Chapter 24: A Birthday and an Enemy
Wolfheart
It was really hasty, getting Aizawa-sensei to allow Marie and a few others to go to Rukia's birthday party, but she managed to convince him. She argued that it would allow them to practice their public relations, as well as demonstrate their control over their Quirks. Aizawa sounded too tired to say 'no', and told Marie, "You and two others, no more. You can leave campus for three hours, no more, even if you have to leave early. One minute longer without a valid excuse, and you'll all be suspended to your dorms for a month. Understood?" Marie nodded, "I understand." She then had to decide who would go with her. Tokoyami agreed after she told him that it was for a fan, and that it would be a great way to enhance his visibility and help him gain a good reputation among people. That left her to figure out who else should go.
She had to think of someone that had an impressive Quirk and would be good with people as well. That automatically left Bakugou out, she'd heard stories about how he made kids cry with his angry yelling. She doubted that the kids would like to see Aoyama after a few minutes, his whole 'shining' persona could get…grating after a while unless you were a special kind of patient. Kirishima's Quirk was legitimately practical, and she had heard him sparring with others, even if she never got to spar with him personally, she knew that he was skilled with it, but it wasn't very attention grabbing unless you could fight with someone to show how cool it was. The problem was that she needed a performer, everyone in 2-A was great with their Quirks, but Marie didn't want to spar with them too much, she wanted someone who could put up a show on their own if necessary.
Finally, it had hit her before she headed to her dorm for bed, and she immediately ran through the dorms, following the scent of the person she wanted. She found her just as she was about to go to bed, and almost ran into her. "ASHIDO!" Marie yelled as she stopped. "WHOA! MARIE! Where's the fire girl?" Ashido Mina said. "You heard about my brother going to a friend's party, right? Tokoyami-san and I are going, and Aizawa-sensei said I could bring one more person. You up for it?" Mina happily replied, "Sure thing. Should I wear my costume and everything?" Marie told her, "Please do. We need to look good for those kids."
And so, the night passed onto a new day, only one day before the U.A. Sports Festival. Marie and her friends all ate breakfast and got ready, before dressing up in their Hero Costumes. Marie met Mina and Tokoyami outside the dorms, waiting for Midnight to come pick them up. "Ah, Marie-chan," Tokoyami said, and Marie heard his cape swirl as he presented something, "I've got something for you, for your costume. Since you are blind, I thought it would be a good addition to it." Marie held out her hand and Tokoyami put a cloth in it. She felt it, it felt like a headband or something. "What is it?" Marie asked. "It's a blindfold, since your eyes cannot help you. In Japanese are the kanji for 'Mind's Eye' on it where your eyes should be, since that is what you use to sense your prey," Tokoyami told her. "Thanks, Tsukuyomi-san," Marie said, using Tokoyami's Hero Name as she tied the blindfold over her eyes. "How do I look?" Mina smiled, "Perfect, now you look really badass."
Marie's bodyguards Elemental and Sureshot arrived, the older Hero looking at the rookies with his ever-shifting eyes. "What's wrong, Frank? Afraid Elemental can't handle all this sexiness in one place?" Marie laughed as she pulled Mina over and they both made poses in the sidekick's direction. Marie smiled wider as she smelled his lust mixed in with discomfort, it was adorable. "Take this more seriously, Wolfheart," Sureshot said in English. Marie stopped posing then, that was the first time he had called her by her Hero Name. "You three are representing yourselves and this school," he said in halting Japanese. "Remember, you are the future of Heroes in Japan. You must acquit yourselves honorably and well. You are doing this in front of children, who in time may become Heroes as well. Do a good job. Okay?"
"Okay!" Mina and Marie said in English, while Tokoyami grunted and nodded. Marie soon heard the sound of a van coming and smelled her Mother's scent inside it along with Joey's and Eri's. Midnight opened the window and said, "Alright, everyone ready to go?" Marie smelled Elemental's discomfort and lust and figured her Mother was dressed in her costume. "Ready to go, Sensei," Mina cheerily said as the five of them all got into the van. "Where'd you get this thing?" Sureshot asked. "Rental," Midnight told him, "Plenty of room for everyone, or two or three very…adventurous people." Marie kept quiet at the implications, and remained silent the entire drive, while Eri and Joey told everyone about their presents for Rukia, Eri had bought her what she called, 'a really cute kitty necklace'.
The whole drive felt awkward for her, she wasn't expecting her Mother to be the one to take them to the party. They still weren't on terribly good terms since their argument, and neither one was willing to budge. Midnight refused to allow Marie to assist the search for Pyromaniac, and told her that if she tried to look for him then she would be grounded to the dorms, even presenting a pair of Quirk nullifying handcuffs she would use to keep her in her dorm room the last time they had argued.
They at last arrived at the park, where Jougo and Rukia were already there with their parents, along with several other classmates of Joey's. All the kids were surprised when they saw that Joey and Eri had arrived with an entire group of Heroes, and soon swarmed them all, asking about their Quirks, where they were from, their Hero Names, and a million other questions before the adults managed to calm them down. The kids all sounded disappointed before Midnight announced, "Don't worry, kids. These amazing Heroes will all give you a demonstration, after the birthday girl has opened all her presents, and everyone's had their fill of cake and ice cream!" That got all of them excited again, but before they could rush Rukia into opening her presents, Midnight said, "As long as you're good that is. And don't rush things."
That helped to calm things down, and everyone sat down and enjoyed some pizza, cake, and ice cream before Rukia opened all of her presents. One boy gave her a book about Heroes, a little girl from her class got her a new doll, and another boy got the mud girl a bow. Jougo gave Rukia a pet turtle, she happily gave him a hug as thanks, and did the same for Joey and Rukia when they showed her their gifts. Everyone seemed happy as the parents took pictures of the birthday girl with her presents, before Midnight announced, "Alright then! Everyone, get ready for the Hero Extravaganza!" That really got the kids hyped as they cheered. "First, let's introduce two Heroes all the way from America: Sureshot, and Elemental!" Sureshot stepped forward and said in his halting Japanese, "I can't use my preferred weapons, unless there's a villain. However, I can still demonstrate my Quirk, with a few plastic knives." Midnight got some plastic knives and handed them to the cowboy themed Hero and he said, "Everyone, finish your drinks, and then toss them into the air when you're done, and I'll hit all of them with these knives."
Everyone attending Rukia's party either drank their drinks or dumped them out before tossing them into the air at random. It didn't matter, Sureshot lived up to his name, and managed to impale every foam cup with the plastic knives. All the kids gasped in amazement, and Sureshot told them, "I will always hit what I aim at, that's why I am Sureshot." The kids and adults alike applauded as Elemental stepped forward, but then went to Midnight to ask her to translate for him. Midnight agreed and Elemental said in English, "In ancient times in the Western World, we believed that the world was made of four elements," Elemental then summoned a fire ball, "Fire," he then pulled a ball of water out of the moisture in the air, "Water," the young Hero then summoned a ball of soil from the ground, "Earth," and then he finished by waving his hands and creating a ball of air, "And air. I can control all of these Classical Elements, that is why I am called Elemental."
Elemental then surprised everyone with a quick display of martial arts Marie recognized from the sounds as being from her own style, Shaolin Kempo Karate. He enhanced his form with the four elements as he went, making everyone gasp in amazement. When he was done, the kids all applauded even louder, and a crowd started to form around them from other people in the park. "Now, allow me to introduce some of the Heroes of the Future, from U.A. High I present: Pinky, Tsukuyomi, and Wolfheart!" Midnight announced, and the three Heroes in Training quickly got in front of the kids and struck what they thought would make for good poses.
Mina went first then as she proudly said, "With my incredible acids, I can chase down and beat any Villain!" She then started making slick acid from her feet and skated around the partygoers a little." Tokoyami then declared, "With my Dark Shadow, I can soar through the night skies. Wherever evil lies in darkness, I can find them." Marie heard as he seemed to make wings with his Dark Shadow and flew up into the sky. When he landed, Marie took that as her cue and did a quick backflip, then quickly performed a quick combination of slashes and kicks before saying, "With my peerless ears and nose, I can track down evildoers wherever they are!" By sheer dumb luck, the three students announced, "We are the Students of U.A.! The Heroes of Tomorrow!"
That went better than expected! Marie thought as she listened to the applause of the partygoers. After the applause died down, Midnight said, "Alright, I'm sure you all have a few questions for these amazing Heroes of Tomorrow, but if you want to ask them, you need to raise your hands kids!" And right then, all the kids raised their hands and made calls of 'Me Me Me! Pick Me!' Midnight seemed to consider for a minute, but no one was surprised when she picked the Birthday Girl first, "I do believe that you're Rukia-chan, right?" Rukia happily nodded. "Since it's your birthday, you can ask two questions," Midnight told her. Rukia turned to Tokoyami first and asked, "Tsukuyomi-san, are you really weak against light?"
Tokoyami kept his composure as he answered, "It is true that my Dark Shadow is weakened by light, but it is far from 'really weak' against it. And I have trained as well so I don't have to rely on my Quirk to battle evil." Rukia smiled, "So Cool… Um… Wolfheart?" Marie responded, "Ask away, Rukia-chan." Rukia asked her, "Are you really a master of martial arts?" Marie shook her head, "I'm afraid not. I was trained in an American martial art, Shaolin Kempo Karate. Before I left America, I was only around a brown-belt's level in skill. I might have become better since then, but I've never tested myself. I'm not a master, yet. Not for a few more years at least." Mina piped up then, "But she's still an awesome baddie butt-kicker, you better believe it!"
Unfortunately, Mina's words were immediately interrupted by the sound of a loud explosion, and the ground shook, just as Marie smelled something massive. "What's going on!?" she yelled in shock. "There's a giant Villain!" Elemental screamed, and then heard a massive voice yell, "DIE HEROES!" in Japanese. "Oh shit!" Sureshot yelled as the civilians around the Heroes all screamed. "Tsukuyomi! Get me close to his face!" Midnight yelled. Marie heard as Tokoyami formed wings with his Dark Shadow and grabbed Midnight as they flew towards the villain, while Mina, Marie, Elemental, and Sureshot all helped herd the birthday party away from the Giant Villain. That was when Marie smelled him.
Her worst enemy.
"Well well well, if it isn't little Marie!" Pyromaniac said from above as he blasted fire around the partygoers, trapping them in a ring of fire! "PYROMANIAC! YOU SON OF A BITCH EAT LEAD!" Sureshot yelled as he drew his guns and fired away, forcing the Villain to dodge his bullets. Meanwhile, Elemental broke the ring of fire with water, and continued herding everyone to safety. "Marie, behind us!" Mina yelled, and Marie smelled more people arriving. "Is it Heroes?" Marie asked. "NO! Those are the League of Villains!" Mina yelled as more fire was blasted at them, forcing Marie and Mina to dodge it. Marie smelled a female running towards her as an eerie voice said, "Oh, don't you look like a cute little doggy! I just wanna skin you alive and make a doll out of that soft fur!"
Something whistled through the air, and Marie quickly avoided the projectile, and a second one that sounded like a knife before realizing the female Villain was almost on top of her. Marie acted on years of honed combat skills and let fly with a hard sidekick just in time, catching the crazy woman in the stomach hard enough to make her gasp in shock before she was sent flying back. "TOGA!" another voice yelled as a second Villain charged at Marie, this time swinging what sounded like a huge sword. Marie dodged the sword swing and ducked under a second before trying to sweep the Villain's feet out from under him. The Villain jumped over her kick and stabbed down, forcing Marie to roll back and onto her feet, ready to keep fighting.
Pyromaniac and Sureshot continued exchanging fire and bullets, Mina was fighting the other Fire Villain, and Marie was furious. "Get out of my way!" Marie yelled as she charged at the Villain she was fighting, he smelled like a turtle. She slid under a sword swing that would have took her head and kicked out for her opponent's groin. The Turtle Villain screamed in pain, "You fake hero! That's low!" Marie stood up and yelled back, "Shut up scum!" before knocking him unconscious with a roundhouse kick. She smelled that Pyromaniac was still there, then heard Mina scream.
"MINA!" Marie roared as she ran to her friend and scooped her up just in time before a fireball could cook them both. "My acid's flammable it turns out. That surprised me, I tried to counter Dabi's fire with it, and it almost blew up in my face," Mina said as Marie kept running, dodging fire blasts the whole time. "What about Toga and Spinner? You were fighting them," Mina asked as Marie managed to jump over a blast of fire that blew up a car behind her. "If those were the turtle guy and psycho, I think I took them down!" Marie answered. "STOP!" Mina yelled.
Marie stopped just as what felt like a solid wall of fire erupted in front of her. "Not bad. That Yankee said that you might be here, said you weren't half bad at this," a voice that sounded like it came from a corpse said. "Marie, was it?" Dabi asked as he walked closer to Marie and Mina. "Mina, I'll distract him, try to take him with your acid when he's got his back turned," Marie whispered to Mina. She then surprised her classmate by tossing her into the air and at the same time ran at Dabi. "Typical American," Dabi said as he unleashed his fire, but Marie sidestepped it, but it was so close she felt her fur singe. Marie tried to tackle him, but he shocked her with a hook kick to her face, knocking her to the side.
Dabi summoned fire to his hand, and that was when Mina made her move, sliding in full tilt and sprayed her acid at him. Dabi was forced to retreat away, too focused on avoiding Mina's acid to counterattack. Marie smelled that Pyromaniac was still close, and focused. She smelled Sureshot, but it smelled like he was surrounded by fire, and the smell of gunpowder. Marie ran in his direction, and heard as his guns clicked, empty.
Sureshot cursed, "Shit. I'm out."
Pyromaniac crowed from above, "I GOT YOU NOW! SAYONARA COWBOY!"
"FRANK!" Marie screamed as her body transformed into her Ultimate Form.
BIGGER!
STRONGER!
FASTER!
FASTER!
TRANSFORM FASTER!
Marie reached Sureshot just in time and tackled him out of the way before Pyromaniac's flames fried him alive. Marie howled out to her enemy; others would later tell her she sounded like she sprang from Hell itself! Marie focused her powerful muscles and jumped up in his direction. Pyromaniac unleashed his fire, but it was too late, and Marie tackled him in midair. The Villain screamed in fear as he slammed his flaming elbow into Marie's head, but she refused to let go. Finally, in a final desperate act, Pyromaniac blasted fire out in a giant burst, forcing Marie to let him go. He managed to blast fire from his back in time to soften his landing, but the wind was still knocked out of him.
Marie struggled to maintain her Ultimate Form, but was in too much pain, and reverted to her normal form. She smelled something from Pyromaniac then, fear. He was afraid of her now. "I hope you washed your neck, Pyromaniac," she said as she turned to her parents' murderer. "Get away from me!" Pyromaniac yelled and tossed a small fireball at Marie. She dodged his attack, but then felt her body cry out in pain from the fire, and impact with the hard ground, and fell. No! Get up! He's there! She thought, but her body was too strained, there was too much pain.
She returned to her Human form, and tears sprang from her eyes. Pyromaniac walked up to her, and summoned fire to his hand. "For a second there, I thought you had me. But hey, look on the bright side, at least you can see Mommy and Daddy again," the sadistic villain said as his fireball grew. Marie grit her teeth and weakly cursed, "Go to Hell!"
Pyromaniac raised his hand.
And then she smelled two familiar smells.
"GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" Midnight screamed as she fell from the sky, her knockout scent blowing everywhere! Pyromaniac sucked in a breath and ran away, before screaming, "UJIKO! WE'RE SCREWED!" "I got you!" Midnight yelled as she swung her whip at Pyromaniac, but then Marie smelled a foul substance, and just like that, the Villains were gone. "What happened? Where are they!?" Marie asked. "Where's Pyromaniac!?" Midnight helped Marie up and told her, "They're gone. One of them has some kind of Warping Quirk. I heard about this before, but this is the first time I've seen it." Marie let her tears pour from her face, her vengeance was stolen from her. "I almost had him," she weakly said, and then passed out.