Stendhal knew it was coming. Impromptu team-ups and betrayals went together like bread and butter. So, of course, it was to be expected. But to be betrayed almost immediately? That was nothing short of ballsy.
He almost didn't catch it. The moment they arrived at their target location, the green-haired monster melted into the shadows alongside him, taking out guards left, right, and center.
But he felt it—a subtle nudge from the shadows into the light. Before he knew it, the entire compound was out for his blood. A jump here. A duck there. It wasn't enough. There seemed to be no end to them, and very soon, he found himself pinned to the floor, his feet and arms bound.
A chuckle emanated from somewhere above him. "So you're the one who's been wiping out our cells. I almost didn't believe..."
"If you're gonna kill me, get it over with." Stendhal craned his neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of shock on the speaker's face.
But to his disappointment, the figure's face was concealed behind a black bird mask—not unlike the Bluebird mask he was currently wearing.
The figure leaned over Stendhal and tore off the mask, exposing the vigilante's whiskered face to the world.
"So here's the infamous Bluebird."
"I'm not—"
The words died on his lips as a loud explosion rocked the very ground he was lying on.
Stendhal did not waste a single second. Before anyone could react, he was on his feet, making a mad dash for the exit. Live to fight another day. That was a lesson he had learned the hard way.
More explosions rang out behind him. He could hear the man in the black mask issuing orders, his voice rising steadily over the panic that had set in among the criminals.
He was at the exit when it happened. Out of nowhere, dizziness and nausea struck him like lightning. Retching, he fell to one knee, heaving up whatever meagre meal he had eaten beforehand.
"I dislike using my quirk. It is distasteful. Quite literally." The man in the black bird mask walked briskly over to Stendhal and dragged him back to the centre. "Come on," he roared to the crowd. "Let's pack up. That blast would have gotten the attention of every cop in the city. I don't want to see a single hair or trace that we were here."
"I'm afraid it's too late."
Red eyes locked onto black.
Aizawa was here.
"Eraser-head." The masked man gave a mocking bow. "You think you can take on all of us?"
"Yes." Aizawa shrugged. "But I don't have time for that. So instead, I'm going to do this."
He pulled a pistol from his coat and aimed it at the masked man's chest.
"You're bluffing."
"I've been authorised to use lethal force if necessary." He cocked the pistol. "Just give me a reason."