38 Separate Ways

I wake with a start and look around in a mild panic, my last memory being that of getting shot to pieces by some sniper with tinker tech weaponry. To my surprise, I wasn't dead, locked up in a PRT cell, or even tied to a chair like one would expect if I'd been captured.

Instead, I was lying in bed with thin sheets while garbed in a blue patient gown. I shift my lapel to the side and am both relieved and disheartened to see no visible injuries, only a couple of circular scars that look as if I'd been stabbed by a searing hot pipe. The fact they were located on my chest in the general location of my heart and lungs was also adding to my stress.

It didn't take long to conclude I was in one of the few ABB medic posts around the city, or that it'd probably been a while since the raid. Not to mention, over through the door of the room I could see people quickly moving in the hallway.

Had something happened...?

My feline ears flick as I hear someone hurrying down the hall, a familiar voice swearing "Shit-shit-shit-shit!" under her breath.

Sherrel quietly storms in while shutting the door behind her, momentarily pausing when she sees me awake before firming herself and approaching. "Kieu, thank god you're awake-"

"What's wro-"

"We've got big problems! And I mean really fucking bad!"

My eyes narrow in thought before widening as I ponder on what she's talking about, "D-did the attack on the concert work?" I asked, inwardly hoping the ABB choked and smashed their faces into a not-so-proverbial army.

She scoffs, "Not in the way any of us thought!" she throws her hands up, "That Canary girl turned out to be a Master, and she managed to get off some orders before the PRT bagged her!"

"A master!?" I exclaim in shock, how the fuck had I missed that!? And had I been under her effects while talking to her!? "What happened!?"

"Your tip-off to the PRT almost got Lee killed, and their EMP field shut down all my bombs. The event didn't even notice the fight going on outside the venue! Then, Armsmaster gets Mastered, and before anyone can do anything Canary finishes her song and gives a speech, which turned out to be a subliminal 'fuck you' to the ABB!"

...

"Explain." I ask, gesturing for her to continue. She wouldn't be so panicked if it was just the ABB getting their teeth kicked in.

"Well, turns out Canary's power doesn't just work on those who hear her, but through any live feed too! A good portion of the country had been watching, along with half of the city! Almost all the ABB watching to see the place get bombed too!... So, when she gives a speech about stopping the ABB and freeing everyone they've captured, the gang basically turned on itself! The people who weren't Mastered tried to stop their buddies from breaking people out, which didn't since Canary's slaves apparently aren't the most peaceful sort..."

Sherrel takes a moment from her rant, "A quarter of the gang is dead, almost every prostitute and hostage is in PRT custody under Master quarentine, and Lung is on a warpath!"

"And Lee? Canary?"

"Lee's in another location with shattered legs and less ribs than he started with, and no one knows where the PRT carted Canary off to..." she shakes her head, "I'm honestly lucky I stepped away when my bombs stopped working." she looks up from her pacing and into my eyes, "Kieu, the PRT has your mom."

I blink, before my body siiiinks in the bed, as if releasing a breath I'd been holding for months. "T-that's good news." I mutter, knowing the PRT wouldn't hurt her... At least, not without knowing my real identity.

That Canary had gotten arrested for intentionally or unintentionally saving Kieu wasn't something I'd forgotten either... I knew people hated Master capes, but it wasn't as if she'd attacked innocents... In fact, she'd all but single-handedly taken down one of the most vile gangs in Brockton, saving almost every hostage with what I assumed to be minimal casualties.

Surely they'd be lenient with her? I was half sure she wasn't even aware of that facet of her power, otherwise she wouldn't have used it too blatantly and while live in front of millions.

I suck in a breath when my thoughts drift from Canary and back to my present situation... Lung and Nishihara have lost their only real leash for me, and while they were probably both scrambling to rectify the damage to the gang, they'd realise it eventually.

I grab Sherrel's wrist, stopping her pacing, "We need to leave, now. Where's your cape suit?"

"Still at home, wasn't exactly expecting you to be awake so soon... You sure we should leave either? If we go they'll leak all our shit to anyone who'll listen."

The fact the PRT would know my relation to Tieu wasn't necessary to be spoken.

"We'll need to be quick, you need to tell your family to get outta dodge while I find a way to break into PRT protection..." I mutter, more to myself than her.

She sniffs and folds her arms, "To be honest, I'm hoping Lung goes after my folks. Fuckers deserve it."

I shake my head at that, whatever her issue is wasn't something that needed to be brought up. "Then you can help me with Tieu..." I chew my lip in thought, "Actually, go leave and gather what you can to tinker. Head to one of the abandoned locations and wait for me."

"What're you planning?" she questions.

"Nothing you need to be worried about, just drawing Lung's attention to me. With Lee out for the count the ABB can't touch me." I say, teeth flashing behind my lips. I had nothing holding me back and a lot of rage I needed to work out. I could probably be more tactical about this but, this was a long time coming. No point in dragging it out.

"You don't have to do that for me, shit you already saved my life twice, once from the Merchants and again on that roof!... Or was that twice on the roof...?"

"Who said I'm doing it for you?" I retort, "I just wanna twist the knife now that I'm the one holding it." I wave a hand at her, "I'll start in twenty, so get your ass underground."

Despite her reluctance, she nods and quickly makes her way out. To her, I was a kid way in over his head, but thankfully she seemed to trust me with this. She'd have probably disagreed if she hadn't seen me get shot in the heart and survive, or that Oni Lee was still injured.

I look at my hand and flex my claws, time to get that powerup I've been waiting for. That Canary, I'll kiss her for giving me this opportunity!

-----------------------

Once the twenty minutes was up and stood from my bed and tied the thin bedding around my waist like a makeshift skirt, covering my ass as hospital gowns allowed everyone access... For some reason.

I wasn't exactly sure which site I was in, and only now did I curse myself for not asking Sherrel before she left... Regardless, I made my way to the door and threw it open, causing an armed ABB to almost shit his pants.

"K-Kaibyo!... You scared the hell outta me! You should get back to bed, I'll have the doc get back to you-OUHGH!" his eyes shoot open as I dive forward and bite into his throat, tearing it out in one swift motion before latching onto the wound like a leech.

My hand covers his mouth to stop his gurgled scream as I suck as much of his lifeblood out as possible. Was it weird he tasted like fish? Probably a sushi connoisseur given the ABB's predilections.

With newfound strength flowing through me, I let him drop and wipe my arm over my mouth, smearing the blood across my face like morbid warpaint. A gasp down the hallway already had me moving to my next victim, snapping the guy's wrist as I instinctively tried to defend himself with a knife.

It was around my fifth victim that people started to notice my rampage and began giving some resistance. Dragging out whatever firearms they had in storage to hunt me, which didn't do much as with each person I drained my regenerative abilities got a massive boost. by the time ten minutes had passed people were shouting "Vampire!" or "Kaibyo's gone mad!", they tried to flee but a slash across their Achilles tendon left them to my mercy.

To be honest, I'd gone into a sorta 'groove' after the first twenty people. Not even blinking as blood spattered across my face from impaling someone and grabbing their spine, as if I was in Mortal Combat or something.

My flesh spat lead from my skin as I healed from gunshots, and the few people ballsy enough to come at me with blades or other melee weapons weren't even worth speaking of, not unless it was past tense.

The number in the facility wasn't all that high due to Canary's mastering incident, so it didn't take long to clear the entire place out. Almost, at least.

Using my claw to dig some errant flesh from my teeth, I slowly look up at the security camera and grin, before slowly making my way to the control room. Hopefully the guy manning the place would know where Nishihara is...

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POV MEAT :

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" the Japanese man hyperventilates as he backs away from the wall of cameras. Most screens displayed rooms covered in blood and bodies, but it was the hallway feed that'd truly frightened him. "H-he's coming for me! B-boss! Please send someone, PLEASE!" he shouts into his phone.

"I have people on the way, stay calm and bar the door. Kaibyō hasn't shown any ability to breach through titanium-plated steel." Nishihara neutrally states.

"Y-yes, you're right!" the ABB grunt mutters and hurries to the door, locking it every way he knew how before shoving every piece of furniture available in front of it. "W-we need Lung-sama here, he's the only one who can stop that monster!"

"I have reported the situation to him, you just need to wait and speak with me. Keep on the line and breathe. The boy cannot reach you there."

*DAAANG!*

A huge impact hits the door, knocking a chair propped against it over, but after the fourth strike, the intruder seemingly gives up.

"I-I think he's leaving." the man whispers...

"Good, keep an eye on the camera-"

*CRASH!*

The roof suddenly collapses and a weight falls directly atop the man, two claws piercing his chest and pinning him to the ground. He tries to scream but teeth latch around his neck and bite down, crushing his windpipe and severing every artery.

------------------------

"Yone?... YONE!?" Nishihara shouts into his phone in a mild panic. That damn cat had killed the thirty men in that facility! Along with the incredibly scarce doctors who'd saved his traitorous life!

"Ah... I forgot I was trying to keep him alive." a familiar voice utters over the phone, "But this works too... Hiya, Nishihara-'chan'." the voice smarmily greets.

"Kaibyō... What have you done." he growls, "You do realise what your actions will cause? I regret to say that your poor mother will suffer for your disloyalty." Nishihara spits while trying to keep his composure.

"Ah? Well, that's too bad I 'spose. I'll make sure to bury her next to you after I TEAR YOU APART! HEAR ME!? I'M DONE PLAYING PET FOR YOU CUNTS! CHILD RAPING, SEX SLAVING SCUM! Maybe if you tell me where you are I'll be gentle, how about that, Ni-shi-ha-ra-chaaan..."

"Lung will-"

"RUN AROUND LIKE AN ASSHOLE, WHILE I PULL THE CITY TO PIECES LOOKING FOR YOU! The only way that sack of shit is stopping me is if he destroys Brockton Bay. He isn't strong enough without going full kaiju! And you know that... With Lee out of commission, who will protect dear old Nishara-chan?"

"Don't call me that! Do you have any idea who I am!? I'm the foundation of the entire ABB! I run everything, everyone! You and everyone else do as I tell them with a smile! Do you truly think I would have no plans for your insolence!?... I will give you one last chance, Kaibyō, no, Kieu, one last mercy. Hand yourself to Lung and I'll spare your mother."

...

"No thanks. Oh, and try to stay alive, I know there are lots of people gunning for you, but it'll piss me off if someone gets to you first." the cat snickers before the sound of him crushing the phone ends the call.

Nishihara looked at his phone, then to his advisors who'd been listening in... One stood and calmly made his way to the door, causing the rest to rush it, leaving him alone in the room while they sought protection away from him.

"Shimatta..."