Chapter 21
Art Appreciation
For the second day of the three-day break, Felicia and Arisa woke up later in the morning than usual because of last night's nightmare dilemma with Jouko Gumo/Dreamweaver.
Right now, they both were having a late breakfast.
Suddenly, their phones' text alerts went off. They got a group text with Usagi, Miru, Makoto, and Junko in it. Usagi, Miru, and Makoto wanted to thank Arisa, Felicia, and Junko for saving them and stopping Jouko Gumo.
Arisa, Felicia, and Junko replied back that they were glad to help as their friends.
Then Junko texted the five girls about wanting to tell them something important.
Junko explained that she has Kleine-Levin Syndrome. It's a rare sleep disorder that makes her sleep between 12 to 24 hours at a time over a period of a few days to weeks. For her case, it happens to her from 3 to a dozen times every year, but there are times when she can stay awake normally. Though, whenever she wakes up seemingly normal, she can only stay awake for a few hours, and she will eventually fall back to sleep after the time limit is over.
Arisa and Felicia were surprised that she has this and so were Usagi, Miru, and Makoto from their text emojis.
Junko further explained that she decided to tell them about her condition now because she feels closer to them after the nightmare situation. Also, she would have liked to tell them about it with her voice and not via text, like how Usagi did with her reason for wanting to do well in the Sports Festival. However, Felicia wasn't there with them after Jouko was defeated.
The five girls texted Junko back that they were glad she felt closer to them, and they were happy for her telling them about her condition.
Finally, Junko texted them to not tell their classmates about her condition right away because she wanted to do it herself. The girls replied back that they wouldn't, which made Junko happy. Then she ended the text with a big thanks to them.
Once the texts were done, Arisa and Felicia turned on their TV sets to watch the news. It started with two anchorpeople, a man and woman, on the screen.
"According to the latest news, it was revealed that the curator of the Traveling Cabinet of Curiosities, Jouko Gumo, was the culprit behind the unusual nightmare epidemic. Fortunately, Pro Hero Speed Girl and the Musutafu Police Force arrived on the scene and arrested her," the anchorwoman announced.
"In other news, the Yakuza gang called the Rakugaki is still on the loose. Their villainy of art theft, property damage, and property defacement has continued throughout various prefectures. Also, the terror they have caused has frightened and prevented some people to go out in the night," the anchorman stated.
The images were shown of missing artwork, damaged houses and buildings, and streets, walls, and cars covered in paint and spray-paint of various colors with a fancy "R" symbol on them.
"The Pro Heroes and police have been unable to stop the Rakugaki because of their elusive escapes. The police have assured us they will do everything in their power to stop the Rakugaki," The anchorman finished.
"Also, please be on the lookout for this missing 10 year-old child named Mariko Tsuji," the anchorwoman added on.
An image was shown of a young girl with long silver hair with two longs locks in front of her shoulders, light-skin, and purple eyes.
Arisa and Felicia are glad that with Jouko Gumo's arrest, no one else will have to suffer terrible nightmares like they and their friends did. Though the rampage of the Rakugaki and the missing child did concern them.
After the news ended, Felicia texted Arisa to see if she wanted to hang out together at the Musutafu Museum of Natural and Heroic History. Arisa agreed, and then both girls got ready to go out.
When they were out of the Emerald Shade, the girls chatted while walking.
"Hey, Felicia," Arisa started.
"Yes?" Felicia asked.
"I want to say thanks for the advice from last night. It really helped against Jouko Gumo," Arisa told her.
"You're welcome," Felicia responded.
"Also, I'm sorry for not telling you about my concern sooner," Arisa added on.
"It's no problem, Arisa. Just remember you can talk to me about anything. After all, we are sort of sisters," Felicia stated.
"Oh, right," Arisa remembered the talk they had after talking about how they got their Quirks.
"Anyway, let's have a jolly good time at the museum," Felicia stated.
Arisa nodded in response.
-My Hero Academia-
Eventually, they arrived at the Musutafu Museum of Natural and Heroic History. A large, rectangular, two-story, white and silver buildling with a large staircase in the center.
"This is spectacular!" Felicia exclaimed.
"Yes. It looks wonderful," Arisa commented. "Have you been here before?"
"No. I would have to like to come here sooner, but I was busy with school work and training for the Sports Festival," Felicia explained.
"Oh, I understand. How about we go inside?" Arisa asked.
"Yes," Felicia answered with a smile.
Both girls went inside the museum through the open entrance.
Unbeknownst to them, a mysterious, young child also entered the museum behind them.
-My Hero Academia-
Once inside, the girls were amazed by the numerous and wonderful paintings and sculptures they saw. There were some paintings and sculptures about important moments in history, like the age of dinosaurs, the Middle Ages, the times of war, and the rise of Pro Heroes. In fact, there were also exhibits of pro heroes, both from the past and in the present. There was also a narrator's voice at each exhibit, explaining the heroes' origins and all their glorious deeds.
When she heard of the heroes' origins and great deeds, Felicia was a little saddened for some reason. Arisa noticed it, but Felicia brushed it off like it was nothing. Then they noticed something strange: a young child was there, but not with any parents or other children. They saw the child was wearing a black hoodie, gray jeans, brown shoes, and white cap. For some reason, they kept seeing the child at some of the same artwork and exhibits they saw so far. Once the child noticed the girls looking at her, the child walked away and the girls went back to perusing the museum.
After an hour, the girls were tired from the walking so they sat on a bench in front of the right side of the museum.
"Blimey! The museum was really spectacular!" Felicia exclaimed.
"It was nice to learn about what the heroes had to go through in order to become the heroes they are today," Arisa commented.
"Indeed," Felicia agreed. "Actually, there is something I want to talk about."
"What is it?" Arisa questioned.
"It's just that some of our classmates and friends have good reasons, morals, or conditions that can make them great heroes," Felicia explained.
Arisa listened closely as Felicia continued.
"Usagi wants to find her mother. Tatsumi wants to revive the Tokusatsu heroes and make them into a real profession. Junko wants to be a hero, even with her Kleine-Levin Syndrome. And you, Arisa, want to be a hero, even though you believe in non-violence. I just wonder if I can have a strong reason to be a hero like you guys, along with wanting to save the people," Felicia finished with a small frown.
Arisa put a hand on her friend's shoulder to try to cheer her up. Felicia was surprised by the gesture as her friend spoke.
"Felicia, I think the reason you have right now to be a hero is good. I know you will find a strong reason sometime sooner or later," Arisa told her, which cheered up Felicia.
"I think you're right Arisa. Thank you," Felicia said with a smile.
"You're welcome," Arisa responded.
"I'm so glad I found you two," a familiar voice spoke to them.
The girls noticed a familiar woman with long, dirty blond hair, curvaceous chest, skin-tight silver and red suit, and a yellow mask over her eyes.
"Speed Girl?!" Arisa and Felicia exclaimed.
"Hey there," Speed Girl waved her hand to them.
"What are you doing here?" Arisa asked her.
"Right now, I'm on a little break from helping a friend of mine find a clue to the Rakugaki. It took me a while to find you two so I can give you these," Speed Girl pulled out two silver cases for the girls.
"What are they?" Felicia questioned.
"Inside the cases are your hero costumes," Speed Girl told them.
"Really?" Arisa and Felicia were surprised.
"You bet. I was supposed to have you both try them on as soon as they were done, but with the Sports Festival and everything I kind of forgot. My bad," Speed Girl stuck out her tongue cutely.
Felicia and Arisa sweat-dropped from how forgetful she was and how childish she was acting.
"I just need you two to try them on to see if they fit you or not," Speed Girl handed each girl their case.
"We can do that," Felicia said as took the case and got up.
"Yes, but we should do it at the Emerald Shade," Arisa suggested as she did the same thing.
"No problem. I'll go with you," Speed Girl stated.
Just as the girls were about to leave the museum, they heard a noise from behind them.
"Do you girls hear that?" Speed Girl questioned her students, who agreed with a nod.
Speed Girl ran to the right side of the museum, and Arisa and Felicia followed her.
"Hey! Let me go!" a child yelled.
From the sound of the voice, it sounded like it belonged to a little tough girl.
Arisa and and Felicia saw Speed Girl holding the child's shoulders, preventing her from getting away. Felicia and Arisa recognized the child as the same one they saw in the museum. From seeing the child stand, they guessed the child's height could be about 4'5" tall. They also saw there was a little graffiti on the wall, but no spray cans anywhere.
"Blimey!" Felicia exclaimed.
"It's the same child from the museum," Arisa stated.
"You know her?" Speed Girl asked her students as she held the child.
"Sort of," Arisa answered.
"We saw her in the museum, looking at the art," Felicia clarified.
"Really?" Speed Girl questioned them.
"Yes," both girls responded.
Speed Girl lowered herself to talk to the child face to face, seeing her purple eyes.
"Now, why is a nice little girl like you making trouble?" Speed Girl asked nicely.
"I don't need to answer you," the little girl rebuked rudely.
"Oh. Is someone a little cranky? Do you want a snack?" Speed Girl offered.
"No," the child brushed Speed Girl's arms off her shoulders with arms. She then aimed her hands, which had medium metal holes on the palms, at Speed Girl.
"I want you to just leave me alone!" the young girl demanded.
"Speed Girl!" Felicia and Arisa shouted as they tried to approach her.
"Stop," the child took her right hand and aimed it at the two girls, with her left hand still pointed at Speed Girl.
"Don't move and you won't get sprayed either," the young girl told them as she looked right at them.
Using that opportunity, Speed Girl ran and covered the girl's metal hole with her right hand.
"Hey!" the child complained as she looked back at Speed Girl.
Then Felicia dropped her case, quickly ran to the girl, and used her left hand to cover the other metal hole.
"What? Both of you, let go!" the young girl demanded as she struggled to get her hands free.
However, both Speed Girl and Felicia wouldn't budge.
"Sorry, little girl, but I can't do that," Speed Girl stated.
"What we do now?" Arisa asked as she picked up Felicia's case.
"I suggest you hand her over to me," a voice spoke out.
The girls looked to see the source of the voice a few feet away from them. It was a woman whose height is about 5ft 8in tall. She has medium deep red hair, brown eyes, and light skin. She wears a brown coat and hat, light-blue shirt, and black pants and shoes.
"Who are you?" Felicia questioned, still holding the girl's hand.
"I am Detective Akane Tezuka," the woman introduced herself as she showed quickly showed her badge inside her coat and approached the girls.
"Hey, Tezuka. What are you doing here?" Speed Girl cheerily questioned her.
"I was going back to my office after not finding a clue to the Rakugaki when I heard a commotion here," Tezuka explained.
"Do you know her, Speed Girl?" Arisa asked.
"Sure do. I've met her many times during my rookie days and even now as a pro hero," Speed Girl answered.
"Is she the friend you were talking about?" Felicia joined in.
"She sure is," Speed Girl stated.
"Speed Girl, who are these two girls?" Tezuka pointed to Felicia and Arisa.
"They're Arisa and Felicia. My students from my class at UA High, and my precious little babies," Speed Girl introduced them in a nurturing manner.
Everyone there, except Speed Girl, sweat-dropped from how she was acting.
"Anyway, I need you give the kid to me, Speed Girl," Tezuka got the conversation back on track.
"Why?" Speed Girl asked.
"So far, the detectives and police from the other prefectures have found no evidence that can lead them to finding the Rakugaki. However, they did report seeing a kid, matching this one's description, always with them. " Tezuka explained.
"Really?" Felicia was surprised.
"Yes. If you give her to me, the police can be one step closer to stopping the Rakugaki," Tezuka stated.
"Well, we'd love to, but we can't," Speed Girl said.
"Why not?" Tezuka asked.
"Because our hands are the only things stopping the child from getting away and spraying us," Felicia explained as she gestured to herself and Speed Girl with her other hand.
"It's true," Arisa supported her friend.
Tezuka sighed in annoyance as she looked at them.
"Normally, I wouldn't involve civilians in my case, but it seems I don't have a choice," Tezuka gestured to Arisa and Felicia. "Speed Girl, you and your students bring the kid to my office."
"Is it far from here?" Arisa asked the detective.
"No, it's within walking distance," Tezuka replied as she began leaving.
Speed Girl, Felicia, and Arisa followed the detective. The young girl had no choice but to follow because Speed Girl and Felicia were still holding her hands.
-My Hero Academia-
After some walking, they reached the detective's small building. It's a brown, cube-shaped, and one-story building. It has one big room (full of desks, cabinets, and phones), doors that led to small rooms, a bathroom to the side, and a main office room for Detective Tezuka.
The detective led the girls to her huge office. Inside there were chairs with armrests, a large desk with a computer and papers, a large window with blinds, and filing cabinets.
"Put the kid in one of the chairs," Tezkua ordered Speed Girl and Felicia as she went to get something.
The two of them complied and put the child in one of the chairs in front of the desk, while still holding her hands. Arisa sat down in one of the chairs near the wall and put down the cases.
Tezuka came back with handcuffs and put them on the kid's arms and the chair's arms, which surprised the others. Then Speed Girl and Felicia let go of the kid's hands and stepped away since she couldn't get away now.
"Are you seriously cuffing me to a chair?" the kid questioned Tezuka.
"Isn't that a bit much?" Arisa was concerned.
"I'm not taking any chances with the Rakugaki," Tezuka responded to both girls.
She and Speed Girl got in front of the restrained kid, and Felicia sat in a chair next to Arisa.
"So, do you have a name little girl?" Speed Girl asked the child.
"As if I'd tell you," the kid rebuked.
"No need," Tezuka said to the young girl. "Because I think I know who you really are."
Tezuka reached out to the child's cap, removed it, and put it on her desk. Everyone else was surprised by what they saw: the girl has purple eyes, light skin, and long, silver hair with two longs locks in front of her shoulders.
"Blimey!" Felicia exclaimed.
"The missing girl from the news is part of the Rakugaki?" Arisa realized.
"Wow, I did not see that coming," Speed Girl said. "How did you know Tezuka?"
"It was really more of a hunch," Tezkua admitted. "I thought it was a bit coincidental that the night Mariko went missing the Rakugaki got a new member the next night. I figured they might be one in the same."
"Wow, brilliant work detective," Mariko sarcastically commented. "I'd applaud for you if my hands weren't cuffed to a chair."
"Watch it, kid," Tezuka warned her. "I had you handcuffed so you wouldn't escape or use your Quirk against us. You're not leaving until you tell us what we need to know."
"Whatever. Like spraying paint is gonna stop you," Mariko responded bitterly.
Mariko Tsuji. Quirk: Spray Hands. By making fists with her hands, shaking them, and thinking of a color, she can spray a paint mist of the chosen color through the metal holes in her hands. She can also spray at a distance of five feet away.
"She's really something isn't she?" Felicia asked Arisa, who nodded in agreement.
"Anyway, maybe you can tell us about the Rakugaki, Mariko," Speed Girl said.
Mariko responded by closing her eyes and turning her head away.
"What's the matter?" Speed Girl asked.
"I'm not answering to that name," Mariko replied.
"Then what do you want to be called, kid?" Tezuka questioned her.
"Just call me MT," Mariko, or MT, faced the pro hero and detective.
"Why?" Speed Girl was curious.
"Because it sounds tough and cool," MT replied.
The others sweat-dropped from her response.
"So MT, why are you with the Rakugaki? Did they take you or did you join them?" Tezuka interrogated her.
"I joined them because they believe in the same thing that I do. That art and artists should be free, not limited by anyone or anything," MT explained.
The two hero students watching were surprised by MT's words, especially Felicia
"Do you actually agree with what the Rakugaki has done?" Tezuka questioned.
"Yes. Because some people don't appreciate the art," MT answered.
"They're stealing artwork and using art to destroy and deface property," the detective stated.
"We just want to express ourselves with our art. And those people who owned the artwork didn't appreciate it like we do," MT responded.
"Is that what you think, or did the Rakugaki tell you that?" Speed Girl asked.
"It's both," MT said.
"Why would you want to be a part of an evil gang?" Speed Girl interrogated.
"Because they've let me keep what I was going to lose. My freedom, my choice to be an artist!" MT explained.
That fact surprised everyone else, but more so for Felicia.
"What?" Arisa gasped.
"She wants to be an artist? I wonder if there's more to her reason," Felicia wondered.
"What do you mean by that?" Tezuka asked.
"Hah! I doubt people like you would understand where I'm coming from," MT stated smugly. "Especially if you don't understand the art. There's more to art than just looking at it."
The others were confused by what she meant by that, but not Felicia.
'I think I know what she means, but I don't know if I should intrude,' Felicia thought.
"Some people don't understand the feelings that the art is showing you. Art isn't just in the eye of the beholder. It's..." MT continued, but was then interrupted.
"It's in the heart of the beholder."
Everyone looked to see that the person who spoke was Felicia, who was standing up.
"Felicia?" Arisa was confused.
"How do you know that?" MT asked in a surprised tone.
"Because I'm also an artist," Felicia responded as she walked over to her teacher and the detective.
"Can I try to talking to her?" She asked them.
"I don't know," Tezuka was skeptic if Felicia should talk to MT.
"Let's give her a chance. It couldn't hurt to try," Speed Girl tried to convince Tezuka.
She closed her eyes and thought about it. Seeing that neither she or Speed Girl can get throught to MT, Tezuka had no other option. She sighed in annoyance as she opened her eyes.
"Alright, fine. You can talk to her," Tezuka told Felicia, who was glad to hear it. "Just try to keep it on topic."
"Right," Felicia agreed.
"Do your best," Speed Girl cheered on her student.
Tezuka and Speed Girl moved to the side, letting Felicia stand in the center and in front of MT.
"So, you're an artist. What kind of art do you do?" MT started.
"I draw in a sketchbook. I used to do paintings for fun before I got my Quirk. Now with my Quirk and as a UA High student, I use my paintings to become a hero," Felicia stated.
That statement somehow confused MT.
"Wait. So you chose to be a hero because you have a Quirk? Didn't you want to be an artist?" MT questioned her.
"Well, I did want to be an artist, just like my parents, before I got my Quirk. When I saw that my Quirk brought my paintings to life, I thought about becoming a hero. At the time, I thought that if I became a hero, could I still be an artist and would my parents like my choice. I love art, but I also love seeing how heroes save people. When my parents told me they would support me no matter what I chose, I decided to become a hero. My paintings can do more than just look pretty. They can help save people, which I think is wonderful," Felicia explained.
After that, there was a moment of silence. Arisa, Speed Girl, and Tezuka understood Felicia's reason to be a hero.
"Really?" MT broke the silence. "You gave up your dream of being an artist just to be a hero?"
"Not exactly. I still draw in a sketchbook for fun," Felicia countered.
"You know, I thought you were different, but you're just like everyone else," MT argued.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Felicia questioned with a mad look.
"Felicia," Arisa was worried for her friend.
"As soon as people get their Quirks, some of them decide to become heroes. They give up and forget those other dreams they had just so they can save lives, get rich and famous, and make others happy. They give up their freedom of choice just to be a hero," MT answered.
"That's not true," Speed Girl joined in. "Some pro heroes have side jobs that relate to their dreams. They still hold onto to their dreams, whether it's being a hero or something else. They know that helping others is more important than just helping themselves."
Hearing that made Felicia calm down a bit, which made Arisa feel better.
"I train to be a hero because while my art is important to me, saving lives is more important to everyone. I want to become a hero just as great as the pro heroes," Felicia said.
"Wow, fitting in, what a gift," MT commented sarcastically.
"What is your problem?" Felicia angrily asked.
"My problem is I don't want to be a hero just because I have a Quirk. I want to be an artist, and no one is gonna take that from me, especially not my sister," MT argued.
"Sister?" The girls, except Tezuka, were confused.
"Yes," the detective joined in as she looked at a file. "MT has an older sister named Karen Tsuji. In fact, her sister was the one who reported her missing."
"She probably did that just so I would come home and she can go back to telling me what to do," MT stated.
"You don't think she misses you?" Felicia asked, having calmed down.
"I doubt that. Why would she after the argument we had," MT rebuked.
"All older siblings care for their younger siblings. Trust me. I know," Speed Girl said.
Arisa and Felicia knew what their teacher said is true because they've seen how she is with Kai.
"Whatever. With my sister, I wasn't gonna be able to do my art when I wanted to. But with the Rakugaki, I can do it whenever I like," MT said.
"And does that include destroying and messing up buildings and properties?" Tezuka added in.
"It's not a mess or destruction, it's art," MT refuted.
"How can you say that?" Felicia questioned.
"Because it's what I learned from my dad," MT revealed.
"Can you explain that?" Speed Girl asked.
"Fine. I guess it all started with how I got my Quirk," MT began telling her tale.
Flashback
I was four-years old when it happened. My mom is a business woman, my dad is a professional artist, and my older sister was in high school.
An image shows the following people:
First, a younger and smaller MT with short silver hair. Next, a woman with long pink hair and purple eyes wearing a brown business suit. Then, a man with short silver hair and brown eyes wearing a white shirt and gray pants. Finally, a teenage girl with long pink hair and brown eyes wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.
One day, I saw my dad using spray-paint on an art piece he was working on.
I always liked seeing his artwork, and I really wanted to help him. But I couldn't because I was young and the spray-paint would be bad for my health.
Another image shows a younger MT wanting to work with her dad, but he tells her she can't and that makes her a bit sad.
Even though my dad said "No", I still wanted to help him, and that was when I got my Quirk.
My parents and sister were surprised because I was the first in the family to get a Quirk. They helped me with controlling and using my Quirk.
The next image shows MT getting her Quirk, because of the metal holes on her palms, and her sister and family happy for her.
As I got older, I really got into art because of my Quirk and my dad gave me some advice and tips about art and how to make it.
Then another image is shown of MT's dad giving her advice, which makes her happy.
When I was about 9 years-old, my mom got promoted at work and my dad's artwork got him noticed by some famous people. That led to them having to travel a lot, leaving my older sister to take care of me.
Karen, now at adult age, and MT are in their house together.
It wasn't that bad because we'd video chat with our parents, and they'd sometimes come home for a few days.
MT and Karen chat with their parents on their phones, and are happy to see them come home.
Even without them there, I still did well at school and my sister got a job at a hero agency. While I had some school friends, I was focused on doing my art when I got home.
For some reason, my sister didn't like it when I did my art, but I ignored her. Then one day, things changed.
At home, MT does her spray-paint art in her room, but her sister watches from afar with a frown.
The scene shifts to both girls in the dining room, sitting at the table.
"Mariko, I want you to stop doing your art," Karen demanded.
"What? Why?" Mariko was confused.
"Because I don't think it's a good career for you," Karen answered.
"But what about dad? Look at how great he's doing," Mariko retorted.
"He got lucky that some famous people liked his work. You, on other hand, might not be that lucky," Karen pointed out.
"I don't care! I love doing art, and you can't take that from me!" Mariko was angry.
"Look, you can try a career in business, like our mom, or maybe as a pro hero," Karen suggested.
"I'm not going to be a business person or a hero because I want to be an artist! You can't tell me what I can or can't be!" Mariko argued, and that got Karen angry.
"I will because you live here and I'm in charge of you," Karen argued back.
"Well, maybe I won't live here any longer!" Mariko decided.
Karen was taken aback by what her sister said for a moment, before she spoke again.
"Well, fine! See if I'm still here when you come crawling back to me!" Karen retorted.
"Fine!" MT shouted as she left the table.
That night, I packed some art supplies, food, and water in a backpack and left home when my sister was sleeping.
MT packed her backpack with necessities and quietly left her home.
While I walked to the train station, I heard some noises in an alley way. I went to go see what it was and I saw some strange guys in suits. They noticed me right away, and caught me before I can get away.
MT walked towards a station, heard some noise from an alley, and walked to it. She was men in suits and accidentally hit a garbage can, which alerted them to her, and she was caught.
Suddenly, three men, probably the ones in charge of the gang, came up to me. One of the guys searched through my backpack and noticed my art supplies. Another guy asked me if I like art, and I told him yes. Then the other guy asked me if I'd like to join his gang because they like art and they saw potential in me. I wasn't sure at first, but then they told me that I can do my art whenever I wanted and they would give me food and water. From there, I decided to join them.
Three men, covered in shadows, approached the captured MT. One man ordered one of the guys in suit to bring her backpack, which he went through and found her art supplies. Another man asked her a question and she answered. The last man made a her deal and she accepted it. Then MT walks away with the men.
End Flashback
"So you joined the Rakugaki because your sister was going to take away your freedom to be an artist?" Speed Girl asked.
"Yes. Now I have all the freedom I want," MT admitted.
"Do you realize that art you and the Rakugaki have been doing is making others afraid to go out at night?" the detective questioned her.
"What? No way, you're lying," MT refused to believe it.
"It's true. Because of the art attacks, people are afraid to go out at night. The fear that the Rakugaki cause them is making them lose their freedom," Tezuka revealed.
"No, that's not true," MT angrily denied it.
"Art is meant for inspiration and freedom, not chaos and fear. When you wanted freedom to do your art, was causing destruction and fear what you wanted?" Felicia asked her.
That question made MT feel uncertain. "No, I, I, I just wanted ..."
"You just wanted to keep doing what you love," Felicia finished for MT, which surprised her. "Maybe your sister should have considered that for you. And maybe you should have tried to work things out so you can do both. You could try to be a hero and an artist."
"Why do you say that?" MT asked angrily.
"Because up and until now, I was okay with doing art for fun and working to be a hero. After hearing what you have to say, maybe I can be a hero and pursue an artist career," Felicia admitted.
"Be both an artist and a hero? What makes you think you can have the best of both worlds?" MT questioned her.
"I don't just think it. I know it with my heart," Felicia stated.
Those words silenced MT as she looked down to the ground confused.
'Her heart? But I want to just make art because it I like it, not to make people lose her freedom,' MT thought.
Felicia lowered herself down to MT's level.
"Look. In your heart, you must know what the Rakugaki is doing is wrong. You can help us stop them, and then you can go home and try to be both an artist and a hero." Felicia told her.
"How will I know if my sister will want me back?" MT sadly asked.
"She will," Speed Girl lowered herself too.
MT took a few seconds to process everything that was said.
'What the Rakugaki has done so far hasn't hurt anyone. But if it makes them lose their freedom, then maybe they do need to be stopped,' MT thought.
"Alright," MT spoke as lifted her head. "Maybe you guys are right. I'll help you stop the Rakugaki."
"Thank you MT," Felicia told her.
"That's good to hear," Tezuka said.
"But you're going have to let me go first," MT emphasized by showing her chained arms.
"Why should I?" the detective asked.
"Because I'm the only one who knows where they are and how they work," MT replied.
"We can use all the help we can get," Speed Girl tried to convince Tezuka.
The detective thought about it for a moment and came to a decision.
"All right, I'll let you go," Tezuka took out a key from her pocket. "But I'm keeping my eye on you."
"Yeah, yeah," MT rolled her eyes as the detective removed her handcuffs.
"Okay, now I'm gonna need some stuff to help explain where the Rakugaki are and how they work," MT started as she rubbed her arms and then got her cap from the desk.
"What do you need?" Tezuka asked.
"I need a map of Musutafu and a white board," MT ordered as she put her cap on.
"I have those here at the office," Tezuka replied.
"Good. I also need a burger, fries, and a drink of soda," MT added on as she tucked her hair in her cap.
"What are those for?" Arisa asked.
"Well I'm hungry, and I was going to grab a bite to eat before you guys caught me," MT responded as she finished putting her hair in her cap.
"Fair enough," Felicia commented.
"I can get those," Speed Girl joined in. "Would the rest of you like something to eat?"
"I'll have the same thing as MT, but I'd like lemonade," Arisa said.
"Me too," Felicia agreed.
"Same here," Tezuka also agreed.
"All right then. Be back in a flash," Speed Girl left the room quickly to get the food.
"Detective Tezuka, would it be alright if Arisa and I helped you and Speed Girl stop the Rakugaki?" Felicia asked the detective.
"Felicia, what are you saying? Arisa got up from the chair in surprise, left the suitcases on the floor, and approached her friend and the detective. "I'm not sure if you and I should fight real villains."
"Since you two are still students at UA High, I don't think it's a good idea for you to join the fight," Tezuka said.
"I think they should," MT joined in. "Well, if their Quirks are great enough to go to UA High, and with what the Rakugaki have, they could be helpful."
Looking at MT and then Arisa and Felicia, the detective sighed in annoyance as she came to a decision.
"When Speed Girl gets back, let's hear what she says and perhaps you two can help," Tezuka told the two UA High students.
"Okay," Felicia replied.
"Um, yeah," Arisa wasn't so keen on fighting villains.
"All right then," Tezuka left the room to get a map and a blackboard.
"MT, thank you for helping us," Felicia told her.
Surprised by the gratitude, MT looked away with a little blush.
"Whatever. It's just that Speed Girl and Tezuka are going need some help to stop the Rakugaki," MT responded.
"Are the Rakugaki really that strong?" Arisa questioned her.
"Oh yeah. You two better be ready for what they can do," MT warned them.
"We will be. Right Arisa?" Felicia asked her friend.
"Yes," Arisa answered with a nervous smile.
With MT on their side now, the heroes and detective are a step closer to stopping the Rakugaki.
Ending Song: Don't Look Back (English Dub) by Rummy Labyrinth (MHA Version)
(In the UA High Gym, two girls [one with pink hair in a pink dress with moon designs and another with blue hair in a blue dress with butterfly designs] sing in front of a big stage; they are at the opposite ends of the stage and colorful lights fill the room.)
Don't you ever look back
Yes I promise to myself
Now I know I gotta go
My life is shining forth!
Generation!
Go to the next stage!
It could all seem all so big
Holding on to an image of goal, your dream
I know that I can fly, I can do if I try
Now I have~ you're right here next to me
That is so I know I don't have to feel
Soaring up above the skies!
Now I go & so stand up!
Fight along my soul & get my fight on!
Following my soul that I'll what if I can lost the game?
Don't you ever look back~ yes I promise to myself~ (Cute chibi versions of Arisa, Felicia, Speed Girl, and MT rise to the stage)
Now I know I gotta go~ (The girls, except MT, start dancing)
My life is shining forth!
Generation!
Go to the next stage!
(Everyone stops dancing and looks to the audience as the music ends)
Author's Note: Hey, everyone. TGRickel here again. Lately, johannvanguard I have been busy with important matters but I'm finally able to update this new chapter. And I'm considering this chapter a special one since this is uploaded on the birthday of my OC Arisa Kawasaki and three canon characters: fan favorites Izuku Midoriya, Mirio Togata, and Rapt Tokage (from Vigilantes). That's all for me today. TGRickel, signing out.