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Third person pov

So Neito was here on a train with a squad he really hadn't expected. Kirishima had apparently been more injured than the blonde had first assumed, which left his options even more limited. Shoto had still been raring to go, but with Kirishima out of the game, they were down on their manpower and hurting for someone else to join them. The redhead had seen their overall distress and called someone in, who'd reluctantly agreed almost immediately with a nervous fidget and the aversion of his eyes.

"S-So, you're Lillian's friends, then." Kaminari twitched, staring at them like they were lions and he was a lone rabbit they were hunting as their prey. Neito and Shoto stared back tiredly, not really knowing what to do or how to react. Of all the people the pair thought they'd be doing this with, Kaminari was nowhere near the top of the list. Scratch that, he wasn't even on the list! They'd traumatized the guy far enough that he now had a slight nervous breakdown in the presence of anyone he thought may be a part of the meme squad. With Shoto it was a little better, but Neito was flamboyant and brash with his meme use, as were Hitoshi and Lillian. It's why they were the meme three to begin with.

Kaminari himself wasn't sure why he was here. Kirishima was one of his best friends, and so was Bakugo, even if the champagne blonde denied it. So when his redheaded companion called him into his hospital room with pleading, tired eyes and clasped hands, how could he say no? Lillian terrified him to no end. She was a terrifying person! But she was his classmate, and he did care. Bakugo and that other student-- Awase or something-- were also stuck in the League's hands. It wasn't a fate he'd wish upon anyone, even if they'd terrorized him with... with The Chungus.

"Yes, dear. We've established that." Neito said in a reassuring tone. Kaminari twitched, eyeing him like he was ready to strike. Neito wasn't sure if he should feel flattered or not. At least someone on this godforsaken Earth found him intimidating. "Look, when we get off in Kamino Ward, we're going to be recognizable. Shoto especially, with your flaming asshole father and total badassery and the Sports Festival. Me too, seeing as my shining ass won third place like a total G. I think it's been our best interest to find some disguises."

Shoto suddenly looked excited, his eyes sparking alight with anticipation. He leaned forward, looking around as though someone on the rather empty train car might be listening in. Neito raised an eyebrow as the half-and-half boy whispered in an awed tone, "Espionage."

Kaminari and Neito stared for a moment before sharing a glance.

"...Sure. But freelance. The government isn't reining us in today, boys." Neito's hand clapped down on one of Shoto's shoulders, his other falling on one of Kaminari's. Neito wondered if the jumpy teen would get spooked enough to electrocute him. Maybe it would start his heart that wasn't actually his heart. "Now, for alias purposes, Shoto is Eliza, Kaminari is Peggy, and I'm Angelia. If anyone asks what we're doing, we're looking for a mind at work."

Shoto nodded in all seriousness. Kaminari broke out into a cold sweat. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chad and the other heroes stood outside the bar. Everyone but the armed man looked immensely confused by the singing coming from inside. Or maybe it was more like screaming, but the point was, it was penetrating the walls and leaking out for all of them to hear. Several confused looks were exchanged, and questioning whispers swirled about. Were they okay? Why were they singing? Was this some sort of ritual to sacrifice the kids?

"Bakugo, you mad lad partner." Chad thumped his fist on his chest twice as he muttered the words, out of respect. He got a few odd looks for it, put just offered his middle finger in response to sade any questions. They didn't have time for any dilly-dally-billy-ballying. "Let's get this ball rolling. Vlad, move in. It's your time to shine." 

"What's he going to do?" Edgeshot whispered, his voice holding the undertone of a scoff. Chad rolled his eyes. Gran Torino was standing off to the side, looking mildly concerned. Tiger was the same, but no one could very much blame either of them.

"Kick down the door, dipshit. It's made out of steel, and do you know what the fuck I'm made out of? Not steel!" Chad hissed back quietly. The singing inside raised in volume, and Vlad's head tilted. "You know what, keep your hate over there or I'm suing. I have a job to do."

All the heroes were doubtful of Chad. Hawks insisted he was a lot better at what he did than he appeared, and Tsukauchi was the same, so they reluctantly allowed for it. This whole thing was entirely questionable. A few of the heroes had looked into him. He was... well, essentially an Uber Eats Driver. He belonged to no agency. So despite technically having a hero license, he wasn't getting paid to do any sort of work with it. He'd have to get hired for that.

Chad stepped forward, cleared his throat, and knocked on the door. Everyone winced as the sound resonated in an echo. The singing on the other side came to a dead halt. The sudden silence was eerie. The heroes readied themselves, quirks revving up as they got into their positions. Chad looked down at the receipt in his hand. "Hey, uh," He spoke. "I've got a Chipotle chicken burrito bowl for a Shigaraki Tomura?"

"I still don't understand why he actually brought the food." Kamui Woods muttered. He was shushed immediately and thrown sour glances. He rolled his eyes dramatically back. This was starting to feel less like a high stakes operation and more like a day at preschool. So much judgement and hostility! Honestly, Kamui was feeling hella attacked right now. He'd be filing a complaint with HR for sure. Edgeshot probably would too, if his bitter squinting was anything to go off of.

There was silence. Chad solemnly gestured to the door. Vlad seemed to brighten at the action. If he were to have a tail, most people present were sure it would be wagging at this moment. Like an excited dog, he bounced up to the door. Only he wasn't a dog. He was some weird, mutated creature with immense strength and other unnatural abilities. He reared his head back as far as he could go, almost doing an entire backbend in the process, before swinging his entire upper body forward like a jackhammer. 

A loud bang sounded. For a moment, nothing happened. Chad flipped on his sunglasses, tightened his grip on the Chipotle bag, and readied his assault rifle. No one was sure where he'd gotten it or if it was legal. Anytime they questioned it, he'd just vaguely say he'd got it from a reliable source, which told them essentially nothing. Asking Tsukauchi was futile as well. He'd just get this annoyed expression on his face and tell them he knew nothing. He seemed pretty irritated by that fact, too. Chad was one elusive asshat.

After a tense few breaths, the door gave a creak and simply fell forward. Right off its hinges. It fell flat down, exposing the wide-eyed villains to Chad. The heroes and Tsukauchi all peered inside, just as wide-eyed as the enemy was. Bakugo could be heard spouting curses inside. Dabi's head poked out. He was apparently their informant. Eri had several pictures she'd forced him into, and had been happy to show them all every since one. Yeah. All three-hundred of them. She was too cute and threatening to say no to. She brandished that knife with a terrifying amount of experience.

Dabi could not express his relief upon seeing Chad there, in all his dirty-blonde glory. With his sunglasses on, he bathed in the flickering glow of the warm light above the bar door. This was the romance Dabi had signed up for, apparently, but he was all for it. But now wasn't really the right time to be swooning like some barbie princess. They needed to get these kids out of here. 

"Hey, Shigaraki," Dabi spoke drawly, his eyes scanning the heroes as blue wisps of flame began to lick at his arms. "I think your Chipotle is here."

That set everything off and into motion. Hawks fell through the ceiling, which appeared to be an accident, but it was fine. He stuck the landing and shot feathers sharp and stiff as blades out, like a porcupine ejecting its spikes. The villains all shrieked, tumbling clumsily into action. Or trying to. They didn't get much of a chance. Chad shot a lizard dude in the knee caps, Shigaraki in the shoulder, and some knife-wielding bitch in the foot. All Might crashed through a wall like the Kool Aid man, pissed off and just as large as life as he usually was. Awase unfused himself from Lillian, pulling off her blindfold, and Dabi melted Bakugo's restraints off. It all happened in less than a few seconds. Though, Vlad did almost get hit over the head by Gran Torino when he bounced off a wall at the wrong angle.

"About fucking time, you fucking cabbages!" Bakugo snarled at them in a hostile manner. Lillian took a few deep breaths, pupils shrinking to pinpricks at the sudden change in lighting. Awase steadied her, giving All Might an awed look that was full of admiration. All Might offered forth his signature grin.

Lillian felt like she wanted to fall asleep forever, hyperventilate, eat the Chipotle Chad had brought, or maybe all three. Sensory overload was a thing she'd had the misfortune of experiencing in the past, and right now was no different. She scanned the heroes faces for her dad or maybe Mic, but they weren't here. It made sense. She was glad to see Chad and Hawks. That alone was enough to get a few breaths of fresh air in her lungs. She felt less lost now. 

"There's nothing to fear, children! We have you now!" All Might gave a booming laugh. On the TV, the press conference was announced. It would be beginning in just thirty minutes. Was it really that close already? It was insane to think about. So much time had passed, but in the thick of it, it felt as though it had just flown by. Lillian tried to let relief fill her as Chad flipped his glasses up, letting out a low whistle and shaking his head.

"Thought you kids might be hungry after all this." Chad lifted up the Chipotle. Bakugo gave him a flat look. "Keep it to yourself, you damn gremlin. I just saved your ass."

Lillian wanted to laugh. Maybe cry tears of relief. But something stopped her before she could. Her throat tightened as something forced its way up it, her breath halting entirely. Her entire body tensed as she stumbled back. Awase's hand also flew up to his throat, and Bakugo's eyes widened with something akin to horror as he watched them. Had they been poisoned? He didn't feel jack shit! He looked to Chad in a panic, as well as All Might, but they looked just as panicked as he did. The villains also began to cough, something black and lumpy pouring from their mouths.

"Is it Kurogiri?!" Hawks asked, spinning around in a full circle to take it all in. Lillian fell to her knees, tears welling in her eyes. Awase came down with her, gripping onto her tightly with fear in his eyes. Bakugo snapped from his stupor, lunging forward and trying his best to claw away at whatever was encasing his freckled companion. But it was like putty, and slipped right through his fingers and clung to Lillian's skin, climbing across her. He let out a string of colorful curses, his own eyes welling with tears as her terrified aqua ones met his blazing crimson. It was happening too fast. This wasn't how this was supposed to go! They'd been saved, and-

"He's out!" Kamui exclaimed. All Might and the rest of the heroes sprung into action, ready to grapple onto villains and refuse to let go. They never got the chance. Nomu, some like Vlad, and others different, burst from seemingly nowhere. Some came through walls, while others warped in using the black goo sucking the villains, Lillian, and Awase away. Bakugo let out an enraged shout as Lillian melted away into the inky substance, his eyes wide with sharp anger and his entire body trembling from how tense it was. All Might bellowed out an angered yell.

"Dammit!" The blonde hero howled, sending his fist flying into a Nomu. "Dammit all!" 

Bakugo stood, his face pale, his brows pinched, and his fists clenched. His teeth ground together, his palms sparking as sweat built up heavily in his palms. He usually didn't agree with people, having his own opinions, but for once, he couldn't agree more with All Might's testament.

In an enraged flurry of explosions and snarled vulgarities, he lunged at the nearest enemy. He wanted answers. And he wanted them now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Work, work, Angelica!" Neito burst out of the dressing room in a white button up shirt, a pink skirt, and a pair of six inch black pumps to bring it all together. His blonde hair had been replaced with brunette wig that was entirely curly, cascading over his shoulders. His make-up was fierce, as you'd expect, with winged liner for days and a deep red lipstick. His legs were shaved. Nobody was sure when that happened or if they'd been that way the whole time, but they could ask later.

"Work, work, Eliza." Shoto said blandly, stepping out. He wore a pair of slim jeans and blue heels, and a blue, flowery blouse. His hair had been covered by a wig the same shade as Neito's, though it lacked any curls. Neito had done his make-up, giving him a softer look that still managed to make him look feminine. Looking in the mirror, he could easily pass as an 'Eliza', even with his broad shoulders and flat chest. It was sort of aweing to see. He looked like a completely different person.

"And uh... Peggy?" Kaminari squeaked out, not sure what was happening. He had the same wig as Neito, though his had been pulled up into a bun. Getting makeup on him had been a challenge, but they'd managed to hold him down long enough. He wore jeans as well, and a yellow blouse much like Shoto's. He too could easily pass as a 'Peggy', being the smallest and most delicate out of all of them. Kaminari didn't want to say it out loud, but looking in the mirror, he actually looked pretty hot.

"The Schuyler sisters!" Neito laughed with dramatic, theatrical flourish. They stumbled after him as he headed for the exit. They got some double takes from the few employees working at this hour, all of them quite sure they'd seen three teenage boys come in, not three adorable girls. Neito flipped his hair, finally able to do it properly now that he had the volume he needed. He laughed again. "Let's blow this fucking joint, ladies. It's time to kick some villainous ass."

"Right." Shoto and Kaminari both chorused, following after Neito. The blonde-turned-brunette felt a tugging in his chest. He wasn't sure where it was taking them, but knew he had to follow it. So that's what he did. He allowed the dead assholes inside of him to lead him off to what could possibly be their deaths. Well, Shoto and Kaminari's deaths. Neito didn't have a pulse to lose anyway.

The pull was strong in the direction of an odd looking building. Though it was early in the morning, people were already out and about, walking to work or to school, and such of that like. They blended in perfectly. Three, teenage girls, all friends with one another, out on an early morning stroll. Perhaps heading to highschool, or a university where they resided as first years. Neito was good at keeping a bubbly, higher-pitched voice on, creating blabbering and meaningless conversation no one batted an eye at. Shoto wasn't as good at it, but made an effort, while Kaminari mostly forced a smile on his face and tried not to walk too stiffly.

It wasn't crowded, but there were people around. Neito hid his scowl well as a few men, drunk from the night before, stumbled past. They stopped to look and whistle. Which was flattering, but also disgusting. As a male, he wouldn't normally get catcalls of this type, if any at all. It was sort of annoying to know what girls had to go through. Shoto felt the same way, to an extent. He wondered if people ever whistled at Fuyumi or Lillian. Kaminari wasn't in their boat, but he was in the same ocean. He mostly just wanted to die.

"Hey there, darlin'." One of the men hissed out lecherously to Neito. It was probably the legs. "You lookin' for a man?"

"Already got one right here, dickwad." Shoto let his voice drop to one of its lowest, but still natural, octaves. The man jumped back like the boy'd just activated the fire half of his quirk, eyes wide in surprise and maybe a bit of horror as Shoto stared blandly down at him. With a sputter and questioning glance at the half-and-half boy's crotch, he stumbled off with his cackling buddy. Neito watched them go with raised eyebrows. He wasn't impressed.

"Go, Eliza. I knew you had it in you." Neito clapped Shoto on the shoulder before slipping into a nearby alley. The boy nodded in agreement, glancing back at the Peggy of their ground and tilting his chin towards him too. Kaminari yelped slightly, scurrying after. He could feel electricity dancing beneath his skin as he grew more and more nervous for what was to come. Were they going to die? Were their classmates already dead? Would the be expelled? They were all questions he wanted to ask, but knew he wouldn't get an answer to.

Neito felt something in him shift. It felt as though something was pulling at his throat. Choking him, or something like that, even though he could go long periods of time without breathing since the whole death thing. It made him halt in his steps for only a brief moment. Shoto gave him a questioning look as he sucked in a deep but strained breath as what felt like an invisible noose tightened around his neck. He was getting closer. Closer to Jay's husband, and to the source of this all. The prospect scared him more than he dared to show.

"Are you okay?" Shoto asked simply, feeling tired but determined. Neito cleared his throat, blinking back into reality. With a scoff and a flip of his wig, he began sauntering forward once again, his skirt swishing against his thighs.

"I'm better than okay, dear sister. We're just... getting closer. That's all." Neito said, peeking out of the alley. He allowed his body to stop taking in air. Doing so made his throat feel raw and hurt, and he knew he didn't need air to survive anyway. He wondered if this was what suffocating felt like. It was scary, but almost peaceful at the same time. Deep breaths were often times used to help one calm down, and to slow their heart rate. But Neito didn't have a heart rate that needed slowing down. Maybe this was the deadman's way of getting out of having a total panic attack.

They crossed the street as casually as they could. The space separating the two buildings Neito felt they needed to get between was thin. It made Neito thankful he didn't actually have any boobs, because he was pretty damn sure they'd get stuck if he did. God bless him and his penis, he supposed. Not that he was about to bash women's clothing. Everything felt so airy and light down there. He'd have to wear skirts more often.

The pathway was narrow, but it was the most secluded way to go. Nobody would see them coming this way. Neito could feel something resonating to him inside the building. It left an odd, tingling sensation in his chest. They were in the right place. This was the structure he was being led to. What was inside, he had no idea.

"It's this building. Here." Neito whispered lowly, glancing at Shoto. Shoto nodded, eyes sharp and alert. Kaminari also took a deep breath of his own. This would be fine. Right now, he wasn't Denki Kaminari, the teenager who was afraid of a fifth of his classmates simply due to their meme status. He was whoever the hell Peggy was, and he was rocking jeans and heels. Heels that made him feel oddly powerful, if he was being honest with himself. Neito and Shoto had some on too, and it somehow managed to make them look ten times more dangerous than before. Kaminari wondered if he looked the same. 

"There's a window there. Should we look inside?" Shoto asked quietly, heart thumping hard in his chest. Neito nodded. It felt weird not to have his lungs pumping air in and out of his body. How was his brain getting oxygen? Was that just not a thing anymore? What about his blood? Quirks were fucking wack, and that was the truth.

"Excellent observation. Nobody look up my skirt. I know I'm hot, but we don't need incest amongst our clan of sisterhood." Neito said with flourish. Both Todoroki and Kaminari watched in horrified awe as he pretty much scaled the wall opposite of them in pumps and a skirt like some sort of mutated spider monkey. Didn't even need a boost. He just went for it. He shot his shot, and made the goal. It was... almost inspiring, but mostly terrifying.

Neito peered through the window and promptly groaned.

"Fuck!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Was Aizawa ready for this press conference? No, no of course he fucking wasn't! His daughter was out there somewhere, scared, not technically alone but still alone enough to be heart-wrenching, and she needed him. He didn't want to be here, standing before the press in a suit he hadn't worn in well over a year, with his hair combed into a style he didn't like. He felt dead on his feet. Like he wasn't himself. Vlad King kept shooting him concerned glances, and Aizawa wondered how the fuck he managed to act so calm when one of his students was also out there.

"You sure you can do this?" His fellow teacher asked in a low voice as they all stood from their seats, ready to address the drama-hungry vultures before them. Nezu was smiling pleasantly, but Aizawa could tell he was tense, and watching to see what he'd do and if he'd ruin this for them. Shota was determined not to break. But determination could only get you so far.

"Yeah." Aizawa took a deep breath, and they took their seats. The first reporter began. 

"You spoke about the student's safety, Eraserhead. During the incident, it appears you urged them to fight. What was your intention behind this?" The reporter was starting at the beginning. It was a hard question outright. They would only get worse from here. Aizawa tried to brace himself, blinking away his exhaustion as best he could.

"I concluded that because we were unable to fully grasp the situation, it had to be done in order to prevent the worst possible outcome." He answered in a well-articulated manner, careful with his words. Nezu relaxed slightly, and Vlad King's tense expression became just a little more hopeful.

"The gas attack accounts for most of the victims. We have determined that it was a sleeping gas from one of the enemies' quirks. Thanks to the quick response of Ms. Kendo, Mr. Tetsutetsu, and the hero Chad, there were no serious injuries from that attack." Nezu spoke. "In addition, we are providing mental care to students, but at the moment, we do not see any signs of serious psychological trauma." 

The reporter stared for a moment before essentially ignoring everything the principal said and bouncing back to Aizawa. "What do you mean by 'worst possible outcome'?" He questioned. "You don't call twenty-six victims with three abducted the worst possible outcome?"

Aizawa didn't let his irritation show in his face or tone, but it was there. "The 'worst outcome' I assumed in that situation was that the students would beat their wits' end and be killed." He said blandly. Nezu and Vlad King gave him a look.

"Are you saying that it was a bright spot in this tragedy?" The reporter asked. Aizawa felt his chest constrict, and some of the rage bubbling in the pit of his stomach reared its head. Bright spot? A fucking bright spot, he asked? Most of the students had been injured. Three, as well as a fellow pro, were kidnapped. One of said kidnapped students happened to be his precious, lovely daughter, whom he wished he was looking for right fucking now! So no, there was no bright spot. Just Aizawa, wishing he was better and knowing he could never damn well be, and wishing he could switch places with his kid, even if it killed him.

Seeming to sense that he was about to blow a gasket, Nezu stepped in. "We believe that the worst outcome is one that would have infringed on the future." 

"Can you say the same thing for the kidnapped Bakugo, Awase, and Lillian?" The reporter asked. Vlad King glanced nervously at the tightening tendons in Aizawa's neck. "What if the villains kidnapped Bakugo because they had an eye on his achievement? Kidnapping him with deceitful words, and dyeing him with the path of evil? What evidence do you have for saying that he has a future?"

Aizawa was standing up. Vlad King and Nezu watched him closely as he glowered down at the reporter. They waited for him to explode. Everyone did, with their cameras pointed at him, and their recorders out. Everyone had their notepads at the ready. Aizawa took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and bowed. Not for the public, but for his daughter, and his students. He needed to stay calm. It's the best he could do right now, and he'd be damned if he didn't give this thing his all.

"Bakugo's brash actions at the sports festival originate from what he considers to be 'ideal strength.' He is trying harder than anyone in his pursuit of becoming the 'top hero.' If the villains saw that and thought they had an opening, then I believe they are being short sighted." He answered coolly, earning some 'oos' and 'awws' from the crowd. He didn't give a shit. He rose from his bow with eyes of steel, ignoring the relieved looks he was getting from his boss and coworker, and instead sat back down.

"Right, right, and what of Mr. Awase and Miss Lillian, then? Will you be able to recover them safely? Can they be influenced in any manner?" The reporter rose a brow. Aizawa's cold gaze fell onto him, and he tensed ever so slightly. A sheen of sweat could be seen forming on his brow under the blaring fluorescent lights. There was something here. A tidbit of information. He just didn't know what. "If something happens to them, what will be UA's next course of action?"

Nezu opened his mouth to speak, but Aizawa's hissing voice cut him off. Vlad King's gaze snapped to his fellow teacher, and he blanched when he saw that his eyes were glowing red, and his hair drifting up and out of its neat style.

"Nothing will be happening to them if I have anything to say about it." He hissed out, standing back up again. His chair screeched. "I shouldn't fucking be here. I should be out there looking."

"Eraserhead, please-" Nezu tried to say in a pleasant and placating tone, but Aizawa whipped in his direction in such a fast and dangerous manner, even the rodent couldn't get anymore words to escape his mouth.

"I'm going." He snapped, taking off his tie. "And if you know what's good for you, you won't try to stop me."