...
Kenzo sat in the back of the van, his mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions that he couldn't quite grasp. The events of the past few days had left him feeling numb, disconnected from the reality unfolding around him. As the van rumbled along the road towards the League's villa, he stared blankly out the window, his gaze unfocused.
Beside him, Kaminari shifted nervously, glancing over at Kenzo with apprehension in his eyes. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, he mustered up the courage to speak.
"Um, Aero-sensei?" Kaminari's voice was hesitant, barely above a whisper. It was a stark difference from his usual boisterous voice in class. "I know we were already told, but what's the plan for when we get there?"
Kenzo blinked, his mind slowly coming back to the present as he registered Kaminari's question. He offered the young hero a reassuring smile, hoping to ease his nerves despite his own inner turmoil.
"Don't worry, Kaminari," Kenzo replied automatically, his voice devoid of any real emotion. "We'll stick together and follow the lead of the more experienced heroes. Just focus on staying alert and following orders, and we'll get through this together."
Kaminari nodded, a forced smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Right, of course. Sorry for bothering you."
Kenzo offered him a small, reassuring smile in return, though it felt hollow on his lips. "Don't apologise."
As Kaminari nodded and turned back to stare out the window, Kenzo's gaze drifted back to the passing scenery. But try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that gnawed at his soul, a silent reminder of the weight of the world resting on his shoulders.
The vans came to a halt at the designated rendezvous point, a sense of purpose and determination radiating from the assembled heroes and students. Kenzo stepped out of the lead van, his demeanour composed and focused as he surveyed the scene before him.
"Alright, listen up, everyone," Kenzo's voice rang out, cutting through the air with authority. "We're here to take down the League of Villains and put an end to their reign of terror. Our objective is to secure the villa and neutralise any threats we encounter. Remember, teamwork is crucial, so stay together and watch each other's backs."
As he spoke, Kenzo's gaze swept over the gathered heroes and students, his expression detached yet commanding. He organised them efficiently, assigning teams and tasks with precision born of experience.
However, when he turned to address the nervous students, Kenzo's demeanour softened, his voice gentler as he offered words of reassurance. "You're all here because you have the potential to be great heroes," he said, his gaze meeting theirs with unwavering confidence. "Trust in your training, trust in your instincts, and trust in each other. We'll get through this together."
The students nodded eagerly, their expressions determined despite their nerves. They looked to Kenzo for guidance, finding strength in his steady leadership amidst the chaos of the impending battle.
As Kenzo assumed his position at the front, he quickly secured a communication device, his eyes scanning the surroundings with unwavering focus. The tension in the air was palpable as they awaited the signal from the police captain.
Midnight approached him, her presence bringing a sense of calm amidst the chaos. "Kenzo," she said, her voice soft yet filled with pride as she ruffled his blonde hair. "You've come a long way since your early days as a hero-in-training. I'm proud of the hero you've become."
Kenzo's steely demeanour softened, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Midnight," he replied sincerely. "I'm a bit scared about messing this all up though."
Midnight laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, her gaze meeting his with understanding. "I know the weight of responsibility can feel overwhelming at times," she said, her voice gentle. "But never forget that you're not alone. We're all here for you, every step of the way."
Kenzo nodded, a sense of gratitude swelling within him. "I won't forget," he promised, his voice filled with determination.
Their brief exchange was interrupted by the signal from the police captain crackling over the comms, signalling the start of their mission. With a final nod to Midnight, Kenzo turned his focus back to the task at hand, his resolve steeled as he prepared to lead his team into battle.
...
Mortis' fingers paused midair as she reached for another sushi roll, a sense of unease settling over her like a heavy blanket. The familiar tunes of TV Girl filled the room, but her mind was elsewhere, a nagging feeling gnawing at the edges of her consciousness.
Before she could ponder further, Skeptic burst into the room, his expression frantic as he scanned the lounge. "Twice, where are you?" he called out, his voice laced with urgency.
Mortis's heart skipped a beat as she looked up, her grip on the sushi roll tightening involuntarily. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice rising with apprehension.
Skeptic's eyes widened in alarm as he met her gaze. "The heroes are here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They're at the villa, and they're coming for us."
A cold dread settled in the pit of Mortis's stomach as she processed the gravity of Skeptic's words. Shigaraki, undergoing experimentation to enhance his quirk, was vulnerable, and she was alone in the face of the impending threat.
Without hesitation, Mortis pushed aside her half-eaten sushi and rose to her feet, her mind racing with thoughts of how to protect Shigaraki and the league from the imminent danger. As she hurried out of the lounge, a single thought echoed in her mind – she had to do whatever it took to ensure survival.
As chaos erupted within the villa, with villains from the Paranormal Liberation Army rushing out to confront the incoming army of heroes, Mortis made a split-second decision. Ignoring the clamor of battle raging around her, she turned and bolted in the opposite direction, her heart pounding with a desperate urgency.
With each step, Mortis's mind raced, her thoughts consumed by the need to escape. She knew she was in no position to face the heroes head-on, not with her temperamental quirk and Shigaraki incapacitated and undergoing experimentation. Her only chance of survival lay in evading capture and finding a way to regroup with the league later.
Ducking into shadowy corridors and darting past skirmishes, Mortis moved with a swift and silent determination, her senses on high alert for any sign of danger. She knew that every second was precious, every choice critical to her chances of making it out unscathed.
As she fled the chaos behind her, Mortis's resolve hardened. She would not go down without a fight, but for now, survival was paramount. With that thought burning fiercely in her mind, she pressed on, her path uncertain but her determination unwavering.
As Mortis sprinted down the corridor, her heart pounding with adrenaline, she rounded a corner and skidded to a sudden halt. There, standing before her, was the Number 4 hero, his presence looming like an insurmountable obstacle in her path.
Kenzo's demeanor was unlike anything Mortis had ever seen before. His usually warm and determined expression was replaced by a chilling detachment, his blue eyes devoid of emotion as they met hers. The harsh fluorescent light cast shadows across his angular features, highlighting the sharp contours of his jawline and the golden strands of his tousled blonde hair.
Despite the chaos surrounding them, Kenzo stood tall and composed, his stance unwavering as he regarded Mortis with a cold intensity. There was a palpable tension in the air, a silent exchange of resolve and defiance as they faced each other in the dimly lit corridor.
"Hana," Kenzo's voice cut through the silence like a blade, his tone flat and devoid of emotion. "You're not going anywhere."
Mortis felt a shiver run down her spine at the steel in his voice, the weight of his words settling heavily upon her. She knew that Kenzo was not one to be underestimated, especially not in his current state of detached resolve.
For a moment, they stood locked in a silent standoff, each sizing up the other with a mix of apprehension and determination. In the dim glow of the corridor, Mortis could see the glint of determination in Kenzo's eyes, a silent warning of the battle to come.
Kenzo's jaw clenched with restrained anger as he stared at Mortis, his gaze unwavering despite the tumult of emotions swirling within him. "You have nowhere to run, Hana," he asserted, his voice laced with a steely resolve. "It's over."
Mortis's hands trembled at her sides, her wide green eyes flickering with uncertainty as she faced Kenzo's unwavering gaze. "I-I didn't want any of this," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kenzo's expression softened momentarily, a flicker of empathy crossing his features. "Then why did you join them?" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration. "Why did you become one of them?"
"You don't understand," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the chaos raging outside. "Shigaraki saved me."
Kenzo's jaw tightened at her words, his gaze narrowing as he took a step forward. "That doesn't justify the lives you've taken," he retorted, his voice hardening with resolve. "You've caused too much pain, Hana."
A sudden shift seemed to come over Mortis, her demeanor changing in an instant. She seemed to stand up straighter as her eyes flashed with a manic intensity and a chilling smile spread across her lips. "Oh, Kenzo," she laughed, her voice dripping with malice. "You still don't get it, do you? I'm not your Hana anymore. I'm Mortis, and I'll do whatever it takes to survive."
Kenzo's heart sank as he watched the transformation unfold before him. The woman standing before him was a far cry from the girl he once knew – She had gone mad.
"Mortis, listen to me," Kenzo began slowly. "You need help."
But Mortis's laughter echoed off the walls of the corridor, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Kenzo's spine. "Help?" she sneered, her eyes gleaming with madness. "I don't need your help, Kenzo. I'm beyond help. And soon, you'll be beyond saving too."
With a sudden burst of speed, Mortis lunged forward, her movements erratic and unpredictable. Kenzo braced himself for the inevitable confrontation, his mind racing as he prepared to face the girl he had lost to darkness.
As Mortis lunged forward with ferocious speed, Kenzo's instincts kicked in, his body moving on pure muscle memory. Dodging her initial strike, he countered with a swift jab, aiming for her midsection. The blow was met with a swift parry from Mortis, who twisted gracefully to the side, her movements as fluid as water.
Their movements became a blur of motion as they clashed, each strike resonating with the weight of their shared history. Kenzo's mind flashed back to their days at UA, where they had sparred countless times, pushing each other to their limits in pursuit of becoming heroes.
"Still as agile as ever, Hana," Kenzo remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia.
Dodging her initial strike, he countered with a swift jab, aiming for her midsection.
"You always were too predictable, Kenzo," Mortis shot back, her voice dripping with disdain as she effortlessly parried his blow.
But now, there was no camaraderie between them, only the bitter sting of betrayal and loss. Mortis fought with a wild abandon, her movements fueled by madness and desperation. She unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one delivered with deadly precision, forcing Kenzo to duck and weave to avoid the onslaught.
"Remember our sparring matches at UA?" Kenzo called out, his words punctuated by the sound of their blows colliding. "You always said I fought like a rookie."
"But look at you now," Mortis retorted, her tone laced with a strange sadness. "Still playing hero, even when the world has turned its back on you."
Kenzo, on the other hand, fought with a steely determination, his resolve unwavering despite the chaos surrounding them. With each blow exchanged, he sought openings in Mortis's defences, looking for any opportunity to gain the upper hand.
As they continued to clash, Kenzo felt a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through him – anger, sorrow, and a lingering sense of hope. Hope that somewhere deep down, the girl he once knew still existed, buried beneath the facade of Mortis.
But as their battle raged on, it became increasingly clear that Mortis was beyond reach, lost to the darkness that had consumed her.
With a swift movement, Mortis withdrew a gleaming knife from her belt, the blade catching the dim light of the corridor as she wielded it with deadly precision.
Kenzo's eyes narrowed as he braced himself for her next attack, his mind racing as he calculated his next move.
"You always did favour the blade," Kenzo remarked, his voice calm despite the tension crackling in the air.
Mortis smirked, her eyes glinting with a manic intensity as she lunged forward, the knife poised to strike.
"And you always were too reliant on your fists," she countered, her voice dripping with venom as she closed the distance between them.
Their dance continued, each strike a testament to their skill and determination.
But as they clashed, Kenzo couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the sight of the woman before him – a shadow of the friend he had once known, consumed by darkness.
With a determined resolve, Kenzo decided it was time to end it. Time to use his quirk.
With a heavy heart and a deep sense of remorse, Kenzo took a deep breath, his resolve hardening as he prepared to end the confrontation. "I'm sorry, Hana," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the chaos of their battle.
With a swift motion, Kenzo unleashed the full force of his quirk, summoning a powerful gust of wind that surged forward with unstoppable force. The tempest swept Mortis off her feet, hurling her backward with bone-rattling force as she collided with the unforgiving surface of the wall.
The impact reverberated through the corridor, the sound echoing like thunder in the stillness that followed. Mortis slumped to the ground, her form motionless as she lay crumpled on the floor, unconscious and defeated.
Kenzo's heart ached as he gazed upon the fallen figure of his former friend, a pang of guilt gnawing at his conscience. But he knew that he had no choice – for the safety of others and for the chance of redemption, he had to stop her.
With a heavy sigh, Kenzo approached Mortis's limp form, his expression filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination.
With a heavy heart and a sense of duty weighing on his shoulders, Kenzo lifted her, carefully slinging her over his shoulder. Despite her unconscious state, he couldn't shake the feeling of sadness that washed over him as he carried her through the chaos of the villa.
Jogging swiftly and deftly navigating through the tumultuous battleground, Kenzo avoided the clashes between heroes and villains, his focus solely on delivering Mortis to the authorities. His mind raced with conflicting emotions, but he pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand.
Reaching the entrance of the villa, Kenzo emerged into the relative calm outside, his gaze scanning the area for any signs of danger. Satisfied that they were clear for the moment, he took to the skies, his powerful quirk propelling them swiftly towards the rendezvous point.
Arriving at the designated location, Kenzo gently lowered Mortis to the ground, his expression tense as he watched the police approach. They were in awe of his swift delivery of a villain, their admiration evident as they quickly moved to secure Mortis in handcuffs and transport her to a waiting cell.
As Mortis was led away, Kenzo couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the sight of his former friend being taken into custody. But he knew that it was necessary, both for her own safety and for the safety of others.
With a heavy heart and a sense of resolve, Kenzo turned away from the scene, his mind already turning towards the next challenge that lay ahead.
(2649 words)
Sorry this one's a bit short