Can We Be Heroes?

Chapter 18• When worlds collide.

The explosion sent a ripple of panic through the mall, scattering the trio like leaves in a storm. Monoma, Shinso, and Izuku were pulled in different directions by the frantic crowd as people pushed and shoved their way toward the exits. The air was thick with smoke and the echoes of distant explosions, punctuated by screams and the harsh commands of security guards.

Shinso was the first to vanish, swept away by the surging tide of panicked civilians.

"Shinso!" Monoma called, his voice sharp with urgency as he tried to push through the crowd. But the flow of people was relentless, and within moments, the purple-haired boy was out of sight.

Izuku, wide-eyed and trembling, clung to Monoma’s sleeve as the crowd jostled him. "What do we do?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

Monoma’s jaw tightened, his sharp eyes scanning the area. He spotted an overturned kiosk near the edge of the food court and immediately tugged Izuku toward it.

"Stay here," Monoma said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But—"

"No buts," Monoma cut him off, his expression dark. "This is serious, Izuku. You stay put, and don’t move until I come back. Got it?"

Izuku hesitated, his green eyes filled with worry, but he nodded reluctantly. "Be careful."

Monoma nodded, his usual smugness replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. He turned and disappeared into the smoke-filled chaos, leaving Izuku crouched behind the kiosk.

As soon as Monoma was out of sight, Izuku let out a shaky breath, his hands trembling as he glanced at the bag slung over his shoulder. Stay put? That wasn’t an option. Not when he could help.

Quickly slipping away, Izuku ducked into a deserted corridor, his eyes darting around for any sign of pursuers. He found an empty storage room and slipped inside, pulling out his vigilante gear. Within moments, Hex emerged, his bow slung across his back and his quiver full of arrows.

"Time to figure out what is going on." he muttered, slipping back into the chaos.

----•----

Meanwhile, Shinso had managed to break away from the unresting crowd, slipping into a quiet corner near a fire escape. His old yellow bag was still with him, and without wasting a moment, he pulled out his black vigilante suit.

"Guess it’s Shadows time," he muttered, his voice dry but laced with resolve.

Moments later, Shadow stepped out with his dark suit blending perfectly with the smoke and dull colours of the mall. He moved silently, his keen eyes scanning for civilians in need of help and, hopefully, his friends.

----•----

Monoma, however, was having a much harder time. He had no suit, no weapons, and no way to defend himself properly. His frustration boiled over as he darted through the smoke, trying to find Shinso, Izuku, or even a way to help despite his lack of gear.

"Of all the days to leave my suit at home," he muttered angrily, dodging a toppled display stand as another explosion rocked the mall.

He skidded to a halt outside a small shop, its windows shattered and its interior filled with smoke. Something caught his eye—a mannequin in the corner, barely visible through the haze.

It was dressed in an action fox-themed suit, complete with sleek orange and black patterns and a coiled whip hanging at its side. The design was bold, almost ridiculous, but in the moment, Monoma didn’t care.