Opening Song – Black Gold, by Flying Lotus & Thundercat
Summary: Operation Phantom's Fall
Time Frame: seven Months after Ren Awakened Arsene.
Date:?
Time: Early Morning.
Location: U.A High.
"I AM HERE! ARRIVING AT A PUNCTUAL TIME!"
Aizawa suppressed a groan and rubbed tiredly at his temples as he fought what he felt was the start of a headache. He already hadn't been having a good day, and this sudden staff meeting, along with All Might being All Might, was doing nothing to help the situation.
"Excellent, excellent." Came the surprisingly deep voice of the rodent-like creature at the end of the table, "Please, close the door behind you All Might, and take your seat." There was a burst of wind and the enormous man was in his chair faster than Aizawa could blink. The rodent in the suit, the hyper-intelligent creature named Nezu, pressed a series of commands into a keyboard on the large U-Shaped meeting table. The lights in the room dimmed, and a large projector whirred to life.
An image was projected on a blank wall on the other side of the room, in clear sight of the gathered teachers. Pressing another button on the keyboard, A video began to play. On the screen was an empty market street, about a block from campus. The timestamp in the corner of the camera placed the date as several days ago, at around one in the morning. The video began playing and a woman came into frame, the advanced camera was able to pick up the soft tapping of her heels on the cobblestone streets.
There was a flash of movement and a crash, as the window from a nearby sporting goods store exploded, sending debris scattering across the street. Baseball equipment clattered against the road, as bats, gloves, and a stray helmet landed noisily.
A large metallic man came away from the wreckage in the middle of the destroyed store, he was also carrying five sacks of cash in his hands.
The Man was covered Head from Toe in Metal. You'll think he was born like that.
(A/N: yes it's a villainous colossus, from X-Men)
The woman froze for a moment before she turned on her heel and began running as fast as she could in the other direction. The moment of hesitation cost her though, as the metallic being took the opportunity afforded, he dropped the sacks of cash to rapidly close the distance and appear on the other side of the fleeing woman. It shot out a large hand, gleaming from the moonlight and streetlights, and made to grab her. However, before it could, there was a sound of a gunshot that clanked off the metallic being's Head then a flash of movement, and suddenly there was a third body that dropped from the nearby roof, standing directly behind the large Metallic figure, one hand raised, and holding what looked like to be a Colt 1911 aimed at the metallic man from behind.
The newcomer was tall, standing at nearly 1.75 m (5'8"), and decidedly male in appearance. The image shifted suddenly, and there was a new camera angle, facing the new figure. He had Raven-black hair, long and frizzled. What was even more eye-catching was that He wore a white domino mask, reminiscent of a Victorian-era ball. A cocksure smirk plastered on his face and covering him, was an ankle-length tailcoat, high necked waistcoat, black pants, and crimson red gloves. The Man or Boy depending on who's asking looked to be the picture of Health the embodiment of a Healthy Young Adult. Slender but you can clearly see there was muscle underneath the costume.
The most striking feature, however, was the eyes. His eyes betrayed a sense of power, and self-confidence that Aizawa had only seen in seasoned heroes, and the Golden-Yellow orbs appeared almost luminescent and glowed in the darkened street. Like how cats can see during the darkest of nights.
If Aizawa had to guess, he would place the young man at roughly sixteen or maybe eighteen years old. Maybe...
The young man spoke, his voice was smooth and wavy, like an everyday charmer, but held the type of playful lilt of a young man talking to his friends, "You know," the stranger said, "If you wanted a date, there are better ways of going about it."
The Metallic Man emitted a garbled sound, as though he were trying to growl, and lashed out. The Man pulled a Right Hook back as he ran towards the young man ready to strike.
Calm as he can be, however, the young man batted the appendage away, with as much effort as it would take to wave away an annoying fly. The Young Adult dodged and got in front of the woman. The Costumed Stranger then Unloaded more Bullets into the Metal man's body.
"Can't you tell? Those flimsy Bullets aren't doing anything to me" The Metal Man said with a hard Russian accent while patting his Metal Body, then continue "Not a single scratch"
The Young Adult then dug in his Tailcoat with his other arm, then raised his hand out, blue flames coated his hand, then out came another Colt 1911. "That's because I wasn't putting my back into it" He smirked doing an akimbo pose, while slightly crouching.
"Ha, having another gun isn't gonna matter either!" chuckled the Villain.
" Alright, then how about you kiss this than" The Young Man then started unloading his guns but now instead of them expunging a yellow bright flash they were now firing with Concreated small blue flames out of the barrels of the pistols. Now the bullets were now hurting the Metal Man, as he was now trying to block them while waving his arms in front of him.
"Ahh-ha- st-..stop you... you bastard!"
The bullets now started to hurt him even harder leaving small dents in his body, slowly pushing the man back. "I thought you said they didn't hurt though?"
*CLINK!
Then they hear the distinct sound of the Guns now being empty…
"I'm going to make you pay for that, you golden-eye freak!" He rushed towards him hoping to now get the advantage over the newcomer
"Who said that I was out of ammo?" Those words make the Villain stumble in his rush toward the Masked man.
The Masked man raised a single Gun towards the metal man and smirked "Cya"
What came next was a small equivalent of an explosion that came from the Gun, the bullet heading straight towards the metal man, directly hitting him in the head, sending him flying away, doing flips, and turns, skidding across the street pavement hard.
The Young Adult, does twirls with his guns then they dissipate with the small flames he summoned.
"Da-damn youuuuu…" The metal man growls struggling to rise back up from the attack.
"You know I've been doing this for months now, villains always say the same thing once they're beaten, but I'll give you the benefit of doubt, just go turn yourself in and get help."
"You think I'll just drop whatever I'm doing because you asked, hahaha don't make me laugh. Kid, I'll just have to try harder to beat you to a pulp!" The Metallic man then rushed at the Masked man
He sighed "Don't say, I didn't warn you" The Young Adult put a hand to his face then he shouted
"COME!" A strong gust of wind comes through, it was even able to be captured on the Video
"What is this!?" The shocked Metal man questioned. Afterward, Young Man looks back up, sporting a now sinister smile across his face. Blue flames envelope where he once stood before overtaking Man's form completely. From The inferno rises as a reddish-orange demonic-looking smile appears before dispersing and something sprouts up out of the blue flames as it eventually disperses from the man as well with small floating black chains around them. The "thing" is twice as tall as he was and is in a cropped red suit with five black hearts sewn onto the top of its right sleeve, a white ruffle tie, black-tailed corset running down its torso, black-feathered wings, red leg coverings, boots with blades for heels and black claw-like hands. The face from before is now plastered on a black mask with a large black top hat on top.
"Th-that's the devil!" The Metalman now started backing up with fear etched across his face.
Then the Being Spoke one word…
(Close…)
"ARSENE Ravage Him!"
The Being now known as Arsene Rushed Forwarded, grabbing the metal man's head quickly raising him up then smashing him into the pavement leaving a spider web of cracks across the street pavement.
[EIHA!]
A small Black & Red explosion occurs in Arsene's Palm, blasting the villains face first. Arsene then dissipated, leaving the metal man unconscious with a smoke trail coming off his face.
"I mean sure, you're possibly an evil murder villain, but honestly, at this point, you should have taken the option to leave but beggars can't be choosers."
The young man carelessly circled around the Metal man's body, almost examining him.
Then he put a hand under his chin, lost in thought "Complete Metal Body, a bit slow in the head, sounds Russian."
The Masked man snapped his fingers "Ah, I got it. You're Colossus, one of the underworld's strongest villains. Now….not so much" He chuckled after that last sentence.
It was an impressive amount of control of one's quirk, maybe even multiple if Aizawa was being honest. He might have even respected it, if the person in question was obviously acting well outside the influence of the law. The quirk has been unheard of, so it must have been a recent development of something.
The stranger turned around again and lazily made his way back towards the woman, who was still standing in the middle of the street. She was shaking slightly and looked almost as though she were about to collapse. Approaching her, Vigilante placed a calming hand on her shoulder, and lowered himself down, until he was basically on his knees, looking up at the face of the shaking woman.
"Are you alright ma'am?" he asked, this time speaking in a concerned voice, and Aizawa was impressed by the gentleness in his voice. Say what you would, but he couldn't deny that this kid knew how to deal with people, "That was pretty crazy, you're not hurt are you?" The Stranger asked,
The woman just shook her head, and Aizawa could see the glistening tears on her face, as she suddenly launched herself forward, burying her face into the young adult. He seemed shocked for a moment before a look of understanding crossed his features, and he wrapped his arms around the woman's slender frame and gently stroked her back as she cried into his neck. "It's alright," he could hear the young man murmured, "It's all ok." He held her for a few more moments before she seemed to be able to compose herself enough and detach from the Slender but muscular frame.
She couldn't seem to speak, instead choosing to wrap her arms around herself, "Do you have a phone, you really ought to notify the police," he asked
The woman shakily nodded her head, as she began to dig around in her purse, "P-please," She all but whimpered, "C-can you please s-stay with me, u-until they arrive," He looked for a second like he was about to agree, but then he suddenly whipped his head up to a roof, it almost sounded like a cat meowing in the distance but something else seemed to startle him.
"Unfortunately not," he said, then he pointed a finger, "But I'm sure that she would be more than happy to keep you company until they get here," then, his body seemed to shift, he ran ahead throwing a smoke pellet into the ground, covering the area momentarily. Once the cloud finished clearing he was no longer there, he had been in mere moments previously. No sooner had his body disappeared, than a figure slammed into where he had been. She was short, maybe only one-hundred and sixty centimeters tall, but she was lean and powerfully built. Wearing a skintight battle-ready leotard, with a utility belt. Two large rabbit ears adorned the top of her head, and she wore enhanced-looking attachments on her feet in the shape of rabbit's feet. Mirko, one of the most popular up-and-coming heroines in the country landed gracefully.
"Damn," muttered the dark-skinned heroine in frustration, "Bastard got away again." She then immediately turned her attention back to the shaking lady, who seemed even more startled than she had been.
The video ended, and the lights in the room came back on.
There was light chuckling coming from the other side of the room, and Aizawa looked to see a woman who might have been more at home in a dominatrix dungeon than a school was having a hard time containing her laughter.
"So that's the kid that's been giving Usagiyama fits," Midnight chuckled, "Say what you will, can't deny that he puts on a show."
"He seemed to also be efficient with those Guns of his and so handsome" she also added
Aizawa had to suppress a sign 'She's a mother, and still acting like this…"
"He's a vigilante," came the synthesized voice from the corner. Snipe, a man dressed as a Cowboy from the ancient American West, complete with a gas mask, spoke up, his arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair. "This kid has been popping up all over town for seven months now. Every time someone gets close to him, Poof," he mimed an explosion with one hand, "He just up and disappears like that. Don't talk about him like he's something worth respecting Midnight," he added coldly, turning what Aizawa had to assume was a withering glare in the woman's direction, "Regardless of the goodwill of his intentions he is still working outside the law. He's a little better than a villain in my book."
"As riveting as the ongoing philosophical debate on the merits of vigilantism are," said the smooth baritone of the large cement-like being Cementoss, "I can't help but wonder why we were called on such short notice for this meeting. Is this not a matter for the pro-agencies and the government to contend with?"
"I agree," grumbled Present-Mic, a spikey-haired blonde punk-rocker, "This has nothing to do with us? Why are we wasting our time on this? The Entrance Exams are in 10 months, and we still haven't finished fixing the Exam sites."
"Well if you would get your third-years to stop wrecking ' 'em faster than we can fix 'em they would have been ready weeks ago!" growled Power Loader, the dinosaur-like helmet fixed atop the shirtless man's head bobbing slightly as he spoke.
"Am I the only one concerned by his Summoning quirk?" Aizawa drew out, deciding to make his voice heard before they got too off base.
"Thank you!" Said Principal Nezu, clapping happily from his seat, "I was hoping that someone else would catch that. Yes! Truly a most curious comment,"
"Oh, come on," said Vlad King in slight exasperation, the tubes on his back shaking slightly as he raised his hands in the air, "You're not about to suggest this kid is an actual stand user from those old Shounen Manga. There has never been a recorded quirk with that kind of power."
"But that's the key isn't it?" Questioned the sinister visage of Ectoplasm, his unsettling grin ever-present, showing off his wide array of sharp teeth.
"Indeed," Said Thirteen's synthesized voice, "There has never been a RECORDED quirk capable of such a feat. Recorded being the operative word."
"It would certainly explain his ability to disappear as he has," said Midnight thoughtfully,
"I doubt that he has the ability to stop time," Aizawa joked softly, replaying the scene again in his mind, and cross-referencing it with the other videos that had been popping up over the last several months. "His power-set seems to be primarily centered around Blue flames and the summoning quirk"
There was a sudden puff, as the room was briefly encased in smoke. Where the gargantuan form of All Might had once been sat, he had been replaced by a skeletal man with hollow eyes. His arms were crossed over his small chest, and his head was steeped in deep thought, a look of confusion and concern over his sunken features.
"You are concerned about something, Toshinori?" asked Nezu casually,
The man started, as he was brought out of his deep concentration.
"Sorry," he apologized hastily, "I was just thinking…." he trailed off but Aizawa picked up his line of thought,
"Whether or not he has some sort of Summoning quirk, he clearly has a larger skill set than should be possible. Almost as though he has multiple quirks." The man said tiredly, scratching at his cheek.
"So what?" Present-Mic cried out in annoyance, "So this kid has multiple quirks? What's the big deal, it's not exactly uncommon."
"It's not the idea that he has more than one quirk that is concerning," Toshinori said slowly, "But rather the strength of those quirks. How many type quirks do you know that can wield summon Guns, and summon something similar to a Shounen Manga power the way this kid seems to be able to. Then there's his athleticism. That type of movement doesn't come with training alone, so a body enhancement quirk, one that also allows him to move more quickly and agile than many I've ever come across. Not quite as fast as what I can do, but not something we can so easily ignore."
"I believe the cause for Toshinori's concern has to do with the rumors of this supposed League of Villains, we have been hearing about," Said Nezu
Toshinori nodded vigorously, "While I recognize that his actions have thus far only been in the name of good, I cannot shake the sense of worry I have that he might be…connected in some way." He trailed off in thought once more, his thoughts overtaking him. Only Nezu seemed to understand what he was thinking, however, because the diminutive creature just hummed to himself as he watched the small man.
"I still wish to voice the question of why this is our problem?" Asked Cementoss once more, a little more forcefully, "I understand that having a powerful rogue, running loose in the wild is a concern, but it should not be ours to deal with."
"I apologize," said Nezu, turning his attention away from the Symbol of Peace to look at the large man, "Allow me to elaborate on why I called this meeting." He pressed a series of buttons on the desk once more, and this time, a digital layout of the city was projected in the middle of the room.
The image zoomed in to show the general vicinity of the city. Nezu pressed another command and a series of red dots began to appear on the map. There must have been nearly thirty in all, and all of the dots were within only a few miles of the school.
"These dots represent known sightings and reports of our young friend," Nezu explained happily.
"The reason I called this meeting, I feel, should be rather obvious."
"We're going to try to capture him" Said Ectoplasm,
"Precisely!" Clapped Nezu happily, "Exactly my thinking. Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi believes to have gotten a lead from an unknown caller, and it needs our attention."
"Tsukauchi!?" Torshinori questioned
"Why?" Questioned Midnight, eyebrow raised in confusion, "Why us specifically?"
"And why," chimed in Snipe, "Isn't there other Pros that he can call?"
"Principal Nezu," Asked Aizawa calmly, "Has anyone from the station got a lead on the unknown lead from?"
"Nope," the principal smiled
"Only question is, where do we go from here?" asked Thirteen, intertwining the gloves of her suit together on the desk.
"I'm so glad you asked!" Nezu said happily, "I propose that we bring him in, and see just what his quirk is all about"
That certainly got everyone at the table's attention.
"Sir…" Snipe said slowly and in uncertainty, "I am not sure that I am comfortable bringing a potentially highly dangerous, foreign," he stressed the word foreign, "Entity into the school."
"I agree," Vlad King Concurred, "We know this kid is powerful, All Might even said himself that he's got multiple, powerful quirks, and we know that he's got a high degree of control over them. I think that bringing him into the school places a very real, and very unnecessary risk upon the students."
"For all we know, his little nice guy routine that he's been hamming up could have been for this exact reason. He could have been just biding his time, waiting for this exact opportunity to present itself," Snipe continued, "I have to voice my disagreement with such a potentially dangerous idea."
"He has been skilled enough to evade some of the top heroes in the country," Midnight murmured softly to herself, "That is a rather distressing prospect to have in such close proximity to the students. Especially when we don't really know the full extent of his skill set."
"All of you have been making very valid points," Said Nezu, who, Aizawa realized for the first time, had not actually been looking at them since this new discussion had begun. Instead, he had been looking at something on a small tablet on his lap. "However, I'm afraid that there is inevitably a wrench in your opinions."
"Why is that?" Aizawa asked hesitantly, even though he had a sinking feeling that he already knew.
Nezu simply looked up from his tablet, his eyes gleaming dangerously, "It would appear our unknown lead has ascertained the true age of our Vigilante."
Pressing a new command into the terminal, a live video feed of an alleyway began to play. Standing there, leaning against a wall near the entry point of the alley, just far enough for his identity not be seen. was the subject of their discussion. Principal Nezu clicks the audio button.
"I can't keep doing this, I'm going to get caught soon enough, depending on my D-rank luck it'll be when I'm not expecting it." The Subject seems to reach in his pocket a phone, then a momentary static, and a small flash of blue flames.
"Tomorrow night's the last one… after that…." The Subject sighs then continues, " After this, Finish school, go to high school, and… be on the lookout for him..."
It seemed that the small flash of blue flames had removed the costume from him. He looked to be wearing pedestrian clothes as one would expect, couldn't have evaded the law for months otherwise.
He looked even more neat and clean in the moonlight than he had in the video from earlier. And there, with the street light now shining down, Aizawa could make out a splotch of coffee staining the light blue polo he was wearing.
"Well then," Said Nezu, a positively predatory gleam in his eye, "What do you all say we go down and pay our guest a little visit tonight?"
"Who will be going? You can't expect all of us to drop what we're doing for one person, a kid at that." Sniped asked.
"I agree with Snipe, two of us and the authority should be enough if we're getting the jump on him tonight," Vlad spoke up
The rest of the members agreed, with various nods.
"You are correct on this Snipe, Detective Tsukauchi personally wanted All Might to be there, in case a certain person is involved with the multiple quirks this vigilante has...but he won't be the only one going, Aizawa and Midnight will aid, to apprehend the vigilante."
"When and where will the Operation start?" Aizawa spoke up
" The Unknown lead has also graciously told us that the Vigilante has been scouting Mustafa Harbor, and it seems that will be his location, time will be at Midnight…" Nezu gave out the information
Operation Phantom's Fall…
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
Date: ? Has come full circle...
Time: Early Morning.
Location: Leblanc Cafe.
"You know they say you can change during summer but hot damn, you changed!" Sojiro stated with enthusiasm.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ren was coming down the stairs while looking at Sojiro like he was crazy.
"Jeez kid, look at yourself. You have gotten taller, your muscles are getting there, and look definitely maturer." Sojiro pointed at the various improvements that he's seen.
"I've been….busy." Ren starches the back of his head in mock embarrassment
"Yea you can say that again, you were hardly ever home, and you'll come back drenched in sweat, and with the cat too!"
"Training my body, that's all." while going up to the Bar, grabbing a seat.
Sojiro scoffed before nodding. "Alright, one orange juice coming up. I'll get you a plate while you wait."
"Come on Sojiro, I think I'm old enough to be drinking some of that famous LeBlanc Coffee"
"Is that so?"
Ren nodded, " Would you mind making me a cup of house blend as well? I'll go with Black this time."
" Huh, look at you acting all mature now. Alright, you better finish every last drop," Sojiro scoffed. "Alright, one house blend is coming up. Here's your plate while you wait " Ren quickly started devouring the food
"Still can't get enough, can you?," Sojiro smirked proudly, placing a freshly brewed cup of coffee next to Ren's plate. "Try it with the coffee now. I told you that you'll like the combo years ago."
Ren did as he was told, quickly taking a sip from the house blend. The blend was richer and more satisfying than anything he had before. As Sojiro had said, the curry had somehow complimented the coffee in a way he didn't think was possible between such different items.
" Damn, what have I been missing for all these years, how come you never tried to push me towards it," Ren said while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Sojiro shrugged his shoulders " I've figured you come around to it on your own"
"Over eighty people were injured yesterday after a train was overturned as it approached the train station." Ren paused in his meal when he heard the television, glancing up to the side to see a newscaster speaking, "It was originally suspected to be the work of a villain, but it seems to just be another freak accident caused by the driver. The Public has deemed to called it 'Mental Shutdowns' "
"So that's why traffic was so packed yesterday," Sojiro hummed aloud. " Careful on your way to the train station. The schedule might be messed up as well."
"Alright, Boss," Ren nodded before finishing off his plate and downing the coffee. He jumped off of his stool and slung his bag over his shoulder. "Thank you for breakfast. I'll be going no-."
"Hello?" a voice interrupted him. Ren and Sojiro looked to the side to find a slightly ticked-off customer.
"Aizawa?!" Ren stepped back in shock, he hadn't seen the man since the incident that unlocked his powers.
" Good morning to you too problem child" Aizawa Smirked,
" Glad I'm not the only want that can see it " Sorjiro Muttered
"Sojiro!" Ren chided before composing himself "Wh-what are you doing here Mr. Aizawa?"
Aizawa walked to the counter and plopped down on a seat before turning to him "Well this is a coffee shop, what do you think?"
"I-I see, is this a one time visit or-"
Sojiro faked a coughed before continuing "Actually Shouta's been coming here for the past couple of months, he just comes in after you leave"
" Wh-what? Then what are you doing here so early?"
Aizawa raised an eyebrow, and spoke up "Geez, kid you sound like you don't want to see your god Uncle or something?"
"It-it's not like that, of course, it's just a shock to see you like-" Aizawa interrupted him
" By the way, I'm not here early, you're just late" he Smirked
Ren looked down at his watch and cursed "Crap, I-I got to go already, and nice seeing you again . " Bowing.
"Let's go, Morgana!"
"You're taking the cat with you?"
" Of course, he comes everywhere with me."
"Literally Too! And I better get no calls from you bringing an animal to school " Sojiro commented
" Come now, Sakura-san. Have some faith, haven't gotten caught yet."
"Tch, teenagers."
Aizawa watched the Black Cat hop into Ren's Bag with amusement…before they ran out of the Cafe.
"Sooo...How long has that been going on for?"
Sojro ponders with his hand cupping his chin thinking. " I believe it's been two months of school, but he's been having the Cat after the incident."
" It's….a unique cat, Blue eyes, and everything. Looks like a Siamese breed." Aizawa Muttered to himself, before noticing Sojiro giving him a look. "What?"
"I just didn't know you were such a cat Buff?"
"There's a lot, people don't know"
"Yea Yea, typical Broody Hero" Sojiro Scoffed before continuing "So the usual?"
"Please, I'm gonna need it. This is gonna be a long day."
"Why's that? Got a mission to do?
Aizawa contemplates before answering " Yes. You know of that vigilante that's been going around for months now?"
"Of course, the Media eats all that up"
" Believe it or not we have gotten a lead on the vigilante tonight...Midnight, Myself and All Might, are gonna be there, and some other smaller names"
Sojiro Whistles "Damn, Heavy Hitters then...Well, I hope everything works out. The Vigilante has been a good guy besides working out of the Law."
"Also Principal Nezu has revealed to us that the Vigilante is a Minor, and is hoping that we can make him a student at U.A to fix his... ideals"
"Well best of luck to y'all then"
Aizawa mutters thanks before taking a sip of his coffee.
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
Date:? Has come full circle...
Time: Late Morning.
Location: Near Aldera Jr High.
Ren feels rustling in his bag, and see's two black ears poking out, then a wild Morgana appears…
"Boss is right, you know."
"Oh yeah About?"
" The Metaverse must have affected your body and matured it faster." This caught Ren surprised, "Wh-what, are you trying to say? That I'm older now?"
"…"
"What the Hell cat, I'm supposed to be 15, not 17"
"Am not a cat, I am-"
" Morgana yea yea, back to the metaverse affecting my body, and powers."
"Right right, can't you tell that Arsene's gotten stronger in the 7 months of training, and battling shadows?"
Ren examines his hands and clenches his fist, " I- we do definitely feel stronger."
" Your shooting skills have improved and your close-range attacks have gotten better, and Arsene's skills have attained new power, just like my Zorro."
" Igor had said that I'm near to unlocking a new set of powers, and I tried to interrogate him about it but all said was 'In time you will learn, Trickster', geez what an ass."
' Hey, by the way, are you ready for tonight?"
" Of Course let's go for it, I've done some research on some shady dealing going around the Harbor "
" But let's focus on School right now…"
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
" Gigantification? She looks like she'll be popular and it's an amazing Quirk, but thinking about the damage to the city that'll go hand in hand with that, its use might be limited? No, but whether or not she controls the size..." A familiar dark green-haired boy, now 14 years old, wearing his black middle school uniform, wrote into a notebook with "NO. 13" written on the front of it after watching Pro Heroes take down a villain attacking the nearby train station.
"Hey wait, you're taking notes? You wanna be a hero? That's great! You can do it!" A balding older man with three diamonds, one on each side of his head, noticed his mumbling and writing, giving him a thumbs up.
"Yes! I'll do my best!" He smiled at the older man with a slight blush before looking down at his wrist.
"Oh, I'm gonna be late for school if I don't hurry!" Izuku turned around and started running towards it. He laughed sheepishly as he put his hero notebook back in his bag. "So many new Heroes are coming up"
"I should tell Ren about Mt Lady, He's all for Female Heroes. Considering..." Izuku feels a slight pink tinge on the cheeks. " He has all those Female Hero's pinups collected"
He has almost all of the big named Female Heroes but he doesn't have Midnight. If anything she should be his number one considering that she is the Rate R hero, but no he doesn't have anything related to her. Huh, I wonder why…?
He shakes his head "l e-lets just focus on getting to school, then what my friend does in his free time."
Alone…
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
Date:? Has come full circle...
Time: Late Morning.
Location: Aldera Jr High front Gates
Walking past the gates, Ren gets stopped by a familiar explosive voice
"Amamiya!" Ren turns to the source…
" Ah...Bakugou…. we're both late. What is it?" Bakugou walks up to Ren before pointing a finger at him " Where's your cat!" He asked
Ren points a finger to his bag, then Bakugou reaches into his pocket before handing Ren a small Packet of Sushi.
" Give this to your damn Cat, I don't want it starving during school. You bastard. "
Ren takes it before smirking " Wow, maybe you can become a Pro Hero if you care about animals "
"Shut it, you quirkless bastard! I oughta-"
" HEY!" A Bunch of feminine voices comes nearer…
" Crap, your Fanclub " Bakugou Mutters
Both Boys turn then their heads toward a Bunch of girls scowling at Bakugou
"You can't talk to Amamiya-Kun like that "
" Yea, don't be jealous that he has a cat! "
(You know I'm honestly surprised you haven't been ratted on yet. All these people know that you bring a cat to school….)
Arsene makes his presence known…His Persona always has a back seat watching his life like an interactive movie.
Guess those podcasters that say 'Good looks can get you anywhere' weren't totally off the mark…
"Oh shut it you dolls, he's nothing special" Bakagou shouted, but now he made a mistake.
The Girls that were scowling at him now turned into DeathGlares
" YOU'RE SO RUDE!" the fangirls started beating the ever-loving shit out of Bakugou in a comical fashion " Amamiya-Kun HAPPENS TO BE THE NICEST PERSON IN THE SCHOOL, YOU'D BETTER APOLOGIZE TO HIM OR WE'RE GONNA RIP YOU TO SHREDS!" and then they pinned him to the ground, still beating him.
Ren watches the situation with amusement, then he hears Morgana pop out, commenting "Wow they're really laying it to him, never underestimate a woman's wrath"
(That we can agree…)
Ren Chuckles before handing the food to Morgana, " Here's the sushi that he graciously wanted you to have," Ren said, passing Morgana the Sushi Packet.
"He can be an explosion Jerk, but he's considerate...sometimes…" Morgana Looks at Bakugou still getting beat " I think you should help him already"
"Not yet"
"Now!"
"Alright alright, Fine" he sighs before faking a cough interrupting the girls from dishing out punishment, "I think he's had enough Girls " Ren says while Reaching down to help Bakugou up
" I don't need your Help!" he shouts swiping Ren's hand away
The Result leaves them scolding Bakugou…
Shaking his head, he muttered, " Things never change…"
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
Date:? Has come full circle...
Time: Daytime.
Location: Aldera Jr High
Ren was now sitting at his desk, the desk in front of the one in the back right-hand corner of the room close to the window, looking out the window with his hand on his face, paying no mind to what was going on.
"Alright so first things first: Since you're all third years, it's time for you to seriously think about your future. I'll pass out handouts for your future plans now, but you're all..." The class watched as their teacher raised the stack of papers in his hand with a lot of the students activating their Quirks as he did. "...pretty much planning to go into the hero course, right?" The teacher happily threw the papers into the air as the class began to cheer with everyone cheering.
The whole class was shouting and cheering in confirmation, fully displaying their powers without a care in the world. Even though using their Quirks while in school was against the rules, the teacher praised them all for having "Quirks."
"YES!"
"Yes, yes, you all have wonderful quirks!"
I wouldn't call stretching your eyeballs out of their sockets or looking like you had a bad seafood allergy: wonderful…
Ren thought, looking around, feeling his breakfast come up slightly, and seeing the quirks of the classmates sitting right next to him.
Ren then started to concentrate on the mission that he was embarking on tonight, He Unconsciously started to twirl his pencil expertly.
(Maybe doing those fancy twirls was your original quirk…)
Arsene quipped a small smirk appeared on Ren's face.
" But using your powers at school is against the rules so please-"
Then his concentration on his twirling was cut short, and his mood dipped when Bakugo started talking.
" Come on, sensei. Don't lump me in with this bunch of rejects!" He said condescendingly. "I'm the only one who is a big deal. But these guys with their crappy quirks will be lucky to end up as sidekicks to some busted D-lister." Ren could hear Izuku chuckling seeing their ash-blond classmate look up at their teacher while offending the rest of the class at the same time.
"Get over yourself, Katsuki!" One student exclaimed as the rest of the class was outraged by Bakugo's remark.
"That was uncalled for, Katsuki!"
"Yeah!"
"You should all shut up like the extras you are!" Katsuki yelled, laughing at the classmates that were all glaring at him.
"Oh, if I remember correctly: you want to go to U.A. High, Bakugo?" Their teacher asked, looking at the clipboard on his podium.
"U.A.? The national school?!" Was the general thought among the students as all of them, save for Ren, looked at Katsuki in shock.
"It was in the top 0.2% this year!"
"I hear their acceptance rate is really low!"
"And that's why you're all extras. I passed the mock test. I'm the ONLY one here capable of making it to U.A. I'll surpass All Might to become the number one hero, and leave all of you in the fucking dust!" Katsuki yelled jumping onto his desk making the majority of the students look away intimidated.
"Oh yeah, Midoriya wanted to go to U.A. too, right?" Midoriya hid his face in his arms on his desk while the entire class erupted into laughter. Except for Ren, who crossed his arms in annoyance, and Katsuki, who began to ball his hands into fists and grit his teeth in anger.
"That's not necessarily true!" Midoriya says completely flustered. "Sure there's no precedent but..."
If I can get my 'quirk' over summer, isn't there a possibility that he can too?
People seem to forget that I just got my powers 7 months ago…
"No way in hell! Midoriya could never pass that test!"
"Not in a million years since all that loser does is study!"
"Come on Deku!" Bakugo shouts before Midoriya finishes. Striking his desk and activating his quirk, explosiveness, shattering the desk in back sending him flying past Ren, who gasps and releases the paper, and colliding with the back wall. "Forget the crappy quirks. You're totally quirkless, and you think you can rub shoulders with me?"
"Wait no, Kacchan," Midoriya says completely intimidated. "I wasn't saying I couldn't compete with you! Not at all! It's just been my dream since I was little. And well, there's no harm in trying." This causes Bakugo and the rest of the class to laugh again even harder-.
"Oh, you too Amamiya?" The entire class stopped laughing after hearing this, while Ren stood up from his desk.
"So you laugh at my friend, but not me? U.A. took out that rule for their exam, you don't need to have a quirk to take their physical exam: you can enter by recommendation or by academics now too. Midoryia's more of a hero than the majority of you combined, he has a better chance of getting in than I do. Besides, I've never explicitly said I wanted to go to U.A, if they accept me that's cool, but it doesn't mean I'll 100% go there." This was the button that needed to be pressed. Almost immediately, Katsuki jumped toward him and slammed his hand onto Ren's desk: destroying it.
"That fucking loser is below them! He's Quirkless! Do you think Deku could ever compare to me?!" Katsuki asked glaring at Ren who stood his ground with a grin on his face. "What about you, you damn red explosion copycat freak?! I'll take you out before you could even think about moving!"
"Depends on how you see it because last time I beat YOU," Ren smirked, angering Katsuki even further before the entire class, especially Izuku, flinched hearing a vibrating sound.
"Enough boys, I'll ask for two new desks. It's too early to begin a fight."
Ren can remember it like it was yesterday.
When the Trio Linked up to watch the New All-Might Movie a couple of months ago, Ren showed them the power that he just unlocked, and true to his character Bakugou wanted to see who was stronger. Safe to say that Bakagou didn't win…
Midoryia was happy for him, but he could see that he was inwardly bitter about it.
he was just like him a few months ago…
(That was a funny Memory, the poor child is still in denial. I wonder what put him in that state? Was it you telling him that you got a quirk or was it when you beat him in a tussle? He still instinctively calls you quirkless…)
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
After School...
The rest of the day was not as eventful as the start of it. Ren's class had seemed to calm down as the day went on and so had he. He was now looking at his phone at his desk, most of the class had already left the room to start heading home, reading a news report about how a sludge monster villain was wreaking havoc across town. The report urged people to stay in their homes and to exercise caution if still outside.
"Hey Deku!" Bakugo says loudly to Midoriya, catching Ren's attention. " We ain't done here." He then grabs the notebook Ren always sees Midoriya writing in.
Ughh Not this again…
Ren thinks, watching the scene to see what happens.
"Come on, give it back!" Midoriya pleads with Bakugou.
" 'For My Future'?" Bakugo reads the title of the book curiously. "Seriously?!" He says before touching the book and activating his quirk. Blowing up the book and leaving it crisped.
"W-Why?" Midoriya questions.
"Hmph," Bakugo responds, walking by Ren's desk and tossing the book out the window. "The best heroes out there showed signs even as students. I'll be the first and only hero from this crappy public middle school. The first to win the honor of becoming a student at U.A. Guess I'm just a perfectionist."
This is beyond simple bullying. He's trying to break Midoriya
I've seen enough of this…!
gets up out of his seat.
" In other words," Bakugo said. "Don't you dare get into U.A. Nerd!" He readies one of his signature right hooks. Midoriya snaps out of it to brace himself and then hears a gasp from one of Bakugo's friends.
But he does not feel anything, in fact, he still feels himself standing. He opens his eyes and is shocked. Shocked to see that Bakugo has his forearm in the hand of Ren Amamiya, His other best friend!
"I think he's had enough Kacchan, you need to stop," Ren said glaring daggers at Bakugo. "I'd say you're not acting like the future number one hero based on your actions." Bakugo's surprise then turns to anger.
"Let go of me you damn extra!" Bakugo exclaims removing himself from Ren's gasp. He then attempts to backhand him hard, Calm as he can be, however, Ren batted the appendage away, with as much effort as it would take to wave away an annoying fly.
Bakugou attempts several more tries even using his quirk, but they're all batted away effortlessly
" Come on already, I have somewhere to be Kacchan." Ren Causally checks his phone
" You Bastard don't' mock m-!" Bakugou gets interrupted by meowing and see's movement rustling out of Ren's bag. Out Came Morgana Looking around "Meow?"
" Right, I forgot. You have your dumb cat in your bag" Bakugou said lowering himself.
" I'm not dumb and I'm not a Cat!" Came out of Morgana's mouth, but to everybody else, they heard "Meow, Meow, Meow", With Ren Just nodding.
" Alright ya damn Cat quit yapping off my ear! Consider yourself lucky Amamiya" Bakugou says while Glaring at Ren, then he turns to his goons "Let's Go!"
" How can he ever be a hero with that attitude?" Morgana quipped while Ren just nodded while Midoryia was just looking at the Feline Meowing, and Ren Just nodding as if it was speaking.
Can He understand animals too…? Midoryia wondered
"Oh yeah and if you are hoping to get a good quirk in the next life. Why don't you take a swan dive off the roof sometime? Deku!" This causes Midoriya to turn around and look back at Bakugou as the latter leaves the room with his clique.
The duo is now alone in the room. With Midoriya back in his previous slouched pose, Ren sighs as he picks up his bag. He walks over to the now teary-eyed Midoriya.
"Hey," Ren said, getting Midoriya's attention. " You gonna be ok?"
"Yeah I think so," Midoriya said with a sniffle. "Thanks for helping me. Again"
"It was nothing. We have known each other for four years already, don't let what he said get to you."
Easy for you to say, you got your quirk over summer, me...same old quirkless dek-
"Anyways I think I saw your book land in the pond below. Let's go get it." Ren says interrupting Midorya of his thoughts
The duo then arrives at the pond where the remnants of Midoriya's book was. Most of it was in bad shape, with its pages having been either charred or soaked. "My Dreams are reduced to fish food…" Muttered Midoriya
"You know, I've seen you writing those books all time. What was in this thing anyway?"
" Oh it was my notes on a variety of heroes, people, and their quirks," said Midoriya. "You know how I always wanted to get into U.A. and become a hero. Ever since I saw All Might in action for the first time. I always watched this video of a city in shambles. There's complete chaos and flames everywhere. But out of this carnage, is All Might with a reassuring smile on his face with him saying ' fear not, I am here now.' After seeing that I knew that that's what I wanted to be. I know my chances of becoming a hero are slim. But I want to give people the same hope and strength that All Might gives me. I have to become a hero."
"It'll be tough but you definitely have the conviction for it. I just hope you're ready for a worst-case scenario." This was when he noticed one of the few pages in decent shape. A drawing of someone in some kind of mint green costume with a white waistband, white gloves and boots, a mask with rabbit ears, and what appears to be a black mouthguard with a teeth-showing smile on it. "What's this supposed to be?" He asks while handing it back to him.
"Oh it's my hero costume," Midoriya responds, happily taking the paper from Ren. "I'm glad this survived as well!" He says as Ren hands him the pieces he had found. "Anyways, do you wanna walk home together Ren?"
"Sur-" Ren Gets interrupted by Morgana popping back out Meowing at him
"Tonight the Night Joker!" Morgana Chided
"Right." Ren nodded while Izuku was still looking at them skeptically, Can Ren really understand the Cat…?
"Sorry, I got somewhere to be" Ren rubbed the back of his head apologetically.
The pair start to walk their separate ways until…
"Midoriya! " Ren calls out
Izuku Turns around with confusion "Ye-yes?"
Ren Puts a fist over his heart, in a grasping motion " You got the Heart of a Hero! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! After today I'll let you in on a Secret!" Ren parts with a double finger salute
Izuku just looked at the fading figures of Ren "What secret? " he muttered to himself
"Are you sure Joker?"
"Yes, he of all people deserves to know the secret," Re said determinately before questioning Morgana about something he told him a month ago, " Morgana are you sure that Midorya can Awaken a Persona?"
"I can feel the potential, but it might not even work," Morgana said
"If tonight goes off without a hitch, I'll help him try to unlock a persona"
"You really are a Great Guy Joker!" Morgana said rubbing himself on Ren's cheek while purring
"Is that purring?"
"N-Noo-no!"
"Alright, Mister Not a Cat. We got a Final Heist to finish."
Ending Song – A Sky Full of Stars, a Persona 4 Golden soundtrack.