▶ 003. TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #3

[synfluxmods]

TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: forced scenarios, partial nudity, full nudity, alcohol & drug use, violence & action scenarios, simulation mindfucking, bees/hornets, parasites.

▶ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA.

It happens in the blink of an eye -- a dash of time. You're taken from where you were. What you were doing.. it isn't important anymore, and slowly, you give up to desire your normal life. When you awake, figures are looking down on you from a surgical table.

"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest," That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.

"Your questions will be answered soon enough as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.

Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.

The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakens each Outsider. When Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them and head to a locker room in the medical bay, to find a towel to dry off with, a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in organizing the Outsider to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right. That their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, and feed them the information they require. Almost like a computer screen has been loaded into their brains, they will see a loading screen as the implant completes its download. A questionnaire will then pop up, waiting for their answer. A voice, robotic and feminine, will also read along in their brain for them.

█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …

Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be and why?

<raw code><table width="80%"><br><div align="center"><img src="IMAGE_URL" style="width: 200px; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid #7F7F7F; box-shadow: #8D8D8D 1px 1px 1px;"> <!-- CARD --> <div style="width:230px;padding:20px 0 0;border:1px solid #f2f2f2;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;align-items:right;gap:5px;background:#fff;"> <!-- CHAR INFO: start --> <div style="width:150px;font-family:courier;font-weight:bold;font-size: clamp(14px, 1vw, 10px);letter-spacing:1px;line-height:1;color:#000;"></lj-raw><font color="#00686E">NAME</font> <lj-raw></div> <!-- CHAR INFO: end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE START --> <div style="width:230px;background:#eee;"><details><summary style="cursor:pointer;text-align:center;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;background:#ccc;color:#000;">+</summary> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content --> <div style="width:190px;margin:0 auto;padding:7px 0;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-size:11px;text-align:left;color:#000;"> </lj-raw><b>Username:</b> !!ANSWER HERE!! <br> <b>Civilian Identity:</b> !!ANSWER HERE OR SAY UNDECIDED!! <br> <b>Age:</b> !!AGE HERE!! <br> <b>Species:</b> !!SPECIES HERE!! <br> <b>Origin:</b> !!ORIGIN HERE!! <br></br> <b>If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be and why?</b></br> </br>!! ANSWER HERE !!<lj-raw> </div></details></div> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE END --> </div></div> <!-- CARD name: END --> <!-- CREDIT --> <div style="width:100%;margin-top:-15px;font-size:10px;color:#ddd; text-align:center;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#ddd;">credit</a></div></center></table></raw code>

The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!

Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: They will be told that the year is 2278, and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but there’s no guarantee they will provide them with a straight answer …

Outsiders will also notice an implant in their dominant wrist. This implant has a barcode in it that will enable them to purchase goods from the local stores in Neo Tokyo. They will receive a starting balance of 10,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 66), which is barely enough for a few good meals, groceries and supplies. They can view their current balance through a hologram window projected by their ocular implant.

Once they leave the medical bay, they’ll be able to grab a quick meal in the cafeteria and mingle with the other Outsiders just waking up. Today’s menu is oniku sashimi, miso soup, and ginger salad, all packed neatly in a food ration tray. Oniku is whale tail meat. Huh. There's been a whale theme going around here lately. Must be a coincidence... right?

That familiar, robotic voice is heard again:

"Greetings, my name is SYNTHIA and I will be taking care of you today while the rest of the crew is busy handling a recent issue. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands. Please enjoy your complimentary meal which LILITH has carefully procured for you all. You may then head to your quarters are explore our BASE using the map provided. This meal is a delicacy in some parts, so feel free to express your undying gratitude."

▶ 002. SUBJECT NOT FOUND.

Early in the morning on March 2nd, the power suddenly goes out. Outsiders may wake up to find that wake-up alarms never went off, the coffee machines don't work, and breakfast isn't ready in the cafeteria because of the sudden outage. Early risers may find themselves trapped in their team wings when automatic doors refuse to budge and those who are particularly unlucky may find themselves stuck in an elevator.

Within the hour, the power boots back up again and life on base returns mostly to normal. The only inconvenience seems to be a haphazardly thrown-together breakfast consisting of whatever could be made without power quickly. As the day goes on, observant characters may notice something amiss. They can catch some LILITH workers whispering to each other and there seem to be more agents in fancy suits roaming around.

If they find themselves in the right place, Outsiders may find that one of the many research labs on base is locked down and they won't be allowed to enter. If they ask one of the guards keeping watch, they will simply be told to move along. Asking some of the researchers or other workers in the area will reveal "something" happened during the power outage in the morning.

By evening, everyone's ocular implants will flash a quick notice:

|| MISSING PERSON

Name: Dr. Tanaka Junichiro
Role: LILITH Researcher.
Specialty: Genetic Research (Native Species and Kaiju)
Details: Latest available security footage depicts Dr. Tanaka stationed in their lab at LILITH Research Base. At 0735hrs on the morning of 2 March, a power disturbance struck all LILITH networks, resulting in all security monitoring systems within the area going offline briefly. After this disturbance was resolved, Dr. Tanaka was reported missing from their designated station under mysterious circumstances. Other resources missing from the base include: Research files and various live and deceased specimens.

Any clues on Dr. Tanaka's whereabouts are to be surrendered to LILITH immediately. Dr. Tanaka's primary research involved DNA splicing and induced evolution. Any information or clues regarding them or their work is highly valued. It is our top objective to ensure the safe return of our valuable staff members. ||

▶ 003. CLAWS FOR CONCERN.

Shortly after the disappearance of Dr. Tanaka, Outsiders who wander the back alleys and keep an ear open will hear whispers of exotic animals and chimera being traded for meat, entertainment and pet ownership. Most of this talk will be heard near the biggest black market in Shinjuku, "Starlight X". It's a novelty within Neo Tokyo and word gets out quick, even if the residents are hush-hush about where they got their sources from. Photos of these hybrids show up on social media to the astonishment and skepticism of the citizens. To find Starlight X, Outsiders will have to travel underground, taking the term underground market quite literally. There is an entrance way in a nearby alley without too much security; with the lack of policemen, now, people might as well sell their illegal substances on the surface.

Once there, Outsiders will be able to discover a plethora of suspicious things for purchase: such as recreational drugs, performance-enhancing nanobots, assorted weapons (some legal and some not), unlabeled meats, the … services of suspicious people, and a whole lot of junk. While visiting Starlight X, some of these creature hybrids even get loose and need to be captured before they draw too much attention. LILITH advises Outsiders to turn in any such specimens, live or dead, or put in a report immediately upon seeing them. Withholding such information or keeping a specimen for yourself may result in unwanted consequences if LILITH comes to find out.

These hybrids are generally small and mostly harmless, no doubt being traded for companionship and novelty. Cats that look like small lions or tigers, canaries with peacock feathers, frogs with wings, and so on (players may use their imagination).

Any further questions regarding Starlight X can be asked below.

▶ 004. THE SAPPHIRE ROOM.

It becomes such a problem that LILITH can no longer ignore it. It's clear that someone - or a group of someones - have gotten their hands on LILITH's priceless specimens and data, and are testing the waters on what they can get away with. Allowing the public to get their hands on the smaller hybrids is one thing. According to word around the street, there's going to be an auction on the night of the 5th, and that's where the larger, more dangerous hybrids will be sold. Some even say you'll be able to find man-made monsters.

Closer to that date, LILITH decides to strike back to avoid further humiliation. With the help of their skilled informants, they've managed to secure the location, but ordering the Outsiders to storm the place like a military strike team just isn't an option. Said location is in a popular, bustling part of town, where the locals wine and dine. That would only cause panic and distrust amongst the people. The approach that's needed today ... is something more clandestine.

|| MISSION: Infiltration of The Sapphire Room
LOCATION: The Sapphire Room, in Roppongi. A popular and exclusive nightclub serving a lavish experience to those who can afford it.
DETAILS: Sources reveal that The Sapphire Room, while a fully functioning club, has also been playing host to suspicious activities and trading in their exclusive underground rooms. An illegal auction is currently being held at the end of this week, which happens to be their Couples' Night. To gain access into this auction, Outsiders are to pair up and maintain appropriate cover. Information about your disguises have been downloaded into your chips.

OBJECTIVE:
✖ Infiltrate the secret auction occurring in The Sapphire Room as a pair.
✖ Disrupt the auction using any means possible.
✖ Capture hybrid specimens and surrender them to LILITH.
✖ Capture the perpetrators for questioning.
✖ Obtain any research data available and surrender it to LILITH. ||

Outsiders will be briefed on the disguise and cover identity provided to them by LILITH, and temporarily granted a Style Upgrade to their chip to enable them to dress the part. (Players may make up their own cover identity for this mission. )

Hybrids within the auction include larger, more dangerous chimeras such as lion snapping-turtles, alligator-hippos, and snapping bears (among others). Smaller chimeras such as winged rabbits and seven-headed-snakes can also be found.

At the center of it all … the main event: An actual Kaiju hybrid. At the center of the stage is a miniature version of the Shachimon whales that had sewn chaos across the sea just a month before. She’s much smaller than her full sized counterparts, only about as large as a dog. It’s likely she’s been bred down with native marine life to make her more tameable and less able to completely topple a boat with her strength.

This is what the auction-goers had come to see and hopefully purchase today. What they want a half-Kaiju for remains to be seen, but LILITH is not about to let just anyone get their hands on their specimens.

Outsiders undertaking this mission may wrangle and capture the hybrid creatures (most of which will be aggressive) and fight off or capture the auction staff. Most of the staff will be armed with guns and cybernetic enhancements (e.g. bionic arms with lasers attached). They can be questioned but not all of them are happy to answer. Unfortunately, the ringleaders will slip away in the chaos before anyone can capture them. A message from Captain Yamakawa projects into the implant late into the night (and if you were sleeping by this hour of 2 a.m, you're about to be woken up.)

"This is unacceptable. Angels of LILITH, please be on the lookout for the organizers of this crime. This kind of theft is unforgivable. We are investigating their identities, but any further information regarding those that got away is appreciated."

▶ 005. SIMULATION.

While Outsider are given some time to rest and recover from their battle in February, it doesn't take long for their training to kick back up again. Outsiders will be summoned to the simulation room and instructed to put on their LILITH-issued plugsuits. They will be paired or put into groups for another battle simulation. After being ushed into the training grounds, the room will turn pitch black and a briefing sheet will be projected from their eye implant.

They will be able to access the briefing sheet at any time during the simulation by simply asking to see it. After each Outsider has read the mission brief, the simulation will begin, and they will find themselves in Singapore. The city is lively and all seems well and ordinary with civilians going about their daily lives. The weather is warm and sunny and it's a beautiful day.

Suddenly, screams break out from a nearby Hawker centre. A small group of civilians go on a rampage and begin chasing after the crowds. They move quickly but awkwardly as if they aren't in total control of their bodies. They try to attack other people in any way possible and cannot listen to reason. Rendering the disturbed civilians dead or unconscious will result in a large hornet emerging from a melted hole somewhere on the victim's body. The hornets must be destroyed before they possess another host. It isn't just the humans that can be taken over: Some of the suzume-bachi will infect the local animal life as well.

If you look around, there are still many people running around and curious onlookers trying to catch a peek inside. With so many hosts milling around, the suzume-bachi could be anywhere among us.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET:
NAME: SUZUME-BACHI
HEIGHT: 7.6-12 in.
WEIGHT: 2 kg
CLASS: UNKNOWN, CANNOT BE CLASSED.
THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE-SEVERE
LOCATION: Tropical climates with high humidity
ABILITIES: Parasitic and will enter a “host body” and try to gain control. Capable of entering other wildlife.
WEAKNESS: Ice (they cannot operate in cold climate), physical attacks.
EXTRA NOTES: Once they gain control over a lifeform, only rendering the host body unconscious will allow them to expose themselves. It is advised to kill them prior to have the entering ones body. The process of them latching on to take control is extremely invasive as they melt through skin to gain access to a body. Possessed bodies will behave aggressively and will try to lure others into areas of nesting for the SUZUME-BACHI. Highly protective of their hive and their “QUEEN”— please approach hives with caution and do not approach alone.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Identify humans and creatures being controlled by the SUZUME-BACHI.
✖ Rescue civilians and clear all wildlife of being possessed by the SUZUME-BACHI.
✖ Help move civilians to underground safety bunker.
✖ Protect safe zones from SUZUME-BACHI.
EXTRA NOTES: Every SUZUME-BACHI killed equals 1 KILL point, freeing those who are under its control is 1 ASSIST point, and getting civilians to the shelter will give 1 RESCUE point.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third TDM! All TDM threads are game canon; characters who don't app will be glitched out of this world. As TDM will act as the event, existing characters are heavily encouraged to participate. We encourage this format for top levels: CHARACTER | CANON | CURRENT / NEW CHARACTER. '

There are currently 23 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.

None of the prompts suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts!

Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.

Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards March AC.

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Comments

Izuku Midoriya | My Hero Academia | Current Character

[heroforall]

001; cafeteria

[The entire orientation process is one big deja vu for Izuku as he repeats the process he had been through...two months ago. Apparently. A part of him can't help but wonder if LILITH has had him sealed up in that pod all this time, waiting for the chance to reactivate him or something. But perhaps some things are better off not being known.

After entering the cafeteria, he takes up a tray and joins the line, his expression lighting up when he gets a look at the food being offered.]

Wow, this looks delicious. Definitely a step up from last time.

[Is he talking to himself? To the next person in line? You decide.]

002; subject not found

[Izuku is awake earlier than most in the morning, having prepared himself a quick breakfast before setting off for the elevator. He's hoping to have a quick session in the Simulation Room before more people wake up. Preparedness is essential for the types of dangers they're going to be facing, and the only way he can prepare himself is by training as hard as he can.

What he is not prepared for is for the elevator to come to a sudden, lurching stop, nearly knocking him off his feet and against the wall, at the same time as the lights going out. All he can see is pitch blackness as he steadies himself against the wall. At least it's not still dropping. A power outage?

There's someone else in here with him, too.]

Are you alright?

005; simulation

[Izuku is in his element working within a team. The versatility of his quirk makes him a good choice for taking point, rushing headlong into the thick of the possessed civilians, and using his ability Blackwhip to wrap up multiple bodies in black, whip-like tendrils. Once trapped in the tendrils, the possessed foes are sitting ducks for others in his group to take down.

He doesn't want to kill anyone, and focuses his actions on incapacitating who he can, smashing bugs, and watching his teammates' backs.]

Hey, you! Duck!

[And you better be quick about it.]

wildcard

[Choose your own adventure! I'm wide open for any and all ideas. Would love to carry over any CR from the January test drive as well.]

002

[the_fourteenth]

[There was another young man sharing the elevator with Izuku, who is also an early riser for training purposes. He's dressed in clothing for kendo, carrying his katana, and simply greets the new person in the elevator is a nod.

When the power cuts and the elevator stops, he sighs lightly. Should have taken the stairs.]

Yes. This is, ah. Inconvenient.

[heroforall]

[Well, at least the other guy seems pretty calm about it. Maybe this is just a re-occurring thing? It's not like he was around long enough the last time to know what's normal in this place.]

Yeah, it is. Does this happen a lot? The power going out?

[the_fourteenth]

Ah, well... Not power specifically. [But he doesn't sound surprised. Though, from his deadpan tone, it's probably obvious a lot of things don't surprise him.] We did lose heat for about a week last month.

[Raidou runs a hand over the button panel in the dark, until he finds the one for the emergency light. It's dull, but it's something. With that, he can push the emergency call button. Whether or not anyone at LILITH will get the signal will have to remain to be seen.]

There. I suppose we can only wait now. You just arrived?

[heroforall]

[Considering they're in a post-apocalyptic world, it probably isn't too surprising for things like this to happen. It's actually more impressive that they have the access to the electricity and temperature controls they have. Thinking about the situation in those terms helps Izuku feel more calm about the situation.]

Yeah...sort of. [With the dim emergency light on he can at least see the other guy now instead of staring into the darkness.] I was here for a brief time in January. And then the other day I woke up here again. Except I don't have any memory of the time in-between. I don't remember going back home or anything. I'm kind of wondering if they just shoved me back into the pod for some reason.

[the_fourteenth]

[This is pretty surprising news to Raidou. He can't fathom for a moment how all this technology worked, but the idea that something might not go quite right the first time... Disturbing, really.]

A-Ah. Maybe something... needed to be fixed? [A more polite way of saying "maybe something went wrong".] Do you feel alright?

Forgive me. I'm Kuzunoha. [Raidou gives him a polite little introductory bow, before deciding to take a seat. Might as well, they have no idea how long they're going to be here.] Nice to meet you, circumstances aside.

[heroforall]

[It's nothing that Izuku hasn't already wondered. Although it certainly is uncomfortable thinking that something could have gone wrong, especially with those surgeries that everyone has to undergo. And that LILITH wouldn't even bother to tell him.]

That's...a possibility. But I feel fine. Aside from the usual discomforts. [He gestures towards his eyes, implying the initial discomfort one feels when adjusting to the implants.]

I'm Midoriya. Midoriya Izuku. It's nice to meet you as well. [He's a bit surprised by the bow, but quickly matches it, bowing in return.]

How about you? Have you been here long?

001

[saudadist]

[ Lucy's been lost in her own thoughts as she entered the food line. She'd heard the meals were better than usual. Fresher, even. And she's had a suspicion ever since the last mission's end. Now, standing here next to Izuku, she eyes the meals everyone's being handed and coughs out a short bark of a laugh. ]

Of course it is...it's the Shachimon we just fought.

[heroforall]

[The smile on his face freezes as he takes in her words. He's not quite sure what a Shachimon is, but it's also easy to guess.

Glancing over at her, his eyes widen in recognition. Maybe their first interaction in the simulation had been short, but for him it's like it happened yesterday.]

Oh, it's you. So...this is from a kaiju you just fought?

[He's kind of reconsidering being hungry now.]

[saudadist]

[ Ah, the boy with the floofy hair. The one who was so upright and nice. She hadn't thought she'd see him again, but the circumstances do make her chuckle again. Faintly. ]

Not a kaiju. There were a lot of them. [ She raises an eyebrow, and a teasing little smirk tilts the corner of her mouth. ] ...I went through a lot of trouble fighting these guys, so at least appreciate the effort.

[heroforall]

[He ducks his head, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks from the teasing.

When she puts it like that, it's hard to refuse. He doesn't want to insult anyone.]

It just...feels a little strange. Knowing the meat doesn't come from a regular whale.

[Did they even test the meat first?]

B-but I can give it a try.

[saudadist]

[ Gomenasorry Izuku, she's watching you super intently now. ]

Should I eat whatever you can't get down?

[ Smiiiiiiiiiiirk ]

[heroforall]

[His eyes widen and he quickly shakes his head.]

You don't have to do that! I-I'll finish it...

[He can't help but glance down at his tray and gulp. It looks normal. Maybe he can just pretend this conversation didn't happen.]

We should find somewhere to sit down.

[With that said, he turns and begins walking towards the first empty table he spots. It's not exactly an invitation, but it's not not an invitation.]

005; simulation

[blastedass]

[It's been two months since he's seen him. Katsuki won't admit it, but some damn part of his mind had hoped each time he entered the simulation to train, he'd see that familiar mop of fluffy green hair. Each time he didn't. A brief passing. Nothing more. Fucking annoying to have to deal with a "potential" every damn round. Though he put it out of his mind, the sentiment lingered. You can't just shove someone away you grew up with until their very presence was part of "daily life" normalcy.

Until now. Once again, another mission, another group, another battle-

-and that suddenly-familiar explosion of black tendrils bursting out from the crowd to snare and tangle around people. It's no surprise that Izuku's able to discern which ones are possessed and dangerous, and which ones are innocent and fleeing. A series of quick, perfectly-timed explosions mimics Gran Torino's angular attack pattern, zipping between individuals and slamming strong kicks against the sides, backs, and tops of heads. Katsuki avoids using his knees (to kill) but those impacts are going to leave some bruises to ensure they get knocked the fuck out.

Having already seen a bug crawl out of someone's skin is just fucking disgusting!]

Don't yell at me, Deku!

[... he yells. Before smashing an explosion over his shoulder without even looking, knocking away whatever was coming in behind him. Another battle with Izuku. Is this just another blip, another brief reunion? He can't know for certain in this damn place. It irritates him like always that he feels such a well of comfort and "normal" just having Izuku around. But it's impossible to shake.]

Where the fuck have you been?!

[Oh, like it's Izuku's fault.]

[heroforall]

[This particular battle ground is chaotic, with enough thrashing and panicking bodies surrounding him to make it feel like he's fighting in close quarters and not outside. It's a bit claustrophobic and severely hinders his ability to see around him, but he hesitates to switch to an aerial position and risk leaving one of his teammates open.

But he does see the small swarm of suzume-bachi heading their way right before a blond haired figure blasts his way airborne into their path. He calls out through sheer instinct before realizing who it is a moment later. Of course.

One of the first questions he had when he came out of the pod again was whether or not Bakugou was still here. He had even meant to look for him earlier, before being shuffled off to the simulation. And now he has his answer.]

Sorry!

[He doesn't sound sorry though. Especially not with a smile on his face.]

Do you...do you really want to talk about this now?

[Not that there's much to explain. He avoids the grabbing hands of one of the possessed as he wraps them up in one of his tendrils and slams them to the ground. At least they don't have to worry about the civilians' head trauma, with this being a simulation and all.]

[blastedass]

[Why he doesn't yank all those bodies away and shove them off is beyond Katsuki, but he's left focusing on these fucking bugs to keep them from approaching the crowd around Izuku. They don't need to get stung and burrowed into to make more of these damn zombies. While he could blast them away, it's obvious they're not all possessed and he could seriously damage innocent people should he drop into the crowd and let loose. Shit. Extras are always annoying.

Katsuki lands on his feet with a growl, smoke drifting off his hands before a quick shake and fist blows it away. His expression is a mixture of angry elation and battle lust.] Bastards. Take that!

[Why is Izuku here? Where the fuck's he been all this time? Did they bring him here and then put him back, just to return him again? What the fuck?! So they CAN return people! His assumption at least. They need to talk. Guess it's gonna be now. Katsuki turns around, hand crackling with more explosions.] You don't sound sorry at all!

YES I DO! What if you disappear again?! [They should talk while they have the time to talk, dammit! As soon as another person grabs for Izuku, Katsuki launches overhead again and slams his shin against the woman's head. Knocks her clean out. Right when Izuku drops another one into a knock out ground slam.] Where were you?

[heroforall]

[If it was only the bugs and their possessed puppets around, he wouldn't hesitate to make room for himself. But instead the unfortunate chaos around them is a mixture of friend and foe alike, including some not yet possessed civilians fighting to get to safety. Luckily, Blackwhip's tendrils are thin enough to slip into the spaces around and in-between the crowd, honing in on Izuku's targets without much interference. He even sends a couple extra tendrils out to help Bakugou with the bug swatting.]

There's not much to explain. I was here and...then I was waking up in the pod again. [He understands Bakugou's concern. If their situation had been the other way around, he would be equally confused and in want of answers. It's just that Izuku doesn't have any.] I didn't return home. At least, I don't remember returning home.

[A possessed man manages to slip around his guard and get within reaching distance, only to be stopped when Izuku launches a punch straight into his face, dropping him.]

[blastedass]

[If it gets too bad, Bakugou's planning on using a Land Mine Blast to give them some breathing room, clearing out the bugs and people in a rush. But that's kept in the back for the time being, not wanting to knock the innocent into the possessed and leave them further in danger. It's when Izuku's tendrils sweep through to start helping with the swarm control that Bakugou irritably slams his hands down to propel himself into the air with a short blast. Never was good at accepting help from someone else...

Izuku's response isn't making him any less irritable despite the relief at seeing the other hero again. If that's really the case, pounding on the answer isn't going to get shit. Only makes him wonder if there are others locked away in the pod center, waiting to be awoken and brought out. How many fucking people did they kidnap?!]

I'm going down to tha damn pod room when we get out of here! [Which makes him even more eager to clear the mission and move on! Bakugou drops down into the center of the crowd, slams his fists and the tops of his bracers against the ground, and charges up a blast.] Jump!

[It's all the warning he's going to give.] Land Mine BLAST!!

[KABWOOMPHSH!! Like a damn force pounding outward in a 180 degree dome, blowing bug and people away alike.]

[heroforall]

[Bakugou's issues with accepting help isn't even worth shaking his head over anymore. Maybe once he would have thought twice about lending a hand (outside of serious situations) but now he's just operating on instinct and strategy with the knowledge that Bakugou will either go along with it or come up with something on his own.

This time it's the later option. Izuku doesn't even hesitate to spring up into the air, releasing the people in the grip of his tendrils as he does. The explosion topples everyone in its path, blowing many of them quite a distance away. But it's also enough to rattle the bugs free from their hosts.

From his vantage point above it's easy to extend out his tendrils and squash the emerging bugs in their tracks.]

I'll go with you. I've been wanting to get another look at those pods anyways.

[It's too much to hope that they'll easily stumble upon any answers. But they're not going to learn anything by not trying.]

2

[seaurchin]

[ It's routine for Megumi to head out early in the morning to walk the divine dog then head over to his job at the vet clinic. Dressed up in scrubs, that was the plan for today, until they are struck with that sudden and unexpected technical fault.

The lights are completely gone, but they aren't falling to their deaths, at least. ]

Yeah ... This isn't the first time this has happened. [ The last time, it was the heat that had completely gone out during winter. LILITH really needs to maintain their infrastructure better. ]

[heroforall]

[So, good. This is nothing out of the ordinary. That should be a relief.]

They should be able to fix the probably pretty quickly then.

[He feels his way over to the doors and the panel next to it. There should be some kind of emergency button. In the dark he can only hope he presses the right one.]

I've never actually been stuck on an elevator before. It seems like the kind of thing that happens all the time on TV but not in real life.

[seaurchin]

[ The last time, LILITH seemed to take their time to fix the power issues, so that would be a concern if that were the case here. He would prefer not to be stuck in an elevator for a few days, thanks. They won't have anything to eat, might run out of oxygen, and going to the bathroom would be a huge problem. ]

It's happened to me. [ Maybe the other boy lives in a society with better technology? ]

It took a few days for them to fix the heating the last time. [ So, this might be a problem. ]

[heroforall]

[A few days. That is definitely a big difference from the few hours he had been hopeful for. Especially as the emergency button plan isn't proving very fruitful.

Still, Izuku isn't too concerned.]

Don't worry. I'm sure I can get us out if it comes to that. Pulling the doors open shouldn't be too hard.

[And if they've ended up between floors, there's always the ceiling hatch.]

[seaurchin]

[ Megumi would normally have a method of warping through walls, but his technique uses shadows as a medium. It doesn't work in pitch darkness, where he can't have a specific point to travel through. He does have a one other option if it comes to that. However, he's more interested to see what the other boy is capable of. ]

It might not be too long. We'll wait it out and see. [ At least, until someone needs to go to the bathroom. Because he does not want to be stuck in an elevator for that. ]

I'm Fushiguro.

[heroforall]

[What Megumi says makes sense. There's no point in troubling themselves trying to get out if it turns out the problem is small and easily fixable. But there's only so much they can do while stuck here. And Izuku has never been good at just waiting around to see what happens.]

Right. Sounds good.

[He says that but remains standing up next to the controls, as if he thinks they'll start working any minute.]

It's nice to meet you. I'm Midoriya. Have you been here long? Uh...in this world, I mean.

[Not the elevator.]