Maldea: Lol I am kind! I give him such good support! Hehe, just wait until they get to training camp...
My dudes I'm drowning in stories to edit lol. I have 12 on hold, and nine of them are unedited. And not all MHA crossovers, rejoice! I got a demon slayer one, JJK, and Bleach. Not to mention the original concept ones! Anyways, enjoy~
After waking up, he took a shower, which was surprisingly hard. He had to work almost exclusively with his left hand, which was hard already. Man, he wished he had at least been ambidextrous. It would be so much easier. He hadn't looked at his again after he lost 1,000 of them in one day. Those guys were mostly horny men, now their porn was taken away, so they ditched.
When he came back, he might stop drawing porn and start over. Maybe. He wasn't sure whether he'd do that, or whether he could ever get to the level he had been before. At least, anytime soon. He knew how to draw in his mind, but his hand wasn't there yet. Writing should come before drawing.
He brushed his teeth with his left hand, and got dressed. He'd washed his hero costume to bring back. Ace was going to do what he'd done during the internship and use his quirk to edit his costume. That was really cool to him. There were so many possibilities out there for his quirk. He got the sling and put his arm in it.
When he and Sabo met their two friends at the train station, Ace was thankfully not recognized. He didn't want to lose all privacy yet. Ace was nervous but resigned to the reactions he'd get. Seeing the sling, they'd probably assume he broke his arm. Well, whatever they thought, they'd get the truth. Ace wouldn't be vague about this.
He honestly also didn't want to be looked down on or weirdly at him being clumsy with that arm. He had his laptop in his backpack to take notes on. A shortcut for the short term until he was good enough to write legibly with his left hand.
When they got to school, the three of them couldn't help their defensive looks at everyone. They knew how Ace felt about pity and wouldn't let anyone show it. Ace didn't tell them to cool it. They weren't his guard dogs, because he could understand the way they felt. It was natural for friends to be protective over one another.
When they walked into class, everybody were chatting about their internships. Ace sat down in his seat, and Tsu noticed the sling first. "Did you break your arm?" she asked in concern.
"Hey, I saw your story on the news! You saved all those people!" Kirishima said brightly. Bakugo grumbled deeply, clearly disliking his time during the internship, and Zoro looked just as pissy. Actually, many clearly didn't have any fun.
Ace took a deep breath. "My arm isn't broken. When I moved the bus, I got injured." He pulled up his shirt and showed the large pink ring on his shoulder. "This whole area of my arm was ripped out and burnt. It cause an ulnar nerve damage. So, I'll never regain the feeling back in my right arm."
The class went silent. He lifted it. "I can still move it, but I can't even tell it's moving. It feels like I have no arm, so every time I see it moving, it feels so wrong. So, I have to do more things on my left side now. Which sucks," he sighed. "I'll also need to relearn how to walk on all fours in my animals forms. At least it was injured saving people."
"You're really unlucky, aren't you?" Mineta said. Ace nodded silently. He asked them not to give him pitying looks or say things like that they didn't want to be in his shoes. The class could understand his feelings.
"Besides the injury, I actually had a great time at my internship," Ace said. He listened to the others' complaints mostly about their times. He could tell everyone was thinking it, but not saying it: "nothing could be worse for my internship compared to Ace's injury."
Katakuri walked in and told them all to be quiet. His eyes didn't linger on Ace or his arm resting on the table. "Well, I hope you all got some knowledge and experience in the hero world. I'm sure you all have stories to share, but I want you to write up a report of what you learned over the week."
Ace thought he should have told them to do that right after they were done, though. "Make it as detailed as possible. Even if you don't remember all of it, just try. All pros need to do paperwork, whether you like that or not."
The class spent the next hour trying to conjure up everything they could remember. Ace made bullet points like Roger had said on his laptop. He would later be told to not do bullet points. Damn.
-x-
"Okay…" Ace said, standing at the starting point of the exercise for the hero course they were doing. A race across the industrial like Ground Gamma. Usually he would be able to clear this immediately. And he could always fly, that would make him win. But he was done doing the easy stuff. He was done showing off.
He had something he needed to make up, and he was going to do that, no matter if his grades dropped. At least he knew that he wouldn't be failed if he performed poorly at hero training anymore. He could at least be thankful for that. They wouldn't fail him for an injury that he sustained while doing hero work. All Might told them to go, and the others against him went running ahead. Ace couldn't watch Midoriya since he was part of the race, too. He was as a jaguar and started running along the piping. But he fell off and hit the ground below hard. "Oof! Damn it," he hissed and started running. He wandered to the side and hit a wall. He was completely unbalanced.
Well, he would give himself training wheels. He grew wings, and started to fly along the surface of the pipes, forcing his limbs to make a running motion. Kind of like the bars in hospitals that rehab patients use to help them walk. This could work.
Clearly, due to his early fumbling, Ace got dead last. Midoriya fell, but he got up faster than Ace did. He was glad All Might did not ask if he was alright. "You've already found a sort of rehab tool, young Ace. You sure think quickly," All Might praised sincerely. Ace smiled, baring his teeth until he changed back to his human form. He still had his black face mark on, with the scale gloves and ears.
"I like that you have made your costume more of your own." Ace grinned and said Roger had said standing out was important, especially in the beginning. Ace liked talking about Roger. He was so kind and smart and strong. "I'm sure he'll help make you into a fine hero!"
They all headed back to the viewing area. Ace unconsciously held his arm close, as if scared it would actually suddenly be gone. He wouldn't know until he looked or started bleeding to death. The scales on his arm hardened. He would keep that vulnerable arm safe. When they went to the observation room, everyone was surprised at Midoriya's sudden progress.
"Man, I didn't get to see it!" Ace complained.
"You were too busy falling around," Bakugo said. But then he looked like he realized he'd completely crossed a line. He didn't apologize, of course. Everyone looked deeply disapproving.
"You're right. And I'm probably going to be dead last now. I don't care as long as it helps me get back to where I was. You can make fun of me all you want," Ace said coldly. The room was awkward before the next batch of students went to their places. Bakugo left.
Midoriya said, "I honestly think Kacchan didn't mean to say that…" Ace agreed, but he still had. And it was true, he lost because he was falling all over the place. Uraraka said she thought Ace was amazing for being so determined. Even if it looked embarrassing.
Ace smiled and thanked her. "I mean, I'm not gonna fall all over the place in public as a hero. That would look pretty bad, and I don't want anyone knowing one of my weaknesses," he said in a bright voice. "But Roger's agency had a lot of people who are disabled in some way and they're doing perfectly fine. I'll be like that, too," he said confidently.
Ace paid attention to Sabo the most in his round. He was faster and looking more light on his feet. Marco just flew like he had before. There wasn't much changed from what it seemed on the outside from his internship. But he won that round. Ace was holding onto his arm tightly, and Midoriya quietly asked if he was okay. "Hmm?"
"You're holding your arm," he whispered.
"Oh. I'm okay, it's just a habit, I guess," he replied.
Watching the students do their best showed just how much they improved, or hadn't at all. Many were dissatisfied with their internships. Maybe they didn't do practical things, or maybe they had to be split between a lot of people and didn't get one on one activities with the pro-heroes. It didn't seem like anybody really connected with their mentors but Luffy, who had gone to Shanks who he'd already adored.
Well, Sabo and Uraraka were satisfied with their internships, even if they weren't the most diverse skills being taught.
By the end of class, the bag was very mixed about whether they improved at all or not. Ace was unbothered by losing ground in his performance and grace, because he knew he learned and benefited a lot from his internship. Both for practical use and emotional support. Even more important now that he had another life long issue.
He couldn't wait to work with the Roger agency again. And get to know his sidekicks. He was smiling lightly as they walked back to the campus. "You have to show me your new moves, okay? I didn't get to see them!" Ace complained to his good friend, who looked embarrassed about all of the praise he'd received for his sudden burst of control. Ace was very happy for his progress. Any progress about not destroying your body was wonderful progress.
While they changed, Midoriya eyed Ace's arm apprehensively. "I think I'm going to switch to fighting with my legs," he said suddenly. The others looked at him in curiosity. "I never want to lose my hands. I've already damaged them, and seeing how its affecting Ace makes me worried about doing any further damage to them." He looked down at his damaged hand. "I need to be much more careful."
"You've always needed to be careful but never tried. But you've improved and that's what matters now," Sabo said brightly. Midoriya smiled and nodded. After they were changed, Ace put his arm back in the sling for now and made his way to the staff room for his new meeting about his arm.
He was a bit nervous. This didn't compare to his other injury meeting's topic, other than that one feeling more embarrassing. But the meds he felt had started to kick in. He fell asleep quicker at night each night. He did get sleep attacks, but not as often. At least, for the last few days. He couldn't help get his hopes up.
His teachers were already there when he arrived. He checked his watch, but was glad to see he was right on time. Recovery Girl was there, too. Katakuri spoke first when Ace sat down. "First of all, I'd like to say that your saving that bus was phenomenal. Your quick thinking and versatile quirk saved all of those people.
"And of course for that, nobody could ever punish you for the injury. And even if it hadn't been injured in that way, we will still accommodate for it. We've already approved of using your laptop to take notes. Any messy writing will be justified. We've been sent your medical records, and understand things the doctor has requested.
"You will get a longer time for assignments for now. It's only natural that a lot of your energy will be taken up with the injury. We'll give you an extra day on every assignment. If you feel overwhelmed or with anxiety, you're welcome to take a break." This was humiliating. "Is there anything else you need?"
Ace said, "I don't want to be babied. I won't get better by taking it easy. I won't be behind anyone else as best as I can. All Might, I'm going to do my best to get better, even if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone. And I'll still do every activity, even if I do it poorly. I don't want anyone to bring it up in front of anyone else. I don't want anyone to pity me anymore.
"I thank you for the other accommodations, but I won't be using much of them. I'll deal with this as best as I can and try to be as normal as possible. But All Might, I would be thankful if you didn't fail me every time I mess up with my balance or performance," he added.
All Might promised he'd be more accommodating in that way, but not treat Ace any weaker than anybody else. Ace thanked him for his understanding. "Are you getting any help for this, may I ask?"
"I'm seeing an occupational therapist tomorrow after school. I'll tell you if it becomes a regular thing and I can't stay after class for anything," Ace replied. He looked down at his arm still resting in the sling. "I just want to get better, physically and emotionally. So I don't want emphasis on it. Please."
They agreed to not pity him, even though they would take more care for his health if it was in jeopardy in any way. It was as good as he was going to get. "Thank you for being so understanding about both things."
"Of course we are," Katakuri said. "It's what teachers and heroes do." Ace smiled and nodded. Recovery Girl gave him a list of exercises in relaxation he could try. Ace took the paper and thanked her, sticking it in his backpack. He stood and bowed to them on his way out. He flew home, his friends already gone.
-x-
Ace didn't like his occupational therapist. Maybe it was just because of how she framed everything. It was blunt and honest, and for once, he wanted somebody to sugar coat things. She just laid everything out on the table. Perhaps she was told by the doctor that he might not return for a second visit.
He was told to prevent all injuries, as he might not notice them and it would cause problems. He already knew that, but there were a bunch of steps he needed to take whenever he went somewhere new. To be safe, he was to look around and find any sources of something that could injure him. Anything cold, hot or sharp.
That would be difficult while being a hero, but she said to do his best anyways. He was also to check the position of his arm often so it wasn't in a bad position and he didn't notice. He had to be very careful, and cautious about anything hot. Wearing a glove when handling hot objects (which he already did) and checking the temperature of things before touching them, just in case.
He even had to check the temperature of the water in a bath. Any burn on his hand might be bad, even light ones. He had to wear gloves when handling anything with chemicals in it. He had to wear sunscreen outside to avoid sunburn, and had to wear gloves in the cold. He rarely wore gloves in the chilly air unless it was terribly cold, but that was changing now.
Ace also needed to avoid cold things, but it wasn't as dangerous as hot or sharp things. If he injured it at all, his damaged arm, he had to go in to see the doctor, even if it was something small. Which was a problem in his eye. He was bound to hurt himself in hero work. Even if it was bruises. And he had to see them if it was a simple bruise!
Was it really that weak, now? It hadn't been before? Was it just being overly cautious? He hoped so. Being told he was vulnerable to all of that stuff was terrible. After all the warnings, he was given suggestions on how to deal with keeping it active. Keeping it still all the time on accident would be bad for him.
He was to consciously move it with his other arm. When he walked, he had to make sure to swing it like he did with his normal arm. He should shift it around, use it to itch himself sometimes. Just do mindless things. Though he would need to train himself to do those types of things. It was normal for him to stop using it, thinking unconsciously that it just wasn't there.
So, as he walked around, he moved it. Almost unnaturally, since it was totally forced. The therapist said that he should have regular counseling. He didn't want it. Everything was being paid for by Roger as a sort of insurance since he was injured on the job and under his supervision.
-x-
Ace woke up from his nap in a terrible mood. He had a hallucination at school. It was just that scary black figure from before. And he had to go to hero training now. But he was shaken by the figure. It had grabbed onto his arm, but of course Ace hadn't felt it, so it seemed like it really was touching him. He did well not to scream.
He huffed ad rubbed his eyes before he got his things and headed to get his costume and change. He found Sabo in the classroom waiting for him. He'd been getting more protective over him. It wasn't a terrible change, Ace just wished he didn't feel so worried over him. Maybe he shouldn't use Sabo as a counselor anymore. Or at least somebody to vent to.
"How was your nap?"
"Had a hallucination that the black figure grabbed my arm," Ace said flatly and headed to the changing room, his fancy friend coming, too. "It's fine, it wasn't that scary. I hope I won't start having some about my arm now." Sabo nodded. He wished he could do something. "The doctor said this medicine is not a high enough dose. For my next refill, he's going to up the dose."
Ace regularly spoke to the doctor about his narcolepsy and arm. He couldn't force Ace to see a regular counselor, but Ace did return to the occupational therapist to learn how to train his left arm faster and more efficient. He got exercises, and did them diligently. He attempted to do things with his right arm, too. Like typing and fine motor controls.
But he spent more time trying to become left handed. Writing was impossible at the moment, but he did it anyways, even if he couldn't understand a thing he attempted to write. Drawing was out of the question for a long time. He still had many s supporting him, which was a nice relief. Maybe not all of his followers only cared about the smutty drawings. Maybe they really supported him.
It felt good, but he also felt bad for taking their money and giving them nothing in return. So he lowered the price of his weekly pay. From seven dollars a week to three. It cut the money very much, but still gave enough for him to buy things like groceries and other necessities. That was enough - he wanted to help out at Sabo's as much as he could.
They went to training, and Ace was nervous with what they were going to do. "Today is practice for scaling surfaces. Like at USJ, there was a rescue on a landslide. Today we're practicing climbing. Rock walls have been brought here. There are harnesses, so no one will fall and harm themselves!"
The majority of the class was excited to try something like this, different from what they had done before. Ace wanted to go first and get it over with. He transformed all of his hands and feet into claws. He latched them onto the rocks, and pulled himself up. It was slow going, very slow, to use his right arm. But with it right in front of him, it was easier to maneuver carefully.
He made it up! "Good job!" Uraraka called. They cheered for him. It was kind of them, but just made him embarrassed. He only gave a thumbs up and went down the slide to make it back to the group to watch. Sabo was able to climb it easily. The others did their best, and most of them were able to clear it at different speeds. Most couldn't use their quirks on this activity, but they all were fitter than they'd been at the beginning of the semester from the daily training that was usually pretty physical.
Ace was feeling good that he was able to do something properly for once. He had a sleep attack, having released his transformation quirk on accident. As he started to fall Kirishima was behind him and caught him. It had happened many times in the last month, and nobody was shocked by it anymore.
He leaned Ace against the wall of the nearest building, nobody paying much attention since he was in a safe area. When he woke up ten minutes later, he sighed and walked back to the group. "Thanks for whoever moved me."
"No problem! It's what a real man would do," Kirishima said proudly. When they returned to their classroom, Katakuri was waiting for them for an announcement after they got dressed and put their costumes away. At first, they had taken time squeezing their equipment and costumes back into the brief cases, but had gotten used to it and now did it neatly. Many of the costumes needed to be in the wall compartments, though. Like Iida's costume that was mostly hard and not bendable or collapsable. Bakugo's gauntlets were also much too big for the case. Some helmets were also stored in other places. Ace's whole costume could be in his briefcase alone, which was convenient.
Everyone settled down, and Katakuri began. "As I'm sure you all know, summer break is coming up soon. Before then, of course we'll have the end of the semester test. You won't be spending the thirty day vacation leisurely. If you pass the test, you get to go to the UA training camp I told you about at the beginning of the semester. If you fail, you will lose the privileges given at camp and take part in draining, remedial lessons instead of doing anything enjoyable."
Everyone were excited about the summer camp, wondering what it was like. "It won't be anything like a camping trip you've done before. Here's the list of things you'll need. I'm giving them to you early so you can buy them on time."
Ace saw that most of the supplies needed were for a cold environment, not a normal camp. "Why is everything for the cold?" Ashido asked while raising her hand.
"The training camp will take place in the mountains this year. It will be cold. But it will also help train you to deal with inconvenient environments. Usually it is at a certain camp, but a wildfire ravaged it this year. So we're doing something a little different." Mineta lamented about not seeing the girls in less clothes. "Mineta, you have detention tomorrow."
"What?!" he whined.
"Your behavior when it comes to the girls in this class is unacceptable. If I'm told you do anything else inappropriate, I will bar you from camp. If that is not enough, you will be suspended." Mineta looked horrified while the girls were all smiling in satisfaction.
"Now, you will need everything on this list. If you can't afford it all, UA will pay for some of it personally. It is quite a lot," Katakuri said. "Study up for the final test, and the practical exam. They won't be easy. Dismissed." They all stood up and left, talking about what they expected from the summer camp, though it would be in a cold place.
"Man, I thought it would be like camping and having fun while training!" Sero said. "I don't want to be somewhere freezing cold!" Some others nodded. Luffy exclaimed that maybe they could have snowman building contest! Ace snorted. But then he sighed, though he shook it off quickly. There was no use moping, he was going.
He didn't want to mope anymore.