TheWendil

My Hero Academia: Raw Potential

Just as Donny was about to start tunneling back towards tunnel to start digging, Junko threw the briefcase at him. "Huh? Wha-" Before Donny could fully process what was happening Junko dashed towards the darkness. Before he could shine his light at the thing Junko lunged at, a stone smashed right into his phone and something slammed against the briefcase with enough force that he was actually staggared backwards. "Oh shit!" Everything went dark. Donny couldnt see a thing but he could hear that Junko was fighting something and rocks were being tossed around. His eyes were not adapted to the dark yet and he feared getting in Junkos way if he just charges in literally blindly.

There wasnt any time for Donny to hestitate but he had no idea what to do. So all Donny could do was follow Junko, but every time he got closer he got pelted by rocks. Hes been hit by a rock before so he was used to the pain, but this was different. These rocks were being thrown with such force they really hurt, and Donny couldnt see where the rocks were coming from. So what Donny did was produce a shield of bone in front of him and make his way forward, blocking the stones as best as he could while trying to catch up to Junko. "Hold on, Im coming to help ya!"

"Owwww. Now that's not very nice..." Junko huffed at Dulga, the initial spray of rock and debris hitting its mark and temporarily blinding her. However she was no reckless fool as much as her nerves screamed at her to be. Wiping at sediment from her eyes with a sleeve, she rooted herself in place against her better nature, smirk never fading in the darkness; a darkness that was deeper than before now that she had her eyes closed. "Running away? That's really the style of a villain, haha." Both hands on her makeshift club, Junko swung around blindly without moving. She didn't need to see the hits connect, hearing the rocks smash against her blunt weapon as she defended herself.

Of course, some got through, pelting her in nuisance but hearing Donny's call she knew all she needed to do was stay in place and wait for him. Speeding up the process, she slowly backed away, still swiping at the air in front of her to crush and deflect Dulga's barrage. "Heeeey, partner, long time no see. Maybe we should make a beat retreat?" she asked, grinning at Donny with closed eyes.

Dulga jumped back a few more times, her ears picking up Junko's voice getting further and further away. Was she not going to pursue? "Works for me. There are other briefcases to claim." While it was bitter that Dulga would have to give up on this one she at least knew where it was at and more importantly knew where Junko and Donny were at. She knew their plan was to safeguard the briefcase themselves which would mean that they would need to return to the podiums when the test was nearly over in order to score.

With that thought in mind Dulga stopped for a moment. The tunnel was straight forward however she was too far aware for even her dark vision to see where Junko and Donny were. Fortunately, where they were shouldn't matter too much. Raising four fists in the air Dulga slammed them into the ground, causing the ground to shake as she lifted up a sizable chunk of the subway floor. Hefting the concrete slab with only two arms, she hurled it with great speed and force. However she wasn't aiming for the other two students, thought she wouldn't mind if they got struck by the rock too. No, she was aiming for the podium: With it destroyed even if the heroes could keep the briefcases away from Dulga and her team the heroes would lose by default since they couldn't return the briefcases to their original spots.

"If I can't win I'll have to make sure they lose." Dulga thought to herself as she turned around and ran as quickly as she could out from the tunnels. She already found one briefcase, and she was certain that the rest of her team had found one on their own as well, so Dulga would just need keep her mind on the mission. And this time, to ensure complete victory she'll destroy the podiums after claiming a briefcase.

As Donny approached, his eyes ever so slowly adapting to the darkness, he responded to Junko. "Y-Yeah, we got the briefcase so it should be s-s-safe enou- OH FUCK!" In the dimmly light darkness, Donny couldnt see the rocks being thrown at him. But the boulder that Dulga threw was easy enough for even Donny to see as he threw himself to the wall and got as flat as he could to avoid getting struck by the boulder. If he had organs Donny mightve had a heart attack from seeing such a huge stone being flung towards him. Hes only ever seen that sort of thing happen in video games. He consideres himself lucky that he had the reaction time to even take cover.

He heard the stone crash in behind them, and when he tried to look via the dim emergency lights, he could see that the podium where the briefcase shouldve been was now reduced to rubble. "Cheezus. I dunno if she m-m-missed or meant to do t-t-that..." Donny gulped, fearful of what could happen if he had been down here alone. Even he doubts he could survive getting flatten by such a large stone, and Donny is the type of person who can and would crawl through pipes. "She... She must be trying to break the podiums, like h-h-h-how Im gunna smash up their b-b-b-base! I... We... Uh, you gotta stop her, Kurowai-san! I... I cant keep up with her, but y-y-you can! I gotta go do my job s-s-so we can win this!"

Donny wasnt sure if he was being smart or cowardly sending Junko off on her own to deal with Dulga. He knew their odds would be better if they both fought her together, but frankly speaking Donny had no confidence in his ability to fight someone like Dulga, who seemed much more vicious than him. All of his experience came from playing around and video games, he didnt have the guts for a real fight or even a practice one like this.

"Eh?" Curious as to why Donny stopped mid-sentence, Junko felt free to open her eyes to the dark light. It wasn't like Dulga was still tossing rocks after all-wait no. It's just she was tossing bigger, badder ones. "Woah!" Junko instantly dropped to the ground to avoid being flattened or crushed, not too keen on testing if her Quirk's strength could outmatch the coming projectile with so little time. But it seemed they weren't Dulga's targets anyway if the loud crunching noise behind them was any indication. "Sooo she's wrecking the place. Was that part of the rules?" Truthfully, Junko couldn't remember if they were supposed to keep the podiums safe or just keep the briefcases in one piece. Technically it should have really been the latter but who knew when the exercise had been running as long as it had. With a shrug, she nodded all too eagerly under Donny's suggestion.

"Hey don't sweat about it parttttner," she said, feeling her Quirk get a surge of energy from Donny's fright. The irony of the sludge monster feeling fear was almost hilarious were they not in a fight. "What matters if you got the brief case, yeah? It'll be fun making a heroic sacrifice cause isn't that what heroes do? Eheh..." Whether or not she was just using it as an excuse to mess with Dulga was unsaid because soon enough Junko was charging at her with full force, the ground beneath her shoes cracking from her Quirk-enhanced leap and a swing ready to hit. This time she was flat out aiming for Dulga, though only her arms.

Getting close to the exit Dulga was confident that she could escape the duo during the panic and confusion. But when she heard a crack behind her she barely had enough time to raise her guard as Junko swung right into Dulga's arms. There was a notable crack as Dulga was sent flying towards the wall in a momentary daze. "Tch..." Though not out of the tunnel, there was enough light for Dulga to clearly see Junko and her strange weapon. Where did she get a severed human spine and skull? Did Donny get her that or did Junko somehow smuggle it in? Perhaps it was a manifestation of her quirk? Questions Dulga would have to ask later because she needed to focus on the fight right now.

Gripping her hands into fists she could feel an intense pain in her lower right two arms. Not broken but definately bruised and Junko struck much harder than Dulga expected. While this won't prevent Dulga from using them in a fight she knew they'll have some difficulty with her usual sleights of hand. "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to throw that boulder. At least it looks like Junko is alone." With Dulga's body still low to the ground and her cloak covering her body and arms she gripped a few pebbles she had on hand and flicked two of them right at Junko using her good hands. Despite being so tiny though, they would strike hard and fast like a low calibur bullet. Dulga aimed for the center of Junko's mass to maximize her accuracy as well as the surprise factor. "Bit by bit. Like hunting a stag you wear them down and then go for the kill." Dulga expects Junko to try and dodge, maybe even counter, but this time Dulga would be ready for her.

It was almost satisfying for Junko to hear her hit clearly connect even amongst the lowlight of the tunnels. But while most others would have retreated or fell back, Dulga persisted in no doubt an effort to turn her away, or even take her down. Regardless of her intentions, it manifested as more rocks being tossed at her, this time in smaller dosages that hit hard. "Ooof. Hey, that's no fair. You really play like a villain huh. I'm almost jealous, ehe-oww...." Rather than dodge or even counter, Junko remained in place and fell back to her prior strategy of batting aside the pelted rocks raining at her. Some of them made their mark, her club smashing them on impact. Some of them made their mark for Dulga too, hitting Junko in what was probably a war of attrition, though Junko was sure no one else knew about her Quirk's actual time limit. All the same, it didn't matter if she went down here, so long as Donny escaped with the brief case. "Sounds like a win to me, ehehe," she spoke to herself, pinned down by Dulga's barrage.

Junko was standing her ground. Maybe she wasn't as fast as Dulga thought she was, or maybe Junko already knew that Dulga had a counter ready for her. Either way this would work for Dulga as she doesn't plan to stay here for very much longer. She increased the amount of rocks being thrown at Junko to overwhelm her and in the midst of her barrage Dulga flicked a shard of glass right to Junko's thigh. This would certain hurt, likely cut deep, and should put Junko out of commision for a while. Dulga could imagine Mako getting on her case about this later but she didn't hestitate, and as soon as Junko reacted to the glass Dulga would already be beating another retreat. This time aiming for the surface and possibly into one of the taller buildings. This way if Junko was just stalling to let Donny ambush her, Dulga could foil that and reposition herself somewhere where such tactics would be more noticeable.

The air began to get more and more misty with pulverized debris and rocks both on front from Dulga's attack and Junko's tactics. Not only did it became harder to breathe but more importantly, harder to see as well. There was only the forewarning of a glint in the gloomy darkness before pain struck Junko's thigh. "Guugh, that's not fun..." She instantly wobbled and landed on her butt, noting the stinging pain and wetness forming from the glass pierced in her flesh. It wasn't a deep enough wound to be completely wounded but still enough to immobolize her. Panic was strewn across her features as she raised her club to bat away any attack Dulga might have used to take advantage; but the other girl was already gone, no doubt taking the time to retreat. That was fine by Junko, guessing Donny was fast enough to outmanuever Dulga anyway. "Eheh, well I did my part. Just gonna lie back and maybe pass out....hey Alice, if you can hear me down here, I could use a medic...."

While Junko and Dulga was duking it out, Donny had already been continuing his dig. He continued onwards faster this time as he could create smaller tunnels that arent as safe as he ones he made for Junko. "She'll be fine... She's strong. I got to keep going!" Donny had also stashed the briefcase somewhere underground in the path he was taking. Considering his tunnel was so narrow, he doubts anyone could get to it. And even if they could they'd need to be as good of a digger as him to get it out. But there was no word about what happened with the others. He hasn't heard anything from the others yet. That could be a good thing. "Focus Donny. Eyes on the prize!"

Soon Donny would pop out from the ground. He looked around the area. It looked... Like everywhere else. The only incidcator that it might be the enemy's base is that it was almost at the edge of the testing area. Wasn't any sign that this place was their base. Though there was one thing that Donny noticed. Cracks in the ground, like something big landed here. Or... Something big jumped from here. While most of the area looked in different states of abandoned and ruined no spot looked like this. "Someone moved from here, or maybe dropped something here? Either way I think this is where I ought to begin." Donny dug back underground but this time he began to circle around. It should not take him too long before this whole area is nothing but a big gravel pit.

---

@Melpaws

The Devil Hunter Agency

It was pleasant to see everyone getting along as much as they could. To the Envoy, it brought her low smirk into just a creak higher on her features, sipping at her drink all the while. Her head bobbed and she closed her single eye, a snappy motion brought on by her fingers as if she heard a tune only she could find. Bobbing and swaying, it was only when people started to ask her questions did she open her eye again, lost out of her trance with the music fading off and away.

“There’s no need to be shy around here new girl. Our members make the finest deserts that can quench even the most demonic of sweet tooths,” the Envoy said to Da-Xia, already nodding for Shika to go ahead and prepare her dish. She gave the girl a short thumbs up too before directing her full attention in answering the most curious of questions. The night was still young after all, and with it came the chill of tales to be told and curious ears ready to listen here and well. “The Hand of Manos is our logo of sorts. A nice little trademark gimmick you know. Every club needs a symbol people can recognize,”the Envoy said smoothly.

“You know, rumor has it that slapping the hand gives you good fortune. But learning about our silly rituals isn’t why you’re here huh?” She chuckled under the human’s declarations of war towards the user of the black rocks, a notion soon followed by keeping Limen and Rufus in the Envoy’s gaze. “Well, war crimes or not, you too might resort to underhanded tactics if you felt threatened. Humans so often do such things when cornered, don’t they? But that’s not for me to say. Or maybe it is.” Another chuckle.

“You can guess pretty well of whose service I speak for. The tidings I bring hail from the black rocks that drew you here,” the Envoy said, answering Limen and Rufus’ questions at the same time. “I speak for the rocks, just as some humans speak for the trees~ An apology can be made in order for your missing hand though. My masters, so to speak, are newly born into this exciting new world. Would you not react violently if strange men and women attacked you upon your first breath?” The Envoy had since finished her drink and this time made no secret in looking over Da-Xia. “My masters sought life before the Devil Hunters taught them fear. It was only a reactionary state. Just an observation, but maybe Shika’s right about this DHA being rooted in tradition.”

Tower of Fable

The words and movements of everyone else in the room were gone, dulled, deemed unnecessary and not important by the buzzing virus leaking in Kanbaru’s head. The vampire was just as proud as ever and the others held no clue. No, who was the most interesting person right now? The girl with her scythe and cloak as red as blood. Of this the JSTR made special note of in Kanbaru’s head, reminding her of the description Garou gave the party of the thief. There was no better suspect than the girl trying to smooth talk and negotiate her way out of being cornered.

And if they were wrong? It didn’t matter. From how the JSTR was buzzing, it seemed there would be more benefit than cost in taking the girl with them, be it through forceful assimilation into their merry band or something more. The JSTR flashed its thoughts and Kanbaru’s attention over to Ami. The girl, so young, so full of fire, and itching to spark a fight. It wouldn’t be difficult coercing her to strike first and, if needed, act as backup in taking Riku the suspect. The JSTR assured Akiko would follow suit, for it was more likely she would against a stranger.

The last factor was Victoire but the vampire, full of pride, would do nothing if it meant gaining an audience of bloodbath and sport. So caught up in her amusement was she that the events of the theater room were well beyond her sight. The pieces for a devising solution were there; all that needed to be taken was the first step, the gentle push in Kanbaru’s mind to act and play the card of rallying her allies against the red-cloaked suspect or attack outright. The odds were in their favor either way, just as they were for something else in the other side of the manor.

The noises heard by Thomas and Caprice became louder and more rampant as the dark serpent continued its assault on Claire and Rose. The snake let out a resounding hiss strong enough to shake bones once the foxy thief made her move with a blast from her star blade. Momentarily blinded, the snake’s eyes sheathed themselves with a dark iris layer to keep from being stunned again, swiveling and swerving away from Claire’s shots. Lined up for another attack at Clair, the snake’s movements suddenly darted to the side from the knife tossed its way.

Now it faced Rose, another predatory hiss filling the room once the pirate manifested with a shield and a slimy layer coating her body. Suparna’s Card seemed to have its uses after all, especially when Rose’s shield made sure the snake, now charging at Rose, would keep it at bay. Coiling back on the ground, the dark serpent’s scales lit up suddenly in a bristling burst of power and energy. Heat built up around its jaws and the snake opened its maw wide with dislocated muscles before firing an orb of purple right at Rose’s shield, testing how easy it was to bend and break.

---

The Devil Hunter Agency

“In a few moments” turned out to be quite literal on Mako’s part. No sooner had she announced the intention of the meeting did the leader of Japan’s DHA branch show up. In stepped a man who looked just as dead as Mako and just as exhausted in the eyes too. Or maybe it was merely age that plagued his bones so late at night. Regardless, those of the Japanese Branch would instantly recognize the one in charge, Headhunter Shindou. “It’s late and you’re all tired, so I’ll get right to the point.”

He spied the room, noting some hunters were already missing. Oh well, it’s not like information couldn’t be spread for what would be said, especially with their current staff in the base and Sonchiku’s speed. “It’s exactly as Mako said. You’re being placed into teams due to the high number of hunters sent out on request. Many of you filed in complaints about the lack of coordination tonight. This was somewhat intentional,” Shindou yawned. “We wanted to see how well you all could get along with your foreign partners. At the same time, we weren’t sure what kind of variables were at play to send Youkai into such a frenzy. Given the unknown nature of the now known black rocks, we strived on the premise of caution over expense.”

A moment was spared for the Headhunter to rub at his eyes briefly, some replacement for a yawn. “Thanks to Kazemitsu we can study what the black rocks are. However, the dysfunctional behavior of your work will no longer be a problem. Your new teams will be spearheaded by a senior hunter in the Japanese branch.” Shindou dug a hand into his coat pockets, fishing around until he eventually produced a small slip of paper before noting Kazemitsu’s smoking. “It’s best you refer to her by name instead of “Feather Lady” because you’ll be placed under Beniha’s command, Kazemitsu. Same goes for Adam and Da-Xia whenever she bothers to show up. Mai, you’ll be under Hoshio with Maria and Mizuki. Relay that information to them. That’s all until your next assigned hunting tasks.”

Shindou was already walking off and away while the others could get adjusted to their newfound revelation. Mingle with their teammates or sleep; whatever the case, the night was theirs and free for them to do with it as they pleased. The arrival of the black rocks no doubt implied a new wild factor that would be present in missions from now on anyway so it was better to get acquainted with people sooner or later. A similar case was playing out opposite Siracha Town in the so mentioned “Humaneaters Anonymous” bar. The eye-patched girl chuckled from the scene taking place in front of her.

“Nice one,” she mused as Shika swiftly transformed herself right before the blatant human in the group walked into the bar. A hand outstretched itself to catch the cold mug Rufus, now bartender, tossed out. “Welcome, welcome new timers. Here at Humaneaters Anonymous we don’t discriminate so long as you praise the Hand of Manos,” she said smoothly, playing along to the tale Shika spun. It was hard not to acknowledge the elephant in the room though, but funnily that problem strolled itself proudly without hesitation. “Beniha? Never heard of her. But you can call me the Envoy,” the new girl told Da-Xia with a swig of her drink.

“Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t have heard of a group like ours. Human perception of how the supernatural works can be so skewered sometimes, but hey, it’s not far out the realm of possibility right? For example, I can say just the same of a human being friends with a ghost~” The Envoy gave a smirk to Hanako’s display, flicking her one eye from Da-Xia to her and back. Her lips were covered in leftover froth from the drink, licked away quickly. Or maybe it was meant for the new girl standing alone in the corner. “Not much of a party-goer, are you?” she asked, uncaring if she was given an answer.

“Now then, everyone rub the good Hand of Manos? Good~ We can begin our monthly meeting, plus one human. Our first notion: What do we do about the plus one human~?”

The Devil Hunter Agency

It was to be expected there would be several complaints filed in over the course of the night. The disastrous procedure of the warehouse mission seemed near-destined to fail though surely there had to be some logic from the higher ups? Probably. Regardless, Mako didn’t say much word of it, not when she was looking half-dead, half-awake herself. Of course, that was her natural demeanor. She merely stood rigid under the reports and complaints, giving payments left and right to the Devil Hunters who each filed back to base one by one. Ironically, it was only Beniha’s written complaints that gave her pause for reaction, though the Weaver simply raised an eye at it. All would be explained, no doubt, in due time but for now it was cause to relax.

The DHA bases differed in quality via location, often treated both as a place to gather and accept missions as well as a temporary place of residence for traveling Devil Hunters. As such, the service was, usually, acceptable for the type of lives each hunter lived. As the Devil Hunters went about their own tasks in the underground base, a blurring gush of movement would snap about in the corners of their vision at breaking speeds. This was of course no small feat of surprise, not when the dashing blur would stop by each one to give them a paper slip.

First was Hoshio. Coming to a skidding stop and standing before the dozing man was the speed demon herself, one of the many Youkai employed by the DHA to act as potential contracts for Devil Feeders. Most people just called her Sonchiku for one reason or another. “Hey. Hey. Old man. Hey,” she said, poking at his arm to get Hoshio’s attention. “You’re having a meeting in a few minutes so get your food and butt off to meeting room number five. K, bye.”

And before anyone could ask to contract with her-for plenty have tried for such a fast demon-she was already gone in a running blur. Zipping around the floor, she’d give slips to Mai, Adam, Beniha, and finally Maria; who probably deposited the warehouse hostage to a safe corner of the road. Everywhere she went, dust was kicked up unfortunately. “Geez you lot ever heard of mingling? No wonder no Youkai wants to contract with you,” Sonchiku said with no regard for whoever heard.

Back in the darker parts of Siracha City, the happenstance bar that was once lonely became vacant no longer. The first to arrive was Shika, who was greeted with no reaction from the hand statue by her high-five. There wasn’t even a glimmer or glint of anything magical out of reaction but perhaps something was triggered after all. In just a few moments, Rufus himself appeared to greet her with his presence, appearing on the wrong side of the bar. One might have thought it was he who owned the place and called them there were it not for the music in their heads toning down.

It started with Shika, lowering in volume, but now it was more noticeable upon Rufus’ appearance. The music, almost sounding like muffled swing melodies, was soon drowned out by a soft applause coming from the couch. “Hey, not bad, not bad at all. That was a pretty funny joke there,” the newcomer said with a nod to Shika. Apparently, her high-five stunt was amusing enough for people to pop out of nowhere. The reclined girl looked up Rufus, the same cool smirk directed on him. “Why don’t you get us a few drinks Daddy-O. Something tells me we’ve got some cool cats swinging by dragging in a mouse.” She chuckled to herself, sensing Da-Xia’s party getting close to their establishment. The smell of a human was fresh in the frigid air.

Tower of Fable

“Kid I barely get paid enough as is. Why would I waste more of my time helping out the brat of this manor?” It was a rhetorical question that Garou didn’t feel like repeating in any manner. Thomas could have either accepted the response or keep on walking because the wolfish guard was already doing that latter, albeit in the opposite direction; though not without a passing glare at Caprice for resembling a suspect. “Way I see it, whatever damages you make are coming out of the head brat’s paycheck in fixing anyway so I’ll be taking a nap.” As if on cue, the sound of wood splintering and a door caving in heralded Garou’s predictions with an annoyed sigh.

Whatever the case, he was going to ignore it for later. What he didn’t say, after all, was that he was conducting his own search for the thief in the opposite direction. After all, if everyone was distracted by newcomers it’d make the culprit that much more likely to slip up and reveal themselves. And no one knew the mansion better than Garou. Had he stayed a moment longer, he might have noticed the sudden disappearance of the thorned hounds meant to return to Victoire’s chambers. All of them vanished without trace or scent.

Back inside the theater room Kanbaru had accidentally discovered, the room glimmered and glinted with antiques that, although quite boring to look at despite being reflective of Victoire’s tastes, were probably worth a fortune to pawn off in the Dangeki. Riches were of no concern to the being hosted inside Kanbaru’s body however. There was a sudden sting in her ears, the force inhabiting her suddenly sparking with a new sense of excitement. There was someone in this mansion who shouldn’t belong, someone of interest. The JSTR saw more past this simple world, diving into things unseen and hidden by the shadows of time and saw…

Yes. She was here. Before the others could respond to her, Kanbaru was gone from the theater room, only to appear with Akiko and Ami in Victoire’s chamber in the shadow of their step. Although she didn’t note it yet, the JSTR inside her buzzed as soon as it picked up Riku’s presence among the vampire’s chamber. The shadows of things to come further excited it. Perhaps it was intentional too because without Kanbaru, Rose and Clair were left to deal with their own problems without the others.

As they scoped out the room for valuables of any kind, the backdrop shifted somewhat among the corner of their eyes. Movement stirred once but never enough for either girl to catch a proper look, but it was there, watching them, waiting among the low light of the room’s corners. And then, with no hiss or roar but plenty of momentum, a dark serpent, large and nearly gargantuan in length, suddenly sprung out from its hiding spot. Black as coal, it slammed itself into Clair, maw open and fangs bared to lunge for her throat.

---

The Devil Hunter Agency

Despite being the youngest of her peers, Da-Xia was able to show her prowess and potential as a Devil Hunter. For starters, taking on and then successfully defeating the Treant with little injury or burden was proof enough. The imbued creature exploded forth in a spray of spores and fungi upon the finishing blow and some lasting few words. Thankfully the majority of the Devil Hunters who arrived had long since departed. Even when Adam circled back to ask Beniha for help in moving Maurice, it was doubtful a hunter of her magnitude couldn’t protect the youth and herself in the Treant’s dying wake.

By now of course, the inferno was ebbing away thanks in part to the work of the authorities. Neither of them entered the building until the fire and smoke calmed down and by then the Treant’s spores and fungi had lost their toxic qualities. Perhaps the attack was intentional because no cop would find any trace of the black rocks that had stirred up such a commotion on this night. Instead, they’d find only the fungi, chalking it off to some teens going overboard with a drug stash. A very strange, very potent drug stash, but that was to be the story nonetheless. It wasn’t long before the authorities increased in number due to the ones pursuing Mai returning after a fruitless hunt.

For now, the mystery of the black rocks remained as such; a mystery. They didn’t react to Limen’s touch, acting as stable chunks that were placed into his backpack. Of course, the music wouldn’t cease, calling out to him, tugging and almost encouraging him to leave Hanako and Da-Xia towards the direction of Siracha City’s downtown hub. At some point the calling ceased for Hanako but it continued for the likes of Rufus, Ilse, and Shika, leading them all towards a happenstance bar. Ironically, it was incredibly close to Ilse’s own diner. However, the place seemed unmanned and empty by the time each of them were called there, assuming they followed the rocks’ heed. Curious indeed.

It was no more curious then the DHA’s Weaver knowing Da-Xia was carrying both a ghost and a possible threat with her on her way back to the base. It was no secret that the Weaver was something of a monster herself, being a Devil Feeder; but of which kind and breed, only select few knew. No doubt Mako found some amusement in keeping people guessing. Humor aside, her mass text had logical truth behind her words. Regardless of guilt, it would do no good if an operative brought home an unregistered and unclassified Youkai back to base. Such thinking was foolery on Da-Xia’s part.

Thankfully, Da-Xia seemed to have some common sense. Though she may have thought her text was a means of proud intimidation, it only affirmed she wouldn’t be coming to the base tonight. At least, that’s what her last sentence could be implied as. Not shortly after she sent her text to the group chat between Devil Hunters did another spring up, a response from Mako that served both as an answer to her and to Kazemitsu.

Fine enough. Your work tonight has been acknowledged so we’ll allow some leeway in your actions, operator Da-Xia. Seeing as you won’t be joining us tonight, come by to pick up your payment as soon as you are done interacting with the demon. We will not accept you bringing it to base however. All other operators, continue your way back to claim your rewards and await your new group assignments.

Mako.

Mako’s final words no doubt caused some curiosity to stir among the Devil Hunters but all things came in due time, including explanations. For now, a few other operators worked-to some struggle and avail-to haul up Kazemitsu’s chunk of concrete containing the precious black rocks. While that was happening, he and any other Devil Hunters who arrived would be motioned into the video-rental shop that served as the front of all operations. In truth, the building was only a façade for the secrets that lay deep underground by the specifically placed doors leading to the true Japanese Devil Hunter Branch.

Monster Federation Force (Monster Girl RP)

As if summoned by words alone, Hyper Fang’s eyes glinted as she spotted the aforementioned bird in view. Perched some distance away with the wind gathered and feathers scattered out of precaution, she took the role of mediator between the sisters. “Typical. There goes little Yeshua, always trying to put something in its place,” Hyper Fang leered with less venom and more provocation for a good fight. The burning desire couldn’t be doused, not by words and not by the great wave sent towards her with a splash. Hyper Fang raised a paw up, though it did little to stop her from getting wet and wild.

“Oooh, you trying to get me bothered sis? Don’t you know a wet dog has the most fun~?” The second wave though, Hyper Fang gave more effort to bat it away, water settling into large puddles around her now. “Hey I don’t question my orders like a few somebodies I can name. I just do my job like a good hound and don’t look too much into things. Besides, this is so much fun!” Claws alighting with a dark energy, Hyper Fang gave no warning before slashing at both bird and mermaid. Dark etches in the air showed the waves of power from her claws now aimed at both GMGs. “Besides, think of me as the foot soldier for our favorite bunny’s arrival.”

Back at the SS Silencia, Tomoko was finding some regret in asking Mako…well, anything. “I see. I guessed as much with how small you are…” She had to speak through a light blush under the kitsune’s antics. Changing the color of her clothes was one thing, but when her appearance was changed to only her underclothes, Tomoko was thankful everyone else was occupied with dealing with their current crisis. She almost wished Mako was taking this a bit more seriously but she supposed she couldn’t ask anything more from the GMG.

“Ahem. I can see your powers are definitely more suited for infiltration than direct combat.” Another bang and tumble rocked the ship, no doubt from one of Hyper Fang’s attacks. It seemed the battle between GMGs had begun and the crazed sister made the first move. “It’s a good thing I’m already blushing or else I’d find that question embarrassing,” Tomoko sighed once they finally made it to Akari’s cell. “Ideally, I’d like to extend a proposal to her, same as Utena.”

Sadly, no matter how much Tomoko tried, she was eventually destined to blush madly, especially when their prisoner was dressed in fancy maid wear. “I swear, that’s not on us. I don’t even know where she got that dress,” she immediately explained to Mako. “Right then. I’m sure you can hear the commotion outside? Both the city and the MFF are under attack from a dangerous GMG, one powerful enough to warrant our hand in matters. And perhaps yours if you’re willing to follow a few guidelines,” she told Akari.

My Hero Academia: Raw Potential

Before long, the strange duo of heroes made their way not within the villain’s base as expected, but in an underground tunnel of sorts far beyond the sight of light. Junko became more and more appreciative that out of the two of them, somebody remembered to bring their phone. She nearly stumbled in the dark were it not for Donny’s flash and the fact his bulking body was in fact somehow darker than the actual low light. It made picking him out easy enough.

“It, uh, can’t be that easy, right?” Then again, Junko didn’t doubt the school would hide these things in the most obscure corners like some kind of puzzle game so the location alone was a challenge. She doubted anyone would find this brief case without some dumb luck. “Hey, if we’re protecting them then that counts as hero work, eheh,” she reasoned. “Better to pick up anything while we can before the villains get a chance at it, right? Right.”

Happy to see Donny was in the same boat, Junko didn’t hesitate to dash forward and snatch up the golden prize for themselves. Clasping over the shiny handle, she was just about to relay back to Donny, only to pause in her step. The air was way too quiet and the horror fanatic knew the basics of little sound in situations like this; it meant someone or something was watching them. Nearly concealed in the blackness herself, she grinned eerily, clasping the handle of her skull bludgeon hard in her grip. Oh yes, if she just carefully searched around and let her eyes adjust then….

Without warning she tossed the briefcase over to Donny behind her, intent to put the valuables away from their would-be stalker. “Catch!” was all the warning she gave, knowing that the briefcase would easily stick to Donny’s massive mass anyway. She hoped. Regardless, her real focus zeroed in on what she made out to be Dulga’s shape, recognizing the outline of a masked girl anywhere, especially when she got a good look at her in daylight from before. “Found. You~” Junko sing-songed, already bringing down her skull club with enough force to smash a wall…aiming for just next to Dulga’s head of course. Violence wasn’t the key after all.

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@Lucius Cypher, @Norschtalen

The Devil Hunter Agency

In hindsight, the execution of the mission could have gone smoother. No doubt this sentiment was hanging in the minds of every DHA agent on field at the moment. Between the authorities showing up, the head Yurei getting away, and the warehouse set aflame, one might have thought there were less positives than negatives in this prospect. All the same, there was a silver lining. The hostage was saved and that’s all that mattered. Not only that, but a good majority of the Yurei were slain as a result of the hunters’ actions, as brash as they were.

The cops were well aware the warehouse was a popular place for young suicides and the like so none were expecting anything more escalating than that. Of course, to be greeted by a blazing inferno was a daunting sight indeed. The cop that Hanako approached looked around upon being tugged on their sleeve; obviously they couldn’t see the ghost and with the flames flickering and licking the wood, they barely heard her too. It mattered little in the end when a bolting form from the flames ran out into the snowy night. At once the cops were stirred into action, most of them starting to chase Mizuki as he led them away from his fellow hunters.

Another form darted out from the warehouse and the other half of the authorities were sent to chase them too. Whether Mai liked it or not, she was leading the police away from the DHA and their tasks. No doubt the cops wanted them for questioning, equating them to some arsonist teens trying to wreck a supposedly haunted site. Such distractions allowed others to complete their own goals; Adam with Maurice’s unconscious body went unnoticed by the cops and Kaze’s efforts to acquire samples of the black rocks went smoothly. Well, as smooth as breaking down walls could be. Interestingly, the dark rocks didn’t react to his actions.

In fact, most of the black rocks in the warehouse were being doused in their own strange ways. Beniha’s incense made the growth pause and the rocks shifted slightly along the ground, almost shuddering. It was as if they were curious, hesitant, anxious all at once. They continued bristling but did not advance. The ones near Hoshio however stopped completely as his blessed arrows made directly contact. Similar to Beniha’s rocks they shuddered before crumbling completely. Whatever dark magic kept them sustained was either too weak to properly construct them or the source was long gone from the warehouse. All the same, it made them susceptible to blessed tools.

Their call would continue into the dark night, but no longer towards the warehouse. They burned with a present desire to be found, to be touched, to be observed. Even now they pulled on Ilse’s mind, hummed in Rufus’ head, called for Shika to move onwards to seek them out, and near screeched for Limen and Hanako to secure them. But there was something else calling out to the five demons and Youkai. Amidst all the fog stretching out from the black rocks there lay the buzzing of distorted music and a record scratching on a needle.