Hard Talks

Given how disoriented everything was, 1 decided to pull the plug on the breakout plan. 3 was alone, and vulnerable with no vehicle or weapon. 5 was still unconscious, 6 was exhausted, and 7 was injured.

"This whole thing is a mess" he said, when 0 informed him of the situation.

2 hours later, the whole group was together and were discussing how to move forward.

Day light was approaching which meant they were losing the advantage they had with the dark.

"It's unfortunate we can't use the chaos we've caused to our advantage but we are a mess right now" 1 said, addressing the remaining members of the group as 5 was still in the back seat of the car with his head on 6's lap and she was asleep. "We've temporarily lost heavy fire power with 5 out of commission and our healer has visibly overused her abilities to keep him alive. Attacking a Super-Max prison right now would be very stupid."

Everyone nodded in agreement but 2 didn't look happy.

After a few seconds of silence, 1 continued speaking. "Now, the most pressing issue right now is 5. He was able to get blood transfusions thanks to 0 and 6 but he is not waking up. Which is concerning. 0 says he needs a hospital but that's not an option for us. Does anyone have any ideas?"

There was silence for a few seconds but 11 decided to finally speak up.

"After I was kicked from the group, there were times I got into fights and sustained injuries. There was a doctor who unfortunately lost her license that saved me numerous times.

I'll take 5 to her."

"Hey, I'm injured too" 7 said, pointing to his stomach.

"You'll live" 11 said as he walked towards the car to wake 6 up.

11 didn't trust that his team would not harm the doctor which is why he insisted that he went alone. To him, even taking 5 there was a risk because of how violent he could get.

He tapped 6 on the shoulder, gently waking her up while Riot urged him to snap her neck.

"Hey, you have to wake up I have to get 5 to a doctor."

She nodded, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it's better if I go alone. Thank you for offering." He pointed to his head, "I'll be okay"

11 drove off as 6 rejoined the rest, she was feeling slightly better but had not fully recovered.

2 looked around, shook her head and asked, "what's the plan now. We've taken a lot of damage"

"We scatter, and recover"

The group nodded and dispersed in groups of two again

0 and 1 went together again, 2 went with 7, and that left 3 and 6. Each pair went separate ways and tried to disappear before it got brighter.

*

"The sanctuary" as it was called was tucked away beneath the bustling city streets. A place that treated anyone who needed help, from criminals to regular and powered civilians.

The entrance was disguised as a tailors store specialising in bespoke suits.

Upon entering, customers who want the tailor go to the left but customers in the know head to the rear-section of the store where there was a rotating rack. A simple pull of a specific brownish hanger triggered a mechanism that opened a hidden door in the wall.

"Hi Doc" 11 said with a warm smile as he carried 5 down the stairs, nodding at the two armed guards at the bottom of the staircase on either side.

The underground doctor "doc" was dressed in a labcoat and wore a surgical mask and sunglasses to conceal her identity. 11, as close as he was to her did not know who she was. Not even her hair was on display.

"What you got there 11" she asked, in a voice that had more bass in it than the average woman.

"A friend of mine, car accident, blood loss. He hasn't woken up since"

"Alright, bring him to the main room, I'll check him out"

After 11 lay him on the bed, Doc began inspecting him. "Hmm" she said, as she performed various tests. "His pupils aren't responding to light, his breathing is all fucked up, he has no response to painful stimuli either"

"What does all that mean, Doc?" 11 asked, scratching his head

"Your friend here is in a Coma"

"He's in a WHAT!?"

*

The events of that morning had shocked the city. Law enforcement was stunned. Most of them had never seen or experienced violence on that level before. Several police officers and civilians were dead all across the city in seemingly senseless acts of violence.

Anger and frustration was the common emotion amongst all the officers of the city but also grief. From their perspective, too many lives had been lost.

A few hours after the horrific events, while sounding defeated, Imahaya addressed his precinct.

"What a mess" Imahaya's tie and the top button of his shirt was undone and he had visible bags under his eyes and messy hair.

"Multiple civilians and officers dead and it's not even mid day." He sighed before continuing, "A police station attacked, an editing station wrecked with a lot of staff members killed, the family of an ex police officer murdered, guards dead at one of our most secure prison and a criminal on the loose." He paused again, looking around the room. "Commissioner Yanagara is furious, but what officer isn't. These bastards have no regard for human life, no respect for rules or laws, and they've thrown down the gauntlet hard. Every single officer, every single resource this department has will be thrown at them. We can't let them wreak any more havoc on this city. We've been given the green light to form a task force of our own. Detective Fuhira will lead and will be selecting a few officers to join. Combined with Amino Jashin's task force, they will be cornered, and we will apprehend or exterminate them. Which ever comes first. They will feel the mighty hand of the police department.

This is going to be addressed on the news later today but the commissioner and government have decided that there shall be a curfew now.

8pm, and anyone found outside after curfew will be at risk of arrest or death.

Patrol will be increased ten fold. The commissioner is also requesting some military aid.

They will lose this war they started, by any means necessary. Any questions?"

No officer or detective raised their hands but the anger and grief that filled the room was slowly turning into determination after all Imahaya had to say.

"Alright" Imahaya said, "let's get out there. You all have new patrol routes, check your emails for details. Also, Fuhira will be giving me the names of the officers he's requesting in a few minutes.

For now, we know a blood bank was raided, and according to reports from a separate incident, an officer claims that one of the suspects is critically wounded. They wouldn't be in a hospital so I want every "off the book" doctor questioned. Work your informants. Let's get busy"

*

The teacher and students events were done now and life was back to normal at the academy. The students were focusing on their pathways again.

The week after was dull in comparison, it was business as usual, the students were still trying to figure what Akanori's powers were, and there was even a bet running.

It was a Tuesday afternoon, the students were done for the day but Mika and Yashiro were called to the main staff room.

The pair walked up the stairs with Mika in front. Not speaking to each other, they tried to figure out what they were being called in for but nothing came to mind.

Yashiro shrugged it off and decided he'll just wait to find out.

Mika on the other hand, was impatient. She had a weird feeling she couldn't shake so she was hoping it was related to this call.

After 2 knocks, Izume opened the door. Hope you guys are alright? Mika you're with me. Yashiro, go to meeting room 3."

Yashiro entered after Mika, turned left and went through a door leading to various meeting rooms, offices and even a dining area.

[I guess that's just the monitoring room] he thought to himself as he walked towards meeting room 3.

"Come in" a voice said after Yashiro knocked. He took a deep breath and walked in, and to his surprise, Akanori was sitting with his hands interlocked in front of him. He was wearing a leather jacket, utility trousers, and boots. His hair was combed back, and he looked comfortable, his face had no expression on it but Yashiro was still excited to meet with him.

"Mr Akanori" he said excitedly. "It's good to see you"

"We never did have that meeting did we? How are you, Yashiro?"

"I'm fine thank you" He looked down and finally noticed Akanori's arm "Your arm. It was shattered. How has it healed in just a week?"

Akanori smiled, "if you had figured out my abilities, you'd have understood why my arm is healed"

Yashiro laughed and took a seat opposite Akanori "We've been trying to figure it out all week but we are not sure"

"What do you think it is, Yashiro?"

He paused for a few seconds before responding, taking into consideration what he had just been told.

"Time manipulation. Or a Variation of it at least."

"Hmm, not bad but not quite there." He paused for a few seconds before speaking again "You said "we've been trying to figure it out". Who exactly were you referring to?"

"All the students really. There's even an ongoing bet"

Akanori sat back, "Are you always this reliant on others for help?" He asked, much to Yashiro's surprise. He continued before Yashiro could say anything

"In the event last week against the robots, you had to be saved by one of your classmates. If she hadn't, your team would've lost. As an aspiring guardian, you're far too reliant on others. You're meant to be a standout, Yashiro but as it is right now I can't say I see you becoming a very successful guardian. I was expecting you to take out all those robots by yourself because that's a stage you should already be at."

Yashiro clenched his fists but maintained a fairly straight face.

"Perhaps it's because you think you're the only one trying to become a guardian. Well I think it'll be beneficial to tell you that you aren't. There are several others and as it is right now, you're the least likely candidate. Two already figured out my ability and handle everything by themselves. I'm not saying this to discourage you. Just to let you know what you're up against, and that you need to step up your game big time."

Yashiro still didn't answer. There wasn't much he could say. Akanori just confirmed one of the fears he had developed since the day he saw him save civilians from the crumbling building.

Akanori sighed, "You probably haven't heard this yet but in a few weeks, it'll be time for the PSE's, the public service events. Various schools participate in it annually.

Based on what I've seen from each candidate so far, I was going to pick who I want as my apprentice but I'll leave my decision till the day of the event."

After a few seconds of silence, Yashiro said, "Thanks" and got up to leave. He was furious, and he did not try to hide it, but he didn't want to be disrespectful either.

Before he could walk out, Akanori added, "You've got a lot of potential Yashiro. Especially with your ability. You just need to stop wasting it"

He left the room after hearing that.

Meanwhile, in Izume's office, she was attempting to get through to Mika.

"You did really well in the event last week Mika. Mr Tokiho was surprised you were able to rip through his robot like that."

Mika didn't respond, so Izume asked, "May I ask why you sat out the battle against the guardian? They could've used your help out there"

It took a few seconds, but she replied "I took one look at him and realised we were never going to win"

"What's could you see that the others couldn't?" Izume asked again, trying to get her student to speak even more

"Overtime, I've gotten good at reading people's aura's. That way I know if someone is too much for me to handle without having to fight them first"

"That's interesting. Where did you learn this?"

Mika looked down at her feet and remained silent, sinking into her seat enough for Izume to notice.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried"

Mika nodded

"How are you doing in general?"

"I'm Fine"

Izume smiled, "That's good"

She thought hard about the best possible way to get through to her student, then asked, "What does my aura tell you about me? Do you think you'd win?"

Mika looked up and smiled, analysing her teacher.

"It's hard to say. It fluctuates"

"Fluctuates? How so?"

"It's weaker when you're with Shihata, Minako and I guess the girls in general but when you're with the other teachers and some of the boys, it spikes. You're probably harder to take down when you're like that"

"Quite observant aren't you? Would you like to find out one day? Who would win I mean"

Mika chuckled lightly, "Sure, Miss Izume"

She smiled, "I'll set something up Mika"

Mika smiled again. Seeing this side of her made Izume happy so she decided to bring up another matter.

"I think you should open up to your classmates a bit more. You'd be surprised how many of them think you're a cool person. I'm not saying change your personality or anything, you can start off small. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Shihata and Minako do some extra combat sessions with me. You should consider dropping in sometime."

Mika thought about it for a few seconds, "I'll think about it"

Izume nodded and smiled at her again, "I'm glad. That's all I wanted to speak to you about. Also, if at any point you need someone to open up to or speak with, I'm here"

Mika smiled, a genuine one. Not a smile made when one felt like it was the polite thing to do but she appreciated the effort her teacher had put in. "Thank you, Miss Izume" she said as she got up to leave

"You're welcome, Mika"

Mika left the office. She put her hood up and slowly walked towards the door leading back to the monitoring room. Then noticed Yashiro walking angrily in the same direction but a closer look made her realise there were tears in his eyes.

She was going to ignore it but after everything Izume just said to her, she ended up saying "Yashiro" out loud, stopping him in his tracks. He turned his head sharply towards her, visibly enraged.

"What do you want?" He asked

Frozen, she thought about what to say, and how to say it but before she could formulate the words, Yashiro turned around and began walking away again.

Zuno turned around after hearing the monitoring room door open he was unhappy to see the look on Yashiro's face.

"Yashiro?" He said, with no response from his student as he stormed out.

Zuno got up immediately and headed for meeting room 3. He spotted Mika and asked, "Do you know what happened to him?"

Mika shrugged.

She sighed and waited for a few minutes so she wouldn't bump into Yashiro on her way out.

"What did you say to Yashiro, Akanori?"

"My Opinion, Mr Zuno aswell as much needed advice"

"Which was?"

"I told him he needs to up his game if he's ever going to have a chance as a guardian. There's no point letting him continue along this mediocre path only for him to give up when the stakes are raised."

"Yashiro is working hard to make sure he becomes a good enough guardian"

"And the others are ensuring they become the perfect guardian. Pushing themselves daily because they realise what this position means. If Yashiro were to engage in combat with any, and I mean any of the other candidates. He'd lose. Did you want me to be quiet about it? Let him believe he was doing a great job?"

"From the looks of things, you weren't subtle. You have probably done more harm than good to his confidence and development. If you had quieres you should've spoken to the teachers and we would've come up with an adequate solution that didn't make him feel the way he does right now"

"If he can't take criticism on this level then is this the right pathway for him?"

Visible Lightning ran down Zuno's arm, to his fingertips and the room went silent as the men stared intently at each other.

There was a sudden knock and Mika walked in a second later with a fairly serious look on her face.

Zuno turned around and calmed himself instantly. Looking at her face he knew Mika had realised there was some sort of tension in the room. "Thank you, Mika. Everything is alright" He said, with a smile on his face.

She nodded, closed the door and walked away.

Zuno turned back to Akanori, "Have a nice day, Guardian"

After Zuno left, Akanori waited a few minutes to clear his head then decided to say goodbye to principal Fujimoto before he left but couldn't help but think about the interaction he just had. [That girl has some keen senses. What a hostile presence too. Why do I have the feeling fighting those two at once would've been problematic? Was I too harsh with Yashiro? Let's see what happens now]

He thanked Fujimoto for letting the meeting happen and then left the academy, thinking about what his next steps should be.