Inkopolis Academia #12: Poppy at the Hassaikai

Surumanzu. Be sure to give their work a look if you haven't already, it's really good.

Edit: thanks for the feature!

Previous chapter

Chapter hub

Before the actual story starts, I want to make clear that I am going to do a little split story line. We will first focus on Poppy's intern before going back in time to check on Rose's. I'll repeat it then too, but I thought it would be nice to make it clear already.

Also to make something else clear: characters have both a hero/villain name aside from their real name. For dialogues, I will be adressing them with one of the 2 depending on which one was used first to keep it more simple in my eyes.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy. Sorry if I made spelling mistakes. Constructive is appreciated. This is a longer chapter.

Also Anna's main oc is making an indirect appearance. Give her profile a look if you haven't already.

#WritingReview

#CuratorReview

Poppy at the Hassaikai

1 February, 20:30.

30 minutes too early, but Poppy didn't care. Suited in her hero suit (with a hoodie over it as it was still quite cold at night), schoolbag and a big smile on her face (without laughing of course) she was eager to see what an actual hero agency looked like. And she was going to the Hassaikai Agency no less, she couldn't believe her luck. The night shifts didn't bother her at all. As the saying goes, crime doesn't sleep.

To give some background: the Hassaikai Agency is known to work at night. Not only do they think most villains come out then, but it also doesn't put them in the spotlight too often. Overhaul despises fame. It's also worth noting that it's meant to take some burden from the Squidbeak Splatoon Agency, which mainly operates at daytime.

Poppy was waiting a bit in front of the mansion which had the given adress tied to it. She didn't expact a headquarter to look like this, but she was sure it had to be here. Once she got inside, she looked around but saw nobody. There was a desktop at her right, seemingly resembling a reception. But the only thing on the chair was a plague doctor themed plush. She was about to go further until a voice sounded, startling her big time.

"Hey kid, you are Poppy aren't you? I'll have someone come to guide you, can you wait here for a bit? You can leave your backpack here, I'll get it to your room."

She nervously looked around, but couldn't see anyone. Was she dreaming?

"Hey kid, over here!"

Poppy couldn't believe her eyes: the 'plague plush' was waving at her.

Mimic: "Just call me Mimic kid, nice to meet you."

Poppy: "Idem ..."

Poppy didn't really know what to say, but she didn't had to think long as someone came into the entrance room: it was Leecha Libre, the hero who was changing blows with Lily when the Dragon Rage happened.

Leecha: "Mmmph, why do I need to do this? I was 'bout to snooze a little."

Mimic: "Everyone else is either training or started a patrol, the only one who hasn't been moving yet is you. So get your tentacles moving and get this kid to the dojo will you? Overhaul is still in an online meeting with the IA teachers, she'll get to our intern right after. Then you can go take a nap for me."

Leecha: "Aight, aight. Come on biscuit, I'll show ya the Hassaikai."

But when Leecha got a better look at Poppy, he scratched his head. Then he suddenly snapped his fingers.

Leecha: "Ay Mimic, why didn't anyone tell me it was the kid from the Dragon Rage?"

Mimic: "We did, you were just napping during the meeting you lazy Kraken!"

Leecha raised his shoulders.

"Eh, not a big deal. The name's Rikiya, aka the hero Leecha Libre or just Leecha for short."

He stuck out one of his giant hands, which Poppy shook on one of the fingers.

Poppy: "Poppy, aka Serenity, hero in the making."

She blushed, it felt weird to say her real name out of the sudden, she didn't realise. It was as if Rikiya knew she was thinking this:

"It's a bit strange at first, ain't it? Within these walls, we adress each other with our actual names. It grants us a united feeling of comraderie."

Poppy nodded. She had heard before that the Hassaikai was known for chivalry and such, but she never knew it was actually like this. However, she accepted this surprise and kind of get why they did it. She already felt as a part of the group, even if it was just a tiny bit. Yet it begged the question.

Poppy: "What about Mimic?"

Mimic: "I don't really like my name, I prefer you call me with my hero name ..."

Rikiya beckoned Poppy to follow him through the corridor he came from. Once they had reached a good distance, he whispered:

"Joi thinks his name has a girly vibe. We don't think so, but we like to joke because he thinks it himself."

Poppy smirked. Sounded like something she would do if Rose had happened to be a twin brother.

After a long walk through different corridors, they reached a dead end. Poppy raised an eyebrow, but Rikiya simply continued and gave the portrait of an old inkling man hanging there a spin. To Poppy's surprise, the wall opened like a door, revealing a staircase going down. Rikiya beckoned once more to follow. As she did, she quickly got a glimpse of the portrait with a title underneath: Eren, Hassaikai founder.

Once underground, it was is as if they had entered a maze: so many corridors splitting into different directions.

Leecha: "Don't ya worry kid, Overhaul will give you a paper with the blueprints of this underground base. I and the others have 'm ed on our squidphone, but we know all directions anyways, you get used to it once you've been here enough, believe me."

Poppy nodded. She just kept being amazed and was thrilled to see the other heroes working here.

They finally reached a double door with an old Japanese inscription above it. Rikiya opened it and Poppy took a deep breath: it was a dojo similar to one at IA, only bigger and with more training devices. She saw weights going from small to insanely big (which she assumed was for Rikiya), punching bags, various Kendo weapons, ... but what really caught her attention were the heroes who were starting their work night with some training or just preparing their gear. She saw Shield, the hero who protected her and Rose during Lily's rampage. She was putting up her bubbler like barrier while a bald male inkling with a white face mask was punching it with fists seemingly covered with crystals. Not far away, a muscular octoling was doing situps. Looking at the other side, there was a bench with 2 inklings and an octoling on it. The octoling was female and had yellow tentacles, the traditional octo soldier hairstyle and a brown plague mask similar to Shield's which covered her lower face. She was cleaning and inspecting a katana. Next to her sat an inkling with a steam punk like plague mask and a white raincoat like dress, who was cleaning a knife. Lastly, there was male inkling with a scarecrow inspired mask who was chomping down whole water melons in one bite.

Poppy didn't really know how to introduce herself to all these heroes she knew nothing about due to their night shifts, and was still standing at the dojo's entry, until the male octoling who was doing sit-ups got up and approached her. He was wearing black pants with a white shirt while a blue hoodie was hanging around his hips. He had an orca-like plague mask with the backside of it being open, revealing his brown tentacle hair. He might not be as big as Rikiya, but he sure was just as muscular, with metal plates strapped over his fists. He stuck out his hand.

Rappa: "Kendo Rappa is the name, aka the hero Spear."

He sounded extremely enthusiastic.

Poppy introduced herself just like she did with Rikiya.

Rappa: "Say kid, wanna have a training battle?"

Poppy was a bit surprised by this question. But the more she thought about it, the better it would work as her introduction: showing what she's worth in a battle against one of the heroes here is fantastic, she doesn't even have to win necessarily. After some more training in the last month, her recovery after using 100% had gotten better too. Not much, but at least something. She nodded yes.

Rappa: "Alright, this is going to be awesome kid!"

Shield: "Rappa, you know what Overhaul said, no ..."

Rappa: "Come on, one battle. I'll be sure to treat it as training, promised!"

Shield: "... you'll take full responsibility if she sees you, plus get rid of your metal for this."

Rappa: "Yes!" While he unstrapped his metal plating.

Similar to the battle she was supposed to have at school against Nightmare (until he assumed the form of All For One), Poppy took place on one side of a marked square while Rappa was standing on the other side. She once again had the permission to give a start signal. She was waiting, she was figuring out what her opponent's quirk might be. Due to his physical build and fist platings, she assumed he had some kind of strength enhancer quirk. She had an idea in mind, but wasn't sure about its consequences.

She took a deep breath.

Poppy: "Go!"

Rappa didn't hesitate at all and launched himself at Poppy, who was amazed at his movement speed. She did a 25% joy output on her arms and holded them together as a shield. Rappa's right arm threw a punch which had so much speed and power behind it, Poppy was sent flying back until she managed to slow down as soon as her feet touched the floor again.

Poppy: (Ok, scratch that. 50% output on my arms, 25% output on my legs.)

Increasing her arm shield and steadying her legs, she prepared for Rappa's next punch. It wasn't just one punch: a continous flurry of punches in an insanely quick succesion was thrown at her.

Rappa: "Special move: gatling flurry!"

Poppy's shield was strong enough to prevent any harm, but she still felt his punches and was kept at the defensive side of this battle: not only were the punches coming as fast as the ink from a Hydra Splatling, they were targetted all over her augmented arms, creating hardly any opening to strike back. Now was the moment for her plan, it was the only way to throw this match into her advantage.

Poppy: (Here goes nothing)

"Joy output 100%: bruiser arm!"

Her right arm grew to a size of a small truck again, which managed to throw Rappa's gatling flurry out of balance. She then swept her arm in a backhand like fashion, throwing Rappa away right against the opposing wall. As soon as she was done, her arm reverted back to normal, almost completely numb but as opposed to the very first time, she actually had a bit of feeling left and could move it a little. She assumed the more she would use it, the better her body will handle it eventually.

Poppy ran towards Rappa, concerned if she might have gone too far. She noticed the other heroes looking at her, the ones whose mask didn't cover their eyes had big ones.

Poppy: "You ok?"

Rappa: "Are you kidding me? That was fricking AWESOME KID! You managed to sweep me away with one propper defensive attack, holy fish, can't wait to ..."

"RAPPA!!!"

Rappa was interrupted by an angry shout coming from the Dojo's entry. He nervously scratched his tentacles.

Poppy looked at the owner of the voice.

Overhaul: "I literally told you to not battle our intern and what do I get to see when I enter? You deserved that whack she gave you!"

Normally a calm and stoic person, the number 3 hero was currently furious with her fellow hero. Despite her plague mask, here eyes were showing a strict form of anger.

Rappa: "Come on Tsu, it was just a ..."

Overhaul: "Don't Tsu me right now Rappa, I always need to explain the meaning of discipline to you. We'll talk about it later, you can be sure of that. Shield, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid while I am with Poppy!"

Shield calmy nodded with closed eyes. She was clearly used to this.

She turned her attention to Poppy, who gave a nervous smile. To her relief, Overhaul's anger faded and beckoned Poppy to come over, before leaving the dojo together.

Overhaul: "Sorry about that, Rappa has the heart at the right place, but it also happens to be the heart of a lion. He's always looking for a good fight, that's just what he likes."

Poppy smirked, as this reminded her of Rose.

Poppy: "No problem miss Overhaul, believe it or not, I am used to it. Besides, I was in need of some combat training anyways."

Overhaul: "Glad to hear. Oh yeah, two more rules: one, don't call me miss. Two, my name is Tsuyu, Tsu for short. I am sure Rikiya already told you about our name custody."

Poppy gave a smile while nodding. After a few more corridors, they stopped in front of a wall.

She expected a hidden mechanism similar to the entrance, but instead, Overhaul took off a glove and placed her hand against the wall. A door shaped hole appeared underneath a symbol representing a raven.

Overhaul: "After you."

Poppy entered some kind of meeting room. It was mostly empty but had a small table with 2 couches at each side. Near one of them, there was an actual raven sitting on small, tree-like plant. It appeared to be sleeping until Tsuyu approached it and gave it a piece of bread while softly petting its head. She settled down on the couch near it, which also had a red cloak and a box laying on it. She raised her hand towards the opposite couch.

Overhaul: "Take a seat, we need to talk about some practical stuff first."

As soon as Poppy sat down, Overhaul engaged in a conversation.

Overhaul: "Before you enroll on your first real hero work, I want to know you a little bit better. We've only seen each other two times haven't we?"

Poppy: "Yup, one time because of an injury and the other time because of a search to a mad scientist."

She smiled nervously.

Poppy: (Cod, I should have phrased that in another way, that sounded awkward.)

Overhaul: "Yeah, I wish the circumstances had been better."

She got relieved when Tsuyu took off her plague mask, looking at Poppy with a small smile. It was very reminescent of herself, which helped putting her at ease. Now she didn't feel like talking to Overhaul, now she was talking to Tsuyu. Suddenly, she took the box next to her, placed it on the table between them and opened it, revealing a chess board. Poppy was about to laugh but managed to hold it back. This was a way too funny coincidence in here mind. Guess all those games against Rose were about to pay. Tsuyu gave her the white side, allowing Poppy to make the first move in other words.

Overhaul: "I will place my cards on the table Poppy, you and your sister have been enrolled in the Hassaikai and Splatoon because your school asked."

Poppy was taken aback by this.

Poppy: "How so?" She made her first move.

Overhaul: "With the Dragon Rage and the Psychofressor incident, your teachers and your mother wanted someone to have a good look at you. BUT!" She made her own first move, with Poppy making her second right after.

Overhaul: "You twins have got the capabilities to be at our agencies. From what I've seen, your scores are among the best, with you excelling more on theory tests while your sister excels more in quirk tests. If you would have applied for the Hassaikai Agency yourself, I would have taken you as an intern. Your sister's love for battle would be a bit much to handle alongside Rappa if you know what I mean."

Poppy was relieved once again, and also smiled at the remark of Overhaul about her sister and Rappa. She was scared she was just here because of breaking rules, something she wouldn't be able to cope with. The game of chess continued.

Overhaul: "You recall your answer on the final question for your entrance survey for IA?"

Poppy: "What it takes to be a hero?"

Tsuyu nodded: "Tell me."

Poppy took a deep breath. She'd never forget something like this.

"Being a hero means being a peacekeeper. Order, peace, frienship, love ... that's what the world needs. Violence doesn't solve anything. "

Tsuyu's smile grew bigger. She moved her queen and took one of Poppy's towers.

Overhaul: "It was very similar to my own answer. I like your mentality kid, I am a pacifist too. Yet sometimes, violence is needed, either for self-defence or to protect others. Peace and order can only be achieved by reason and morals, that's what many villains lack. There will always be evil in the world, but it's up to us heroes to try and cure that disease nevertheless. That's why my agency has the plague masks as a trademark."

Poppy thought this was an interesting yet melancholic analogy. When she read a human history book in the library, she read about the plague and its doctors who thought they were treating the patients, but actually couldn't do anything against the plague at all. She shifted her focus back to the chess board. Sacrificing her tower was intentional. Placing her own Queen, Tsuyu's king was stuck in a corner.

Poppy: "Checkmate!"

Overhaul: "Darn, nice one! I should learn more about the different openings in chess. Anyways, good thing you finished it, it's about time I ask you something important."

Poppy got curious and widened her ears.

Overhaul: "You know the Vastayan Clan right?"

Poppy: "Yes, Rose and I actually saw them during the whole chaos happening. Agents 1 and 2 managed to capture them, didn't they?"

Overhaul: "Partially, it was only ahout half of the actual gang. You'd be surprised how many sea creatures have heteromorphic animal quirks. Here's the thing, the ones who were apprehended had taken the quirk boosting drug like many others that day, but they clearly weren't aware of the drastical effects. Now the other half wants to take it up with this lass."

She took out a photo and gave it to Poppy, who immediately recognized the person on it: Evanne, the Psychofressor. Their encounter had been brief, but she would never forget the haunting mentality of this mad scientist, the chaos she caused plus the fact that she was planning on taking her as a hostage.

Overhaul: "The Hassaikai Agency has been tasked with finding Evanne. After some hacking tricks, Mimic managed to access her mailbox, which contained a ... let's say angry message coming from a computer located in the library."

Poppy: "I see, no tracking of their hideout or something like that?"

Overhaul nodded.

Overhaul: "They wanted to have a rendez-vous in a storage room at Port Mackerel. I am going together with Mr Confession to see if we can get some information out of 'm before apprehending them. I was wondering if you wanted to in on this mission? You may be a first year, but since you're so caught up in all this stuff, you might just be our wildcard."

Poppy was mixed over this. On 1 side of the coin, she felt like she was way too much of a newbie to go on a mission like this. On the other hand, she had to start with something plus she was caught up in this whole case pretty badly like Overhaul mentioned. She ultimately decided to go, nodding yes to the pro hero with a determined expression.

Poppy: (Time to be a bit more like Rose.)

Overhaul: "Alright. Before we go, maybe I can fix your arm? I've noticed you did everything with your left arm up until now."

Poppy hadn't realised herself. She tried to move her right arm and it actually went better than right after her super move, but it was still very stiff and ultimately refused to do any major moving. She once again nodded yes.

Overhaul: "This might sting a bit. You also might wanna look back if you're a bit sensitive."

Tsuyu took off one of her gloves and putted her hand over Poppy's shoulder. She counted to 3, and once again, Poppy felt an immeasurable pain for less than a second. During that brief time span, she witnessed how her arm seemingly got turned inside-out, a state of ink scattered over the air, before it got reverted back to an actual arm. Fully operational, the slow recovery she had after the training was done in less than 1 second by Tsuyu. This was way more remarkable than the head injury she had at school.

Poppy: "I ... thank you!"

The hero chuckled.

Overhaul: "No problem, it's my duty. Oh yeah, I got a thing for you."

She took the red cloak which had been laying next to her on the couch.

Overhaul: "Since your hero suit isn't the warmest, I thought having this clothing against the cold might be something you could use. It has a hood to stay icognito and it's red to match your ink color."

Poppy gladly accepted the cloak and put it on. She felt like a character from a fairytale, fueling her joy.

Overhaul: "Let's get going shall we?"

Poppy followed Tsuyu through the underground complex, back to entrance. There was someone standing there, Poppy couldn't identify their species as they were completely hidden under their costume: a black traditional plague mask and a black cape covering their entire body, except for some white shoes. Tsuyu high fived them, which Poppy thought was once again so funny. She had always thought of hero agencies as serious places, but everyone she had met up until now at the Hassaikai had been casual. Except Mimic, but that's because of his job.

Overhaul: "Shin, this is Poppy Midoriya aka Serenity, our intern. Poppy, this is Shin Nemoto, aka Mr Confession. He's our top tier interrogator thanks to his quirk."

Shin: "Nice to meet you Poppy." He offered Poppy a handshake, which she accepted with a timid smile.

Poppy: "Likewise."

He looked on his wrist watch.

Shin: "Shall we?"

Tsuyu nodded: "We'll use the backdoor."

As they were about to go, they heard a small voice shouting. "Stop!"

The trio looked around and saw Mimic running towards them. If Poppy wasn't skilled with keeping her joy under control, she'd burst out in laughter. Seeing the little black plague doll run around on stumps for legs was just way too comedic. He finally reached them and was panting badly before looking up at Tsuyu.

Mimic: "Sorry Haul, but I received a message. Anna was wondering if you were available to train, her power output is getting too high again."

Overhaul: "Which phase are we talking about?"

Mimic: "Her hairpin indicates orange."

She rubbed her head and looked at both Shin and Poppy, contemplating what the best choice would be.

Overhaul: "Tell Rappa to come here, send Anna that she can teleport to our dojo, I'll be there in a moment."

Mimic nodded before waddling off again.

Not much later, Rappa ran through the corridors and soon found the original trio.

Rappa: "You're sure you want me for this?"

The Hassaikai leader gave a small sigh.

Overhaul: "You may be a battle maniac, but you're a capable hero Spear. Besides, I can't stay mad at you forever."

Rappa punched his fist together and gave a bow towards Tsuyu.

Overhaul: "You both have your tracker with you I hope? I'll come as soon as I am available again. I think the Vastayans are only going to send some smallfries, but you never know for sure."

Rappa and Shin nodded, the latter looked at his wrist watch once again.

Shin: "Time to leave now for real."

And with that, they went outside. Poppy officially embarked on her first mission.

While Tsuyu was going to the dojo, she ed Mimic.

Mimic: "Was it a good idea to send a first-year on a mission like that? For all we know, the Vastayans sent a big gun to negotiate."

She raised her shoulders.

Overhaul: "It was a though decision to make. But if the info about this kid is true, than the earlier she gets to know the world outside, the better. Also, I don't want to take responsibility for one of Anna's quirk outbursts."

Mimic: "You're still not willing to tell us the info about those Midoriyas, are you?"

Tsuyu shook her head.

Overhaul: "Sorry Mimic, I promised Agent 3. Besides, big chance you wouldn't even believe me."