The ride to the bar wasn't very comfortable to say the least. Perran was sandwiched between two stone skinned giants in their oversized pick up truck listening to blaringly loud music that even made it hard hear the conversation Kazuki and his younger brother Jukis.

The jolt from each turn taken too fast and bump of a curb only exasperated his already sore muscles even more. He's never been invited to one of these after work gatherings before. So he had no idea what to expect, for that matter he's never been to a bar before either, so he was completely in the dark about how he should act or what to expect from the experience.

Perran couldn't help but give off a sigh of relief once they finally came to a stop in a crowded parking lot.

The bar was clearly popular based on the amount of people there, it was a nice place as far as Perran could tell. The long drink bar in the center of the place was where he guessed most of the people came to socialize. There were people of all backgrounds and talents. There was one man with a an Elephant trunk nose, and tusks. A woman whos open back dress showed crystal like structures jutting out, shining out rays of light when the ceiling lights hit them. There were also a bunch of other people who didn't have any clear signs of what their talents were, but Perran knew they must have them.

Kazuki guided Perran to one of the horse shoe shaped booths, and he was a little relieved to see Cougi the forge handler there too. He had red scales that started from his mouth and faded away as they made their way to his back and down his throat. Despite his slightly reptilian and scary appearance he was a friendly guy who always seemed to have a cheery mood even when brick forged chewed him out for making the forge get too hot sometimes. Similar to the forge he could get hot headed too and wasn't afraid to argue back with Brick Forge, which Perran guessed their boss respected him for. Given that he hasn't fired him yet.

"Oh ho! Perran! Nice to see you outside of the yard! Glad you could join us." Cougi said lifting his drink to the air.

"Oh, Hello Cougi, nice to see you too." Perran tried to say it in a calm voice but to be honest with himself he wasn't at all at ease here for some reason. Something about his sudden invitation and refusal of denial made him suspect that this night wasn't gonna be just about drinking to let off some steam.

Perran was quickly forced to take a seat in the middle of the booth by Kazuki's hulking frame threatening to crush him if he didn't slide over. Effectively locking him in place.

Perran choose to sit there in silence as the three men talked about various things about the shop. How local prices were changing, possibility of promotions, and a few about how they thought Brick Forge was an old cynical fool whos cracked too much.

It wasn't long until a waiter approached the table and started taking orders.

"We'll take 2 Gallons of Gub Flight, a shot glass of Dragon shot for lizard mouth here. And.." Turning to Perran giving a Rocky smirk before continuing the order.

"And a what do you want Perran? Water in a sippy cup?" The two rock giants gave a hardy laugh as if Kazuki just told one of the best jokes ever told.

"Careful Kazuki you might hurt Paperskin Perrans feelings! Give the boy your weakest beverage, wouldn't wanna have him over do it tonight." replied Jukis.

The waiter clearly seeing the discomfort of the situation looked at Perran concernedly for a bit. As if to give Perran a way out he asked.

"Excuse my rudeness sir, but may I see your ID for a moment, just to verify your age." Perran reached into his wallet and pulled out is ID card already knowing what was gonna happen next.

Taking the card, the waiter studied it for a bit. Eyes furrowing when his eyes got to what Perran knew was the part that usually says what someone's talent was, on his card it said "None". Looking up from the card then back down at it, he cleared his throat before addressing Perran.

"I'm sorry sir, but I don't know if given your, um... Condition if it would be wise to give you alcohol." Perran gave out a sigh of relief. While he knew for himself he could handle alcohol.(He snuck a sip from Mr. Hikaris stash of cans once just to see how it tasted. He decided he'd never do that again) He knew the waiter like everyone else thought his body was too frail to handle it. While he would usually protest this thought, It made for an excellent excuse for him not to drink tonight.

"Ah, that's okay, thanks for your concern." Perran found this to be the best way to deal with peoples 'Well intended' actions toward him. he didn't feel like arguing tonight, he just wanted to get through it.

The waiter left, satisficed in himself seeing that Perran was not upset, and in fact probably felt like he had helped Perran in more ways than one, Which Perran guess he really did.

The two rock Gollum's grumbled their protest, but couldn't do much once the waiter threatened to have them removed if they tried anything.

Which put their murmuring to a stop.

Once the waiter came back, he had to unload the three gallons of beer off a cart specifically used for large orders like this. He then picked up a small red and white shot glass and started using his talent. Using his other hand he poured the bottle nowhere near the shot glass. But as if having a mind of its own. The alcohol stopped midair and moved like a serpent through the air, spinning, and twisting around until landing so perfectly in the three shots that even the splashes seemed to bend back and fall into the shot glass. Not a single drop wasted.

Cougi and Perran applauded the show of expertise, which the waiter accepted graciously. Turning to Perran now the man slid him a glass full of carbonated soda. Which Perran took gratefully and started drinking. His throat still parched from working all day.

The talks amounts the guys continued however the the help of alcohol loosening their lips, their demeaner shifted to more, 'unprofessional' topics that Perran tried his best to tune out once more. Instead choosing to look around the bar again.

The waiter was doing the same liquid trick at another table and was likewise rewarded with applauses. Perran wondered if his talent only applied to alcohol or if he could bend any liquid like that. His talent most likely lead him to his current job, like it does for many people. His coworkers were perfect examples of that too. All of them had some sort of strength or heat resistant talent that made them more efficient at their job then Perran could ever be.

Above the the tables on the other side of the bar multiple TVs hung, displaying multiple sports channels. on one of the screen the German Wing Spikes were Versing the American Air Bursts in Aviation Ball, teams of athletes who all had some sort of flying or hovering talent, competed to throw a disk into one of three slots in the opposing sides wall. There was no floor in this court save it for a large net designed to catch any athletes who's talent limits were reached and passed out and began to fall. The sport was played pretty ruff, and often competitors would try to slam into rival team members in a chance to nock them out of the game entirely.

To add some variety to the game the courts often had tall pillars randomly placed throughout the arena, the players could land on these to rest, but also use them as push off points to get a boost in speed.

A similar game was played on another screen but this one was underwater. Most of the players on this one comprised of players with either gills, self made bubble suits made by controlling the water around them, or were mutant class talents, having bodies that were more fishlike than human.

On the far back right screen was the sport Perran enjoyed watching the most. Sparing.

In Todays match retired hero turned sparerer; Slim Jim, was fighting against an current champ by the name Rugal the Ruthless. Similar to Hero's famous talent users often adopted a 'name' for themselves. While mostly used for publicity there were those that truly did deserve the tittle. And Rugal seemed to be one of them.

Rugals attacks were fast, and devastating, he had a animal based talent that made him look part lion. His hands were clawed stood on the balls of his feet, and had a large bushy main that was slicked back and put into a ponytail. Slim struggled to manipulate his bodies mass to just barely dodge the blows. His talent was known as Mass Morphing. It allowed him to shift the mass of his body to any other part, he used this talent to stretch his body out thin, and then before striking he'd move all his mass into his fist, giving it a greater impact force.

While Perran use to route for Rugal when he was younger, he noticed that he was beginning to slow down, his hits weren't timed as well anymore, and it seemed he was more attacking wildly now rather than taking the time to read his opponents.

And it seemed he was doing that now. Rugal was so busy pushing the attack and forcing Slim to the edge of the ring that he didn't notice slims body had gotten half the size of his already thin build and had moved most his mass into his legs.

Once Perran saw that he knew this was the end of Rugals rein.

With a swift mass reinforced kicked to Rugals inner knee. Slim buckled his much larger opponents leg and caused him to fall over, using his own body against him. Slim quickly followed up with a double handed over the head ground pound with his enlarged fists and broke Rugals talent limit. Knocking him unconscious.

The bar erupted in a mix of cheers for the underdog and booing.

"RUGAL THE RUTHELESS HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT!! THERES A NEW KING OF THE ARENA!!" Yelled the announcer as he raised up slims arm which had grown back to be regular size.

Once Rugal was made conscious again and brought to his feet Slim offered a hand, which the former champion only growled out, before storming off out of the arena.

"Bah!! Scrawnny man like hiuam beatin the KING?!! Mus'tva been cheatan somehowsz..." kazukis speech had already began to slur. Kazuki and his brother argued about the match in ever increasing tension. Caught between the two of them Perran choice to try to find a new distraction instead.

Looking back to the other people in the bar he noticed the woman with the crystal back had moved her conversation she was having with one of the guys at the bar to the small dance floor near the back corner. As her movements increased in speed and her clear happiness shown, lights began to emit from the crystals on her back, creating a disco ball affect around the room.

This lead to a few other patrons moving to the dance floor to enjoy the mood.

"Want to join them?" asked Cougi. His body was more relaxed now and the heat from his breath was slightly diminished from the drinks.

"Bahh! HICK* B-barren wouldn't lrast fivva... no fours seconds in that there group...." Kazuki slurred almost every word he spoke, and was beginning to tedder back and forth in his seat.

"Nahh! I-ttss muach safa if this talentless little runt stayyyed right heere withh us.."

"Oh come on Kazuki I'll be there right next to him the whole time nothings gonna happen to him." countered Cougi. Perran once again wanting to take the path of least resistant resigned to his fate of being stuck there. He knew the three were too intoxicated to make sense with, it would be better for Cougi to go and him stay here if it prevented a scene.

Cougis formerly diminished flames seemed to bristle in his throat as his anger rose. His scales turned a brighter shed of red. And heat poured from his mouth. But before he could unleash his tirades. Or maybe even a fire breathe. Perran put his arm on his coworkers shoulder.

"Its alright Cougi, you go have fun." Perran tried to give his best reassuring smile.

Cougis heat seemed to dissipate quickly after, as if just realizing how close Perran was to his heat. Taking a moment to simmer down, literally, Cougi asked Perran if he was sure that's what he wanted, and Perran tried his best to assure his coworker that he would be alright.

Reluctantly Cougi, not wanting to wait for the drunken mountains to move pulled himself up onto the table and jumped off on the other side. Giving a last reassuring look to Perran he waited until he gave him a little thumbs up and a smile, before he headed to the dance floor.

And then he was alone with three drunken giants... Maybe Perran should have tried to go with Cougi.

"Thuaat thaireee Torch Mouth! Gets on myaa last nervaa-.... I tell ya one of dease days i'ma throw him into that blasted furnace..." Jubis remarked just as drunk now as Kazuki.

Tomura the third rock giant was very different from the other two while drunk. He was usually a quiet guy only giving grunts to most conversations. He was slumped back slowly sipping at his drink which was still half full. He didn't care much about what happened around him.

Kazuki however seemed to still be very bothered.

"Thaut minimuam wauge bottom feeder thinkss hea can tell MEEE! what I can and caun't order!"

Perran tried to focus on something else again as Kazukis tirade continued. With most people on the dance floor now he couldn't really observe individuals as much because everyone moved around too much and it was hard to keep track of anyone.

He noticed Cougi at the center of the floor now though, his scales fluctuating shades of red as he increased and decreased his internal body temperature. It seemed to be working like a charm because there were three woman who seemed to be taking interest in his rather unique way of using his talent.

Moving his attention back to the long bar. He noticed that there was only two people still sitting there chatting. For a moment he thought he saw some thing glowing over their heads, but wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, or perhaps just one of the dance lights reflecting onto the celling.

A man in a well tailored suit, a fading hear line of black and large round glasses was talking to the woman next to him, but she wasn't seeming to reciprocate his actions. In fact Perran noticed she seemed to be leaning away from the man, which only seemed to encourage him to keep scooting closer to her. Until finally she got up from her seat and turned to walk away but before she got far enough the man reached out and grabbed her arm rather harshly causing her to wip back around, she raised her hand as if to slap him but stopped half way.

She stood there stone still for a few seconds before the man readjusted his glasses back up to cover his swirling eyes. Her body relaxed. He leaned in whispered something into her ear, than started leading her away from the bar.

Perrans heart felt like it had jumped into his throat, as he slowly processed what was happening.

The man was kidnapping the woman using his talent illegally. He had to get help. Looking around the bar frantically he tried to look for the waiter from before, but didn't' see him anywhere in the crowd of people.

Thinking fast he began to yell out "HEY! WAITER!!"

But the music drowned him out. Suddenly a strong hand collided with his face shoving him over on the bench.

"Shhhhaut your mouth! Pesst... Ifa ya wanted somthan to drink than have some of thiiiis." Kazuki poured some of his remaining beverage into Perran's empty cup.

"I don't have time for this i need to go." Perran stated hoping to get out of this situation now to get help.

Are there any hero's near by? No he doesn't know he never did anything in this area before he has no idea who'd be available. Even if he tried his phone to call for help the police or hero's wouldn't get here fast enough.

"Yoouuur nauuuttt goannn ANYwheere B-buarren. Not until you have a little sip off-"

Perran grabbed the cup and downed the whole thing.

It tasted horrendous and burned his throat as it went down.

The spectacle was so unexpected that even Tomora perked up a little. Jubis and Kazuki just stared in bewilderment.

Perran had to move fast before the alcohol took affect. Putting his hands over his mouth he began to fake heave, as if he was gonna throw up.

"Buahh! Looks like youag're liiiiittle shauw of bravvery backfiyad on ya." Kazuki teased.

"I'm gonna be sick." Perran said frantically moving side to side.

Tomora finally spoke. "Let the kid out you bolder brain, or else he's gonna puke all over us."

As if now realizing the very real possibility of that even in his enumerated state Kazuki moved from his seat, a little faster once Tomura glared his way for doing it slowly.

Perran slid out of the booth and ran out the door ignoring the calls from behind telling him the bathrooms were the other way. The pain in his leg hadn't gone away, and in fact the sudden transition from sitting to full on sprint causing him to fall over.

Picking himself up off the floor Perran ran straight out the front door. Looking side to side panic and drunken sickness battle for control in his mind. His vision started to blur, but he kept shaking it hopping to clear his vision and see where the man went. About three streets down he recognized the mans clothing.

Breaking into a stumbling run he made his way to them.

He had to do something, but what could he do, he was no hero he never could be.

Looking around desperately he hoped he'd see a police car or hero's on patrol. But the street was completely empty.

Checking his pockets he looked for his phone. Maybe if he called for help and followed them he'd be able to lead the police to the villain.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Once his fingers grasped it he pulled his phone out and tried to open the phones keypad to call the hero hotline. But he was so pumped on adrenaline that his grip on his phone was weak, and his fingers shook uncontrollably.

He was doing it again.

His heart beat faster and faster in his chest and he felt like he couldn't breath. A crushing weight grasped his entire body, and his vision started to blur.

What good was he if he couldn't even call for help. He's the one that should be in danger not her.

He held tighter to his phone, he had to try. But the unsteadiness of his hand made him open his phones camera app instead of the phone call option. The camera faced towards him, showing him the grim reality of his own appearance, and panicked state he was in. His hair was disheveled, and his face was covered in iron dust and sweat lines. But even with the dark layer of filth he could see he was pale from fear.

He-he couldn't do this, not anymore, He can't even make a phone call, he'll just make things worse. He always makes things worse.

If only you had a talent.

The kidnapper was almost out of site. His hostage unknowingly, unwillingly walking with him to who knows where. And here Perran stood useless not even able to make a phone call.

He lowered his head in shame, cursing his own lacking abilities, his body was still exhausted from the lack of sleep and a full shift at the factory. He was barely standing as is, and the half a pint of alcohol in his system wasn't helping either. If he tried to fight the guy he would just end up probably getting himself killed and endangering the hostage. He wasn't cut out to be some kind of hero, he's not even helpful as a bystander.

So tired.

His own face gazed back up at him in his phones screen. His finger slowly moved towards the power button. But stopped hovering over it.

His mirror copy on the screen gazed back at him, his own eyes meeting his. He held his own gaze, studying his eyes for what felt like an eternity, but was more a few seconds of contemplation.

What if I didn't have to fight him. Perran thought.

Shaking his head he looked around as if coming back to his senses, just in time to see the villain turn another corner and disappear.

Damn it! He cursed to himself. He braced his body, and took a deep breath.

He struggled to take the first step, the air around him felt thick, as if it was made of wet cement, and it was trying to lock him in place.

His heart beat harder and harder as each continual slow step pulled him out of the fog his mind had put him into.

Each step, each wobbly step, got him further and further. He had to lean on one of the street walls to prop himself up. But he kept going, getting faster and faster. Before Perran had a chance to stop himself, he had broke into a unsteady sprint. With his phone clutched tightly in hand.

Orbal couldn't believe how well his plan has been working out. Hiring Merana to distract the majority of the people in the bar by giving off a glorious display of her crystalline features on the dance floor, gave him the perfect opportunity to snatch this beauty.

Judging from her expensive looking attire, and thick diamond earrings he'd bet his favorite pair of shades that she had some money in her family. Family that will pay handsomely for her return. Just like the others did.

He'll be sure to increase Merana's cut, her distraction made it far easier to get the chance to be alone with his target, and gave him the opportunity to use his talent on her too, quickly bringing her under his control. Even if a Hero were to see them, all they'd see is a couple coming home from a date, and even if they asked her she would say whatever he wanted her to.

Just a little further and he would be home free.

Turning the last street corner he saw the street that lead to a rundown apartment complex that he had been working from for a few months now. It was the perfect hide away for him. Hero's very rarely ever came back to a scene of a crime or fight.

The top of the building was still caved in from one of the larger villain types supposedly being thrown into it by some new up and coming hero.

The fools the lot of them. Robbing a bank in broad daylight was a guaranteed way to run into a Hero or two. No he wasn't like the rest he preferred to do things in a more subtle way. By staying low profile he had successfully been kidnapping and ransoming unsuspecting hostages for a few years now. And he's made a tidy sum to tie him over for the next few years of his life. Just a few more ransoms and heck, maybe he could retire in a few years.

Orbals jovial mood was interrupted however by the sounds of rapidly approaching footsteps, making him tense.

Was someone following him? Was he sloppy and someone saw him? Should he cut his loses and run leaving the girl?

No, unlikely he thought to himself. Had been walking for a few blocks now, and if someone was after him they wouldn't be so blatantly loud about it. He reasserted his confidence and walked a little faster to the side alley entrance.

The footsteps however seemed to just get louder and louder, against his own better judgment he gazed back, but was even more confused from what he saw.

A young man who was covered from head to toe in dust, drunkenly ran towards him. The site was so perplexing that Orbal froze for a moment unsure what to do.

What could this kid possibly want? His appearance and posture allured to this being some low rank street trash punk who had a little too much to drink. Orbal thought he'd better get rid of the punk before he causes a seen, and brings attention to him. Ordering his prize to stay put he turned and regally walked back down the street to intercept the stranger. Straightening his suit he stopped a few buildings away.

Something felt off about him. The way he had turned the corner looked around and then headed directly towards him shot off too many red flags for him.

"Can I help you friend?" Orbal replied hoping to get the boys head to raise up from its somewhat slumped over position so he could look him in the eye and use his talent on him.

Once he did that he could ask him why he was following him. Was he some hero of some kind? Or a cop?

And based on his answer. He'd either order him to go jump off the bridge on 230S, or simply to turn around and forget he ever say him.

It took the stranger a few more staggering steps before stopping about a few feet in front of him. He hunched over holding his hand over his mouth and started to dry heave right in front of him.

"Are you alright there?"

Was this guy gonna be sick? Orbal cautiously took a step backwards, he didn't want this dirt covered streets rats lunch all over his new suit.

The drunkard never looked at him, he stayed hunched over, swaying unsteadily on his feet. His patience was beginning to run out as he continued to not speak or so much as look up at him.

"Hey I'm talking to! What's your deal? Why are you following me?!" Orbal lowered his glasses and grabbed him by the top of his hair and yanked his head up harshly to his. If he wasn't going to look at him than he would make him.

His eyes swirled as he activated his talent. Controlling two people at once was a challenge, and he'd wake up with a headache tomorrow morning for this, but he had to end this quick.

"Who ar--"

OBEY ME

His own eyes gazed back at him, reflected in the screen that the boy held over his eyes. Before he even had a chance to stop himself he felt an excruciating pain in his head.

OBEY ME, OBEY ME, OBEY ME.

His own talent fighting with itself for control over his mind. He couldn't' even shut his eyes or stop his talent.

As every second passed the pain got worse, and more unbearable. A liquid began to flow from his nose, before darkness closed in around his vision.

OBEY ME, OBEY ME, OBEY M-

When the villain let go of his hair and went silent for a few seconds, Perran cautiously peaked out from his phone. The mans eyes, that were rotated 90 degrees sideways and were swirling was frozen looking at his own image on Perran's phone.

Slightly his head twitched as if trying to pull away but was unable to. Blood began to pour from the mans nose, and his eyes became bloodshot from the strain his talent being used on itself was putting on his mind.

Perran worried if perhaps he was going to far, he wasn't sure about the long term affects of running a talent back into its user would have on someone. He was about to lower the phone as he didn't' want to severally injure the man. He just wanted to stop him.

The sideways eyed man suddenly fell to his knees, his eyes rolled to the back of his head he and fell over onto his back on the sidewalk. Perran lowered his phone. Slightly panicking he bent down and checked the man for a pulse, and let out a sigh of relief when he felt it.

"Huh?.. Where.. How did I get out here?" Came a woman's voice, Perran looked a head and saw the woman the villain had been trying to kidnap look around in confusion. Her memory seemed to come back when her eyes landed on the man from the bar.

"He tried used his talent on me! What an absolute creep!" Quickly she dug through her purse and pulled out her phone and Perran guessed she was calling the police, soon people who could actually help would be here to take care of the situation.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity to finally leave he headed for one of the near by alleys hoping the woman would be too distracted to notice him at all, but he only made it a few steps before;

"Hey wait!"

Perran stopped a few steps away from disappearing.

"Did you do this?" The woman asked she had quickly made her way over to both of them, she carefully stepped over her would be kidnapper giving him a slight sneer too. And faced Perran.

"Did you save me? Are you a hero?"

Her words confused Perran for a bit. Saved? He didn't save her, all he did was give the guy a stroke and might have seriously damaged his brain.

He was certain a hero or someone else would have come along and dealt with the man properly, sure it might have taken a bit longer. But it would have been a lot safer for everyone else if he hadn't gotten involved.

Not to mention stopping a villain without a being a certified hero or police officer was illegal, he could end up in serious legal trouble if people knew what he had done.

"Ah,, um.. No.. No I didn't do anything, I could never be a hero, I just saw him collapsed on the street. And ahh just wanted to see if he was alright, he ahh he still has a pulse so that's, um good... Are... are you alright?" He mentally kicked himself for stumbling over his words so much. But those worries were forgotten quickly from what he saw appear before him.

He starred in amazement as a few red orbs of light began to float around the woman, but then suddenly disappeared.

Now it was her turn to look in amazement "Am I alright? You look like you can barely stand, I can call for an ambulance for you if you need."

"No! No.. Ahem ahhh no, I'm fine, just ah had a little too much to drink.. I need to get back to the bar, my coworkers might be wondering where I went."

One red orb followed by two green orbs appeared again over the woman's head. Her eyes glanced over to them but didn't seem to see them as something stranger or foreign. She can see them too he thought. Was it her talent? What did it do?

Perran shook his head, again, his face that was already red from the alcohol, flushed redder realizing that he had just been starring at the woman for an uncomfortable amount of time.

"Ahem sorry, so I'd better get going."

"Hold on wait-"

But Perran took off down the alley, which too the woman probably looked very strange as he stumbled and limped away as quickly as he could manage. But once he knew she wasn't following him he slowed down and did a lap around the building and settled in the allay on the opposite side of the building, tucked behind a pile of trash.

It was there where his stomach finally decided on what to do with the bitter tasting alcohol.

If he thought it tasted bad going down, it was worse coming back up.

M-muahhaa Maybe drinking the full glass was a bit too far. He probably could have stop at one mouth full. Wiping his mouth on his sleeve he straightened up again and placed the lid back on the trashcan.

He stayed there until he heard the sound of sirens approaching. Peaking out he saw one of the police cars come to a screeching stop. A police officer hoped out of the car and quickly approached the woman and wrapped her in a big armed hug. Literally big armed, his entire arms were 3 maybe 4 times the thickness of a normal persons.

"I'm so glad your safe pumpkin! You're not hurt are you?"

She eagerly returned his hug, Her radiant smile evident on her face. They quickly began talking, but at a much quieter tone, that Perran couldn't hear, but if he looked carefully enough he could see her green orbs appearing over her head again and disappearing.

Perran figured that it must be a relatives, probably even her father.

The big armed officer started talking to his walky-talky and the officer that accompanied him went to handcuff the still unconscious kidnapper.

At a word from the woman the other officer hesitated before pulling out a blind fold and quickly covering the mans eyes. Taking away his ability to hypnotize people.

It wasn't until the guy was securely placed into the back of the police cruiser. Or rather quite harshly thrown by the large armed man into the back of it. Yep definitely and angry father. That Perran made his departure.

Slipping out of the alley on the opposite side of the building he debated heading back to the bar. Pulling out his phone he checked the time 1:14 A.M.

He doubted his coworkers would have waited for him after running out an hour ago. And the busses stopped running at midnight.

Letting out an exhausted sigh, Perran began the long walk home, reaching into his pocket he pulled out the collapsed cane, clicking the release, it extended out to his full length. He was a much needed relief on his leg as he walked down the street.

Koco Ito watched the dirt faced covered man quickly disappear into the alley, his rapid departure showing he didn't want to continue to discuss what had just happened yet his limp made her worry that he had injured himself while saving her. The whole interaction intrigued her, temporarily making her forget her own fear she had been feeling just moments prior.

Going from sitting at the bar just wanting to relax after work, being harassed by the creep to suddenly waking up outside with that same man bloody on the ground and that stranger just standing over him.

She knew he was lying when she asked if he had saved her. Her talent, named "Lie Light" allowed her to know whether what someone said was the truth or a lie. Small colored lights would appear above her head when either someone told the truth or a lie.

The problem with her talent thought is that if someone tells a lot of truths and lies at once its hard to distinguish what each light refers to.

The man had so quickly tried to explain away his actions that she wasn't sure what he said was the truth as they appeared in quick succession. But she was certain that he had saved her.

But if that's the case then why would he lie about it?

Pulling out her phone she called her fathers work cellphone.

"Hello, this is Police Director Ito" Her fathers voice brought immediate calm she hadn't realized she had been needing to hear.

"D-dad." Her voice choked up with emotion.

"Koco?! Is that you, is everything alright?! What happened? And why are you calling me on my work phone?" Her fathers rapid spread of questions and concern helped her calm down a bit, just enough to say what happened.

"I-I was almost kidnapped." She finally said, finally saying out loud what had almost happened brought realization to her. What was his plans with her? What would have happened if the man hadn't saved her?

"WHAT?! WHERE HOW?! I'M HEADING OVER WITH A CAR RIGHT NOW!! STAY PUT!!" her father yelled, she could hear him getting up from his desk and frantically opening doors and running through the police department barking orders for other officers to follow him in their car, and to get hero's there as soon as possible.

"Dad dad, its alright, someone already helped me."

"What? Is there a hero there already? Did they deal with villain trash that tried to harm my baby girl?!"

"I-I don't know who saved me. He didn't stay long. He took off as soon as he knew I was alright."

Her father tried to muffle a curse on the other line of the phone but didn't do a very good job.

"Another Damn Vigilante?!"

He quickly began giving new orders.

"Kraiger you're coming with me."

A vigilante? Is that what he was? Koco thought about the idea for a moment. It would explain why he didn't stay, and was insisting he didn't have anything to do with the blooded villain he was standing over.

But if he was a vigilante, where was his costume? Most vigilantes she knew from news stations covering them, wore disguises to hide their identity. So why didn't he?

Another concern crossed her mind. Why did he look so... messy and why was he limping so bad. was he injured? And why was he so flustered when she asked if he was a hero. He made it clear he wasn't, in fact he specifically said he could never be a hero, which Koco thinks made a green orb appear meaning he truly believed he could never be a hero. But why?

The more she thought about the man that was concerned for her, the more she was concerned for him.

It wasn't long until her fathers police cruiser came speeding down the street, just barely avoiding drifting into a mailbox on the corner street. Coming to a screeching stop, Director Ito didn't even waste time to turn off his car, opening the door he quickly rushed over to his daughter and wrapped her in his large arms.

His Partner and family friend, Mr. Kraiger a hero handler and Hero Student Trainer for the H.C for the Police stepped out of the car after turning it off. Standing shakely, clearly relieved to no longer be in her fathers car.

"Ito if I knew you were gonna break every road safety law to get here I would have just chosen to run here on foot! I think I left half my skin back at the station. If you had crashed who would have taught my next semester of students?!" Despite his condemning words of her fathers reckless driving Kraiger had on his never seaseing smile, showing he wasn't really mad.

"And how are you Koco? You're father seemed pretty worried about you."

"I'm alright Mr. Kraiger, as you can see the perpetrator has already been taken of." Koco said motioning to the man sprawled out on the ground.

Kraiger moved over to the man to get a better look, but Koco quickly informed him that his talent is some kind of hypnosis, and he can get you under his control with just one look.

Her fathers face twisted in anger as he realized how she knew that's how it works. If looks could kill, that villain wouldn't make it to trail.

Her warning made Kraiger stop and put his hand on his chin before his smile got even wider.

"Fascinating." Reaching into his belt he pulled out a specialized handkerchief that wouldn't come undone easily. Tying it around the mans eyes and putting on a pair of handcuffs for good measure. Kraiger stood up and put his fingers around his eye and twisted it like it was a pair of binoculars.

Similarly his eyes rotated and extended as he twisted them. His eyes changed to a haze of color Koco couldn't make out its meaning. But Kraiger clearly could discern whatever information he was getting.

"Very interesting." Taking his pen out of his shirt pocket, he carefully lifted up the blindfold over one eye to look at the mans rotated eyes, Pushing an eyelid open he saw the pupil spiraling in a circle motion, seeming unable to remain still.

"He's completely under his own control, stuck in a loop, he wont be able to wake up until someone can stop his talent. Until then he's as blank minded as a new born child." Twisting his eye back his eyes returned to their normal shape, and color.

"He has a rather unique hipnosis talent, it seems to work even through reflective surfaces. The usability of such a talent is extraordinary! If he practices it in the right way he could adapt his talent to maybe even incorporate long range influence. Could you imagine the implications! Just a simple glance in his direction from a window and he could control you."

Kraiger turned excitedly with his theories, but quickly wiped the smile off his face from the stare Koco was giving him, and the darn near death stare he was getting from Ito.

"Oh, ah right sorry you probably already know those... 'Implications' sorry.." Kraiger rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortable as Itos stare didn't falter.

"So.. Ahem. Who did this Koco? It definitely wasn't a hero because protocol clearly dictates containment procedures and a Hero must stay with the victims of a crime until Lawinforcment can arrive to take control." he said this while looking around too as if expecting them to suddenly appear.

"I-I don't know, A man was standing over him when I came to. He didn't say who he was, and was pretty firm in insisting he had nothing to do with it."

"Was he lying?" Asked Kraiger and her father at the same time, both being aware of her talent.

"I believe he was, no one else was here who could have intervened. I don't know why he wouldn't want credit for it. Or why he left as soon as he knew I was okay."

"Alright, but what about your talent, did he set it off by saying he had nothing to do with it?" Asked Kraiger.

"I couldn't really tell, he was talking so fast trying to explain everything that I got a mix of red and greens."

"What did he look like" continued Kraiger, his interests clearly visible on his face.

"He was about as tall as you Mr. Kraiger, had tan hair, his face and clothes were dirty and..." She was having trouble thinking of any other distinguishing characteristics, from all she could recount he just looked like a regular person, then she remembered his rapid departure.

"When, when, he left I noticed he limps when he walks. He looked rather unsettled."

"I think he might be hurt." Koco added that last part, showing her clear concern for that last remark.

"Why would he just run away after saving me?"

"Hmmm typical Vigilante behavior pattern. Leaves before making sure everything is safe, and panics when the law is involved, quickly leaving the scene."

Kraigers face nearly split from his ever widening smile. He playfully looked over at Ito who rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with his giant hand.

"Don't say it Kraiger, dealing with a potential new vigilante tonight is not a set of paper work I want to deal with tonight. Call Ronin and get him here. If you want this new vigilante to be one of your students you can get him yourself. I'm taking my daughter home, and throwing this purp in the most uncomfortable cell we have."

Once in the car Koco and her father drove off, her gaze went out the window, she couldn't get her mind of that nights events. And one nagging regret clawed at the back at her mind. She never said thank you.

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Perran didn't get back to the Hikaris house until 2:20AM.

As quietly as he could he unlocked the front door, and pulled up on the door handle to keep the old creaky hinges from squeaking and waking someone up. Talking his shoes and jacket off in the entry he headed to the kitchen. Grabbing a glass he filled it up to the brim with ice cold water and drank it greedily, he didn't care some of it was spilling down his chin. His throat was so dry and raw from the nights events that actually getting a decent drink was a major relief.

Once he was done with his drink he headed over to the fridge and pulled out his ice pack, a small circular pad once used after Tyler got his wisdom teeth out. They were great for icing his right leg when he over worked it.

Holding it against his leg he awkwardly shuffled off to his room. Locking the door again behind him he slumped onto his bed. Not even bothering to remove his dirty work-clothes, clean his face, or even brush his teeth.

He was too exhausted to do any of that, and his mind was racing with too many thought to handle.

What he did tonight was absolutely stupid, he could have put that woman into even more serious danger by interfering.

And he had to admit to himself, if that phone trick hadn't worked he had no other plans, he acted on impulse and didn't think of the consequences.

He began to unconsciously rub his hand through his dirt covered hair where the villain had grabbed him.

A villain grabbed him... His hand moved faster and faster as if trying to scrub any phantom feeling of his hair being pulled to make him look at the villains face.

His heart began to race again, and the crushing weight from before reemerged once more. Pushing him into bed, and locking him in place.

He clenched his teeth and covered his eyes with his arm, that quickly became damp from tears that he couldn't stop.

Idiot.