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CHAPTER START---
SHAMBLES!
Horizon warps into a massive underground hangar where a modified next-gen stealth bomber is undergoing its final tests.
The entire hangar was the size of a football field, entirely isolated from the rest of the world, and built to the specifications of David Shield, who is currently overseeing the entire project.
Horizon carefully weaves through the engineers, not wanting to disrupt their work, and makes his way over to the elevated platform where David Shield and Power Loader are discussing the project with Nezu.
"Is everything ready?" Horizon asks, causing the three men to turn toward him.
"Everything is perfect," David Shield says. "Although I wish we had more space in here, testing the engines wasn't plausible in this underground bunker so let's hope they operate as expected."
"They'll be great," Power Loader says. "My concern is still the power generators.""What about them?" Horizon asks.
"We weren't able to fit the backups onto the plane, so we've got the equivalent of 25 supercomputers and just barely enough power to max them out," Power Loader says. "Anything extra, and you'll have to step in."
Horizon turns to David Shield, who nods, "We've arranged for your area in the plane to channel your Counter Shock into the systems safely, you can release quite a bit of energy without frying anything, but don't go all out."
"I guess that makes sense," Horizon says. "Don't need a few nuclear reactors when you have me. Any other concerns?"
"You'll need this," David Shield hands him a stack of papers. "These are the essential components, and while normally we'd just hope for the best during takeoff, since instead of a runway you're warping this plane into the sky when the engines start, you need to make sure all of these are in place and secure after the first warp."
"I'll start reading it immediately," Horizon says. "And how is Agpar, is he ready for this?"
"He's…excited," Nezu says. "Having his legs back and now getting to fly the most advanced plane ever, fate of the world or not, he's looking forward to this mission."
"And you're sure he doesn't need an actual co-pilot?" Horizon asks Nezu. "I know we had to rip out most of the cockpit but, these things usually have a co-pilot for a reason."
"This is less of a fighter or bomber and more of a flying computer, having more space for your administrator to work is more important than a co-pilot," Nezu says. "Plus we automated as much as we could, everything should be fine."
"I still don't like you being on the plane with us," Horizon says.
"Connecting from here to the plane and then to Tech would leave us with an additional level of vulnerability, having me on the plane is much better."
"And more dangerous."
"I'll have the two most powerful Pro Heroes in the world protecting me, we'll be fine," Nezu says.
Horizon nods, "Alright, I'll go study this, do whatever final checks you want, we've got less than one hour before launch."
SHAMBLES!
He warps into a private meeting room and begins reading the technical documents while calling President Skyline.
"Horizon, I'm in my bunker and connected to the viewing systems, how are things on your end?" the man asks.
"What do you plan to bring up when Tech hosts the next meeting?" Horizon asks.
"Some logistical problems between us and some countries in Europe have come up, I figure that should eat up a half hour or so, and that's just us. Our sources say South America is falling apart much faster, villains are rising up quickly."
"Every country without a Mystery Class is having that problem," Horizon says. "We haven't been able to give anyone some hope since this entire project is meant to be a secret, but we'll deal with those losses when the world is safe from Tech."
"I see, and, how are things on your end?"
"Perfect," Horizon says. "We'll fly toward the first red zone over California, when we hit it we begin isolating his connection to the nukes. This will all happen during the call so you'll have a very pissed-off Tech to deal with."
"And I'll be the prime suspect," President Skyline says.
"Between you, Russia, or China," Horizon says. "Japan too, maybe, because I'm from there. But you're the only world leader who knows about this, so you'll be the only one acting, make it convincing."
"I will, I'll stall as long as I can."
"We don't need it to be long, he'll backtrace the signal and find the plane within a few minutes. We can't isolate the nukes and hide at the same time after all," Horizon says. "And remember, if he doesn't cut the connection, the entire world is watching, so give them some hope."
"That, I can certainly do," Horizon can almost hear President Skyline's smile through the phone.
"Right, but keep the details vague," Horizon says. "He'll expect Star' in the plane, but I might be a surprise, hopefully. He should think I'm in Japan with how many people are flocking to Horizon Tower because they think I'm inside."
"Understood, and when this is over?"
"My visor and many other cameras are recording everything. We can share it with the world later, but for now, let's focus on saving them."
President Skyline sighs, "The fate of the world in the hands of a 17-year-old kid…this really feels shitty for us adults you know."
"Well, most people just view me as 'Horizon', so try that instead," Horizon says. "You really can't blame yourself. I'm the only one with the information and range to make the quick choices, Tech took years planning this to make all of you as ineffective as possible, the only thing he couldn't plan for is Hand Of God."
"No, your Quirk isn't what made this possible, it's because you're Horizon," President Skyline says. "Now I need to go finalize my stalling points, I'll be waiting."
"And remember, a message of hope," Horizon says as he hangs up.
---Minutes Later…
Sitting in one of the large chambers, all the engineers and scientists have gathered before a stage where Nezu and Star and Stripe are addressing them, alongside them are David Shield and Power Loader.
Most of the people responsible for this think tank, however, many of them notice Horizon behind them one floor above, leaning on the railing as he reads the last few pages of the booklet David Shield gave him earlier.
Nezu gives them his thanks and makes his grand speech, but Horizon tunes it all out, even as Nezu unveils the screens connected to the camera in his Visor, Star's Hero Costume, and on the plane.
Keeping everyone here informed of what happens during the mission and allowing Power Loader and David Shield to help in whatever ways they can from this base.
Horizon closes his booklet and shuts his eyes, focusing his thoughts, and pushing everything that's not mission-critical aside.
Combing over every detail he can many times until they become second nature.
"Horizon?" Genesis asks, and Horizon is clearly startled as he looks beside him, seeing her leaning on the railing and looking up at him.
Her visor was off, but she wore the rest of her Hero Costume.
She had bags under her eyes, hollow cheeks, and sunken eyes, along with loose skin from overusing her Quirk during this project.
And now she had a blanket around her as she's been ordered to rest and recover.
"You shouldn't be out of bed, your mind needs to rest," Horizon says.
"That's kind of impossible to do with all of this happening today," she says. "Besides, if my mind feels like this I can't imagine what yours is like right now."
"I'm fine," he says.
"Right, and I'm sure that's why you were so in your own head that I managed to sneak up on you, right?"
"This is as good as we'll get," Horizon says. "This is the best chance, Momo."
"I know, you wouldn't bet on anything less," she says. "I just wish I could have done more to help you."
"You nearly died from overusing your Quirk, I'd say you've done more than enough."
"Still, this is a lot for any one person to handle, even for 'Horizon', right?"
A tense silence falls between them before he turns to her, gently touching her shoulder, and she leans into his touch.
"Do you want me to Teleport you back to UA?" Horizon asks.
"What?"
"It's just that, if my parents were here, and I thought the world was ending, I'd want to spend all the time I could with them."
"I do," Genesis says. "I miss my mom, and my dad should be there by now. But using your Awakening, using that ability from it, it takes so much out of you. So I'd rather you go into this mission with everything you've got available."
"You know, you're so sweet it's a bit annoying," Horizon says. "It's a wonder we ever got…you know."
"Competence is sexy," Genesis says. "Especially when you're a Pro Hero, that hasn't changed. And who knows, with the way you've been acting, it may be more than that soon."
Horizon chuckles, "Right, we'll let's save any celebrating for if we see tomorrow. But you'll probably be disappointed with what's under this visor now…"
"Oh, right," she reaches up and touches his visor. "I can't imagine what it's like, to go from flesh and blood to living energy…but you know, looking back at, you know, I'm glad it was with you."
"Thank you."
"Yeah, and tomorrow, I'm sure anyone who doubted you, all the people like me, they'll know better too."
"Well aren't you hopeful," Horizon says, jokingly.
She smiles and pats his chest, "Why would I be anything less? After all, the world can't end. Because you are here…"
END CHAPTER---