A few hours after posting the last chapter, I decided to change Izuku's Quirk name to Shadow Link (It was Shadow Trap before that). Just thought I'd let you know, in case you didn't see it before! I'm still not sure which I prefer so let me know what you think! :)
The Watcher stepped into the rain. His cloak dragged on the road behind him as he took careful steps through the darkened streets.
It was a gloomy night, about nine o'clock, and the usually busy streets seemingly deserted. He was struck by the strange, empty feeling of the city's air. His gloved hands held a briefcase tightly as the rain soaked him to the bone. His face was covered by a mask. But as he walked through the back alleys in the worst part of town, people stepped out of his way. They knew who he was. They had heard the stories of the people who tried to mess with him. No one wanted to meet the same fate.
In the dim light of the alley, The Watcher froze.
It's the underworld of any town: depressing and repulsive. The plants that crawl up to window sills and the crumbling plaster covering the old stone bricks appear romantic at first but become intimidating as the sun sets. Corruption is lurking around every corner inside the maze of tight passages and dead ends. Litter is dumped on the path, and birds nest amongst the sprawling decay.
He gripped the handle of his briefcase tighter as he heard footsteps closing in on him. The messenger was arriving.
"Watcher."
He turned to face the boy,
his jacket looked like it was no match for the icy wind. It was nine-fifteen at night. What had this kid done in his life to end up like this?
"I'm here to take you to the boss." The nameless boy didn't wait for a reply. He walked past the masked villain and further into the winding streets of the underworld.
The Watcher was led to a bar. The rundown building didn't stand out in the filth around them. The boy disappeared inside, and he took a deep breath before following.
The smoke twisted and rolled in its own graceful way, creating curls in the dimness, illuminated solely by the age-speckled bar lights.
The bar is crowded with hundreds of conversations told in harsh voices, all of them competing with the music that controls the air.
The Watcher winds his way through the warm bodies to follow the boy ahead of him. No one batted an eye at the villain. They were used to seeing strange people in stranger clothes pass through into the back.
The kid stopped in front of a door. He looked at The Watcher with mischief behind his dark eyes. "I'm sure you know the way from here."
He wasn't wrong. He knew places like this like the back of his hand. He had walked these streets his whole life. He knew every hidden corner where criminals would flock. He knew where he was going.
He pulled the door open and made his way down the dank steps beneath him. There was another door at the bottom, extra 'security' for the villains who laid in wait.
He knocked once and waited.
They knew he was coming; he had been invited.
The door swung open with a groan. A table sat in the middle of the dreary room, guards stood in the corners, watching his every move. It looked like a board meeting, five seats, four of them filled. They weren't the run of the mill criminals that did business in the bar above them. Suits and egos with face's covered by masks.
He took his seat at the end of the table and laid his briefcase in front of him. If he was anyone else, the guards would have searched him and taken the case from his hand. They knew better than to try that shit with him.
The man at the head of the table spoke, "we weren't sure you would be coming, Watcher."
He grit his teeth behind his mask, "when have I ever refused an invitation?" His voice was grainy, and everyone knew he was using a voice changer.
The man laughed, "that is true. But the whispers on the street aren't being too kind. I heard someone is paying a pretty price for anyone who can take you to them."
"And I'm sure no one is stupid enough to think they can make me go anywhere."
The room stilled. The others in the room hadn't seen anyone speak to the 'boss' like that and live.
He just laughed again, "I'm sure you are right. Now, you came bearing gifts?" he gestured at the case laid on the table before them.
"Not a gift, I have a request. This is the payment I offer."
Nothing was free in this world. But The Watcher's information was worth its weight in gold.
The man folded his hands under his chin. "What do you need, Watcher?"
"I will wait until you tell me why I am here."
"The same as always, we want information."
"And what will I get in return?"
"Name a price, though after what you have said, it seems you already have one." he gestured to the case again. "We have heard whispers. We know he is back, Watcher. We want to know why."
The Watcher laughed, "That's it?"
The hand resting under the man's chin tensed, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"I already know the answer. It's in the case."
"That makes it easier. We can finish this now. Name your price, so we can get this over with." His voice was strained. He didn't like The Watcher's tone.
"I need gear. I've been having trouble recently and need an upgrade."
The man gestured to one of the guards behind him, "Gary, here will take you to the stockroom. Take anything you need."
YOU ARE READING
Touch of Chaos
FanfictionIzuku hated most villains, but then again, he loathed most Heros too. He had a few exemptions on both sides, but his admiration was hard to obtain nowadays. When he was a child, he would have given everything to be a hero, but those days were gone...
