The New Hero Generation

Chapter 6- All his Might

After the winners of the robot "whack-a-mole" event had been declared, they were given a short break before being guided by a camera drone to a building two blocks north of the bustling party plaza. Despite how far it was from the party, it was still several blocks south of the skyscraper where All Might was perched, a indication that the size of the mock city was nothing to scoff at. Upon reaching the four story apartment building, the camera drone informed them with a robotic voice that the top of the building is supposed to be their starting point for the battle, with the intent that the fight would take place between the skyscraper and this building, in order to avoid endangering the crowd.

Without a word, Endeavor shot ahead, his flames igniting with a roar as he propelled himself directly upward, two pillars of fire trailing behind him as he flew his way to the top. The sudden blast made the others flinch; with Crust dismissing his shock with a laugh, and Gang Orca nodding in disapproval as he watched him ascend. Once the flames had cleared up, he crouched, his powerful legs launching him into the air, leaving a crack on the pavement behind him.

Crust's eyes followed the large man fly through the air in an arc, landing on the roof just after the zenith of the jump. With an impressed whistle Crust, crust turned and began walking to the front of the building to find its entrance. While he would love to join in the fun of showing of their quirks, he knew his own quirk didn't offer anything that would allow him such unconventional methods of reaching the roof. Instead, he opted to take the stairs, undeterred by the mundanity of his route to the top.

As the minutes ticked by, Gang Orca and Endeavor waited, facing each other in a strained silence that neither attempted to break. Gang Orca kept a distance, both because of the uncomfortable heat radiating from Endeavor's ever-burning facial flames, which would dry his skin and make it itch, and due to his personal distaste for the man. Endeavor might have once held the esteemed position of the Number Two Hero, but that was around a decade ago, since then the hero had begun rapidly descending the hero ranks due to decreased hero activity.

Then of course, there was that one incident that took his reputation and popularity to new lows for active heroes. That was over five years ago, and many have forgiven and forgotten over time, allowing him to return to the top 20. Clearly the benefit of a well paid PR team, or perhaps part of it was his rumored connected to the HPSC.

However, Gang Orca was very proud of the fact that he never forgets, and believed that forgiveness had to be earned. Thus far, Endeavor had done nothing to make up for the damage he'd done to Fahren. The retired ice hero was still being held in a mental facility last he heard.

On the other hand, Endeavor's attention flickered between the large mutant beside him and the distant tower where All Might waited. His glare sharpened, frustration simmering as he glanced between his rival and the inhuman before him, as if both presenting their own brand of irritation.

The tension thickened, each man's unspoken grievances building until even Gang Orca, stoic as he was, felt tempted to say something. Just as he opened his mouth, the stairway door clanged open, and Crust stepped onto the roof, oblivious to the atmosphere as he strode toward the pair with a beaming smile.

"Gang Orca, Endeavour, it's a great pleasure to work with you." Crust smiled, walking towards them as if completely oblivious of the tension. "Should we talk strategy? I think All Might is enough of a good sport not to go easy on us."

Endeavor scoffed, turning away from the two to face directly at the number 1 hero standing in the distance. Gang Orca held back an eye roll to maintain his professionality as he turned towards Crust.

"Long way up the stairs?" He joked, walking up to the new arrival and extending his hand for a handshake.

Now Crust was not a small man by any means, but the Japanese people had never been known as a tall people either. So when standing before someone who was nearly 12 feet tall, he looked positively tiny by comparison. However, going by his unwavering grin, the man looked completely unbothered as he extended his own hand for the handshake, which was entirely enveloped by the black, clawed fingers of his fellow hero.