Chapter Text
Iron-clad boots dropped onto the bricked pavement, slowly making their way to the man and women at the end of the alley. They summoned a knife into their hands, carefully eyeing the mans vice-like grip on the woman's hands, her screams and pleas ringing throughout the walls of the dark alleyway.
"Leave me alone . . . !" The woman screamed, yelping as the man's hands tightened around her wrists. "Come on now. . . if you want me to leave, all 'ya gotta do is give me the name sweetheart and I promise i'll go away." The man smiled wickedly, staring down at the woman when a knife shot out from the end of the alley, grazing the mans face.
He cursed out loud as he stumbled back, freeing the woman from his grip. "She said to leave her alone." A garbled voice echoed off the walls, before a second knife landed next to the man's head.
The man stared in fear as the other got dangerously close to him, red boots thundering against the pavement. The woman closed her eyes in fear, wincing slightly as she moved her hands. The next second she opened her eyes only to find the man unconscious on the floor and note on the floor, saying a pro hero had been called.
--
Kohaku groaned as she ended Cipher's call, the garbled voice of the vigilante was all she'd heard this past week, alongside their 'gifts' in the forms of tied up criminals and villains.
Cipher was skilled, more so than most pro's on scene in the current world. She didn't know why they didn't attempt to be a pro hero. Don't get her wrong, she knew that what Cipher is wrong and illegal. Yet, she couldn't shake off the begrudging respect that she, like most underground heroes, had for Cipher.
She leaped from alley to alley, trying to find the address the vigilante had told her (note to self: tell cipher to stop leave everything in coordinates!) until she stumbled upon a kid, no older than fourteen —fifteen maybe— scouring through a dumpster in nothing but a thin hoodie and pants.
"Hey Kid—" She said carefully as to not turn on her quirk by accident. The kid yelped, head banging against the metal of the dumpster as his hands shot up in a defence position, impressive reflexes for a child if she had anything to say about it, emerald eyes narrowed down on her figure before he relaxed again, shoulders slumping back down.
The kid grumbled out to her as he stepped out of the dumpster. "Hello Amplifier-san, what can I do for you today?" Kohaku took a step back at the mention of her name, sure she wasn't a super secret underground hero like Aizawa or Dabi but she still had some secrecy...
"You run the volunteer centre on the corner of Bespin and 5th... that's how I recognized you." He answered, as if he read her mind. "Well then, fair's fair don't ya think stranger-kun? Why don't ya tell me your name to?" She said, her kansai accent rolling off her tongue.
The boy's silence was telling enough, "Ah well.. that's okay! I'll just call you Midori-kun for now! 'cause y'know, your eyes..." She took the boy's indifferent eyes as acceptance before continuing, "So! Midori-kun, what's a young boy like you doing out here all by 'yerself in the dark?" She noticed the boy tensed before answering her in hushed words.
"...looking for spare parts." She frowned, wondering what spare parts he could possibly need at this hour. "I'm practicing, for the support course entrance exams..." Her eyes widened in acknowledgement, even if there was still confusion in her mind.
She approached him slowly, tentatively ruffling his hair and praying quietly she wouldn't scare him off. "That's great kiddo! Ya' wanna go into support?" She cheered, careful not to let her quirk bleed through, she didn't want to deafen the child.
"..w-well not r-really? I mean i- i want to but-t i've always wanted-d t-to be a h-hero but I c-can't." The boy said hoarsely, a raspy voice sounding out as if the topic pained him to talk about. Then he looked her in the eyes, and said with a tired voice, "So I figured, if I can't be a hero, I might as well help them."
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as the boy said he couldn't be a hero, "Why don't ya think you can be a hero green-kun?" She winced slightly as she watched him flinch and back away from her. " 'm quirkless, I can't..." He whispered and she could see the broken dreams in his eyes.
Kohaku scoffed as she gestured for him to look at her, "Quirks aren't everything kiddo, what? ya' think I blow the ears out of every criminal I meet?" She chuckled lightly when he shook his head vehemently.
"But there hasn't been a quirkless hero.." Green eyes peered up at her full of hope and desperation.
If only she knew then how much her words meant. "Who says you can't be the first?"
vampires underground heroes
224657 Amplifier: Met the cutest little kid while I was on my way to pick up cipher's present (9:02pm)
229124 EraserHead: cipher left another gift??? (9:05pm)
230091 Ms. Joke: What's this about a kid? (9:05pm)
224657 Amplifier: Nothing big, just the usual unconscious criminal (9:07pm)
224657 Amplifier: The kid was 14? 15? Maybe? He was quirkless, all sad looking' and scouring through the dumpster for spare parts (9:07pm)
211982 Kitsune: At night? Why? (9:09pm)
224657 Amplifier: Apparently he wants to get into the support course, his exact words were "If I can't be a hero, i might as well help them" (9:10pm)
229124 EraserHead: that's dumb, quirks aren't everything, he could still become a hero (9:10pm)
224657 Amplifier: That's what I said! (9:02pm)
Event 63509A [Shizuoka Prefecture]
Responding Hero(s): Amplifier (HID: 224657)
Time: 8:56pm, November 18th, 2173
Type of Incident: Aggrivated Assault, apprehended by Vigilante (See Case #18957213)
Victim: Kanoka Yui
Perpetrator: Iguchi Masaki
Overview: Kanoka Yui was found alongside an unconscious Iguchi Masaki by Amplifier (HID: 224657). She states that she was walking home while she was grabbed by Iguchi into an alleyway. She was saved by 'Cipher' (See Case #18957213). Cipher alerted Amplifier and fled the scene soon after.
*Important: Cipher is not a liscenced pro. (See Case #18957213)
Interrogation Transcription of Kanoka Yui. Conducted by Det. Tsukauchi (PID: 213987).
November 18, 2173 at 9:37pm, Police Case #19163509
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): Can you describe him for us?
Kanoka: (Nods) H-He was fast, really fast. I- One second I was being backed into a corner b-by that guy and the next second he's on the floor f-five feet away.
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): Could you describe his face?
Kanoka: (Shakes head) N-No, He- He had a m-mask on, a-and full black cl-clothes. B-but he l-looked y-young, m-maybe f-fifteen or- or y-younger. The only other th-thing I could m-make out-t was the r-red sh-shoes.
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): (Sighs) Thank you for time Kanoka-san, we will have a police car escort you home.
Case #18957213 [Shizuoka Prefecture]
Name: Cipher - Civilian name Unknown
Age: suspected to be between 21-25
Description: Average height (leaning towards the shorter side), bright red shoes[1], black mask with golden lines, black kevlar pants[2] and a hoodie.
1. red shoes are cipher's signature brand
2. where did he gain access to kevlar?
Quirk: Unkown. (Suspected to be strength enhancer or speed quirk)
Lead Hero(s): EraserHead | Aizawa Shouta (HID: 229124),
Assisting Hero(s): Ms. Joke | Fukukado Emi (HID: 230091), Sir NightEye | Sasaki Mirai (HID: 238172)
Lead Detective(s): Tsukauchi Naomasa (PID: 213987), Tamakawa Sansa (PID: 291132)
Situation: Cipher is a vigilante that has been around since 2172. Cipher normally scouts out crimes and reports/leads heroes to them. However, recently Cipher has been known to ambush criminals from an aerial vantage point, blinding them with some sort of cloth and fleeing after subduing the criminal and alerting a pro of their presence.
Status: In Progress (Order: Capture when sighted, Lethal force prohibited)
"Heya Eraser!" A voice chirped out from behind Shouta. He sighed doubly from beneath his scarf as he turned to source of the voice —and all of his headaches— and narrowed his eyes at the figure approaching him, amusement shining in their eyes. "Hello Cipher, You ready to turn yourself in yet?" Shouta knew it was pointless, they'd been through this charade a million times, but he asked anyways.
The vigilante grinned at him, smile covered by the black and gold mask, yet all too visible in their eyes. "I think we both know the answer to that 'eraser!" A garbled voice sounded out. He sighed deeper and gestured for the vigilante to sit beside him.
"Don't you have somewhere to be? A life? A family? Kids, Maybe?" He asked in a desperate attempt to find out more about the masked vigilante. The person in question made a sound disgust. "Nooo thank you... I am NOT having kids until i'm an adult!" They huffed out.
Shouta's eyes widened and he turned to the vigilante. "You're a child?" Cipher seemed to notice their slip up and shot up to leave, slowly backing away form Shouta. "Teenager actually!"
"..Brat." Shouta yelled out as the vigilante —a child— flung themselves off the roof and onto the next one in a hasty attempt to get away from Shouta. The underground hero sighed, going back to his spot and perching on top of the roof as he continued his patrol. Cipher's revelation of their age a constant reminder in his mind.
From: Tsukauchi Naomasa <[email protected]>
To: EraserHead <[email protected]>
cc: Ms. Joke <[email protected]>, Sir Nighteye <[email protected]>
Subject: Cipher Case #18957213
Dear All,
There has been a new development on the Cipher case. Cipher made an appearance last night at 4th street where he apprehended a criminal and saved the victims life. He broke into comm frequencies and contacted Amplifier to collect the criminal.
Victim says that Cipher was around 15 years old. Please come in on the 20th for a briefing.
Tsukauchi Naomasa. 18/11/2173
From: EraserHead <[email protected]>
To: Tsukauchi Naomasa <[email protected]>
cc: Ms. Joke <[email protected]>, Sir Nighteye <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Cipher Case #18957213
Tsukauchi,
I ran into Cipher last night. Can confirm that he is a teenager, exact age is unknown but he is not an adult.
EraserHead, Folklore Agency. 19/11/2173
Touya glared at the winged hero a few spaces ahead of him. "Why do you want me on the Cipher case? I'm pretty sure Aizawa-sensei can handle it." Keigo simply hummed, continuing to sort through the papers on his desk. "I'm sure he can... but I figured you had more.. experience."
The fire-user scowled, blue eyes staring holes into the head of the blond-haired man ahead of him. "Really— Just because I was a vigilante too? Keigo I swear—"
"I have my reasons tou' please just trust me?" The desperation in Keigos voice and the pleading in his eyes cause Touya to take a step back, never having seen his boyfriend act like this before.
He sighed, resigning himself to a fate of chasing around an uncatchable vigilante. "Okay Kei' i'll trust you."
From: Sir NightEye <[email protected]>
To: Tsukauchi Naomasa <[email protected]>
cc: Ms. Joke <[email protected]>, EraserHead <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Cipher Case #18957213
Tsukauchi-san,
Dabi (HID: 331234) approached me yesterday asking to be put onto the Cipher case. Waiting approval.
Sir NightEye, NightEye Agency. 19/11/2173
From: Tsukauchi Naomasa <[email protected]>
To: Sir NightEye <[email protected]>
cc: Ms. Joke <[email protected]>, EraserHead <[email protected]>
Subject: Re:Re: Cipher Case #18957213
Sir,
Request approved, I have emailed him the date and time to tomorrow's briefing. See you all there.
Tsukauchi Naomasa. 19/11/2173
From: Tsukauchi Naomasa <[email protected]>
To: Dabi <[email protected]>
cc: Sir NightEye <[email protected]>
Subject: Cipher Case #18957213 Approval
Dabi,
I received you're request through Sir NightEye to join the Cipher case. Please join us on 20th November at 7:30pm for a briefing on Cipher.
Tsukauchi Naomasa. 19/11/2173
From: Tsukauchi Naomasa <[email protected]>
To: Dabi <[email protected]>
cc: Sir NightEye <[email protected]>
Subject: Re:Cipher Case #18957213 Approval
Tsukauchi-san,
Thank you for approving my request. I will see you all there on the 20th.
Dabi, Hawks Hero Agency. 19/11/2173
Izuku groaned as the criminal landed a punch to his face, the taste of iron engulfing his senses as he tried to steady himself. Why was he doing this again? Oh right, justice, peace and all that jazz.
He wondered what he'd done in the past life to deserve this.
"Hey asshole! Why don't you pick on someone your own size!" He yelled out, swinging his baton against the head of the guy trying to assault the men he stumbled across. Toxic green eyes flaring in anger at the criminal as he knocked the man unconscious to the ground.
His phone pinged again and he cursed whatever gods there were before he leaped again, running towards the robbery at the jewelry store a few blocks down. He was just out to get milk! Not stop robberies and assaults, that was for his night patrols —WHERE NO ONE COULD SEE HIM— he'd already messed up a couple nights ago when he slipped up about his age to Eraserhead.
He rounded around the jewelry store, wincing at the shards of glare decorating the store front. He moved swiftly and lightly, stepping into the broken remains of the storefront and eyeing the 3 men gathered against the register. He could see 3 hostages out of the corner of his eyes, tied up and muffled at the corner of the room.
One was a man, late 20's if Izuku had to guess, probably the clerk of the store, next was a boy, red hair and red eyes, around his own age most probably. His eyes wandered over to the last person, a boy with all to familiar ash-blond hair and blood red eyes, Izuku froze, his mind struggling to comprehend the fact that Kacchan —his childhood friend— was here. He hadn't seen the latter in years, hadn't seen him since that day everything Izuku knew and love collapsed.
He shook himself out of his stupor. Prioritize the rescue. And moved to pull all three out of the store as quietly as he could, careful to not alert the men at the register and not to look in those deep red eyes he had grown up being the subject of their stare.
"I'm gonna go knock them out m'kay? Do any of you have a phone?" Izuku had to hold back the flinch as Kacchan's gravelly voice answered out to reply a 'yeah'. He nodded at the admission, "Call the police for me would 'ya?"
He left as soon as he could, leaping away from the piercing gaze of his childhood best friend.
NEW VIGILANTE IN MUSUTAFU Uploaded by MustafuDaily, 20/11/2173 at 9:21am.
Just this morning a new vigilante was spotted in downtown Musutafu. The vigilante took stopped 3 robberies and 2 aggravated assaults within 35 minutes. With minimal property damage or injuries to nearby witnesses. Police chasing the Vigilante called him 'Cipher', who is this new entity and why is he doing the Pro Heroes jobs better than they are?
An excerpt from "Vigilantes: Heroes or Villains? by Okura Yuudai, published in 2109;
In 2087, 43 years after the first generalization of quirks. Laws across the globe were re-written to better suit quirk users and heroes. Previously the Japanese government classified a vigilante as a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.
After the re-writing of laws in 2087 and the dawn of heroes. The classification was changed to a quirk user who undertakes law enforcement in their community without legal authority.
Over the years, there have been numerous vigilantes, wannabe and almost heroes that have been put under this classification. Notable names are Akuma[1], Ryujin[2] and Kuroko.[3]
This begs the question, are vigilantes heroes or villains?
are non-quirk users classified as vigilantes? check laws file @ library
Event 65421B [Shizuoka Prefecture]
Responding Hero(s): N/A (villain picked up by police)
Time: 8:29am, November 20th, 2173
Type of Incident: Aggrivated Assault, apprehended by Vigilante (See Case #18957213)
Victim: Kasai Raiden
Perpetrator: Tagawa Shika
Overview: Kasai Raiden was working inside the jewelry store when a robbery occurred (See Event 65421A), The robber then assaulted Kauai-San when he refused to give up the money. he was saved by 'Cipher' (See Case #18957213). Cipher alerted the local policed and then fled the scene chasing after another robbery that was occurring at the same time (See Event 65421C).
*Important: Cipher is not a liscenced pro. (See Case #18957213)
Transcription of Intelligence Briefing - CONFIDENTIAL - Case #18957213
November 20, 2173 at 7:32pm, Police Case #18957213
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): (clears throat) Okay, 2 days ago on the 19th, Cipher apprehended a villain and called in Amplifier for a pickup.
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): The victim managed to catch a slight glimpse of his face, pairing this with EraserHead's statement. Cipher's age has been changed to 'Teenager' on the case file.
Dabi (HID: 331234): (choked noise) T-Teenager? So like fifteen-ish?
EraserHead (HID: 229124): I didn't get a good look at the kid since most of his face was covered but.. yes fifteen.
Ms. Joke (HID: 230091): Did you all check YouTube this morning?
EraserHead (HID: 229124): Joke.. what does that have to with this case?
Ms. Joke (HID: 230091): (projects phone onto screen) Everything actually. It seems our little vigilante has fans now.
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): (sigh) I'll plan a conference to address this issue tomorrow.
Sir NightEye (HID: 238172): (reading off the screen) vigilante spotted stopping crimes all over shizuoka...
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): He's started working more during the daytime, the cause of change is unknown but he is no longer only working during the nights.
Dabi (HID: 331234): Those moves..
EraserHead (HID: 229124): What about them problem child?
Dabi (HID: 331234): Hey! it's been 3 years since I graduated. You can't call me Problem child anymore Aizawa-Sensei!
Dabi (HID: 331234): and those moves, I recognize them. They're Aikido moves.
Ms. Joke (HID: 230091): ..Aikido?
Sir NightEye (HID: 238172): It's a type of martial arts, though most people ignore it and jump straight to jujitsu
Dabi (HID: 331234): We could scour all Aikido dojo's nearby? We have an age estimate right?
EraserHead (HID: 229124): I hate to say it but he has a point.
Dabi (HID: 331234): You should have more faith in me Aizawa-Sensei...
Tsukauchi (PID: 213987): I will make the necessary adjustments to the file case and forward it to you all.
Ms. Joke (HID: 230091): How did you know that? About Aikido?
Dabi (HID: 331234): Trained with Aikido for 5 years when I was little.
Case #18957213 [Shizuoka Prefecture.] update v1.3
Name: Cipher - Civilian name Unknown
Age: suspected to be between 21-25 Teenager[edit: November 20th 2173]
Description: Average height (leaning towards the shorter side), bright red shoes[1], black mask with golden lines, black kevlar pants[2] and a hoodie.
1. red shoes are cipher's signature brand
2. where did he gain access to kevlar?
Quirk: Unkown. Uses Akikdo[edit: November 20th 2173]
Lead Hero(s): EraserHead | Aizawa Shouta (HID: 229124),
Assisting Hero(s): Ms. Joke | Fukukado Emi (HID: 230091), Sir NightEye | Sasaki Mirai (HID: 238172), Dabi | Todoroki Touya (HID: 331234),
Lead Detective(s): Tsukauchi Naomasa (PID: 213987), Tamakawa Sansa (PID: 291132)
Situation: Cipher is a vigilante that has been around since 2172. Cipher normally scouts out crimes and reports/leads heroes to them. However, recently Cipher has been known to ambush criminals from an aerial vantage point, blinding them with some sort of cloth and fleeing after subduing the criminal and alerting a pro of their presence.
Status: In Progress (Order: Capture when sighted, Lethal force prohibited)