Ultra Responsibility (My Hero Academia X Spider-Man Reader)

Issue 85 - Heroes Rising Part 5

Emil entered the lighthouse like he owned the dark.

The long climb up the spiral stairs did nothing to slow him. One heavy step after another, boots thudding against old metal, sleeves rolled just enough to show the dried blood staining his cuffs. Not all of it his. Most of it wasn't.

At the top, the room opened into a dim chamber lit only by the cold spill of moonlight through the glass and the occasional flicker from damaged equipment. The air smelled of salt, rust, and old electricity.

Nine lay at the center of it, asleep or something close to it, body still and pale against the makeshift bedding they had thrown together for him. Even in rest he looked unstable, like his body was trying to tear itself apart and was only delaying out of spite.

Near him stood Chimera, broad and motionless, watching over him like a carved beast set to guard a tomb.

He turned at the sound of Emil's approach, golden eyes narrowing.

"I was beginning to think no one else was going to show up," Chimera said. His gaze swept over Emil once. "Where are Mummy and Slice?"

Emil gave a dry scoff, adjusting one sleeve with deliberate calm. "Left behind."

Chimera's stare sharpened.

"Some brats took them out," Emil added.

That got a reaction.

Not surprise. Not panic. Just that slight, dangerous stillness predators got when the world failed to behave as expected.

"And yet," Chimera said, voice low, "you're still standing."

Emil looked at him like the question offended him.

"Why do I have to explain what should be obvious?" he asked. "The one who dealt with Slice had to be put down. So I killed the wannabe hero."

Chimera's expression did not soften. "Killing kids."

He tilted his head, considering the phrase.

"Not against it," he admitted. "Not fully for it either. But somehow I'm not surprised."

Emil rolled his shoulders, unconcerned. "That 'kid' took out Slice in under a minute. I did all of us a favor."

His eyes drifted toward Nine and the faintest smirk touched his mouth.

"What's this? He's having a little power nap?"

Chimera stepped half in front of the sleeping villain without even seeming to move. "Show some respect."

Emil laughed once under his breath.

"Why?" he asked. "They didn't bring me onto this operation with promises of money. Or territory. Or some pathetic piece of turf." He spread his hands slightly, as if presenting the world itself. "They promised a shake-up. Society cracking open. The status quo collapsing. Something new clawing its way to the top."

He looked out through the lighthouse glass toward the dark island beyond.

"That," he said, almost warmly, "is my kind of show."

His voice hardened again.

"And if this bastard really has the resolve to put the Avengers down, to tear down the image of what power is supposed to look like, then I'll stick by and watch history get ugly." He tapped his own chest once. "Maybe then people will finally stop comparing me to the other big green fighting machine."

There it was. The truth under the sneer.

Respect.

Recognition.