The night in Metropolis buzzed with neon light and faint sirens as Airi Tsukihara followed Plastic Man down a narrow alley that led to what he proudly called his "bachelor headquarters."
In truth, it was a retro-styled workshop filled with old comic posters, gadgets, and random knick-knacks that looked like they'd been stretched and twisted a thousand times.
"Welcome to Casa de Plastic!" he said, swinging open the door.
Airi raised an eyebrow. "You live here?"
"Hey, it's rent-controlled and explosion-proof. Mostly."
She laughed. For all his silliness, he'd been surprisingly helpful since she arrived in this universe.
"I'll take that shower you offered," she said. "Traveling through dimensions does not help your hair."
Plastic Man saluted. "Bathroom's down the hall. Towels are… semi-clean."
---
Steam filled the small bathroom as Airi hummed quietly, trying to wash away the exhaustion of constant training and universe-hopping.
For the first time in days, she actually felt calm.
That calm shattered when a deafening BOOM! shook the entire building.
"What the—?!"
She jumped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and sprinted to the side room where she'd left her Sakuyamon armor.
Another shockwave rattled the floor. She flung the door open — and froze.
Her armor was scattered — the gold and violet metal plates intact, but the reinforced leather under-suit that connected them was gone.
"No, no, no!" she groaned. "It took me weeks to make that part!"
Her communicator crackled with Misaki's voice from Division X.
"Imaginara, status report! We're reading massive explosions in your area. Are you safe?"
"Mostly! My armor isn't!" Airi shouted. "I'll get back to you!"
---
Plastic Man stretched his head into the doorway, his usual grin replaced with concern. "You okay, shiny samurai?"
Airi pointed to the scattered metal parts. "The explosions must've triggered the building's emergency vents — my under-suit's gone! It probably got blown out or melted!"
Plastic Man blinked. "Oof. Can't fight crime wearing half a cosplay."
She frowned, thinking fast. The explosions outside grew louder — another detonation shook the ground.
"Wait…" she said slowly, eyeing him. "You can shape-shift, right? Turn into anything?"
He tilted his head. "Within reason, yeah. Why?"
"I need something flexible, durable, and able to hold armor plates together. Basically… a temporary suit."
He crossed his arms. "You're not suggesting—"
Airi gave him a determined look. "Plastic Man, I need your help — I need you to become the flexible layer of my armor. Just until I stop whoever's behind those explosions."
He hesitated. "You want me to be… the suit? That's a little too close for comfort."
Another explosion rocked the city — closer this time.
Airi's visor on the table flickered with emergency alerts: Multiple bombings across downtown Metropolis.
She turned to him, serious now. "People are getting hurt, Eel. I can't fight without protection. You're the only material here tough enough to hold up against those blasts."
Plastic Man sighed, running a rubbery hand through his slick hair. "You heroes and your puppy-dog eyes… Fine! But this is strictly professional teamwork."
Airi grinned. "Deal."
---
In seconds, Plastic Man shifted — his body morphing into a smooth, black-and-purple polymer weave that fit seamlessly into place where the leather layer had been.
"Man, this feels weird," his voice echoed faintly from somewhere near her shoulder. "I'm literally part of a superhero outfit. My mom would be so proud."
Airi adjusted the armor plates over the flexible base: gold pauldrons, chest guard, mask, belt, gloves, and boots — the Sakuyamon Armor 2.0 was complete.
She looked into the mirror. "Not bad. Feels lighter too."
Plastic Man replied, "That's because I'm carrying half the weight for you. Let's go play hero, shiny girl."
Airi nodded, activating her flight thrusters. "Imaginara — launching!"
---
The city was chaos. Flames rose from a half-destroyed bank, alarms screamed, and panicked civilians fled into the streets.
A hooded figure stood in the center of it all, tossing glowing red spheres that detonated on impact — each explosion precise and terrifyingly powerful.
"Stop right there!" Airi's voice boomed through her helmet as she descended, landing between the criminal and the burning building.
The figure turned, sneering. "Another hero? You're too late."
"Guess again."
She extended her hands — golden energy forming between her palms.
"Let's see if you can handle this… Kamehameha Light!"
The blast surged forward, not enough to kill but powerful enough to send the bomber flying into a nearby car. He groaned, dazed, as the glowing spheres he carried rolled harmlessly to the ground.
Plastic Man's voice came from her armor's comm link. "You really do that move better than Goku."
"Thanks," she said with a smirk. "Now stay solid, I'm still moving!"
She darted forward, slamming her armored fist into the ground — summoning an energy barrier around the loose explosives before they could detonate.
The shield shimmered violet and gold, absorbing the shockwave harmlessly.
Police sirens echoed in the distance. Airi grabbed the bomber by the collar and handed him off as the officers arrived.
"Metropolis PD?" she asked. "Package delivered."
One of the officers blinked at her armor. "Who… are you?"
Airi smiled behind her mask. "Just a traveler passing through."
---
Later that night, back in the safety of Plastic Man's workshop, Airi powered down her armor. The gold plates retracted, leaving Plastic Man to reform into his usual self — looking a bit dizzy but still grinning.
"Well," he said, leaning against the wall, "I gotta admit — being superhero fashion wasn't the worst gig I've had."
Airi laughed. "You did great. You actually improved the design. I might need to patent that."
Plastic Man wiggled his fingers. "Nah, royalties would just stretch me thin."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. Outside, the city was quiet again — for now.
Airi looked up at the stars, knowing her mission was far from over.
Kuroda Ren was still out there, somewhere between worlds.
But tonight, she'd proven something to herself — imagination wasn't just her weapon.
It was her bond with others.
Even a shapeshifting goofball like Plastic Man.