The World Rings, Night 8: I’ll Help You, Deku-san

Caesar's Hideout

Caesar Clown stood on a platform with several monitors, watching as Jack Spicer's group made their way through the base. "Well, it seems the mission was a success, Tomura. It's time to see if this child is worth her weight."

He was talking to a pale-skinned man in black clothes and pale blue hair. Disembodied hands were grasping parts of his body, with one on his face. "Are you sure you're prepared? It won't be long before the Kids Next Door arrive."

"Why do you think we have all these villains in the reserves? You can never be too careful with their likes. Especially now that we have you: our new allies!"

"Alert: request for use of the Quickwarp from: Joker Jr.."

"Permission granted!" Caesar grinned. The small portal device activated as a 13-year-old boy in a pink feather coat and red slanted glasses stepped out. "Shuroro! Doffy, how nice of you to visit!"

"Good evening, Caesar." Doffy smiled. "I came for my Devil Fruits."

"They're right here, in this Infi-Cube." Caesar placed the small cube in his hand. "Hope the fellas at Noah's Ark love them."

"I'm sure they will." The young prince stuffed the cube in his pocket and glanced at the monitors. "Awful shabby place to have me come to."

"Well, don't get used to it; as soon as we get that timebender girl, we're smashing this portal and using Kurogiri there to make a quick getaway." He was pointing at a mass of darkness with evil yellow eyes. "By the way, Doffy, are you sure you don't want to be the Brotherhood's new leader? We could use someone with your expertise."

"I'm afraid I haven't the time. I've decided to take what money I have left and gather more followers. I'm going to start a country. A kingdom for rejects like me."

"That's going to be very difficult with no one but circus freaks to help you."

"I know it will. But I think I'll manage. …In fact, let me ask you something: have you ever heard of the Game of Thrones?"

"Game of Thrones?" Caesar replied, picking his nose. "That's a show, isn't it?" He flicked a booger away as it became gas.

"It was based off a story my father told me about. It's a very ancient game that kings of old used to play." Doffy imagined a chessboard where kings sat on thrones, castles behind them, and overlooking legions of soldiers. "There were multiple kings on the field. They had to build up their armies, expand their territories, and eventually conquer each other. It wasn't just a board game: it was real, and some say it is still going on. Some say it started when Dimentia founded the KND and inspired the creation of other KNDs. Some say it started when the Negatar tried to challenge Arceus. But no matter when or where, it is happening everywhere. It is why Malladus and Viridi began the Demon and Nature Wars, it is why Lord Gnaa sought the Firstborn, and you can be sure the Pirate Emperors drew inspiration from it."

"Shurororo! Well, if that's the case, then we're on the winning team! The Brotherhood is allied with King K. Rool, and by extension King Bowser himself! We're unstoppable!"

"Are you sure? Because it's not just the KND you're playing against. The Corporate Presidents have decided who their new leader will be: King Mickey Mouse."

Caesar nearly choked on his own gas. "M-Mickey Mouse?"

"You know: that sweet little mouse from Avalar. The one who rules his own country. Beloved by all, he makes billions from all corners of the cosmos. He has theme parks and territories set up on several planets, not just Avalar. The only reason he wasn't a member of the Presidents already was because King Andrew wouldn't allow it; probably due to his 'Original World' nonsense. But just imagine…" A twinkle glimmered in his slanted lens, imagining a mouse shining atop a stage as millions cheered him, "if he were on our side, he could have turned EVERYONE against the KND. That's what the others are hoping right now."

Caesar was biting his lower lip. While he still felt confident in his alliances, he knew that the competition was steep. "So, the question is, who will come out as the winner?" Doffy imagined the chessboard as multiple figures rose up. "Will it be one of the Four Emperors?" Mandy, K. Rool, Queen Sherry, and Skaios appeared above their Commanders. "The Corporate Presidents?" Mickey Mouse, Jacques Schnee, Mom, Ted, Doffy, and Gruntilda appeared. "Or the Kids Next Door?" Nebula and Cheren appeared above all their strongest operatives. "Either way, there's no way I'm missing out on a game like this.

"Well then… I think I'll go now." With that, Doffy casually stepped through the Quickwarp, leaving Caesar to his worried thoughts.

Sector U.A.

"Understood, Tokoyami." Iida replied to his communicator. "We'll get there as soon as possible. Luckily, we have a few friends to help us." He hung up. "The question is… what will you do, Midoriya?"

Izuku faced down at the floor. He remembered talking with Eri, sometime after rescuing her.

"Deku-san… I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"

"You were almost hurt because of me. Aren't you mad?"

"Why would I be mad? Heroes are supposed to help people. It's what makes us happy!" Midoriya said with a smile.

"You're just saying that, aren't you? I'm just a burden…"

"No I'm not. Eri, no matter how many times you get captured, no matter how much I get hurt, I'm never going to hate you for it." Eri gasped when Deku grabbed her by the arms and lifted her up to his beaming face. "All I care about is seeing you smile! That way, I know I did a good job!" And he raised her skyward and twirled around.

"Hee hee hee! Hehehehehe!"

"Don't worry, Deku." Ochaco said in an assuring tone. "We'll bring Eri-chan back, safe and sound. Then we'll see if she can help you."

"No." Izuku said firmly. "If I don't come to save Eri-chan… she'll be disappointed. She'll think it's too much trouble for me. But I have to save her. I have to let her know that I'll always be there to help her."

"Then let's not keep her waiting!" said Nagisa confidently. "Those Brotherhooders don't stand a chance against us!"

"Heheh, 'specially not with legs like these." Morgiana gasped, looking down as Mineta was rubbing her legs. "I can't wait to see how YOU fight!"

The Fanalis stomped him five levels down, leaving Grape Juice with a foot-shaped indent on his dazzled happy face. "Say, what happened to those Rocket Shoes Constanze gave you?" Killua asked.

"That was a one-time thing." Morg replied. Killua rolled his eyes.

Musutafu Sewers

"Finally! They're here!" Caesar exclaimed as Jack and Katnappé walked in. The gas clown flew down to the white-haired girl hanging from the Jackbots. "So, you're the Eri-chan my friends told me about." He gently stroked Eri's cheek, the child stiff with terror. "Tell me, dearie: is it true what they say? Can you turn back time?"

"Let's run a test, shall we?" hissed the ghostly, echoey voice of Wuya, the witch's ghost drifting around the frightened child. "Bring my body back! Restore me to my rightful glory! If it is successful, we'll head right over to Gruntilda and give her a treatment."

"I-I-I…I can't…"

"What do you mean you can't?!"

"M-M-My horn… it only works after my horn grows…"

Caesar took note of the tiny thing on her forehead. "Ah, a weakness, is it? Well, a little Bang Gas oughta accelerate your growth." He took out a spray bottle and shook it up. He smirked at the camera and said to the audience, "Introducing Devil Fruit Industries' Rose-Scented Bang Gas! Now your little girls can be hideous AND smell nice!"

"No! Please! I-I don't want to do this!"

"SHUT IT, girly!" Caesar scowled at Eri. "You'll do what we say, or I'll chop you up into pieces and grind them into a Devil Fruit!"

A gunshot rang from the entrance, hitting the left robot, then another hit the 2nd robot, causing Eri to drop. "People like you make me sick to my stomach." They looked toward the entrance as Louise Mario calmly marched in, pistol in hand and a swarm of hatted ghosts at her behest.

Caesar gasped. "It's you! The Mustache Girl that Bowser gave to us!"

"She's the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom!" Katnappé remembered.

"I'm no longer a princess OR a captive. I'm Louise Mario, 34th Captain of the Sky God Pirates. I'll be taking this girl into my own hands and killing all of you!"

"Shurororo!" Caesar swooped down and snatched Eri. "You'll have to get her from MY hands first! GET HER, villains!" A horde of Brotherhood villains charged out of the darkness and engaged in battle with the ghosts. Louise tried to pursue Eri, only for Jack and Katnappé to get in her way.

The shadow of a raven swooped out of the room without anyone seeing.

Sectors SA and U.A. had followed the signal through a sewer passage, following inconspicuous graffiti markings of Louise's face and Brotherhood symbols with X's marked over them. Sector SA readied their selves when the raven's shadow engulfed the ceiling, only for a humanoid raven to emerge from it. "Don't worry, it's just Tokoyami. Ribbit." Tsu said.

"Report, Tsukuyomi." Iida ordered.

"I've located the center of the base; it seems Tomura and Kurogiri are working with these new villains. They have about 20 others with them. Right now, the Mustached Girl and her group are battling them." Tokoyami pointed to a hall on their right. "This passage can take us to the same room. Perhaps we could use it to cut them off."

"I'd rather follow the route Louise took." Maria said. "In case she comes running back, we can ambush her."

"They won't know what hit 'em!" Mineta exclaimed.

"Well, you coming, Deku?" Ochaco asked.

"Actually, I think I might stick with these guys. I have a few questions for them."

"Oh…" Ochaco seemed disappointed. Her confident smile returned as she said, "Well, they'll need you to protect them, anyway. Just hope we don't save Eri before you do!" With that, the five heroes entered the alternate passage.

"I think she was trying to pity you." Killua remarked.

"Grrr, can we just get going?!"

"Haha, sure." Index laughed. "And I'll tell you about what we've been doing so far." (Play "Sewers" from Jak 3!)

Stage 6: Musutafu Tunnels

Mission: Rescue Eri and possibly catch Louise, even though there's no chance of that happening.

The floor was covered in green acidic goop up ahead, and drifting above it were strange hat ghosts. The ghosts fired laser rifles at the operatives, and only Lotte and Index could do damage via light spells and bending. The small targets were easy to take out, but when only one remained, Maria shouted, "Wait, are you guys Bonneters?!"

"Huh? Y-You're Princess Maria!" the ghost realized.

"You know these things?" Killua asked.

"They're from Mushroom World; they're the ones who made my magic hat."

"This ain't good. Better go warn the captain." The Bonneter turned and fled.

"Hey, I have ques-… hmmmmrgh." Maria grumbled. Lotte used Aguamenti to wash away the goop, crossing the clean floor and entering a snaky hall. A Spinach Soldier dropped from the ceiling and tried to whack them with a poison piece, only for Killua to endure the attack and kick the minion into pieces. The group reached a large room with a chasm; Jackbots ambushed from below, but the robots were easy fodder for their projectile attacks. Index noticed a switch on the left wall over the chasm, so she punched a Light Sphere to hit it.

Several water spouts emerged from below, serving as platforms for the kids to cross. The spouts appeared in random locations and some would drop instantly, but they guided the group to the other side as HIVE agents came out. The agents fired rapid bullets as Nagisa used Iron Body, letting Morgiana use him as a weapon. Killua Shaved past the agents and cut their hips, and Lotte called Water Spirits from the puddles to shoot them with Water Guns.

They entered a hall that cornered left, leading them to an electrified pool. "Um, I can't swim." Morg said nervously. Volt Fish seemed to be jumping out every few seconds, so Maria tossed her hat onto one to possess it. She swam into the underwater passage, dealing Torpedo Spins to knock out the other fish. She then jumped out onto the surface by her friends, letting this last fish die. "I don't think I've tried this kind before." Morg stared at the sparkly fish in hunger.

"Don't eat food off the floor, Morgie. Hang onto me." Knowing his friend couldn't swim, Nagisa carried her as they submerged beneath the surface, Index helped Goombella, and Lotte transformed into a fish. The group maneuvered around some floating mines, but had nowhere to go except for a grate in the floor. Killua tore this grate open, going first into the narrow tunnel. There were air bubbles to keep them refreshed, but they had to navigate a maze. It was actually fairly small, yet they found no way to go. That was until Lotte decided to swim into a small passage, hitting a switch that opened a secret door.

The lot swam after their fish friend and soon found a way to the surface. Their journey resumed down a hall, where Flu Bugs crept along the walls and fired snot balls at them. "Yick! I may be poison-proof, but this stuff is gross!" Killua said, smashing them with his yo-yo.

By this time, Index finished briefing the quest to Deku. "I don't see why one of you gets wishing powers," Deku commented in anger, "another has book powers, and my ring just TAKES my power! And speaking of, why can't we just wish for my powers to come back?"

"The White Ring can't nullify the effects of other rings." Index answered.

"I think she just makes up these rules as she goes." Killua whispered to Deku.

The following room was very wide and covered in blue goop. There were Ink Squids swimming around the goop, and each were holding a key to open a door on a ledge. The tops of the heads of some Brotherhood grunts were sticking out of the goop, implying Louise had them submerged and these squids were conjured from her goop. "You know, I just remembered I have a hoverboard." Killua said casually as he drew the skateboard from his Infi-Cube.

"Was wondering when you were gonna use that." Index remarked. Killua boarded the device and glided over the goop in pursuit of the squids. He threw a yo-yo into the goop and began fishing for a squid, tugging harder before yanking it out and snatching the key. He repeated this tactic for the other two squids and retrieved the keys. The others could climb onto a short platform and sidle over a pipe leading to the locked door.

To their right was another locked door, but this hall was a very long and deep pit. Morgiana took a few steps back and dashed across the right wall, jumping to the left when a waterfall threatened to push her down, then back to the right. She had to perform more quick and timed jumps to avoid the waterfalls, setting foot on a platform with the key. She could then press a switch to activate springs along the walls, with one on her platform to send her back in a safer fashion. Beyond this sealed door was a passage, wherein they could hear fighting up ahead. (End song.)

Louise whacked her Paint Staff at Katnappé, who countered with agile kicks. Jack Spicer socked her from behind with a Haki punch, sliding Louise over to Tomura. The hand-covered villain lifted Louise by the shirt and threatened to smother her face in his other hand. "You must think you're a hero for coming here. Let me show you how I feel about heroes."

Maria's hat came flying, hitting Tomura with enough force to make him drop her, then Killua threw a yo-yo to snatch Louise and yank her over. "Don't worry, Sis!" Maria hugged her. "We're here to save—YOOOOH!" Louise kicked her in the gut.

"I didn't ask for your help!" Louise spun around and freed herself of the yo-yo, swiftly jumping when Nagisa tried to grab her. Maria tried to give chase when she ran toward the villains, only to jump back when Common Cold fired a snot blaster at her.

"I seem to remember a few scenarios where a bunch of villains were gathered in one place and there was a lot of fighting." Nagisa remarked.

"Yeah, but where's…" Deku looked to the platform across the room and saw, "ERI-CHAN!"

She gasped. "Deku-san!"

"NOT SO FAST!" Caesar wrapped an arm around her neck and floated higher. "I don't need this girl to be alive to harness her power," a pair of eyes watched them from the shadows, "but it would sure put a mark on your record if you let her-"

Tsukuyomi and Uravity emerged from the shadow, the former tossing the gravity hero as she flew through the mass of gas and snatched Eri away from him. "NO!" But Caesar could not give chase before Froppy wrapped her tongue around him, laden with chi-blocking stickers.

"Catch, Deku!" Uravity spun and tossed Eri down to her friend.

Deku's face was beaming as he raised his arms to catch the horned child. A glimmer of hope shone in her red eyes as Deku held her. "Deku-san… you came to save me…"

"Of course, Eri-chan. It's what we heroes do!"

With Caesar still trapped in Tsu's tongue, Louise tried to shoot him, but Maria tossed her hat and knocked the gun out of her hand. Katnappé zipped behind Tsu and tried to stab her with a shuriken, but Iida tackled her with his engine speed, only for the catgirl to throw the weapon and stab Tsu's tongue. She yelped and released Caesar on impulse, the scientist becoming gas just before Louise could hit him with the spike on the side of her staff.

"Grrrr! Why'd you do that, Maria?! He's a criminal who uses kids as guinea pigs!"

"Louise, we're the princesses of Mushroom Kingdom! We can't just go around murdering people we don't like."

"I am not a princess, anymore."

"Sigh… Look, Louise, I'm tired of fighting, and I already apologized. I just want you to come home. I don't care if you hate me for the rest of your life, but I want you to come with me to see Mom and Dad again."

"Mom and Dad sent us away. I barely remember a thing about them, and I certainly don't care if I ever see them again."

"Ugh! Then would you do it for me? Just once? What do you want from me?"

"Maria, there's only one thing I want: the power to crush my enemies. And I will not come home until I have the power to kill him. Mark my words, Maria… I WILL destroy Lord Bowser!"

Maria gasped. "Lord…Lord Bowser? Heh heh… Louise, you must be kidding, right? Our parents have been fighting Bowser for years, and they could never beat him. They tried everything! Lava, the sun, black holes—he's unkillable, Louise! You can shed the skin off his bones, but he'll grow it right back!"

"Correct. But with the Universe Book, I can write myself to be more powerful than he is! I'll set up a bunch of cameras and broadcast it to the whole universe: they'll watch as I march right up to Bowser's Keep," she took out a stuffed Bowser toy, "knock on his front door," she grabbed the head, "and TEAR HIM LIMB FROM LIMB!" She ripped the head off and threw it on the floor, jumping and twisting her feet to make it into a shriveled mess. "Then, once I've killed the most powerful bad guy in the universe, every other villain will fear me. They'll have to abandon their evil ways or PERISH! Oh, and I suppose I have to let Vaati find the Original Worlds and create a single free world or something, but that'll come later."

"Louise, if you really want to kill Bowser, then let us help you! I don't want you to destroy yourself with power you can't control!"

"You girls should pay more attention to your surroundings!" Kurogiri engulfed the twins in darkness and swallowed them up.

"MARIA!" screamed Index.

"Don't worry. They're alive inside my pocket dimension, but who knows for how long?"

"Keep them alive!" Caesar ordered. "We can hand them to King Bowser for some extra cash!"

"Not if I can help it!" Index punched a Light Sphere and struck the dark villain, but Tomura grabbed Index from behind, her habit suddenly dissolving into dust. "WAAAAH! MY HABIT!"

"Well, THAT sure is rude!" Nagisa Shaved above Tomura and kicked the side of his head.

"Be careful, Nagisa!" Goombella yelled. "Tomura's Quirk allows him to decay anything he touches with all five fingers!"

"Then he'll have to touch me first!" The gentle assassin smirked. "I'll take care of him, Index you rescue Maria!"

"You expect me to fight a darkbender with half a habit?!"

"If anything, you should move faster!"

Deku and Eri were watching as all the operatives were locked in battle with villains. Killua and Morgiana were fighting Atlas and Mammoth, and Iida was trying to catch Johnny Rancid for example. "Oh, look. It's Crybaby Deku." They whipped around to face Jack Spicer, flexing his arms. "You know, I remember when I used to be weak like you. Getting kicked around by those Xiaolin Warriors. And Katnappé. …And my baby cousin." Jack frowned. "That's why I learned Haki. I may not be as strong as other villains, but at least I can hold my own!"

"D-Deku-san isn't weak!" Eri squeaked.

"Would you like to see the video? I had one of my robots record it."

"Grrrr…" Deku only felt scorn for the boy genius. "Eri-chan… I need to borrow your power."

"Deku-san?"

"Your Quirk, Eri. Could you… use it on me, please?"

"…" Eri closed her eyes as her horn expanded. She placed both hands on Deku and channeled energy into him. "Oh, so your horn grows for HIM, DOES IT?!" Caesar shouted. (Play "Majestic Wings" from Kingdom Hearts!)

Deku's body began to brim with red aura, and the Rukh sprouted to life around him. "Look!" Goombella's eyes widened. "Deku's Power Level is rising! It's over 7,000!"

Deku lifted Eri and propped her over his shoulders. "Hold on to me, Eri. I'll finish this as fast as I can!"

"We'll see about that!" Jack donned a pair of fists with golden wristbands. "Arms of Hercules!"

Boss fight: Jack Spicer, Tomura, and Kurogiri

Combining his Shen Gong Wu with Armament Haki, Jack Spicer rushed at Deku and swung fists, the hero nimbly dodging and throwing his own fists in turn. Jack used Observation to sense and dodge the attacks, making a whistle as some Jackbots flew in to shoot at Eri. Deku gasped and faced them, flicking his finger and sending a shockwave to destroy them. Deku jumped back when Jack tried to punch him, then readying his own fist as it collided with Jack's. The boy genius was sent flying across the room, but Eri groaned just then as her horn shrunk. "Uh-oh, his strength shrunk." Goombella said. "It seems Eri's power has been fighting with the World Ring all this time."

"Eri, how long will it take your horn to grow back?" Deku asked.

"I-I dunno. A few minutes?"

"He's weak!" Wuya shouted. "Hurry, Jackie, retrieve the girl NOW!"

"Don't worry! I'll protect you, Eri-chan!"

Nagisa swiftly dodged Tomura's hands before stabbing his knife up at the villain. The Antikill had no effect as Tomura grabbed the rubber knife and decayed it. "Using toys to fight? I can't believe the Brotherhood actually considers you threatening." Nagisa screamed as Tomura grabbed his arm, but he used Iron Body to greatly harden himself and make the Decay power take longer to take effect. "Nagisa!" Killua tossed a yo-yo to hit Tomura's arm.

Nagisa jumped away and used Gentle Kicks to strike Tomura with weak air-slashes. The villain endured the attacks and ran to grab Nagisa again, but it was merely an after-image that faded away. "We're threatening because we're really fast learners!" Tomura winced when Nagisa did a Finger Pistol to his back. Tomura reached back to grab him, but Nagisa Shaved and tried to strike from above, only for the villain to perform his own Shave. He then lunged at Nagisa, who used Paper Art to evade his grasp.

"He can use Shave too, huh? Let's see if he can keep up, then!" Nagisa began to zip all around the area, leaving after-images and surrounding his opponent with them. Nagisa would fling a Gentle Kick at Tomura, who would dodge and Shave up to him, only to grab an after-image. "Let's see how well you keep this up after I destroy the floor!" Tomura touched the floor and began to decay the area around him-

BAM! A gunshot went off in his ear, followed by a punch to the heart from Nagisa, and the shock of both instances caused Tomura to faint. "Heh heh heh." Nagisa snickered, positioning his fingers to snap. "A mixture of Clap Stun and Finger Pistol, it's my Snap Shot!" He snapped, and it sounded like a gun.

Deku had been swiftly evading Jack Spicer's attacks, and after two minutes, Eri's horn grew back. His strength returned, Deku dealt rapid-punches at Jack, who countered with his own flurry. Deku then leapt away as Jack gave chase, but then the hero kicked off the floor behind him to fling himself into Jack. He pinned Jack to the floor, but Jack kicked Deku off and got up. Jack CLAPPED and sent a vertical shockwave from his Hercules Hands, Deku dodging the attack. He dodged two more, but it was then that Eri's power wore off, forcing Deku to keep his distance from Jack once again.

Kurogiri lashed an extended arm of dark smog at Index, who whipped her hat at it and burned the arm. "So, I guess your Dark Chi melded with the Bang Gas to turn you into a little evil raincloud." Index said with a smirk. "I shouldn't need my whole habit to beat you." She formed a Light Sword and dealt three successful slashes on the villain. Kurogiri warped across the room and fired Dark Balls at the nun, Index batting them away with the sword. Index then molded the sword into a large sphere, hurdling it at Kurogiri. He dodged left, but Index called the sphere back and bashed him from behind.

Kurogiri disappeared, Index searching around before dodging a Dark Whip from behind, then one more from the right. Index positioned her hands together and fired a Light Beam that Kurogiri dodged. The dark villain turned the floor into a black hole as multiple dark balls flew out and homed in on her. Index punched some away with glowing fists, but took some damage due to her ruined habit. "Without any sunlight, your lightbending is inferior to my darkness. You will grow weaker with each use of your chi!"

"You're right. Then I need some help. Rukh, to me!" Index summoned the Rukh that were around Deku, bringing forth Scheherazade's trident. Kurogiri was shocked by the act, whipping his arms to counter the weapon, but Index jumped back and channeled more chi to expand the weapon, hurdling it straight through the villain's body! A tear opened in Kurogiri's darkness, freeing Maria and Louise from his dimension. The younger sister quickly grabbed her twin's arms.

Deku had gotten his strength back as he and Jack locked hands, the villain kicking his knee. Deku lost his grip, and a punch to the stomach sent him flying across the room. Deku smashed against the wall, causing Eri to fall off, her horn retracting. "Eri, I'm sorry! Are you okay?! HUUCK!" Jack Spicer grabbed him by the neck.

"Hah hah hah!" Wuya cackled. "I can't believe Jack has become such a competent fighter after all this time! And now it will finally pay off, once I have me a beautiful new body!"

"DEKU-SAN!" Eri hugged his legs and tried to force her powers to return.

"Too late, sweetheart! Your hero's a zero, just like Hercules!" Jack declared, tightening the grip. Eri's horn forcibly stretched, struggling to maintain herself as the energy coursed through her hero's body. Feeling his strength return, Deku grabbed Jack's Herculean arm and began to squeeze it. "Huurrrr… HOOOH!" cried Jack in great pain. "HA-HA-HA-HA! HOOOOAAAH!"

"Ugh… I spoke too soon." Wuya sighed.

"DETROIT SMASH!" He dealt an uppercut with his other fist, blasting Jack up into the ceiling. The boy genius was left a bloody mess before dropping back to the ground. Eri gasped and depowered, resulting in Deku doing the same. (End song.)

"Eri-chan…" Deku bent down and helped her stay on her feet. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to push you like this."

"Deku-san… than…thank you for coming…" Eri weakly hugged the hero.

A second later, the ceiling exploded, and Bakugo dropped in. "SEE, Shoto?! I TOLD YOU they'd be down here!!"

Shoto, Kirishima, Momo, and several others joined him. "Hope you don't mind us dropping in, guys!" Ashido said cheerily.

"Grrrr! This mission was a disaster!" Caesar said. "ALL VILLAINS, RETREAT!" Kurogiri quickly became a black hole, and the villains quickly piled into him. Katnappé grabbed Jack and Kurogiri stretched a dark arm to grab Tomura's fallen body.

"Should we have jumped in after them?" Killua asked.

"They're not worth our time at the moment." Index said.

"WHOA!" Three Bonneters shot guns at Maria, forcing her to release Louise.

"Well, it's been fun Maria, but since there's no more villains to kill, I should get going now." Louise drew a rainbow "M" on the ground. "Call me when you have the other World Rings."

"Louise, wait!" Her sister dove into the portal, and the Bonneters quickly dumped water on the portal to get rid of it. The ghosts made their escape afterwards.

"Alright, is Deku finally going to tell us he lost his Quirk?" Bakugo asked angrily.

"YOU KNEW ALL ALONG?!" he screamed.

"I, uh… might have spilled the beans." Mineta mentioned sheepishly. "Hehehe. Ashido promised to let me see her bra."

"Hey, I made 'em promise not to say anything!" Ashido panicked, waving her hands.

"Sigh… it doesn't matter, anyway." Deku sighed, looking down at Eri. "I'm just happy to see you safe, Eri-chan. I couldn't have won that battle without you."

"You…You couldn't?"

"No. Eri-chan, the truth is… I lost my Quirk."

"You lost it? …How?"

"It happened when I touched this magic ring. But don't worry." Deku smiled optimistically, gesturing toward Sector SA. "These guys know a way to restore my power. I'm going with them, which means I may be gone for a while. But I'll return to you, stronger than ever!"

"Is that why you needed me? To bring your powers back?"

"Well, yes. We wanted to see if it would actually work… but I guess I only have my Quirk as long as you're touching me. But hey, it's not a big deal. Lots of people get by without Quirks. I'll be fine." Deku turned to join Sector SA.

"Deku-san, wait!" The child ran up and grabbed him by the hand. "Please, let me come with you!"

"What? Eri-chan, I couldn't ask you to do that. You're not even an operative, and this mission could be dangerous."

"But you need me! Without me, you won't have a Quirk. You'll be powerless."

"I know that. But I can't just ask a civilian to-"

"Deku, you did so much for me. You risked your life for me, and I…I feel so bad for getting you hurt. I want to make it up to you, Deku. I want to help you in battle, in any way I can. Please?"

Frowning, Deku glanced at Sector SA. Nagisa made a gesture that read, 'Your call.'

"Frankly, if you can't help us fight," Killua said to him, "then you WILL be a burden."

The hero sighed and said to the child, "Eri, I'd love to take you with me… but if our enemies just see you giving me power, they'll try to target you."

"Well, maybe not." Lotte said. "I might have a small idea how we could take her with us."

"W-What do you mean?"

"We'll discuss it as soon as we get going."

"Okay… What about you guys? Do you think I should take her?"

"Our teachers may have some concerns about this." Iida replied. "But if it comes to that, I'll take responsibility. If she wants to help you, then we'll give her the chance. But I expect you and your new friends to protect her in every way possible. Understand?"

"We will! Count on it!" Nagisa said.

"Say, Eri," Index smiled, "could you do a girl a favor and fix my habit?"

"Uh… Okay."

Maria was kneeling on the washed remains of the portal, hands on the floor. "It's okay, Maria." Goombella said. "We'll keep looking for her."

"Sigh… no. I feel like Louise has made up her mind. I need more time to figure out what I'm going to do. How I can convince her to come home. …So, let's just look for other rings."

"Well, there's only two more rings before Louise's and Mushroom's ring." Index reminded. "You may not have long to think before we see her again."

And so, it was time to leave Superbia with two more members to our team. It was at this point I started to remember the old stories and how many people there were in a team. It was hard to keep track of everyone even back then. Regardless, I was happy to have Deku and Eri in our team, and I was internally thankful to have another male friend. I was certain he would get along with Killua and I just fine.

"Well, someone likes to mumble." Deku remarked.

"Geh-!" Nagisa flushed. "Hehehehe…"

Hideout Helm

"Is this true?" King K. Rool asked Caesar, whose hologram displayed inside a large barrel chamber. "That Louise girl is working with the Sky God Pirates?"

"That's what she said. Apparently, she's the new temporary captain."

"Huuuurrrrff… then something needs to be done about her. Perhaps we should fight fire with fire. Thank you, Caesar, I think I know who to send." He switched the hologram off. The fat croc king pushed himself off his throne and marched to the back of the room, where two Kops stood guard at a Quickwarp. "Quickwarp: set destination for Mogeko Fortress."

The Kops watched as their large, imposing, and overweight king compressed his body to that of a little green cat with his gold crown. He pounced into the Quickwarp and came out in a room where kittens were playing with yarn and other toys. The green croc-cat trotted out of the room and down a long passage. Some cat guards saluted their king and opened the doors, looking very nervous. Then some dog guards opened the next doors, shaking in their fur. Some parrot guards flapped off their posts and opened the doors with their talons, quickly shutting them.

King K. Rool was stepping over ripped stuffing and puddles of blood. It was clear that the room at the end of this hall was forbidden territory, and those who dare walk this far were signing their death. But K. Rool stepped through the kitty door under the red KEEP OUT writings.

Inside was a pink, lovely room with a dark-red bed and several stuffed animals. "No, Mogeko, I don't know who ate your Prosciutto." A girl was lain on her back, wiggling her socked toes as she held a stuffed yellow cat toy above her. She was 15, with blonde hair with cat ears, a black vest over a blood-red dress, and black- and red-striped socks. She had black sclera with white pupils, along with sharp teeth. "But if you want, I can cut open everyone's stomachs until we find it. 'That sounds like a great idea, mogege.' Sigh, I know it is, I know it is."

Queen of Kremling Krew's House Pet Division

MOGE-KO LEIJON

K. Rool pounced on her bed. "Hello, Moge-ko."

"Ohh, it's King Kitty Rool!" She switched to her knees and scratched under the king's chin. "Hewwo, Kitty Wool, would you like Prosciutto?"

"I have an assignment for you. I need you to capture Louise Mario. She is working with the Sky God Pirates and she's interfering with our plans."

"Mewww." She rolled on her back and picked up another stuffed cat. "But I just lied down. I don't feel like doing anything."

K. Rool jumped off and grew back to his true form. "I don't take disobedience from ANYONE! Not even you! NOW, GET UP!" The king PUNCHED the girl off her bed and destroyed her dresser.

Moge-ko helped herself out, rubbing the light bruise on her cheek. "Okay, okay. I guess I need someone new to play with, anyway." She approached a pair of large black shoes and slipped them on. She picked up the fallen knife from her dresser and smirked, her black sclera turning red. In a flash, she was on K. Rool's back, stabbing at his red eye, but the eye turned solid gold and suffered no damage. "Mogegege. You don't even need Haki, you're just teasing me." With that, she jumped down and began to leave.

"Sigh… am I glad she didn't join Mandy's crew."

GKND H.Q.

"So, here's what I'm thinking:" Lotte began to Deku and Eri as they were walking through the base. "We use a potion to shrink Eri and hide her in a pocket on your neck collar, and I'll set up a small barrier around her to protect her from attacks. She'll be invincible, all the while powering you up! I'll ask the GKND to send word to Avalar to bring me a few more potions."

"I don't know… are you sure Eri-chan will be safe like that?" Deku asked.

"Positive!" the witch beamed.

"Well, what do you think, Eri?"

"As long as I can help Deku-san, I don't mind."

The team had gotten to the cafeteria when Nagisa pointed forth in surprise. "Look! It's Sector $!"

"Huh?" Carol Masterson and the others heard Nagisa and looked over. "There they are! …WAIT, that's the kid who-!"

"Tried to assassinate everybody, yeah yeah." Killua interrupted in annoyance.

"So, what happened? Did you find the Ring of Wisdom?" Index asked. "I know you didn't have much to go on, but…"

"No, we think we found it." Raleigh replied. "It…It landed in my homeland. Azoth."

"Wow! That must've been convenient, huh?" Goombella asked.

"No, it wasn't! The person who found the ring… It was…"

Azoth Kingdom

"Muhuhuhu hahahaha! Yes! EXCELLENT!" A colossal mechanical treehouse loomed over the kingdom. Hundreds of colorful fairies were soaring around it. "With my genius, I will lead this kingdom to a bright future!"

Edward Nigma stood at the top of the treehouse, his "?" staff raised proudly. He was shining with a blinding green light. "The Ring of Wisdom hath recognized ME as its vessel! The Kids Next Door will NEVER compare to our mechanical might!"