Eraserhead: Year One

Chapter Nine - Araña

As Aizawa put his plan into action, he went on on a patrol in order to lure out the remaining assassins that were hunting for him. Throughout the course of the night, no moves were made on his life. Suddenly, he heard a cry for help. 

???: HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!

As the voice called out for help, Aizawa knew that his had to be a trap. But despite this, Aizawa knew that this was the only to draw out the assassins. Aizawa follows the screams into an abandoned apartment complex. As he enters the building, he notices webs inside. Aizawa kept his guard up as he searched the building. The screams soon became louder. Eventually, Aizawa could hear the screaming coming from behind a locked door. Without hesitation, Aizawa breaks down the door. Upon the entering the room, he finds a recording device. 

Recording Device: HELP! HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

As Aizawa steps into the trap, he is attacked by Araña who attempts to trap him in her webbing. Aizawa was able to react quickly enough to get out of the way. Before Aizawa could attack, Araña crept into the shadows. 

Araña: How predictable. Like the unsuspecting fly, you have fallen into my web. 

Aizawa: Figured this was the best way to lure you out. 

Araña: So you step into my web willingly? You really are interesting. I've been watching you for some time. 

Aizawa: Then you know what happened to the others. 

Araña: Taurus was a fool. But to survive the Twin Suns and Gunsmith? That takes skill.

Aizawa: Tell me who hired you. Who put up the bounty? 

Araña: Or perhaps it was luck that carried you this far. But now you're in my web, little fly. 

In that moment, Aizawa found himself face to face with Araña. Aizawa kept his guard up, knowing Araña was in the shadows. One mistake could prove fatal as it was clear to Aizawa that Araña thrived in the shadows like a spider. 

Aizawa: Last chance, Araña. Stand down. 

Araña: Bold of the little fly caught in the spider's web to try and reason with the spider. You truly are an interesting specimen, Shota Aizawa. Show me what you can do. 

Araña continued to stalk Aizawa inside the building, waiting for the opportunity to strike. As Aizawa continued to search the building, Araña made her move and lunged at Aizawa. She pounces on Aizawa and attempts to bite him, but the Pro Hero was able to fight her off. 

Araña: There is no escape for you, Aizawa. You have stepped into my web. None who step in my web survives. 

Aizawa quickly realized that the tactics he used against Taurus, the Twin Suns and Gunsmith would not work on Araña. He had to assume that there could be a trap in every corner. Araña once more makes her move at attacks Aizawa. This time, she manages to grab Aizawa and pull him into her web. When she lets go, Aizawa finds himself trapped in Araña's web.

Araña: Your time draws near, Aizawa. Now you die. 

Araña encircles Aizawa as he struggles to free himself from the web. As Araña closes in on Aizawa, she gnashes her fangs. 

Araña: When my poison enters your veins, your body will shut down, but you will remain awake as you die. And when you die, I shall claim my reward.

Araña closes in on Aizawa as he struggles to free himself. As she was about to bite Aizawa, he was able to free one of his arms and lands a punch on Araña. Seizing the opportunity, Aizawa manages to break free from he web. As he falls to the ground, Aizawa readies his Combat Scarves to restrain Araña. He then yanks his Combat Scarves and pulls her down to the ground. He then engages her in a fight. Araña still proved to be a formidable fighter. 

Araña: Impressive, Aizawa. None have ever lasted this long against me. 

Aizawa: I don't intend on letting any assassin cash out on my head. Now you're going to tell me who hired you or this won't end well for you. 

Araña: You may be a formidable fighter, but you are still prey. And prey cannot stand against the hunter! 

Without hesitation, Araña lunged at Aizawa, but the Pro Hero was able to hold his own against the deadly assassin. As they fought, Aizawa observed her Quirk's capabilities. Her Quirk's heteromorphic made using Erasure not an option. During the course of this fight, Araña pushes Aizawa against a refrigerator. As Aizawa backs away, he notices a bottle of vinegar in one of the cabinets. Remembering a common way to keep spiders away, Aizawa runs for the cabinet and grabs the bottle of vinegar. He then smashes the bottle over Araña head. This initally does nothing but annoy her. 

Araña: Is that the best you can do? I expected....

Before Araña could finish her sentence, Araña was overcome by an intense sour and odor taste in which was a result from her Spider Quirk's sensitive smell. This causes Araña to fall to the ground as she was overcome by the smell of the vinegar. Seizing the opportunity, Aizawa lands the knockout punch on Araña. In that moment, Aizawa had survived his encounter with Araña, but it wasn't over yet as Onibaba and Handtaker were still out there. With only two assassins left, Aizawa knew that they were his only chance on finding out who put the bounty on his head.