Alright, time for stuff to get good!
While everyone else was busy exploring I-Island, Melissa decided to bring Izuku and Ochako to her personal workplace in I-Academy.
"Sorry if my room is such a mess, you guys."
Ochako looked around in confusion, seeing it was not unlike a normal room with just a few things strewn around. "You call THIS a mess?"
"Trust me, this is clean as a whistle compared to Uncle Franky's lab. Let's just say it involves Cola...A LOT of Cola..." Izuku joked while remembering when he, Katsuki, and Olivia were younger and playing around in Franky's lab one time. He then noticed the trophies stacked on Melissa's shelf and smiled, seeing quite a lot of them.
"You must be very proud of these, huh?"
Melissa perked up and awkwardly played with her golden locks. "Well, to be honest, my grades started out pretty bad but then I started improving! I gotta keep moving forward if I want to become a Hero..."
Ochako and Izuku perked up upon hearing that. "You want to be a Hero?"
Melissa looked down, her expression becoming more somber. "Well...I did, but I gave up on that dream a long time ago. I mean...I'm Quirkless, after all."
"HUH?!" Izuku and Ochako exclaimed at the same time in surprise. Melissa awkwardly rubbed her shoulder as she decided to explain more.
"Yeah, I was legally declared Quirkless by the doctors...Everyone treated me differently except for a few close friends, Daddy, Uncle Might...and Uncle Bullet. Even after learning I was Quirkless, they supported my dreams and Uncle Bullet told me that when he died, he would allow me to be the next user of the Clank-Clank Fruit..."
"Well, why didn't you take the Clank-Clank Fruit after your uncle died?" Ochako asked worriedly as Melissa looked away.
"Two reasons; One, it's because Daddy and his fellow scientists don't want to risk it falling into the wrong hands until they can fully study it. Secondly...I-I'm scared."
"Scared of what?" Ochako asked softly while Izuku had an impassive face but sympathetic eyes. Melissa looked down, her lip quivering as tears began welling up in her eyes.
"I'm scared...I'M SCARED BECAUSE WHAT IF I FAIL TO LIVE UP TO UNCLE BULLET'S WISHES?! WHAT IF, EVEN WITH THE POWER, I'D FAIL TO SAVE ANYBODY?! I'M JUST A FAILURE-!"
Izuku gave a stern look as Conqueror's Haki exploded outwards. Ochako fell on her butt from the wave of force but Melissa was snapped out of her self-loathing rant and looked shocked at Izuku, still standing her ground.
"W-What was that?"
"Deku, shame on you! How could you use your Conqueror's Haki on Melissa when she wasn't even prepared?!" Ochako snapped after getting up. Izuku gave her an apologetic look in response.
"I'm sorry, Ochako-Chan. But I needed to see if she had the right will..." This confused the two girls.
"Her will?"
"My will?
Izuku walked up to Melissa and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Listen to me, Melissa. You just took a full blast of Conqueror's Haki and you didn't even flinch or collapse! In fact, you only noticed it snapping you out of your self-loathing! You're telling me you gave up but your ambitions tell me a different tale! You just gotta keep on pushing forward and make something of your future!"
Melissa listened to Izuku's words as he gave her a bright smile and she could almost see the smiling spirits of Gol D. Roger, Fire Fist Ace, and Whitebeard standing behind the green-haired cinnamon roll. His next words struck a hopeful chord in her heart that she thought long forgotten. In fact, her mind flashed back to when she was first diagnosed Quirkless and told the news to her family. It was her beloved Uncle, Douglas Bullet, who spoke the same words Izuku now telling her now.
"Who cares if your Quirkless! It's YOU who decides if you want to be a Hero or not!"
Wiping away some stray tears, Melissa gave Izuku a thankful smile. She then noticed a small box on her desk and remembered what she wanted to bring Izuku and Ochako in for.
"Okay, enough pity-partying, I actually made something for you, Izuku!"
"What is it?" Ochako asked curiously as she and Izuku watched as Melissa opened the box, revealing a red wristband. She gave it to Izuku and he put it on and began inspecting it.
"It's called Full Gauntlet! I originally made it for Uncle Might but since Izuku's fighting style is somewhat similar, I decided to let him try it out!"
Izuku pressed a button on the wristband and it unwrapped like bandages before forming into a full red fingerless gauntlet that fitted like an ordinary glove. He looked at it in awe but soon shook his head as he took it off.
"I can't take this. You need it for your dream."
Melissa giggled at just how humble Izuku was. "It's okay. Consider it a 'Thank You' gift for helping me realize that dream again."
Izuku smiled but then noticed Ochako exhuming a dark jealous aura and decided to switch the topic as he took out his Bisento, the Murakumogiri once used by his grandfather, Whitebeard. Needless to say, Melissa was quite excited to see it.
"Whoa! Is that actually THE Whitebeard's Bisento?! How did you manage to shrink it down to fit your size?"
"Well, it's because Mifune Nobunaga of the Beast Pirates used a special blacksmith technique in order to shift it to my size so I could carry it. I also have a pipe given to me by my Uncle Sabo and my very own handmade Junkyard Dog Mk. II just like the one used by Sol Badguy in Guilty Gear!"
Melissa nodded, her eyes sparkling in amazement before a phone ringing was heard. Ochako blushed sheepishly as she took out her flip phone and answered the call, which was from Ben.
"Yo! Ochako! Izuku! You guys are late for the Meet-Up!"
Ochako and Izuku looked up at Melissa and she nodded. "Go on ahead, I need to get dressed as well."
With no time to waste, Izuku and Ochako went to get their formal attire for the I-Expo.
"SORRY WE'RE LATE!" Izuku cried as he and Ochako came in. Izuku was dressed in a red suit along with his father's hat on his head while Ochako wore a pink dress with a white rosebud hairclip. Everyone else was glad to see them arrive.
"Dude, relax. We're here now." Shanks II reassured. He was currently dressed in the same suit and coat his father wore during the events of Strong World. He had managed to get invited due to his Dad being one of the main guests.
"Poyo!" Kirby chirped, wearing a dark blue top hat, a pink tuxedo with coattails and a yellow star bow-tie. He was currently being fawned over by Momo and Kyouka.
"Heh, lucky little runt..." Corazon chuckled as he saw Kirby. The Son of Law and Midnight was wearing a traditional black tuxedo with spats and white gloves. He also had Harbinger in its compact form strapped to his back for emergency reasons and a red rose lapel. His hat was still on his head, of course.
"Yo! Wait for us!" Viper called as she came in wearing the same dress her mother wore to the Pirate Fest while Angel came in beside her with a green frilly dress.
"BEST NIGHT!" Minoru and Denki cried before being punched in the face by both Shanks II and Corazon. Ben was wearing a dark grey tuxedo with a cravat, gold star lapel, and black gloves. He also had a pair of sunglasses and had an E-Cigarette in his mouth.
"Is everyone here?" Hinata asked. She was wearing a lavender dress with puffy sleeves and a pearl bracelet on her right wrist and open-toed high-heels. Violet was wearing a regular pink dress with pink pumps and Karen was wearing a teal tuxedo with coattails as well as the domino mask of her Hero Costume.
"Looking sharp, Karen!" Eijirou complimented with a wink as the Portal Mistress blushed bashfully in response. Penny was wearing a simple light green dress and light green pumps. Jolyne was also there due to her father being one of the main guests and was wearing a simple black cocktail dress with high-heel shoes and a necklace with a butterfly brooch.
"Alright guys, sorry it took so long!" Melissa said, wearing a blue dress and lipstick. Behind her surprised everyone as it was Chase from Class 1-B!
"Chase, what are you doing here?" Denki asked as Chase smoked a candy cigarette. He was wearing the same outfit his dad wore in Lougetown many years ago. A little hand-me-down of sorts.
"I'm working Security. I even get paid as well." He stated. Melissa gave him a thankful smile since he had helped her past the gates as he blushed sheepishly in response.
"Somebodies in love..." Denki and Kyouka both thought at the same time, seeing Chase's expression.
"Alright! Let's party!" Ben cheered while slapping Hinata and Penny's butts, causing the former's face to erupt into a cherry red blush and the latter to squeak in surprise.
However, unbeknownst to everyone, the Villains that were infiltrating I-Island had just finished shutting down the security measures in the building where the I-Expo would be held.
"Alright, so far, so good." The leader said with a smirk as he put on a metal mask.
Everyone was now gathered at the Reception Hall, clamoring together and talking excitedly as Luffy was busy stuffing his face with meat while Nami tried to settle him down. Franky was having a bottle of Cola alongside Robin, who was drinking a glass of champagne. Smoker was sitting by the sidelines, smoking a cigar as usual and Godzillo and Uroge were both happily chatting and laughing together about some fun memories they had during the production of their film.
Soon, Toshinori was called to the stage to give a speech. Currently, in his All-Might Form, he stepped up to the center stage so he could begin.
"Hey, where are Bakugou and Kirishima?" Denki asked as Shanks II shrugged while chewing on a leg of meat.
"They got lost. I'm sure they'll manage to catch up soon, though."
Toshinori cleared his throat as he began his speech. "I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE HERE AT I-ISLAND FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT! I WOULD-Huh?"
The Symbol of Peace was interrupted when the screen behind him began glitching and changing to a warning sign as a female computerized voice began speaking up to everywhere on I-Island.
"THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE I-ISLAND SECURITY SYSTEM! WE HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING THAT AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE WAS FOUND ON I-EXPO GROUNDS!"
At a small diner, Sato was having Dinner with Sero, Stone, and Gyro. They heard the announcements and Sero cringed.
"Geez, we can't catch a break, can we?"
Stone finished a mouthful of noodles as he looked to his friends. "Relax. I'm sure our friends will have it settled soon."
Gyro was gazing out the window with a worried expression. "Jolyne...be safe, dear."
At the hotel where everyone else from both Class 1-A and 1-B were staying, Tsuyu, Tooru, Erza, and Olivia were all looking out the windows to see security robots beginning to move around.
"I hope everyone is alright, Kero."
"Relax, some of the best Pirates and Heroes are on the island right now!" Erza assured, trying to liven up the situation.
"I hope this doesn't lead to a robot rebellion or something. No way am I bowing to the machines!" Olivia stated with her arms folded while Tooru was hugging her nervously as the Daughter of Franky and Robin put her hand on her invisible girl's head to console her.
Katakiri and Mina were having a date together while Ryuma was nearby taking a nap when they heard the announcements. Katakiri became worried since his father and mother were at the I-Expo currently before suddenly feeling Mina gently hold his hand.
"I'm sure they'll be okay."
"I don't know, Mina...something tells me that things are going to get crazy..."
Back at the I-Expo, the doors were suddenly sealed shut as the Villains who had infiltrated the island came in with guns in hand as their leader stepped into view, revealing himself to be a man with red hair, a metal mask, a white jacket, and metal cuffs.
"Nobody move. My name is Wolfram and the security is under me and my boys control now. Now I know you Heroes and Pirates outnumber us but we have the high ground here. If any of you try to make a move on us, we pump the civilians on the island full of lead with your hacked sentries!"
"YOU BASTARD!" Franky snarled as he was about to unleash his Weapons Left when he suddenly was tied up with energy chains that came from the ceilings. Soon, every other Hero and Pirate in the premise was restrained in the same energy chains and what was worse was that they had just enough Seastone essence in them to render any Devil Fruit users helpless. Even Toshinori found himself restrained as he fell to the ground with a grunt.
"Crap...This ain't good!" The Symbol of Peace panicked in his head as he struggled against his restraints.
"Bastard! You'll never get away with this! Our Bro Achilles will back us up!" Luffy spat as he struggled against the chains. Wolfram only chuckled in response.
"You think I didn't come prepared? I have some friends keeping him distracted as we speak!"
In the middle of the seas near I-Island, the Rising Pluto was in a mighty battle with a large enemy warship filled with hundreds of rogue mercenaries with high-tech weaponry. They were known only as of the Space Pirates and they were led by Felix, a ruthless freelancer who killed and ruined lives for one thing; to get paid by his current benefactors. With him were the Rogues known as Mark Temple, Loco, Buckey, Surge, Gene, Cronut, and Lorenzo.
"Girls, stay close to me!" Vivi said to Vivian, Eri, Nezuko, and Kanna as they huddled up fearfully while Achilles and his crew fought against the Space Pirates. Kaido II was also with his parents as he was smacking away several Space Pirates that tried to board the Rising Pluto with his Kanobo and bone spears he formed from his body with his Bone-Bone Fruit.
"Theodore! Florence! Get my mother, sister, and the little ones to safety!" The Son of Achilles ordered the couple as they nodded, ushering them to the ship bunkers.
With the young Hero Students, they were all were gathered together in a safe area. Jolyne took out her phone and checked it, only to be getting no reception.
"Dammit! Whoever these guys are, they thought of everything!" The Daughter of Jotaro cursed as she was nearly tempted to throw her phone on the ground, but this was a gift from her mother so she refrained.
"The elevators aren't working either!" Kyouka called out as she came back in with Violet and Karen.
"WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING TO US?!" Minoru cursed while scratching his head in a panic only to be picked up and shaken by Corazon.
"For Oda's sake, calm down, man!"
"This isn't the protocol for when an explosive is found..." Melissa pondered worriedly.
"Isn't it obvious? It's Villains, sweetie." Chase pointed out while puffing out a smoke ring from his candy cigarette. Ben grumbled as he was smoking five different E-Cigarettes at once with an annoyed expression on his face while Penny and Hinata looked at him worriedly.
Izuku looked at the worried looks his friends had before gaining a steely expression. "Everyone, we need to head to where the party is."
"Why?" Almost everyone asked.
"Because All-Might-Sensei just might be there...and I have a pretty good idea..."
Back at the party, Wolfram walked up to Sam, who was looking at him nervously.
"So, you a researcher here? Think you can help us?" The Villain asked as David stepped to the defense of his assistant.
"Leave him be! What do you even want from us?!"
Wolfram smirked. "Ah, the legendary David Shield himself. Former Sidekick of All-Might. Come on, boys. Let's bring our two friends up for a private chat.
David and Sam were ushered along by Wolfram's henchman as they headed out of the room. Toshinori struggled against his bonds to try and save his friends but the chains were tighter than he expected them to be. Suddenly, he noticed Izuku on the floor above through a glass roof. Kyouka and Ben were with him as Kyouka used her earlobes to relay the information Izuku and Toshinori traded while Ben used a Sensory Quirk in order to get a good feel of how many people needed help freeing.
Soon, the three returned to the others and told everyone what Toshinori told Izuku.
"We need to evacuate as many people from the building as we can. However, I don't think we'll be able to deal with the Villains. We don't even have our licenses." Momo said worriedly.
"Screw that. I'm here on Security Business and my old man is in danger as well. I'm going to kick those bastards asses for what they did!" Chase stated angrily while biting down on his candy cigarette hard.
"I'm with them too. Dad-Might let me have a free pass on using my Quirks. Besides, he's been the closest thing to a father-figure I've ever had...A REAL father, anyway..." Ben added his two cents as Hinata placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry guys, we're with you too!" Shanks II stated while thumping his chest. Kirby took off his hat and a flock of doves flew at as Ben chuckled and rubbed the little one's head.
"You sneaky little rascal. You're in your Magic Kirby style right now, aren't you?" Kirby nodded with a big smile while Minoru looked at everyone like they were crazy.
"Are you guys nuts?! Don't you remember the USJ?!" Izuku rolled his eyes and hit the short boy with a wave of Conqueror's Haki, making him stand up straight with a cold sweat.
"Hold on you guys, I know where the security controls are! They're on the top floor of this building. If we can make it there, we may be able to restart the system." Melissa said as Ben smiled while punching his fist into his hand.
"Sounds good to me, we're in this together, fam!"
Izuku headed back and relayed the information to Toshinori, who smiled proudly at the courage of his students.
"Good job, Young Heroes! Go as far as you can! I will try to hold out a little while longer!" The Symbol of Peace thought as he felt steam emitting from his form.
And so begins the battle for I-Island! What trials will our Young Heroes face and will Melissa be able to carry on Douglas Bullet's will? Find out next time!
Next Time: Ambitions and Inheritance!