"And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11 NIV)
It's been four years since he came back. Looking outside his window, he could see Shizuoka Airport quickly approaching. A wistful smile graced Izuku's face. He's finally back, even gets to live out his dream, but this isn't what he had in mind, no what's he's doing here is strictly Vatican business.
"Akatani, grab your gear we are moving out"
Akatani turned around, looking at one of his mentors and legal guardians for this mission: Yumiko Takagi, otherwise known as Yumie. She stood dressed in her usual nun outfit, with her beloved blade attached to her hip.
"Alright" he quickly responded to the command and moved over to the storage compartment. Opening it up, he checked off his mental list of the most important of his gear.
'Blessed Knives: Check'
'Coonan Arms.357: Check'
'Blessed Bullets: Check'
Last, and certainly not least, was his weapon: A silver katana made from the melting down of many crosses and blessed to be effective against the monsters that go bump in the night; able for many slashing and piercing attacks. He didn't know the exact process of how it was made, only that they gave it to him once he completed his education and training. The hilt was wrapped
He gazed into his reflection in his weapon, one blood-red pupil stared back, the other covered by the long curly purple-dyed hair he now had.
'All for the sake of the mission, he thought'
"I'm ready"
An affirmative grunt was all he got in return, Yumie already moving to the now opening door as the plane finally landed, quickly standing up and following along he exited the plane.
Akatani walked down the street, heading towards his destination. He was supposed to be in the car with Yumie on the way to their base of operations but, today was a special day, one he refused to skip no matter what.
Luckily he convinced Yumie, who relented, knowing how important such a day was to Izuku; though she left him instructions before he went off on his own. Those keeping in contact if something happens.
He agreed and was on his way, walking past the people going about their daily lives, all of them blissfully unaware of the genuine danger that lurks even during the day. Akatani sighed, being around his hometown after so long was a distinct feeling altogether; continuing on his way to his goal, he found a rather bittersweet sight.
Aldera Junior High, his last place of education and the last time he felt like a kid. He couldn't say he missed it with all the bullying he received from a genetic failure he had no control over, not to mention the teachers who all but ignored his pleas and cried while he was lying on the ground burn scars marking his flesh.
Luckily for him, he wouldn't be returning. The Vatican took care of all his educational needs during his training; he went through all the classes for him to be eligible for a university, and of course the obligatory faith and Bible Study.
RING!
'There goes the bell I should get out of here before anyone notices me loitering around a school, I don't need the problem.'
It wasn't before long Izuku got to his destination: The place where he learned the actual truth of the world; that there's more to fear than the villains that terrorized the people, that there's something most sinister and unholy that holds no place in the world.
In Izuku's eyes was his old apartment complex, the place where he grew up, the place where he cried when dad left, where he kept all of his love for heroes, the place where his mother died. It looked exactly like it did those 4 years ago. He walked up the railing leading towards his old floor; he passed the many doors where others lived and came up to the door of his old residence. They boarded it up. An old 'For Sale' sign was hanging from the nail embedded in the door.
A heavy breath came from Izuku as he looked at the building. His chest hurt, his throat felt dry and altogether he felt like he would cry.
This was the first time in 4 years he had been here, this was the place where he felt his innocence died, where his dream died, where Izuku Midoriya died.
He wanted to leave so badly, but no, he wouldn't. He came here for a reason and he would see it through. He walked up to the door and knelt to the ground, both knees hitting the floor; he clasped his hands together and put his head toward the ground, finishing his movement with the closing of his eyes.
He began.
"Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen"
A classic and one of the first prayers he learned, of course,, modified for this moment but, the emotion is the same with that Izuku gave a parting word before he left.
'All right, time to get back, otherwise Yumie will extend our training till I'm black and blue'.
Eternal Rest or Requiem aeternam, one of the first prayers he learned, a way of closure for him. Opening his eyes once again, Izuku gave his parting words.
"Love You Mom"
Akatani made his way down the side streets. He just got off the phone with Yumie, confirming he was on his way. He was making his way under a bridge before he heard a weird sloshing sound.
"AH, A MEDIUM SIZE SKINSUIT HOW LUCKY AM I" looking up Akatani only had enough time to jump out of the way as a giant sludge monster tried to engulf him. "STAY STILL YOU DAMN BRAT" the monster growled out his disgustingly yellow teeth once again jumping at Akatani.
'Crap, my first day back and I already have to deal with a villain.' Akatani quickly tried to figure out some way out of his predicament. 'I could stab him in his eye with one of my knives which is the only non-viscous part of him but, I'm supposed to keep a low-profile for now,, and getting involved with the police for attacking a villain even in self-defense would be the opposite of undercover and I can't just run or I might lead him to civilians'.
With that in mind, all Akatani could think to do was dodge the villain. A jump to the left, a roll to the right.
'Seriously, it's broad daylight how is no one around to see this' exasperated by the ridiculousness of the sludge's desperation to catch him.
"HAHAHAHAHA, have no fear young man for, I AM HERE!" a booming voice sounded before he saw a flash of yellow.
"TEXAS SMASH."
a powerful gust of wind blew past Akatani, temporarily lifting him off his feet and throwing him back a couple of feet from where he stood.
Opening his eyes, the sight of a man known throughout the world met him as the Number #1 Hero: All Might.
"Hey there, young man, sorry about getting you caught up in my fight," the top-ranked hero said, raising his hand as a show of apology.
Akatani looked at the Symbol of Peace, the man he worshipped and would give anything to be like, the person who inspired him and gave him a dream and hope in his younger days.
"It's no problem at all All-Might, I'm sorry for getting in the way," said Akatani as he bowed his head. "Thank You for saving me" was all that was said before Akatani simply got up, dusted off his clothes, and went on his way.
All Might turned to look at the young lad who definitely must have had a terrible experience. Any other way he would have said some words or gave a speech but, he was close to his limit and needed to deliver the villain to the precinct anyway, so with a mighty leap he was off into the air without another look.
"I leave you alone for an hour and you're telling me you were attacked by a villain and saved by the Number #1 Hero that is your report." Glaring red eyes looked at her charge in front of her, standing ram road straight as he delivered his report for what went on as he was away.
"Yes, Ma'am" came the reply from said charge.m,
"I swear Izuku you're a magnet for trouble"
"Sorry Ma'am"
"Do not apologize for an unseen event, apologize when you have failed now come. We must head to the church to report our arrival and further instruction."
The drive to the church was a bit long; there was some type of commotion going on, where most people went to see something about fireworks.
Walking into the church was about what you would expect nuns and preachers moving around, empty seats, confessionals, all the regular things you could imagine. Pristine halls and floors, pure white columns standing tall, chandeliers hanging, emitting a bright light so darkness could fall.
"Izuku, wait here while Yumie and I give the report, I'll call you when it's time for your briefing."
"Alright"
All to himself now, Akatani had nothing to do so fell back on the hobby he's had since he was a kid: Observation. His analytical skills have grown and matured since he was young. Back then it was all about quirks and heroes. Now, filled with analysis and notes of the supernatural, their weakness, their strengths, their limitations, ways to stop them, ways to kill them.
This in mind Akatani pulled out a hard-covered notebook, a dark green color, given to him by Anderson when he noted his love of observation and analysis. Opening it up, he saw his first entry into this notebook.
Name: Ghoul
Description: Undead abominations made when a vampire drains the blood of a non-virgin. The skin of the inflicted turns a sickly grey color, often looking rotten in appearance. The teeth of the inflicted length in size becoming fully carnivorous or possessing only canine teeth for tearing and ripping flesh. The eyes of the undead become a pale orange fully coloring the sclera and pupil, though individuals have mentioned purple eyes ghouls(note for further observation and study). They are fully under the control of the vampire who turned them, as mentioned before they only consume the flesh of still-living humans while showing no individual intelligence on their own, they somehow have enough cognitive and muscle function to wield and use weapons. Once fatally wounded and killed, their bodies turn to dust.
Strengths:
- Their undead inflictions mean they feel no pain, so they will not stop attacking if attacked. (Note: This also means they can take multiple wounds and still function regularly, even dismemberment only serves to slow them down depending on which limb is severed.)
- Ability to wield firearms and weapons
- Strength surpasses that of a regular human because of the limiters of the human body no longer being in effect.
Weaknesses:
- Weak to holy or silver weapons.
- A strike to the heart or head to destroy the brain or heart proves fatal.
- Slow and easily outmaneuvered
- to perform complex or defensive maneuvers because of their lack of intellect.
- Restricted in very basic commands from their vampire sire.
Note:
- If the inflicted possessed a quirk in their living state, it would become inactive once turned.
- Incurable. Once inflicted, the soul of the victim is drained into the vampire that drained them. The soul is under the vampire's control unless destroyed by the death of the vampire.
"Excuse me," pausing in his reflection, Akatani looked up and saw a girl about his age standing over him. She has long green hair which on closer inspection seemed to be made of vines and thorns, one part of them wrapped around her head almost resembling a very simple crown.
'Must result from her quirk.' She had dark green eyes which were currently squinted and looking at him, an impassive expression on her face.
Realizing he was technically just staring and not responding, he quickly responded to her. "Yes."
"You have been mumbling for quite some time, and you're making others around you uncomfortable, please stop.
Akatani took a second to look around her, noticing all the eyes that followed the interaction with curiosity and apprehension. "My apologies sometimes I get lost in my writing, I mumble." Akatani had thought he had
"That's fine just, please keep others in mind" with that the girl was turning around to get back to more important matters before-
"Hold on" jumped a bit in surprise but not at all shock, Akatani looked at Yumie who was talking to the green-haired girl considering her red eyes looking at her.
"You two come with me, there's work to be done."
Flying high above the streets, away from the constant adoration and praise was the Symbol of Peace himself: All Might. His bright blue eyes scanning the surrounding area, he had finally finished up with that Sludge Villain who slipped from his pockets on his way to the station.
A quick fight, as usual. One punch was all it took to defeat the living mass of sickening sludge; happy with the defeat of the villain and the security of the citizens he brought, it did nothing to erase the overwhelming shame in his heart. Here he was a man of stature and great importance, carrying around a legacy centuries-long and after so many years of fighting of giving his life and soul to being a hero. He fell to the weariness of the job, almost succumbing to the doubts that plagued his mind. The ones that almost drove him to forsake the life of a young man fighting for his life.
'FINALLY' falling into a dive and landing on his feet, the shock wave that came from his landing not weakening the glowing smile on his face. The young man before him, the teen normally narrowed eyes reflecting the shock he must have felt from the hero's surprise landing.
"ALL MIGHT"
"HAHAHAHA, Hello Young Bakugou, I have come to offer my gratitude and ask for your forgiveness.
"Forgiveness what the hell!, your All Might why would you be asking for forgiveness from anyone!
"You misunderstand, you saved me from me, you see I fell into a rut of sorts and thanks to seeing the passion in you reignited my heroic spirit!" I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, so I have come with a proposition. All Might reached into his pocket and pulled a white card with a phone number on it.
"I WANT TO TRAIN YOU TO BECOME A HERO!"
All Might was expecting shock, maybe happiness, unfortunately, he received none of that instead he got the piercing glare of the walking explosive.
"THE HELL DID YOU SAY, YOU SAYING I CAN'T BE A HERO WITHOUT HELP, YOU SAYING I'M TOO WEAK TO FIGHT ON MY OWN, WELL YOUR WRONG I'LL SHOW YOU I'LL BE THE DAMN BEST HERO YOU EVER SEEN!" snatching the card out of All Might's hand and blowing into cinders with a quick explosion from his quirk before storming off toward his house.
All Might was left standing there, a shocked look left on his face from the outrage of the boy he only wanted to thank and reward. A big puff of smoke engulfing the larger-than-life man replacing the hero with the skeletal form of Toshinori Yagi "That did not go the way I expected."
We will go over this one last time in case of miscommunication, your mission is to become students of U.A's hero class and locate the traitor in their midst, this is not a permanent position once located you two will be extracted and sent back to the Vatican for further instruction, You two will be placed in separate classes to expand your search, you are to write reports on any students of interest, and while undertaking this assignment you are still expected to complete your regular extermination mission when instructed and will act as partners. Any question!.
"Miss Takagi, if you don't mind me asking what's so important about this traitor and why we are supposed to be locating them." came the monotone response of a vine-headed girl, a serious look presented on her face.
"Shiozaki, I can't and won't tell you guys that information, it is classified and is not important to your mission, this is simply an investigation, not an extermination mission is that clear you will not engage the traitor outside of school-sanctioned spars is that clear!"
"Yes Ma'am"
"Yumie, why would we go to the hero course, wouldn't it be better for us to remain inconspicuous as regular general ed students"
"Akatani, while normally that would be correct, the hero course allows to eventually have contact with all courses within their halls, we do not know the exact location of the traitor besides they are currently acting as a mole, and before you ask we had are own mole, gather this information so, yes it is secure."
"You will have 10 months until the U.A exams start, until then you two will interact and train together to promote your partnership for the rest of this mission. That finished, Yumie left the conference room they were currently living in leaving the two teens to ponder their new task.
"I guess proper introductions are in order, my name is Ibara Shiozaki, and have been a part of the Vatican since birth it is nice to meet you," a hand reaching out towards her partner in her mission.
"Likewise, My name is Mikumo Akatani, I have served the Vatican for 4 years." grasping the hand of the girl across from handshaking in confirmation before leaving each other with their phone numbers and moving on with the rest of their day.
'10 months' was the echo that sounded in Akatani's head as he went or went to catch up with Yumie. She was his ride.