Hawks

I should have done something else to keep him from ending up in that state. Seeing him sedated and covered in bandages only made me feel guilty. He was in the hospital keeping the number one hero company, now in recovery after the fight with High End. What could I have done to make it end differently?

– You've been at it for several days; how much are you browsing? – I appeared through his window

– Can't you use a damn door? And what the hell happened to your lower lip?

– It's rude to answer with another question. – Approaching him. – But as I am polite, I will answer you. One, I'm already here. – sitting in front of him. – And two, I had a brief confrontation with a villain ... – Two days had passed since that, and it had not finished fully healing. – Now it's your turn to answer. – He growled before doing what I asked him

– The crime rate has increased by 3% since last year and I am trying to decipher the patterns that have caused it. – As I had been present in most of Nomus's attacks and that, thanks to me, little or no information made it possible to track these creatures. If I were to decipher those coincidences, it would impede my spying.

– Don't you think you're trying too hard? You look more tense since All Might's retirement.

– I don't need your kindness – without taking his eyes off the records

– Do you think the level of stress you are dealing with will really help you? You don't have to be like him – Ever since I had started having contact with him, I saw how he constantly seemed to compare himself to the retired Symbol of Peace over and over again.

– Not your damn support – the office got hotter

– Don't get mad. – Trying to calm him down. – I'm just saying that maybe society just needs another definition of peace. – Said that, his face softened and he remained silent contemplating the pile of papers on his desk.

– I solved more cases than anyone. More every time. But I hear it; I hear that invisible thing that All Might created crumble. – He finally pronounced. – I'm not like the previous number one hero. I still can't understand what it means to be the symbol of peace. – He looked conflicted. – I climbed to second place, but once there I realized that I could not reach the top. If I had wanted to be number one, I would have been friendly and smiling like him, but I wanted to be the strongest.

– And you are – getting closer to him

– When I finished talking to All Might what he told me is that we are different, therefore, and it didn't have to be the same symbol of peace.

– You see it? Two people who appreciate you see your genuine potential. – His brow was frowning. – You can always improve, but not to be like him. – And it is precisely that characteristic for which I admire you so much, while others praised it, you were the only one who wanted to overcome it, improving every time until being number one. The Hero Billboard Chart would be done shortly, and that would be the best opportunity to prove it.

After that talk, that night I had been asked to meet the idiot who had left this laceration on my pristine face. While doing my patrol, I approached the same abandoned building where we last met.

My wings felt the pressure change in the air only so that when I turned there was nothing around me.

– Why so upset? – He had taken me from the back, while turning my cheek to his direction, to kiss me. I pushed him back as a twisted smile formed on his face.

– It must be because I'm not used to that kind of greeting

– Nothing that cannot be fixed ... – keeping the same expression while stretching – I'm glad you're so punctual. Our facilitator will be here shortly. – Presuming that he would not give me details about him, I should at least know what I was doing there

– And why is my presence necessary?

– "Why?" No but, "what for" – Approaching me, but soon after he was surrounded by my feathers, ready as daggers in his direction. – If I were you, I would save them, you may need them later.

– If I use them with you, they wouldn't be wasted – he kept coming despite my warnings. Who are we supposed to expect?

Suddenly, he managed to dodge my arrows one by one, burning some of them in the process, until he reached me. He grabbed me by the neck against the wall that faced the stairs.

– You are braver than I thought, little bird – his face was very close to mine. The staples on his face below his eyes gleamed in the dim light that crept in through the clouds, making his eyes glow a deep blue. His left hand took my hand behind my back, drawing our bodies even closer. The staples in his hands were cold to the touch.

– I know you won't do anything to me while I serve you – breathing hard.

– You are absolutely right – pushing me against the wall, so that it was even more difficult to separate myself from him while he kissed me. My mouth had a slight taste of metal from the encrustations on his lips. I tried to push it away with my available hand, but to no avail. He kissed me so insistently that I could hardly breathe, unable to help but gasp each time his tongue came into contact with mine. My wings were not helpful either, as the thrust on them weakened my motor skills. However, that didn't stop them from noticing that typical change in air pressure when a moving object collides with them. Dabi didn't seem to show any signs of trying to move away, despite hearing footsteps approaching, and due to the tilt of his head, I couldn't see who was behind him.

– Sorry to interrupt – the rough voice and sinister tone confirmed to me that it was a villain.

– If you know what is best for you, don't meddle – whispering in my ear and then separating from me abruptly, while I caught my breath.

– Look who we have here, isn't the hero swift as a gale, Hawks? – the guy was wearing a formal suit with a military print, and unless he was a new member of LOV, he had all the makings of a yakuza. – I wish I had that kind of connection with the commission of heroes. – I thought that the LOV would maintain a higher level of secrecy with their affairs, what guarantees did Dabi have that they would not be betrayed, or failing that, blackmailed?

– You're late – the guy with the black hood was approaching the other, while my neck still felt the previous pressure on him latent

– If I knew you were busy, I would have delayed even more. – The shorter guy had taken a cigarette.

– Did you bring what was agreed? – The guy offered him a crooked smile.

– Are you sure you want him to listen? – the smoke reached me

– As you could see, we get along very well

– In that case, a collaboration with you might be useful to us – He showed him a small phosphorescent green bottle. The younger of the two extended his arm towards the other, only for him to step back. – What guarantees do I have that you will fulfill your part of the deal?

– We will know that only if this thing works – taking the bottle with a quick movement, remaining behind the guy, who now turned his back to me and transformed his hand into a weapon – Besides, is the scene you saw previously not a sample of my trust? – placing the container in one of the pockets of his jacket. The guy stifled a laugh behind his tobacco breath, and I was starting to feel sick. However, I kept wondering what the hell that green thing was.

– Results are guaranteed. – taking another cigarette. – We have already tested it in several and they have given favorable results. – Several what?

– Favorable?

– Yes, the mad chick you work with can give you more details about that ... – Was he referring to ... Toga? – And if you have no more ways to waste my time, I'm leaving so that you can continue where you left off. – Making his way to the side stairs.

Dabi was staring at the vessel with worrying devotion, but as if reading my thoughts, he extended his hand to the side only for a portal of Kurogiri to appear.

– We already have what we needed. – Giving him the container. – Ah! And tell the deranged I need to talk to her later. – And having said that, the portal closed again.

– What's in that container? – getting closer to him

– You'll find out soon. – Showing me that psychopathic smile that was so characteristic of him. – But more importantly, don't you think you should do something about that guy seeing us?

– From the way you held onto me, I'm sure that was your intention.

– Indeed, but there is no guarantee that he'll keep us a secret. – My blood pressure shook the palpitations in my chest sharply. – Remember that you must keep up appearances

– What?! Did you just want me to come here to expose myself and witness whatever it is that he gave you?

– It is much more than you think – approaching me

– Stop rambling, and respond. What the heck was that all about? – I was reaching the limit of my patience as he walked around me.

– If you want to know so much – he began snapping his fingers, causing blue sparks each time, as if it were a metronome. – Bringing him here was nothing more than a mere distraction. – He stood behind me, to take me by the neck again. – While we were entertained here, the rest of the league was taking care of the warehouse where the largest amount is located, and since it was close to the area that you usually frequent when you patrol, I decided to lure you here. – Unlike minutes ago, now his fingers caressed the skin they touched, while they seemed to increase the temperature at the ends. Whatever that thing was, having it in larger quantities was exponentially dangerous. – By the way, – approaching my ear – You must hurry, according to my calculations he'll soon be in a civil area where it will be more difficult to disappear the corpse. – My body felt heavy and tense, and having him this close only made my condition worse, but I knew I had no choice.

I redirected my feathers to track down the guy who, like he'd said, was two blocks from one of the busiest gambling streets in town. I had them nailed in strategic places, especially his vocal cords so that he couldn't make the slightest squeak. I stopped as soon as I felt no vibrations coming from his body. Back, I knew what the state of the feathers would be, so why not double–use it? I redirected them to my oppressor only to have them disintegrate in contact with his flames effortlessly. Despite the obvious scenario, I don't usually keep feathers covered in blood.

– See, I told you you'd need them. – Walking away from me – Now it's my turn. Running at high speed between the buildings, in the direction of the moribund man who was dying and it was only a matter of minutes when he was back. – Sorry for the delay, although that was because you didn't annihilate it completely. He was still crawling, unless your intention was for him to bleed out slowly, but that usually takes a long time. Anyway, I'm done with the job. We are an excellent team, don't you think?

– I'm not going to be part of whatever you plan with that. – Anxiety accumulated in my throat

– Like you have a choice. – He was still showing himself like a madman. – In due time, you will know what to do. But let's not stray from the topic, today has been a satisfying night, right? – followed by an audible laugh. – Without taking into account that I have been able to confirm your skills as a trained assassin. You weren't even flinched when you aimed the feathers at your target. – He took my neck again, but this time with both hands. – You have more material as a villain than you think, professional hero. – I detested that mocking tone with which he always referred to me mentioning those two words. – That's all for today – releasing me only to go to a portal – Later I will give you details of your next mission. Goodnight. – Disappearing behind the portal before I managed to do something.

Despite my practically immobility, I felt exhausted, although perhaps that was just the reason. However, a short time later I'd discover that I must have done something else, and that this heaviness was only the beginning of the chaos.

...

After the Hero Billboard Chart ceremony, I was to meet Endeavor, hoping he would use one of his greatest strengths: his cunning.

– I'm sorry I put you in trouble – with the friendliest possible tone of voice. He had me held by my coat several inches off the ground.

– What were you thinking, brat? – He was very angry, to say the least.

– They did nothing but say boring things, and I thought it needed impact – his flames were reduced, but he was still frowning, although, when not?

– You were testing me?

– No way! – freeing me. – I actually helped you. It wasn't bad, was it? – Adjusting my glasses. – I've never been fan from All Might and I never wanted to be like him. Still, his retirement came as a surprise. – And, in fact, it unleashed more than I could have imagined. – I'm not saying you have his charisma, but I think we really need a new leader. – And I meant it, now more than ever. – I'm relieved. You were nice. – I couldn't help but smile near him. Talking as equals with whom I admired for so long made me feel happy and… guilty. I must admit that my admiration helped me hide my discomfort, for better or worse.

– Haven't you thought about being the leader? – unconvinced while I couldn't help but let out a laugh

– Do I have the face of wanting to be? I'd rather be free below, around 20 or 30. – His face turned into a surly grin

– I hate people like you! – If I wasn't used to this, I would think it was personal – End of the conversation, apologize to others.

– Actually – my stomach felt sick; But there was no turning back. – I have to talk to you.

– Go away!

– I want to team up with you – I wonder how long I could keep up this charade – There are worrying reports in my area. Do you remember the Nomus?

...

– You look exhausted. You need to clear your mind. Let's go for a walk. – I proposed, somehow, I wanted to avoid or decimate the effects that accepting my invitation would imply, and as it had rarely happened, he agreed. Now it was time to do the most difficult task: to understand my signals. We had to move away from the main focus of heroes, to a more secluded area, or so I intended.

As we walked down the street, an exhibitionist started screaming like a madman; neutralizing him did not cause further havoc.

– Endeavor, what kind of food do you like? The stew at this restaurant is good. – We began to attract attention – The taste of chicken is very noticeable. Are you hungry? –I could feel variations in the air currents as a woman yelled something indecipherable; apparently the name of a dog. I redirected one of my wings towards the animal, which was unharmed. – Yakitori is also a good option and the yoritomi skewers.

– It's Hawks!

– He doesn't usually walk around like that!

– Hi! – I greeted passersby while helping a lady with a suitcase

– Hawks, congratulations on being second

– You have to be humbler or they will hate you – there are other things they can hate me for that don't compare to being presumptuous

– Hate me?

– Hawks! – A girl stood next to me for a photograph. When I noticed, there were several civilians around me, but not a trace of the walking torch.

– My son is your fan; can you give him an autograph? – A lady with a peculiar hat asked me

– Ah! What a good backpack – the boy was smiling, while I did my best to replicate the gesture. – Can I grate it?

– Sure! – and I proceeded to sign it

– Thanks for your support

– Thanks, Hawks! – I received a chorus of mother and son

– It's Endeavor – there was a group of people surrounding him

– His face is scary

– His presence is imposed – the murmurs didn't wait.

– Ask him for an autograph! – incited a couple of teenagers to another

– Didn't you like him?

– Yes, but he's not like that! – this was his chance to prove otherwise, and he began to make his way through the crowd.

– He approaches! Cannot be! His suit is great! – He began to hyperventilate. I don't blame him; at his age I would have been the same.

– You don't have to hold back – extended the big man with a surly expression

– No

– Eh? No? – I was just like him

– Endeavor doesn't indulge people – good point. – It's great for being inaccessible – another good point.

– How exaggerated

– No! You have changed! You have changed! – He yelled before running in terror, leaving the number one hero with his hand extended.

– Let's go get something to eat – putting my hand on his shoulder – I invite.

We head to one of the restaurants at the top of a tower.

– It was to be expected, you aren't like that. – He was still just as apathetic, while I saw his plan, intact. – If you don't want to, can I eat it?

– What a glutton! Eat it!

– I cannot control myself with the things I want – taking a bite. – After the Sports Festival I recruited your son – at the time I swallowed. – Having the son of number two would look good, right? But hey, I'm glad to have Tsukuyomi since Shoto failed the professional exam and damaged his brand – and as expected, like every proud parent of his offspring, he got upset by considerably increasing the temperature of the place.

– You know a lot not to go to the U.A.

– I am well informed

– Don't bother me! – pointing to me – I didn't come to Kyushu to talk about it. Get to the point.

– The rumors? – which I myself took care of spreading.

– A remodeled Nomu. Those grotesque puppets of the LOV.

– They captured a dozen stored in Kamino with AFO, and since then the League was busy but no more Nomus appeared ... Or so they were all. – Of course, not – Or the old AFO knew where there was more.

– As you asked me to make a team, it means that you have evidence, right? – I wish that was the reason

– None, just rumors. – If you could only read between the lines, you would make this easier for me.

– The bill! I'm out! – He got up trepidly, burning even more.

– Wait, listen to this. – I had to buy time – This is not the only place where they saw Nomus – stopping his retreat – Don't you know? They were reported all over the country. Not so much for the news, but for housewife gossip. – Now that I think about it, it's like they were guinea pigs put to the test ... – Or comments from students coming home.

– What are you talking about?

– I first heard it on a local business trip. – I hated that I was so good at lying, but at least it was on both sides. – That time I was working with the police and I investigated quickly so as not to cause panic, but without success.

– Such as the incident at the Best Jeanist office? – Fuck! – A Nomu attack was carried out, out of nowhere with no injuries, save for a riot. You were there, how did you let that happen?

– Civilians were my priority, although later I realized that this was only to spread fear – and distract me from the final intention of Dabi and allies.

– That doesn't seem like a simple isolated event to me. – Skeptic – The records kept there were not stolen, but rather, destroyed. What were they trying to achieve with that? – test my loyalty.

– That is exactly what you will help me to investigate. So, out of curiosity – I spread my wings. – I flew around the country investigating on my own.

– Doing research?

– Similar rumors surfaced on unrelated sites. – I continued. – Although, in the end they were just rumors. This is just my unsubstantiated opinion. – Yes, sure ... – But after UA, Hosu and Kamino, everyone knows how dangerous remodeled villains are, right? – I felt irritated. How hypocritical could I be? – So, an idiot tells a story to provoke tension and that spreads throughout the country. The one from before shouted "long live the liberation of superpowers", right? – the exhibitionist – These ideas are inspired by a republished biography of a villain, which has sold very well. He must have been influenced by him. That kind of book sells more when there is restlessness, as if it prospers. – The city through the window was tinted pastel purple.

– Leave the stories. What do you want?! – that you were more intuitive

– I want you to be a trusted leader as number one. – I pointed it out. – I want you to check the truth of the rumors and tell everyone not to worry. I won't do anything special – yet. – I know it is repetitive, but I will be the producer after number one. – Showing him a smile, because I meant it.

– Stupid brat – contemptuous, as always.

– I just want to relax. Really. – Suddenly, I was beginning to feel anxious. – Go patrolling around, complain that nothing is wrong and go to sleep. That's the best! – forcing a cheerful expression. – I want a world where heroes have free time. – My hand trembled on my cheek; either on the contrary that sounded like my actions or because the plan was going as planned. – The air began to stir, and apparently, I wasn't the only one to notice when he turned his gaze outside. – Endeavor – my voice grew worse, but before I could continue, it had already started.

– Here you ...

– Ma'am, back! – moving my feathers towards her, so that soon after, a dark and anthropomorphic figure lunged against the window; a Nomu. It headed straight for Endeavor.

– Who is the strongest? – Could speak?! Its voice was deep and throaty. My back felt stiff and anxiety washed over me; there are supposed to be no civilians involved.

– Hawks, evacuate everyone!

– Got it, what about you? – the murmurs increased

– They weren't just rumors, eh? It must be my lucky day. – He was in offensive position. – Well, this is what I came for. Flash fist! – pushing that thing out. In this heavily populated area, it would be difficult to contain the damage. The humanoid figure was intact, and not surprisingly, it had been designed to face Endeavor. – Come! I'll show you who I am – he expressed with an intimidating expression that did not move the receiver at all or little.

– You can fly?! – was suspended in the air

– I can only float. Focus! That thing is still moving!

– You wouldn't think ... – I hadn't imagined it; It could formulate words. – that you could kill me with those little flames, – No, this was much worse; he could think, and he could even regenerate. What have you done, Dabi? – would you? – An intense glow was released from Endeavor's body, increasing the temperature considerably.

– Incandescent Fist: Hell Spider! – He tried to attack it, but the jet monster expanded until it collided with the crystals. At the rate they were going, they would tear down the building in a few minutes; I had to hurry and evacuate all the civilians.

– Come on, this is not the time to show off, number one – and immediately afterwards the upper part of the building began to come off.

I quickly started pulling the people inside the building one by one as quickly as possible, but I wasn't sure my feathers were enough. My wings can feel everything; screaming, breathing, rubbing clothes, vibrations from people. I won't be able to evacuate all the people! With the feathers that I have I will save people from the damaged part.

– The 76 people from the damaged part have been evacuated successfully!

I managed to get closer to that thing to detail it more closely. It had quite a lot of muscle mass and even bone structure. Endeavor repeated his Incandescent Fist, with the same results; it was intact.

– Is that your best attack?!

– Of course not! I'll cut it into pieces and make it burn! – I shouldn't have spoken. With his next attack, he created whips that turned the building to rubble in seconds. The surrounding buildings and civilians were to be crushed. As I could I caught as many as possible, but my wings weren't enough to keep me afloat.

– The kitchen is not your strong suit, is it Endeavor ?! – forcibly landing on the roof of a building – You cut it into very large pieces when you should chop it!

– Reserve your strength to move better!

– Losing so many feathers, it costs me a little to fly!

– I'm sorry! – that if I did not expect it

– Little bird ... – He managed to remember me ... That's why he didn't attack me. However, if he did say too much, I would be in a very awkward situation. But I could think of nothing else when more things came out of the skull of that monster... Nomus?!

– It split ?! – the burning hero was just as shocked. That thing seemed indestructible, or at least stronger than any other.

– Who is the strongest? – The voice of that monster seemed to come out of hell, and I would not be wrong if it were.

With his copies besieged the city, this was to keep me away. Damn, this thing can reason! I was quick to hold back a couple who were scaring some office workers.

– Hawks!

– Back up until you can't see what happens here! – I pronounced as stoic as possible. – Honestly, I can't compete with their strength. My back won't be enough to make them feel safe. I was trying to contain as many beasts as possible, but I couldn't assure that I would keep them out for long.

An intense heat hit me as I sliced through one of my targets, while the screams of the civilians didn't wait.

– It was about time you took it seriously, Endeavor – and his Prominence Burn attack made itself felt, increasing the temperature even more. I felt like I was in hell itself. Looking in his direction, once the environment returned to its usual state, it seemed to have disintegrated that thing.

I approached one of the roofs of the buildings only to see that the head of that thing was still floating.

– What a pity…

– Endeavor! – it was too late. The head was hurtling toward him, and like spears, it slammed into his body and face with violence. A considerable splatter of blood was visible from where I was.

– How boring ... – The Nomu was a few meters from Endeavor, on the ground, as if it were a vulture. – There is no stronger hero. – My throat felt dry; I was beginning to feel nauseous ...

What had I done?


By the way, the cover doesn't have any illustration of the leading couple because I don't want to deal with copyright, but I hope you still like it.

Fact # 50

I like to delve into the Hawks inner conflict, which will only deepen further and further ...

...

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