Justice Across Space and Time
Chapter 57
The start may seem a little odd, but I want to get into the details about the newest member of the LOV and Forgotten. There's no magic member for the villain side so I felt the need to balance it out. But I will give him some better background and capabilities in this chapter. Not to mention get a few other things ready for the story. So, on with the show.
(No POV)
'I have to say this is an odd place for me to be. But given the current state of the world, it would be the best place for me to make my mark.' Mandla thought while reclining in Sosaku's penthouse. He rubbed the edges of a grimoire his mother had shown him as a boy.
But it was different from then to now. When she first showed it to him, it was pristine. Now, the outside cover was splattered with blood. He looked down at it with frustration and anger.
Most of it at the fact the book could not protect his family from those who sought to destroy the old ways that his father practiced. Or hated his mother for being different and learning about other magics.
'They think their science and quirks give them right to stand above all others. To denounce if one believes otherwise. Well…. They'll feel how the old ways can strike back.' Mandla thought once more before remembering how Sosaku and Tomura had found him.
(Flashback)
"Ugh. It's really humid around here." Tomura complained as they walked out of the Cape Town airport. Natalie agreed but knew they had to put up with it to find who they were looking for. She holds up a device Wu made to help them track the energy they were looking for.
She hums a bit before saying they needed to get out of the city. "If this device is correct, and I assume it is, then our quarry is close to the sea. I think near the….. Cape Floral, whatever it is." Sosaku says with some confusion.
They take a bus out to the area and start investigating. They found nothing for over an hour, but they started to notice an odd pattern. When they tried to get close to an area near the coast itself, they felt as though they were turned back or were suddenly dropped in a place far from the area.
"He's intentionally sending us away. Or somehow teleporting/mind controlling us to where we won't get close." Sosaku says after being turned around for the twelfth time. Shigaraki was annoyed but he respected whoever this was that was keeping them away.
He hums before suggesting they wait till night. "He may have this up just during the day. Good way to keep others away, but there is probably no reason for it at night." Tomura reasons. "You may be right. We just have to be patient." Natalie says as they hide among some plants to wait for their moment.
When evening fell, they made their way toward the coast and eventually found a hut by the sea. And they were promptly captured by plants and a strange energy. When they tried to use their powers, they suddenly felt numb from a mist that was spreading through the air.
"You have been investigating my home area for the entire day. Why?!" Mandla demanded before saying a prayer in Zulu that summoned spiritual warriors. Both were a bit nervous before Tomura mentioned that they were interested in his abilities. "And we were hoping to add you to our party. In a way to take down this society and all the fools with it."
Mandla eyed them with suspicion, but he was willing to hear them out. He pulled out his grimoire and cast a spell from it to make a pair of golems. He released the two from the plants and mystic energy before having the golems bring them.
Once inside his hut, he asked what they had in mind and what they were really after. Tomura and Sosaku shared looks before talking about their experiences and what they had endured. It seemed to resonate with the young mystic as he talked of his parents. His father a traditional mystic and shaman of his people. And his mother a collector of antiquities and objects that seemed associated with magic.
"Even if they didn't have magic she found the study of it curious and interesting. But many others disliked and despised them. My father for his adherence to old way they all believed didn't exist. And my mother they saw as a witch." Mandla says while rubbing the grimoire from his mother.
He said he hated quirks and the society built around them, but he couldn't really fight against the shear number of those with quirks. "Maybe with us you can. We can give you the chance to really take revenge against those who took your parents. And many more beyond that." Sosaku says with a sad look directed the young mystics way.
Tomura finishes with, "but it has to start back in my home nation. Japan has become the forefront of heroics, powers, and quirks once again. Partially thanks to All Might. But also, thanks to some hero wannabes from UA. If we can show them to be weak, we can make those heroes and others in this society tear themselves apart."
Mandla looks at them with a bit of suspicion, but he does like the idea of some form of payback. He sighs before mixing up some of his herbs to negate the poison mist he created. He helps the two villains drink a bit before it negates the toxins. "I'm willing to listen. For now."
(Flashback end)
'And that listening brought me here. We can make a move soon. And I can make some use of the local plants to make some very interesting concoctions. But I need time.' Mandla thinks before casting some spells from the book, as well as attempting his prayers to summon ancestral warriors.
Wu is uneasy about working with an energy he doesn't understand and an ally he isn't sure would be willing to work with them. "Doc, I get why you're uneasy. But this guy might be able to do a lot for us." Jin says with a wary eye at the newest member.
"I'm just not sure about how far or long we could trust him." Wu says before turning back to his lab. But Mandla heard all of what they said and had his own point on the matter. "I don't blame you, but I've been hurt by those with quirks and those who disliked me and my family for being different. I'd say that is enough to compare with you, no?"
Wu looks back and the African descent man and considers some of what he said. He doesn't disagree, and admits it is comparable to what he endured with Deternat. "And it does make sense on why you'd want revenge and to ally with us. But… I'll just admit it, the idea of magic goes against my principles as a scientist." Wu says with a suspicious look directed Mandla's way.
Who just rolls his eyes and closes his grimoire with a snap before saying he'd have to get used to it. The newest member then excuses himself to work with some materials and research a few more spells.
Natalie and Tomura observed from the side and let out a pair of sighs. "I suppose it would be a bit too much to expect them to all get along. Yeah, it's not like they all have the same experiences or motivations when it comes to why they fight. Well, we'll just have to wait and see what happens, eh tovarish?"
The two leaders had been sipping some coffee while discussing. And as much as he wanted to deny her calling him a friend, Tomura couldn't help but smile a bit at Natalie referring to him as such. So, he agreed and held up his mug for an impromptu toast.
While the villains were preparing for their next set of actions against the heroes, the classes of UA were preparing themselves. Some were anticipating the upcoming School Festival and the greater chance to shine. Even if it was over a month and a half or so away.
But the hero classes were having a different issue. At least the first-year ones were. Many of them were still recovering after strenuous assignments. Or contemplating how they could apply their newly learned skills with their quirks. Others though were considering asking Jotaro and Saphentite to teach them about ki as well as other martial arts.
Most were turned away though. "You don't have what you really need to try and learn these skills. So, there is no point in teaching you." Jotaro said a bit coldly. While a few from his class complained about this, Aizawa agreed with him. "Most of you are just looking at it as a flashy way to be a hero. Or have other shallow reasons. And that won't help you."
The teacher's own cold look told them that he wouldn't teach them either. Ojiro was one who had considered asking to learn ki. But hearing the way they described it, he started to think over the reasons why they were refusing. While ones like Mineta and Kaminari were looking for ways to look cool since their quirks were lame or had a big drawback.
With the main two who were learning ki, there had been some progress made. Itsuka couldn't launch a wave or blast a long distance like Jotaro could. But she had finally put together how to make it move from her and maintain the form.
"Ken no nami!" Itsuka shouted as she made two blade arcs in front of her. They only went about six inches before dissipating, but it was progress. The red head breathed deep before saying, "man! I still can't make it go farther. And I've tried using the Storm Fist but that doesn't work either."
Saphentite just told her to be patient before suggesting she takes a break. "It takes time to properly release ki like that. It took Jotaro years before he could do more than unleash a short-range shockwave," the genie girl explains.
With Jotaro, he decided to take Aizawa's training a different way. "I've thought about this before, but you do employ a bit of ninjutsu technique in your style. The problem is, other aspects are ignored due to your reliance on your quirk."
"I won't deny that. My style is best as an ambush type and I do my best work at night and underground. But I have worked to get around that." Aizawa admits as they were walking to an area Jotaro suggested.
The boy though smirked at him before disappearing when the hero teacher blinked. Aizawa was shocked and looked around to try and find him. "How can someone that big disappear?" he thought aloud while looking between the trees and rocks in the battle area.
"Size isn't the determining factor. But knowing how to blend with anything is easy if you are calm." Jotaro says with a knife hand at Aizawa's throat. The first part of the statement was said when the teacher still couldn't see him. He was wide eyed and asked how he did that. "I had to learn how to walk carefully and gently when I was powered up. That translates quite well to stealth."
Aizawa is still shocked and asks what Jotaro had in mind. When they reach a clearing, Aizawa gets some of his answers from the appearance of various training machines. The large student does a front flip and then goes into a nimble back flip to land atop a balance bar. He steadily walks backward on it before bending backwards and then walking on his hands.
The insomniac teacher is shocked by what he'd all seen and asks his question again. "I want you to go back to the basics of ninjutsu as it were. You know how to blend into the darkness, but you should also learn to disappear in the daylight. Not to mention other disciplines associated with ninjutsu."
He points out that Aizawa was still applying his skills in a public hero way. "And that won't help your techniques grow or help you to finish figuring out your own way of using ki." The black-haired teacher can see Jotaro's point and agrees to go along with the training.
First focusing on training his skills with his balance and concealment. The former on beams and plum flower poles. Then stealth among the trees. Though he gets frustrated at Jotaro identifying him and where for the tenth time during it. "I may not have super senses right now, but I can still pick up on your scent or breathing when I calm down."
After that, the two trade blows to improve Aizawa's hand to hand as well as his channeling of ki into it. The teacher finding it easier to use when he focuses his breath. During some of these exercises, Aizawa can feel the way to make better use of the ki.
He leads in with left backhand strike, before thrusting his right palm forward quickly while letting ki flow through it. Jotaro is wide eyed as he takes the blast of yellow energy fired from Aizawa's hand.
"Did I just?" he mumbles out while looking down at his hand. Jotaro grunts before saying, "yeah you did. You're starting to get there your own way. Huh. Looks like it has some funny effects." Aizawa looks up and sees Jotaro's hands are a bit limp. The teen barely able to make a fist.
It fades relatively quickly though, only taking about a minute till he can feel his hands again. "That could be useful. But be careful with it." Jotaro advises. Aizawa agrees and asks that they continue.
During some of the training, Jotaro notes his understanding on distance and angles in combat. "But you forget other lines or issues that could trip you up!" Jotaro says before evading just right to where Aizawa trips on some rocks as he was going in for an attack. And then being compromising position for a killing blow.
"Don't just look at the opponent or the villain. You are good at using the shadows, but other items around during a fight could tip you off to many things." Jotaro says before leading Aizawa into a different trap and then a place where his usual style would be compromised.
The teacher grunts before asking how he remembered all of this. "It doesn't seem like something a kid your age should know." Aizawa remarked after being tossed aside after Jotaro disappeared again. "Aside from a memory that records everything I hear; when you lose a sense, you lose a way to distract yourself." Jotaro lies while thinking about what Saphentite suggested.
After they had been training a week or so, (and Aizawa learning how to put ki into his "Countermeasure Kick" for a stronger disabling blow) both new ki students felt they had grown quite a bit. With Itsuka even creating a ki kick art as well. Called the 'bō fuku; tsukisasu' or bō blow; thrust for a straight kick.
"So, what's next to the ki butt kicking levels of awesome!?" Itsuka asked excitedly she and Jotaro were walking back to the dorms. The marital artist girl jumping around a bit and practicing some of what she had learned.
Jotaro had a disconcerted look on his face as she asked that. He let out a sigh before saying that was it for now. "Just stick with what you've learned for now." This stopped Itsuka in her tracks and she almost face faulted at hearing that.
When she recovered, she asked what he was talking about and why he wouldn't teach her more. "You know enough. Besides, you still don't have a full mastery or even understanding of projectile ki attacks. And you aren't ready for anything more." Jotaro says and his resolve hardens a bit even as Itsuka gives him some puppy dog eyes.
"No," is all Jotaro says and the look in his eyes tells her that he isn't budging on this. 'Weird. Normally I'd just infer it from his tone or way of carrying himself. But I guess that is part of why I like him. He's not going to bend just because I pull something cute out. He'll stand by what he says.' Itsuka thinks before saying that they should do something as a couple again.
While he had been training with those two, Izuku had taken to practicing and training with a few others. Even helping them improve other weaknesses or suggesting new ways they could use support gear to improve.
As well as he and his girlfriends spending time training and relaxing together. Melissa even made some earpieces to help Ochaco with her zero gravity side effects. "It doesn't completely remove the feeling, but it does make me feel better." Ochaco reported after making herself and a number of items heavier than her usual limit float.
"Glad to hear it. So, any idea on what your class is going to do for the festival?" Melissa asked. The two hero course students shrugged, with Izuku mentioning that they hadn't been too focused on that. "Aizawa-sensei hasn't said anything yet, but I'm sure he will soon. But he has been a bit preoccupied."
The trio chuckle before heading back to the 1-A dorm to unwind. Though they have some trouble because quite a few members of the class were still pestering Jotaro to teach them ki.
"C'mon man! Sure I can fire electricity, but if I use too much I'm useless! Can't you show me something?!" Kaminari pleaded. Mineta was in the same place, wanting to be able to more than just restraining villains. "Did you forget you were the one who pointed out your style wouldn't go to making it possible?" Jotaro asked in annoyance.
Even Koda, Sato, and Shoji were curious about if they could learn the techniques as well. And even if they weren't asking, Jotaro could feel the looks from Momo, Mina, and Jiro. He has an infuriated look on his face when he exclaims, "I'm not teaching you how to use ki! I'm not even teaching Itsuka everything. She doesn't need to know all of it, and she can't handle everything."
While that did stop everyone from pestering him for a while, Jotaro would regret what he said the next day. "So. You don't think I can handle all of what you can teach me?!" Itsuka says at lunch while looking at Jotaro in anger. Though he can also see a bit of sadness and betrayal there too.
"That's not it! Look….. you don't need to know everything I know! At least….. well…." Jotaro tries to defend himself, but he isn't sure on the best way to phrase it. Tears seem to well up in Itsuka's eyes before she sprints off.
Jotaro stands to go after her, but Saphentite stops him. "I know one of the reasons you are saying that. And you just going after her won't really help. I'll check in on her." Saphentite says before floating off.
She eventually finds the girl on the roof of the school. She isn't full bawling, but Itsuka is crying. The martial artist looks up and sees Saphentite instead of who she somewhat hoped for. "Oh….. are you here to tell me I shouldn't be mad? That he has a good reason for not trusting me? I thought…. He believed in me. And what I could do as a hero."
"Sort of and that's not it. Look, he just doesn't know how to tell you what he knows could be risky. I know what he's holding back on. But it isn't my place to say that he shouldn't at least show you what he's afraid to teach you." Saphentite says before sitting down and letting Itsuka cry a bit.
It was a free period that afternoon, so Jotaro took time to work on his skills. While also trying to think of a way to explain what he was holding back on to Itsuka. "You know, just saying she doesn't need to know won't help her."
Jotaro turned and saw Mina behind him in the clearing. He sighed before acknowledging she was right. "But it's hard to explain what it is that I'm holding back on. There are techniques and skills I know that can be incredibly dangerous. Especially if used wrong."
Mina nods before asking if it was just that. "Or are you afraid she wants to know too much, too fast? You're worried she'll become addicted to the power she's gained or learned. And it could hurt her more than she knows."
"Okay don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't expect you to be this insightful." Jotaro says with a chuckle. Mina blushes a bit before saying she may not be book smart. "But…. I know people. And I've always tried to be the best person that could make people smile or protect them when I can. Even if I'm absolutely terrified."
Jotaro notices the look on her face at mentioning that and asks about the story behind it. Only to regret it a bit when she seems to freeze up and remembering something traumatic. He put a hand on her shoulder to try and talk with her.
She grips his wrist and burns it a bit with her acid. Jotaro winces but doesn't make known that it hurt. Instead, he grabs her other shoulder and tells her to look at him. "C'mon! You're not back wherever someone hurt or scared you. You are an exceptional hero at UA."
Mina tears up a bit before looking Jotaro in the eyes. She breathes a bit before calming down. When she realizes he was really close to her face, her blush turns her face scarlet. She coughs to cover it up before explaining what she was remembering.
"Sorry. I just….. Someone was… scaring and terrifying two of my classmates back in middle school. I jumped in to try and give him the directions to where he wanted to go. But he was still scary to see." Mina said while trembling slightly.
Jotaro nods and tells her she definitely has what it takes to be a hero. Mina's heart swells with pride at what he said. Though it fades a bit when she notices the acid burns on his wrist. "I didn't mean to-"
"I know. It was involuntary and an accident. I'll be okay." Jotaro says with a calm look and a smile directed her way. This just make Mina blush again before asking if he minded practicing a bit of capoeira with her. The large teen chuckled a bit before agreeing and practicing with her for the rest of the afternoon.
They wrapped things up as the sun was going down. "Hey Mina…. Thanks. I think I have something of an idea on what to do." Jotaro says with a contemplative look on his face. Mina smirks a bit before saying he was welcome and heading back to the dorms.
The depowered hero hummed before going to find Aizawa and Thirteen. After explaining what he wanted to do, they let him into the USJ and changed around the plans for tomorrow's lessons.
The next day, everyone from 1-A noticed that Jotaro was missing. "Midoriya, do you know where Jotaro is?" Ida asked while waiting for Aizawa. But the green haired teen shrugged before saying he didn't see him at the dorm. Mina noted that they had trained last night.
"But we called it a day before the sun set. He seemed to be thinking about something." Saphentite also seemed unsure about what her partner could be thinking. Aizawa comes in and berates them a bit for not calming down. "Sir, Jotaro isn't in class. And no one has seen him since last evening." Ida said with a chop of his hands.
Aizawa sighed before saying he was helping with a special lesson for later in the day. "And you all are going to be a part of it. You too Todoroki. Class 1-B will also be there. I hope you're ready." Aizawa says before thinking to himself that he was also curious on what Jotaro was up to.
Once the afternoon came, all of the students loaded up to head for the USJ again. Some were wondering if Jotaro was going to pretend to be a victim in a rescue scenario. Or something like that. When they still didn't see him at the top of the steps a few felt nervous.
Saphentite and Izuku though felt something ominous coming from the landslide section of the building. "Uh oh. He isn't….. no! Is he crazy?! Okay you know what!? I don't care if I get a bad grade from this! I'm not going over there!" Saphentite says with a firm look. And it doesn't fade even when Aizawa threatens expulsion.
The fact she didn't flinch told him that this was bigger than he thought. Especially when she whispered that she'd help with bandaging up the injured afterward. "Okay then….. the rest of you. Head for the landslide zone. Jotaro is waiting for you, I guess." Aizawa said with some fear.
The 38 remaining students headed that way with some trepidation and fear. Especially when they arrived at the location and saw Jotaro just sitting and meditating. Most of them assumed it was no different than usual. But Itsuka and Izuku could tell otherwise.
"Okay he's packing a seriously crazy amount of power and ki right now! Like I didn't even know this was possible!" Itsuka says while feeling the turbulent wave of energy coming off of him. Izuku meanwhile could feel Danger Sense screaming in his head. And all of it was focused from his friend.
No one dared approach even as Jotaro continued to meditate. Shoto gulped a bit before stepping forward to ask him what was going on. "You'll be facing off with me today. All of you. And I intend to come at you with everything I've trained in with ki and the martial arts." Jotaro says with his eyes still closed.
He stands calmly and in a pure focused state of mind. Jotaro then opens his eyes and everyone can see the glow of the ki he manipulated in them. Shoto panics a bit and quickly unleashes an ice wave to stop Jotaro.
Who just puts his hands close to make a Storm Fist. But the energy is much greater and more turbulent than any of them had seen before. He fires it toward the approaching wave and shatters it all. Even knocking Todoroki back a bit.
It keeps going until it impacts on a building. And it seems to carve out a large chunk of the faux skyscraper. Before Todoroki can process or try and use another attack, Jotaro is almost instantly in front of him.
He punches him in the stomach before comboing multiple blows into the bi colored teen's body. Culminating with him holding his hands to the side before thrusting forward with what most assume is his Rampage Straight. But Itsuka can tell the difference in power and calls it a Stampede Blow in her mind.
The name fits as Todoroki is sent flying before impacting on some rubble. Unconscious and with multiple broken bones. Everyone is scared and Jurota is next in trying to take down Jotaro. He leaps at him hoping to tackle the large teen, but Jotaro is calm and takes a stance.
Jotaro steps into his range and unleashes a powerful uppercut to the beast teen's jaw. It dazes him and leaves him open to the next attack. Jotaro holds his hands to the side for a second before punching downward.
"Vesuvian….. FORCE!" Jotaro shouts as his punch impacts the ground and causes a massive blast of ki to strike Jurota in the stomach. Sending him flying as well. Though he isn't unconscious. Jotaro turns to the rest of the students before saying, "bring it."
As much as I wanted to write this whole fight, I'll wait a bit to really get into the meat of it. And I intended to explain what is going on after, or sort of during, the fight next chapter. Please review!