Love Denied

Chapter Six: Encounters

Defeat, and frustration. Words that every pro hero got to experience in their careers, more than once in the case of the top heroes. Frequently, for the ones climbing up the hero ladder, trying to be in the top ten. No hero was perfect, therefor no hero had a perfect record of achievements, not even All Might. Too many villains, too many quirks and too many scenarios to be able to come up on top in every situation.

Every fight with a villain was full of uncertainty and risks. Heroes trained the best they could, they tried their best to adapt to each situation, but there were many rules they needed to follow. Villains didn't follow any rules. They were free to do as they pleased. So, most of the time the odds were stacked against heroes.

Vigilantes were a whole different thing. They were pseudo-heroes always straddling the left and right side of the law. Fighting against villains while breaking the law themselves. Helping the police and citizens, while also using their quirks against anyone that tried to arrest them. But they were mostly a ragtag bunch of brawlers, copycats and wannabes. Mostly.

Which is why pro heroes didn't go after them. That was a job for the police. And that was also why, this particular setback...felt. Like. Shit. To be a pro hero and lose a fight against a vigilante, was borderline insulting. It took the feeling of defeat and frustration to a whole new level. And that is how Uraraka was feeling right now, while also dealing with a disappointed dragon hero.

"So, you're telling me that three pro heroes, one of which is the top in my agency, couldn't handle one lonely vigilante." It wasn't really a question. Mostly a statement to help drive the seriousness of the situation to the gravity hero sitting in front of Ryukyu's desk.

Uraraka didn't like to disappoint her boss, and she didn't like the look she was getting. Not an angry or even a frustrated look. Just a look that said 'I expected more from you'. The gravity hero just maintained a neutral expression. "Yeah, pretty much." she stood up and walked around Ryukyu's office and continue talking about what happened. "Look, I take responsibility for this. I made a tactical mistake and just jumped into the fight without thinking."

She then stopped and looking at her boss, "but I'm telling you, this guy is strong. He moved fast and controlled the fight from the beginning." She then looked a little nervous, "maybe, we should think of getting some extra help. I know that's not what you want to hear but- "

"No."

"uh?" Uraraka felt a little confused at Ryukyu's sudden answer.

"We can ask some of the locals if they want to keep patrolling with us since they don't seem to mind, but I'm not asking for 'outside' help into this case." The dragon hero said with a serious tone.

Uraraka raised an eyebrow, "why not?"

"Because my agency got hired to capture a vigilante, which is basically unheard of. Can you imagine the damage to my reputation if I go around asking for outside help to get this guy?" The dragon hero shook her head, "it's us and the locals. That's it."

The gravity hero exhaled loudly, "But after what I saw I think it's going to be kind of difficult."

Ryukyu leaned back on her chair, "what? You don't think Bound and Psytempest are good enough?"

Uraraka sat back down and crossed her arms, "Bound is strong, but he's too big. He doesn't have the speed. And just like me, he needs to get close to the target." She then thought for a moment, "Psytempest is pretty strong too, but her telekinesis doesn't work on living things so she has to use the environment. I don't know about her fighting capabilities or agility but being that she's a new hero without any experience it probably won't' make too much of a difference."