Who knows what masks these actors wear. Let's find out, shall we? I still own none of the properties I write about here. I don't claim to, nor have I ever. What I do own is the time I use to write however, and any bits thrown towards me help me write for longer, as well as eat while doing so. Available Let the Show Go On. Chapter 12: The Power To Terror or Inspire OR Lights, Camera, Disappointment Part 5
Having never been on a filming lot, Izuku didn't need to fake any awe or wonder he felt as he and his class were shown around the lot. There was just something so interesting about seeing so many different sets and costumes being shuffled around the massive studio rooms, as well as how certain doors or stairs lead to nowhere or even little 'psuedo-trailers' for the actors to stay in before they were called to camera.
Comedies, dramas, romance and special effects all came to life in this building, and while it wasn't as action-packed as most expected it to be, it was still a fun trip. Especially the trip to the writers room, where they all got a small laugh out of the appearance of so many frazzled writers shouting out ideas at each other and guzzling coffee. And the best was apparently meant for last, a chance to be the live audience for the current season finale for Captain Crusader!
It was being shot after lunch, and was held in part with the other groups there for the showing, those who won or bought their own tickets. So, it was with a cheerful smile that Izuku dug into his own little pre-made bento as people trickled into the waiting area as they prepped the set, the rest of his classmates forming their own little circles to chat and express how hyped they were for the show.
Izuku would have joined them, but a combination of mild awkwardness and a habit of sitting back and observing made him instead find a comfortable place against a wall, where he watched and enjoyed the excitement from the people around him.
One place in particular his eyes kept getting drawn to were a young couple and their son, the former watching the latter as well as we he all but vibrated in place with a massive smile on his face. It brought to mind the same excitement Izuku himself felt whenever he saw All Might, or really any Hero, on the TV. Izuku guessed that, 'real' or not, Hero's always served to inspire people. It was a sentiment that made Izuku smile, even as he hastily finished off his sticky rice and veggie mix as a stagehand ducked through the door and told the room they'd be starting in 5 minutes.
-Scene Change-
Timmy was the most excited he'd been in...EVER! It was super hard staying still when Captain Crusader was RIGHT THERE n the next room and he'd GET TO SEE HIM FIGHT and, and, and everything else was SO COOL right now! Maman said to be patient and to wait, and a few other things, but he wasn't the only one excited!
It made Timmy so happy he did all those chores and had the awesomest parents in the whole world for bringing him to see his favourite hero.
"No! No, I refuse to see those little brats! Can't we have gotten some people with...I don't know, CLASS!"
"Gary, C'mon. These people already paid, and its just for one show, what's the issue?"
"The ISSUE, is that I'm sick and tired of being this shell of a character! I studied for years honing my acting talent, and what am I now? Some copy and paste formula production!"
The conversation was screamed through the door as people were about to enter the set, making them all hesitate and wonder just what was happening.
Timmy, who barely really cared about this, instantly cut through the small tension as the set door opened first, and through it walked, or rather stormed, Captain Crusader himself! His helmet wasn't on, but that armor! Those muscles! IT WAS HIM!
Timmy wasted no time in budging through the obviously awe-struck crowd, as he got closer to his hero, not noticing his mother try to grab his hand before he pushed through the crowd.
"Captain! Captain! It's really you! It's...really..." Timmy shouted excitedly as he finally broke through and got his up-close view of his hero. But...things were weird. He had a weird smell that made Timmy's nose wrinkle a bit, and his armor was crooked, like he didn't put it on right.
The weirdest thing though...was the lack of a smile. Instead, all Timmy saw was a sneer as he looked down on your figure.
"See? This' why I hate kids. Don't even know the meaning of personal space, the little runts." Not-Captain Crusader scoffed even as the people around him froze at the the sudden hostility to a child of all things. Timmy was the worst off though, as he felt tears spring to his eyes as the he understood the words his 'hero' just said.
"Wh-wha?" was all Timmy could stutter out as it felt like the ground was falling away under his feet.
"Oh? Don't get it 'kiddo'. Captain Crusader's just a character, a MASK. Underneath all those tired lines and gimmicky fights is a regular guy like anyone else. Get over it." Cap...Gary sneered even harder, before waving his hand and dismissing the entire group of people gathered with a single glance.
"Whatever. Consider this a taste of the real world. Don't meet your Hero's kid, they'll just disappoint you. We'll refund your tickets, have a nice time." He uncaringly told the stunned group as he walked through the exit door, as people moved out of his way without a mind.
In those precious seconds of stunned silence however, Timmy's world was broken, and with a scream and speed known of most 6 year olds, ran off bawling for a place to hide, snapping everyone back to reality as 'yes, that just happened', and Timmy's parent's tried to find their now AWOL son.
All while Izuku leveled his hardest stare at the door the actor had just walked through, hands clenched hard enough that blood began to drip between his fingers.
- Scene Change-
Timmy felt his his lungs empty of air in another gut-wrenching wail even as his eyes continued to pour tears from his new position in a bathroom he found and locked.
"Wh-why was he so mean~! He was...he was supposed to be a HERO!" Timmy screamed his little heart out, still unable to believe what he had seen and heard.
Captain Crusader was supposed to be good and protect the world and...and NOT RUIN HIS BIRTHDAY. J-just a mask? A 'char-acter'? Was everyone like that? Were all his hero's fakes and frauds? Just bad people acting Good?
It tipped Timmy's world in a way he never wanted to think about.
"Don't worry Little One. Not All are as The Imitator says." A voice suddenly spoke in Timmy's ear, making the young boy let out a wet sounding gasp as he whirled around and tried to see who was talking to him.
"Wh-who said that! Are you a g-g-g-ghost!" Timmy shouted out, suddenly more frightened than sad.
A feeling of calm seemed to settle upon his shoulder after a moment of silence, as the voice continued in a smooth, echoing tone that made Timmy want to hear it more.
"I am no Ghost, Little One. Merely a Kind Person who wants to Show You A Hero Does Exist."
"R-really? Who is it? Raveman? Shock Setter? Miss Terry?" Timmy asked the voice, hope filling his tone.
The voice chuckled, and it nearly made Timmy giggle with it, before it began speaking again.
"No. None of those Pretenders. I speak of You, of Course." The voice explained, making Timmy gasp in awe.
"I...I can be...a Hero?" Timmy managed to gasp out, shy and filled with glee.
"Yes. All you would need to do is Bring Me the Miraculous of Ladybug and Chat Noir, and you can become a Hero Greater than Captain Crusader Ever Pretended to Be."
The world, so dark and dim before those words, exploded to life for Timmy.
"I'll do it. I'll do it! I'LL SHOW EVERYONE WHAT A REAL HERO LOOKS LIKE!" Timmy screamed with glee as a blinding light surrounded him.
"Wonderful. Then Why Not Start with This Studio Then? Give Them All A Show They'll Never Forget. Brought To Them By Hawkmoth Inc." The voice chuckled, even as the light died down to reveal Timmy's new form.
Gone was the somewhat scrawny 6 year old body, now stood a child sized figure covered in armor with a small helmet shaped visor covering the top section on his head, leaving only his widely grinning mouth on his body. In his hand was a child sized imitation of a sword, and on his back was another smaller sword.
"Sounds like a great plan! Wait till they get a load of Sir Justice! Maybe'll I'll get my own TV show, when I kick that jerk to the curb!"
The childish chuckles sounded sinister as they echoed through the bathroom.
-END OF CHAPTER-
SURPRISE! It was little Timmy all along! Soon we get to the good stuff, can't wait! And don't forget to leave your thoughts and whatnot below! Cheers!
