're safe."

There'd be radio silence from Kako but it wasn't exactly that she had a choice in the matter. Her footsteps were light as she crepted through this place. It was like a castle had been etched out within this mountainside. Who knew how far halls would stretch or what things could be stumbled upon. The hurried footsteps of grunts could be heard piling up and leaving. They seemed to be heading toward corridors facing out. It was confirmation there were more than one way out. She didn't understand the hustle and bustle. Were things really that urgent for them?  She'd have to reflect on her recent teachings from njpd... hero instincts wouldn't work here, -at least not for her. With some luck she'd find herself in a promising location. A control room of sorts. The controls were hard to navigate, especially with no power. There had to be a button to gift Shinja some light. It didn't have to be long, but something big enough and noticable enough to know she weren't in this base alone. There was a red blinking button on the control board. There ALWAYS was a blinking button. With less hesitation than a small child, she'd flip the switch and hope for the best. 

The cavernous location was find itself in an red tint. Emergency lights would find themselves shining albeit in a dull manner. The place was still plenty dark, but at least things were back in working order... They'd snap right off before blinking on again. She'd flick the switch back on, before frying the board completely. The next order of business was to get out of dodge. Sure, she was telling Shinja she was here, but it's was also telling the group she was in the control room. The pitter patter of her feet were followed by the clopping boots of foot soldiers chasing after her. In a sparking jolt she'd lose them!

In the other wing, Red would finally find her cool. Kill Nocturne, right!?!? She'd make that a reality, her quirks airing up and carrying her down one of the longer hallways. A beam would blast passed Shinja's nose. The gunners weren't far. In fact, another beam from the opposite side would ping from wall to wall gaininng momentum and power with each impact before taking out on of the more prominent walls. With this pincer manuever, the gunners were going to angle and widdle Shinja down with their tactical tricks shots. A shadow could be seen on either side of the hallway, representing each brother. What would Aeronaut do? Kako was near, but so was more trouble!

Walker was caught dry when the gust shoved him a few feet back. Anderson was keen on keeping an eye on shinja the whole time, even while behind cover. He'd fire off 3 beams, they'd ping and pong against surfaces and gain speed and power as it did so. The projectiles would slide through the wind, crash and crumbling the structure they existed in. Hitting Shinja wasn't really his goal. He could bury her with debris is he angled his trick shots properly. He wouldn't suspect it, but two fingers would line themselves on the sides of his neck before unleashing a strong electrical current. The gunner struggled, which scared Kako, causing her to spend her entire interval of electricity on him, promptly putting him out of commission. This Walker who was getting back on his feet slowly but surely. 

"This way!" She yelled to her Senpai. She hadn't noticed, but before Anderson passed out, he'd stabbed her in the stomach. Adrenaline has truly taken over at this point. Her body was already aching all over from her own lighting. It was more impressive that she hadn't passed out already. Walker was no dummy. If a new voice was coming from that way, it meant his brother got taken down! He'd bolster up against a wall and let a flurry of trick shots rip. Their impacts would roar against the structures and ceiling. 

Kako smiled at Shinja, wanting to tear up. Grabbing the girl's shoulder, she'd give it a squeeze before letting go. Being separated in a heated moment like this felt like forever. Spiraling beams and trick shots whirred overhead as the gunner blindly let out his rage. He couldn't see the duo, and he'd loss The Baron, and presumably his brother too. He'd tear down EVERYTHING. The structure rumbled in discomfort, even the walls would contort a bit in response. He'd stop early. In the dark red lights, he'd reposition a little bit closer. He thought they'd bring a battle, but seemingly both girls were well in agreement that it was time to go. The missing link to their trio was Tanzo, who admittedly... Kako felt like kicking herself. "I got so focused on finding a way in, I left Tanzo outside with Lola." She frowned. She'd continue a jog, saving what strength she had left in case she needed to fight. Trouble could be lurking around any corner. Or so it would seem. 


"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING?" Known to Shinja but completely foreign to Kako, Rouge spoke. She'd webbed off a corridor with her quirk. Behind the large web was a group of grunts all hog-tied and whirled into a sticky ball like prey. The arachnid hero paused when she found those two. "Nocturne's been worried sick about you kid. And we didn't know you and Tanzo brought a friend." Kako had no relationship with Nocturne. In all honesty, she found him scary, and this woman equally so. Naturally she recoiled behind Shinja. Old habits die hard, it seemed. Rouge wouldn't waste much time on sentimental things buuuut.... They were to be scolded, but she'd leave that to Noc. "Nocturne stopped at the town's police precinct, while I did some exploring based on some probable locations. This place is a maze... I found my way in, but I've still got more guys to pin. Just follow my webs, I marked every fifth panel to track my way back out." The white haired hero would shake her head pulling the two passed her webby barricade. It looked like something from a horror film, but it was infinitely more safe than what they'd been experiencing the past two or three hours. Kako seemed unsure. "I'm going to permit usage of your quirk. That much can be swept under the rug, but your friend here looks like she'd been fighting too. Care to explain?!?" Grabbing a tight hold onto Kako's arm. This was mainly so she could examine the wet red blotch on her midsection. Kako remained quiet.


"I'm nobody. Sh- Aeronaut saved me." Kako responded, tearing away from any eye contact.

"Hmph, likely story. He'll be here in a few blinks. In a dark storm like this, he's practically got boosters on... You can explain to him how much of a nobody you are when he gets here. And YOU" She'd yank Shinja into a brief hug before kneeling down to tend to any of her wounds. Her webbing was useful. It made for a perfectly tight compress for bleeding wounds. Kako's eyes rolled over her senpai in a somber manner. That's right... she was a part of the Dusk agency for some time now. It only made sense for them to worry. 

"We need to find Tanzo, and help him. Nocturne will be safe with his side-kicks, even if they want to try and kill him."

That's right, they only had to worry about each other. Kako felt a relief. Just because Shinja was in an agency, didn't mean she'd forget about her friends. Such an odd time to stress about such things, but Kako wasn't feeling too well in general. 

"I'm sorry we left you before, but you stick close to me now, okay? We'll get through this... together!"

Kako sheepishly nodded, initiating a sprint. The hallway looked like a blur, and the floor began to bend. Keeping with Shinja usually wasn't a task, but... Kako puttered out, stumbling down to her knees. What the hell was happening to her? It was a harsh fatigue, not just from today's wounds and events, but from prior events. Shinja and Tanzo had no clue about what she'd been doing. But why now?!!? She panted heavily, pawing the ground to inch herself forward. Shinja said to stick close, so she wou- Darkness. Kako was out for the count. The jumping spider hero appeared in front of them in a single jump. Those two weren't the only fast ones. 

The woman would shuffle through her utility belt for some painkillers. "This insanity could get someone killed..." Insanity wasn't far. The sound of gunshots and flashing lights littered the hall. The surviving trick shot brother took cover by the corner only to realize who was populating it. The very girl he was hunting. With the enemy forces applying pressure, his only route was to blast through the three. He'd aim for the weakest link, the unconscious Kako. Before he could pull the trigger, he was slammed into the wall by Lola. There was a looming hot steam following her, and she seemed panicked for the first time all night, especially seeing Rouge. There she was! KAKO! 

"Get the hell away from her!" She'd yank a knife from her stash and gigantify it with her quirk. Rouge was able to recognize the butcher, quickly jumping up, and out of the way, grabbing onto Shinja. The girl was being more than unruly in the worst of situations. She couldn't let her out of her sight. Anything remotely close to Kako was going to get bifurcated in a single second...   The object literally divided the hallway, shoving Shinja and Rouge to one side. In a sprint, the vigilante would recover her fallen comrade and appear down the other side of the hallway at the knife's point. There was a light at the end of the hallway, emitting from a hole punched through where a flame could be noticed. It was Jet, tattered to hell and back, but able to see Shinja, and... a dusk agency hero?!? He glared knowing he couldn't help Shinja with heroes around. Vigilantes, or more accurately former villains like them were prey to Nocturne's agency. Throwing Kako onto his shoulders in a piggyback carry, he and Lola would take one last look at Shinja before vanishing into the night. 

Rouge cursed under her breath, jumping after them. "Go to Nocturne. No funny business, straight to Nocturne!" She roared, her voice trailing off as she raced after the vigilantes. That was an order for young aeronaut!