An Unlikely Partnership~Tododeku

13~ A Phone Call

"Icy-Hot! Why are you dragging us! WE CAN WALK YOU KNOW!"

Midoriya had just hung up All Might's call and turned, slightly shocked. Bakugou may have been calmer than he was previously, but he still kept some of his old attitude.

"Sorry Bakugou. Kirishima. I just had something about the clue. You know the numbers? 122412788? What do they look like to you?"

Midoriya followed them over to the table, where the others were standing at and stared at the clue.

"I mean, if I had to say, a sequence of numbers like that would seem like a phone number but that'd be very old..." Kirishima scratched his neck slowly.

Todoroki nodded and gestured with his hand as if saying, 'Go on'.

"So... You're saying if we call this number, we'll get something else out of it? Like another clue or something that lets us understand this clue better?"

Midoriya nodded. It all made sense, a nine-digit number from years ago. He wondered if it still worked but pulled out his phone anyway.

"Guys gather round. I'm going to dial it." Everyone gathered around Midoriya as he punched the numbers into the keypad.

1. 2. 2. 4. 1. 2. 7. 8. 8. Call.

His phone ringtone rang for a while, the screen displaying the word 'calling'. The group waited with baited breaths, excited but slightly nervous as to what would speak or happen.

Two minutes had passed and finally something happened. The phone bleeped and an automated message played. "The number you're trying to reach either is out of service, no longer exists anymore or has blocked you. If you wish to leave a message press one. If you wish to-"

Midoriya hung up. "I guess it was no use..." Disappointment showed explicitly on their faces, the lead cut.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

The phone rang and Midoriya picked it up again. It was a call from the same number on the clue. He quickly pressed answer and once again the other three crowded around, waiting for the spooky message.

A woman's voice rang through the speaker, sounding seemingly very tired. "You have reached the second part of the second riddle. Well done for coming this far. Many people have tried and failed. Now listen closely. These numbers also have another significance. Apart from this phone number, they will be very useful later on so keep it close to you. Here's the next part of this clue that will help. Go back to the front door of the building you found this clue at. Then, step and mark. That will lead you to your next clue. There will be a slight hint on the doorway to tell you something. But look out. If you get too excited and lose awareness of your surroundings, then the enemy could choose that moment to use you as bait as it says in the riddle, or a stepping stone to the next level without working to get the clue. Stay alert, good luck and Plus Ultra." The phone line went dead and hung up.

The heroes breathed at this new information, Kirishima standing with a notepad in his hand, messy handwriting scrawled all over the page in his attempt to make notes at the speed this person was talking at.

1. The numbers have another use.

2. Go to the front door of that old building.

3. Step Mark??

4. There should be a clue that now is there to help us.

5. The bait part of the riddle meant enemies using us to their advantage.

6. Don't lose awareness.

7. It will not be easy.

8. Plus Ultra.

Overall, the things seemed pretty straightforward, besides the Step Mark thing, whatever that was. They'd have to go back to Hosu for another hunt, which would take another day. Another day of Pro Hero Deku not being there. They'd have to hope Mimic was ready to take on things.

A few minutes after hearing the news, they had rushed to tell the others and had everyone suit up and Melissa behind managing Mimic and making sure it didn't get out of hand, randomly going ballistic. Worst case scenario they'd have to say Midoriya was visiting his 'sick' friend again.

"Uravity. Ingenium. Froppy. I want you guys to patrol the north side of where we'll be." Bakugou handed them each a set of white earbuds. Contact us if anything happens there.

"Creati, Chargebolt, Earphone Jack, Shinsou (A/n I don't think he has a hero name yet). Patrol the south." A pair of green lined headsets were passed out.

"Lemillion. Nejire-chan. Suneater. I want you to check around the city next to Hosu." Purple sets.

"Invisible Girl. Pinky. I want you guys to take the west." Black earbuds.

"Red Riot. Deku. Shouto. We're going to the building. If anything happens to us, we'll set off an alarm that alerts you guys. Same with you. That will call for backup from other pros. Don't use it unless you're about to lose, which I hope doesn't happen. I want the least number of people possible dragged into this situation. All on board with everything?"

The team nodded. Uraraka, Iida and Asui left first as they had further to go.

"Melissa-san, good luck! I hope everything goes well on your end!"

Melissa nodded, smiling at Midoriya from behind the computer. She pressed something and a window popped up. The green haired boy stared at the sleek black laptop for a second before turning to his team.

Most of the groups had gone. Hagakure and Ashido had just left, glass doors swinging, disappearing into the distance.

"All right. You got your notes Kirishima-kun?" Midoriya peered over Kirishima's shoulder.

The red-head nodded and checked his boyfriend's equipment.

Midoriya gave Todoroki his first aid kit which he kept on his belt. "Thanks for picking that up Midoriya, couldn't see where I'd dropped it." A small smile.

Midoriya's heart jumped slightly but he pushed it down. This is no time to be feeling like this. We have a mission. I'll think about it after this entire thing is over.

Red, grey, orange, and dark red soles hit the white glossy floor before stepping out onto hard concrete. The wind picked up, leaves rustling in the spring breeze.

It's a good lead and good weather for this too. I just hope nothing goes wrong.