Chapter 7: Hypnotism
"Is that so?" Mirko asked, lazily leaning against a tree, her gaze momentarily flicking to her nails like she was bored. A slow, mischievous grin curled on her lips as she turned her head to lock eyes with FeedBack. "You got a hero license?"
FeedBack took a step back, his forced grin faltering. "Aha... n-no..." A cold shiver shot down his spine when her grin vanished, replaced by a sharp glare. Oh, I'm so dead.
Mirko stepped forward, closing the gap. FeedBack immediately stepped back. "Let's skip the small talk. I need you to come in for questioning."
Wait, how does she know I'm a vigilante? No one's seen this form! A flicker of hope lit in Izuku's mind as he tried to stand his ground. "F-for what? Saving a cat? You can't arrest me for that!"
Mirko's eyes narrowed, her ears twitching as she took a long, steady breath. "I was on my way back from kicking a carjacker's teeth in when I saw you, Mr. Cat Hero." She nodded toward the kid with his newly rescued cat, still staring at them like he'd stumbled into a comic book. "And you said... what was it again? 'Kinda a hero?'"
"It was a really big 'kinda,'" FeedBack blurted out, swallowing hard.
Mirko's gaze turned ice-cold. "Funny. The Hero Commission's been on my case lately, telling me to watch out for 'vigilantes with weird quirks.'" She stepped forward again, her tone dropping. "And they're especially interested in people wearing badges like that."
FeedBack's eye darted to the Omnitrix symbol on his chest. Oh no, no, no, no. He looked back up to see Mirko's wide, predatory grin.
"Now, you can either come with me quietly... or we can do this the hard way."
FeedBack's mind raced. He glanced at the kid one last time and jerked his head to the side. The boy blinked, confused, then slowly jogged off. "Thanks, Mr. FeedBack!"
Great. One problem down. Now about the uncatchable pro hero about to pulverize me...
Seeing FeedBack freeze in place, Mirko smirked and pulled out a pair of cuffs. "I was really hoping you'd resist." She closed in, standing toe-to-toe with him. "Hands out."
Reluctantly, FeedBack extended his arms, a shadow falling over his face as he desperately tried to think of a plan.
Mirko clicked one cuff around his wrist. As she reached for the other, FeedBack jerked his arm back. Her ears twitched, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "Give i—"
SPZZZ
Mirko didn't finish her sentence. FeedBack jabbed his finger into her stomach, sending a blast of green electricity surging through her. She yelped as the shock launched her backwards, crashing into the dirt a few meters away.
FeedBack stood frozen, jaw hanging open. "Holy crap! I just... I just tased a hero! I'm going to jail for sure!"
His hands flew to his head as he started pacing, panic setting in. Do I check on her? I didn't use too much power, right? What was I thinking? Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Before he could make a move, a low groan reached his ears. Mirko was already stirring, smoke rising off her, her muscles tensing like a spring about to snap. "Oh, don't worry," she said, voice dripping with menace, "you're gonna hit the hospital before the jail cell."
FeedBack's blood ran cold. She was back on her feet, grinning like a predator who just found its prey again. Before he could react, Mirko exploded forward, her foot slamming into his gut.
"OOF!" FeedBack was sent flying, tumbling through the air like a ragdoll before bouncing across the ground. Dirt flew everywhere as his body skidded to a stop, sprawled out on an empty street.
Groaning in pain, he coughed, clutching his sides. "Ow... my everything..." He cracked one eye open. "I think I hear angels…"
But when his vision cleared, he realized those weren't angels. It was Mirko, leaping through the air toward him with another battle cry. "RAAAAA!"
FeedBack screamed, shutting his eye tight. CRACK—the sound of splitting concrete filled the air. Slowly, he opened his eye to find Mirko crouched over him, her feet embedded into the pavement inches from his head.
"So, tall, dark, and zappy." She grinned, stepping on his wrist with enough pressure to make him wince. "Ready to come in now, or do I have to knock some sense into you?"
FeedBack's mind whirred, scrambling for an out. "W-wait!" He stammered, voice cracking. "You know rabbit tails are lucky, right?"
Mirko blinked, her expression flat. "It's a rabbit foot that's lucky, not a tail, you idio—"
SPZZZ
His tail jabbed into her back, sending another shockwave of electricity through her. With a yelp, she flew back again, landing a few meters away.
FeedBack staggered to his feet, panting. I definitely put more juice into that one! She has to be down for real now!
But a familiar groan shattered his hopes. Mirko, still smoking, was already pushing herself back up. "OH COME ON!" FeedBack yelled, his voice cracking in disbelief.
Without wasting another second, he bolted, his heart pounding in his chest. But as he ran, a strange tingling sensation made him glance up. His cords and tail were floating—toward the powerline above him?
Wait a second…
His eyes lit up. He sprinted toward a parked truck, leaping onto the roof of the cabin, then onto the trailer. ZZZZT Electricity crackled around him as he latched onto the powerline, and in an instant, FeedBack was zipping along it at lightning speed.
"HEY!" Mirko's shout echoed from below. "GET BACK HERE!"
FeedBack didn't even look back. He was already a blur of green electricity, flying along the line faster than he'd ever moved before.
"You're not escaping me, you overgrown battery!" Mirko screamed, kicking off the ground in a desperate attempt to catch him. But FeedBack was too fast, his body arcing over the skyline. In moments, he was nothing but a shrinking dot, disappearing into the city.
Mirko skidded to a stop, panting and fuming, her fists clenched in pure rage. Glaring up at the sky, she let out a roar of frustration.
"DAAAAMN IT!"
_____________________________________
"I'm going to kill him," Tetrax muttered under his breath, though his voice was tight with the kind of frustration that only a mentor could have. He paced back and forth, his eyes scanning the destruction of the park, clearly trying to suppress his rising anger. His jaw clenched, and his fists were balled at his sides.
Uraraka sat nearby on a bench, her phone in hand, repeatedly checking for a response from Izuku. The message she sent—'WHERE THE FREAK ARE YOU!?!?'—remained unanswered, leaving her on edge. She bit her lip, glancing at Tetrax, who seemed to be stewing in a mix of worry and anger.
"Twice," Tetrax growled, more to himself than to her. "I told him to stay put twice. He knows better than to go off on his own like this." His fists tightened. "He's impulsive, reckless—acting like he doesn't have a team backing him up."
Uraraka could hear the frustration, but she knew it was more than just anger. Tetrax wasn't the kind of mentor who got angry without reason—he was worried, just like her. She tried to keep her voice steady, though her own concern was growing. "Tetrax, has Gluto picked up anything?"
Tetrax paused in his pacing, checking his communicator. His expression didn't soften. "No. No reports, no signals, nothing. Gluto can't find him, and I can't get a fix on his location."
Uraraka's worry only deepened. "He could be hurt... what if he's in trouble?"
Tetrax exhaled slowly, clearly trying to rein in his irritation. "Izuku is capable. I know that. But going off alone, especially in a situation like this? It's dangerous, and he's not invincible." He turned toward Uraraka, his expression softer but still stern. "He'll be okay, but we need to find him before he gets himself in deeper than he can handle."
Uraraka nodded, taking comfort in his words even though the knot in her stomach refused to loosen. "I just hope we're not too late."
Tetrax placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice gentler but still firm. "We won't be."
The tension in the air was palpable as Tetrax straightened up again, his eyes narrowing at the wreckage around them. "Gluto, I need an update. Now."
"GMMMo!" Gluto's garbled response crackled from the communicator.
"You've got something?" Tetrax asked, hope mixed with urgency. He turned to Uraraka, who immediately jumped to her feet, hope flickering in her eyes.
But as the holo-screen popped up, her heart sank. It wasn't a trace on Izuku—it was a live news feed. The scene showed chaos unfolding in the streets of a nearby district. A riot. Familiar figures—ones they recognized from earlier—were wreaking havoc: smashing cars, looting stores, and fighting off the police.
Uraraka squinted at the screen, recognizing the culprits instantly. "Those guys... Deku fought them at the bank earlier."
Tetrax frowned deeply, zooming in on two distinct figures, hulking and brutish. "Gluto, scan them."
The holo-screen immediately pulled up information:
Name: Ivan Steranko
Alias: Rocksteady
Quirk: White Rhinoceros
Criminal Record: Robbery, Assault, Attempted Murder
Name: Anton Zeck
Alias: Bebop
Quirk: Warthog
Criminal Record: Robbery, Assault, Tax Fraud
Tetrax let out a slow, controlled breath. "This isn't just some random riot. It's organized."
Uraraka frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But why? Why are they out in the open like this?"
Tetrax's gaze sharpened as he continued watching the footage. "There's something more going on here. This kind of destruction doesn't happen for no reason."
As the news helicopter circled, the camera zoomed in on a small figure stepping out of a clothing store. At first glance, the person looked like a child, but as Tetrax adjusted the view, the details became clear. This was no child. A short, pale man with slicked-back blonde hair and bright purple sunglasses strode out, dressed in an extravagant red ringmaster's coat and baggy white pants.
Tetrax's expression darkened. "Gluto, scan him."
Name: Horvitz Shinso
Alias: Sublimino
Quirk: Hypnotism
Criminal Record: Attempted Robbery, Illegal Quirk Usage
Tetrax's eyes narrowed. "That explains it. He's controlling them."
Uraraka's eyes widened. "He's hypnotized everyone?"
Tetrax nodded grimly. "That's my guess. And if that's true, it means everyone involved is under his influence—including Rocksteady and Bebop."
Uraraka's heart raced at the thought of so many people—heroes, civilians—being mind-controlled. "But where are the pro heroes? Shouldn't they be handling this?"
"They won't risk sending in top-tier heroes," Tetrax said, his voice laced with frustration. "Not with a quirk like Sublimino's. If he gets control of someone like All Might or Endeavor..." He didn't finish the thought, but Uraraka could picture the horror of a mind-controlled hero tearing through the city.
Her fists clenched. "Someone has to stop this."
Suddenly, the camera feed zoomed in on a corner store engulfed in flames. There, in front of the inferno, stood a figure all too familiar to them both.
HeatBlast.
Uraraka's breath hitched. "That's… that's Deku."
Tetrax's face hardened as he shut off the screen. "We need to get him under control—immediately." His tone was low and steady, but the urgency was undeniable.
Uraraka nodded, fear and determination swirling inside her. What's happening to you, Deku?
"Gluto, send me the coordinates," Tetrax ordered, as the data downloaded into his GPS. He clenched his jaw, already strategizing their next move. As they prepared to go after HeatBlast, Uraraka couldn't shake the unsettling feeling gnawing at her.
That was definitely him… but something felt different.
_______________________________________________
Everything hurts.
Izuku slumped in the shadows of a dim alley, trying to catch his breath. Every inhale sent sharp pain through his bruised ribs. "I really hope nothing's broken…"
He glanced at his phone, frustration boiling up as the cracked screen refused to come to life. 'Great, just great. How am I supposed to tell Uraraka and Tetrax where I am now?' He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. 'i guess I'll head back to the ship. Gluto can tell them where I am.'
With a grunt, he pushed himself off the ground, wincing as his body protested. Each step felt like a painful reminder of how badly things had gone wrong.
'Tetrax is going to kill me.'
He could practically hear the lecture waiting for him. "Stay put, Izuku. Don't charge in headfirst." And what had he done? Exactly that. Again.
'No more distractions,' Izuku told himself firmly. 'Straight to the ship.' But before he could finish the thought, his nose twitched. "Why do I smell… fire?"
Curiosity got the better of him as he walked up a small hill. His eyes widened at the sight of thick, black smoke rising into the sky. "...It's probably nothing," he muttered, more to convince himself than anything.
BOOOOOM!!!
The ground trembled, a shockwave nearly knocking him off his feet. A bright flash lit up the skyline, followed by more smoke.
"...Tetrax is definitely going to kill me."
With a resigned sigh, Izuku jogged toward the source of the commotion. 'No distractions,' he had promised himself, and yet, here he was.
Within minutes, he found himself standing at the edge of chaos. The street was a war zone—people were running wild, using quirks to smash cars and loot stores. The police were struggling to contain them, hopelessly outmatched, armed with only batons and tasers.
'Where are the heroes?' Izuku's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar BEEP from his wrist. He glanced down at the Omnitrix, its green hue glowing softly.
For a moment, he hesitated. He was already in enough trouble. But seeing the police pushed to their limits and people in danger, he couldn't just walk away.
"Screw it," he muttered, dialing up the Omnitrix and slamming it down.
FLASH!
In a blaze of fiery light, HeatBlast emerged. "Alright," he said with a smirk. "Time to heat things up and save the day!"
BOOOOSH!
"OOF!"
Before he could even take a step, something massive slammed into his back, sending him crashing to the ground several meters away. Groaning, HeatBlast slowly pushed himself up, shaking his head. "Wha-what just hit me…?"
As he turned around, his heart practically stopped.
Towering before him was a living nightmare.
Flames danced around the figure like they were part of him, his sheer presence radiating power and authority. His blue-and-orange costume, his flaming beard, and the smoldering rage in his eyes left no doubt in HeatBlast's mind.
Endeavor. The Number 2 Hero.
The air around them crackled with heat as Endeavor glared down at HeatBlast, his towering form casting a long shadow. Every villain knew to fear him, and every hero knew to respect him—or else. His power was legendary. Endeavor wasn't just strong—he was relentless, a force of nature that incinerated anything in his path.
"You've been busy," Endeavor said, his voice deep and menacing, as if every word was a threat. His arms crossed, and his flames flared brighter. "I thought I finished you off when I blasted you through that building."
HeatBlast's breath hitched. 'He thinks I'm someone else...?'
Endeavor's eyes narrowed, assessing HeatBlast like prey. "You look bigger this time. Trying to gather more power for round two? Smart. But it won't be enough."
The sheer weight of Endeavor's presence was suffocating. HeatBlast scrambled to his feet, waving his hands frantically. "W-wait! You've got it all wrong! I'm not who you think I am! I'm here to help!"
Endeavor didn't move, his gaze like molten steel. "Do you take me for a fool?" His voice rumbled like distant thunder. "I've seen you on the news. Such a powerful fire quirk... wasted on a worthless vigilante."
HeatBlast swallowed hard, the heat from Endeavor's flames making the air shimmer around them. "O-okay, I'll admit the vigilante part is true, but I'm not the one behind this chaos!"
Endeavor's lip curled in disdain, but his eyes remained cold, calculating. "Perhaps not. But one of your pathetic teammates might be." He uncrossed his arms, the fire surrounding him flaring hotter, casting an ominous glow across the street. "Even if you're not responsible, you're still a criminal."
HeatBlast's heart pounded in his chest. The full weight of who he was facing finally sunk in. 'This is Endeavor. He's not going to just let me walk away.'
"I-I don't want any trouble!" HeatBlast stammered, taking a cautious step back. The fiery glow from Endeavor's body made the shadows around them dance, giving the impression that HeatBlast was standing at the gates of a furnace about to swallow him whole.
"You're not getting a choice." Endeavor took a step forward, each footfall echoing with terrifying finality. "I'm taking you in."
The flames around Endeavor roared to life, flickering hungrily as if they were eager to consume their next victim. His glare could burn through steel. This wasn't just a hero on a mission—this was a man who had spent his entire career building a reputation of unrelenting power and fear. Endeavor wasn't going to hold back. Not against a criminal. Not against anyone.
HeatBlast could only stare, frozen in place. 'I'm so dead.'
______________________________________________
Unbeknownst to Izuku, he wasn't the only one arriving on the scene.
Tetrax strode through the chaos, calm but alert, with Uraraka trailing nervously behind him, her eyes darting at the rioting crowd. The streets were a mess of quirk-fueled destruction.
"So, um… what's the plan?" Uraraka asked, her voice wavering.
Before Tetrax could answer, a man with a metal ball-mace for a fist came charging at them out of nowhere, his face eerily blank as he swung the weapon with wild abandon. Tetrax didn't even break stride—his arm shot up, open palm, and caught the man's face mid-charge. Without effort, Tetrax let the mace smash harmlessly into his own head, barely a tap against his tough skin. The man slumped unconscious to the ground.
"Be careful!" Uraraka yelped, crouching next to the man to check on him. "They're hypnotized—we can't just hurt them!"
"He'll be fine," Tetrax said, casually brushing off his crystal-encrusted head. "Probably broke Sublimino's hold."
Uraraka gave the unconscious man a quick once-over before hurrying after Tetrax. "Are you sure?"
Tetrax scratched his cheek as he walked. "Ehh, not really," he said, earning a groan from Uraraka.
The two pushed deeper into the chaos. Tetrax effortlessly fended off anyone who got too close, either sending them flying with a single punch or sweeping them aside like nuisances. The police were too busy handling the madness to give them more than confused looks.
Eventually, they found their targets. Strolling out of a jewelry store, Rocksteady and Bebop swaggered with bags of stolen goods slung over their shoulders. Behind them, Sublimino followed, smug and pleased.
"We're loaded!" Bebop grinned, biting down on a diamond like it was candy.
"I'm gonna buy a statue of myself out of diamonds!" Rocksteady boasted, puffing out his chest.
"Idiots!" Sublimino hissed, smacking Bebop on the back of the head. "We need to get out of here before the heroes show up!"
Before Bebop could respond, WHAM! A crystal pillar erupted from the ground, smashing into his chin and sending him stumbling back. He clutched his jaw, squealing in pain.
"SQUEAL! THAT HURT, YOU MUDDA—"
"Bebop!" Rocksteady rushed over, eyes wide. "You alright, comrade?"
Tetrax stepped forward, his face unreadable, but his eyes locked onto Sublimino like a predator eyeing prey. Sublimino's smirk faltered, his eyes widening in recognition. "No… not you."
Panicked, Sublimino yanked off his glasses and stared directly at Tetrax, trying to activate his quirk. But Uraraka was already moving. "Tetrax, now!"
She slapped her hand on his back, canceling his gravity. Without hesitation, Tetrax launched himself at Sublimino, leaping like a human missile. His arm morphed into a sharp, crystalline blade, cutting through the air.
SLASH!
"AAARGH! MY EYE!" Sublimino screeched, clutching his bleeding face as blood streamed down from his right eye. He stumbled back, shrieking in pain.
"BOSS!" Rocksteady shouted, his massive form trembling in shock.
Sublimino, through the pain, glared at Tetrax with his good eye. He tried to activate his quirk again—but nothing happened. He blinked in disbelief.
"W-what?! Why isn't it working?!"
Tetrax loomed over him, a dark shadow against the streetlight. "Your quirk needs direct eye contact. I figured if I slashed your eye, that would mess with your ability to control people. Seems I was right."
Sublimino's one good eye widened in horror as he looked around and saw the civilians under his control snapping out of their trance. "You… you idiot! Do you have any idea what you've done?! Bebop! Rocksteady! Kill this guy!"
Bebop let out a warthog-like grunt and charged at Tetrax, arms swinging wildly. "You're gonna pay for that, crystal boy!"
Tetrax dodged the first swing, ducking low and driving his elbow into Bebop's gut. Bebop wheezed, clutching his stomach, but before he could recover, Tetrax delivered a rapid one-two punch to his face, sending him stumbling back.
"You hit like a pig," Tetrax deadpanned, cracking his knuckles.
"Snort! I AM a pig!" Bebop retorted, wiping blood from his nose. "And proud of it!"
Bebop lunged again, swinging his fists wildly, but Tetrax caught both punches in his hands and headbutted him, sending Bebop staggering. Tetrax followed up with a spinning kick, catching Bebop across the jaw and sending him crashing into a wall. "Big mistake picking a fight with me."
Meanwhile, Uraraka had her own problem. She rushed forward, aiming to catch Sublimino, but her path was blocked by Rocksteady, who stomped in front of her, his massive frame towering over her.
"Boss, run!" Rocksteady bellowed, turning to look for Sublimino. But his face paled when he saw the small villain had vanished. "Where'd he go?!"
Uraraka's eyes darted around. "Tetrax! We have a problem—Sublimino's gone!"
Tetrax's head snapped up, searching the area for any sign of the escaping villain. But before he could react, Bebop, with a roar, slammed into him again, knocking Tetrax back into a wall.
Tetrax responded by hammering both fists down onto Bebop's back, sending him crashing to the ground like a sack of potatoes. "I thought we were done here."
Across the street, Rocksteady snorted and pawed at the ground, his eyes locking onto Uraraka. "This is all your fault!" He stomped his feet, taking a wide stance as steam puffed from his nostrils. "I'm gonna crush you!"
Uraraka's heart raced as Rocksteady charged, his horn aimed straight at her chest. His massive form thundered toward her, but she stood her ground, determination flashing in her eyes. Not today.
At the last second, Uraraka slapped her hands onto Rocksteady's horn and activated her quirk, canceling out his gravity. His momentum carried him forward, and with a deft twist, Uraraka flipped him over her shoulder, sending his massive body crashing into the ground with a deafening BOOM!
The ground cracked beneath the impact, and Rocksteady's eyes rolled back as unconsciousness claimed him.
For a moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by Uraraka's heavy breathing. She blinked in disbelief, staring at the downed villain. "I… I just beat a villain!" she exclaimed, excitement bubbling over. "All on my own! I'm so cool!"
Tetrax glanced over, smirking. "Not bad."
His smirk quickly faded as he turned his attention back to Bebop, who was slumped against the wall, battered and bruised. Tetrax loomed over him. "Now talk."
Bebop's head snapped up, his body trembling. "T-talk?! About w-what?"
"HeatBlast," Tetrax said, his voice low and menacing. "Where is he?"
Bebop's eyes widened. "Oh! Him! Uh… yeah…" He hesitated, sweat pouring down his face.
"If you hurt him…" Tetrax's voice dropped, a dangerous edge sharpening his words.
"No! I swear! He's not hurt!" Bebop stammered. "Well… maybe a little. BUT IT WASN'T ME!"
"Explain."
Bebop gulped. "He, uh… got in a fight with Endeavor."
Tetrax's eyes narrowed. "..."
"Sooo… am I free to go?" Bebop asked hopefully.
CRACK!
Tetrax's fist met Bebop's jaw, sending him crumpling to the ground next to Rocksteady.
"Endeavor?!" Uraraka gasped, panic rising in her voice. "He can't take on the Number 2 hero! We have to find him!"
Tetrax was about to contact Gluto when the sound of buzzing caught his attention. He looked up to see the news helicopter from earlier zooming overhead, heading toward a large plume of smoke down the road.
"I think I know where he is."
_______________________________________________
The air was thick with heat and smoke as HeatBlast and Endeavor faced off, their gazes locked. Small fires crackled around them, casting a fiery glow on the ruined street.
Izuku's mind raced. What happened here? He said he fought me earlier... but that's impossible!
"You coming in quiet, or are you gonna be foolish?" Endeavor's voice was a low, dangerous growl, the kind that demanded submission. His flames flickered, radiating overwhelming heat.
"Listen," HeatBlast tried to reason, stepping forward. "I can't let you take me in. I have to hel—"
FWOOOSH!
Before he could finish, Endeavor shot a searing blast of fire straight at HeatBlast's chest. The impact launched him off his feet and sent him crashing into a parked car, crumpling the metal beneath him.
"Ow..." HeatBlast groaned, feeling the painful jolt run through his body. The fire itself didn't hurt him—his Pyronite form was immune to heat—but the sheer force of the blast had knocked the wind out of him.
Through the smoke and debris, he could see Endeavor approaching, his fiery beard flaring even brighter. His eyes were cold and determined. "I can see it in your eyes," Endeavor said, voice filled with disgust. "You're not coming in willingly. That's fine by me."
HeatBlast scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. Think, Izuku, think! In a burst of desperation, he yanked the door off the crumpled car and spun it like a makeshift discus. With a roar, he hurled it toward Endeavor, flames bursting around it.
Endeavor's flames roared in response, flaring with such intensity that the car door melted mid-flight, evaporating into nothing before it could even touch him.
HeatBlast's heart raced. He's completely fire-resistant! This form is practically useless! But then it clicked. Wait, I'm fire-resistant too. And I'm stronger physically. I just have to get close!
Determination lit up his eyes as he flexed his arms, flames gathering in his hands. "Alright," he muttered under his breath. "Let's do this."
HeatBlast flung his arms forward. "PYRONITE BLAZE!"
A massive wave of fire surged toward Endeavor, roaring like an inferno. Endeavor's eyes narrowed in response. This fire... it's stronger than before.
"JET BURN!" Endeavor bellowed, slamming his hands together and sending a fiery shockwave to meet HeatBlast's attack head-on.
The two waves of fire collided with an explosive BOOM. The flames interwove, swirling together in a violent tornado that spiraled into the sky. The sheer heat of the blast sent sparks flying, and the street beneath them cracked under the pressure.
The explosion's force knocked both fighters back a step, but neither faltered. HeatBlast, panting slightly, wiped the sweat from his brow. That didn't work...
Endeavor's flames flickered as he adjusted his stance. "You're stronger than earlier, but your potential is wasted on this childish defiance."
HeatBlast's flames flared even hotter, responding to his frustration. Being looked down on... It stung. I've had enough of that!
"Oh yeah?" HeatBlast shouted, his anger feeding his flames. "I've got enough potential to whoop you, old man!"
With a fierce roar, he unleashed another wave of fire—this one more focused, tighter, a burning beam of heat aimed straight for Endeavor.
"PYRONITE BLAZE!"
Endeavor's eyes flashed with realization. This attack... it's more controlled than before. He clenched his teeth, bracing himself. "Not bad, kid." He thrust his hands forward, his own fire gathering into a searing beam.
BSHHHHH
The two beams collided, sending ripples of energy through the air. HeatBlast and Endeavor both grunted with effort, digging their heels into the cracked asphalt as the force of the blast pushed them back.
Molten lava sweat dripped down HeatBlast's face as he struggled to hold his ground. I can't overpower him like this... I need to get closer!
Endeavor, sensing the struggle, blasted fire from his heels, using it to push himself forward. The ground beneath his boots scorched and cracked as he slowly advanced, pushing HeatBlast's beam back inch by inch. His flames grew hotter, fiercer, filling the air with blistering heat.
Come on, Izuku, think! HeatBlast's eyes darted around in desperation, and then an idea sparked. Wait... I can absorb fire!
Without hesitation, HeatBlast stopped the flames coming from his left arm, focusing all his energy on absorbing the fire from Endeavor's beam. The sudden change in force made Endeavor stumble forward, his eyes widening in confusion. "What the—"
HeatBlast grinned. He had his opening.
With the fire now absorbed, Endeavor was pulled forward by his own momentum, flying straight toward HeatBlast, who had his fist already cocked back, ready for the finishing blow.
"SOLAR SUN SMASH!"
Endeavor's eyes widened in shock as HeatBlast's massive, molten fist smashed into his chin with the force of a cannon.
CRACK!
The punch sent Endeavor flying backward, his body flipping through the air before crashing headfirst into the pavement. The ground shattered beneath him as his body skidded and rolled to a stop. The impact echoed through the street.
Silence.
The news helicopter buzzed overhead, the crew frozen in stunned disbelief as they witnessed the unthinkable. Millions of viewers back home were glued to their screens—some horrified, others cheering. No one could believe what they had just seen.
A vigilante had knocked out the Number 2 hero.
HeatBlast, still breathing heavily, stared at Endeavor's motionless form, his heart pounding in his chest. I... I just knocked out Endeavor...
"HOLY SHIT!" The realization hit him like a truck. He had done it. He had actually knocked out one of the most powerful heroes in the world. Panic surged through him as the weight of his actions settled in. I've got to get out of here before he wakes up!
Without wasting another second, HeatBlast turned and bolted down the nearest alley, flames still flickering in the aftermath of the battle.
But before he could make his escape, strong arms grabbed him mid-run, yanking him sideways into another alley. Panicked, HeatBlast's head ignited as he spun around, flames bursting from his body.
"It's us!" a familiar voice cried.
HeatBlast's flames immediately died down as he saw Tetrax and Uraraka standing there, both looking at him with wide eyes.
"Oh, thank god!" HeatBlast exhaled, relief washing over him. "You guys will not believe what just happened!"
"Oh, we believe it alright!" Uraraka grinned, pretending to shoot flames out of her hands. "You just knocked out Endeavor! That was so cool! I thought for sure you were gonna be melted into nothing, but you won!"
"Enough," Tetrax cut in, his voice sharp. He stepped closer, his gaze hard as he locked eyes with Izuku. "We need to leave—now. And when we do, you and I are going to have a long talk."
Izuku swallowed hard, his bravado fading. "S-sorry..."
Tetrax sighed, raising his arm and activating his comms. "Gluto, give us the fastest route to UnderTown."
"UnderTown?" Izuku and Uraraka exchanged confused glances.
They moved quickly, following Tetrax through the deserted streets. The area had been evacuated, and the eerie silence was a stark contrast to the blazing inferno they had just left behind.
Uraraka glanced at HeatBlast, curiosity burning in her eyes. "Hey, Deku, how'd you end up under Sublimino's control?"
HeatBlast blinked, confused. "Who?"
Uraraka stopped, staring at him. "You know, Sublimino—the balding guy in the red coat with the creepy glasses?"
HeatBlast tilted his head. "Uh… no?"
Both Tetrax and Uraraka froze, exchanging worried glances.
Before they could say more, footsteps echoed behind them.
"Wait! I need to talk to you!"
The trio turned, spotting a dark-skinned boy sprinting toward them, out of breath and clearly desperate. He was younger, scrawny, and looked like he'd been running for miles.
Tetrax stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The boy bent over, catching his breath. "A-Alan... Alan Albright... I need to talk to him." He pointed directly at HeatBlast.
Izuku blinked in confusion. "Me? Why?"
The boy took a deep breath, standing tall as his skin ignited in flames. His body morphed, reshaping into something all too familiar.
A smaller, skinnier, and darker version of HeatBlast stood before them.
"Because... I think you're my dad."
.
.
.
Eh?