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Post by notdomino on Nov 21, 2023 2:56:56 GMT
OOC: Source Thread- coloholics.boards.net/thread/716/enemy-flag-strive-plot?page=2&scrollTo=4537___________________OOC: The building didn't stand out, and there weren't a ton of bells and whistles on the way to the main office. To be honest, this place was more of a multifaceted precinct of sorts than a hero agency. The bottom floor seemed to be an amalgamation of ordinary firefighters and police. As one traveled up the floors, it'd became more apparent that this was a home for heroes. The way up here wasn't really an ordeal. Just an elevator. In fact, there was a training floor, a floor full of support desks and board operators, a floor full of marketers, and a floor full of project managers and community planners. The floor right before the main office was a hero costume boutique, and right outside heroes' office on the main floor was a rather expensive-looking detox room. This room had hot tubs, cold baths, masseuses on standby, and catering toward the wall. The office was tame, consisting of the usual desks, and computers, maybe a more personal touch from each agency member. The highest floors were no different than a hotel, in case they needed to pull an all-nighter. Money was never really an object for Mayoi, and when it came to his agency he spared no expense. While "the hundreds" sported a more humble abode, SPR was booming as a business already. From becoming affiliated with the hero commission down to scooping up top young prospects, he did his due diligence in creating a place to house all of these entities. As extravagant as it was, it was all for one purpose. To create a new era, a level of defense planning and safety that would propel the agency into Japan's spotlight. "Yo partner!" There he was. Strive said he wanted to talk and here he was. The office was bustling, mainly because it was finished only a few days ago. His sidekicks, and fellow agency members would leer at the hero. They wanted that number 1 spot more than anything. They didn't hate Benjimaru but they more than anything would have preferred someone from their own ranks to be number 1. "Ignore them." He'd say. Speed was dressed down. He wasn't in public so there was no real need to put airs, especially not for his best friend. "Anyways, what's up? It sounded urgent." |
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 28, 2023 12:09:51 GMT
"Mayoi!"
Just seeing his old friend lifted Strive's mood. He grasped him by the arm, grinning wide and pure. Benjiro looked around as he did so, taking in the new office, and the leering Sidekicks. He simply laughed, shrugging without care. Strive had never been about being the most popular. He just happened to be. Strive simply wanted to be a pillar of peace and justice for society.
"It's no matter. They all know that the best way to become Number One is by being better than Strive. anyone can do that! That is the whole point!"
Benjiro laughed again, winking at a passing sidekick. It was hard to hate someone so charming as Strive.
"Anyway... I need to speak with you. In private. Can we talk?"
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Post by notdomino on Dec 1, 2023 8:43:23 GMT
Mayoi smiled and chuckled. He could empathize with his team. He too felt that way, but this was his closest friend. "Of course... Guys?" With a wave off, the team would disperse. Stretching his arms over his head, he eyed Benji. His eyes were already telling him more than enough. Something was wrong, so he came for some advise or support. It was something the two did for each other often. "Congrats on that arrest." He'd say mentioning the arrest of KK. The things are this arrest were bizzare, but it probably wasn't the point of this meeting. Still... small talk always helped make things flow smoother.
He'd flick his fingers through his hair to reestablish the spike in his hair. "So..." Now folding his arms and sitting on the edge of his desk, "What's up?"
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Post by Beriadan on Dec 5, 2023 12:48:02 GMT
"Thanks."
Strive smiled, but it was obvious that his heart simply wasn't in it. He glanced around, checking that they were on their own now, and slumped into the nearest chair. Benjiro had been fighting villains for a decade and more, but none had made him feel anywhere near as worn out as his meeting with KK. He looked up at Speed, pain in those deep blue eyes of his.
"It's about the arrest, actually. KK... he traded himself for information. He's up to something, playing a game. I know it's a trap, but..."
Strive sighed, deep and exhausted, shaking his head.
"It's about Choyaku. Kk sent me to... my uncle. He told me he's known where she is, this whole time. Mayoi... Choyaku is in the Yakuza."
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Post by notdomino on Dec 7, 2023 7:43:49 GMT
Mayoi's eyebrows jumped at Benji's response. When the word trap was uttered, the hero couldn't help but slant his eyes elsewhere. If Benji was emotional, what were the chances that he was going to be thinking straight? "Hmmm... I still find it hard to believe, he'd just allow himself to go to jail. Feels like a waste... but with that "trap" came some useful info." He replied, rubbing his chin in thought. His sister... Yeah, he remembered something about it being a sensitive subject. She'd been missing all this time. It must have been wearing on the number 1. A sympathetic expression washed over him as he looked toward his best friend. To know she was in Tokyo, but to know she was in the Yakuza was an entirely different thing. Those bastards were a slippery bunch, often times posing in broad day light as legitimate businesses. Even if you nabbed one, other families were itching to get into that top dog position.
"That's heavy... But, think about it this way. You're closer now than you were before. Was there anything this KK person, or your Uncle say that stood out?" He started. " The main thing is that you be careful about this... With how the news has been hounding heroes lately, it's probably best to keep this one under wraps. " With crossed arms he walked over to his desk, and plopped down before opening up some of his files. He was no detective, but the commission had plenty of resources to fish through. While it could have been a trap, Speed just wanted to help in any way he could. Clicking away at his keyboard, he peered at Benji once more. His worry was apparent.
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Post by Beriadan on Dec 10, 2023 9:12:03 GMT
"Yeah."
Strive agreed with Speed. This couldn't go public. If it was discovered that Benjiro's uncle, cousin and sister were all villains... it wouldn't help the current climate. He tapped away absently on the table, staring off into space.
"KK wants this to play out in a way I can't decipher. He laid it all out in his favour... even with him in prison. I know the guy's track record. There's a reason he hasn't been caught, or even seen, for two decades of being a villain."
Strive sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"My uncle was as spiteful as ever. But... there was a moment... when I mentioned Choyaku. It was as if his whole demeanour changed. As if he had been given orders for that very moment."
Strive looked up at Speed, giving him a lopsided grin.
"All sounds a bit beyond our usual villain, right? I'm used to the ones I can just go and beat up. Now... this is more like Moonbeam's kind of adventure."
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Post by notdomino on Dec 11, 2023 5:25:40 GMT
The man grew silent as he took in Strive's demeanor and words. Speed stiffened up, angry almost. "You afraid of a challenge? Too many wins got ya having cold feet when things get hard?" He barked, a smile relapsing on his face. This wasn't the best friend and number 1 hero he looked up to. It seemed like Strive was kicking himself rather than looking forward to seeing his sister. It almost sounded like he was worried about KK's plans. Strive was the hero who overcame, simple as that. Why did he need reminding? "All you need is a location. There's no need for too much a game plan. I'm sure just showing up will be more than enough." More importantly, Strive was looking for someone who didn't want to be found... or saved for that matter. Speed was solid in his theory though... This wasn't some damsel in distress. This was Benjiro's twin sister. There was an unshakable connection between the two. One that alignment, and time wouldn't be able to to divide.
A ping would hit Strive's phone. It was heavily encrypted, to the point of making the device hot from the stressed software. Two letters found themselves onto the screen, before opening up to an invite. This wasn't a real-time message. It was timed. Planned. How did the villain even get his number? How far along was this all planned out?
"If you reading this, it means you've successfully placed me in prison. Well done... As it pertains to your sister, there is a Yakuza summit tonight and I will be relaying the address to you. I highly doubt your useless uncle fulfilled his duty. In any case, be prepared to go see you sister. And remember, I strongly suggest not telling anyone... for your and their sake." A bit late for that... The hero was sitting right in Mayoi's office. The message would sit before slowly fading away, leaving Benjiro with his thoughts. Mayoi was in the background looking like he wanted to shred his computer in two for not showing any viable clues. After exhaling hard from his nostril, Mayoi-"Don't worry, we'll figure this out together."
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Post by Beriadan on Dec 14, 2023 12:48:39 GMT
Strive looked down at his phone as it buzzed. He read it, and a look at his face would tell Speed exactly what it pertained to. He flung it to the desk as the message disappeared, shaking his head. The address appeared on the screen, clearly legible for Speed to see.
"He's trying to rattle me. Even from within his cell, that man... he's dangerous. Truly only of the most dangerous villains I've encountered." He rose to his feet, pacing and thinking. Then he stopped, looking towards his partner. "How do we get into a Yakuza summit without being torn apart on arrival? I'm one of the most recognisable people in the world! I've probably put away someone related to every Yakuza member who will be there!"
Strive paused, thinking hard. Thinking wasn't his strong suit, not delicate and intricate plans like this. Without the potential for brute force, outside the realms of saving others... the Pillar of Justice was struggling.
"Unless... we can make it so we aren't recognisable. Either we bust in there and demand to see my sister, or we sneak in and catch her unawares. What do you think, Mayoi?"
Ultimately, it would be Strive's choice, but he needed help. |
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Post by notdomino on Dec 14, 2023 20:36:19 GMT
Mayoi typed in the location. It was a large warehouse by the docks, "Tonomachi, that's only a few train stops away. Looks like a pretty big warehouse in an industrial district by the water. If that's the case, there are tons of places to hide. " He rubbed his chin. It was true they excelled in brute force and speed... that was the whole point of their Hero Team, it was an unimaginably simple combination but hard for heroes to fight against. "Well... in this case, YOU'RE related to a Yakuza member now." He interjected with a shrug. "Shouldn't that mean.... errrr you're allowed or something?" He didn't know how this Yakuza crap worked.
"Sneaking around would probably be our best bet of not getting jumped. We can knock goons out as we make our way in. Less noise more progress. But I guess if they don't hear back in a certain amount of time, they'll know. Mmmmm, we can have a backup on standby to swarm the place with cops, and sidekicks." A strong idea, but Mayoi didn't see the message KK sent, only the address. Was it a bluff or could they chance it?
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Post by Beriadan on Dec 28, 2023 11:43:27 GMT
"No. No sidekicks or police. The Yakuza might turn violent if they're threatened."
He shook his head, smiling ruefully. He didn't say that KK had specifically said to keep it secret... Strive trusted nobody more than his oldest friend. Yet even then... Benjiro stared across the room at Mayoi, frowning.
"I'm going to sneak in myself. No uniform, no backup... if I'm going to get to Choyaku, it can't be on my own terms. It has to be on... KKs."
Strive shook his head again. What a terrible situation to be in. The Number One, out-manouvered by his past, forced to act unlike his usual self.
"Mayoi... I owe you so much. You're my oldest friend, someone I trust more than anyone. I know it's dangerous, but..."
Benjiro gave a half-smile, looking almost embarrassed to ask.
"Will you help me?"
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Post by notdomino on Dec 29, 2023 11:23:41 GMT
"No. No sidekicks or police. The Yakuza might turn violent if they're threatened."
Speed flinched. Well, they did say it'd be better to keep things under wraps... He just... didn't know Strive was so adamant about it. What had gotten into him? Where was his usual gusto? It seemed like his earlier provocation didn't work. In all honesty, Mayoi was getting worried for Benjiro. He wasn't acting like himself. "I'm going to sneak in myself. No uniform, no backup... if I'm going to get to Choyaku, it can't be on my own terms. It has to be on... KKs."Mayoi stayed quiet. "Mayoi... I owe you so much. You're my oldest friend, someone I trust more than anyone. I know it's dangerous, but..."Why was he- "Will you help me?"Mayoi frowned, thinking to himself ~ He's making it sound like he's gonna die...So much for Team Showtime... this is more like team bummer. What's got him so anxious?~ Without a word, Speed reached into the bottoms drawer of his desk. Benjiro would find himself pelted with black clothing, sweats, a dark long sleeve, and a black cap. "You're lucky we're the same build. " He noted, shoving his legs into his own pair of pants. Speed was going to keep his gear on and under his close. Staying hydrated for his quirk was mandatory. Plus being cautious never hurt. "Consider it done." Smile reappeared to assure his best friend everything would be fine. "We'll have your sister in your arms before midnight, easy peasy." He'd walk by playfully bumping into Strive, and headed for the door. "And we're leaving, NOW."
If Strive needed support, he'd be there. This went far beyond heroics. Help was nothing but a word, Mayoi had Benjiro's back for life. __________________________________ Next Chapter OOC: coloholics.boards.net/thread/853/wharf-warehouse-district-summit-strive
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