Chapter 79: Rally

Having second a mole, the Heroes learn of the planned second gathering of the Thunder Trial, and make plans to watch it, attack if they see an opening. Well, they get more then they bargained for as the Thunder have something.

Shearwolf hummed a melody as she skipped towards an old building. It was nothing new to her, as being a villain didn’t give one good credit, even if, paradoxically, it could pay pretty well. However, it at least gave a better reason for why people were wary and resentful of her than just her looks.

Didn’t mean she liked it, but she had learned to accept it…most of the time.

The sheep heteromorph let out a soft, happy bleat as such things would change. All Might…well, she didn't hate him; she always thought his plushies were adorable, but he was an obstacle, and now he was gone. And in his place, a new force was forming, one that proved time and time again they had the fight, and once she realized they had the spirit, she knew what she wanted.

When she got their invitation, delivered by one of Giran's middlemen, she nearly squealed. While she'd been a little nervous, she had already cleared the first part of the test; now, she just had to handle the second.

And that was why she was here, as this wasn't just some random abandoned building…well, it was—but tonight, it served a purpose. It had been a week since their first test, and she had gotten word to come here.

The district was abandoned, though run down, as it was an industrial part of Kanazawa. Around them were a few factories all working the night shift, with the majority of buildings being warehouses and rail lines. One didn't need to look hard to find a parked train with a dozen or more cars still attached, most waiting to be loaded or offloaded or having been taken here for repairs.

Because of that, it wasn't as if the area was unlit, merely dim, with most lights remaining in the warehouses and factories. These were staffed by their night crews, who were more focused on their tasks than looking out and spotting the people moving through, none of whom dressed like rail or factory workers.

It benefited her as she stuck out on a good day. Shearwolf continued to hum her melody as she approached the building entrance, one with a bouncer keeping an eye out for intruders.

“This is a private event, you got an invite?” The bouncer held out his arm to block the door, well, one of them. The man was massive, well over 2 meters tell and built like he spent most days punching and carrying boulders, which along with the deep red skin and 6 arms struck a powerful image.

Shearwolf didn't show an ounce of fear as she reached into her coat and pulled out a letter, pleased that she had an invite signed by Mummy, of all people! "Oh, it's cool. I got an invite to the party." She handed him the paper, which was her congratulations letter for the first event, and had instructions for when and where to go next.

The bouncer looked over the paperwork before offering the sheep heteromorph a more friendly smile as he stepped aside. "Right this way, I'd love to see another of us with this chance, " he added, which also made her happy as she recalled seeing a bunch of other mutants pass the first part.

"I won't, but before I go in, are you cold?" she asked him out of the blue. At the same time, a fall night breeze came in. It had no effect on her, on account of how much wool she had across her body atop her winter clothing, but the bouncer only had a simple long-sleeved shirt and jeans, one that didn't even account for his four additional arms, which must have been freezing.

"Well, a little, but it's-" Before he could even finish, Shearwolf tore off a portion of her wool, and before his very eyes. It stretched, overlapped, and bundled itself together. To the bouncer, it was like someone had put on a video for sewing a sweater and put it on play at what seemed like 200 times speed.

Before he knew it, she happily held up a white and black wool sweater in his size, with a little sheep motif on its chest and six armholes. “Fine.”

"And now it's even better. I made it to your size. It should be nice and toasty!" Shearwolf passed it to him, and the man felt a little uncomfortable. He wasn't used to getting random presents from pretty women, much less clothing, but he couldn't look into those rich brown oval eyes and refuse; she just looked too adorable.

So, he put it on and immediately felt warmer. Also, the thing seemed to fit him perfectly. He hadn't had such a feeling since he was a kid and his folks could take him to a store that specialized in mutant apparel. “Oh, thanks…damn, this is comfy.”

Shearwolf clapped as she jumped up and placed a little kiss on his cheek. While his face somehow got a visible blush despite his naturally red skin, she skipped right on in. “Have a good night!”

Line Break

She wasn't the only one present, but she was one of the many invited to the event. Watching from a building four blocks down with a good view of the sight, several pros were very much not welcome.

"I thought they only had 40 people pass the first part of the test. I'm counting over 400 in there.” Eletress stated, watching the warehouse interior thanks to a body cam. As she called out, it was jam-packed with people, most seemed to be regular folk, though she spotted a few wanted villains amongst them.

“From what I’m seeing, most just seem to be fans of the Thunder.” Pixie-bob frowned.

“Threat level?” Nighteye requested, as this complicated things. They had prepared to storm the place, but that many bodies would make such a plan highly dangerous and risk bloodshed.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, 4s and 5s at best," Kido replied. He wasn't with them but on a different rooftop, watching things via a window and a good set of binoculars. As it was just a warehouse, its windows weren't tinted or otherwise made to prevent people from seeing in, and while there were no lights on the outside, on the inside was a different matter, as he spotted at least 2 generators powering the place.

“Still, the numbers aren't in our favor, and the rest of the district is at risk. We don't want another Kamino.” Jeanist, via video call, advised that while they might not be an All for One, any of the 3 powerhouses of the Thunder would definitely make this a challenge, not to mention the confirmed 40 villains and who knows how many more.

"We'll get that if one of the big guns shows up. Is there any sight of them?" Nighteye called out as Hawks sat on a third building, by himself.

“None.” He wasn't in the air, as they feared he would be spotted. This far from Kyushu, there was no way for any reasonable spotter to assume anything less than an incoming raid.

Instead, the winged hero was using his wings to listen to the crowds, having snuck some in on their plant and now acting as his microphones. He couldn't transmit what he was hearing, but he could read the vibrations, and so far, it was ideal chatter: friends catching up, some confusion, but also eagerness to see so many like them with the usual anti-hero rhetoric.

“Kinezumi,” Nighteye contacted their man on the inside.

Line Break

“Yeah.” Kinezumi, or, as his alias was, Techohead, answered as quietly as he could. Fortunately, he was not with the rest of his crew, as it was hard enough to hide why he vanished one night from them. If they knew what he was doing…

“Keep you cool and keep your eyes out for anything suspicious.” Nighteye’s voice came through, clear and direct. The villain gulped, as he knew that the former sidekick to All Might would be forgiving if he screwed up.

"You better not leave me if I'm mad—" Technohead was just as worried about someone realizing he was worried. The guy had a moment to talk with them, having stepped away to use the bathroom before the big event started.

“You won't be made; just act natural. You have more reason to be there than most. Besides, your nerves could be excused for being related to your placement.” Nighteye reminded him that, just like Shearwolf, he had an invite. He could be excused for being nervous, particularly when it seemed like this part of his test would have an audience.

“Yeah…placement.” He muttered, sighing before slapping his face several times, and turning to leave.

Line Break

“You think he’ll last?” Hawks asked, as he and the rest had heard the conversation between the villain they had managed to capture and Nighteye.

“Yes, he knows what's on the line. If he can't get us a means to strike at the Thunder, the deal goes out the window.” It took a lot of work and all their efforts to catch this one, and to do so without making a scene, but it paid off.

In just a couple of hours of interrogation, he agreed to betray his fellow villains and act as their mole in these coming 'Thunder trials' in exchange for a reduced sentence of just two years and a new identity. It was because of him that they even knew about this meet-up in advance, giving them the time to move into position.

“It could make him reckless, Nighteye.” A new person spoke up, one who had surprised the rest of the task force when the commission president brought them in.

How could they not be shocked when a convicted hero killer, Tsutsumi Kaina. A former hero known as Lady Nagant.

Hawks seemed to be the only one who was hardly bothered by her presence, but given how cool he could be, they couldn't be sure if he was just good at hiding that. The woman lay prone on a rooftop, her quirk aimed and ready.

Regardless of the reason, Nightye just focused on the fact that Nagant was working with them to get out on time served and fly out of Japan. The quiet woman seemed like she wanted that, so she wasn't about to try and gun one of them down.

“Doubtful, he comes across as someone who weighs his bets before he makes them, else he wouldn't have been flipped.” He stated that their mole didn't panic easily, at least not when he had backup.

"It's starting," Hawks called out. The chatter died down, and they all focused on the room.

Line break

All the lights cut out within the warehouse, replaced with four others set up high on the elevated walkways facing a makeshift stage. With all eyes on a single spot, an announcer came on the loudspeakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our hosts, champions, and trailblazers, the Thunder!”

At his word, the crowd grew frenzied, a mood that only grew as, rising from beneath the stage, all five members of the Thunder came into view.

Nine stood at the center of the group, like a natural-born leader. Even with half his face covered by his support gear, his eyes remained as powerful as a storm. To his right was Chimera, the largest member of the group, who was a walking muscle; his smirk said enough about his confidence in his abilities, and most wouldn't dare question that.

To Nine’s left was Pyre, the Maiden of Purgatory. He was by far the most popular of them, but despite his soft looks and beauty, he was undoubtedly a powerhouse who left so many burned in his wake. His giant pet snake only added to that image of soft yet sizzling beauty that would melt the flesh from your bones and smile.

On the flanks were Mummy and Slice. The former stood with his arms crossed and his eyes closed, almost asleep, yet his stance remained perfect. His hands twitched ever so slightly as he was ready for a fight.

The latter stood with the confidence and presence of a supermodel, yet despite her own beauty and radiant red hair, her eyes were those of an apex predator, surveying them like a lioness would a flock of gazelles. All knew it would take but a thought, and her hair could become a raging squall of blades, hammers, and whips that could tear through men and the environment like a child tearing paper.

“All of them?” Jeanist asked, surprised that all would make an appearance.

“Wait, for real?” Kido added to that.

“I’ve never seen them all in one place before…” Techohead, in the heart of it, muttered, though it only mixed in with the rest of the chatter. The man had to be reminded to keep the camera focused on the whole group, even as his gaze lingered more on Slice and Pyre, the former standing like a supermodel presenting the fall line-up. At the same time, the latter appeared like a snake princess with Koharu wrapped around him like that.

“Can you confirm?” Nighteye asked, as Hawks couldn't see all of them and could still make out their positions thanks to his feathers.

“I’ll bet my next 6 pay cheques on it, that’s them…” He confirmed, while Nagant remained silent.

“Good evening, my fellow villains. I am Nine, leader of the Thunder.” Nine started, having approached the one microphone set up for him. His voice and typical calm demeanor passed over the crowd and silenced them. “I would like to congratulate those 40 who have gathered, summoned for they have passed the first part of the rest to join our ranks.”

The lights didn't turn back on, so no one was highlighted, but Technohead felt exposed nonetheless.

Nine continued, his eyes passing over the crowd of hundreds. “To you who passed, you have proven yourselves capable fighters, to be a cut above the rest in situational awareness and tactics, and to have the stamina and mobility we’re looking for.” To follow this, he clapped for them. But he was the only one, as none of the other Thunder members raised a hand.

Yet some crowd clapped with him, if only to relieve the awkward tension. If Nine felt that awkwardness, he didn't act as he continued.

“Those are all essential traits not just for the Thunder, or villains, but for all those like us who have been cast to the side. My brothers and sisters, have many of you been born so-called 'unlucky '? To not have the quirk our hero drunk society deemed good? To be seen as lesser, to be seen as unwanted, to be seen as less than the beasts of the earth?” He asked, the crowd changing its tune as he changed angle.

With their attention rising, Nine added to it, tapping into something deep in so many of their hearts. “That is the world we were born into, the one the heroes and those who support them claim to be right, well, we saw no! Their rule is a perversion of justice, built on our suffering and enforced by their heroes who see you and me as little more than problems to be locked away and forgotten, all while the rot continues to spread.”

Behind them, a projection came on, and the pros watching it recognized it as a support item hologram rig. But it wasn't just some random image; instead, he showcased one of the most iconic and recognized images in Japan.

This is an image of Destro, the leader of the Meta Liberation Army, giving a speech outside the Diet building to a crowd of thousands.

With the image of one of Japan's first true villains up, Nine made his case to them.

“Destro was the first, when quirks rose from the aether and changed our world, the government sought to chain them, suppress them, and treat them like anything less than core aspects of our beings. Destro believed that all had a human right to use and express their quirks. He gathered the like-minded, the sympathetic, and the downtrodden to his banner. He challenged them with marches and petitions, and that didn't work. He turned to protests and civil disobedience.”

The feed changed from a still frame to a recording, one of the few still existing that showed the long-dead villain leading a match. It had no sound, and yet the mob's body language made it clear they were chanting loudly as they approached a police barricade. They held many signs, but one of the most common was 'Using Meta abilities was a right.'

But that cut away, to reveal a street in the aftermath of a riot, dozens of people already in handcuffs, with another shot of Destro at the top, one showing his arrest by a hero. “And what did it get him? A cold, dark cell where his spirit was eaten away till his body followed suit. All that remains of him is this book, his life's work, relegated to the back of book stores and collections of academics who preach him as a madman, a villain who sought anarchy and chaos.”

Nine called out, the typically calm man speaking with gravitas and fire in his voice and posture. As they showed another picture. This was a newspaper reporting on the villain in question's death by suicide after 6 years in prison.

He was an old name, a villain from before even their parents' time, and yet how he was being spoken about, the stated goals of his actions, and the response from the government, society, and the heroes touched on some deep frustration. Nine was more than willing to stroke those flames.

The next wasn't an image of a man, at least not of one in the middle of an action, but it was a wanted photo taken by a security camera. It showed a man who seemed brash, excited, and daring as he rushed through a hallway holding onto an almost comically overstuffed bag of money. At his back were security guards shooting at him, but they missed the man as the picture was taken mid-evasion, all while his smile seemed to fade.

“Next was the Peerless Thief, an honorable rogue who, like Robin Hood, stole ill-gotten riches from those lord over us, and returned that bounty to the people. For years he worked, broke into the highest security facilities, stole hundreds of millions from those who see us as serf, and exposed their corruption and decadence.”

Nine continued, as the projections changed to pictures of the thief laughing as he dumped piles of money into clearly poor neighborhoods or shots of large stacks of money left outside orphanages, soup kitchens, and halfway homes for released villains.

All bearing his mark, his smiling face, drawn like a child's work as if to mock the police and pros who continued to fail to catch him, never mind identify the man who, to this day, was unknown.

To the crowds, they could take pride in knowing that a villain remained that successful for years, did so much for the underdog, and exposed the corruption and cruelty so many of them had painful experiences with.

Yet, Nine didn't let that pride sit unchallenged as he snapped his fingers. The projection changed to another news article asking, 'Where is the Peerless Thief?' “And yet, brothers and sisters, what changed? Nothing! The Peerless Thief vanished, the system offered dup sacrificial lambs, put on a grand circus promising accountability and reform, yet when the lights went out, and the music stopped, the system remained, for its corruption is not a fault, it’s a feature.”

At his call, more articles discussed how the government would 'do better,' 'launch an investigation,' 'official A resigned or faced charges. That was the official sentiment, but the Thunder didn't just stop there. Thanks to Giran, they came into contact with people who helped fill in the gaps so they could reveal it.

And what they revealed infuriated the crowd.

Government reports found 'no wrongdoing on their part.' Officials who resigned got similar positions in the private sector. The prosecutor dropped charges in court. Campaign donation filings showed that the minister of justice at the time received tens of millions in political contributions from any of the accused.

They saw it all, schemes going back years, having dozens of rich and influential people involved, robbing the government, companies, and the people of billions, and despite all that, and the work the Peerless thief put into exposing so much of it, they saw a system that chose to ignore, delay, and defend the guilty.

Nine's voice carried over the simmering rage, controlling it like a rider controlled the reins of his horse. “The world remains the same; it remains cruel. It remains unjust, to all those mutants amongst our ranks, need I remind you of Kōshō, the Honored Sage? He believed quirks were from the heavens and thus should be respected and loved. He preached peace, understanding, and cooperation.”

The third part of this showed a heteromorph. He dressed in a monk's robes and seemed no larger than a 5-year-old. Yet his face was old, kind, and patient. His green skin faded and wrinkled, yet his two elf-like ears seemed alert as he listened to a mother who carried her child. The mother had no noticeable heteromorph traits, but their child had orange skin and donkey ears.

“But he was born into a world which refused to see him as anything more than a ‘Small green goblin’!" Nine snarled, as many of the heteromorphs in the crowd yelled and stomped their feet. Techonohead didn't know much about this guy, though; he wasn't taught about him in school. But why was he part of this when he seemed like a hippie?

“And when he made too much noise, the Creature Rejection Clan sent in their thugs. They slaughtered him and hundreds of his followers, heteromorphs who just wished to live free, to live proud!” Nine swung his arm out, as the next series of images proved why this was not standard academic material.

It showed a rural village, the type where everyone knew everyone. It was the kind of place you thought about retiring to, where you could depend on your neighbours.

What they saw was a bloodbath, as homes lay burnt out and smoking, cars wrecked, and larger buildings still burning. And stern across the shot, some lying in the street, others hanging out of buildings, just out of focus, were bodies. There are so many bodies, with most having one thing in common.

They had been heteromorphs, and their deaths hadn't been kind or pretty, as it was like a horde of rampaging soldiers had torn through the place, shooting anything that moved and torching what didn't. Some poor people have the misfortune of being stung up from streetlights with sighs hanging from their necks, saying horrible things about them, most leading to some version of 'animal' or 'alien'.

That included the body of the old sage.

The crowd included teens, some even younger, who had been brought along by friends and older family. They teared up at the sight. Some covered their eyes, but for most, they couldn't look away. They had known his movement had failed. Some had relatives who had been involved, but it had been something they didn't talk about because it wasn't talked about by the rest of society.

Seeing it so clearly, in their faces, only dug up memories of older relatives tearing up as they talked about it, having lost someone, or seen the news of the assault on the evening news. “And what happened? Was there justice? Were his ideals realized?” Nine asked, and from the crowd, dozens yelled out as one, as they all recalled the tales.

“No!” They cried, Shearwolf among them, as their tears started to flow, their fury rising at such injustice and tragedy. Where were the heroes? Where were the good guys for them? Where was the world so obsessed with All Might and those like him?

“That’s right-No!” Nine's quirk activated, just enough to create a gust of wind to emphasize his words, like an angered storm god. “He and those who followed him slaughtered like animals, and out of it, only 4 were ever arrested. Only 2 were convicted. 2, out of over 100 attackers, men and women who didn't even cover their faces, and yet those who sit at the top, those who call themselves heroes, claim justice was done?”

Dusty did not smile; none of the Volcano Thieves did as they faced such blatant corruption. She wouldn't be shocked if those same attackers had been part of the cops or pros out of uniform.

Kalee crossed her arms, but her eyes burned with the fury of a 100 suns. Hibiki and Jason both seemed calm, but Jason was biting his lip, holding back on just transforming and yelling out to murder bastards who, for all likelihood, were already dead.

They and so many others were being charged up by Nine. “It didn't matter if the government and heroes claimed that the CRC is a terrorist group; they didn't lift a finger to stop them then, and they haven't done anything to them since! No, it’s even worse, as how can anyone forget the Great Jedda Purge?”

This came with another series of images, all articles, and blog posts. “Across the country, thousands of hard-working heteromorphs, those who clawed, bled, and shed tears to secure good jobs in the government and army, were removed. Why? Because those leaders catered to the fears and hate of the same people who see those like us as animals!”

Nine declared as they showed rallies in the street openly calling for it, politicians speaking to the crowds, gassing them up, and siding with them. It showed ordinary people revealing an ugliness to them that polite society tried so hard to bury, to pretend didn't exist.

And for that, they showed still frames of people who worked for their fellow citizens being kicked from their positions. Charts detailing how, in one move, the heteromorph employment rate shrank by 20% and how those same people struggled for years to find work, as if the government could boot you out, why would a private company take you?

In fact, many followed the state's example and dropped their employment rate by another 32%.

It seemed impossible, like it had to be made up. Not only was this not covered in schools, but it seemed too evil, too cruel to be real. But they saw the evidence: the photos, videos, and blog posts from long-deleted sites scrubbed from the Internet decades prior.

But what convinced them were the faces of the people as they walked out of their jobs, away from pay cheques that fed and clothed them and those who depended on them. Heteromorphs like so many of them were out of the job and forced into dire straits because of ignorance, fear, and greedy and evil people in power, amplifying both for their own gains.

“But did those heteromorphs lay down and take it? Did they accept their fate?” Nine asked.

“NO!” Now, as one, bearing Techno head, the entire warehouse called in as one. They didn’t know if it was true, but they called for such in their hearts, their blood boiling as it raced through their veins.

Again, a mad gust of wind burst out from the man, only carrying the scent of ozone and flames and the growl of a mighty beast as Pyre and Chimera added their fury to this, as Slice and Mummy's abilities added the visual aspect of the Thunder's anger.

“That's right; they fought for their rights, freedom, dignity, and families. How did the heroes respond? Labeled them unruly mobs, savage protesters, and cracked down on them. Hundreds beaten, hospitalized, and arrested. Nothing was repaid, not a single apology…nothing but wounds.” Another protest, one against the government, was shown. Still, as they saw, none were surprised, not now to see the aftermath, one where pros were even more involved as they stood over the defeated, acting like they were any more than the new jackbooted oppressor.

“They say the cities are safer, that we live in a better time, but that is a lie; they merely moved the ugliness out of sight, they covered it up.” Nine spat that like bit into a rotting apple, a feeling shared amongst the gathered, especially the mutants.

“For those who live in the city, how often have you had others watch you at night? Treat you like a villain simply for needing groceries? For coming home late from work? How many have had citizens reach for their phones to call the pros? How many had to just take it when a hero or cop stopped you, question like a criminal?”

Nine's question shot out over them, many clenching their fists, crossing their arms, or yelling out in agreement, some adding details which made their encounters with the local Karen, cop, or pro all the more aggravating.

Shearwollf bristled and nearly shifted into her more beastly form as she had had similar experiences. Her first being when she was only 9 and coming home from a friend's. Having an innocent and cheeky child interact with the cop who seemed geared towards seeing her as suspicious…well, by the end, she was at the police station, and her uncle had to pick her up.

That was when she got the 'talk' on how to handle the authorities, something no one else in her class had to deal with. And for her, it wouldn't be her last. Despite all she did, she was always 'looking suspicious' or 'like she didn't know better.'

Nine continued, turning to a part of the crowd which was small but no less emboldened. “For those from the countryside? How is it fair that you are still mistreated, beaten, abused, and disregarded? Scared to even leave your homes as your world, no matter what the powers that be claim, is the same as your parents and grandparents?”

It wasn't just mutants here, but those who were friends with mutants, had mutant relatives and children, married a mutant, or just didn't believe in discriminating against them.

For them, life away from the city, away from the glitz, glamour, cameras, and international tourists, was a terrible world. It wasn't uncommon for a mutant to be accused of a crime or transgression and, evidence be damned, get attacked by a mob. Bigots, racists, or intolerant, it didn't matter the word; all that mattered was that such was reality.

And did the heroes care? Did the heroes show up and save them like they always did others on TV? Of course not. 'Not enough crime out in the stick,' 'Not rational to send people,' but they heard it loud and clear:

Not important.

The lights went out, only remaining on Chimera, the man standing tall, taller than normal, as he activated a part of his quirk, nearly tearing his clothes with how large he grew. “Ask my comrade and friend, Chimera, what life he lived, and why it is that when he was treated like dirt.” Nine asked, gesturing to the larger man, the sole mutant within the Thunder.

The light over him turned off, and the one over Slice turned on. The woman remained composed, yet her hair lashed about with unbridled anger, like a nest of vipers baying for blood. “Ask my comrade and friend, Slice, who she was viewed as ‘other’ and left to fend for herself.”

Then came Mummy's turn, and the man's wraps floated and waved around him, seemingly soft, yet anyone who had seen his handiwork knew how dangerous they were. “Ask my comrade and friend, Mummy, who had to fight constantly just to live, as if he were lost in the wild jungles surrounded by predators.”

“Ask my comrade and friend, Pyre, who was forced to reject and suppress a part of himself, all because it made others uncomfortable.” When Nien got to Pyre, Koharu was lying on the ground, using her impressive length to loosely wrap around him from his feet up. Her body had shifted into a burning skeleton as the snake and the flames embraced Pyre, who gently hugged the snake.

“Ask yourselves,” The lights shifted, turning off for Pyre and focusing only on Nine as he pointed out to the crowd. “Why is the world silent when we suffer, when we cry, when we bleed, and yet, when we shout, when we march, when we fight back, it screams ‘villain’ again and again?”

Technohead did not respond to that. The heroes, for their part, remained silent, but they listened. Especially Hawks and Nagant. The former had Nine in her sights the entire time, but no clearance to take the shot.

“And for so long, we could do nothing but take it. What more could be done? When Destro sought reform, they imprisoned him. When the Peerless Thief exposed them, they hunted him. When the Honorable Sage sought peaceful coexistence, they slaughtered him!” At Nine’s declaration, a small storm cloud formed above them, and from it, a bolt of lightning came down, smashing into a crate, obliterating it.

“They could do all this, for one simple truth: Power! For they held power, and with power, things like justice, fairness, and equality are in the eye of the beholder. And the biggest symbol of this was the man, the myth, the God in mortal form, All Might.” Raising his arm, the projection shifted to a picture of the now-retired number one hero. One that made Pyre flinch, but he didn't speak up.

“He was the Symbol of Peace, the Symbol of this broken society which would never accept, understand, and love us. On his back, they reinforced, they doubled down. They used him and pros like him as distractions from the rot, and enforcers of their will, but no longer!” The next showed All Might after his last great battle against All for One.

The former hero stood tall, but Kamino Ward was in ruins. This would be the last time he ever put on the costume, as despite winning the fight, it took all he had left in him to do it.

“We stand here before you, as proof that the times are changing. We are the rejects, the outcasts, and those who refuse to fit into this broken society! And we will burn bright!” Now, the lights focused on the entire Thunder, each standing strong, standing proud after all they've achieved.

“But, we are not your kings, we are not rulers, and we're not Gods, invincible and unquestionable. We can't do this alone, so once more, show our thanks to those 40 who passed the first test, as 10 from your ranks, when all is said and done, will join our ranks as we fight to tear down this broken world.”

When Nine made the call, it wasn't just him clapping for those nameless 40 in the crowd, but the entire audience, their blood burning as their hearts sang for these 40 to aid the fight, to see a new world born from the ashes of the old.

“I have one last thing to say, one thing you all know well, so brothers and sisters, let us say it as one, let the world hear our resolve!” As Nine spoke, he raised his left hand, showing the back of it. Chimera did the same, showing off his right palm. Mummy allowed the bandages around his body to relax enough to expose his left pectoral while Slice smirked as she bent her neck to the left. Pyre, with a blush on his face, turned and stripped his top, presenting his full back to the audience as Pyre shifted the scales across her head to present a newer layer beneath.

This was not some strange act of fan service or humiliation, for each exposed piece of flesh carried something. It carried their tattoo, one that had gone unnoticed until now, but would now be front and center as the multi-layered and coloured lighting bolt would be their symbol, their calling card.

Now, as one, the entire warehouse called out a phrase that had been spreading like wildfire throughout Japan's criminal element: “When the lightning strikes, the beasts will run wild, and the flames will turn all ash!!”

Line Break

The cheers, roars, and shouts were still audible as the pros took a break to discuss what they had all just seen. “A rally.” Nighteye frowned, as they had no idea this would happen, and from what they saw, it was an effective one.

“It would explain the numbers; they wished for word of mouth to spread this across the underworld.” Jeanist mused.

“This can't be good. Before, they just let followers form in their wake, and they've never engaged with them, but now, they're actively courting them." Hawks sighed, knowing this…would be trouble; he could feel it in his bones.

“No, it's more than that, I'm seeing cameras in the feed," Nagant added, as she shifted focus to the scaffoldings where she spotted one, and lower, with the window to its rear, was another.

“Cameras? Are they broadcasting this?” Nighteye asked, looking towards one of the police assistants. The assistant quickly pulled up the Internet, but didn't see anything on regular sites. The system did not pick up any alerts on the dark web.

"Nothing. They probably are recording it, no doubt to upload later." Pixie-Bob stated, wondering why else all of that would be recorded. That left them with a question. That was clearly explosive, and the last thing they needed was for it to leak onto the net.

“Should we move in?” Nagant asked the 10-million-yen question.

Nighteye thought it over, his gaze lowering to the ground before gently shaking his head. "Negative, with Eraser absent, such a move would end in one way."

“Even if he was here, I can’t see this ending without a fight. They don’t sound like the types to surrender peacefully.” Kido reminded them.

“Then there's the crowd. Most might just be regular people, but they've eaten out of the palm of the Thunder's palms. Some might throw up their arms, and confusion would spread, but" Hawks started, with the rest being able to pick things up from there.

“But others would throw themselves at us, and all that excludes how the Thunder would react," Jeanist concluded, as things didn’t look good for them. “We planned for just one of their heavy hitters to show up, but with all of them present.”

“I like those odds. We just need to get in nice and fast. Take out those Thunder bastards and the rest would fold.” Mirko spoke up, the Rabbit hero eager for a fight when they could handle this problem in one attack.

“And how would you get close enough to them? The moment they pick up a pro being around, they’ll go on high alert.” Nagant burst her bubble, as even she could only take out one of them, but that left the other three, and based on the report, it would be best to handle Pyre first, as he could easily heal all but immediately lethal hits the others suffered.

But then there was his snake. Could she heal him? Could Midoriya regenerate from having a coin-sized hole blown in his head? Probably not.

But then again, they all thought All Might killed All for One the first time around, considering he caved his skull in. Yet, the bastard lived, so God knew what an explicit regenerator like Midoriya could do. “Kinezumi is on the move.” She focused back on the mole as he was led towards the back, where she didn't have a shot.

Line Break

‘Holy shit was that…’ Technohead felt sweaty and breathless, and not because he was galvanized, but because he realized he was surrounded by people who were, and would tear him to pieces long before the pros could move in if he was-

Shearwolf snapped her fingers before his face, the man jumping back in fright. The rest of the gathered 40 looked at him like he had just said something insanely stupid. "Hey, you look a little pale? Cold? Need some mittens? Oh, maybe a nice beanie?” Shearwolf asked him, as he wasn't dressed in the warmest clothes, and the warehouse wasn't what one would call heated.

“N-no, I’m good.” He quickly replied as he worked to get himself under control before someone sniffed him out.

"You shouldn't be too nervous. It sounds like they believe in our capabilities for this next round." Kalee tried to assure him, but her gaze remained as intense as it had been since they were called in, and he couldn't stop looking at her 4 blades.

“Yeah, but they said just 10 spots, so that’s 75% of us right now being cut when it’s all said and done.” Someone else pointed out.

“Oh, we’ll just have to do our best!” Dusty laughed, high-fiving Gust in the same breath.

“I like her attitude,” Slice approached them, followed by Chimera. The gathered 40 stood a little more alert in the presence of the 2. "It never pays to be dour always; it's horrible for your hair."

“Slice, Chimera!” Gust called out, only to pause. He saw only them. Where's the rest?"

“Oh, aren’t we pretty enough?” Slice smirked, turning her gaze towards him as the man grew flustered.

“It’s nothing like that!” He quickly backtracked, hating how Dusty openly giggled at him.

“Is that right?” Slice’s gaze lingered on him just a moment longer before she turned to address the rest of them. “Well, we can focus on why you’re here.”

"The second part of the test is something we like to call a heist gauntlet. You'll be split into teams of 5 and need to pull off not one, not two, but three heists in 72 hours. You'll have support, of course, but it'll be minimal. This is all about you," Chimera explained.

"As you can guess, that means that for this part, four teams won't make the cut." Slice called out, randomly pointing at people and making a gun gesture, 'shooting' them as if they had just been eliminated.

“Would these be like…banks or something?” Technohead asked, the nervous-looking man drawing both Thunder members' attentions as he seemed off.

Slice shrugged and answered the question, "Or something. We aren't after something like money, but don't worry. Even those who fail aren't walking away with nothing, as you'll get 2 million each. Those who pass, on the other hand, will be getting 4 million."

“So pass or fail, we get paid?” Someone mused, as that wouldn't be too bad. It beat what happened in the first round, where the losers just got healed and nothing else.

Chimera grunted, drawing their attention. The 3 men gulped as they saw the man sending a glare their way. "Hope that means you'll slack off as this won't be easy money. Besides, you need not get caught to spend any of it."

“What are our targets?” Volcano asked, getting straight to the point as Slice pointed towards a table, where 8 folders sat.

“You’ll each pick one at random after we pair you up at random, " she explained, which caused some confusion.

“Random? Can’t we pick?”

Chimera and Slice glanced, only to laugh before Chimera managed to get under control first. "Hell no. I need people who can adapt and not blow a fuse when working with people they might. You need restraint as much as aggression, else you're just an attack dog with no leash."

Line Break

Slice and Chimera split the 40 into their teams, and above them, Mummy, Pyre, and Nune watched them. “You think they’ll do well?” Mummy asked, to which Pyre smiled at him.

"I made sure to look into the agencies in those areas. They'll handle at least 2 of the 3 heists." He was proud of his work, as he had been a busy bee outside his fun trip to spend time with Eri. He worked overtime to pore over maps, incident reports, agency stats, and other info Giran got for him.

This was all to ensure that this test would be hard but not impossible, as it would be a little embarrassing if all 40 failed.

Mummy turned towards their leader, who had remained silent since the rally ended. “Nine?”

“One of them seems nervous.” Nine called out, his gaze on Technohead, leading to Pyre, Mummy, and Koharu to glance towards the man.

Pyre didn’t see anything suspicious about him. "Hehe, well, I would be, too, if I were in their shoes. They'll all handle it better than I would. Why is there an issue?"

“…No, just odd.” Nine concluded, before his attention went to the rest. “Should we make our exit?”

Pyre shook his head. "In a minute, I saw some people who looked like they wanted to talk to me. I want to see what it's all about." He smiled, as he had never experienced something like this. Sure, he knew he was popular, but knowing something and experiencing it were very different.

Nine sighed, but stood straighter. “I’ll accompany you.”

“I thought you would have-” Pyre started only for Mummy to cut him off.

"Someone's gotta pull you out when they ask for autographs, hugs, and kisses." He joked, which drew a ghost of a smile out of Nine, though he would deny it as not like they could see it with his support gear.

Pyre, on the other hand, was focused and went red as he focused on that last part. “Wait, what was that last part?”

Line Break

The weather is cool, and I am happy. I even got to spend some time with the neighbor's dogs, as I can't see my own. They're back at the family home, and I am very much not there.

As for the chapter, I took some time to figure out how I wanted things to play out, and I think I got a pretty good thing going on as we move into the second part of the rest of the Thunder is running. Also, I know Izuku claimed a week's interval between this and the first part. Then I did the Culture festival, but they were just taking place at different times, with the actual Festival occurring in that week's gap.

Also, yes, I know this came out late like Path of Waves, but in my defense, this chapter ended up being crazy long. Some previous chapters had been around 4-5K words in length, and this one is well over 7K. It's almost two chapters in one.

Line Break

Oh boy, was this a long one. I stayed up late to finish it, but I did. And yes, I made up the events of the 66 Incident and the Great Jedda purge. Why? Because we know nothing about that. The little context we get during the final arc's rushed mutant storyline implies they were bad, so I ran with it. As both are clearly based on Order 66 and the following Jedi purge, I could have made the first's body count much higher, like in the thousands, but that felt extreme.

Also, I made a point to make it that some of that is not taught(for obvious reasons, governments hate reminding people they fucked up) and happened decades in the past, which gives a reason why the current cast wouldn't even know about it. But as you can guess, I plan to do more with the mutant story as it's ripe for exploration. Also, because my plans for AFO aren't nearly as expensive. I hate him post Kamino, as he's a leech that just makes other plotlines, like Shigaraki, suck, literally robbing him of agency.

Also, this might have been the most Nine had talked in a single chapter, and damn, did I go all out with it. I was partly inspired by Amon from Legend of Korra, though I gave him more material to use to galvanize the crowd effectively.