When Bakugou got to the office he was surprised to see a cup of coffee and a note sitting on his desk. It read:

*B,

I headed down to support to pick up my costume. I will meet you in the foyer. Enjoy the coffee the gal at the shop across the street said it was what you usually order.

Sunshine*

Bakugou picked up the cup and gave it a curious sniff. It smelled like straight black coffee, so he took a sip. She must be trying to play nice, Bakugou thought to himself. He then headed down to the locker rooms to get into costume. Making his way to the foyer of the building, he ran into Best Jeanist, who was talking with his assistant, Nina.

“Good morning, Ground Zero,” Best Jeanist greeted. “Where is Wildside?”

“Huh? Oh, she is supposed to be meeting me here after she gets her costume.” Bakugou replied.

“Well it seems you’re putting in an effort…” Jeanist looked pleased. “I expect you to show her the ropes.”

“Yes, sir…” Bakugou turned away rolling his eyes. Looking up, he caught his breath as Wildside made her way over to him.

Her costume was a complete bodysuit that fit her like a second skin. It was black starting at the torso, and then faded its way to a dark green then purple going down her arms and legs. Her slim waist sported a utility belt, and on her feet she wore boots with flexible soles that went up to about mid-calf. She wore a simple black mask and her hair was braided down her back. A large red X crossed her chest.

“Miss Hales, you look stunning!” Jeanist said walking up to his new employee.

“I’m not sure about the design,” Kia said, turning for Jeanist to see. “They weren’t kidding about having matching elements for costumes.”

“I think it looks good on you,” Jeanist assured her.

“It fits perfect and it is comfortable,” Kia replied. “I think they got the pattern right, but I won’t know for sure until I use my quirk.” Turning to her partner, she asked, “What do you think, B?”

“Its fine,” He replied, turning around and heading for the door.

Hurrying after him, Kia waved to Best Jeanist.

“Good luck!” Best Jeanist called out as the two exited the building.

“Well, it looks like Bakugou is as closed off as ever. I really hoped that he would give it a chance,” Jeanist said to his assistant

“I wouldn’t be so quick to think that he won’t,” Nina giggled.

“What do you mean?” Best Jeanist asked.

“Didn’t you see his face when she walked up?” Nina asked.

“No, why?” Jeanist replied.

“Oh, never mind… men can be so clueless!” Nina sighed.

%%%%%

Bakugou turned down the street, stomping towards his usual patrol route. Kia caught up to him just to have him speed up his pace.

“What is the matter? If you are pissed about my costume, I can ask them to change it again. Honestly, I think they might have riffed off of yours a little too much,” Kia said to Bakugou’s back.

“Your costume is fine,” Bakugou snapped. “Let’s just get to work.” Bakugou turned left down the next street into an area with a lot of small publically owned stores.

“Do you usually take this route?” Kia asked.

“Yes,” Bakugou replied. Stopping, he reached into his pocket pulling out and earpiece radio and handed it to her.

“Thanks,” Kia said, placing the radio in her ear. They continued walking down the street when an owner from a small grocery store called out to them.

“Hey, Ground Zero!” an older gentleman called out.

“Hey old man,” Bakugou said, walking over to him.

“Looks like you’ve got yourself a new partner, eh?” the old guy said, giving Bakugou a wink.

“Hello sir, my name is Wildside,” Kia said with a bow.

“It’s nice to meet you,” the old guy replied, “My name is Yuichi Kawahara. I own this store.”

“It is nice to meet you as well, Mr. Kawahara,” Kia said with a smile.

“Hahahah! How did a nice girl like you get stuck with a foul-mouthed guy like him?” Mr. Kawahara laughed.

“Just unlucky, I guess,” Kia responded, laughing.

“What did you say, old man?” Bakugou hollered.

“Ground Zero must be here,” an old woman said, walking out of the store carrying a box of apples.

“Wildside, I would like you to meet my wife Yuki,” Mr. Kawahara said, ignoring Bakugou.

“It is nice to meet you ma’am. Let me help you with that,” Kia said, walking over to the old woman.

“Oh, aren’t you a dear,” Mrs. Kawahara said, handing over the box. The two women walked to the end of the store to put the apples on display.

“Looks like Jeanist gave you a beauty to work with. Maybe he thinks a pretty face might get you to use some manners,” Mr. Kawahara said giving Bakugou a nudge.

“Tch,” Bakugou turned away.

“So, you are from America? Your Japanese is so good!” Mrs. Kawahara asked as she and Kia walked back over to where her husband and Bakugou stood.

“Thanks, I learned to speak multiple languages when I was very young. Best Jeanist is friends with my old employer and he suggested me as a partner for Ground Zero, so I transferred.” Kia replied.

“Oh? Well, I wish you luck my dear. Ground Zero could use a good partner…. don’t let his bad attitude fool you, he has a kind heart,” Mrs. Kawahara, said ending with a whisper.

“I will keep that in mind,” Kia said.

“Oi, Sunshine let’s keep going,” Bakugou said, turning and walking down the street.

“It was nice to meet both of you!” Kia said before turning to catch up to her partner. “They really like you,” she informed Bakugou, but he just ignored her.

They made their way down the street filled with small stores before working their way over to the next street. The street they were walking down now was full of entertainment stores like arcades and restaurants. Kia kept an eye on their surroundings making sure to memorize the streets and the patrol routes Bakugou was taking her on.

“Ground Zero!” someone called out from behind them.

Stopping and turning around, Kia saw three young boys running up to them. One had on a black t-shirt with a big red X on the front while another’s shirt had Ground Zero written on the front. The smallest boy’s shirt looked like there was an explosion on it.

“What are you brats up to?” Bakugou asked.

“Who’s the chick?” the leader of their group asked.

“You better learn to show respect to heroes, kid…” Kia said, raising an eyebrow at him.

“She is my new partner. You three been staying out of trouble?” Bakugou replied.

“Yes, sir!” the three said, snapping to attention.

“You guys see anything suspicious going on?” Bakugou asked them.

“No, sir!” the littlest of the group piped up.

“Good work, if you do see anything call me or go to the police, got it?” Bakugou told them.

“Yes, sir!” they all replied.

“Excuse me. What is your name lady?” the littlest asked Kia.

“You can call me Wildside,” Kia said smiling down at the youngster.

“My name is Hiro,” He replied.

“I’m Haru, and this is Kuro,” the leader of the little group said, pointing to himself and the other kid.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you all,” Kia replied.

“What is your quirk?” Haru asked.

“It’s a secret,” Kia replied, putting a finger to her lips.

“Why?” little Hiro asked.

“That’s because Ground Zero hasn’t even asked me what it is yet,” Kia replied.

“Alright you brats, get out of here!” Bakugou said, turning to leave.

“See you, boys!” Kia waved. The boys waved and then ran off in the direction of one of the arcades.

“So you have some little helpers, huh,” Kia asked her partner.

“Tch, I caught those three trying to steal from one of the local electronic stores a couple years ago,” Bakugou replied. “Figured I could give them something to do to keep them out of trouble.”

“Guess you got yourself a couple of super fans in the process?” Kia laughed.

“I’ve got more fans than those three,” Bakugou informed her.

“How bad did you have to scare them?” Kia teased.

“What is that supposed --” Bakugou started, but Kia interrupted him.

“Shush!” She said, tilting her head.

“What are you - ?” Bakugou started again.

“I said quiet!” Kia said, holding up her hand.

Bakugou felt his anger rising until he looked at his partner. She had closed her eyes and he realized that she was listening for something.

“Someone is robbing Mr. Kawahara’s shop!” Kia said taking off towards the next intersection, “You blast off over the buildings and I will meet you there.”

“Wait, how do you know that?” Bakugou asked.

“Just trust me!” she yelled as she turned the corner.

Gritting his teeth, Bakugou used his quirk to propel himself over buildings towards Mr. Kawahara’s shop. She must be able to hear long distance, he thought as the store came into view. Sure enough two men came running out of the store as Bakugou crested the building across the street.

“Shit it’s Ground Zero!” the first one yelled. Blades came out of his arms as his partner took off down the street.

Bakugou blasted his way towards the blade guy. I will take out this asshole first, and then I’ll go after his friend! he thought to himself. When he landed the thief rushed at him swinging an arm wide to slash at Bakugou. Dodging, Bakugou aimed a small blast up under the guy’s arm. Stunned, the guy faltered back a few steps. Bakugou lunged forward. Grabbed the guy by the face he slammed him into the ground giving him another small blast for good measure.

Making sure the guy was out cold, Bakugou looked up to see the other thief already three blocks away. Damn, it he must have a speed related quirk, he thought. Just then, he saw Kia come flying out of the intersection in front of the thief. The thief, noticing the female hero, sped up even more blowing past her as she gave chase, easily keeping up with him.

Bakugou took to the air using his quirk to chase after the pair. Just then, Kia jumped. Flames licked her hands and feet as they blasted her forward. Gaining on the thief, Kia spun and kicked the perp in the side before slamming him into the brick wall next to them.

Landing, she spun to face the thief, who pulled out a knife of his own and rushed towards her. Kia met the man head-on as the blade came down on her arm, slicing through her costume and revealing purple scales underneath. Taking advantage of the thief’s shock, Kia grabbed his wrist and twisted the blade away. She brought her knee up into the man’s gut, knocking the air from his lungs. The man fell to his knees, clutching his stomach. Kia spun, kicking the man in the side of the head and effectively knocking him out.

Bakugou landed as Kia took out a pair of cuffs and restrained the thief. “I got mine now, where is yours?” Kia asked lifting the thief up.

“What the hell was that?” Bakugou asked, gawking at his partner.

“I’d have thought you’d know a quirk when you saw one?” Kia replied.

Walking back to the store, Bakugou cuffed his thief while Kia saw to it that the old couple was ok. They then took their catch to the nearest police station and filled out the required paperwork. After they were done, they headed back to the agency to make their report.

Once they got to the office, Bakugou rounded on his partner. “What the hell is your quirk?”

“You are finally going to ask?” Kia replied.

“Just tell me already!” Bakugou yelled.

“Why the hell are you yelling at me? Would it kill you to ask nicely?” Kia yelled back.

“Come on, Sunshine, stop being difficult,” Bakugou replied.

“I’m being difficult?!” Kia yelled, her eyes glowing dangerously as her temper rose. “What is my name?”

“Who the fuck cares? You will be gone soon, anyways!” Bakugou yelled back.

“It’s Kia! Kia Hales you idiot!” Kia yelled as Bakugou watched scales appear across her cheeks and make their way down her jaw. Her pupils’ elongated and sharp canines poked out of her mouth. “You think you can get rid of me so easy that you don’t even have to learn my name? Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not going anywhere and nothing you do can make me!”

Bakugou was taken aback by what he was seeing. Sunshine looked dangerous; her fingertips even sported some nasty looking claws. Kia turned and stomped over to his desk and started searching through papers. Finding what she was looking for, she came back and shoved a yellow envelope into his chest.

“Why don’t you trying reading this, you ass! I’m going to support… and don’t worry I will fill out the paperwork before I leave,” Kia said as she left the office.

Bakugou was stunned. No one but his mother had ever yelled at him like that. Looking down at the envelope in his hands, he decided to open it. It was an information packet on his new partner.

Name: Kia Hales

Age: 21

Quirk: Dragon & Nitrogen Manipulation

Country of Origin: United States of America

Previous Agency: Spotlight Corp.

Education:

High School: US Hero High

Middle School: Not Available

“So…she has two quirks?” Bakugou read out-loud. He was going to have to talk to her about her abilities. She knew he could use his quirk to fly through the air so she had obviously done her homework on him.

Damn it! Why am I so pissed anyway? Bakugou thought to himself. She wasn’t in the way today… she was even helpful! I can’t even remember the last time I enjoyed working with someone. Wait… I enjoyed working with her? Bakugou gritted his teeth. He wasn’t going to admit it to himself yet, but maybe having Kia around wouldn’t be as annoying as he though…