[Despite the proceedings of the day, they are still in a place of business. Mizudenki continues to run, producing electricity for the surrounding areas and beyond. Of course there are interns alongside the workers, probably even some temp employees that help to fill out the ranks during a crunch time. Kyuketsuki notices Chargebolt's lackluster response to the intern, but can't say he's surprised given the circumstances. It's unfortunate, but hopefully things can improve later.
It really is telling how Denki's entire source of happiness is resting on that phone and the chance to reach out...]
It's the least I could do after what happened.
[This entire experience has been quite the ride, from the tumble out of the car to finally meeting each other to the strange conversations between them to the revelation of the tri-fold plot spreading out in the electricity of the rejuvenating country.]
Go ahead. Jammer here [he nods towards the young man sitting at the table.] is able to prevent electrical signals from being traced and can help or hinder their flow between transmitters and receivers.
[Not only could he prevent the phone from being located, but he could shut off the call in a split second...]
[ With less pain and food in his belly, Chargebolt has been able to sense the flow of the power plant's electricity a lot better... and it feels like his pulse has started to match it. He can almost taste it, and kind of wishes he had one of his power banks or a cord to have a charge. It's a great place, after all. Too bad it's owned by some weird guy with a savior complex for electric blondes.
He needs to get the villain plot out ASAP.
If he throws himself over the phone like a dog with a treat, you can't really blame him. A smile on his face and eyes lit up with joy he dials the well-known number into the weird buttons. Denki's voice is a little shaky as he waits, ready to speak as soon and his fellow hero picks up. ]
...Dynamight?
[ Is it pathetic, how much he wants to hear that voice? ]
[There's certainly something very 'fresh' about the electricity the Mizudenki plant churns within itself, created from the natural flow of the river and the solar panels around. But there's also something... more within the electricity. It's hard to place. But there's a lot of it. Whether it indicates the company's production is greater than expected or something is augmenting the electricity produced is left up to Chargebolt to wonder in his mind.
Hey, someone's got to save all the electric blondes. Can't have them getting themselves killed out there in a blackout apocalypse.
The phone certainly feels weird in his hand, more a cylinder than the flat rectangle people are so used to. Hey, that's the fun part of old-time tech. Blast to the past. Have an nostalgic roll in actually pressing physical buttons on the phone, feel them depress with that soft 'click' sensation beneath your fingers. And the dial tone. Ah, the lovely dial tone...
*cr-chrck*]
D-
[There's A LOT of noise on the other end.]
DENKI!?! FUCK, WHERE TH FUCK ARE YOU?! ARE YOU OKAY?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?! TRACK THIS RIGHT NOW, ASSHOLE!!
[Sorry, Kaminari, that last part wasn't aimed at you.]
[ That's probably why it feels nice, that freshness - and the fact that it's being generated right here. It's the difference between just caught fish and the supermarket frozen fillets. That something extra overshadows it a bit, though, and Denki wonders what it is. Maybe he'll ask, later.
Right now he's very distracted by that dial tone and then the click of the call being accepted. He immediately moves the phone a bit away from his ear, knowing there will be yelling. ]
Hi, babe. I can't... I can't tell you where I am right now. Maybe later. They can't track this, it's being jammed.
[ He briefly glances at the two men in the room. He has to make sure he doesn't say anything wrong right now, and fuck everything up. ]
I'm mostly okay, I promise. Got hit over the head but it was taken care of. I didn't even know I was gone this long because I was unconscious.
[ Sigh. Now for the hard part. ]
There's a lot more important things going on than that, though. I need you to listen and send this to every agency in Japan.
[ That's Chargebolt talking, not the previously soft and lost side of Denki. This is hero stuff. ]
[There's a very loud commotion on the other end, with some voice Kaminari's familiar with shoving into the receiver. Mina and Kirishima immediately, with Bakugou shouting at them to get their fucking mouths out of his goddamn ear! But they refuse, demanding to hear Kaminari's voice and wanting to know where he is and if he's okay and what the hell happened!]
I JUST FUCKING ASKED HIM THAT!! LISTEN, YOU BRAIN-DEAD IDIOTS!!
[All grown up and a few years out of U.A. and still acting like the teenagers they once were. Some things never change. At least the electric blonde knows his friends well enough to spare his own ears the volume blasting through the speaker.]
Tell your fucking kidnappers they're dead.
[Katsuki's voice is a mixture of rage and seriousness, unable to stay completely calm at the moment with Denki's voice on the phone, but picking up from the other man's lack of information that he's still with his kidnappers and is being monitored right now. He scoffs at the notion of not being able to track the jammed signal, but doesn't say anything.
Not aloud, however, since he's mouthing to Jiro the tracking and jamming comment so they can start working on cracking the jammer with brute force if they need to. Katsuki's job is now to keep Denki on the phone long enough to track the location.]
The hell do you mean, it was taken care of? Did you escape them? [Okay, now gears are shifting and he's moving into information gathering rather than demanding responses. The next part, however, isn't completely unexpected.
Here comes the demands.]
We're not negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists... [There's a warning in his voice, but he's opting to listen.]
[ There's something about hearing his friends being so worried about him that rips a gash in his stomach and once again reminds him that this is bad and while he's being treated really well, he's still been kidnapped and worried everyone a lot. ]
I'm fine, guys. [ Denki says softly, knowing the gang is definitely doing their best to listen. ] ...and I'm not going to tell them that, it seems counterproductive. [ About telling his kidnappers they're dead. ]
They had a medic look me over. My head is a little swollen but everything's fine. I could have been tried to a chair in chains so I'm not going to complain about a 4-star kidnapping.
[ A little hint of the Denki jokester in the middle of it all, just in time for Katsuki's warning. Yeah, he knows that. He knows, and maybe that's why this is better than being used for money or other demands. He's not a top hero, he doubts the commission would allow negotiation in the first place. ]
This doesn't have anything to do with the one who ordered the kidnapping of me.
[ AKA "It's one person, with henchpeople and power/money enough to get their hands on a hero." ]
I was told about an incoming nation-wide blackout ploy by three power chains to fight about the sole provider spot. I need you to tell all agencies to make sure hospitals and other places have good backup power and to start generators in their offices to help the population. Sidekicks need to be ready to direct traffic, and any people with power-generating quirks need some protection.
[ Sigh. ]
That's apparently part of why I was taken. To protect me from the chaos.
[Bakugou focuses on the phone, one arm up to fend Kirishima, Mina, and Sero off via his forearm, elbow, and bicep/shoulder so they couldn't keep yelling into the fucking phone. Trying to make sure Kaminari's able to talk without getting interrupted. They're all expecting some kind of ransom or deal, but that's not what it sounds like.
Which then begs the question, why did Kaminari get taken alive if there was no trade or payment?]
You're kidnapped and you're "fine"?!
[Thanks for that outburst, Kirishima. Bakugou glares at him before putting the phone deliberately to his ear.]
What the hell do they want then? [More confused expressions as Kaminari talks about a medic looking him over, concern when he talks about a head injury, and then a few glares and "huh's?" as the electric blonde goes off talking about chains, chairs, and 4-start kidnapping.] But you still can't tell us where you are.
[Leave it to Chargebolt to be kidnapped by unconventional kidnappers. And the lack of bargaining or negotiating with villains had nothing to do with top heroes or importance; after all, there'd be zero intent to negotiate with the League of Villains when they kidnapped Bakugou. Only a quick and immediate gathering and assault on their positions to rescue him and take down the group who thought they could get away with such a bold and foolish move.]
That's pretty fucking hard to believe. [That "one" person who ordered Kaminari kidnapped doesn't have shit to do with his kidnapping treatment. Bakugou scowls at the phone, though at least gets the implication right off the bat that "one person" means the "head of something" in actuality. So they're dealing with an organized group.
The rest... WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT LOAD OF BULLSHIT?!]
And you believed that?
[Bakugou's keeping his incredulous yelling restrained for a surprising second, treating this seriously, but not about to take that whopper of a story and immediately disseminate it as truth.]
Gonna need a lot more proof than the words of someone who kidnapped you for your "safety".
[ Denki replies at the voice of his friend, and then listens to Katsuki. It's true the heroes came to his rescue immediately, but the LoV didn't exactly give any demands. Plus he was taken as a child; a hero-in-training, barely a step up from a civilian. Chargebolt is supposed to be a professional and not get in these messes.
The explosive blonde's immediate distrust isn't surprising - after all, Denki isn't sure what to believe either. Being prepared is more important than the truth, however. ]
It doesn't really matter what I believe. If there's a chance of this happening we have to be prepared. Just like the mission in Hokkaido, I've offered to speak on my kidnapper's behalf and keep him out of criminal charges if he continues to give us information.
[ There was no mission in Hokkaido. A hint that he's being full of shit to keep the peace and get more out of his kidnapper. ]
Please contact the agencies to keep them aware of this possibility. No matter what's going on, I was taken for a reason and we need to be ready if this happens.
[ He sighs and then looks over at Blesk and the intern. ]
...anything else I should add? Is there a mute button on this brick of a phone?
[Some of this isn't adding up. Chargebolt was kidnapped, apparently by people who were really good at their profession, and all of a sudden, now he's "fine as he can be" while assumedly still in the presence of the person who ordered his fucking kidnapping? On top of this new dump of information regarding a potential national electricity crisis threat.
Of course he's not going to believe that shit! Any kidnapper would say whatever to make sure they could get off with a lighter sentence after getting caught! Did they do something to Kaminari? Are they releasing him back as part of some trap? Are they even releasing him or is this a fucking service update call? So much of this is bullshit and Bakugou's stuck trying to figure it out.
He might argue the comment about preparations over truth... because that's a slippery slope.]
There's a difference between preparing for a realistic threat and preparing for a maybe-fake hunch-story some shitty villain wants to toss out as a plea bargain for a lighter sentence.
[He notes the comment on Hokkaido and rolls with it immediately, realizing what Kaminari's doing. And even now he's already telling the others about what's going on, despite the phone recording currently being played out in other rooms. The fact this kidnapper kidnapped Denki to keep him "safe" from some threat is fucked up too... Who does that?!]
I'm not promising anything, but the word's gone out. Now Where the Fuck Are YO-?!
[The line goes dead and Jammer leans back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.]
No can do, kiddo. They were already jumpin onto the old wireless trackers. But ya got the word out! And they know you're safe and alive.
[Kyuketsuki pushes away from the wall, arms crossed over his chest.]
That's a start... but what Dynamight said he true. Unless they find something, this will come off as nothing more than a plea bargain. I think it might be in our best interest to shift the blame of kidnapping...
[ It was a quick update call with a confused boyfriend babbling nonsense and sounding half like he's okay with being hit over the head and dragged off somewhere. It was to fool his kidnapper at first, but he's honestly not sure what he's feeling about it any more, other than wanting to go home. ]
If we just ignore it and don't prepare and it ends up being true, it will be chaos! All it would take is a little time and a heads up to-
[ Click. ]
Dynamight? Dynamight?! Katsuk... put him back on!
[ Denki argues, waving the old phone around. ]
I didn't even have time to tell him to request for underground heroes to check up on the largest power plants! [ His gold eyes fall on Jammer. ] Wasn't he supposed to stop tracking?
[ What was old wireless tracking? He has no idea. ]
They know I'm alive. Safe is a pending situation, especially when you say something like that. Shift the blame?
[Katsuki's too quick on the update to think Denki's "okay" with what's going on. But somehow, the kidnapper's got him distracted with a "new threat" supposedly in the works and is apparently treating him "well enough" that the electric hero's willing to give him a break. Or something. Misdirection, manipulation, deception, any of those things. Katsuki doesn't trust it.
Chargebolt has a point, unfortunately. IF it IS true, and they're not prepared for it... but at the same time, mobilizing efforts based on some "anonymous" tip from someone who fucking kidnapped a hero... Well how's that supposed to look any other way but suspicious to them?! The sudden disconnect of the line gets a curse from another line elsewhere.]
Lost him!
Well how fucking close did you get?!
Not very. Either there's a jammer on the other end or they're using an old phone model that doesn't connect to the internet. Those are harder to track since they rely entirely on old-fashioned connections.
[Back with Kaminari, the intern lifts his hands up in a show of innocent protest.]
Don't get mad, man! That's how I stop tracking! Click! I didn't realize they'd be so quick to realize it was an old model. Sheesh, smart cookies over there.
[Blesk frowns and rests his mouth behind one hand.]
It's all right, Kaminari. I'll let you send an email later tonight in lieu of another phone call. You can explain more then.
But the thing is, if when you return, there's going to be an inspection. And just now, you offered to speak on behalf of your kidnapper. I appreciate the offer, but it would be ill-advised to allow myself and my company to fall under suspicion.
[Well don't fucking kidnap heroes then. Duh.]
I'd rather have those eyes facing someone else. Another kidnapper for the heroes to investigate and content with.
Of course they're smart, they're the best heroes in Japan!
[ Chargebolt snaps, irritated and feeling like he's back on square one again. He keeps the phone in his hand, like it's a comfort item in the middle of all of this. If he starts clicking the buttons like it's a fidget toy, you can't really blame him.
Glaring at Kyuketsuki, those gold eyes narrow further and a few sparks light up around him. Yeah, don't fucking kidnap heroes, then! ]
I agreed to help you out of charges and stuff, maybe even keep you out of things completely if I can - but I'm not getting someone else involved with this, especially not as a scapegoat!
[ It wouldn't be right, and he rather puts himself at risk than someone else. ]
They're heroes. Saying one's best or better than others, isn't that one of the reasons the war happened?
[It's a pointed question, but also an honest one. Kyuketsuki's expression suggests he's seen a lot, but his youth means he hasn't seen everything. And that foreign accent of his, hell it's no as if Chargebolt knows whether the man's even been in Japan for all that long. He doesn't seem to hold any negativity towards the snappish response he gets either, nor does he ask for the phone back. Truth is, once they have time for the trail to go cold, Kaminari can call again. The way the blonde's fingering the buttons is charming... Back to business.
Predicting the response, Blesk lowers his hand and spreads his arms a bit in offering.]
Not even if it's someone who's already a kidnapper? You could, what's that saying... two birds, one throne?
Stone, Boss. Two birds with one stone.
Oh. Right. [He nods to Jammer in indication and gratitude before looking back to Kaminari.] I can help you find this criminal and you can bring him in; as a trade, my involvement is placed on him, and then we're free to proceed.
[The offer is a suspicious one, he knows, but it's less dangerous than admitting his own involvement in kidnapping Chargebolt.]
[ Chargebolt gives the man an unamused look at that. ]
The war happened because a guy older than our grandfathers decided that instead of working on bettering the world with all the quirks and shit he had, he was gonna build an army by gathering a bunch of vulnerable people and fucking them up. Not because I happen to have some bias in thinking my friends are the best heroes ever.
[ He says, a little annoyed at the same old point is being brought up again. Maybe it's the fact that he's been fixed up and rested or that he finally got to hear the voices of his boyfriend and Red Riot, but he's putting up some defiance again rather than just going with it to gain information. ]
There's no way for me to know if that's true or not. Either way, I'm not adding charges to a villain just to get you out of trouble. I told you I'm willing to lie for you, that's stretching what my morals as a hero should be already.
[ Villains are bad and need to pay for what they've done, but adding kidnapping of a hero on the list of crimes is just going to give them a heavier sentence than their actual crime is. They're supposed to make things better, after all. Rehabilitate villains rather than sticking them in Tartarus to be forgotten.
What would the villain think if they were used as a scapegoat? They wouldn't want to change their lives and start it over. They'd be pissed at the system and heroes. ]
Let me go, Kyuketsuki-san. I'm really impressed with Mizudenki and I want this place to succeed, and tarnishing it with our mess would be the opposite of that.
Of course it wasn't the only reason. But even you have to admit many problems in the world come from someone thinking their way or ideas are better than anyone else's and should be followed. Even if by force...
[Kyuketsuki's voice drifts a bit into thoughtfulness, perhaps not talking to Chargebolt so much as commenting on something in his own memories and experiences. He shakes himself out of the momentary lapse and folds his arms across his middle.]
Boss. [Jammer leans back in his chair and looks at the other man, hands resting behind his head.] I think you should listen to the kid. I know you wanna keep Mizudenki out of the problem, but at this point, it'll only make things worse to keep covering things up. Let him go. You made a mistake, did something stupid even if your intentions were good. Plenty of people do that. Chargebolt here's gonna give ya a cover up and you know the Rubbers can bounce back from anything. Let him go back to the heroes. We can come back in later to help them with information once they're better prepared. You can't keep Sparky locked up.
[Kyuketsuki doesn't exactly look comfortable at the moment, caught between Kaminari's own restrengthened frustrations and his underling's empathic logic. It's obvious he wants to keep himself and his company clean, but the simple truth is he ordered Chargebolt's kidnapping to keep him safe. It was a selfish thing to do, even if he meant it for a positive benefit...]
How do you propose I let you go then? Simply releasing you into the woods would be problematic. Do you want to stage an escape or arrange a surrender or trade?
[ That was exactly what had happened here, after all. Kyuketsuki thinking his way was better than anyone else's, even if it meant taking him by force.
Denki gives the intern a look and then a slight nod, happy to see that the intern has his back on this. He can bend his morals for this amazing place, but he cannot break them - and he needs to get back and help with this possible threat. ]
There's no need for anything like that. Just get me a car and I'll drive home. I'll tell everyone that my kidnapper let me go but that we made a deal to not reveal who it was in exchange for your cooperation and information about a possible villain plot.
[ He's not sure what he'll actually do in the end, but he needs to get out of here. If this threat is true, he will be needed to help people. ]
[This time the frown and focus finally breaks and his facade falls away into something sheepish. Kyuketsuki glances off to the side, looking like he wants to keep his pride, but at least gets to admit his original plan wasn't the greatest.
What he said was indeed what Kaminari just pointed out with that statement and now he's got to own up to it. Listening to his intern is a bit frustrating, but he can't keep digging the hole even deeper. Covering this up won't help.
He should trust Chargebolt to help.]
All right. I can arrange that easily enough. I'll... I'll leave this in your hands then. [It's hard to let go of the control, but the man eventually has to. At least it kinda makes him look a bit better. Not so tense and straight-laced.] Should I bring the vehicle here or take you to pick it up off site?
[ Denki is so relieved that he's managed to talk his way out of this situation, feeling like some amazing negotiator. All it took were some half-truths, a possible nick in his hero credibility and some real appreciation for the work that was done in this beautiful power plant.
...plus a concussion.
The electric hero gives Blesk a little smile as that sheepish look comes into place, and he can't believe he won such a powerful guy over! Him, the dumb one!
I'll handle this, I promise. Everyone can make mistakes, and as long as we work together on this mission everything will be alright.
So far he's pretty much seen nothing that says that Kyuketsuki is anything but a guy that fucked up rather than some evil villain type. If everything he said really ends up being true, he even kind of kidnapped him for a misguided but good reason.
That part about 'being his' is now forgotten in lieu of getting out. ]
Bring one here and I'll drive back. Just make sure it can't be traced back to you.
[Blesk could've gone without the concussion, the main thing that's giving him guilt and concern. Kidnapping was one thing, but leaving a physical mark, an assault, wasn't something that he believes the heroes would be willing to overlook. But if he leaves this in Kaminari's hands, then the electric hero said he'd do what he could...
The smile he gets from Kaminari surprises him, but gives him some relief as well, and he feels more comfortable with the decision. It's apparent on his face as the man seems to relax more, resigned but accepting. Wouldn't hear him saying Denki's dumb.]
It's in your hands then, Chargebolt.
[True, he had kidnapped him to keep him safe, since he apparently knows how heroes operate. They wouldn't want to save themselves if there are other people who need saving. But keeping lightning caged up is an insult to the lightning, right? Kyuketsuki sighs and runs his hand through his hair, fringe vanishing into the black spikes before flopping back out again once it passes.]
Agreed. Will you be content to rest while I make the preparations? It's nearing dusk.
[ Kaminari's brain didn't need more damage and him actually getting hurt might piss of another certain blonde a lot... but he'll handle it. He'll fix all of this, he's obviously a genius at making villains turn good. ]
Awesome, dude. You've made a great choice.
[ He's beaming now, giving a little Chargebolt finger gun with his free hand. The other one is still holding the phone, even if he's stopped absently clicking the buttons by now. Instead it's just a good weight in his grip.
Just like the pressure on all of this to succeed being in said hand(s).
Electricity always wants to be free-flowing and is a fascinating force of nature, but it can be grounded. Denki just prefers it being his boyfriend doing that rather than some random people. He trusts that 'wire' a lot better. ]
Yeah, I can wait a bit. I know it's not something that can be immediately handled.
[ Other then yelling for a car out the window, that is. He'll be a little more patient to not piss anyone off, and he is really tired. Aside from his bout with unconsciousness he hasn't exactly had any non-brain-injury sleep. ]
[Bakugou is are pissed off and the rest of the office he's in is certainly hearing all about it. Scouring the maps in regards to where the phone signal was last traced to, though that really wasn't any help due to the signal getting lost in a place that could... go anywhere, since it was in transit. They had a direction? In that it was heading "northeast" but... that covers a lot of possible options and it'd be a massive waste of time to strike out without some further narrowing down.
But they know Chargebolt is, oddly, okay? Don't really help calm Dynamight's rage.]
I guess a great one after a poor one evens things out.
[There's no effort to take the phone back, though with Jammer still sitting around, trying to call out again would likely go nowhere. The little finger gun brings an amused expression to Kyuketsuki's mouth, head twitching back a soft "heh" of a breath. Charming. Really. It's a Kaminari thing.]
I'm grateful. You can rest here while we get everything set up for you. [The powerplant owner gives Jammer a slight nod and the intern swings his legs off to the table before getting to his feet.] Later if you'd like a further tour and/or dinner, that can be arranged. I'll have the vehicle ready to go by the morning.
[ All of the former class has been gathering like a mad flock of geese in the CrissCross Agency to hear about the actual call from their lost Pikachu, relief (and a few tears) that he's alive and seemingly okay. How to find him, however... that's still a problem that they haven't gotten any closer to solve. At least they're not looking for a body.
In the room, Kyuketsuki earns a little smile at the mention of a good choice redeeming his previous one. Little by little, Denki is gaining back his confidence and typical easy-going self after all the stress.
The amusement and small breath adds to his elated nerves, enjoying making someone smile more than anything. He wasn't the class clown for nothing, after all... and apparently making someone feel better even extends to kidnappers. ]
Thank you, Kyuketsuki-san, Jammer. I appreciate this.
[ It's a little longer than he'd prefer to wait, but it's something. ]
[There's going to be a made flurry to try and get any sort of pinpoint and it'll be hard to keep some of them from slipping out to at least try and aim that direction. Bakugou's already dragging a map up on the screen to try and capture the area that the cellphone's signal was last seen and then start scanning for businesses and locations around there that might possibly be of interest considering an electric hero.
Kuyketsuki nods at the smile and growing calmness from the young hero. He relaxes more when Kaminari agrees to rest while they get the car issue taken care of. It'll take a bit to make sure the car's good to go and won't be offering any clues once it's inevitably impounded by the heroes. The Rubbers will take care of that.]
Thanks for being willing to stand up for what you believe in and still be able to let go of what happened. I should've gone about it a different route... and had more trust in the heroes.
[Jammer swings past Kaminari and lazily pops the phone out of his hand (or if the blonde's gonna instinctively clench it, will have to at least ask for it back).]
I'll have a proper dinner brought to you in a bit. There are amenities in the bathroom to wash off.
[ 20+ new heroes and a bunch of retired ones, all itching to run off in a direction to at least find something. What a pack of codependent idiots they are, loving eachother so much... there's a reason it's dangerous to fuck with the war heroes. ]
What's done is done, dude. You're making up for it already.
[ Kaminari says with a nod, and then hesitates a bit when the Jammer guy comes to take the phone. He does let the guy pop it out of his grip, however. No need to start something now when he's so close to getting out of here.
So close to going home and holding his boyfriend.
The blonde nods at the offer of food being brought up later, and the mention of the shower. Now that he has managed to fix everything, maybe taking a shower would be a little less exposed and dangerous? At least he's conscious while doing that, a nap seems more like dropping all his defenses.
...no quirk-cancelling cuffs, though. He could shock anyone trying to grab him, and it's harder to knock him in the back of his head if he's on a pillow. Makes perfect sense. (To him.) ]
[Or it's rather smart to fuck with war heroes, because having 20+ new heroes and a bunch of retired ones all focusing their attention and efforts on locating and getting back 1 hero means those eyes are not focusing on anything else. Leaves quite the blind spot when you overload one case with resources... But you can always count on heroes to be heroes.
And heroes can be incredible stupid.]
Thank you. Your words give me relief.
[Some of Kyuketsuki's words slip back into his stronger accent, but he doesn't notice, seeming to be more relieved that Kaminari's not going to hate him despite the misgivings of their initial meeting.]
I'll bring you a laptop later to send an email.
[Something of a compromise for not letting the electric blonde keep the phone. (Plus it gives Blesk a chance to see him again. Before he's gone. Again.) Still, Kaminari's welcome to rest in the room, though might be hard to avoid sleeping after a warm shower and good food and a bunch of crap sleep the past night + half day + all the stress.
But that's up to his body; there's no drugs in the food.]
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It really is telling how Denki's entire source of happiness is resting on that phone and the chance to reach out...]
It's the least I could do after what happened.
[This entire experience has been quite the ride, from the tumble out of the car to finally meeting each other to the strange conversations between them to the revelation of the tri-fold plot spreading out in the electricity of the rejuvenating country.]
Go ahead. Jammer here [he nods towards the young man sitting at the table.] is able to prevent electrical signals from being traced and can help or hinder their flow between transmitters and receivers.
[Not only could he prevent the phone from being located, but he could shut off the call in a split second...]
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He needs to get the villain plot out ASAP.
If he throws himself over the phone like a dog with a treat, you can't really blame him. A smile on his face and eyes lit up with joy he dials the well-known number into the weird buttons. Denki's voice is a little shaky as he waits, ready to speak as soon and his fellow hero picks up. ]
...Dynamight?
[ Is it pathetic, how much he wants to hear that voice? ]
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Hey, someone's got to save all the electric blondes. Can't have them getting themselves killed out there in a blackout apocalypse.
The phone certainly feels weird in his hand, more a cylinder than the flat rectangle people are so used to. Hey, that's the fun part of old-time tech. Blast to the past. Have an nostalgic roll in actually pressing physical buttons on the phone, feel them depress with that soft 'click' sensation beneath your fingers. And the dial tone. Ah, the lovely dial tone...
*cr-chrck*]
D-
[There's A LOT of noise on the other end.]
DENKI!?! FUCK, WHERE TH FUCK ARE YOU?! ARE YOU OKAY?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?! TRACK THIS RIGHT NOW, ASSHOLE!!
[Sorry, Kaminari, that last part wasn't aimed at you.]
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Right now he's very distracted by that dial tone and then the click of the call being accepted. He immediately moves the phone a bit away from his ear, knowing there will be yelling. ]
Hi, babe. I can't... I can't tell you where I am right now. Maybe later. They can't track this, it's being jammed.
[ He briefly glances at the two men in the room. He has to make sure he doesn't say anything wrong right now, and fuck everything up. ]
I'm mostly okay, I promise. Got hit over the head but it was taken care of. I didn't even know I was gone this long because I was unconscious.
[ Sigh. Now for the hard part. ]
There's a lot more important things going on than that, though. I need you to listen and send this to every agency in Japan.
[ That's Chargebolt talking, not the previously soft and lost side of Denki. This is hero stuff. ]
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I JUST FUCKING ASKED HIM THAT!! LISTEN, YOU BRAIN-DEAD IDIOTS!!
[All grown up and a few years out of U.A. and still acting like the teenagers they once were. Some things never change. At least the electric blonde knows his friends well enough to spare his own ears the volume blasting through the speaker.]
Tell your fucking kidnappers they're dead.
[Katsuki's voice is a mixture of rage and seriousness, unable to stay completely calm at the moment with Denki's voice on the phone, but picking up from the other man's lack of information that he's still with his kidnappers and is being monitored right now. He scoffs at the notion of not being able to track the jammed signal, but doesn't say anything.
Not aloud, however, since he's mouthing to Jiro the tracking and jamming comment so they can start working on cracking the jammer with brute force if they need to. Katsuki's job is now to keep Denki on the phone long enough to track the location.]
The hell do you mean, it was taken care of? Did you escape them? [Okay, now gears are shifting and he's moving into information gathering rather than demanding responses. The next part, however, isn't completely unexpected.
Here comes the demands.]
We're not negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists... [There's a warning in his voice, but he's opting to listen.]
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I'm fine, guys. [ Denki says softly, knowing the gang is definitely doing their best to listen. ] ...and I'm not going to tell them that, it seems counterproductive. [ About telling his kidnappers they're dead. ]
They had a medic look me over. My head is a little swollen but everything's fine. I could have been tried to a chair in chains so I'm not going to complain about a 4-star kidnapping.
[ A little hint of the Denki jokester in the middle of it all, just in time for Katsuki's warning. Yeah, he knows that. He knows, and maybe that's why this is better than being used for money or other demands. He's not a top hero, he doubts the commission would allow negotiation in the first place. ]
This doesn't have anything to do with the one who ordered the kidnapping of me.
[ AKA "It's one person, with henchpeople and power/money enough to get their hands on a hero." ]
I was told about an incoming nation-wide blackout ploy by three power chains to fight about the sole provider spot. I need you to tell all agencies to make sure hospitals and other places have good backup power and to start generators in their offices to help the population. Sidekicks need to be ready to direct traffic, and any people with power-generating quirks need some protection.
[ Sigh. ]
That's apparently part of why I was taken. To protect me from the chaos.
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Which then begs the question, why did Kaminari get taken alive if there was no trade or payment?]
You're kidnapped and you're "fine"?!
[Thanks for that outburst, Kirishima. Bakugou glares at him before putting the phone deliberately to his ear.]
What the hell do they want then? [More confused expressions as Kaminari talks about a medic looking him over, concern when he talks about a head injury, and then a few glares and "huh's?" as the electric blonde goes off talking about chains, chairs, and 4-start kidnapping.] But you still can't tell us where you are.
[Leave it to Chargebolt to be kidnapped by unconventional kidnappers. And the lack of bargaining or negotiating with villains had nothing to do with top heroes or importance; after all, there'd be zero intent to negotiate with the League of Villains when they kidnapped Bakugou. Only a quick and immediate gathering and assault on their positions to rescue him and take down the group who thought they could get away with such a bold and foolish move.]
That's pretty fucking hard to believe. [That "one" person who ordered Kaminari kidnapped doesn't have shit to do with his kidnapping treatment. Bakugou scowls at the phone, though at least gets the implication right off the bat that "one person" means the "head of something" in actuality. So they're dealing with an organized group.
The rest... WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT LOAD OF BULLSHIT?!]
And you believed that?
[Bakugou's keeping his incredulous yelling restrained for a surprising second, treating this seriously, but not about to take that whopper of a story and immediately disseminate it as truth.]
Gonna need a lot more proof than the words of someone who kidnapped you for your "safety".
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[ Denki replies at the voice of his friend, and then listens to Katsuki. It's true the heroes came to his rescue immediately, but the LoV didn't exactly give any demands. Plus he was taken as a child; a hero-in-training, barely a step up from a civilian. Chargebolt is supposed to be a professional and not get in these messes.
The explosive blonde's immediate distrust isn't surprising - after all, Denki isn't sure what to believe either. Being prepared is more important than the truth, however. ]
It doesn't really matter what I believe. If there's a chance of this happening we have to be prepared. Just like the mission in Hokkaido, I've offered to speak on my kidnapper's behalf and keep him out of criminal charges if he continues to give us information.
[ There was no mission in Hokkaido. A hint that he's being full of shit to keep the peace and get more out of his kidnapper. ]
Please contact the agencies to keep them aware of this possibility. No matter what's going on, I was taken for a reason and we need to be ready if this happens.
[ He sighs and then looks over at Blesk and the intern. ]
...anything else I should add? Is there a mute button on this brick of a phone?
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Of course he's not going to believe that shit! Any kidnapper would say whatever to make sure they could get off with a lighter sentence after getting caught! Did they do something to Kaminari? Are they releasing him back as part of some trap? Are they even releasing him or is this a fucking service update call? So much of this is bullshit and Bakugou's stuck trying to figure it out.
He might argue the comment about preparations over truth... because that's a slippery slope.]
There's a difference between preparing for a realistic threat and preparing for a maybe-fake hunch-story some shitty villain wants to toss out as a plea bargain for a lighter sentence.
[He notes the comment on Hokkaido and rolls with it immediately, realizing what Kaminari's doing. And even now he's already telling the others about what's going on, despite the phone recording currently being played out in other rooms. The fact this kidnapper kidnapped Denki to keep him "safe" from some threat is fucked up too... Who does that?!]
I'm not promising anything, but the word's gone out. Now Where the Fuck Are YO-?!
[The line goes dead and Jammer leans back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.]
No can do, kiddo. They were already jumpin onto the old wireless trackers. But ya got the word out! And they know you're safe and alive.
[Kyuketsuki pushes away from the wall, arms crossed over his chest.]
That's a start... but what Dynamight said he true. Unless they find something, this will come off as nothing more than a plea bargain. I think it might be in our best interest to shift the blame of kidnapping...
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If we just ignore it and don't prepare and it ends up being true, it will be chaos! All it would take is a little time and a heads up to-
[ Click. ]
Dynamight? Dynamight?! Katsuk... put him back on!
[ Denki argues, waving the old phone around. ]
I didn't even have time to tell him to request for underground heroes to check up on the largest power plants! [ His gold eyes fall on Jammer. ] Wasn't he supposed to stop tracking?
[ What was old wireless tracking? He has no idea. ]
They know I'm alive. Safe is a pending situation, especially when you say something like that. Shift the blame?
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Chargebolt has a point, unfortunately. IF it IS true, and they're not prepared for it... but at the same time, mobilizing efforts based on some "anonymous" tip from someone who fucking kidnapped a hero... Well how's that supposed to look any other way but suspicious to them?! The sudden disconnect of the line gets a curse from another line elsewhere.]
Lost him!
Well how fucking close did you get?!
Not very. Either there's a jammer on the other end or they're using an old phone model that doesn't connect to the internet. Those are harder to track since they rely entirely on old-fashioned connections.
[Back with Kaminari, the intern lifts his hands up in a show of innocent protest.]
Don't get mad, man! That's how I stop tracking! Click! I didn't realize they'd be so quick to realize it was an old model. Sheesh, smart cookies over there.
[Blesk frowns and rests his mouth behind one hand.]
It's all right, Kaminari. I'll let you send an email later tonight in lieu of another phone call. You can explain more then.
But the thing is, if when you return, there's going to be an inspection. And just now, you offered to speak on behalf of your kidnapper. I appreciate the offer, but it would be ill-advised to allow myself and my company to fall under suspicion.
[Well don't fucking kidnap heroes then. Duh.]
I'd rather have those eyes facing someone else. Another kidnapper for the heroes to investigate and content with.
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[ Chargebolt snaps, irritated and feeling like he's back on square one again. He keeps the phone in his hand, like it's a comfort item in the middle of all of this. If he starts clicking the buttons like it's a fidget toy, you can't really blame him.
Glaring at Kyuketsuki, those gold eyes narrow further and a few sparks light up around him. Yeah, don't fucking kidnap heroes, then! ]
I agreed to help you out of charges and stuff, maybe even keep you out of things completely if I can - but I'm not getting someone else involved with this, especially not as a scapegoat!
[ It wouldn't be right, and he rather puts himself at risk than someone else. ]
I can't allow that, Kyuketsuki-san.
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[It's a pointed question, but also an honest one. Kyuketsuki's expression suggests he's seen a lot, but his youth means he hasn't seen everything. And that foreign accent of his, hell it's no as if Chargebolt knows whether the man's even been in Japan for all that long. He doesn't seem to hold any negativity towards the snappish response he gets either, nor does he ask for the phone back. Truth is, once they have time for the trail to go cold, Kaminari can call again. The way the blonde's fingering the buttons is charming... Back to business.
Predicting the response, Blesk lowers his hand and spreads his arms a bit in offering.]
Not even if it's someone who's already a kidnapper? You could, what's that saying... two birds, one throne?
Stone, Boss. Two birds with one stone.
Oh. Right. [He nods to Jammer in indication and gratitude before looking back to Kaminari.] I can help you find this criminal and you can bring him in; as a trade, my involvement is placed on him, and then we're free to proceed.
[The offer is a suspicious one, he knows, but it's less dangerous than admitting his own involvement in kidnapping Chargebolt.]
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The war happened because a guy older than our grandfathers decided that instead of working on bettering the world with all the quirks and shit he had, he was gonna build an army by gathering a bunch of vulnerable people and fucking them up. Not because I happen to have some bias in thinking my friends are the best heroes ever.
[ He says, a little annoyed at the same old point is being brought up again. Maybe it's the fact that he's been fixed up and rested or that he finally got to hear the voices of his boyfriend and Red Riot, but he's putting up some defiance again rather than just going with it to gain information. ]
There's no way for me to know if that's true or not. Either way, I'm not adding charges to a villain just to get you out of trouble. I told you I'm willing to lie for you, that's stretching what my morals as a hero should be already.
[ Villains are bad and need to pay for what they've done, but adding kidnapping of a hero on the list of crimes is just going to give them a heavier sentence than their actual crime is. They're supposed to make things better, after all. Rehabilitate villains rather than sticking them in Tartarus to be forgotten.
What would the villain think if they were used as a scapegoat? They wouldn't want to change their lives and start it over. They'd be pissed at the system and heroes. ]
Let me go, Kyuketsuki-san. I'm really impressed with Mizudenki and I want this place to succeed, and tarnishing it with our mess would be the opposite of that.
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[Kyuketsuki's voice drifts a bit into thoughtfulness, perhaps not talking to Chargebolt so much as commenting on something in his own memories and experiences. He shakes himself out of the momentary lapse and folds his arms across his middle.]
Boss. [Jammer leans back in his chair and looks at the other man, hands resting behind his head.] I think you should listen to the kid. I know you wanna keep Mizudenki out of the problem, but at this point, it'll only make things worse to keep covering things up. Let him go. You made a mistake, did something stupid even if your intentions were good. Plenty of people do that. Chargebolt here's gonna give ya a cover up and you know the Rubbers can bounce back from anything. Let him go back to the heroes. We can come back in later to help them with information once they're better prepared. You can't keep Sparky locked up.
[Kyuketsuki doesn't exactly look comfortable at the moment, caught between Kaminari's own restrengthened frustrations and his underling's empathic logic. It's obvious he wants to keep himself and his company clean, but the simple truth is he ordered Chargebolt's kidnapping to keep him safe. It was a selfish thing to do, even if he meant it for a positive benefit...]
How do you propose I let you go then? Simply releasing you into the woods would be problematic. Do you want to stage an escape or arrange a surrender or trade?
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[ That was exactly what had happened here, after all. Kyuketsuki thinking his way was better than anyone else's, even if it meant taking him by force.
Denki gives the intern a look and then a slight nod, happy to see that the intern has his back on this. He can bend his morals for this amazing place, but he cannot break them - and he needs to get back and help with this possible threat. ]
There's no need for anything like that. Just get me a car and I'll drive home. I'll tell everyone that my kidnapper let me go but that we made a deal to not reveal who it was in exchange for your cooperation and information about a possible villain plot.
[ He's not sure what he'll actually do in the end, but he needs to get out of here. If this threat is true, he will be needed to help people. ]
Please.
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[This time the frown and focus finally breaks and his facade falls away into something sheepish. Kyuketsuki glances off to the side, looking like he wants to keep his pride, but at least gets to admit his original plan wasn't the greatest.
What he said was indeed what Kaminari just pointed out with that statement and now he's got to own up to it. Listening to his intern is a bit frustrating, but he can't keep digging the hole even deeper. Covering this up won't help.
He should trust Chargebolt to help.]
All right. I can arrange that easily enough. I'll... I'll leave this in your hands then. [It's hard to let go of the control, but the man eventually has to. At least it kinda makes him look a bit better. Not so tense and straight-laced.] Should I bring the vehicle here or take you to pick it up off site?
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...plus a concussion.
The electric hero gives Blesk a little smile as that sheepish look comes into place, and he can't believe he won such a powerful guy over! Him, the dumb one!
I'll handle this, I promise. Everyone can make mistakes, and as long as we work together on this mission everything will be alright.
So far he's pretty much seen nothing that says that Kyuketsuki is anything but a guy that fucked up rather than some evil villain type. If everything he said really ends up being true, he even kind of kidnapped him for a misguided but good reason.
That part about 'being his' is now forgotten in lieu of getting out. ]
Bring one here and I'll drive back. Just make sure it can't be traced back to you.
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The smile he gets from Kaminari surprises him, but gives him some relief as well, and he feels more comfortable with the decision. It's apparent on his face as the man seems to relax more, resigned but accepting. Wouldn't hear him saying Denki's dumb.]
It's in your hands then, Chargebolt.
[True, he had kidnapped him to keep him safe, since he apparently knows how heroes operate. They wouldn't want to save themselves if there are other people who need saving. But keeping lightning caged up is an insult to the lightning, right? Kyuketsuki sighs and runs his hand through his hair, fringe vanishing into the black spikes before flopping back out again once it passes.]
Agreed. Will you be content to rest while I make the preparations? It's nearing dusk.
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Awesome, dude. You've made a great choice.
[ He's beaming now, giving a little Chargebolt finger gun with his free hand. The other one is still holding the phone, even if he's stopped absently clicking the buttons by now. Instead it's just a good weight in his grip.
Just like the pressure on all of this to succeed being in said hand(s).
Electricity always wants to be free-flowing and is a fascinating force of nature, but it can be grounded. Denki just prefers it being his boyfriend doing that rather than some random people. He trusts that 'wire' a lot better. ]
Yeah, I can wait a bit. I know it's not something that can be immediately handled.
[ Other then yelling for a car out the window, that is. He'll be a little more patient to not piss anyone off, and he is really tired. Aside from his bout with unconsciousness he hasn't exactly had any non-brain-injury sleep. ]
I'll rest for a while.
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But they know Chargebolt is, oddly, okay? Don't really help calm Dynamight's rage.]
I guess a great one after a poor one evens things out.
[There's no effort to take the phone back, though with Jammer still sitting around, trying to call out again would likely go nowhere. The little finger gun brings an amused expression to Kyuketsuki's mouth, head twitching back a soft "heh" of a breath. Charming. Really. It's a Kaminari thing.]
I'm grateful. You can rest here while we get everything set up for you. [The powerplant owner gives Jammer a slight nod and the intern swings his legs off to the table before getting to his feet.] Later if you'd like a further tour and/or dinner, that can be arranged. I'll have the vehicle ready to go by the morning.
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In the room, Kyuketsuki earns a little smile at the mention of a good choice redeeming his previous one. Little by little, Denki is gaining back his confidence and typical easy-going self after all the stress.
The amusement and small breath adds to his elated nerves, enjoying making someone smile more than anything. He wasn't the class clown for nothing, after all... and apparently making someone feel better even extends to kidnappers. ]
Thank you, Kyuketsuki-san, Jammer. I appreciate this.
[ It's a little longer than he'd prefer to wait, but it's something. ]
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Kuyketsuki nods at the smile and growing calmness from the young hero. He relaxes more when Kaminari agrees to rest while they get the car issue taken care of. It'll take a bit to make sure the car's good to go and won't be offering any clues once it's inevitably impounded by the heroes. The Rubbers will take care of that.]
Thanks for being willing to stand up for what you believe in and still be able to let go of what happened. I should've gone about it a different route... and had more trust in the heroes.
[Jammer swings past Kaminari and lazily pops the phone out of his hand (or if the blonde's gonna instinctively clench it, will have to at least ask for it back).]
I'll have a proper dinner brought to you in a bit. There are amenities in the bathroom to wash off.
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What's done is done, dude. You're making up for it already.
[ Kaminari says with a nod, and then hesitates a bit when the Jammer guy comes to take the phone. He does let the guy pop it out of his grip, however. No need to start something now when he's so close to getting out of here.
So close to going home and holding his boyfriend.
The blonde nods at the offer of food being brought up later, and the mention of the shower. Now that he has managed to fix everything, maybe taking a shower would be a little less exposed and dangerous? At least he's conscious while doing that, a nap seems more like dropping all his defenses.
...no quirk-cancelling cuffs, though. He could shock anyone trying to grab him, and it's harder to knock him in the back of his head if he's on a pillow. Makes perfect sense. (To him.) ]
I really appreciate it.
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And heroes can be incredible stupid.]
Thank you. Your words give me relief.
[Some of Kyuketsuki's words slip back into his stronger accent, but he doesn't notice, seeming to be more relieved that Kaminari's not going to hate him despite the misgivings of their initial meeting.]
I'll bring you a laptop later to send an email.
[Something of a compromise for not letting the electric blonde keep the phone. (Plus it gives Blesk a chance to see him again. Before he's gone. Again.) Still, Kaminari's welcome to rest in the room, though might be hard to avoid sleeping after a warm shower and good food and a bunch of crap sleep the past night + half day + all the stress.
But that's up to his body; there's no drugs in the food.]
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Don't you national ass me, Helen Zass.
;)
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sorry for the delay. vacation + plumbing issues
♥
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💖
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