Powerless - A My Hero Academia/ DC Crossover

Chapter 19 - The Cavalry Battle

Three days ago.

"It's good to see you my friend," an old man was sitting at a small, round table eating fish-shaped pastries. The man was short and aged, a scraggly grey beard hung down from his grizzled face. He wore a yellow spandex suit with a long cape to match, a black domino mask stretched across his eyes. Across from him sat a tall, handsome man in a black suit, enjoying a cup of coffee provided by his host.

"Likewise, Gran Torino," said Bruce Wayne, smiling.

"It's been a while since your last visit," said Gran Torino. "But you still visit me more than that old student of mine! You two aren't getting along still?"

"I'm afraid not," replied Bruce.

"Well, I suppose that can't be helped," said Gran Torino. "Your personalities are so different, and you're both stubborn as mules, too." He let out a chuckle, taking another bite of the pastry he was holding. "So what do I owe this surprise visit?"

"I need your advice."

Gran Torino snorted. "An old man like me giving advice to the World's Greatest Detective? Should I be flattered or worried?"

"Worried," said Bruce seriously. "As you know, I'm working the League of Villain's case."

"Toshinori mentioned that in his last letter," Gran Torino confirmed.

"I'm not supposed to be telling you this, but I feel as if you need to know. The police were able to recover the creature called Nomu," said Batman. "It offered no resistance to arrest and was completely compliant. I participated in the interrogation of the creature myself. After several attempts, it was determined that the Nomu can't speak. It shows no reaction to anything. It's as though it literally can't think for itself, no matter what's going on around it. I ran some tests of its DNA, and discovered that it was originally a low-level thug with a record of assault and extortion."

"Originally?" Said Gran Torino.

Bruce pulled a small round device from his pocket. Activating it, a small projection of a prisoner mugshot next to a police picture of the Nomu appeared. "As you can see, he has been altered drastically," said Batman. "This is genetic engineering at an unprecedented level. As I analyzed its genetic makeup, I discovered four people's DNA."

"Ghastly," said Gran Torino. "It's not even human anymore."

Bruce nodded grimly. "The transformation is a result of drugs and other unknown methods," he said.

"Why would someone do such a thing?" Said Gran Torino.

"That's why I came to you," Said Bruce. "Its been modified so that it's body could hold multiple quirks at once."

" What?" Gran Torino said sharply.

"As you know, it shouldn't have more than one power," said Bruce. "Even if new DNA is introduced that shouldn't give a person multiple powers." Bruce hesitated. "Not unless it's completely integrated into someone's body. Not all quirks work like One For All."

"What are you saying, Bruce?" said Gran Torino, even though he didn't want to hear the answer.

"There is someone out there with the power to pass different quirks onto people, Gran Torino," said Batman. "We both know it."

"Toshinori killed him," said Gran Torino. "I saw it myself."

"Death isn't always as permanent as we once believed, old friend," said Bruce.

Gran Torino stood from his chair, steadying himself with his cane. He still vividly remembered that fateful day, five years ago. The sheer weight of 100 years of cultivated power rocked the very earth itself as they clashed. The man who sealed the fate of the Symbol of Peace to die a slow death, who had killed his mentor and Gran Torino's dear friend. The man who filled his dreams with nightmares to this very day. He was still out there. Biding his time, getting stronger, plotting.