"I spy four students who should be in bed." I said, walking out into the garden.

It's currently 2 A.M. Prime hours for myself who struggles to sleep at night, but not for these four. Of course I figured they'd come out here, they've been acting strangely these past few days.

I know it's because of the case. Of that little girl they're all so worried about.

Kitsune notified me that tomorrow we'd all be meeting again. There's a huge lead Nighteye and a couple other Heroes had stumbled upon.

So it's natural that they gathered out here to either brood or talk. "Kiri-Nee." Izu seemed surprised to see me. I had been leaving at night to work with Kitsune, much to Aizawa's chagrin.

I wore my normal sleep wear, shorts and a tank top. Of course in doing so revealed my bandaged arm from the bullet wound. Enough time has passed that I forget about it, although to normal people they'd still be in pain. I've grown accustomed to pain though, so it doesn't affect me as much.

They were all in their sleep wear, solemn looks on their faces.

I placed a hand on my hip. "You guys should be in bed. We got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. You're not going to be much use if you're sleep deprived."

Kirishima frowned, his brows furrowing. "But you're always up in the late hours of the night." He pointed out.

I just shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't need as much sleep as you guys. C'mon, let's go inside." I jabbed my thumb in the direction of the back patio door.

"I can't sleep. I keep thinking about . . . Eri-Chan." I sighed, shoulders sagging a bit. "Are you still on about that? She'll be fine."

To this they looked at me as if I had gone mad.

"Fine? She's not fine! They're using her to make weapons. Her body." Kirishima said, voice a little loud.

"I didn't say she's okay. I said she's fine. Does it suck? Yes. But so long as she is of use to them, she'll remain alive. They can't exactly do more than necessary physical harm to her. And so long as she's alive, we'll find her, save her, big happy ending the whole shebang." I waved my hand for the dramatics at the end.

Asui didn't seem too happy, neither did Kirishima. "That's not funny Kiri. That poor girl is in danger." My redheaded friend began to get heated.

What did I say? I said we'd save her.

"She's not okay Kiri-Nee. She needs to be saved. Just because she's still of use doesn't make it right." Izu tried, frustration in his voice.

My face scrunched a bit. "I didn't say she was okay. But she's been in this for a while now. She's more than likely built up a tolerance. She'll survive. We'll be getting her out soon so she'll grow up a little more normal. Not completely, but she'll have a chance to grow up like any other kid. She'll be fine, she'll get over it. There's no use worrying yourself like this. She's just one girl."

"Kiri!" Ochako gasped in horror.

Irritation began to build up. I don't get it. "What is with you guys. What is it about this girl that's got you all depressed? Why's it hitting a nerve?" I demanded a little harshly.

And just like that the frustration left Izu's eyes. Sadness seemed to underlie them.

"Because . . . she reminds me of you."

Eh?

His answer took me off guard. So off guard that I could only stare at him with my mouth agape.

I pursed my lips and turned, heading back towards the door. "Why are you so hard on Eri-Chan?" Izu asked, making me stop, hand on the door handle.

Why am I so hard on her? That's simple really. I didn't turn around, only opened the door in front of me.

"Because she reminds me of myself."

~

"You're in a mood. Is it because we'll be seeing Keiichi?" Kitsune asked. I scoffed, wrapping the wires delicately up my sleeves as I got into my Hero gear. "Like he'd ruin my mood anymore then he usually does."

But his actions do confuse me. Why did he shoot me with the cure? Was it to test out the drug? There are easier and more convenient ways to test it.

After securing the wires, I finished changing. We're to head to the hideout with the others. Today is the day of the raid and while our mission is to save the girl, Kitsuned has her heart set on capturing Kei, and if she's lucky, Claude.

He shouldn't be there though. That's the only reason why I'm doing this.

"Are you ready?" Kitsune asked, putting on her mask. "Not quite." I murmured.

I walked to my duffle bag that's on her chair and pulled out a belt, stones secured across it. "Isn't that Keiichi's?" She asked me curiously. I hummed before taking off a light pink jewel.

This one is healing. But there's not a whole lot in it. Still, if I run into Kei, I'm going to need it. And it's only one, so no one should be suspicious.

No one knows about the Quirk Stones. And it must stay that way. For everyone's safety.

I clenched the gem tightly before putting it in the inside pocket of my shirt,

"Let's go take down the Yakuza." Kitsune actually smiled.

With that, we left her office and headed to the garage. We're taking her car sinde we're running a little behind. As I put on my seatbelt, she pulled out a small, wallet sized photo. It was of my mother, her, Midnight, and some Hero.

Sadness filled her eyes before she placed it in front of the gas meter before fastening her seatbelt and starting the car.

She looked over at me with a mass of emotions on her face and a determined look in her eyes. "Are you ready for payback?"

Payback.

It would be nice. But what I'm really ready for is to be free. I don't know if this will actually work, the idea of being able to escape isn't really believable.

But if this could work, then it will be worth it, "Yeah."

She nodded before driving off towards the meeting point. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious. This is going to be a big fight. One that will no doubt cost lives.

They'll try and take us with them. There's also Kei. Kei who promised my downfall the next time we meet. By the end of today, either we will have Kei, or Kei will have me.

Everything is about to change for me. And everything will change for the others depending on Eri's rescue.

Do or die.

Kitsune pulled over after a while and the two of us went on foot to the hideout.

We soon saw the others, some in hiding and most in front of the gates. "It's about time." Rock Lock hissed as we made our way over.

Fat Gum rolled his eyes at his collegue. "They were supposed to come late." Rock Lock huffed, glaring at me specifically. A man with curly hair at front turned to face everyone. "Once they've read the warrant, charge in. I'm counting on everyone to move swiftly!" Whatever, just hurry up and do it.

He turned and was about to ring the doorbell. I stiffened feeling bloodlust, I snapped the wires from my wrists just as a large, large, man burst through the gats, I flicked the wires around some cops by the gates. Aizawa had the same idea and his wraps also latched around some and we yanked, pulling them out of the way of the damage.

However we missed once, but Izu had caught him with ease.

I loosened the wires and reeled them in, as the enlarged man looked around at us. "What do you want? Bringing all these people so early in the morning."

Tch. Like I said, they are always prepared for a raid.

The man began to grow even bigger and drew his fist back. Well that's going to be a blow to the police. Ryukyu jumped between and her body began to morph and expand into a . . . dragon?

Okay then. Wasn't expecting that.

She caught his fist with her claws. "Anyway, we shouldn't split our forces here. Ryukyu Agency will take care of him." She slammed him to the ground with great force. "The rest of you go now while you have the chance!"

Ryukyu Agency. Ochako, Asui, and Hado are interning with her in that Agency. Will they be okay?

Wait, no. There's no time. I can't waste time here. This needs to be done quickly before they have time to retaliate any further and before Kei can slip away.

"Kazuya!" Kitsune shouted. She didn't need to say more. I jumped up, using the cops as stepping stones before jumping onto the wall and over in, into the trees in the garden.

There were Villains, but they aren't my priority. I quickly jumped from tree to tree as the others pushed through them, allowing the others to take care of them.

I need to find Kei before this whole thing gets even more chaotic. Kitsune is hot on my heels, running along the side to keep pace with me. But I made sure to stay ahead of them all.

In order for this to turn out right they can't get in my way. They all know he has other Quirks, like Nomu. But they don't understand the extent of it and they'd only get in the way.

I'm the only one with a good chance against him. If not for my knowledge of the stones then because I know how he fights, I know all of his moves. We were trained together and both the better of my fathers offspring.

I jumped from the trees and in front of the door, whipping a blade from my hair and taking down three men who guarded the entrance.

As soon as they were immobilized I rushed inside, running past more that followed. "Wait up!" Fat Gum shouted as he, Kitsune, Aizawa, my classmates, and a few others followed tightly behind.

I didn't slow, eyes scanning everything as I took the lead.

It'll be underground. There will be a hidden door not too far in based on the structure of this building specifically.

Just like there was in the manor.

The most optimal place. I skidded to a stop in front of a vase in a small alcove of the wall. There's a scroll with calligraphy behind. The seams of the wood . . . "Here." I said, turning to look back at the others who caught up with me.

Rock Lock sneered at me. "How would you know?"

I resisted the urge to smack his condescending look off his face. "Because it's just like the one back home." I replied, saying home with great sarcasm as I moved the vase and stared at the wood panel.

The only problem is that this type of device is unique of its own unique way of opening based on a specific order.

"I see, the order is . . ." Nighteye went to work and unlocked it, using his Foresight.

Good. That would have taken me five minutes at the very least to crack.

The wall moved back a bit as the code unlocked it before slowly sliding to reveal the entrance. "It's like a ninja residence!" Bubble Girl explained. Yeah. Yakuza are fond of traditions and the olden ways. Claude was no different.

I stepped back, gripped my blade in hand. There will be goons guarding this too.

As the thought crossed my mind, three men crawled out, all having angered looks and wielding a weapon. "What the hell bastards?!" One roared. The centipede man immediately restrained two of them while Bubble Girl restrained the first.

Not even waiting for Nighteye's or Kitsune's order I immediately ran down the stairs.

All of it is stone. It's dark. And it smells of mold. Memories of the Stone room in the Nozomi residence began to flash through my mind as terror tried to creep up in me.

This time it's different. This isn't that room. And he won't be here.

Only Kei.

And Kei doesn't scare me. Only pisses me off. Huh? I stopped suddenly, so suddenly that Kitsune who struggled to match me slammed into my back. Soon the others arrived to see the obstacle. A dead end.

No. That's impossible. There's more. I know there is. The Nozomi manor had a hidden dwelling underground, a large one that held many rooms for different purposes. Among them the stone room meant for us.

"It's a dead end! Explain yourself brat!" Rock Lock demanded from behind me.

Mirio stepped up next to me, taking off his visor. "I'll go take a look." Hmm. The way it looks compared to the rest of the corridor.

I turned. "Izu, Kirishima." The boys only needed one look at me before they rushed forward, past Mirio and destroyed the makeshift wall. It did surprise me that they understood what I needed, but then again they've been with me for a while.

They trust me. And I won't betray that trust. That's why I need to capture Kei!

The two boys ran ahead and I followed behind, soon the others did as well. We're sure to be going the right way. If it's anything like the others it's, ah! A strange shout filled the halls before the walls and floor began to shake and . . . morph?

What the hell?! We struggled to remain upright as everything kept moving.

Like on a rocking boat. Crap! "It's not Chisaki! It's different! The only one that it could be is the director Irinaka! Irinaka's Quirk, Mimic. It let's him go into objects and control them freely from within. He's gone into the concrete that makes ip the underground and it's turned into a living maze!" The detective informed us.

Tch. That's going to be a big jinder to our plans. "But it's on too big of a scale! He shouldn't be able to enter and control objects bigger than a fridge!" Rock Lock shouted, stumbling to stay upright.

"If he gets a big enough boost, it's not impossible, huh? I was being careful about what he'd turn into but I didn't think he'd turn into the underground. This has to be hard on him physically. Eraser, you can't get rid of it?" Fat Gum asked our teacher as they bumped into each other. "Not if I can't see the main body."

Tch. What a nuisance.

If the path keeps getting changed and remade then they can make and prepare any escape they want.

Kei will get away. And that damned Chisaki will take the girl. Not to mention what they could do with us.

This is definitely a pinch. "Tamaki!" Huh? Mirio?

I looked over to see him with his hand on his classmate's shoulder. "That's not going to happen. You're the Sun Eater! Besides, this is just a stopgap! No matter how much they try to warp the path, as long as we know the direction of our goal I can get there!"

He ran forward, headed to the new wall up ahead. "Lemillion!" Izu called just before he disappeared through the wall.

I really wish I had a Quirk Stone for that right about now.

Suddenly the floor moved out from underneath us and we fell straight through and down onto the floor below. I managed to land in a crouch, as did Kitsune. The others however weren't as fortunate.

Damn them. "We're getting further and further away from our goal!" Fat Gum groaned as he rubbed his head and stared at the ceiling with anger.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey. Some government authorities have fallen from the sky. Strange things happen huh?" Three figures emerged from a room, all of which had some covering of sorts on their faces.

Just great. Fat Gum stood and popped his knuckles. "It looks like they're ready for a fight. It's about time we showed them the strength of Pro-"

However Tamaki stepped up and blocked him with his arm. Huh? The shy one is taking a stand?

"Save the strength of Pros for the goal For the ones stalling for time . . . I'll be enough by myself." I blinked, genuinely surprised by his declaration. Kid can't even look anyone in the eye. Yet here he is, taking a stand. Mirio's influence perhaps?

His sudden burst of confidence is undoubtedly the blondes doing. "What are you saying? Let's work together!" Kirishima urged our upperclassmen.

"Yeah, work together. I'll kill all of you." The yankee looking one moved his sword and it glinted in the light. "It's Setsuno! We can't use our guns against him! Heroes it's up to you!" The detective informed us. Tch.

What use are you even other then spouting orders?

"You figured it out, huh? Oh well. It just makes it easier to go wild!" He lunged our way, his sword moving back with one hand and having his other outstretched.

That's not a very good stance. I could parry that with ease.

I went to block but Aizawa-Sensei moved before I could. "We won't let you. Throw away your sword!" The guy clenched his free hand, assuming to use his Quirk, but it didn't work, much to his shock.

One of the other three pulled out a gun and aimed it at my Sensei. Coward. "He erased his Quirk? An inferior version of Eri's Quirk. I've heard that a Hero like that exists. But it doesn't matter. What we should be doing is blocking them. That's all."

Inferior.

So Eri really is the result of that drug. But if it's inferior there must be more to her Quirk that we're not aware of. And in a dangerous way.

"Swords and bullets will just sink into my body. It'll be better for you if you give up now." Fat Gum roared, ready to take all three on if need be. "Threats like that just make you sound like you fear for your life." The yankee looking one laughed at him.

The detective and two cops that fell with us pulled out their guns and took aim. "Since Eraser's erasing your Quirk we can use our weapons! Resign yourself and surrender!"

Why are they still even here though?

As the thought crossed my mind, Tamaki thrust his hand out towards them and his fingers turned to tentacles, wrapping around them.

That's different. "I've looked over the documents with their info!" He shouted as he threw them harshly into the wall opposite of us.

"I'll take these guys on. At Fat Gum Agency, we eat tons of takoyaki so I'm really good at using octopus. Since I was shot before, I'm more alert to things like this."

Oh, he managed to disarm them of their weapons too. That was slick.

His tentacles turned into a claw and he destroyed the weapons with ease.

Kirishima made a move to go forward. "But Senpai!" Tamaki just shook his head. "It won't do any good for us to all fight against them. With so many Pro Heroes stopped here, we're playing right into their hands. We should save the Pro's Quirks, including Eraser's, for later! We should save the power to get through the wriggling underground, too! And the police officers and their guns! Fat Gum! If it's me, I can completely shut down all three of them!"

I've never heard him speak so much nor raise his voice. He's surprisingly serious about this. "Let's go." Fat Gum turned.

Kitsune didn't say anything as she did as well. "Kazuya." She ordered. I didn't need to ask and immediately went back to taking the lead as I ran through a door and down another hall.

Kirishima and Rock Lock voiced their concerns about Tamaki to Fat Gum. I'm curious as well, but the mission takes precedence.

After a moment of silence Fat Gum did speak up. "He's stronger than anyone here. But he was weak emotionally. He crushed himself with pressure to do things perfectly. He climbed up to become part of U.A.'s Big Three under those conditions. Someone like that declared that he could completely shut them down! So . . . al I can do is leave it to him!"

He's concerned. But he has that much trust in his protegee. Kind of like a doting parent. Reminds me a bit of Izu and All Might.

We continued to run down the hall, only this time it was normal, not at all like that sea sick way earlier.

"It's weird that the guys who was moving the basement hasn't shown any movement." Aizawa noted as we ran.

"Now that you mention it, nothing's twisting or turning." Izu agreed, right behind me as Kitsune ran next to him.

"If he isn't putting obstacles in our way while we're running, then our opponent might not be able to observe and control the whole basement." Our teacher added.

Kitsune grunted in agreement. "There's also the police squad that remained above as well. Maybe he's focusing his attention on them." She put in.

"Are you guys saying that he's limited in the area he can keep tabs on?" Rock Lock demanded of them.

"It's just a prediction. He went into the basement to control it. If it's not that he has been assimilated into it, but that he's moving around inside the walls to see and hear what's going on. Then when he's manipulating the basement, it's possible that his body is also close. If an eye or ear from his main body is peaking through to try and block us then I can see him." Our teacher concluded.

"That would mean you'll be his primary target to eliminate first and foremost." Kitsune warned.

She has a point. Out of all of us, Aizawa is the only one that they can't properly guard against. Not just with them though. But also with-shit!

A spike made of poison cut through the air and headed straight for me. I barely managed to jump out of the way, causing our group to stop at the sudden assault.

I narrowed my eyes as a figure emerged from the darkness, his footsteps bringing me nothing more than irritation.

He's here.

Kei came into view, his cold gray blue eyes staring directly at me. "I warned you Kiriya. The next time we meet it'll be your end." Liquid poison grew in his hands before morphing into his signature duel swords.

I gripped my blade tightly and got into a stance. "I know. Where's the girl Kei?" I asked.

I should have asked about Claude, but speaking his name would only shoot my confidence.

His name alone will undo me. "It doesn't matter. You'll never reach her in time. Although I don't particularly care. Chisaki and his group has run its usefulness with him. And with the League. Do what you will. But your life is another thing."

Kitsune whipped out her bo staff and bothe Izu and Kirishima rushed to my side. "Do you think you alone can stand against all of us?" Kirishima asked.

Kei glanced at him with little interest. "Yes, but not without difficulty. I don't plan on trying to save a dying project. Those aren't my orders. However Kiriya is a different story."

I see. So they're no longer interested now that they've been busted. It makes sense.

Claude was always one to cut off the infection before it could spread to the rest of the body. It never mattered the sacrifices.

He'd have disposed of me as well if it weren't for the fact that I'm the only one who knows where she is. The only link to finding his precious power source.

"I can hinder you all. If you all fight me you'll never find the girl in time." The ground opened up just in front of him and he locked his eyes with mine. "If you don't want to ruin the only chance, I suggest you follow and you follow alone. Otherwise I'll stop all of you."

Alone with Kei. Last time that happened he shot me. But this was the whole reason I came here.

For him.

If I don't cooperate with him and even one person goes with me, he'll stop them all in retaliation and they'll never make it to the girl.

The girl is their priority. Not this fight.

That would be my priority.

"You got it." I began to walk towards him when Kitsune grabbed my arm.

"No. We're supposed to take him together." She began. I looked into her eyes that held the years of remorse and anger she's been holding onto. "If you come with, he'll hold us all back. You can't win against him, at least not in time. Then the girl will be long gone and the drug will be the start of a war among Villains and Heroes. If I just go he'll let you pass."

"But Kiri-Nee! He'll kill you!" Izu stepped forward, concern on his face. Even the others seemed concerned for my well being, including Rock Lock.

The corner of my lip twitched upwards at it. "He always tries, but hasn't succeeded. Don't worry. I have a high tolerance."

I was about to turn away and walk towards him but hesitated. Claude isn't here. Kei would have told me right away to take down my fighting spirit. I want more than anything to give the stone I have to Izu. But there's no guarantee I can defeat Kei completely.

He'll have taken a heavy toll on me. I gazed into my childhood friend's eyes one more time. His beautiful green orbs were full of conflict.

He wants to save Eri. He also made that comment earlier that she reminds him of me. It upset me so much because I see it too.

It's too late for me.

But not for her.

"I'm not a little girl Izu." He blinked in stock, realizing exactly where my thoughts were. And it seemed to break his heart.

Because he knew, he knew that I was right. She's the one that needs them. Not me.

Kitsune grit her teeth and lowered her staff. "Very well. But remember the plan." She demanded. I nodded and turned, walking towards my older brother. He nodded in approval before stepping forward and down the hole.

Alright Kiri. Time to fight for your freedom.

With that in mind I pushed back every other thought to the back of my mind and stepped through, plummeting down and beginning the death match Kei so desperately wants.

And the start of the war against my wicked father.