Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Vongrak.
Taylor POV.
Lung was a tall woman by Asian standards. I didn't consider myself tall, but she was definitely taller than the average Japanese woman. I'd noticed it a lot; she stood out like a sore thumb at almost 1.78 meters. Not as much as mutant quirks, but she was about 10 to 15 centimeters taller than most of the Japanese population. She was even almost 10 centimeters taller than Izumi.
And Lung was taller than me, despite being Japanese, by half a head. She was robust, muscular, her torso bare, wearing only jeans. Her body was covered in tattoos of oriental dragons, and her face was covered by an ornate metal mask in the shape of a dragon. But most importantly, what stood out most, were the enormous scars all over her body.
She must have had more than a dozen on her body; some had already been tattooed, others she tried to cover with new tattoos, but she had failed. The scars were so easy to see even in the darkness of night with only the moonlight for illumination.
There was one on her back that ran from her hip to her opposite shoulder, cutting a tattoo in half. She'd added new ink to cover it, but the scar was still visible, a horrific mark on her body. I almost grimaced. Getting a tattoo must be painful, but getting a scar tattooed? I shuddered.
And that wasn't the only one; she had several on her arms, her torso was also covered in small scars in addition to the scar on her back, there was even one on her neck that went up to her chin and one on her stomach that went down her leg.
Ryuma had really made a mess of Lung, almost as if he had put her in a blender before letting her escape.
"Console, this is Miss Militia. Report, Lung sighted. I repeat, Lung sighted. Over." Miss Militia murmured, her voice tense. I continued monitoring Lung. My entire swarm slowly approached, and I began to scan all sides. The insects in my swarm were far better than my own eyes at seeing in the dark.
The low light of the night worked in my favor; my insects were camouflaged in the darkness, while I could see them perfectly, especially Lung. Although I couldn't see in total darkness, the moonlight was more than enough for me to clearly observe what was happening. I was watching when a slight movement of her ear caught my attention.
"Miss Militia, this is Consola. Confirm: positive visual identification of Lung? Is contact established? Over." I heard the frantic voice in my ear. I could see Lung's ear twitch. She stopped and turned her head in our direction. I paled considerably.
"Affirmative. Visual confirmation. No confrontation for the moment-" Without even hesitating, I placed my hand over Miss Militia's mouth. She looked surprised. I used my free hand to make a few quick frowns.
Aizawa-sensei was a clandestine hero, meaning he worked at night, in the dark. He was able to move alone and in groups, so he had taught us hand signs. It wasn't so much sign language, but something like military signs, easy-to-understand signs.
I moved my hand, made the signs before pointing in Lung's direction.
"We're being listened to by Lung." That was the message I quickly relayed. I could see Miss Militia's eyes widen as she tensed. I lowered my hand from her mouth; she tensed again before moving her hands.
"Are you sure?" she asked simply. I nodded firmly. Vista stepped into our line of sight and waved her hands.
"Shall we move away?" she quickly signed with her hands, preparing to use her power at any moment.
"Miss Militia? Please repeat the information. Over." The voice in my ear said tensely, almost urgently. Miss Militia was about to move.
"You're not thinking of leaving, Miss Militia, are you? " Lung's voice reached us and made us shudder. Miss Militia stiffened, frowned at us to back away, I could see her grit her teeth, she didn't even hesitate to leave the hiding place alone.
"Lung, we had a theory that you had heightened senses even as a human, thank you for clearing that up for us," Miss Militia said tensely. "This doesn't have to turn into a confrontation, withdraw." She said without hesitation, her eyes completely hardened as she looked at Lung.
"Received, reinforcements dispatched immediately, move away immediately. Over." said the voice in our ears.
"Reinforcements?" Lung sneered. I could see a wave of fire erupt from his hands. Miss Militia's power flickered and transformed into various firearms before she chose a rifle and raised it.
"I repeat, leave, Lung. There's no need for any confrontation. Whatever your reason for being here tonight, forget it and go," Miss Militia warned. Lung laughed hoarsely.
"I don't think so. Those children have something that belongs to me. I can't let them go. No one steals from me, from Lung, and gets away with it." Lung said hoarsely. I could see small scales beginning to form on her body. I tensed completely. I immediately signaled Vista to start moving away. I drew the entire swarm into my range and prepared to attack.
I could see the other gang members also start pointing their guns at Miss Militia. The situation was completely tense. Lung finally sighed.
"I was about to forget my manners, why don't you invite your fellow heroes?" Lung mocked. Vista and I stopped mid-stride.
"No need," Miss Militia said immediately. Lung just snorted, pointed in our direction, and the gang members started moving. I mentally clicked my tongue; I could feel my insects starting to go crazy. I quickly signaled to Vista, making rapid hand signals. She frowned and nodded. I could see her distort space; she took a step and moved dozens of meters away.
I took a deep breath before leaving my hiding place and walking slowly toward Miss Militia. I could see her eyes widen in surprise before she looked back at Lung, but now she was much more tense.
"Skitter, retreat," Miss Militia said seriously. I simply approached her; the gang members who were about to surround us stopped and pointed their weapons in my direction. My hand closed tightly around Shusui, preparing to move.
"A new heroine?" Lung sneered. "And someone with a haori and a katana? Hey you! Are you one of us? " Lung asked, looking in my direction.
"I'm a Japanese citizen," I said simply. Lung almost seemed petulant, even with her mask on, almost proud. "And as a Japanese citizen, I'm disgusted by everything you've done," I finally said. Lung froze. She just shook her head.
"Ha, what a shame, the heroes have washed your—" Lung stopped, her gaze fixed on my sword. "Shusui." Lung whispered, loud enough for me to hear, the whisper tinged with fear. Then she glared at me, her entire body erupting in flames. "RYUMAA'S HEEEIR!" Lung roared furiously as she began charging in our direction—in my direction. Every shred of sanity and false civility she possessed vanished instantly, scales sprouting all over her body as she grew larger.
"Vista!" I shouted loudly, my swarm descended upon the gang members, yet they still fired in our direction, I moved with ease, unsheathed Shusui and sliced the bullets, Miss Militia didn't even move from her place, either trusting that I would block the bullets, or that they wouldn't hit her, or that they wouldn't do enough damage, instead, she was completely focused on Lung.
She pulled the trigger, Lung's body was riddled with bullets, her body was pierced several times, halting her advance for a few moments before her body immediately regenerated and began to grow stronger, then she turned completely black and the next bursts of bullets from Miss Militia bounced uselessly off her body.
My eyes widened as a wave of fear surged from within me. Armament Haki throughout her entire body?!
That monster was capable of coating itself in Haki!? Damn ! Fuck! Fuck! There goes the plan to fill her with poison! My insects can't get through that damn Haki!!
Finally, we heard one of the PRT motorcycles approaching. Vista came closer, skidded immediately near us, and turned around.
"Miss Militia, get on! I can run fast and keep up with them!!" I yelled to Miss Militia. Lung generated a fireball in the palm of her hand and threw it in our direction. Miss Militia didn't even hesitate; she ran back, climbed onto the back of the motorcycle, facing backward, directly toward Lung. Her legs gripped the seat tightly as her gun continued firing at her. Even when Vista floored the accelerator, she barely flinched, remaining completely rigid in place and continuing to fire at Lung from that position.
Okay, I admitted it, that was great. I turned around and hit the ground hard, then started running alongside the motorcycle.
"Console, Miss Militia. Contact Lung! I repeat, contact Lung! I request immediate reinforcements. Over!" Miss Militia shouted.
"Reinforcements sent! 3 minutes! Keep moving away from Lung! Don't fight it, prevent it from growing! Keep her away from the houses! " said the employee's voice.
"3 minutes?! Someone who can stop Lung!?" I asked in surprise.
"N-no, she's the closest heroin." The employee said awkwardly, and I frowned.
"Then tell her not to come any closer! Start evacuating! Lung is following me, and she doesn't seem to be distracted by anything! In the worst-case scenario, either the hero ends up hurt or Lung grows even bigger! " I said, my teeth showing surprise. The employee remained silent.
"Skitter's right, how fast can Armsmistress get there?" Miss Militia asked immediately. Her eyes never left Lung behind us. I didn't have to turn around to see Lung; my swarm could see her in all her glory. She was already over two meters tall, her body completely covered by her armor. She had started slower than us, but she was increasing her speed more and more as the fire enveloped her.
"Armsmistress here, arrival time, 13 minutes." Armsmistress's voice said in my ear, I grimaced.
"13 minutes!" Vista grumbled as she rode the motorcycle, completely tense. "We can't lose her?!" Vista asked. I almost snorted loudly.
"Lung seems to have a hatred for my sword. Do you really think she'll just walk away peacefully if I go far enough? Or will she just burn down every building until she finds me? " I asked dryly.
"Damn it!" Vista growled tensely. At that moment we heard a roar. Vista tried to turn around out of habit, but the motorcycle veered slightly. She straightened it and looked in the mirror while cursing under her breath. My insects spotted Lung, now taller and slowing her pace. Her hand had formed a ball of fire, which she threw toward us.
I clicked my tongue, dodging the fireball to one side as Vista dodged to the other. The fireball exploded uselessly against the ground, but created a small crater with force. We quickly moved away as Lung slowly approached.
"Skitter, can you take her somewhere without people?" Miss Militia asked. I frowned. I looked around.
"Not fast enough, and I'd be flying away in the opposite direction from Armsmistress!" I said with a grimace. Miss Militia growled. I frowned and started looking around. I'd been gathering my swarm, but there was nothing I could do against Lung with them. Even as she grew larger, her Armament Haki still completely enveloped her.
She was a damn unstoppable killing machine. I could see Miss Militia transform her weapon into an anti-tank rifle, then her gun went completely black and fired. My eyes snapped open once more. The recoil was so strong it shook Miss Militia and swerved the motorcycle. Vista swore as she wobbled her way to the handlebars.
The bullet wrapped in haki struck Lung in the chest, completely shattering Lung's Armament Haki like paper, passing through her body from side to side and continuing on, leaving a hole in Lung's chest.
Unfortunately, Lung simply regenerated, and Haki covered her again. Miss Militia reloaded while still aiming. I continued looking around, my eyes focusing on the buildings, Vista and Miss Militia, then on my swarm.
"I have an idea! A very bad idea!" I shouted as a plan began to form in my head.
"Do we get out of it alive?!" Vista asked dryly.
"Maybe!" I said as a smile began to grow on my face.
"Damn! Fine! For my own good! What do we have to lose?! " Vista growled furiously and very sarcastically. Miss Militia just frowned.
"Very well, Skitter, you're in charge," Miss Militia finally said. I nodded. And bit my lip.
"I need us to go around in a circle! Around the block! " I said quietly, transmitting over the radio.
"In circles!?" She hissed. Vista looked incredulously.
"Yes, I also need you on top of the building Vista!" I said without hesitation, Vista seemed to hesitate.
"Vista, jump when I give you the order." Miss Militia said without hesitation.
"Argh ! Good!" Vista shouted, her body tense. Miss Militia made her weapon disappear, turned on the motorcycle, reached over Vista's body, and grabbed the handlebars. Vista immediately let go and grabbed whatever she could. Miss Militia slammed on the brakes.
"Now!" Miss Militia shouted. Vista didn't even need her to finish the word; she was already standing on the motorcycle, leaping powerfully and appearing on one of the nearby buildings. Miss Militia immediately accelerated once more as she settled herself on the bike. We both dodged another fireball from Lung before it reached us.
"Great! I'm up here, now what do I do! " Vista shouted, even though I could hear her more through the radio and my insects.
"Your power! I need you to shorten the distance to all of Brockton Bay! " I said forcefully.
"What?!" Vista asked incredulously.
"My range is 5 blocks right now! Based on distance!" I need you to shorten the distance from the sky over Brockton Bay to different city blocks; that will extend my range! More range! "More insects! " I said without hesitation.
"Why do you want more insects?! They won't do anything against that thing! She's already two and a half meters tall and engulfed in flames! " Your insects will burst into flames before they can even attack her! " Vista shouted urgently, but even so, she was already moving. I could feel distinct points in the sky shrinking and my power expanding—no, still 5 blocks, but they were traveling to parts of the city.
Each point extended my power, each point allowed me to control hundreds of thousands more insects. I began gathering all the insects in the city and raised them all at once. An apocalyptic swarm emerged from Brockton Bay, covering half the city. Every building was covered in insects before they filled the sky. The little moonlight that remained was completely obscured by my swarm.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Vista shouted in disbelief as she continued to wield her power, creating large, distorted sections of space through which my insects could move. Meanwhile, Miss Militia had followed my order to continue circling a block.
Fun fact: Common green dragonflies, also known as Anax Junius, are one of the most common dragonflies in the United States, especially in the north. They are quite migratory and there are a lot of them during the summer and they remain active even during the fall.
In other words, there are a huge number of them in the city in September. Enormous numbers. And the great thing about that? Dragonflies are some of the fastest insects I had available at the moment. They're capable of moving at a top speed of over 50 km/h or almost 15 m/s if I pushed them to their limit, which means they could move 5 blocks in approximately 30 seconds.
That was good, very good, especially when I used them to transport other, slower insects or those that couldn't fly. We only had to circle the block where we were a couple of times before my swarm arrived fully loaded.
Half of my swarm descended upon Lung like a biblical plague. They didn't do much; Lung was already over 3 meters tall, her entire body covered in scales, her neck had lengthened almost as much as my torso, spear-like protrusions began to grow from her back, and her skull was flattening like a feline's. She looked more like an elongated lizard than a dragon.
A long, furious lizard, enveloped in fire so strong it burned the ground it passed over, covered in Armament Haki and filled with so much fury it was ridiculous, and my insects did nothing, even when Lung wasn't directly attacking it, the fire covering its body was enough to burn my insects before they could do anything, but still, it served to annoy it enough.
Finally I stopped and turned around to face Lung.
"Skitter!?" Miss Militia screamed in a panic, instantly stopping her motorcycle and jumping off. Lung roared when she saw me, not even bothering to speak; I didn't even know if she could while transformed. I just smiled and gripped my sword tightly.
"Shusui, let's go hunting." I said firmly, smiling beneath my mask. Shusui purred with pleasure as I drew my sword.